Conference & Meetings World caught up with Ian Renton to find out what makes Atlantis Dubai such a desirable location for international events.
- With Dubai occupying such a convenient geographical hub and having expanded rapidly to become a key international business and trade destination, as well as being home to many regional corporations and associations, you must feel that Palm Atlantis has the ideal location and client base for meetings and events development?
Certainly, I believe the two go hand in hand. The MICE proposition we have developed and created, along with the incredible work of Dubai Tourism to boost the overall destination, Atlantis Dubai remains at the forefront for clients and guests looking to conduct business events. At Atlantis, The Palm we pride ourselves on being able to create a wide range of experiences where our guests seldom feel the need to leave our resort – in essence, a destination in its own right. Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal together form Atlantis Dubai, the world’s leading entertainment destination. Atlantis Dubai will bring extraordinary experiences to life between the two properties, with beautiful rooms and suites, the largest celebrity chef presence, unparalleled attractions, world-class wellness offerings, and an innovative nightlife scene.
- You also have that rare mix of attraction both as a unique destination for business as well as leisure. Are you getting that ‘bleisure’ mix coming through now?
Since the resort opened in 2008, Atlantis, The Palm has been a firm favourite for incentive groups who have long valued the diversity we’re able to offer across the resort as well as the amazing experiences, some of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. From the world’s biggest waterpark to underwater dining to diving with 65,000 marine animals. There is truly an extraordinary experience for everyone. Today’s world is very fast paced, and our clients continuously look to incorporate opportunities for guests to relax and enjoy the resort whilst conducting business. I feel this helps to ensure their events are unique and memorable.
- What about the effects of Covid? UAE seemed to weather that storm better than many destinations and was one of the first to reopen. How did you cope and what is the pace of returning business for MICE?
Since the reopening of the city to tourists in 2020, with the support of Dubai Tourism and the authorities, we put all of our focus into ensuring Atlantis was setting the benchmark in maintaining the highest level of precautionary health and safety measures for our guests and MICE guests. We were one of the first destinations in the region to offer in-resort PCR testing for guests, and we were amongst the first hotels and resorts in the world to become Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED® with Forbes Travel Guide.
We also remained very dynamic throughout the pandemic, developing assets across the resort that we incorporate into our MICE packages to enhance experiences and offer that special treatment, whilst leading by example in the destination with the ever-changing Covid protocols.
We also invested back into our resort, with a $3.1M refurbishment of our conference centre as well as a complete refresh of all rooms and suites to ensure we remain a leading MICE destination. Staying nimble and diversifying our business mix certainly helped us to continue operating throughout the pandemic.
- What is your strategy for the short and medium-term in terms of marketing your events facilities and potential and how do you expect this market to develop further in terms of international clients? Do you work closely with the Dubai tourism’s convention bureau (Dubai Business Events and City Operations)? If so, how does that assist you?
We are in constant dialogue with Dubai Tourism to strengthen our proposition as a resort and to support Dubai as a destination – we both play a critical role in ensuring Dubai stays top of mind for visitors, whether for business, leisure or both. Our strong relationship and regular communication ensures that we are always a united front.
- What are the biggest two or three challenges to you developing this international meetings and events business? Which countries do you target most for your marketing efforts?
Because we’re a global brand with such a diverse offering, we welcome guests from more than 80 countries around the world. What the pandemic enforced was the need to diversify our business, meaning if one market were not able to travel, we then need to focus on another and remain a global player in an ever-changing environment. Working closely with Dubai Tourism and Emirates Group ensures we stay relevant and present in the markets which are trending and have traction for business opportunities.
- I guess with the backdrop of the hotel and its location/scenery, it can be an amazing canvas for creating event concepts. Can you tell us about some of the more eye-catching events you have staged at your venue and, please, let us know the larger of your indoor meeting capacities you can offer for theatre-style and boardroom meetings and conferences.
We recently completed a highly successful incentive group for a company celebrating their 50th anniversary, where we were able to deliver a seamless set menu culinary experience for 1,600 guests. During the pandemic we also fully renovated our meeting and events facilities investing over $3M. Our Atlantis, The Palm facilities consist of one grand ballroom, two junior ballrooms, one boardroom and our famous Asateer Tent spread across 4200m2. In our grand ballroom we can accommodate up to 2,000 guests theatre-style or divide the ballroom into five sections. Whether it’s a boardroom for 10 people or an outdoor dinner for 4,000 we pride ourselves on our ability to offer flexible and unique venues which can be transformed accordingly.
- Tell us about some of the big events coming up before the end of the year and into 2023 and how your two brands distinguish their offer.
Atlantis Dubai has some very exciting events coming up across both resorts. Following in the footsteps of KISS in 2020, and Robbie Williams in 2021, Atlantis, The Palm will welcome international pop sensation Kylie Minogue as the headline act at the entertainment destination’s legendary New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner. Kylie will take to the stage in the lead-up to Atlantis, The Palm’s 2023 countdown, entertaining guests with global anthems such as ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ and ‘All The Lovers’ as well as classics such as ‘The Loco-Motion’. Only those attending the Gala Dinner can take advantage of seeing the spectacular live appearance from the world-renowned entertainer followed by one of Dubai’s largest and most stunning firework and pyrotechnic displays, as the skies above The Palm Beach will be turned into a riot of colour.
We’re also very much looking forward to the opening of Atlantis The Royal. It is the pinnacle of luxury, specifically designed to challenge the boundaries of imagination and uniquely tailored to guests’ every desire. The resort comprises of 795 ultra-luxury rooms, suites and signature penthouses, awe-inspiring experiences, 17 bars and restaurants including eight by celebrity chefs, a soaring Skypool, and a one-of-a-kind holistic wellness retreat. Atlantis The Royal raises the standard for what to expect; delivering rare and unique experiences that ignite the senses, all within the world’s most ultra-luxurious experiential resort.
We are planning an exclusive Grand Reveal event and preview of Atlantis The Royal for global celebrities, content creators, media and stakeholders to take place in November. We look forward to announcing the on sale date very soon, with guests expected to stay from January 2023. Atlantis the Royal will challenge and shape the future of luxury travel, offering guests an experience like no other.
Both Atlantis Dubai resorts bring the extraordinary to every holiday, whether it is five-star fun, excitement and adventure at Atlantis, The Palm or the most ultra-luxury experiential resort in the world at Atlantis The Royal. Atlantis Dubai delivers unforgettable memories and must-return to vibes; all while taking in the infinite ocean and skyline views from every room. Across the two resorts we are home to more celebrity chefs than anywhere else in the world, making it the culinary destination in the region. Guests can take advantage of the world class wellness experiences, the world’s biggest waterpark as well as access to the longest stretch of private beach in Dubai. While the two destinations offer different experiences, they both promise the highest Atlantis standards.
- Finally, what would you say are the most compelling reasons for international organisers to consider Dubai as a destination for their big event and, in particular, the Palm Atlantis ?
With 1,544 rooms and suites, over 32 restaurant, bars and lounges, and Atlantis Aquaventure that recently broke the Guinness World Records™ title for the Most Waterslides in a Waterpark, we are a fully integrated entertainment destination resort, appealing to a wide range of guests and addressing both business and leisure needs. Inspired, rewarded, recognised, and motivated are just some of the emotions our guests experience when holding an event at Atlantis, The Palm. We are a multi-dimensional resort that can offer something for everyone.
Dubai is a hub for global business, a gateway into established and emerging markets, and a destination of choice for business and leisure visitors from around the world – in fact, Dubai was recently selected as the world’s most popular destination in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards 2022. Today, Dubai’s airports support more than 80 airlines flying to 214 destinations. Liberal visa policies are designed around the ease of welcoming visitors, with 58 nationalities currently eligible for visas on arrival. These are listed in the ‘How To Get Here’ chapter.
In less than 50 years, Dubai has become one of the world’s most dynamic cities, a city with a vision of the future, and the tools to build that future. We have the infrastructure in place so that visitors and delegates are enabled to maximise the opportunities that arise from the connections they make here.
Dubai successfully managed a remarkable turnaround amidst continuing global challenges, and it is that unwavering determination that will no doubt continue to cement Dubai’s position as the destination of choice for international travelers.
