The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 commenced in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Monday, September 14, 2026. The four-day event operates under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology,” aiming to unite global tourism and industry professionals to explore advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), emerging technologies, and personalized travel.
Event Scale and Focus on Technology
ATM 2026 featured the first edition of ATM Travel Tech, with more than 180 companies from 30 countries presenting innovations across AI, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, fintech, and green technology. Organizers reported participation exceeding 2,800 exhibitors and attendance by over 55,000 tourism professionals. The exhibition covers
various tourism sectors including destinations, airlines, hotels, and travel technology companies.
Insights on Gulf Region Consumers and AI Applications
Siddharth Sudhakar, general manager for MENA at Trip.com, stated, “The data shows that consumers in the Gulf region are highly tech-savvy and digitally advanced, with diverse age groups and interests.” He added that AI applications are evolving beyond generating travel inspiration, moving into actual trip planning and booking processes that involve activities, flights, hotels, and airport transfers.
China-Middle East Cooperation in Tourism Technology
Sudhakar highlighted ongoing cooperation between China and the Middle East in AI and tourism technology sectors. This partnership aims to leverage the Middle East’s unique cultural and travel experiences for the Chinese
market, while introducing Chinese AI innovations and technology solutions to the Middle Eastern tourism industry.
ATM’s Role as a Global Tourism Platform
The Arabian Travel Market continues to serve as a comprehensive trade exhibition platform, covering a wide range of tourism elements including airline services, hotel offerings, destination marketing, and emerging travel technologies. ATM 2026 emphasized the integration of AI and digital transformation as key drivers shaping the future of global travel and tourism industries.
