Dubai: Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 drew the global travel and tourism community to Dubai, with travel buyers representing more than 115 countries attending the four-day event at Dubai World Trade Centre. The 33rd edition featured more than 55 destination stands and brought together tourism authorities, airlines, transport providers, hospitality brands, technology companies, senior executives, and procurement professionals from regional and international markets.
According to Emirates News Agency, Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), highlighted that ATM 2026 served as a significant global platform for the travel and tourism industry. The event enabled participants to strengthen partnerships, exchange expertise, and explore new opportunities for cooperation. He emphasized that the strong participation underscored continued confidence in Dubai as a safe and accessible global destination, supporting the long-term growth and competitiveness of its tourism sector.
ATM 2026 featured several major announcements across aviation, rail, hospitality, and technology sectors. Key highlights included the launch of Visit UAE, the country's first unified national tourism brand, designed to position the UAE as a single integrated destination. Additionally, the UAE Grand Tour, an online platform, was introduced to enable visitors to travel across the seven emirates on a continuous route.
In a move to strengthen cooperation, Emirates signed 11 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with seven regional and international destinations spanning technology, marketing, products, packages, and passenger experience. In the hospitality sector, Rotana announced a pipeline of 40 hotels comprising more than 8,300 rooms, including 10 projects in Saudi Arabia.
Etihad Airways and Etihad Rail signed an MoU to explore an integrated air-rail travel experience connecting visitors and residents with destinations across the UAE. Mastercard and Trip.com showcased AI-powered booking experiences through TripGenie, developed with Network International. Furthermore, a consortium comprising Air Arabia Group, Nesma Group, and KUN Holding Company announced the launch of a new airline in Saudi Arabia, set to begin operations on 20th September, connecting Dammam with Riyadh, Madinah, and Jeddah.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director - UAE at RX Global, stated that the event recorded strong participation from Middle Eastern and international markets. The space dedicated to technology doubled with the debut of the co-located ATM Travel Tech show. ATM 2026 also introduced a refreshed brand identity, reflecting its development beyond the traditional exhibition format into a year-round platform connecting the global travel and tourism community.
The next edition of Arabian Travel Market is scheduled to take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 3rd to 6th May 2027.