Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the Middle East’s leading international travel and tourism showcase, has unveiled its theme for the 2026 edition: “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology.” The event will run from 4–7 May 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), uniting global industry leaders to explore how innovation is set to reshape the future of tourism.
The theme is anchored in projections by the World Economic Forum, which estimates that by 2034 the global travel and tourism sector will welcome 30 billion tourist visits and contribute $16 trillion to global GDP. This anticipated growth comes at a time of rapid technological change and increasing calls for sustainability. From AI-driven personalization and immersive digital engagement to green aviation and smart mobility solutions, innovation will be central to how people experience, plan, and undertake their journeys in the coming decades.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, emphasized the pivotal role of the coming decade, noting: “We are at a turning point where climate change, digital disruption, and shifting consumer expectations are converging to redefine the industry. ATM 2026 will showcase how innovation can enhance the travel experience, improve operational efficiency, and drive sustainability, while ensuring the Middle East maintains its position at the forefront of this evolution.”
Market momentum reinforces this focus. According to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, travel expenditure in the Middle East is forecast to exceed US$350 billion by 2030, with inbound tourism growing at nearly double the global average. Demand for luxury travel, transformative journeys, and business events (MICE) is surging, cementing the region’s status as a dynamic hub for global tourism.
To reflect these shifts, ATM 2026 will feature several specialized verticals designed to spotlight the key sectors shaping the future of travel.
- ATM Travel Tech will debut as a fully co-located event, expanding from its previous role as a fast-growing sector within ATM. Set within dedicated halls directly linked to the show, it will showcase breakthrough innovations across AI, immersive technologies, fintech, mobility, big data, and cybersecurity. At its core will be the Tech & Innovation Zone, an 850 sqm immersive hub featuring robotics, AR/VR, green tech solutions, and the Future Stage, a 250-seat theatre for futurists and global tech leaders.
- IBTM @ ATM, returning after a successful 2025 launch, will bring the international MICE community together with the Middle East’s rapidly expanding events sector. It will connect association planners, conference organizers, and corporate buyers with convention bureaus, venues, and suppliers, reinforcing the region’s growing role in hosting large-scale meetings and mega-events.
- The ATM Ultra Luxury Lounge will cater to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth travelers, offering exclusive access to leading luxury brands in hospitality, private aviation, yachting, and bespoke travel experiences.
Curtis added: “Our verticals highlight where innovation and investment are creating the most impact. They allow stakeholders to engage in curated environments, form strategic partnerships, and collectively shape the travel industry’s roadmap to 2040.”
Building on the success of its 2025 edition, which attracted more than 55,000 professionals from 166 countries, ATM 2026 aims to provide a global platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and pioneering solutions. As the tourism sector accelerates toward an era defined by innovation, sustainability, and purposeful growth, ATM will remain a catalyst for shaping the industry’s future.
