This virtual conference will discuss sustainable investment measures for the Middle East travel & tourism sector and consider strategies to restore travelers’ confidence and move forward post-pandemic.

Dr Taleb Rifai is Former Secretary General to the United Nations World Tourism Organization and is also chairman of ITIC, this conference organiser. In his message to panelists, attendees, participants and investors, he said: “We are living in unprecedented times for the industry, facing its toughest challenge ever – stay home means no travel and, no travel, means no tourism.

“Restructuring to Attract Sustainable Development and Customers in the New World Order, on June 3, 2020. It is part of three days of virtual discussion at Arabian Travel Market, the Middle East’s largest gathering of tourism professionals, that has gone virtual for 2020.

“This ITIC conference is vital at this critical time and I am pleased that it is part of ATM, which I commend for facing the challenge and ensuring they keep us all in contact with each other. ITIC is the leading travel and tourism investment conference organiser and with ATM, this event offers time to reflect on the financial environment in this badly hit sector.

“We must all think together, out of the box, imaginatively, this is our real historic test. But I know that the Middle East has proven in the past that it is robust and has the capability to bounce back. I am saddened by what we are living through but optimistic that the recovery will be positive.”

Moderated by BBC Presenter and broadcaster Rajan Datar, it will also examine repositioning your business, how to attract investment and the part governments must play in helping the sector recover.

The Middle East region that had a clear vision for the future has been hit hard by the pandemic but the ITIC – ATM conference offers the opportunity to plan for the future.

Governments are recognising that rebuilding a travel and tourism sector is essential and across the Middle East there’s a new focus on health, safety and cleanliness as part of the vision to relaunch travel and tourism.

Finance will be vital and while some businesses will fall by the wayside, some airlines will not survive and some hotel chains will be unable to adapt, many others will and new players are set to emerge offering travel solutions in this new normal.

Registration is free and we hope to welcome you there.