The Arabian Travel Market 2026 opens at Dubai World Trade Centre on Monday, bringing the global travel and tourism industry together for four days as technology, changing traveller expectations and long-term tourism growth take centre stage.
Running until September 17, the 33rd edition of ATM is being held under the theme ‘Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology’. The event will bring together destinations, tourism authorities, airlines, hotels, technology companies, buyers and tourism professionals.
Arabian Travel Market 2026 puts travel technology centre stage
One of the biggest changes at Arabian Travel Market 2026 is the debut of ATM Travel Tech, a dedicated co-located show focused on technologies reshaping the travel sector.
More than 180 exhibitors from 30 countries will occupy two dedicated halls, showcasing developments and potential partnerships across the travel technology ecosystem.
A key feature will be the 850-square-metre Tech & Innovation Hub, covering areas including artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, fintech and green technologies.
The accompanying Future Stage will examine topics such as AI and automation, digital transformation, immersive technology, robotics and next-generation travel platforms.
What to expect at ATM 2026
The event’s Global Stage and Experience Hub will host tourism leaders, policymakers, researchers and technology specialists throughout the four-day programme.
The opening Ministerial Debate will focus on building a more resilient tourism industry through collaboration, including discussions around traveller confidence and the GCC’s position in global tourism.
The programme will also feature research and insights from organisations including Tourism Economics, Euromonitor International, STR and Dragon Trail International.
AI and digital transformation take a bigger role
AI will be among the central topics at ATM 2026, with Dr Marwan Alzarouni, CEO, AI at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, opening the Future Stage programme with a session on how artificial intelligence is reshaping travel.
Executives and representatives from companies including Sabre, Trip.com, Tripadvisor, Wego, MakeMyTrip, RateGain and Visa will also discuss areas ranging from agentic AI and online travel agencies to digital discovery and the changing travel supply chain.
The event will also introduce a refreshed ATM brand identity, reflecting its expansion beyond the exhibition itself into a year-round platform connecting the global travel and tourism industry.
For Dubai, the event puts the city at the centre of conversations about where travel is heading next, with ATM 2026 using technology and innovation as key lenses for examining the industry’s future.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
