Sheikh Mohammed Highlights Dubai Tourism Growth at Arabian Travel Market 2026

DUBAI, UAE — Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has reaffirmed the emirate’s ambition to remain one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism and business travel destinations, using the opening of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) to showcase the city’s expanding visitor economy and global hospitality appeal.

During his tour of the international travel exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Sheikh Mohammed said tourism has become one of the strongest pillars of Dubai’s diversified economy, crediting sustained investment, innovation and international connectivity for the sector’s continued momentum. He also praised the travel market for bringing together governments, airlines, hotel groups and tourism leaders from around the world to shape the future of global travel.

The Arabian Travel Market remains one of the Middle East’s largest tourism exhibitions, attracting thousands of exhibitors and industry professionals across aviation, hospitality, destination marketing, travel technology and luxury tourism. This year’s edition places particular emphasis on sustainable tourism, artificial intelligence, digital travel experiences and cross-border investment as the industry adapts to changing traveller expectations.

Dubai’s tourism performance has continued to strengthen following successive record-breaking years. The emirate has expanded its portfolio of luxury hotels, family attractions and business events while reinforcing its role as a global aviation hub through Dubai International Airport and the city’s extensive international airline network. Those factors have helped position Dubai among the world’s most visited urban destinations for both leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) travel.

Industry leaders attending the exhibition said continued collaboration between the public and private sectors has been central to Dubai’s resilience. New hotel developments, tourism partnerships and investment announcements unveiled during ATM are expected to further support visitor growth and strengthen the UAE’s broader hospitality sector over the coming years.

Beyond showcasing destinations, the event has increasingly become a platform for discussing the future of travel. From AI-powered guest experiences to smarter airport services and sustainable hospitality practices, exhibitors are presenting technologies designed to reshape how people plan, book and experience international travel.

For Dubai, the significance of Arabian Travel Market extends beyond exhibition halls. It reflects the city’s broader strategy of using tourism, aviation and global business events as engines of economic diversification, reinforcing its position as a gateway connecting Europe, Asia and Africa in an increasingly competitive global travel landscape.