Middlesex University Dubai announces the celebration of the United Nation’s World Tourism Day on Thursday 27 September 2018. The day will include an expert panel discussion and a virtual reality exhibition highlighting the digitisation of the tourism industry in the UAE. The open to all event will be held at the University’s Knowledge Park Campus from 6pm onwards.
The tourism sector is set to play a huge role in the UAE with the World Tourism Council stating at the Sharjah Hospitality Forum 2017, that globally, the industry is forecast to grow by about 4 per cent each year for the next decade, but in the UAE, it’s higher at 5 per cent. By 2027, research predicts that travel and tourism will contribute over Dh260 billion to the GDP of the UAE.
In light of the significance of the sector in the UAE, a panel discussion will be held and will focus on how technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and even social media that are increasingly transforming the tourism industry in the region. It will also discuss the future of the sector; the role digitisation will further play and the importance of retaining human contact in tourism experiences.
The panel includes renowned names from the UAE tourism industry such as Arva Saleem Ahmed of Frying Pan Adventures. Arva along with her sister show people the authentic side of the city she has grown up in. She also co-hosts the UAE’s first-ever dedicated food podcast, The Frying Pan Diaries. Her company offers trails using food as a lens for street-side discovery, interaction with characters of the old city, food history and even etymology.
Arva will be joined by renowned hospitality consultant Martin Kubler, a hotel GM turned business consultant with 20+ years executive-level management experience in Europe and the Middle East. As well as multi-award-winning Emirati filmmaker and founder of Kiyany Media, Hassan Kiyany, who was recognised in 2015 by Forbes Middle East as “one of the emerging UAE media leaders.” Lastly, leading researcher Dr Cody Paris, a passionate traveller, who has authored/co-authored nearly 100 academic articles, book chapters, and papers. Cody’s research has been recognised with several prestigious awards including the Travel and Tourism Research Association’s (TTRA) Keeling PhD Dissertation Award. He is presently the editor-in-chief of e-Review of Tourism Research (eRTR).
Before the session, the University will also be showcasing a VR exhibition created in collaboration with Hassan Kiyany which will introduce the attendees to the world of digital media and its increasing role in tourism through the experiential technology.
“Tourism plays a huge role in the UAE’s development and growth. The latest government initiatives such as VAT refund and transit visa provisions aim to attract even more travellers to the region,” said Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Director and Pro Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University Dubai. “We are excited about welcoming our esteemed panel for a discussion on the future of digital transformation in tourism and how digital advances and innovation can help move towards sustainable and responsible tourism.”
To find out more, please visit https://www.mdx.ac.ae.
