Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has revealed the full conference programme for its 2026 edition, setting out a multi-stage agenda designed to address the future direction of global travel and tourism through research-led insight, innovation and industry collaboration.
ATM 2026 will take place from 4 to 7 May at Dubai World Trade Centre. Under the theme Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology, the event will feature sessions across the Global Stage, the Future Stage and the newly rebranded Experience Stage, previously known as the Business Events Stage as part of IBTM@ATM.
The programme will bring together global thought leaders, policymakers, researchers and practitioners to examine the forces shaping international travel. Discussions will span accessibility and inclusion, sustainability, transport and mobility, accommodation, luxury travel, destination marketing, investment and emerging travel trends.
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.”
The Global Stage will act as the event’s primary strategic forum, featuring panels, interviews and presentations examining policies, investments and decisions influencing the sector’s long-term development. Research-led sessions will be delivered by organisations including Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, Euromonitor and GSIQ, offering data-driven perspectives on market performance and future outlooks.
The final day of the Global Stage will host the Women in Travel Forum, delivered in partnership with Women in Travel CIC. The forum will focus on accessibility, equity, leadership and representation, exploring how destinations and businesses can design more inclusive travel experiences and address barriers faced by underrepresented groups.
Reflecting the full launch of ATM Travel Tech as a co-located show, the Future Stage will sit at the centre of the Tech and Innovation Hub. Sessions led by companies such as Dragon Trail and Videc will examine artificial intelligence, automation, digital transformation, fintech, immersive technologies and emerging business models. The stage will be housed in a 250-seat theatre and will focus on preparing stakeholders for technological change across the travel ecosystem.
New for 2026, the Experience Stage will expand the former Business Events focus to include corporate travel and experiential design. Supported by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the programme will explore leadership, event technology, innovative formats and sustainable event delivery, reflecting the Middle East’s growing role as a global meetings and events destination.
Interactive formats, including roundtables, Lunch ‘n Learn sessions, Meet the Speaker opportunities and real-time translation technology delivered in partnership with Vox Technologies, will run across all stages.
Registration for ATM 2026 is now open.
