The travel industry will turn its attention to Dubai next week as Arabian Travel Market 2026 brings government ministers, tourism officials and senior travel executives together to debate where the industry is heading — from artificial intelligence and aviation to changing traveller behaviour and tourism resilience.
The 33rd edition of ATM will run from September 14 to 17 at Dubai World Trade Centre, with more than 210 speakers scheduled across more than 80 sessions on the Global Stage, Future Stage and Experience Hub.
For visitors and travel professionals, one of the biggest themes this year will be the shift from discussing emerging technology to examining how it is already being applied across the travel industry.
Arabian Travel Market 2026: What is happening in Dubai?
The four-day event will cover a broad range of issues affecting tourism, including international cooperation, aviation and connectivity, hospitality, investment, sustainability, business events and changing consumer behaviour.
The opening Global Stage programme on September 14 will feature a UN Tourism welcome address from H.E. Shaikha Al Nuwais, followed by remarks from H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism.
A major opening-day session will focus on tourism resilience in the GCC, with government representatives discussing traveller confidence, crisis communications, coordinated destination messaging and cooperation between governments, airlines and tourism businesses.
The ministerial debate will include H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, H.E. Shaikha Al Nuwais, H.E. Fatima bint Jafar Al Sairafi, Bahrain Minister of Tourism, and Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.
How will AI change travel?
AI is moving beyond a headline topic at ATM 2026, with the technology forming a central part of the newly expanded ATM Travel Tech programme.
The dedicated co-located show will make its full debut this year, with its Future Stage examining areas including AI, fintech, digital distribution and connected travel platforms.
Dr Marwan Alzarouni, CEO, AI at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, will open the Future Stage with a session titled AI’s True Role in Rewriting the Travel Landscape.
Visitors will also be able to see technology demonstrations at the Tech & Innovation Hub – Demo Zone, where more than 15 interactive demonstrations from Travel Tech companies are planned.
The programme will feature representatives from companies including Sabre, Trip.com, Tripadvisor, Wego, MakeMyTrip, RateGain and Visa, with discussions covering agentic AI, online travel agencies, digital discovery and changes to the travel supply chain.
What will ATM 2026 say about travel demand?
Market research will be another major focus, giving attendees a look at how economic and geopolitical conditions are affecting travel.
Stephen Dutton, Global Insight Manager – Travel at Euromonitor International, will present The State of Travel: Inflation, Polycrisis & the New Travel Reality, examining the impact of inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and changing consumer priorities.
Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, will also present its annual ATM Travel Trends Report. Dave Goodger, Managing Director, EMEA, Tourism Economics, will discuss where international travel demand is moving and the opportunities emerging for the Middle East.
That session will also look at why travel demand in the region continues to show resilience.
What does ATM 2026 cover beyond tourism?
The programme extends beyond hotels and destinations to areas such as business travel and events.
The Experience Hub will host sessions on business events, corporate travel, sustainability and peer-to-peer discussion, with organisations including ICCA, IAPCO, GBTA and SITE taking part.
One regional session, Beyond Borders: The Middle East’s Collaborative Vision for a Global Business Events Future, will examine how business events can contribute to investment, talent and knowledge exchange.
Representatives from the Oman Convention Bureau, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority, Visit Qatar and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority are due to participate.
When and where is Arabian Travel Market 2026?
Arabian Travel Market 2026 will take place from September 14–17, 2026, at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The event is designed primarily as a meeting point for the international travel industry, with the 2026 programme focused on partnerships, market intelligence and developments likely to shape the next phase of global tourism.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE, RX Global, said: “We’re pleased to be bringing together such a high calibre of participants for this year’s conference programme, from UN Tourism and government ministers to senior leaders and experts from across the international travel industry. The breadth of expertise across our stages reflects the issues that matter most to the sector today, from resilience and traveller confidence to AI, connectivity, investment, changing consumer behaviour and the future workforce.
“By combining senior-level perspectives with research, market intelligence and practical discussion, we want the programme to give attendees valuable insights they can take back to their businesses, while creating an important forum for the industry to exchange ideas and explore the opportunities shaping the future of travel.”
With AI, travel demand, connectivity and regional cooperation all featuring prominently, ATM 2026 is set to offer a snapshot of the issues currently shaping travel in the Middle East and the wider international market.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
