This year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is set to break records with expanded halls, innovative features, and a focus on global connectivity. In a press conference held on Thursday 24 April at the voco Dubai hotel, the ATM team unveiled plans for its upcoming edition, which will take place from 28 April to 1 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
According to Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director for the Middle East, Arabian Travel Market, “Connectivity is increasingly recognised as the driving force behind the future of travel and tourism.” The event will highlight the importance of collaboration among governments, airlines, travel agencies, hospitality leaders, and local communities in shaping a thriving and sustainable industry.
His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, emphasised Dubai’s commitment to advancing its position as a leading global city for business and leisure, with ATM playing a pivotal role in driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.
Meanwhile, Curtis sat down exclusively with Rihlat Travel News to share what attendees can expect from this year’s event.
1. ATM 2025 promises to be another great event – what would be the biggest change from previous years
This year, ATM will introduce several exciting features focused on the theme,“Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”. Connectivity is a vital pillar shaping the future of the global travel and tourism sector and this year’s event will empower the travel community to navigate an era of unprecedented growth.
Expanding to 14 halls from 11 last year, ATM will be larger than ever this year, and we look forward to welcoming over 55,000 attendees from 161 destinations as well as showcasing more than 2,800 companies, a near 12% year-on-year increase with 17% coming from the Middle East and 83% from the rest of the world.
Due to unprecedented demand for a larger platform for business events, we have launched IBTM@ATM, a specialised zone for business events suppliers to showcase their offerings and connect with buyers through prescheduled appointments and business exchange sessions, along with an exclusive conference on industry trends on the new Business Events stage.
The Start-Up and Innovation Zone is also new for ATM 2025, and will be dedicated to exploring the travel industry’s evolution into a tech-powered sector and driver of innovation. Several emerging companies will showcase their disruptive ideas and innovative solutions, driving the industry’s future. The Zone will also feature an immersive VR experience that promises to provide visitors with a new perspective on the possibilities within the industry.
In addition, the event will host a special Influencer networking segment, where industry leaders and key influencers can connect and collaborate. This is just one of the many exciting initiatives at ATM which are designed to foster engagement, knowledge-sharing, and networking opportunities among participants.
2. Tell us more about the technology and innovation showcase at this year’s ATM.
Innovation will be a key focus at ATM this year, with our travel tech showcase increasing in size by over 20% this year. We are also excited to welcome back the ATM Travel Tech event, which presents the cutting-edge solutions that are elevating tourism to new heights. The new Start-Up and Innovation Zone will enable emerging companies to showcase their innovative solutions to a global audience; meanwhile, the ATM Start-up Pitch Battle, in collaboration with Intelak, will return, providing an unrivalled platform for promising start-ups and their game-changing solutions.
3. As technology continues to transform the travel industry, what practical steps can businesses and individuals take to adapt, adopt, innovate, and thrive?
Staying ahead requires both adaptability and proactive learning. For businesses, embracing innovation means investing in digital tools that enhance efficiency and improve the customer journey. It’s also vital to remain agile, open to partnerships, and responsive to emerging consumer behaviours.
On an individual level, continuous professional development is key. Industry professionals should actively seek out training opportunities, attend events like Arabian Travel Market to gain insights from thought leaders, and engage in cross-sector learning. Cultivating a mindset of innovation will not only help individuals stay relevant but also position them as valuable contributors to the future of travel.
4. How is RX enriching the visitor experience when it comes to technology?
ATM Travel Tech is larger than ever, with an increase of over 26% in the number of products showcased, reflecting the travel industry’s total convergence with technology and innovation, which will also house the new Start-Up and Innovation zone, dedicated to exploring the travel industry’s evolution into a tech-powered sector and its growing role as a driver of innovation.
Located in an expanded exhibition space this year, spanning Hall 1 and Za’abeel Hall 3, it will feature the innovative technologies that are driving the travel and hospitality sector. ATM Travel Tech brings together technology providers and senior executives in the industry for four days of expert insights, open debate and unrivalled business opportunities.
The Start-Up and Innovation Zone in Za’abeel Hall 3 will feature a fully immersive VR experience, designed to further enhance the visitor experience and nurture the next generation of travel pioneers and innovators.
The Future Stage, located next to the Start-Up and Innovation Zone, will feature speakers including Cassie Kozyrkov, a renowned international leader in artificial intelligence, and Justin Reid, Senior Director of Global Partnerships, Tripadvisor. Sessions on the Future Stage will explore the transforming landscape of travel, uncovering the technologies that are driving the industry’s competitive edge, with highlights including “Travel Technology: Get Ahead or Get Left Behind” and “Human-centric technologies changing the face of travel tech.”
5. Are you actively pushing for greater virtual attendance for those who are not able to make it in person. If so, how?
While the virtual offering of the show proved to be beneficial and effective during the pandemic, since 2022 ATM has transitioned back to being a solely in-person event. Making connections is a significant part of our offering and face-to-face interactions build meaningful business relationships that are more difficult to replicate online.
6. What is your personal favourite travel technology?
For me, travel should be seamless and centred around my likes, so anything supporting this is a winner. AI-powered personalisation tools are incredibly exciting, from learning about traveller preferences in real time – whether that’s suggesting a hidden gem restaurant, curating an itinerary based on mood or weather, or even adjusting hotel and flight options. It turns what used to be a generic booking experience into something deeply intuitive and tailored. For me, it captures the very essence of what travel should be: seamless, surprising, and centred on the individual, allowing me to concentrate on the most important thing, and that’s making memories with my family.
7. Looking forward, will this be the last year ATM takes place at the current location?
ATM has been held at the Dubai World Trade Centre since 1994, and there are currently no plans to move from our long-standing location. We’re always exploring ways to evolve and enhance the experiences of our attendees and exhibitors, and any potential changes would be carefully considered in line with the needs of the industry.
👉 Click here for your guide to ATM 2025.
