From 1994 to 2026...a three-decade journey that transformed the Arab Travel Market into a global platform for tourism decision-making

When Dubai reopens its doors to the global travel and tourism industry next September, it will not just welcome a new trade fair, but rather one of the most important appointments on the global tourism agenda.

It is the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the event that, over more than three decades, has become a major meeting point for decision-makers in aviation, hotels, tourist destinations, travel, technology and hospitality, and a platform on which the features of the future are drawn before they reach the markets.

After the 2026 edition was scheduled to be held in August, the organizer announced the rescheduling of the event to be held at the Dubai World Trade Center during the period from 14 to 17 September 2026, following extensive consultations with exhibitors, buyers and partners in the travel industry, with the aim of enhancing opportunities for participation and international business.

Thus, the return in September comes not as a mere change in the calendar, but as a new opportunity for ATM to confirm its ability to keep pace with global changes, and to continue performing its role as a compass for the travel industry in the Middle East and the world.
From 2,000 square meters to a global platform

The story began in 1994 in a way that today seems very modest.

The Arabian Travel Market was launched in the Dubai World Trade Center with an area not exceeding 2,000 square metres, with the participation of 300 exhibitors from 52 countries and the presence of about 7,000 visitors from specialists in the travel sector.

But behind this small beginning there was a big vision: for Dubai to become a global center where East meets West, and where tourism markets meet sources of demand and investment.

Over the years, the ATM was no longer just an exhibition for tourism products, but rather turned into a space for making relationships and deals, announcing major projects, and exchanging ideas about the future of the sector.

It was noteworthy that the exhibition was not just a witness to the development of Dubai; Rather, it has become part of the story of its rise as one of the most important global capitals for travel, business and tourism.

Three decades of growth...and three decades of transformation

Each stage of ATM's history has reflected a transformation in the travel industry itself.
From traditional tourism, hotel and airline reservations, the event has expanded to include luxury tourism, business tourism, conferences, technology, sustainable tourism, cruises, health and wellness, and cultural and entertainment experiences.

In the 2023 edition, which represented the thirtieth anniversary of the launch of the exhibition, the number of participants exceeded 40,000 people, with the participation of more than 2,100 exhibitors and representatives from more than 150 countries, in one of the record stations in the history of the event.

As for the 2024 edition, it continued to set record numbers, as it brought together 47,489 travel industry professionals from more than 160 countries, along with about 2,600 exhibitors, according to data from the organizing body.

Here the beautiful paradox appears:

The exhibition, which began with 300 exhibitors, has today become a platform that brings together thousands of institutions and professionals from around the world.

Why has ATM become so important?

Because tourism is no longer just hotel rooms and airline tickets.

Today's tourist is looking for an integrated experience; About culture, food, health, wellness, adventure, entertainment, technology, convenience and sustainability.

This transformation was clearly reflected in the ATM agenda.
The exhibition has become a place where tourist destinations meet investors, hotels meet technology companies, airlines meet travel agents, and decision makers meet new markets.

It has also become an important platform for discovering the trends that will lead the tourism industry in the coming years.

Dubai... when the city turns into a tourism model

It is difficult to talk about the success of the Arabian Travel Market without talking about Dubai itself.

The relationship between the city and the exhibition seems like a mutual success story.

Dubai provided the world with a model of a city that was able to make its geographical location, infrastructure, aviation, hotels, services, and investment environment integrated elements of one industry, which is global tourism.

In return, ATM gives Dubai an annual platform that brings together the tourism world under one roof.

Therefore, the return of the exhibition to Dubai is not just a return to a successful event, but rather a continuation of a strategic partnership between a city that has made tourism part of its global economic identity, and an exhibition that has become part of the memory of the international travel industry.