The number of wealthy families making travel a high-spend priority is on the rise, and this will be a major focus of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2015 seminar series as the region’s inbound and outbound travel professionals look to capitalise on this niche market opportunity.

The top three luxury holiday destinations for Mena residents are UAE (14 per cent), Italy (10 per cent) and Turkey (5 per cent), showed a report by YouGov, an internet-based market research firm. Top-end hotels look set to profit from this trend with over a third of Mena residents usually staying in luxury hotels when traveling for leisure. 

Looking at a region-wide breakdown, around one-quarter of GCC residents (27 per cent) and Levant residents (23 per cent) stay in luxury hotels compared to 17 per cent of North African residents. Meanwhile, in terms of specific countries, one-third of Bahrain residents (34 per cent) usually stay in luxury hotels - the highest percentage in the entire Mena region.

“This trend for luxury family travel offers opportunities for tour operators to create tailor-made packages that take into account not only family needs, but also the cultural considerations unique to the Mena region, and this opens up tremendous marketing opportunities.  Luxury, and family luxury travel in particular, is a trend to watch, and one that will be covered extensively at this year’s show,” said Nadege Noblet, exhibition manager, ATM.

“Over half of Mena residents arrange all aspects of family travel themselves, yet 72 per cent of Mena residents would book an all-inclusive luxury package if they were available. This is a phenomenon that has not as yet manifested itself in the GCC, apart from the Rixos Bab Al Bahr in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE; although it has long been a cost-friendly family option in Egypt’s key coastal destinations,” she added.

Two ILTM@ATM seminar sessions will look at various aspects of luxury travel: ‘Biting into Gourmet Travel’ and ‘Luxury Family Travel’. Moderated by Destinations of the World News and featuring a panel of luxury travel specialists, the Luxury Family Travel seminar will take place on May 6 in the Visa sponsored Seminar Theatre where they will pinpoint some of the key trends of today's affluent families.

The panel discussion will wrap with an evaluation of the impact and value of the local and global family travel market within the overarching domestic and international luxury tourism industries.

With Mena residents primarily choosing to stay in four or five-star hotels, and 20 per cent flying first or business class, family travel budgets are some of the most generous, with 17 per cent of residents spending between $3,000-5,000; 9 per cent spending $5,000-7,000; and 14 per cent spending over $7,000.

“Mena residents are extremely discerning when looking at luxury family travel, and the ATM 2015 luxury-focused seminars will give industry professionals the opportunity to examine how to cater to this important tourism sector,” said Noblet.

A contingent of 25 luxury exhibitors will also be present on the show floor, taking part in the ILTM @ ATM hosted buyer meetings programme.  They will also contribute their professional expertise and experience in the luxury family travel arena to the discussion.

Companies representing the Middle East, Europe, the US and Asia include Jordan Tourism Board, Kempinski AG, Amathus Travel, Armani Hotel Dubai, and international brands including Hilton Hotels, among others. 

Hosted luxury delegates also include Saudi Arabia’s Seyon Holidays, Belair from Lebanon, Lush Escapes of the UAE, Golden Gate from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain’s Algosaibi Travel. – TradeArabia News Service