Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 will focus on the rapid rise in global leisure travel spending, as organisers outline a projected surge to $15 trillion by 2040 and strong regional growth driven by the Middle East. The event, scheduled for 4–7 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre, aims to bring together destinations, airlines, hotels and industry stakeholders to examine expanding opportunities across the sector. Analysis from Boston Consulting Group and Tourism Economics highlights expected annual leisure spending growth of 7% in the Middle East between 2025 and 2030, placing the region among the world’s fastest-growing tourism markets.
The programme will run under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology,” with a major focus on how shifting traveller behaviours are reshaping the global landscape. ATM’s organisers confirm that leisure travel will play a central role in the discussions, supported by forecasts showing that international tourism nights in the Middle East are set to reach 1.5 billion by 2030, a 90% increase from 2024. Projections also indicate that leisure travellers from outside the region will account for roughly 15% of these nights.
Middle East demand accelerates as global spending rises
The ATM Travel Trends Report, developed with Tourism Economics, shows that European travellers currently make up around 50% of leisure visits to the Middle East, although stronger growth is expected from African and Asia Pacific markets over the next five years. Organisers say these shifts underscore the scale of new demand facing the region’s destinations. More than 2,600 exhibitors from 161 countries and over 47,000 attendees are expected to participate in ATM 2026, reflecting the sector’s strengthening recovery and investment momentum.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “By 2030, there are expected to be nearly 30 billion tourism nights globally, with the Middle East accounting for around 8% of tourism nights. During the same period, leisure nights in the region are expected to grow by 87%, reflecting the region’s rapid infrastructure development, and its expanding experiential and cultural offerings. ATM 2026 will bring together the destinations, attractions, brands and innovators shaping this $15 trillion opportunity.”
Traveller trends reshape the leisure segment
ATM’s analysis with Tourism Economics identifies clear behavioural shifts among global travellers. Millennials and Gen Z are planning more trips and adopting digital tourism tools at higher rates, while multigenerational and solo travel continue to move into the mainstream. According to the organisations, leisure events represent the strongest opportunity for tourism growth, with half of surveyed industry experts citing them as a priority. In the Middle East, demand remains high for beach, city and nature-based travel, with rapid expansion in sports tourism, cultural travel, and health and wellness segments.
Curtis added: “Leisure tourism can no longer be defined by a single demographic or travel style. Today’s travellers are seeking authentic, personalised experiences that reflect their values. For this reason, the Middle East is ideally positioned to play a defining role in the coming era of global tourism, and we look forward to welcoming the international travel industry to Dubai in May to explore related opportunities together.”
Beyond leisure travel, ATM 2026 will highlight broader regional and international market developments. The event will feature insights across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia for both inbound and outbound travel flows, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global hub connecting more than 240 destinations worldwide. Organisers state that the 33rd edition of ATM will also showcase how industry players are adapting their products and strategies to meet the needs of emerging traveller groups.
Several features will return for 2026, including the ATM Ultra Luxury Lounge, IBTM @ ATM for the global meetings and events sector, and ATM Travel Tech, which will span two dedicated halls. Travel Tech will host more than 180 exhibitors from 30 countries and include the Tech & Innovation Hub, offering demonstrations in AI, VR and AR, robotics, fintech and sustainability-focused technologies. The Future Stage will assemble technology leaders, entrepreneurs and futurists to discuss artificial intelligence, immersive commerce, cybersecurity and green innovations, alongside a Start-up Pitch Battle.
ATM organisers note that the event continues to see strong year-on-year expansion. Now in its 33rd year, ATM attracts more than 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries, positioning Dubai as a central meeting point for the global travel industry. The 2026 edition is expected to build on this momentum as exhibitors and buyers seek to capitalise on the long-term rise in global leisure spending and the Middle East’s growing influence in shaping future travel trends.
