The key industry trends of innovation, connectivity and customisation will take centre stage at the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025.
Taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from April 28 to May 1, the exhibit’s theme of Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity will explore contemporary shifts in technology and traveller behaviour that can both contribute to and benefit from enhanced connectivity.
Speaking on the changing face of global travel, Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, ATM, said: “Connectivity through technology is obviously a key growth area in travel and tourism, but it is also about the seamless flow and interaction of people, goods and ideas, which support businesses worldwide. So, if you are looking to engage with the global trends, cultural shifts and traveller behaviours shaping the future of the tourism sector, there is no better place than ATM.”
One of the trends expected to shape the market in 2025 and beyond is so-called nostalgia travel. Many of today’s travellers, including those from the UAE, are seeking to reconnect with their youth by recreating special trips or childhood dreams, with others looking to connect with their own children by sharing nostalgic experiences in familiar places, providing myriad opportunities for enterprising travel companies.
Sports and music tourism is also experiencing significant growth, with the former expected to be worth $1.33 trillion and the latter forecast to reach $13.8 billion by 2032. Regional markets are already capitalising on this trend, with Saudi Arabia welcoming 2.5 million overseas tourists across 80 international sports events in the last four years alone.
Travel to and from the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is expected to see a resurgence from 2025, with numbers of arrivals there and in the Middle East on track to exceed pre-pandemic levels by the end of next year. This trend is thanks in part to visa-free travel initiatives, digital nomad visas and the influence of popular television shows set in Asian countries, such as The White Lotus and Squid Game.
Cutting-edge technology will also enjoy its time in the spotlight with the likes of Amadeus, WEGO and WebBeds returning to ATM’s Travel Tech exhibition. This year, delegates will explore how advances in artificial intelligence (AI), high-speed Wi-Fi and virtual reality (VR) are converging to create highly personalised, immersive in-flight viewing, entertainment and shopping experiences, enabling airlines and service providers to anticipate customer preferences and needs like never before.
There will also be a focus on sustainable practices and responsible tourism in 2025, areas that were highlighted at ATM 2024 and which will form a key component of the content programme. Ecotourism is projected to increase to $429 billion by 2028.
