This year’s Arabian Travel Market is happening from 4-7 May 2026. Does the hosting city need an introduction? Probably not. Dubai is getting ready to host the upcoming ATM 2026, one of the most important events in the regional tourism market and beyond.
You can expect a lot of emphasis to be brought to the soaring Middle East outbound travel spend. It is expected that overseas travel spend by residents in different Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, is going to increase by 6% per year until the end of the decade, up to a sizeable US$60 billion. Isn’t it incredible?
But does the projected number surprise you?
It shouldn’t be as the current market scenarios point at the number from all directions. In fact, the upcoming ATM 2026 has already been generating quite a lot of interest among international exhibitors, amid an expected YOY rise in exhibition space of 10%. Supported by improved tourism infrastructure and increased air connectivity, scores of global exhibitors are going to call Dubai their home in May 2026.
| ATM records CAGR upticks from global participants(2024-26) | Africa(31.99%) | Asia(13.95%) | Europe(8.75%) | Americas(8.25%) | Middle East(8.04%) |
This means one simple thing.
The global tourism landscape is up for a serious upgrade and Dubai is going to be a major part of this race. Dubai has been hosting different editions of Arabian Travel Markets for quite some time, implying that this UAE city’s presence in the global tourism market is only bound to get more prominent. From hotels to restaurants, concerts, nightclubs and airlines, Dubai has been seeing some encouraging numbers lately. ATM 2026 is going to highlight all of these insights and more, in addition to the rising use of technology for different purposes.
Read More: Arabian Travel Market 2025 opens with record 2800 Exhibitors
Participating International Exhibitors at Arabian Travel Market (ATM 2026)
So far, things are looking pretty interesting for the upcoming Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai. International participation at the key annual event continues to rise – and for all the right reasons. Exhibitors from across the globe can make great use of Dubai’s strong tourism infrastructure and rising air connectivity to reach ATM 2026 at ease, spend their time in Dubai like a local and represent their country or business’s interest. People from Asia and Africa to Europe are expressing great enthusiasm and participation is only going to rise as the event nears. Let’s take a look at the ‘unprecedented engagement’ being reported so far as exhibitors try to put the rising Middle East outbound travel spend to their benefit.
1. Egypt has something exciting up its sleeves
Egypt’s popularity among regional tourists is clear. By 2030, the volume of outbound leisure nights from the Middle East to Egypt is expected to rise by 21%. That’s quite a decent number. Home to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza and plenty more exciting mega-projects in the pipeline, such as Ras al-Hekma and the Grand Transfiguration Project, things are looking pretty interesting for Egypt’s tourism space.
Some of the top Egyptian exhibitors at ATM 2026, include:
Egyptian Tourism Authority
Rixos Premium Seagate Hotel
Sunrise Resorts and Cruises
Classic for Touristic Resorts & Hotel Management
2. Morocco eyeing at 26 million annual visitors by 2030
Morocco has a rich history. International tourists love this country for its offerings. Morocco has also launched multiple ambitious plans for rail expansion as it prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup (alongside Portugal and Spain). The country aims to add 150,000 hotel beds and host 26 million annual visitors by 2030.
Top Moroccan exhibitors at ATM 2026 include,
Visit Morocco
Myriad of investors and project partners
3. Turkey expecting some serious rise in inbound tourist numbers
Turkish dramas are all the rage these days. But the same thing can also be said about different destinations in Turkey, one of the major hotspots globally. The upcoming ATM 2026 is going to see a strong representation of Turkey – a key country for tourists across the Gulf and beyond, accounting for 8% of outbound nights in 2025. Isn’t it incredible? Turkey is also expected to rise by 96% as a source market for international leisure tourism nights in the Middle East by 2030.
Top Turkish exhibitors at ATM 2026 include,
Mercan DMC
Regnum Hotels
Atas Group Hotels
Ajet Airlines
Bursa Culture & Tourism Promotion Union
4. Chinese tourists have an affinity for Middle East tourism
China is once again going to have a presence at the Arabian Travel Market 2026, building on a boom in outbound travel to Middle East countries, such as the UAE. Nonetheless, China is also trying to improve its inbound travel numbers. For this purpose, the country has already been expanding its visa-free arrangements for visitors. People from 76 countries, including those in the GCC, are able to make the most of China’s unilateral or mutual visa-free entry.
Best Chinese exhibitors at ATM 2026 include,
China Cultural Centre in UAE
The Garden Hotel Company Ltd Guangzhou
China Highlights International Travel Services Co Ltd
Basically, the upcoming Arabian Travel Market 2026 is going to see some interesting exhibitors from across the globe, all planning to make their country more and more appealing for Middle Eastern travellers. The next chapter in global tourism is going to unfold soon and Dubai is going to be at the centre of it all, no doubt. On another note, in addition to the soaring Middle East outbound travel spend, the number of tourists coming to Dubai is increasing each year, amid the bustling Dubai International Airport (DXB) expected to record 100 million annual passengers really soon.
ATM 2026 is already looking to be a blockbuster edition! Keep your calendars for 4-7 May 2026 ready.
1 AED