ATM 2025 opens today, record-breaking attendance expected
The 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) opens today at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together more than 2,800 exhibitors and over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.
International exhibitors account for 67 per cent of the companies showcased this year, with the Middle East comprising 33 per cent, highlighting the growing global significance of the event, which runs from April 28-May 1.
Held under the theme 'Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow's Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity,' ATM 2025 will explore how cross-border, cross-industry, and community connectivity is shaping the future of tourism.
Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME for Arabian Travel Market, said ATM 2025 is on track to break records in both attendance and exhibitor participation. 'We have added two additional halls this year and will deliver the ATM Conference Programme across three dynamic content stages – the Global Stage, Future Stage, and Business Events Stage,' she said.
ATM25 is almost here! Doors open in just a few hours — are you ready?
— ATM Dubai (@ATMDubai)
Asia has emerged as the fastest-growing region at ATM, with exhibitor participation rising by 20 per cent year-on-year, driven by enhanced regional connectivity and stronger international ties.
Asian destinations showcased this year include Japan, Macao, the Maldives, Mauritius, South Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
India's presence at ATM 2025 has increased by 30 per cent, fuelled by strong participation from regional tourism boards such as Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, alongside airline carriers including Air India and Air India Express.
International markets account for over 52 per cent of visitor registrations, while UAE and GCC visitors contribute 48 per cent of the total.
The top five international markets for ATM 2025 are India, Egypt, the UK, Türkiye, and the US.
New features at ATM 2025
The event will also feature ATM Travel Tech's new Start-Up and Innovation Zone, showcasing travel pioneers and an immersive VR experience.
The fourth edition of the Start-Up Pitch Battle will spotlight innovative minds from the Middle East.
A key highlight this year is the launch of IBTM@ATM, a dedicated zone connecting business event buyers with venues, hotels, convention bureaus, tourism boards, and airlines.
The Business Events Stage will host discussions on strategies to unlock growth in business events and corporate travel.
Highlights include a formal welcome by Senthil Gopinath, CEO of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), and a panel session on how global events and festivals drive socio-economic growth, featuring speakers from ICCA,
ATM 2025 is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre.
Strategic partners include the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as Destination Partner, Emirates as Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as Official Hotel Partner, and Al Rais Travel as Official DMC Partner.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
17 hours ago
- Zawya
Big-ticket events set the stage for tourism growth in the Middle East
According to the ATM Travel Trends report, 50% of industry experts consider leisure events as a key opportunity for the region's tourism growth Experts speaking at ATM 2025 discussed how global sports tournaments, cultural festivals and music events across the region are boosting tourism and economic growth Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 'Big-ticket' events are playing a pivotal role in driving international tourism and accelerating economic growth, according to experts speaking recently at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025. In the GCC alone, the event and exhibition market is expected to reach US$827 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.94%. Following the global success of mega-events such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Expo 2020 Dubai, momentum is building across the region as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 World Cup. Discussing the evolution and impact of these events, panellists including H.E. Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; Sebastien Doussin, Senior Vice President - Global Travel Services & Destination Management. Dnata and Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), shared fascinating insights at ATM 2025, where the events industry was under the spotlight. The panel addressed how big-ticket events – so-called for their high value, cost and impact – have demonstrated their ability to attract millions of international visitors, boost hotel occupancy, stimulate infrastructure growth and generate long-term brand positioning for host destinations. Highlighting the importance of understanding the long-term strategic value of big-ticket events beyond immediate sales, H.E. Khalid Jassim Al Midfa commented: ' Big-ticket events provide a destination with an opportunity to establish brand positioning and exposure in a competitive global environment. These events play a vital role in supporting broader government objectives, but it is essential to invest in the right product for your destination.' Doussin reaffirmed the importance of large-scale events in destination positioning, referencing the growth of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the surge of international golfing tournaments throughout the UAE and the launch of NBA events in the capital. Commenting on the impact of technology on events, Doussin said: 'Technology has already changed big-ticket events, especially in terms of distribution and customer experience. All of the ticketing for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar was completely digital through the official event app, offering flexibility and ease of use. Ultimately, technology enables an event to become more seamless, easier and enjoyable.' Meanwhile, Hamid urged the industry to broaden the definition of big-ticket events to include exhibitions, conferences and cultural performances. He referenced Bangkok's weekly concerts, which are mainly K-pop driven, as examples of how live entertainment extends tourist stays. Supporting the panel's observations, the ATM Travel Trends report highlights the rising appeal of live entertainment and sports in influencing travel decisions. Leisure events were outlined as the top opportunity for tourism growth among 50% of industry experts, as consumer demand for in-person and cultural experiences has increased significantly in recent years. The trend of combining traditional leisure and business travel, or 'bleisure', has also accelerated as increased remote working and flexible working visas have enabled more people to live and work overseas. Building on this, business travellers are often extending their stays in destinations, creating a new opportunity in this rapidly expanding sector. The report also highlighted that business events (MICE) are emerging as a significant driver of tourism growth across the Middle East, complementing the region's thriving leisure sector. Global business travel reached a record US$1.4 trillion in 2024 and is projected to rise to US$2 trillion by 2030. The Middle East is well-positioned to capture a growing share of this lucrative market, increasing from approximately 2.5% in 2024 to over 3% by the end of the decade, supported by world-class infrastructure, a strategic location, and an expanding schedule of high-profile events. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, concluded: 'As big-ticket events continue to gain global prominence, their role in shaping the future of tourism, driving economic diversification and enhancing international reputation has never been more evident. The Middle East, with its strategic vision, world-class infrastructure and focus on innovation, is well-positioned to lead the next era of global event tourism.' Building on the success of its inaugural edition, IBTM@ATM will return to ATM 2026, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 4-7 May 2026, with a dedicated zone within Hall 3, highlighting the show's strategic focus on the global business events sector. Designed to facilitate high-value connections, the zone allows business event suppliers to showcase, promote their destinations and services, and engage with pre-qualified international event planners, Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs), and associations through an exclusive hosted buyer programme. This specialised area will once again host the IBTM Stage, providing a comprehensive conference programme tailored to industry professionals, encouraging knowledge exchange and thought leadership. IBTM@ATM 2026 is set to be a vibrant hub for innovation, collaboration, and business growth in the global events industry. ATM will return to the Dubai World Trade Centre from 4-7 May 2026. Now in its 33rd year, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading global platform driving growth and innovation across every sector of travel and tourism. Held annually in Dubai – the gateway to global travel and tourism with its unmatched connectivity – ATM is where the energy of opportunity comes to life. More than just an event, ATM is a dynamic hub for industry communities, with forums, experiences, and networking that continue well beyond the show floor over the week. Now in a period of rapid expansion, ATM has grown 16% year on year, attracting over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries. The next edition of ATM will take place in Dubai from 4–7 May 2026. About RX RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. About RELX RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. *Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises leading travel events and online portals across four continents. The events are: WTM London is the world's most influential travel & tourism event for the global travel community. The show is the ultimate destination for those seeking a macro view of the travel industry and a deeper understanding of the forces shaping it. WTM London is where influential travel leaders, buyers and high-profile travel companies gather to exchange ideas, drive innovation, and accelerate business outcomes. Next event: 4 to 6 November 2025 at ExCel London. WTM Latin America takes place annually in the city of São Paulo and attracts around 20,000 tourism professionals during the three-day event. The event offers qualified content together with networking and business opportunities. In this its ninth edition – there have been eight face-to-face events along with a 100% virtual one, which was held in 2021 – WTM Latin America continued to focus on effective business generation, and achieved the advance booking of six thousand meetings that were held between buyers, travel agents and exhibitors in 2022. Next event: 14 to 16 April 2026 – Expo Center Norte, SP, Brazil. WTM Africa launched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2022, WTM Africa facilitated more than 7 thousand unique pre-scheduled appointments, an increase of more than 7% compared to 2019 and welcomed more than 6 thousand visitors (unaudited), the same number as in 2019. Next event: 13 to 15 April 2026 – Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town About ATW Connect: Africa Travel Week's digital arm, is a virtual hub packed to the seams with interesting content, industry news and insights, and the opportunity to hear from experts on a variety of topics in our new monthly webinar series. All with the aim to keep all of us in the travel and tourism industry connected. ATW Connect focuses on inbound and outbound markets for general leisure tourism, luxury travel and the MICE/business travel sector as well as travel technology. WTM Global Hub, is the WTM Portfolio online portal created to connect and support travel industry professionals around the world. The resource hub offers the latest guidance and knowledge to help exhibitors, buyers and others in the travel industry face the challenges of the global coronavirus pandemic. WTM Portfolio is tapping into its global network of experts to create content for the hub.
Gulf Business
a day ago
- Gulf Business
MBRHE delivers Dhs1.7bn housing support to 3,000+ Emiratis
Image credit: Dubai Media Office The The support included 1,390 housing schemes valued at Dhs1.184bn to assist citizens with building, maintaining, and purchasing homes. In addition, 935 housing grants worth Dhs540.3m were allocated for home maintenance, construction, and ownership requests. As part of the integrated support system, 695 land grants were also facilitated to further enable citizens to secure suitable homes. Read: His Excellency Mohammed Hassan Al Shehhi, Acting CEO of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment, highlighted the alignment of these achievements with the leadership's vision, stating: 'We are committed to translating the noble directives into tangible results by innovating a flexible and comprehensive housing system based on efficiency and service quality, contributing to higher levels of family and social stability.' He further emphasised that these efforts are fully in line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the Dubai Social Agenda 33, both of which aim to position Dubai as a global leader in quality of life by advancing a sustainable housing ecosystem that promotes social cohesion and supports economic growth.
Tourism Breaking News
a day ago
- Tourism Breaking News
Big-ticket events set the stage for tourism growth in the Middle East
Post Views: 44 In the GCC alone, the event and exhibition market is expected to reach US$827 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.94%. Panel hosted by TravTalk ME with San Jeet, CEO, DDP Publications moderating the session shared, following the global success of mega-events such as the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Expo 2020 Dubai, momentum is building across the region as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 World Cup. Discussing the evolution and impact of these events, panellists including H.E. Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; Sebastien Doussin, Senior Vice President – Global Travel Services & Destination Management. dnata and Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), shared fascinating insights at ATM 2025, where the events industry was under the spotlight. 'Big-ticket' events are playing a pivotal role in driving international tourism and accelerating economic growth, according to experts speaking recently at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025. The panel addressed how big-ticket events – so-called for their high value, cost and impact – have demonstrated their ability to attract millions of international visitors, boost hotel occupancy, stimulate infrastructure growth and generate long-term brand positioning for host destinations. Highlighting the importance of understanding the long-term strategic value of big-ticket events beyond immediate sales, H.E. Khalid Jassim Al Midfa commented: 'Big-ticket events provide a destination with an opportunity to establish brand positioning and exposure in a competitive global environment. These events play a vital role in supporting broader government objectives, but it is essential to invest in the right product for your destination.' Doussin reaffirmed the importance of large-scale events in destination positioning, referencing the growth of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the surge of international golfing tournaments throughout the UAE and the launch of NBA events in the capital. Commenting on the impact of technology on events, Doussin said: 'Technology has already changed big-ticket events, especially in terms of distribution and customer experience. All of the ticketing for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar was completely digital through the official event app, offering flexibility and ease of use. Ultimately, technology enables an event to become more seamless, easier and enjoyable.' Meanwhile, Hamid urged the industry to broaden the definition of big-ticket events to include exhibitions, conferences and cultural performances. He referenced Bangkok's weekly concerts, which are mainly K-pop driven, as examples of how live entertainment extends tourist stays. Supporting the panel's observations, the ATM Travel Trends report highlights the rising appeal of live entertainment and sports in influencing travel decisions. Leisure events were outlined as the top opportunity for tourism growth among 50% of industry experts, as consumer demand for in-person and cultural experiences has increased significantly in recent years. The trend of combining traditional leisure and business travel, or 'bleisure', has also accelerated as increased remote working and flexible working visas have enabled more people to live and work overseas. Building on this, business travellers are often extending their stays in destinations, creating a new opportunity in this rapidly expanding sector. The report also highlighted that business events (MICE) are emerging as a significant driver of tourism growth across the Middle East, complementing the region's thriving leisure sector. Global business travel reached a record US$1.4 trillion in 2024 and is projected to rise to US$2 trillion by 2030. The Middle East is well-positioned to capture a growing share of this lucrative market, increasing from approximately 2.5% in 2024 to over 3% by the end of the decade, supported by world-class infrastructure, a strategic location, and an expanding schedule of high-profile events. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, concluded: 'As big-ticket events continue to gain global prominence, their role in shaping the future of tourism, driving economic diversification and enhancing international reputation has never been more evident. The Middle East, with its strategic vision, world-class infrastructure and focus on innovation, is well-positioned to lead the next era of global event tourism.' Building on the success of its inaugural edition, IBTM@ATM will return to ATM 2026, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 4-7 May 2026, with a dedicated zone within Hall 3, highlighting the show's strategic focus on the global business events sector. Designed to facilitate high-value connections, the zone allows business event suppliers to showcase, promote their destinations and services, and engage with pre-qualified international event planners, Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs), and associations through an exclusive hosted buyer programme.
