ATM 2026 Travel Trends Report

Speaking through the session, Goodger stated: “We are certainly optimistic about progress. Over the subsequent 5 years we see journey increasing on a structural foundation slightly than only a cyclical rebound. International journey has by no means mattered extra, 2026 is constructing on a report 2025, and MENASA is outpacing the world.

“This year is disrupted by an uncertain economic and geopolitical backdrop, but consumers are treating travel as essential. People are prioritising experiences over things, and that, combined with favourable demographics, rising wealth and sustained investment in capacity, underpins our confidence in the region’s long-term momentum.”

Technology can also be enjoying a rising position within the area’s journey trade. According to analysis cited within the report, 91% of Middle East journey companies are piloting or working AI inside their organisations, with 85% reporting measurable price financial savings. Prospective guests to the Middle East are additionally greater than twice as more likely to have used an AI chatbot to plan a visit, at 28% in contrast with 12% amongst travellers thinking about different areas.

Following the presentation, the Travel Trends Panel: Why Travel Will Win within the Middle East, that includes Eddy Tannous, Chief Operating Officer, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC, and Tarik Fadil, Vice President of Supply, Agoda, alongside Goodger, mentioned the components supporting the area’s continued tourism growth.

Commenting on the Middle East’s capability for additional progress, Tannous stated: “I discover the expansion dialogue very fascinating. In 2008, the market modified drastically. We went right into a recession, and everybody was asking: Is this it? Have we reached most capability? At the time, Dubai had round 45,000 keys; at this time it’s nearer to 160–170,000 keys.

“We’re hearing a similar story now in Abu Dhabi, which is at around 55,000 keys: Are we at full capacity or not? Personally, I don’t like comparing ourselves to what we were five or ten years ago. I prefer to compare the Middle East to major cities around the world. Dubai has seen substantial growth over the last 10–20 years, but the region’s potential is still far bigger than we think.”

Fadil highlighted the Middle East’s twin position as a significant tourism vacation spot and worldwide connectivity hub, in addition to the significance of AI and localisation in serving more and more various traveller markets.

He stated: “The Middle East is two things at once: a destination in its own right and a hub connecting Asia, Europe and Africa. Serving it well comes down to leveraging AI and deepening localisation. Delivering an AI-powered travel experience will help sharpen every step of the journey, from pre-booking inspiration to post-booking support. We want the customer to have a local experience when they book with Agoda, no matter where they’re from.”

Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE, RX Global, stated: “The findings presented at ATM demonstrate the strength of the Middle East’s long-term tourism opportunity. Bringing research and industry perspectives together on the Global Stage gives our community valuable insight into where demand is moving and the opportunities that will shape the sector’s future.”

Now in its thirty third version, Arabian Travel Market stays the main worldwide journey and tourism occasion within the Middle East, bringing collectively the worldwide journey group to develop partnerships, share data and discover new enterprise alternatives throughout the sector.

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