ATM Dubai 2026: Sheikh Mohammed visits Arabian Travel Market
Tourism authorities, airlines and hospitality brands from 80 countries join the event this year
DUBAI – His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited Arabian Travel Market 2026 on Monday as the four-day global travel event opened at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The visit came as ATM 2026 brought together tourism authorities, airlines, global hospitality brands and technology companies from 80 countries to discuss the future of international tourism.
Sharing highlights from his visit, Sheikh Mohammed said Dubai welcomed around 7 million tourists during the first eight months of the year, while the emirate recorded 21 million hotel room bookings over the same period.
The figures underline continued demand for Dubai as an international tourism destination, with visitors drawn by its hospitality, attractions, business opportunities and diverse experiences.
Sheikh Mohammed said Dubai welcomed everyone to the UAE and reaffirmed the emirate's commitment to strengthening its position among the world's leading and most prestigious tourist destinations.
He highlighted Dubai's generosity, diversity and vitality as key qualities supporting its appeal to visitors from around the world.
ATM Dubai 2026
The visit took place as ATM 2026 officially got underway under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology.”
The 33rd edition is bringing together destinations and travel industry leaders for four days of meetings, networking, showcases and discussions covering the future of tourism.
Technology is a major focus of this year's event, with ATM Travel Tech making its debut as a dedicated co-located show. Artificial intelligence, digital transformation, smart mobility, robotics, fintech and other emerging technologies are among the areas being explored across the event.
The gathering also provides Dubai with an opportunity to strengthen relationships with international tourism markets while showcasing its own tourism offering.
Dubai's global ambition
Sheikh Mohammed said the UAE would continue its efforts to establish the country as one of the world's best and most prestigious tourist destinations.
His comments come as Dubai continues to expand its tourism proposition through new attractions, hospitality projects, cultural experiences and major infrastructure developments.
ATM 2026 runs until 17 September, with thousands of travel professionals, exhibitors and tourism stakeholders expected to take part across the four-day event.