RX Global, organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), has outlined plans for ATM 2026, with the event set to bring the global travel and tourism industry together in Dubai from September 14-17 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The 33rd edition will take place against a backdrop of
disruption and uncertainty across the travel sector, with destinations, tourism
authorities, airlines, hotels, technology companies and industry professionals
expected to gather to rebuild connections, strengthen commercial relationships
and address priorities shaping future growth.
ATM 2026 will be held under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving
New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology”, placing artificial
intelligence, digital transformation, smart mobility and changing traveller
expectations at the centre of discussions about the future of tourism.
New features include ATM Travel Tech, a dedicated co-located
exhibition, with Sabre as an official strategic partner. The Tech & Innovation
Hub will showcase developments in artificial intelligence, immersive
technologies, robotics, fintech and smart mobility.
The conference programme will feature the Global Stage,
Future Stage and Experience Hub, bringing together policymakers, tourism
leaders, researchers and technology specialists to examine topics including
aviation, hospitality, destination resilience, luxury travel, accessibility,
sustainability and investment.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE, RX
Global, said: “The past few months have required our industry to adapt, and we
are extremely grateful for the trust, understanding and flexibility our
customers and partners have shown throughout this period. In turn, we have
listened closely to their needs, adapted where necessary and worked alongside
them to provide the support and flexibility needed to navigate changing
circumstances.
“ATM has always been about bringing the global travel
community together, and this year that role feels particularly important. As we
reconnect in Dubai, our focus is on strengthening partnerships and addressing
the immediate priorities facing the industry, while also looking ahead to the
innovation and opportunities that will shape the future of travel.”
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism officials
highlighted the role of ATM in supporting international partnerships and the
city’s wider economic ambitions.
His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for
Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “Hosting Arabian Travel Market at this
important moment for the global travel industry reflects Dubai’s role as a
trusted meeting point for the world, where government and private sector
partners work in close alignment to sustain confidence, enable business and
shape new opportunities for growth. It is also a testament to visionary
leadership that has, over decades, built a destination which is agile and
confident through every cycle.
“As we advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33,
to double the size of Dubai’s economy and further consolidate the city’s
position as a leading global destination for business and leisure, platforms
such as ATM are vital to strengthening international partnerships and
accelerating innovation across the visitor economy. We are proud to once again
welcome the global travel community to Dubai, and we look forward to working
together with our partners and stakeholders to define a more connected and future-ready
industry.”
Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Al Rais Travel also
highlighted the importance of technology and partnerships.
Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer,
Emirates, said: "Arabian Travel Market has long been a key industry
fixture in our calendar and is an important platform for Emirates to deepen
relationships with partners, create new business opportunities, and give
visitors a first-hand experience of our latest products.
This year, we are furthering joint tourism initiatives and
tie-ups with organisations serving specialised traveller segments, along with
steadily strengthening our long-standing partnerships. Growing a destination or
tapping into new customer segments is not a solo effort and we look forward to
a productive ATM, and to what these partnerships will deliver for the wider
industry."
Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East &
Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “The Middle East continues to
demonstrate strong long-term fundamentals for travel and hospitality, supported
by sustained investment in tourism, infrastructure, destination development and
international connectivity. As hotel supply grows, the next phase will be about
converting that investment into sustainable, long-term demand - using
technology and data to understand travellers better, remove friction from the
guest journey and deliver more relevant experiences. ATM’s focus on innovation and
technology is therefore timely, bringing the industry together to strengthen
partnerships and explore how these capabilities can support responsible growth
through 2040 and beyond.”
Mohamed Al Rais, Executive Director, Al Rais Travel, said:
“This year’s theme, ‘Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and
Technology,’ reflects the direction in which our industry is moving. Since
1977, Al Rais Travel has grown alongside Dubai, building a legacy based on
trust, strong partnerships and personal service. At ATM 2026, we are proud to
begin our next chapter with the launch of the new AlRaisTravel.com platform,
featuring Voice AI and Chat AI to make travel planning faster, easier and more
personal. We are also strengthening our presence in medical tourism by
connecting travellers with trusted healthcare providers worldwide. As a
strategic partner of ATM, we remain committed to combining nearly five decades
of experience with technology to help shape the future of travel from Dubai.”
Ramzi Al-Qassab, Managing Director for the META, EE, CIS,
PK, Sabre, ATM Travel Tech Strategic Partner, said: “A lot has changed since we
last gathered in Dubai, and our industry is having to navigate current economic
and geopolitical uncertainty alongside real technological opportunity. That's
the fog our customers are flying through right now, and Arabian Travel Market
is where we come together to help chart a way through it. Sabre's role is to
give airlines, agencies and hoteliers the intelligence and technology to
navigate the now with confidence while building for what's next. As we look to
the future, that's exactly the balance we're helping the industry strike.”
Jonathan Heastie, Portfolio Director - Travel Sector, RX
Global, said: “At RX, our focus is on ensuring our events continue to evolve in
line with the industries and communities they serve. For ATM, that means
responding to change across the travel sector while continuing to deliver value
for our customers. The theme of ATM 2026 reflects that approach, looking beyond
the priorities of today to the innovation and opportunities that will influence
the industry in the years ahead.”
Research from ATM’s knowledge partners, including Tourism
Economics, Euromonitor International and Dragon Trail International, will
support the conference programme.
Now in its 33rd edition, ATM remains a major international travel and tourism event in the Middle East, providing a platform for partnerships, knowledge exchange and new business opportunities across the sector. -TradeArabia News Service