https://www.traveldailynews.com/ :DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES -Governm ent ministers, policymakers and senior international travel industry leaders will gather at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 from 14–17 September at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) to discuss developments shaping the future of travel.

The 33rd edition of ATM will feature more than 210 speakers and contributors from government and the private sector across the Global and Future Stages and the Experience Hub. More than 80 sessions will address resilience and international cooperation, artificial intelligence (AI), aviation and connectivity, hospitality, traveller behaviour, investment, sustainability and business events.

Opening the Global Stage programme on 14 September, H.E. Shaikha Al Nuwais, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, will deliver a welcome address, followed by H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism.

The opening day will also feature the Ministerial Debate, Building A Resilient Industry Through Collaboration, examining how the GCC can strengthen traveller confidence, enhance its global competitiveness and establish the foundations for long-term tourism growth.

The debate will bring together H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri; H.E. Shaikha Al Nuwais; H.E. Fatima bint Jafar Al Sairafi, Bahrain Minister of Tourism; and Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. Discussions will cover coordinated destination messaging, crisis communications, policy alignment and cooperation between governments, source markets, airlines and the wider tourism industry.

Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE, RX Global, said: “We’re pleased to be bringing together such a high calibre of participants for this year’s conference programme, from UN Tourism and government ministers to senior leaders and experts from across the international travel industry. The breadth of expertise across our stages reflects the issues that matter most to the sector today, from resilience and traveller confidence to AI, connectivity, investment, changing consumer behaviour and the future workforce.

“By combining senior-level perspectives with research, market intelligence and practical discussion, we want the programme to give attendees valuable insights they can take back to their businesses, while creating an important forum for the industry to exchange ideas and explore the opportunities shaping the future of travel.”

Research and market intelligence will form part of the Global Stage programme. Stephen Dutton, Global Insight Manager – Travel at Euromonitor International, will examine inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and changing consumer priorities in The State of Travel: Inflation, Polycrisis & the New Travel Reality.

Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, will return with the annual ATM Travel Trends Report. Dave Goodger, Managing Director, EMEA, Tourism Economics, will present Middle East Momentum & Market Shifts, examining international travel demand and emerging opportunities for the Middle East. He will also join public- and private-sector representatives to discuss travel demand in the region.

Hospitality will also feature in the programme, with Haitham Mattar, Managing Director MEA & South West Asia at IHG Hotels & Resorts, appearing on the Global Stage. Other sessions will examine changing guest expectations, technology and experience-led travel.

Technology will form a central part of ATM 2026 through ATM Travel Tech, the dedicated co-located show making its full debut at the event. Its Future Stage will examine AI, fintech, digital distribution and connected platforms and their commercial applications.

At the Tech & Innovation Hub – Demo Zone, attendees will be able to see more than 15 interactive demonstrations from Travel Tech companies presenting technology and solutions.

Dr Marwan Alzarouni, CEO, AI at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), will open the Future Stage programme with AI’s True Role in Rewriting the Travel Landscape, examining the impact of AI on travel infrastructure, policy and ecosystems.

The programme will include senior representatives from Sabre, Trip.com, Tripadvisor, Wego, MakeMyTrip, RateGain and Visa. Sessions will cover agentic AI, online travel agencies, investment and consolidation, digital discovery and developments in the travel supply chain.

Schubert Lou, CEO of Trip.com, will join Ross Veitch, CEO of Wego, and Raj Rishi Singh, Chief Business Officer – Corporate, Flights and GCC at MakeMyTrip, for a discussion on AI, innovation cycles and their impact on the competitive landscape for online travel platforms.

The Experience Hub will provide sessions covering business events, corporate travel, sustainability and peer-to-peer discussion. Organisations including ICCA, IAPCO, GBTA and SITE will lead sessions on meetings and incentives, regional collaboration and corporate travel priorities.

ICCA’s Beyond Borders: The Middle East’s Collaborative Vision for a Global Business Events Future will bring together

Tourism and events representatives from across the region to discuss business events, investment, talent and knowledge exchange. Participants will include representatives from the Oman Convention Bureau, Bahrain Tourism

& Exhibition Authority, Visit Qatar and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

Arabian Travel Market will take place from 14–17 September 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together the international travel community for business partnerships, market intelligence and discussions on global tourism.