Sustainability is a long-term strategy, not one event theme: Danielle Curtis

Sustainability is the central theme of the 30th edition of Arabian Travel Market that will open in Dubai on May 1. But Danielle Curtis, Exhibitions Director, tells India Outbound that sustainability is a long-term strategy that has to become the norm of the industry, rather than just one event theme.

- Varsha Singh

Q What was the main reason for making sustainability the theme for ATM 2023?

Each year, we try to place spotlight on a specific aspect of travel that we think is pivotal in determining the direction of the industry and how it will move forward. So this year, our theme is working towards NetZero. So, we will be looking at how innovative sustainable travel trends evolve and to identify some key strategies for growth across many of the key verticals. Also, ATM is actually celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and we will be unveiling a dedicated sustainability pledge, not only to make this year's event more sustainable, but in line with our own organisation Reed Exhibitions' goals we are working towards NetZero and we hope to achieve this by 2040.

That combined with the fact that Dubai is hosting COP28, so there is a lot of discussion about it across the region. I genuinely believe that as the leading travel and tourism platform, ATM has a really significant role to play in this.

What are the key takeaways vis a vis sustainability and ATM 2023?