Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 will be held from September 14 to 17 at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together travel and tourism professionals as the industry adapts to changing regional and global market conditions.
Organisers said the revised dates are intended to give exhibitors, buyers and visitors greater flexibility while supporting participation and business engagement.
New AT dates
ATM 2026 comes as Dubai continues to maintain operations across its aviation, tourism, hospitality and events sectors. The emirate has also introduced several government measures, including Dhs2.5 billion in economic stimulus packages and tourism support initiatives.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE, RX Global, said: “We appreciate the move to September means change for everyone; however, ATM’s role as a vital platform for the travel and tourism community to reconnect, strengthen partnerships and drive meaningful dialogue at a time when industry collaboration is needed most, is a key priority.
“Supported by Dubai’s world-class infrastructure, operational resilience and strong public-private sector coordination, ATM 2026 remains firmly positioned to bring the tourism industry together and support long-term recovery and future growth.”
Tourism recovery
The event takes place as air connectivity across the region continues to improve. The UAE resumed full air traffic operations on May 2, while neighbouring countries including Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait have reopened their airspace.
According to the organisers, Emirates has restored 96% of its global network, serving 138 destinations in 73 countries with more than 1,300 weekly flights. Other regional airlines, including Etihad Airways, flydubai and Qatar Airways, are also rebuilding their schedules.
Recent changes to travel advisories have also supported demand. The UK has lifted its travel warning for the UAE, while Australia has eased its travel advice for several destinations in the Middle East, including the UAE.
Industry outlook
Hoor Al Khaja, Senior Vice President, International Operations at Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “Dubai’s approach, guided by the city’s visionary leadership, has always been rooted in long-term planning, agility and strong collaboration across government and industry stakeholders.
“Throughout recent regional developments, the city has remained open, operational and welcoming, reinforcing the trust placed in Dubai by travellers, businesses and international partners worldwide. The city continues to provide a powerful platform for major events and meetings across key sectors, including tourism, and we look forward to engaging with the international travel community at ATM 2026.”
Research from STR, the event’s official research partner, showed hotel occupancy levels across GCC markets have continued to recover in recent weeks, supported by domestic demand and the continued operation of tourism infrastructure.
Future travel
Held under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology”, ATM 2026 will focus on topics including destination resilience, crisis management, aviation continuity, digital transformation and sustainable tourism growth.
The conference programme will feature policymakers, tourism authorities, researchers and technology experts discussing future challenges and opportunities for the global travel industry.
Among the keynote speakers is Stephen Dutton, Global Insight Manager – Travel at Euromonitor International, who will present a session titled The State of Travel: Inflation, Polycrisis & the New Travel Reality.
Speaking ahead of the event, he said: “Travel spending surged to record levels in 2025, outpacing GDP growth in many markets. This is a powerful testament to the enduring demand for meaningful cross-border experiences. This resilience is not incidental – travel has repositioned itself as an attainable luxury that consumers actively protect, even amid mounting economic and geopolitical pressures, and when consumers need to make trade-offs elsewhere to do so. Travel allows consumers to escape the day-to-day challenges they face and to experience the world positively.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
