Luxury isn’t just about thread count and champagne anymore. It’s about meaning, innovation and maybe a touch of AI magic. The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 is setting the stage for this shift, where luxury meets purpose and technology meets travel obsession.
At the heart of the conversation is the debut of the ATM Ultra Luxury Lounge, a by-invitation-only playground where high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth travellers will rub shoulders with the world’s most prestigious travel brands. Think of it as the Davos of indulgence, minus the snow boots.
From gold taps to green tech
According to Marriott’s 2026 EMEA Ticket to Travel Report, and echoed in ATM’s own Travel Trends Report 2025, affluent travellers in the Middle East are driving record growth in luxury tourism, chasing experiences that combine innovation, sustainability and cultural significance.
In short, today’s big spenders want transformation. As Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market put it:
“Luxury travel is no longer defined by opulence alone, but by purpose, connection, and transformation. Travellers are seeking experiences that are not only exclusive but also meaningful — journeys that reflect their values and deepen their connection with the world around them.”
And it’s not just talk. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global luxury travel market is set to skyrocket from US$2.7 trillion in 2025 to US$4.8 trillion by 2032. Clearly, there’s no cost-of-living crisis in the clouds.
Jet-setters, take note
Private aviation is literally soaring. Market analysts at Creative Zone predict the regional private jet sector will hit US$943 million by 2029, fuelled by the Middle East’s appetite for convenience, privacy and control (and probably avoiding airport queues).
Ambitious new projects are matching that ambition on the ground, too. Curtis points to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea developments, Cheval Blanc on Dubai’s Naïa Island, and Bvlgari Resort & Mansions in Abu Dhabi as evidence that ultra-luxury in the Middle East isn’t just growing, it’s positively glowing.
Sustainability gets a seat in First Class
From “eco-chic” no “eco-expected”, travellers across the region are a lot more conscious than ever about their footprint, and the luxury sector is responding with greener design, ethical sourcing and purpose-driven travel.
As Experium’s Top 10 Luxury Travel Trends Transforming the Middle East in 2025 revealed, wellness, sustainability, and tech-enhanced comfort are the holy trinity of the new high-end experience. From solar-powered private islands to AI-curated detox retreats, luxury is officially going clean.
The 33rd edition of ATM will reinforce Dubai’s status as a global hub for innovation, collaboration and investment in the future of travel. Alongside the Ultra Luxury Lounge, visitors can explore IBTM@ATM for business events, and the revamped ATM Travel Tech with its brand-new Tech & Innovation Hub, proving that luxury and technology are no longer strange bedfellows.
