Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, which has closed in Dubai, attracted buyers representing more than 115 countries, along with more than 55 tourism destinations, during its 33rd edition, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 14 to 17 September.
The exhibition was attended by executives, procurement managers and travel and tourism professionals from regional and international markets, including the UAE, India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, Turkey, Bahrain, South Africa, Qatar, the United States and China, according to a post on the Arabian Travel Market website.
Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, part of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, said the exhibition brought together travel and tourism organizations and leaders from the UAE and international markets, supporting networking and partnerships and the exploration of growth opportunities.
He added that the participation of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism made it possible to continue engaging with partners and explore new areas of cooperation in various markets.
For her part, Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director at RX Global in the UAE, said the 2026 edition saw participation from regional and international markets, along with a range of announcements from public and private sector organizations.
Curtis noted that preparations have begun for the next edition, which will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 3 to 6 May 2027.
She added that the space dedicated to technology doubled at this edition, coinciding with the first-ever launch of the "Travel Tech" exhibition alongside Arabian Travel Market.
New agreements and announcements
Arabian Travel Market 2026 saw a range of agreements and announcements in the aviation, rail, hospitality and technology sectors.
Announcements included the launch of the "Visit UAE" campaign as a unified national tourism brand, as well as the unveiling of the "UAE Grand Tour" platform, which allows travelers to plan a trip covering all seven emirates in a single itinerary.
Emirates signed 11 memoranda of understanding during the exhibition to strengthen cooperation with 7 regional and global destinations in areas including technology, marketing, products, packages and passenger experiences.
Rotana Hotels unveiled the next phase of its regional expansion plans, with a portfolio of 40 hotels under development and more than 8,300 rooms, including 10 projects in Saudi Arabia.
Etihad Airways and Etihad Rail also signed a memorandum of understanding to explore developing a travel experience that combines air and land transport in the UAE, connecting travelers to different destinations across the country.
Mastercard and Trip.com showcased the AI-powered booking platform "TripGenie," developed in cooperation with Network International.
An alliance of Air Arabia Group, Nesma Group and Kun Holding was also announced during the exhibition to launch a new airline in Saudi Arabia from 20 September 2026, connecting Dammam with Riyadh, Madinah and Jeddah.
More than 90 sessions
Arabian Travel Market 2026 was held under the theme "Travel 2040: Exploring New Horizons Through Innovation and Technology," with a focus on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, smart mobility and changing traveler expectations.
Over four days, the exhibition hosted more than 90 sessions across the Global Stage, the Future Stage and the "Experience Hub" travel experience center.
In addition, 28 live demonstrations were held in the demo zone of the Technology and Innovation Hub. The 2026 edition also saw the launch of Arabian Travel Market's updated brand identity, alongside plans to expand the event's activities year-round.
To view the post on the Arabian Travel Market website, click here.
