Tourism leaders speaking at ATM 2023 say luxury travel operators must view sustainability as a long-term investment rather than a short-term cost

Tourism leaders speaking at ATM 2023 say luxury travel operators must view sustainability as a long-term investment rather than a short-term cost

- Experts say guests no longer see sustainability as a compromise within luxury travel, and are now demanding environmentally responsible offerings

- Luxury brands must also focus on how they can positively impact surrounding communities socially and economically, according to speakers at ATM 2023

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Rather than cost, the Middle East’s luxury travel sector should focus on the long-term gains offered by decarbonisation, waste reduction and community initiatives. That was the assessment of experts speaking on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which will run at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until Thursday 4 May.

‘Sustainable Luxury: At What Cost?’ included a range of insights into how luxury travel is leading the tourism industry’s sustainable charge in the Middle East. Moderated by Joe Mortimer, Editor-at-Large at Destinations of the World News, panellists included

Nadia Ibrahim, Member of the Board of Directors of the UN Global Compact; Amir Golbarg, Senior Vice President Operations – Middle East & Africa at Minor Hotels; Candice D’Cruz, VP Luxury Brands at Marriott International; and William Harley-Fleming, Vice President of Operations for JA The Resort and Indian Ocean.

Commenting on growing demand for sustainable offerings among consumers, the UN Global Compact’s Ibrahim said: “Luxury and