ATM. Photo: Arab Travel Market One of the Middle East's major tourism events kicks off today (Monday, September 14) after being postponed twice because of the war. The 33rd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM 2026) will at the Dubai World Trade Center and run through September 17.
The event brings together representatives of destinations and tourism authorities, airlines, hotel chains, technology companies, tourism owners and industry professionals in Dubai for four days of business meetings, creating collaborations and discussions on the future of the global tourism industry.)
ATM 2026 was held this year under the title “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology,” and focused on the changes expected to shape the world of tourism in the coming years, from artificial intelligence and digital transformation, through changing traveler habits and smart mobility, to destination resilience and sustainable growth.
One of the most notable innovations for the 2026 edition is the launch of ATM Travel Tech as a dedicated event taking place alongside the main exhibition. According to organizers, it will feature more than 180 exhibitors from 30 countries, spread across two halls.
At the center of the technology complex will be a Tech & Innovation Hub covering about 850 square meters, showcasing developments in artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, fintech, and green technologies.
At the same time, a series of conferences and discussions will be held throughout the four days of ATM, with the participation of senior industry figures, policymakers, researchers, and technology companies. Among the topics on the agenda are strengthening passenger confidence, the resilience of the tourism industry, the status of the Gulf countries in the global market and the accelerating impact of AI and automation on the world of travel.
Danielle Curtis, regional director at RX Global, which organizes the event, noted ahead of the opening that the challenges experienced by the industry in recent months highlight the importance of bringing the global tourism community together again in one place, to strengthen connections and create new business opportunities.
Photo: PassportNews