Ajman Tourism Development Department Hosts Panel on Groundbreaking Tourism Innovations in the Arab World

Tourism

Ajman Tourism Development Department Hosts Panel on Groundbreaking Tourism Innovations in the Arab World

The Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) organized a panel discussion titled "Innovative Tourism Experiences in the Arab World" at Al Zorah Golf Club. Held in conjunction with "UAE Innovates 2025" and Arab Tourism Day, the event explored groundbreaking tourism initiatives aimed at enhancing the Arab world’s global standing in the tourism industry.

Driving Innovation in Tourism Through Technology

The discussion, attended by H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director-General of ATDD, brought together industry experts, entrepreneurs, and tourism professionals. Participants emphasized the importance of integrating modern technologies—such as artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and the Internet of Things (IoT)—to create unique and immersive tourism experiences.

The session also addressed strategies to:

Expand and diversify tourism offerings to attract international visitors.
Boost competitiveness by leveraging technology-driven innovations.
Enhance sustainability through smart tourism solutions.

H.E. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi highlighted the UAE’s vision of positioning itself as a leading global tourism hub through innovation and sustainability.

"This session reflects our wise leadership’s commitment to sustainability and economic diversification, in alignment with the UAE Centennial 2071 vision. At ATDD, we integrate innovation across all our initiatives, focusing on enhancing visitor experiences through cutting-edge technologies such as digital tourism and AI."

Industry Experts Share Insights on Tourism Innovation

The session featured key industry figures, including:

Patrick Antaki, Vice President of Operations for the Middle East at Valor Hospitality
Rasha Youssef, Founder of Fafla Travel
Darren Derieh, Founder of Turhal Al-Asayel Travel and Tourism Experiences

Participants actively shared global best practices and discussed collaboration strategies between government and private sectors to foster innovation-driven tourism.

Key Recommendations for the Future of Arab Tourism

The panel concluded with several strategic recommendations to advance innovation in tourism, including:

Strengthening public-private partnerships to promote innovative tourism projects.

Adopting digital solutions to enhance tourism services and streamline visitor experiences.

Encouraging entrepreneurship by fostering startup-friendly environments.
Introducing specialized training programs to equip tourism professionals with advanced tech skills.

Commitment to Sustainable Tourism Growth

Aligned with "We the UAE 2031", which aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy, ATDD remains committed to fostering innovation and sustainable tourism development. By creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem and embracing technology-driven advancements, Ajman is set to further establish itself as a leading player in the future of Arab tourism.