Dubai’s position as a global hub for tourism, aviation, investment and international business came into focus as His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited Arabian Travel Market 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai toured the 33rd edition of the international travel exhibition as tourism authorities, airlines, hospitality groups, technology companies and travel businesses gathered in the emirate.
Running from 14 to 17 September 2026, Arabian Travel Market is bringing the wider travel industry together at Dubai World Trade Centre, with this year’s programme placing strong emphasis on technology, innovation and the changing direction of global tourism.
Sheikh Hamdan Highlights Dubai’s Role in Global Tourism
During the visit, Sheikh Hamdan was briefed by Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Director General of the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, on the key themes and developments surrounding Arabian Travel Market 2026. His visit reinforced Dubai’s aim to remain more than a host city for international tourism events. The emirate continues to position itself as a place where global companies meet, form partnerships and explore new opportunities across travel, hospitality and related industries.
Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the role of Arabian Travel Market in strengthening Dubai’s global tourism position while supporting collaboration between businesses and tourism organisations. The impact reaches beyond tourism itself, with aviation, retail, technology, real estate, professional services and business setup activity all benefiting from Dubai’s growing international visitor and corporate ecosystem.
Arabian Travel Market 2026 Brings Global Industry Players to Dubai
Arabian Travel Market has become one of the most important international trade events for the travel and tourism sector, attracting tourism boards, airlines, hotel groups, investors, travel agencies, technology companies and service providers from around the world. The event gives participating businesses direct access to decision-makers and potential partners while creating opportunities for companies looking to expand across the UAE and the wider Middle East.
During his tour, Sheikh Hamdan visited a number of participating pavilions, including those representing the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, flydubai, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, Emirates and Al Rais Travel. The displays showcased projects, services and initiatives designed to improve the travel experience while strengthening connections between Dubai and international markets.
Technology Takes a Bigger Role in the Future of Travel
Arabian Travel Market 2026 is being held under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology,” reflecting how rapidly digital tools are changing the tourism industry. Artificial intelligence, automation and data-driven platforms are now influencing booking systems, customer service, hotel operations, travel planning, pricing and personalised experiences.
The focus on technology also opens the door to a broader range of companies entering the travel sector. AI developers, software firms, digital payment providers, cybersecurity companies, marketing platforms and data businesses are increasingly becoming part of the tourism value chain. For companies considering expansion into the UAE, this creates opportunities that go well beyond traditional tourism and hospitality services.
Dubai’s Business Events Strategy Supports a Wider Commercial Ecosystem
Major exhibitions such as Arabian Travel Market form an important part of Dubai’s broader economic strategy. International events bring executives, investors, entrepreneurs and corporate delegations into the emirate, creating additional demand for hospitality, transport, office space, professional services, logistics and company formation support.
This wider commercial activity is particularly relevant to Dubai’s free zone ecosystem. Business districts and free zones across the emirate provide international companies with platforms to establish regional operations, recruit teams and serve markets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Events hosted at Dubai World Trade Centre add another layer to that ecosystem by connecting potential investors and expanding companies directly with the local business environment.
New Partnerships Could Be One of ATM 2026’s Biggest Outcomes
The long-term value of Arabian Travel Market is not limited to visitor numbers or exhibition space. Many of the most important outcomes happen through meetings, negotiations and partnerships that begin during the event. Tourism authorities may secure new airline connections, hospitality groups can meet investors, technology providers can find clients, and international businesses can identify opportunities to establish operations in Dubai.
Dubai Media Office said the exhibition supports stronger cooperation, knowledge exchange and international partnerships. For companies exploring the UAE market, Arabian Travel Market provides a useful environment for understanding both the scale of Dubai’s tourism sector and the commercial opportunities surrounding it.
What Arabian Travel Market 2026 Means for UAE Businesses
For UAE-based businesses operating in travel technology, aviation, hospitality, digital services and tourism support, Arabian Travel Market offers direct access to global industry leaders who are already looking for partnerships and expansion opportunities. The event can also help smaller companies identify new customers, suppliers and international markets.
For businesses considering entering Dubai, ATM 2026 provides a snapshot of where the market is heading. Technology is becoming more deeply integrated into tourism, customer expectations continue to change, and artificial intelligence is moving into everyday travel services. At the same time, Dubai continues to strengthen the infrastructure and business environment needed to attract international companies.
Sheikh Hamdan’s visit underlines the strategic importance of Arabian Travel Market within that wider picture. The event is not simply another major exhibition on Dubai’s calendar. It forms part of the emirate’s effort to keep tourism, business growth, technology and international investment closely connected.
Sources
Dubai Media Office:
https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2026/september/14-09/hamdan-bin-mohammed-visits-arabian-travel-market-2026
Dubai World Trade Centre:
https://www.dwtc.com/en/events/arabian-travel-market-exhibition-2026/
