ATM 2025: Global leaders explore AI and Data intelligence in shaping travel's future

ATM 2025: Global leaders explore AI and Data intelligence in shaping travel's future

In the midst of Arabian Travel Market 2025, Mabrian Technologies and the Almawave Group co-hosted a high-level roundtable focused on the transformative role of data intelligence, AI, and Generative AI in the travel and tourism sector. 

The session created by the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council, Travolution's sister brand, brought together 20 senior executives and thought leaders from across the public and private sectors for an invitation-only dialogue on the future of intelligent travel solutions.

The session titled Successful Market Strategies With AI and Data Intelligence, covered insights and strategies for impact through harnessing AI and Data Intelligence for smarter tourism. 

A discussion which lasted 90-minutes, the roundtable explored how data-driven insights and cutting-edge technologies are already reshaping destination management, travel planning, and strategic execution across the industry.

Representatives from key tourism bodies and projects such as Visit Oman, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Authority, and NEOM joined, as well as global travel organisations like the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Egyptian Hotel Association, McKinsey & Co., BCG, and Roland Berger to debate the vision on how technology and data-driven insights are shaping strategic developments across the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector.

Participants agreed that while technology is rapidly advancing, the real differentiator lies in leadership, vision, and the ability to operationalise insights across departments and decision-making layers. 

“The purpose of this roundtable underscored the importance of building bridges between innovation and implementation, as well as the need for sector-wide collaboration to maximise the value of data and AI in travel,” said Laurie Myers of Global Strategist for the Resilience Council, Travolution's sister brand.

“It has been great to see the growing interest in travel intelligence here in the Middle East,” said Mario Pucciarelli, director of sales & business development at Almawave in Dubai. 

“What we are building with Mabrian, together with the broader Almawave, is not only resonating with travel industry, but also is a key part of our wider AI vision — bringing real, actionable insights to destinations and industry players.

“With our regional offices in place, weare here to stay and fully committed to working alongside local partners to grow a meaningful and long-term data ecosystem that benefits travel & tourism in the Middle East.”

Carlos Cendra, partner and CMO at Mabrian Technologies stated: ”We wanted to run this Roundtable so we could have a cross sector honest, thought-provoking discussion with these destination experts to understand how we can provide better solutions for our partners. 

"We were also eager to show the extent to what data-driven insights can enhance travel and tourism strategies and development and contribute to address key issues that destinations and companies are facing around the world."