Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 will take place from September 14 to 17 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together global travel and tourism stakeholders to discuss resilience, innovation and future growth in the sector.
Organisers said the event comes at a critical time for the industry and highlights Dubai’s ability to maintain business continuity, operational excellence and global connectivity amid evolving market conditions.
The revised dates for the event are aimed at providing exhibitors, buyers and visitors with greater flexibility and confidence while maximising opportunities for participation and business engagement.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE, RX Global, said: “We appreciate the move to September means change for everyone; however, ATM’s role as a vital platform for the travel and tourism community to reconnect, strengthen partnerships and drive meaningful dialogue at a time when industry collaboration is needed most, is a key priority.
“Supported by Dubai’s world-class infrastructure, operational resilience and strong public-private sector coordination, ATM 2026 remains firmly positioned to bring the tourism industry together and support long-term recovery and future growth.”
According to organisers, Dubai has maintained operations across its aviation, tourism, hospitality and events sectors, supported by government initiatives including economic stimulus measures and tourism support programmes.
Hoor Al Khaja, Senior Vice President, International Operations at Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Dubai’s approach, guided by the city’s visionary leadership, has always been rooted in long-term planning, agility and strong collaboration across government and industry stakeholders. Throughout recent regional developments, the city has remained open, operational and welcoming, reinforcing the trust placed in Dubai by travellers, businesses and international partners worldwide. The city continues to provide a powerful platform for major events and meetings across key sectors, including tourism, and we look forward to engaging with the international travel community at ATM 2026.”
The organisers noted that air connectivity across the region is steadily recovering, with major carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Qatar Airways restoring services. Recent easing of travel advisories by countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia has also helped boost confidence in travel to the Gulf region.
Research from STR, ATM’s official research partner, indicates that hotel occupancy levels across key GCC markets have continued to recover, supported by strong domestic demand and functioning tourism infrastructure.
ATM 2026 will be held under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology” and will feature discussions on destination resilience, crisis management, aviation continuity, digital transformation and sustainable tourism growth.
The conference programme will include research-led sessions from organisations such as STR, Tourism Economics, GSIQ and ICCA, examining traveller sentiment, mobility trends and future tourism demand.
Stephen Dutton, Global Insight Manager – Travel at Euromonitor International, will deliver a keynote session titled The State of Travel: Inflation, Polycrisis & the New Travel Reality.
Speaking ahead of the event, Dutton said: “Travel spending surged to record levels in 2025, outpacing GDP growth in many markets. This is a powerful testament to the enduring demand for meaningful cross-border experiences. This resilience is not incidental – travel has repositioned itself as an attainable luxury that consumers actively protect, even amid mounting economic and geopolitical pressures, and when consumers need to make trade-offs elsewhere to do so. Travel allows consumers to escape the day-to-day challenges they face and to experience the world positively.”
Curtis added: “Dubai has consistently demonstrated resilience, stability and leadership during periods of global uncertainty, supported by proactive governance, world-class infrastructure and a highly coordinated tourism ecosystem. The city remains fully operational, connected and firmly focused on the future.
“ATM 2026 will play an important role in bringing the international travel community together at a time when collaboration, confidence and long-term planning are more important than ever. By convening industry leaders, policymakers, tourism authorities and innovators from around the world, ATM will continue to support meaningful partnerships and contribute to the future growth and resilience of global tourism.”
