Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 will return to Dubai World Trade Centre from 14–17 September, with this year’s event putting artificial intelligence, digital transformation and other travel technologies at the centre of discussions about the industry’s future.
The 33rd edition of the Dubai travel and tourism event comes after a period of disruption across the sector. Organiser RX Global says the four-day exhibition will give destinations, airlines, hotels, travel companies and tourism professionals an opportunity to reconnect, build commercial relationships and examine how the industry can adapt to changing traveller expectations.
For visitors and industry professionals, one of the biggest changes at ATM 2026 will be the introduction of ATM Travel Tech, a dedicated co-located exhibition focused on technology in travel.
ATM 2026 brings travel technology into focus
ATM 2026 will be held under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology.”
The programme will look at how technologies including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, smart mobility and immersive technology could influence the way people travel and how tourism businesses operate.
A new Tech & Innovation Hub will showcase developments in areas including AI, robotics, fintech, immersive technologies and smart mobility.
Sabre will join ATM as the strategic partner for ATM Travel Tech, adding a dedicated focus on the technology used by airlines, travel agencies and hotels.
For travellers, the significance is less about any single new product being launched at the event and more about where the industry is directing investment and discussion: reducing friction in travel, using data more effectively and responding to increasingly digital traveller expectations.
What can visitors expect at Arabian Travel Market?
ATM 2026 will bring together destinations, tourism authorities, airlines, hotels, travel technology companies, tourism suppliers and other professionals from international markets.
The conference programme will run across the Global Stage, Future Stage and Experience Hub, with sessions covering AI, destination resilience, hospitality, aviation, business events, luxury travel, accessibility, sustainability and investment.
Research from ATM’s official knowledge partners, including Tourism Economics, Euromonitor International and Dragon Trail International, will also support the programme.
The event is therefore broader than a traditional tourism showcase. Its programme is designed to examine both the immediate challenges facing travel businesses and the longer-term changes that could shape the sector through 2040.
What does ATM 2026 mean for Dubai?
The event is also significant for Dubai because it brings international travel and tourism stakeholders together in the emirate at a time when the industry is focused on resilience and future growth.
Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said ATM is important to strengthening international partnerships and accelerating innovation across Dubai’s visitor economy.
The event also supports Dubai’s wider tourism and economic ambitions under the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, according to DET.
For Dubai’s tourism ecosystem, ATM provides a meeting point for destinations, airlines, hotels, travel companies and other businesses that depend on international visitor flows.
Emirates and hotel groups to focus on partnerships
Emirates is among ATM 2026’s strategic partners and plans to use the event to deepen relationships with industry partners and pursue joint tourism initiatives.
Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates, said: “Arabian Travel Market has long been a key industry fixture in our calendar and is an important platform for Emirates to deepen relationships with partners, create new business opportunities, and give visitors a first-hand experience of our latest products.
“This year, we are furthering joint tourism initiatives and tie-ups with organisations serving specialised traveller segments, along with steadily strengthening our long-standing partnerships. Growing a destination or tapping into new customer segments is not a solo effort and we look forward to a productive ATM, and to what these partnerships will deliver for the wider industry.”
IHG Hotels & Resorts is also a strategic partner. The hotel group said the next phase of tourism growth in the Middle East will increasingly involve using technology and data to understand travellers, reduce friction during the guest journey and create more relevant experiences.
Al Rais Travel to showcase AI-powered travel planning
Dubai-based Al Rais Travel will use ATM 2026 to launch its new AlRaisTravel.com platform.
According to the company, the platform will feature Voice AI and Chat AI aimed at making travel planning faster, easier and more personalised.
Al Rais Travel will also expand its focus on medical tourism by connecting travellers with healthcare providers worldwide.
Mohamed Al Rais, Executive Director, Al Rais Travel, said: “This year’s theme, ‘Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology,’ reflects the direction in which our industry is moving. Since 1977, Al Rais Travel has grown alongside Dubai, building a legacy based on trust, strong partnerships and personal service. At ATM 2026, we are proud to begin our next chapter with the launch of the new AlRaisTravel.com platform, featuring Voice AI and Chat AI to make travel planning faster, easier and more personal. We are also strengthening our presence in medical tourism by connecting travellers with trusted healthcare providers worldwide. As a strategic partner of ATM, we remain committed to combining nearly five decades of experience with technology to help shape the future of travel from Dubai.”
When and where is Arabian Travel Market 2026?
Arabian Travel Market 2026 will take place from 14–17 September 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The event will bring together the international travel industry in Dubai, with this year’s edition combining business networking and tourism promotion with a strong focus on the technology expected to influence travel over the coming years.
With ATM Travel Tech making its debut and AI, smart mobility and digital transformation featuring prominently across the programme, the event will provide a snapshot of how travel companies are preparing for the industry’s next phase.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
