Dubai is preparing to welcome the global travel and tourism industry for the 33rd Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, taking place from 14–17 September at Dubai World Trade Center.
The event is expected to bring together destinations, tourism authorities, airlines, hotels, travel companies, technology providers and other tourism stakeholders from across international markets as the industry looks to strengthen commercial relationships and respond to changing travel patterns.
Organized under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology,” ATM 2026 will focus on developments shaping the next phase of global tourism, including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, smart mobility and changing traveler expectations.
The event comes as the international travel industry continues to navigate disruption and changing market conditions. Organizers say this year’s edition will provide an opportunity for destinations, businesses and industry stakeholders to reconnect, strengthen partnerships and maintain commercial activity across markets.
Strong focus on business and industry connections
ATM remains a major meeting point for the international travel trade, bringing together buyers and suppliers across tourism, aviation, hospitality and travel technology.
The 2026 exhibition will feature tourism destinations, tourism authorities, airlines, hotels, travel technology companies and tourism suppliers, creating opportunities for industry players to develop commercial relationships and explore new areas of cooperation.
The conference program will run across the Global Stage, Future Stage and Experience Hub, with discussions covering aviation, hospitality, business events, luxury travel, destination resilience, accessibility, sustainability, investment and technology.
A dedicated ATM Travel Tech exhibition will also debut this year alongside the Tech & Innovation Hub, with artificial intelligence, immersive technology, robotics, fintech and smart mobility among the areas being showcased.
Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism is participating alongside partners and stakeholders, further positioning the event as a platform for strengthening international tourism relationships and supporting business opportunities across the visitor economy.
Relevance for African travel trade
For African travel agents and outbound travel businesses, ATM provides a significant B2B marketplace for engaging suppliers from Dubai, the wider UAE and the Middle East.
The event offers an opportunity for travel sellers to meet destination representatives, airlines, hotels, tour operators and technology companies while exploring products that can be incorporated into African outbound programs.
For agents selling the Middle East, this includes opportunities to identify new accommodation options, destination experiences, airline partnerships, ground-handling arrangements, and package offerings for leisure, business, and MICE travelers.
The event’s emphasis on commercial relationships is particularly relevant to travel businesses seeking to expand their supplier networks and develop new products for their markets.
ATM 2026 will also provide a platform for destinations and suppliers to present new tourism products and discuss changing traveler preferences, with the program highlighting the growing demand for more integrated experiences across culture, heritage, gastronomy, wellness and adventure.
Innovation takes center stage.
Technology is expected to be a major theme throughout this year’s event as the travel industry continues to explore artificial intelligence and digital tools across the customer journey.
The new ATM Travel Tech platform and Tech & Innovation Hub will showcase developments in areas including AI, immersive technologies, robotics, fintech and smart mobility. The conference program will similarly examine how technology is changing tourism businesses and traveler experiences.
The event will also showcase developments from major travel industry players. Emirates, for example, will present its new electrically powered Premium Economy seat with a full-height adjustable privacy divider at ATM 2026.
With the global travel community converging in Dubai from 14–17 September, ATM 2026 will provide a concentrated platform for business networking, supplier engagement, destination promotion and industry dialogue.
For African travel agents, the event presents an opportunity to strengthen links with Middle Eastern suppliers while identifying products, partnerships and commercial opportunities that can support the growth of outbound travel from African markets.
Source: Emirates News Agency – ATM 2026
