As the international travel sector steadily regains momentum, the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark moment that reflects the resilience of the global tourism industry and its renewed ambition. With a surge in international participation, a revitalised event agenda, and an unprecedented rise in early registrations, this year’s event is forecast to be the largest in its three-decade history.
Held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity,” the event already reports a 104% increase in visitor registrations year-on-year—a figure that puts ATM on track to welcome over 55,000 participants from more than 160 countries.
The World Comes to Dubai
This year’s gathering, hosted again at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will reflect the event’s growing influence as a global travel and tourism platform. While the UAE and broader GCC account for 48% of registrations, 52% of attendees are expected from international markets, signalling widespread confidence in ATM’s value as a business catalyst.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME at Arabian Travel Market, noted that this uptick demonstrates more than just recovery.
“The surge in international interest shows that ATM is being seen as a critical space for tourism professionals to reconnect, reset strategies, and forge new commercial paths. Beyond the numbers, this is about rebuilding networks that fuel the engine of global travel.”
Momentum from Key Source Markets
Early registration trends reveal that India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the UAE are among the leading contributors to ATM 2025 attendance.
India’s outbound tourism market continues to expand, and it is supported by a growing middle class and improving international connectivity. Egypt, meanwhile, saw tourism revenue top USD 15.3 billion in 2024, doubling over a decade as the government targets 30 million tourists by 2032.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms are beginning to bear fruit, with massive investments in tourism infrastructure now positioning the Kingdom as a contender on the global travel stage. The United Kingdom also remains a significant player, bridging inbound and outbound travel markets and maintaining its long-standing links with Middle Eastern partners.
Travel Tech and Innovation in Focus
ATM 2025 will be more significant and more forward-looking. One of the most notable trends this year is the growth of the ATM Travel Tech segment, which has expanded by 23% year-on-year. This underlines the vital role that technology now plays in how travel is delivered, experienced, and scaled.
The Future Stage will host some of the industry’s most influential names. Speakers from Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Agoda, Skyscanner, and dnata Travel Group are expected to unpack how AI, predictive analytics, and evolving customer behaviours are reshaping travel.
These discussions will tap into emerging questions around how destinations engage with travellers digitally—and how the sector must adapt to deliver relevance and personalisation without losing the human touch.
Newcomers Driving Change: The Start-up Zone
Alongside the major players, ATM 2025 is spotlighting travel start-ups, opening the floor to the next generation of disruptors.
This year’s new feature, the Start-up and Innovation Zone, will offer a fully immersive showcase of virtual reality tools, sustainability solutions, and AI-driven technologies explicitly built for tourism. This area is designed to connect emerging businesses with investors, travel brands, and buyers seeking innovation at scale.
Among those participating are:
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Biyiy Electric Bikes – bringing sustainable e-bike exploration to urban travellers in Dubai
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Ztexa Global – specialists in secure, flexible eSIM travel connectivity across 175+ countries
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Traveln.ai – an AI-powered trip planner that streamlines itinerary creation for agencies and consumers alike
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Penny Inc. – developers of a virtual travel payment solution that simplifies cross-border transactions and reconciliations for OTAs
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Z-Ocean Tours – offering curated luxury water-based experiences throughout the Gulf
Each company represents a different slice of the industry’s future: faster, cleaner, more tailored, and increasingly reliant on innovative technology.
Strategic Partners, Shared Vision
The impact of ATM 2025 is underpinned by strong institutional support. Key partnerships this year include:
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Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) – Destination Partner
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Emirates – Official Airline Partner
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IHG Hotels & Resorts – Official Hotel Partner
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Al Rais Travel – Official DMC Partner
Together, these organisations reflect a shared belief in the power of tourism as a driver of economic development, cultural understanding, and innovation. Their commitment reinforces Dubai’s place as a world-leading destination for business events and global exhibitions.
Beyond Recovery: Building for the Future
While many international events are still regaining their pre-pandemic footing, ATM appears to have surged ahead, benefiting from its strategic location in the UAE and its longstanding reputation as a serious marketplace for decision-makers.
The numbers bear this out: in 2024, the event recorded increases in visitor participation from Africa (51%), Asia Pacific (53%), Europe (40%), and the Middle East (26%), with robust gains from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
All signs suggest 2025 will eclipse these figures, setting a new benchmark for what industry gatherings can achieve.
“ATM has always been more than just an exhibition,” Curtis said. “It’s a barometer of where the industry is heading—and this year, it’s clear the direction is forward, fast, and focused on better global collaboration.”
Final Word: A Defining Tourism Moment
With over 2,800 companies exhibiting and over 7,000 buyers confirmed, ATM 2025 promises to be a turning point for the Middle East and the travel industry.
As the world leans into a new era of tourism marked by change, challenge, and opportunity, the Arabian Travel Market offers a much-needed space to think big, act boldly, and, perhaps most importantly, reconnect with purpose.
👉 To register or learn more, visit www.wtm.com/atm/en-gb.html.
