The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, as a key event in the tourism industry, was held from September 14 to 17 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This event brought together decision-makers from various countries including the UAE, India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the UK, Egypt, and others, becoming a milestone for the exchange of ideas and business opportunities.
Strong Presence and Extensive Representation
In this edition of the Arabian Travel Market, over 55 booths from various destinations and strong representatives from the tourism industry, including tourism officials, airlines, hospitality brands, and technology companies, were present. This diversity reflected the high level of confidence in the industry and the role of this event as a unifying force for the global tourism community.
Mr. Issa Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing, stated: "Arabian Travel Market 2026 was a valuable platform for the global tourism industry and, with strong participation from local and international stakeholders, reinforced Dubai's position as a safe and accessible destination. This event provided an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and identify new areas of collaboration, and the level of engagement reflected continued confidence in Dubai's tourism offerings."
Important Announcements and Innovative Initiatives
Arabian Travel Market 2026 witnessed the introduction of several important initiatives. One of these initiatives was the launch of the national tourism brand "Visit UAE," aimed at presenting the UAE as a unified and cohesive destination. Additionally, the "Grand Tour of the UAE" was introduced as an online platform allowing visitors to experience a continuous journey through the seven emirates.
Emirates Airlines signed 11 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) at this event, strengthening its relationships with seven regional and global destinations and expanding collaborations in technology, marketing, products, and travel experiences. Furthermore, Rotana Group has a plan to develop 40 new hotels with over 8,300 rooms, with 10 of these projects located in Saudi Arabia.
Etihad Airways and Abu Dhabi Railways also signed a memorandum of understanding at this event to create a seamless air-rail travel experience for the UAE. This collaboration will facilitate travel and enhance Abu Dhabi's position as a gateway to other parts of the UAE.
In addition to this news, a consortium including Saudi Airlines, Nesma Group, and KUN announced that a new airline will commence operations in Saudi Arabia from September 20, 2026, connecting the city of Dammam to Riyadh, Medina, and Jeddah.
Arabian Travel Market 2026, under the theme "Travel 2040: Advancing New Frontiers through Innovation and Technology," explored the impacts of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and changing traveler expectations on the future of tourism. Over 90 sessions were held during these four days, with a noted doubling of the space dedicated to technology at this event.
This edition of the Arabian Travel Market will remain a unique opportunity for developing collaborations and exploring new business opportunities in the tourism industry. As preparations begin for ATM 2027, participants are expected to gather again in Dubai to discover new opportunities and innovations.
