ATM 2026 confirms conference programme for September

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has unveiled its conference programme for the 2026 event, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 14 to 17 September after being rescheduled from its original May dates due to disruption caused by the Iran conflict.

 

Held under the theme ‘Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology’, the event will focus on resilience, crisis preparedness and long-term tourism growth. Sessions across the Global Stage, Future Stage and Experience Hub will examine traveller confidence, aviation continuity, destination resilience, digital transformation and sustainable tourism strategies.

 

The programme will also feature research-led sessions from Smith Travel Research (STR), Tourism Economics, GSIQ and ICCA, exploring traveller sentiment, global mobility trends, destination competitiveness and future tourism demand. Stephen Dutton, Global Insight Manager Travel at Euromonitor International, will deliver a keynote on inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and the changing travel landscape.

 

Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director for the UAE at RX Global, said: “We appreciate the move to September means change for everyone; however, ATM’s role as a vital platform for the travel and tourism community to reconnect, strengthen partnerships and drive meaningful dialogue at a time when industry collaboration is needed most, is a key priority.”

 

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Among the key additions planned for this year’s event is the full-scale debut of ATM Travel Tech, a co-located event spanning two halls with 180 exhibitors from 30 countries. The showcase will feature developments in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, robotics and sustainability, alongside immersive demonstrations at the Tech & Innovation Hub.

 

The development comes as travel across the Gulf continues to recover following months of regional disruption. Emirates has restored 96% of its global network, operating to 138 destinations across 73 countries with more than 1,300 weekly frequencies, while Etihad Airways, Flydubai and Qatar Airways continue rebuilding their schedules. 

 

Dubai has also introduced AED2.5 billion (US$680.6 million) in economic stimulus packages, alongside tourism support measures and enhanced public safety legislation.

 

ATM remains one of the Middle East’s largest travel trade exhibitions, bringing together destinations, airlines, hotels, tourism boards, travel technology providers and hospitality companies from around the world. The 2025 edition recorded a 16% increase in participation, attracting more than 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries alongside 2,800 exhibitors, according to organisers.

 

For more information, visit www.wtm.com/atm