Phocuswright & WiT to launch Middle East travel tech conference in Dubai

Phocuswright and WiT, two of the top travel technology platforms from Northstar Travel Group, are collaborating to host a Middle East conference in Dubai on May 3.

The one-day conference, which is slated to take place at Grand Movenpick Media City prior to the Arabian Travel Market Week, will combine the most advanced Phocuswright intelligence with WiT market insights regarding digital travel, with an emphasis on technology, innovation, distribution, and marketing trends in the Middle East.

The world's leading expert in travel technology research, Phocuswright is headquartered in the US and organises prestigious conferences in both the US and Europe. WiT, a travel technology news and events platform located in Singapore, hosts yearly conference editions in Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, and Malaysia with an emphasis on Asia Pacific and frontier markets. This year, on March 14–15 in Cape Town, it will make its African debut alongside WiT Africa.

Returning after its 2014 debut, Phocuswright WiT Middle East is made possible with the help of Accor. 2019 saw the final WiT Middle East event.

Yeoh Siew Hoon, the founder of WiT, said, “We are excited to return to the Middle East.” And added, “We were part of the early growth of online travel in the region when we launched in 2014 and watched it grow rapidly in the ensuing years. What was interesting was how the growth there paralleled some of the trends in South-east Asia and there were lessons to be exchanged across both regions.

“In the last three years, since we’ve been away, much has accelerated and changed, and we’re excited to make our comeback with Phocuswright to unearth the myriad opportunities in this exciting high-growth region.”

Pete Comeau, the Managing Director of Phocuswright, said, ‘We began researching the Middle East in 2012, and have observed a dynamic market transform from a mostly offline region in 2012 where online penetration was less than 20% to a market where over half of sales will be processed online by 2026. We are excited to team up with WiT to combine Phocuswright’s market intelligence alongside WiT’s deep industry insights on travel technology and innovation.

“At Phocuswright WiT Middle East, “You, Me & The Machine” will meet “The Human Revolution” and our programme will be heavy on the new step change in tech that’s sweeping travel globally – from generative AI to content fragmentation to social commerce – and how humans working in travel need to harness these tools for the greater good of travel.”

Added Siew Hoon, “Our programme will blend overseas speakers, who will bring their global knowledge and insights, with regional experts who have deep, local experience in their respective sectors.”

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