The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 commenced on Monday, September 14, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, gathering over 2,800 exhibitors and more than 55,000 tourism professionals. The four-day event centered on the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology,” emphasizing future tourism trends driven by advanced technologies.
Inaugural ATM Travel Tech Showcases Emerging Technologies
ATM 2026 introduced its first-ever Travel Tech section, featuring participation from over 180 companies representing 30 countries. Exhibitors demonstrated applications spanning artificial intelligence (AI), virtual and augmented reality, robotics, fintech, and green technology aimed at transforming the travel and tourism sectors.
AI Integration and Consumer Tech Savviness Highlighted by Trip.com
Siddharth Sudhakar, General Manager for the Middle East and
North Africa at Trip.com, noted the high digital proficiency among consumers in the Gulf region across diverse age groups. He detailed how AI technologies are advancing beyond travel inspiration to enable comprehensive trip planning and booking, including arrangements for activities, flights, hotels, and airport transfers.
China-Middle East Collaboration in Tourism Technology
Sudhakar pointed to ongoing cooperation between China and the Middle East in applying AI and other technologies within tourism. He identified opportunities to merge the Middle East’s unique cultural and travel experiences with China’s AI innovations to expand market offerings in both regions.
Diverse Tourism Sectors Represented at ATM 2026
The annual exhibition encompassed a wide range of tourism-related sectors including destination
marketing, airlines, hotel services, and travel technology. Participants included industry leaders such as Qatar Airways, which presented a new business class suite at the event.
