Arabian Travel Market
Arabian Travel Market has unveiled its full conference programme for ATM 2026, setting out a multi-stage agenda focused on innovation, technology and long-term growth across the global travel and tourism sector.
The event takes place from May 4 to 7 at Dubai World Trade Centre and brings together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers and technology specialists under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology.”
The programme spans three main stages — the Global Stage, the Future Stage and the newly rebranded Experience Stage — and features contributions from leading research and insight organisations including Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, Euromonitor, GSIQ, Dragon Trail, Videc, Women in Travel CIC and ICCA. Organisers say the agenda aims to deliver actionable intelligence and practical insight for decision-makers navigating rapid change across aviation, hospitality, destinations and travel technology.
The Global Stage will act as the conference’s strategic centre, examining the economic, policy and investment forces shaping international tourism. Panel discussions, interviews and presentations will focus on accessibility and inclusion, sustainability, transport and mobility, accommodation, luxury travel, destination marketing, development and emerging global travel trends.
A strong emphasis will be placed on research-led insight. Fresh data and analysis from Tourism Economics, Euromonitor and GSIQ will be woven into sessions to support evidence-based decision-making. Organisers say this approach reflects the growing need for reliable forecasting and deeper market intelligence as destinations compete for visitors and investment in an increasingly complex environment.
On the final day of the Global Stage, the programme will pivot to the Women in Travel Forum, delivered in partnership with Women in Travel CIC. The forum will explore accessibility, inclusion, equity and leadership across the sector, with sessions examining how destinations and businesses can design more inclusive travel experiences and remove barriers for underrepresented groups.
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.”
She added: “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.”
Beyond headline debates, organisers plan to introduce more interactive formats across the conference. These include exclusive roundtable discussions, Lunch ‘n Learn sessions and Meet the Speaker opportunities, designed to encourage deeper engagement between delegates and presenters. A partnership with Vox Technologies will also see the use of headset devices capable of real-time translation, helping international audiences participate more fully in discussions.
The Future Stage will sit at the heart of the Tech and Innovation Hub, reflecting the growing influence of digital tools across the travel journey. Across four days, sessions led by companies such as Dragon Trail and Videc will explore artificial intelligence and automation, data and digital transformation, fintech, immersive technologies, robotics, disruptor business models and next-generation travel platforms.
Organisers say the aim is to move beyond theoretical discussions and provide clear insight into how innovation is already reshaping how trips are planned, sold and experienced. Set within a purpose-built 250-seat theatre environment, the Future Stage is designed to encourage forward-looking debate around opportunity, adaptation and responsible innovation.
Announced for 2026, the Experience Stage marks the evolution of the former Business Events Stage at IBTM @ ATM. The rebrand reflects a broader ambition to drive growth in business events, corporate travel and experiential design, while highlighting the Middle East’s expanding role as a global meetings and events hub. ICCA returns as the Official Business Events Partner, reinforcing the focus on international collaboration and standards.
Sessions on the Experience Stage will explore leadership, event technology, innovative formats and the future of inclusive and sustainable events. Practical strategies will be shared for planners, destinations and suppliers operating in a high-growth sector where hybrid formats, data-driven engagement and experiential design are becoming increasingly important.
Across all stages, the programme reflects a wider shift in the travel industry toward resilience, adaptability and responsible growth. Strong demand for travel continues globally, but operators face mounting pressures from environmental expectations, evolving traveller behaviour and the pace of technological change. By anchoring its agenda in research, innovation and cross-sector collaboration, ATM positions itself as a platform for addressing these challenges rather than simply reacting to them.
The conference also underscores Dubai’s role as a convening hub for global travel dialogue. With strong connectivity, a growing hospitality sector and ongoing investment in tourism infrastructure, the city continues to attract international events that shape policy and commercial strategy across the industry.
For travel professionals, the ATM 2026 programme offers a snapshot of where the sector is heading over the next decade and beyond. From artificial intelligence and digital transformation to accessibility, leadership and sustainable development, the agenda reflects a belief that long-term competitiveness will depend on how effectively the industry balances innovation with inclusion and environmental responsibility.
As the countdown to May continues, organisers say the expanded scope, redefined stages and increased emphasis on interactive learning reinforce the event’s ambition to remain a leading knowledge platform for global travel and tourism. For destinations, airlines, technology providers and policymakers alike, ATM 2026 is positioned as a space not only to learn, but also to help shape the future direction of travel worldwide.
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