Arabian Travel Market 2026 sees surging global demand as Middle East travel spend set to top $60bn

Rising outbound travel demand from the Middle East is driving strong international interest in Arabian Travel Market 2026, with exhibition space in high demand among global participants as regional travel spending continues to accelerate.

According to the latest ATM Travel Trends Report, overseas travel spend by Middle East residents is expected to grow by 6 per cent annually through to the end of the decade, when it is forecast to exceed $60bn.

Held under the theme Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology, ATM 2026 will enable industry leaders to explore the future evolution of global tourism, with a focus on travel-tech adoption, sustainability, and ultra-luxury experiences.

Arabian Travel Market 2026

The event is already generating strong momentum, with projected year-on-year growth in exhibition space of 10 per cent and rising demand across all core markets. Between 2024 and 2026, ATM recorded significant compound annual growth rate increases from Africa (31.99 per cent), Asia (13.95 per cent), Europe (8.75 per cent), the Americas (8.25 per cent) and the Middle East (8.04 per cent).

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “International participation at ATM continues to grow in step with the remarkable shifts taking place across the worldwide tourism landscape. From Africa’s wide-ranging investment in infrastructure and sustainable luxury to Asia’s rapid expansion in air connectivity and travel technology, we are seeing unprecedented engagement with the Middle East market in ways that would have been unimaginable even a decade ago.”

Egypt is set to attract strong interest at ATM 2026, with outbound leisure nights from the Middle East to the country projected to rise by 21 per cent by 2030.

The destination is supported by major tourism investments, including the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza and large-scale developments such as New Alamein City, Ras al-Hekma, the Great Transfiguration Project and Marassi Red Sea resort.

Exhibitors including the Egyptian Tourism Authority, Rixos Premium Seagate Hotel, Sunrise Resorts and Cruises, and Classic for Touristic Resorts & Hotel Management are expected to showcase the country’s expanding tourism offering.

Morocco is also preparing for heightened international attention as it advances ambitious rail expansion plans ahead of co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain.

The country launched 120 new air routes in 2024 and a further 80 in 2025, including Atlanta–Marrakech, connecting Morocco to 125 US cities via the world’s largest hub.

Regional travel growth

ATM will welcome exhibitors from Morocco, including Visit Morocco, as well as investors and partners supporting the country’s goal of adding 150,000 hotel beds and hosting 26 million annual visitors by 2030.

The 2026 edition will also feature a strong presence from Türkiye, which accounted for 8 per cent of outbound travel nights from the region in 2025. Represented by exhibitors such as Mercan DMC, Regnum Hotels, Atas Group Hotels, Ajet Airlines, Bursa Culture and Tourism Promotion Union and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, the country is expected to grow by 96 per cent as a source market for international leisure tourism nights in the Middle East by 2030.

From Asia Pacific, China will return to ATM in 2026 amid growing outbound travel to Middle East destinations including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. China has also expanded its visa-free travel framework, with 76 countries – including GCC states – now benefiting from unilateral or mutual visa-free entry.

Chinese exhibitors confirmed so far include the China Cultural Center in UAE, The Garden Hotel Company LTD Guangzhou and China Highlights International Travel Services Co LTD.

ATM 2026

ATM 2026 will highlight travel opportunities across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA), as well as Eastern Europe, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global gateway connecting more than 274 destinations across six continents.

Key features including the ATM Ultra Luxury Lounge, IBTM @ ATM and the co-located ATM Travel Tech event – which will span two dedicated halls – will showcase how the global travel industry is adapting to new traveller segments while strengthening links between destinations, buyers and brands shaping the future of tourism.

• The 33rd edition of the event will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 4–7 May 2026.