Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

ATM Unveils Groundbreaking 2026 Conference Programme, Setting A New Benchmark For Strategic Insight Across Global Travel And Tourism


(MENAFN- Mid-East Info)
  • The Global Stage, Future Stage and newly rebranded Experience Stage to deliver industry-led intelligence, innovation and inclusive growth, reinforcing Arabian Travel Market as the place to learn from and shape the future of travel
  • Leading global market research and insight companies, including Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, Euromonitor, GSIQ, Dragon Trail, Videc, Women in Travel CIC, and ICCA, to lead discussions
  • ATM will take place from 4-7 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre

Dubai, United Arab Emirates,January 2026: Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has unveiled its extensive conference programme for ATM 2026, outlining a multi-stage agenda which will shape the future of the global travel and tourism industry.



ATM 2026, which will take place from May 4 to 7 at Dubai World Trade Centre, will host a conference programme featuring actionable insights, data-driven perspectives, and debates across major travel sectors. Under the theme“Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology,” the sessions will take place on the Global Stage, the Future Stage, and the newly rebranded Experience Stage, formerly the Business Events Stage, part of IBTM @ ATM.

Throughout the conference programme, renowned global thought leaders, policymakers, innovators and practitioners will share insights that support sustainable global growth, elevate standards, and strengthen the long-term resilience of travel and tourism worldwide.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said:“At ATM, we want to raise the bar in how we guide the global travel and tourism industry. Our 2026 conference programme has been carefully curated to provide strategic direction through informed, industry-led insight, ensuring that decision-makers leave with the knowledge they need to act with confidence.

“We want ATM to be a platform where thought leaders share expertise that supports global growth, improves standards and strengthens the future of travel and tourism worldwide. By covering every major vertical within the industry, and by grounding our agenda in research, innovation and real-world scenarios, we are empowering the sector to make smarter, more sustainable decisions.”

As ATM's primary strategic forum, the Global Stage will provide an overview of the key factors transforming international travel and tourism. Featuring a series of panel discussions, interviews, and presentations, the sessions will examine the decisions, policies, and investments shaping the industry's future. The agenda will address themes central to long-term growth and competitiveness, including accessibility and inclusion, sustainability, transport and mobility, accommodation, luxury, destination marketing, development and investment, and emerging global travel trends.

Designed to deliver practical takeaways alongside big-picture thinking, the Global Stage will outline the insights needed to make informed strategic decisions in an increasingly complex, fast-evolving environment. A particular focus will be on research-led sessions, with new data and insights presented throughout the programme from companies including Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, Euromonitor, and GSIQ.

On the final day of the Global Stage, the agenda will focus on the Women in Travel Forum, delivered in partnership with Women in Travel CIC, which will provide a dedicated platform to address accessibility, inclusion, equity and leadership across the travel and tourism industry.

The agenda will examine how destinations, businesses and policymakers can design more inclusive travel experiences, remove barriers for underrepresented groups, and embed accessibility into tourism planning and product development. The forum will also highlight the importance of diverse leadership and representation in driving innovation, improving standards and supporting sustainable growth across the sector.

Reflecting this year's full debut of ATM Travel Tech as a co-located show, the Future Stage will be central within the Tech and Innovation Hub, an immersive area showcasing the technologies transforming travel around the world. Across four days, it will highlight the trends and breakthroughs redefining how journeys are planned, delivered and experienced.

Sessions, led by companies including Dragon Trail and Videc, will explore AI and automation, data and digital transformation, fintech, immersive technologies, robotics, disruptor business models, and next-generation travel platforms, highlighting how innovation is reshaping the entire travel ecosystem. Set within a purpose-built, 250-seat theatre environment, the Future Stage will provide a forward-looking agenda focused on opportunity, adaptation and responsible innovation, helping industry stakeholders understand what is coming next and how to prepare for it.

Announced for 2026, the Experience Stage marks a significant development from the former Business Events Stage at IBTM @ ATM. The emphasis will be on driving growth in business events, corporate travel, and experiential design, highlighting the Middle East's emerging prominence as a global meetings and events hub, supported by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), which returns as the Official Business Events Partner.

The programme will explore leadership, event technology, innovative formats, and the future of impactful, inclusive, and sustainable events, alongside practical strategies for planners, destinations, and suppliers operating in this high-growth sector.

Across all stages this year, emphasis will be placed on more interactive and intimate experiences. Exclusive roundtable discussions, the launch of Lunch 'n Learn sessions, Meet the Speaker opportunities, as well as a partnership with Vox Technologies, which will see the use of headset devices that directly translate sessions in real time, encouraging deeper conversation and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange.

“With our expanded scope, redefined stages and renewed focus on inclusion, innovation and evidence-based insight, the ATM 2026 conference programme underscores the event's position as the region's leading knowledge platform for travel and tourism,” added Curtis.

About ATM:

Now in its 33rd year, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading global platform driving growth and innovation across every sector of the travel and tourism industry. 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, featuring forums, experiences, and networking opportunities that continue well beyond the show floor throughout the week. Now in a period of rapid expansion, ATM has grown 16% year-over-year, attracting over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

About IBTM @ ATM:

IBTM @ ATM is the dedicated business events (MICE) hub within Arabian Travel Market (ATM), connecting the global meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) community with the Middle East's rapidly expanding meetings and mega events sector.

The feature brings together association planners, conference organisers, corporate buyers, and incentive agencies with destinations, venues, DMCs, and business event suppliers specialising in world-class events. With a comprehensive hosted buyer programme, targeted networking, pre-scheduled appointments, and a dedicated Experience Stage featuring expert-led sessions, IBTM @ ATM is the essential platform for driving innovation, collaboration, and growth across the global meetings industry.

About ATM Travel Tech:

ATM Travel Tech is the premier co-located technology event within Arabian Travel Market (ATM), dedicated to showcasing the groundbreaking innovations set to transform global travel by 2040.

ATM Travel Tech will feature more than 180 exhibitors from 30 countries across two dedicated halls, providing a dynamic platform for the technologies, partnerships, and ideas shaping the future of travel.

At its core, the Tech & Innovation Hub spans 850m2, offering immersive demos in AI, VR and AR, robotics, fintech, and green technologies. The Future Stage will bring together global tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and futurists to discuss artificial intelligence, immersive commerce, cybersecurity, and sustainability, alongside the Start-up Pitch Battle. Evolving from ATM's fastest-growing sector, ATM Travel Tech provides a dynamic platform driving the future of travel technology.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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