Taking place from 4-7 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM remains the largest and most strategically important travel industry gathering in the Middle East, bringing together global tourism boards, hospitality leaders, airlines, technology innovators and travel professionals under one roof.
A defining year for ATM
ATM 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment for global travel. Under the theme: “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology”
The 33rd edition of the event will chart the evolution of the industry across every major vertical, from destination development and aviation to luxury, business events, travel tech and sustainability.
According to the latest reports, outbound travel spend by Middle East residents is projected to grow 6% annually through the end of the decade, surpassing US$60 billion by 2030. Against this backdrop, exhibition space for 2026 is already in high demand, with projected growth of 10%(YoY).
International participation continues to accelerate, with CAGR growth rates (2024-2026) of:
- 31.99% from Africa
- 13.95% from Asia
- 8.75% from Europe
- 8.25% from the Americas
- 8.04% from the Middle East
China’s return to ATM further signals renewed outbound momentum and strengthened Gulf-Asia tourism ties.
A groundbreaking conference programme
A centrepiece of ATM 2026 will be its newly unveiled, multi-stage conference programme, setting a new benchmark for strategic insight across global travel and tourism.
Designed to provide actionable, research-led intelligence, the programme spans three core platforms:
Global Stage
ATM’s primary strategic forum will explore the policies, investments and decisions shaping international travel. Themes include:
- Sustainability and long-term resilience
- Accessibility and inclusion
- Transport and mobility
- Luxury and accommodation
- Destination marketing, development and investment
- Emerging global travel trends
Research-driven sessions will feature insights from leading global organisations including Tourism Economics (an Oxford Economics company), Euromonitor and GSIQ.
The final day will host the Women in Travel Forum, delivered in partnership with Women in Travel CIC, addressing leadership, equity, inclusion and accessibility across the industry.
Future Stage
Reflecting the full debut of ATM Travel Tech as a co-located show, the Future Stage will sit at the heart of the Tech and Innovation Hub.
Sessions led by companies including Dragon Trail and Videc will examine:
- AI and automation
- Data and digital transformation
- Fintech and immersive technologies
- Robotics and next-generation platforms
- Disruptor business models reshaping travel
Set within a purpose-built theatre environment, the Future Stage will deliver forward-looking insight into how innovation is redefining the travel ecosystem.
Experience Stage
Formerly the Business Events Stage (IBTM @ ATM), the newly rebranded Experience Stage reflects the Middle East’s growing prominence as a global meetings and events hub.
Supported by ICCA, the programme will explore:
- Corporate travel growth
- Event technology and innovation
- Sustainable and inclusive event design
- Practical strategies for planners, suppliers and destinations
Across all stages, ATM 2026 will introduce more interactive formats including roundtables, Lunch ‘n Learn sessions, Meet the Speaker opportunities, and real-time translation technology via headset devices in partnership with Vox Technologies.
Spotlight on sports tourism and high-value travellers
ATM 2026 will also spotlight sports tourism as a major growth driver. Research from GSIQ indicates that attendees travelling for major sporting events spend twice as much as regular leisure travellers, presenting significant opportunities for destinations and hospitality operators.
With the Middle East hosting an expanding calendar of global sporting events, the sector represents a key area of opportunity for regional stakeholders.
RTN as Official Media Partner
We are proud to announce that we are an official media partner for Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, marking our second consecutive year supporting the region’s most influential travel and tourism events.
In the lead-up to ATM 2026, and throughout the event itself, we will:
- Publish editorial features analysing key themes
- Share official announcements and industry updates
- Produce exclusive interviews with exhibitors and policymakers
- Deliver special on-site reports from the show floor
- Highlight emerging markets and strategic opportunities
ATM is more than an exhibition, it is the region’s premier knowledge platform and global gateway for travel and tourism.
For RTN, this partnership reflects our continued commitment to amplifying the voices, trends and transformations shaping the travel sector across the Gulf and beyond. Our role is to add value through clarity, credibility and comprehensive coverage.
We look forward to seeing you at ATM 2026!
