Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid toured Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai, examining advances in artificial intelligence, smart mobility, and sustainable tourism. His tour highlighted the UAE’s drive to strengthen its global travel leadership as Dubai’s visitor economy recovers and the industry looks toward the technologies shaping travel through 2040.
Industry Leaders and Tech on Display
The four-day trade exhibition is exploring how artificial intelligence, smart mobility, and sustainability could reshape global travel by 2040. Running from 14 to 17 September, the event is held under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology.” Its conference programme is focused on digital transformation, changing traveller expectations, destination resilience, and sustainable growth.
Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, toured the 33rd edition of the show at Dubai World Trade Centre with His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and other senior officials. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, briefed the ruler on the exhibition’s programme and its role in connecting tourism authorities, airlines, hotel operators, technology companies, and investors.
During the tour, Sheikh Mohammed visited stands representing Kuwait Airways, Bahrain, Qatar Airways, Qatar, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways, and Spain. He also stopped at exhibits operated by Minor Hotels, STORY Hospitality, Marriott Bonvoy, and IHG Hotels & Resorts, according to the Government of Dubai Media Office.
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Rebuilding Momentum in Dubai
The technologies presented included artificial-intelligence applications, digital travel services, smart-mobility systems, and initiatives designed to create more sustainable tourism experiences. Dubai’s tourism authority is participating alongside more than 115 co-exhibitors from the emirate’s hospitality, aviation, attractions, and destination-management sectors. It is also hosting more than 300 travel-trade professionals from over 40 countries.
Dubai’s visitor economy shows signs of improvement following disruption to regional travel earlier in 2026. The emirate received approximately 869,000 international overnight visitors in August, its highest monthly total since February, taking arrivals during the first eight months of the year to 6.97 million. Hotel occupancy recovered from 36 per cent in March to 66 per cent in August, while hotels recorded 21.61 million occupied room nights between January and August, according to Dubai tourism data released for the opening of ATM.
That recovery follows a record 2025, when Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors. Dubai International Airport handled a record 95.2 million passengers that year and was forecast to receive 99.5 million in 2026. The Dubai Government earlier introduced an AED2.5 billion support package for tourism, hospitality, and entertainment businesses affected by the disruption.
Economic Impact and Future Outlook
Tourism also remains an important contributor to the wider UAE economy. The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that the sector generated $68.5 billion in UAE gross domestic product in 2025, while international visitor spending reached $56.9 billion. Across the Middle East, tourism’s economic contribution grew 5.3 per cent, outpacing the global industry average of 4.1 per cent, according to the WTTC’s 2026 economic-impact research.