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atm yearbook
atm 2026 Strong foundations, new horizons for travel The ATM Yearbook 2026 reflects an industry moving forward with confidence, clarity and long-term ambition.
Published by GT Media ME Ltd
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2 0-22 Wenlock Road, London N1 7GU. United Kingdom +44 207 9812579 www.gtmediame.com Contacts Publisher Khaled Algaay ENVELOPE kalgaay@gtmediame.com Editorial Director Gemma Greenwood ENVELOPE gemma@gtmediame.com Publishing Consultant Lucie Winter ENVELOPE lucie.winter@gtmediame.com Director of Markets Beth Thomas ENVELOPE beth.thomas@gtmediame.com Partnerships Manager Hayley Field ENVELOPE hayley.field@gtmediame.com
T ravel and tourism is an industry not only defined by the movement of people, but of ideas, investment, partnerships and possibility. This year, that sense of movement carries particular weight. The Middle East has navigated a turbulent period, and the impact on travel confidence, connectivity and business planning has been real. Yet the region’s response has also reminded us of something equally real: its ability to adapt quickly, act decisively and keep moving. That is not new. The UAE, GCC and wider Middle East have repeatedly demonstrated an instinct for reinvention. During the pandemic, Dubai was among the first destinations in the world to reopen safely, supported by clear protocols, public-private coordination and a willingness to find practical ways forward. Since then, the region’s recovery has provided one of the clearest examples of tourism’s ability to rebound. Recent performance proves the point. Travel and tourism delivered its best year on record globally in 2025, contributing US$11.6 trillion to global GDP, according to WTTC. The Middle East remained the world’s strongest- performing region against 2019 levels in 2024, with 95 million international arrivals, 32% above pre-pandemic levels, according to UN Tourism. Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, marking its third successive record-breaking year. Those figures not only reflect increased demand, but the continued success of the systems behind the destination – airports that continue to operate, hotels that continue to welcome, governments and industry leaders that coordinate, and communities that offer reassurance
through action when conditions change. That is why ATM’s 2026 theme, “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology”, feels especially relevant. The foundations for long-term growth are already in place, but the next chapter will depend on confidence, investment, adaptability and responsible progress. The ATM Yearbook 2026 reflects that bigger picture, with insight from destination leaders and hotel groups, data-led market analysis, and features exploring aviation, hospitality, technology, sustainability, luxury travel, talent and the trends influencing travel’s road to 2040. Across these pages, the message is one of measured confidence. The industry is adjusting, but it is also advancing. It is drawing on hard-won experience, strengthening partnerships and continuing to invest in the future. For this region, that has long been the approach: find a way, or make one.
Editorial Contributor Felicity Cousins
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Gemma Greenwood Editorial Director ATM Yearbook series GT Media ME Ltd
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