They came, they cruised, they conquered—and in between, they caught a flight. This year, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 wasn’t just a travel fair. It was a full-blown manifesto on how Dubai is preparing to run the entire show, whether you’re arriving by jet or disembarking from a luxury liner.
The Global Stage, a glittering marquee of airline bosses, cruise honchos, and tourism Mandarins, played host to some serious vision—dished up with a side of soft diplomacy and a generous pour of airport optimism.
Griffiths Lifts the Lid: Aviation, with a Side of AI
Paul Griffiths, the ever-suave CEO of Dubai Airports, stepped into the spotlight for an exclusive fireside chat. No fire, mind you—just an LED backdrop and a crowd of wide-eyed delegates. And what he delivered was nothing short of spectacular.
“This year alone, we welcomed 8.5 million passengers through DXB in January,” Griffiths announced, with the kind of grin that suggested he wasn’t done surprising us. “By December, we’re looking at 96 million.”
Not content to count heads, Griffiths took attendees on a verbal walk-through of the future: facial recognition technology, AI-driven efficiency, and a radical rethink of what an airport should feel like. “It’s not just about price or product anymore,” he said. “It’s about comfort, convenience, and experience.”
And with that, he lifted the veil on Al Maktoum International Airport’s next act—a megastructure broken down into eight nimble concourses, where the most extended wait will hopefully be for your morning espresso.
Cruise Control: Anchors Aweigh in the Middle East
While aviation continues its vertical trajectory, the cruise industry is busy putting down roots—and serious ones—across the Arabian Gulf. At a rousing panel session, Tourism Economics rolled out stats that got the crowd sitting straighter: a 25% global deployment surge since 2019, plus another 5% this year.
Angelo Capurro, Executive Director, MSC Group Cruise Division
Even more impressive? Cruise days in the Middle East are up by a staggering 125%. That’s not growth; that’s a travel revolution.
Angelo Capurro of MSC Cruises couldn’t resist a bit of showmanship. “Last year we had 150 nationalities on board—yes, one-five-zero,” he said. “And Central Asia’s coming on strong, thanks to smoother visa paths and better connectivity. People want the Middle East. Not just the glitter, but the grit—the stories.”
Aroya Cruises: Saudi Arabia’s Luxury Voyage into the Spotlight
The buzzword of the day? Aroya. Saudi Arabia’s first luxury cruise line has made waves—literally and figuratively. Aroya isn’t just about floating hotels and seafood buffets. It’s a statement of intent, a national brand dressed in white linen and lined with gold trim.
Backed by regional collaboration via the Cruise Arabia alliance, Aroya’s debut marks a coming-of-age moment for Middle Eastern maritime tourism. With the Red Sea rising as a contender to the Caribbean and Mediterranean, it’s not just ports expanding—it’s expectations.
Curtis Calls It: ATM’s Real Power Lies in People
Danielle Curtis, ATM’s Exhibition Director for the Middle East, wrapped it all up with the poise of a seasoned diplomat and the charm of a cruise director. “This week we’ve had front-row seats to the future of travel,” she said. “From sustainability to AI to market expansion, ATM has become the compass pointing to what’s next.”
And she wasn’t exaggerating. This year’s show saw over 55,000 attendees from 166 countries. The energy was electric, the networking relentless, and the ideas flew further than a long-haul Emirates A380.
India and Asia Pacific: The Next Gold Rush
On the final day, the spotlight turned eastward. A dedicated market insights session zeroed in on India’s “next-gen” traveller—a digitally savvy, experience-hungry demographic just as keen on backpacking Rajasthan as on spa days in Phuket.
The Asia Pacific region, recovering faster than anticipated post-COVID, is now the theatre for growth. Travel brands would be wise to listen closely. If the West brought the cruise ships, the East will get the footfall.
Conclusion: Sea, Sky, and a Serious Statement of Intent
ATM 2025 wasn’t just a meeting of minds but a declaration. Dubai isn’t aiming to be a hub; it’s gunning to be the hub. And with a mega-airport in the works, cruise terminals multiplying like desert roses, and a leadership cohort with serious skin in the game, the message is clear:
Whether you’re flying in or sailing through, the future of global travel now has an unmistakable postcode: D-U-B-A-I.
By Jason Smith, Reporting from Arabian Travel Market, Dubai
