Why the Middle East is an Ideal Location for Skift Global Forum East

Europe is home to 63 of the top 100 city destinations in the world, according to a new ranking.

Enjoy the holiday season in the heart of the capital, Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi, the “Middle East’s Leading Beach Destination” honoured for the 12th consecutive year by the World Travel Awards. Indulge in celebrations that reflect the destination’s unparalleled charm, crafting an experience that is truly unmatched.

Global market research company Euromonitor International has released its annual rankings of city destinations based on tourism, sustainability and economic performance. Europe dominates the field. Paris was crowned the most attractive city destination in the world in the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023, with seven European destinations landing in the top 10 and the continent owning 63 spots in the top 100 overall. Nadejda Popova, Senior Manager (Loyalty) at Euromonitor International, said: “Paris has retained the title of the world's leading city following exceptional performance across the Tourism Policy and Attractiveness, Tourism Infrastructure and Tourism Performance pillars.” Paris was followed by Dubai in second place, Madrid in third, Tokyo in fourth and Amsterdam in fifth. The top 10 was rounded out by Berlin (6), Rome (7), New York (8), Barcleona (9) and London (10).  

The most powerful decision-makers from across the region’s travel and tourism landscape will be attending the Skift Global Forum East over the course of three days. The event kicks off tonight (Tuesday, December 12), with an invite-only networking event at Atlantis The Royal’s panoramic Cloud 22 venue. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Diamond Ballroom of the Atlantis will set the stage for two days of thought-provoking panels and discussions with the greatest minds in the Middle East.

As we prepare to return to Dubai for Skift Global Forum East on December 12-14, we’re revisiting a few of the most popular sessions from last year’s event.

United Airlines is betting big on Spain: On December 6, the carrier announced that for the first time, it is launching new nonstop service between San Francisco and Barcelona for summer 2024. Together with its other Spain routes, that marks a 30 percent increase in flights to Spain in 2024 compared to 2023.

President Joe Biden is a self-described train fan, commuting between Washington, D.C. and Delaware on Amtrak for decades as a Senator. Now to beef up U.S. passenger rail, his administration is doling out more than $8 billion, including funds for two high-speed trains in California and Nevada.

We are officially one week out for our second annual Skift Global Forum East, hosted by Dubai, on December 12-14 at Atlantis The Royal. We plan to welcome approximately 300+ attendees and speakers into the Diamond Ballroom boasting over 1,000 square meters of luxurious event space. 

Passengers planning winter getaways to USA, Europe and Asia on Qatar Airways in December 2023 and January 2024 can immediately benefit from greater choice and seamless connectivity to exciting destinations across the globe.

dnata Travel experts continuously monitor trends and work with long-standing international partners to offer exclusive rates and added extras for the local market, alongside the latest in travel inspiration.

The award winning airline partners with local farms and Evergreens Organics to curate EXPO 2023 Doha a la carte menu special.

Over 200 top companies plan to attend Skift Global Forum East in Dubai on December 12-14. This includes household names like Air Arabia, Auberge Resorts, Booking.com, Emirates, Hilton, Seera, and Shangri-La Group, just to name a few.