Dubai, a city never accused of thinking small, is again preparing to dazzle the world with its favourite playground for the global travel industry, the Arabian Travel Market (ATM). When the 2026 edition opens its doors from 4–7 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre, it will do so under a banner as bold as the city’s skyline: “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology.”
This isn’t just another industry catchphrase designed to pad out a glossy brochure. According to the World Economic Forum, the next two decades will reshape global tourism beyond recognition. The numbers are staggering: by 2034, tourism is expected to notch up 30 billion visits and inject an astonishing US$16 trillion into global GDP. That’s not a typo trillion, with a “t”.
And Dubai, never one to shy away from front-row billing, is ensuring ATM 2026 positions itself as the forum where the future isn’t just debated but actively moulded.
The future traveller: tech-savvy, eco-conscious, and demanding
Future tourists won’t settle for a paper boarding pass and a lukewarm meal in the economy. Tomorrow’s travellers will be swept along by AI-powered personalisation, immersive VR journeys, green aviation, and smart mobility. Once the choice was “beach or city break?”, the question will be whether you’d like your tropical escape served with a side of augmented reality or sustainably-fuelled supersonic flight.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME for Arabian Travel Market, spelled it out:
“The next ten years and beyond are going to be crucial for the travel and tourism industry. We are at a significant turning point where factors such as climate change, digital advancements, and evolving consumer expectations are all coming together to create both challenges and opportunities.”
In other words: innovate, or watch your slice of the trillion-dollar pie go stale.
Middle East momentum: the region steps into the spotlight
The choice of Dubai isn’t accidental. The ATM Travel Trends Report 2025 predicts Middle East travel spend will surpass US$350 billion by 2030, with inbound tourism growing nearly double the global average. Add to that an insatiable demand for luxury escapes, grand conferences, and transformative travel experiences, and you see why the region is firmly planted on the global tourism map.
The Middle East is no longer content to be a stopover. It’s becoming the stage where the future of travel is rehearsed, refined, and rolled out.
What’s new at ATM 2026?
Dubai loves a spectacle, and ATM 2026 promises several. Among the new features:
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ATM Travel Tech is no longer just a trendy corner of the exhibition floor; it has now become a fully-fledged, co-located show. Think robotics, AR/VR, fintech, mobility, big data, cybersecurity, and green technologies. The Tech & Innovation Zone alone will sprawl across 850 sqm, anchored by a 250-seat Future Stage that will host futurists, entrepreneurs, and the kind of tech leaders who speak in soundbites destined for headlines.
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IBTM @ ATM – Business events aren’t just about dreary coffee breaks anymore. After its debut, IBTM returns to connect the global MICE community (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions, not the rodent variety) with the Middle East’s booming mega-event scene.
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ATM Ultra Luxury Lounge – An exclusive space for HNWI and UHNWI (high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals) to flirt with private aviation, bespoke yachts, and hotels that don’t bother with stars because they already own galaxies.
Curtis added with characteristic understatement:
“Our show verticals have become vital in showcasing the changing structure of the global travel and tourism industry. Each vertical offers a carefully curated environment where stakeholders can engage more deeply, form meaningful partnerships, and collectively shape the industry’s future to 2040.”
Why it matters: resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity
Behind the glitz lies a serious agenda. The industry is grappling with climate change, shifting consumer expectations, and the relentless pace of digitalisation. ATM 2026 isn’t simply about gawking at the following shiny toy; it’s about ensuring travel evolves responsibly.
Expect a focus on sustainability, from green aviation fuels to eco-smart hotels. Inclusivity will also feature a reminder that the future traveller isn’t just a corporate road warrior or luxury jet-setter but also families, explorers, and digital nomads seeking purposeful, accessible journeys.
The numbers game: and they’re big
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30 billion tourist visits by 2034 (World Economic Forum)
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US$16 trillion contribution to global GDP by 2034
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US$350 billion Middle East travel spend by 2030
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55,000 industry professionals from 166 countries attended ATM 2025
Numbers like these don’t just suggest growth; they signal an industry on the cusp of a revolutionary decade and a half.
Final boarding call
If you still think the future of travel is just about booking flights online, think again. By 2040, the industry will have reinvented itself several times, and ATM 2026 in Dubai is positioning itself as the launchpad.
With more than 55,000 professionals expected to descend on Dubai, the event isn’t merely a trade show; it’s a global summit of ideas, innovation, and investment.
And if history is any guide, Dubai won’t just showcase the future of travel; it will insist on scripting it.
For more information, visit www.wtm.com/atm.
By Jason Smith
