The decision came after consultation with leading exhibitors and global tourism industry partners to increase participation and deliver greater benefit to companies
RX has officially announced the postponement of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai, which will now take place from 14 to 17 September 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the UAE. This is the second postponement: the event had been scheduled for 17 August after a first postponement, due to regional events, from its original date of 4 May. The decision followed intensive consultations with leading exhibitors and industry partners, reflecting the organizers' commitment to listening to the needs of the global tourism sector to ensure its development and growth.
Danielle Curtis, Portfolio Director at RX in the United Arab Emirates, said: “We have continued to consult and collaborate closely with exhibitors, partners and stakeholders across the global travel industry, which has resulted in the decision to move Arabian Travel Market 2026 to 14-17 September. This reflects the importance of our ongoing dialogue and coordination.”
Curtis said: “Our top priority is to ensure that Arabian Travel Market provides the strongest possible platform for business, networking and partnership opportunities for the international travel community. In response to feedback from leading industry figures, we are delighted that these new dates will allow exhibitors, buyers and visitors from around the world to make the most of their participation, engagement and networking at the event.”
Curtis added: “We extend our sincere thanks to our strategic partners, including Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, IHG Hotels & Resorts and InterContinental Hotels Group, and Al Rais Travel, for their continued cooperation, outstanding support and contributions in setting these new dates. We affirm our shared commitment to delivering a world-class event that supports the continued growth and development of the global travel and tourism sector.”
Arabian Travel Market, which will be held in its 33rd edition, is a key global platform connecting leading travel destinations, travel service suppliers, hospitality brands, airlines, technology providers and professionals from across the travel ecosystem.
ATM 2026 will be held under the theme “Travel 2040: New Horizons Through Innovation and Technology”, exploring the main trends, technologies and innovations shaping the future of global travel. The event will spotlight Travel Tech, the specialized event held alongside the main show that focuses on the fast-developing travel technology sector, as well as the Technology and Innovation Zone, an interactive hub showcasing the latest developments in artificial intelligence, immersive experiences, smart mobility, fintech, robotics and sustainable travel solutions.
The comprehensive ATM 2026 conference program, which includes the Global Stage, the Future Stage within the Technology and Innovation Zone, and The Experience Hub, will bring together leading tourism figures and experts under one roof to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of international tourism, along with dedicated sessions exploring destination resilience, the traveler experience, aviation innovation, digital transformation and long-term sustainable growth strategies.
The program will also bring together leading global research firms, strategists and technology specialists to deliver data-driven insights into the future of travel. Confirmed participants on the Global Stage include Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, which will present a session titled “ATM Annual Trends Report: Middle East Momentum and Market Shifts”.
Stephen Dutton of Euromonitor will also join Tourism Economics to moderate a session titled “State of Travel: Inflation, Polycrisis and the New Travel Reality”.
The Future Stage within the Technology and Innovation Zone will host Nick Kwek, BBC travel and technology presenter, and will include sessions led by research partners including Dragon Trail, whose Director of Marketing and Communications Sienna Parulis-Cook will give a presentation titled “Welcoming Back the Chinese Tourism Market: Insights for the Middle East”, and Videc, which will lead a session titled “Money Talks: Growth, Mergers, Acquisitions and Consolidation in Global Travel”, setting out insights, data and strategies for investment and growth in travel technology.
The Experience Hub will host Rana Nawas, corporate strategist and podcast host, who will deliver a workshop titled “The Modern Leader and the Future of the Workforce”. The program will also include many other sessions, including a high-level, invitation-only event by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) titled “Beyond Borders: The Middle East’s Collaborative Vision for the Future of Global Business Events”, alongside further peer-to-peer conversations and panel discussions.
Arabian Travel Market 2026 is expected to welcome thousands of travel professionals and exhibitors from around the world following confirmation of the revised September dates, highlighting Dubai's role as a global platform for dialogue, collaboration and innovation in the tourism industry. This is according to the statement published on the official website of Arabian Travel Market, ATM Dubai.
