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In the fifth episode of the Backstage Leadership Conversations podcast, host Nick Hall discusses post-pandemic trends in business travel and explores the efforts of Abu Dhabi in helping the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector thrive. Nick is joined by Roula Jouny, CEO of Tourism 365, who shares her insights and experiences in the travel, tourism, and hospitality sector.
Roula discusses the challenges faced by Abu Dhabi and the tourism industry as a whole during the pandemic, highlighting the changing customer behaviours and the importance of flexibility in terms of cancellations and payments. She also emphasises the growing demand for sustainability and how Abu Dhabi is actively engaged in promoting it, citing initiatives by Etihad and ADNEC to address plastic waste and environmental concerns.
The conversation delves into the potential for innovation and sustainability in the MICE sector. Roula emphasises the need to provide a richer and more meaningful experience for business travellers by incorporating sustainability into events and creating interesting itineraries that allow them to explore the destination. She also discusses the concept of combining business and leisure travel, where attendees can extend their stay and enjoy the destination while working remotely or participating in companion programs. Collaboration and teamwork are highlighted as crucial elements in creating exceptional experiences for visitors.
The episode concludes by emphasising Abu Dhabi’s competitive positioning as a leading MICE destination, with its combination of great hotels, authentic experiences, cultural heritage, and interaction with the local community. The importance of sustainability and collaboration in maximising the potential of the destination is reiterated.