“Travellers are eager to resume both business and leisure travel across the region, and we're seeing strong momentum heading into Q3, 2026”
the region's tourism infrastructure despite a period of geopolitical uncertainty. Rather than scaling back investment, the focus has remained firmly on delivering new luxury, cultural and experiential destinations capable of attracting international visitors over the long term. These developments point to a broader shift in how resilience is measured within the hospitality industry. Recovery is not defined by how quickly occupancy returns, but in operators' ability to diversify demand, maintain pricing discipline and continue investing through periods of uncertainty. In doing so, they are reinforcing confidence not only in the recovery of regional tourism, but in its long-term trajectory. THE GLOBAL STAGE COMEBACK Business events, exhibitions, sporting fixtures and cultural festivals are among the Middle East tourism industry's most visible confidence indicators. They depend on airlines, hotels, organisers, exhibitors and delegates all believing that people will travel. Their success therefore reflects confidence across the entire visitor economy. Dubai's position as one of the world's leading meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destinations meant the return of major events has carried particular significance. Rather than cancelling flagship gatherings, organisers have adapted schedules where necessary and pressed ahead, reaffirming confidence in Dubai's infrastructure, connectivity and reputation as a safe and reliable destination for global business. Arabian Travel Market has itself become a symbol of that confidence. Bringing together thousands of tourism leaders, buyers and exhibitors from around the world, the event cements Dubai's position as one of the global
maintain momentum and continue engaging with the region. In doing so, ATM 2026 represents a collective vote of confidence in the Middle East's tourism sector and its long- term prospects. Abu Dhabi has also continued to strengthen its position as a global events destination through an ambitious programme of business, cultural and sporting events led by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and ADNEC Group. Following a record 2025, ADNEC announced a calendar of 192 events across its venues during the first half of 2026, spanning sectors including technology, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, energy, defence and culture. At the same time, DCT Abu Dhabi has maintained an extensive international programme of trade exhibitions, roadshows and MICE events to sustain engagement with key global source markets. These developments collectively reinforce a broader point. Major events stimulate air travel, support hospitality, attract investment and project confidence to international audiences. Their continuation signals that the region remains a trusted place to meet, invest and do business. Ultimately, that may prove to be the Middle East's greatest tourism advantage. Resilience is not defined by the absence of disruption, but by the confidence to keep moving forward when disruption occurs. The response over recent months suggests that confidence now extends well beyond governments or individual businesses. It is embedded across the region's tourism ecosystem – from aviation and hospitality to investment and international events. That collective confidence is what enables destinations not simply to recover, but to continue attracting visitors, investment and global attention while the world around them remains uncertain. For a region that has spent the past decade building one of the world's fastest-growing tourism industries, that may be its strongest foundation for the decade ahead.
that will define the next phase of Middle Eastern tourism growth. In Ras Al Khaimah, construction resumed on Wynn Al Marjan Island following a brief precautionary pause, with Wynn Resorts reaffirming both the project's schedule and its confidence in the UAE's long-term outlook. Construction has continued with more than 22,000 workers on site at the $5.1 billion mega resort, which ranks as the largest US-backed hospitality and entertainment investment in the region. The same confidence is evident across the wider GCC. Saudi Arabia has continued advancing its Vision 2030 tourism ambitions through landmark giga-projects including The Red Sea, Diriyah and Qiddiya, reinforcing the fact that governments and investors remain committed to expanding
From top: ATM: the 2026 show represents a collective vote of confidence in the Middle East's tourism sector and its long-term prospects Dubai's infrastructure, connectivity and reputation as a safe and reliable destina- tion for global business are key resilience factors
industry's foremost meeting places. This year's edition carries added
significance. The decision to reschedule rather than cancel the event, together with the breadth of international participation, reflects the industry's determination to
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