ATM 2024 sets new record with more than 46,000 attendees

Event saw 15% YoY growth

More than 46,000 industry professionals from over 160 countries – including 33,500 visitors – attended the 31^st edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which concluded last week in Dubai, UAE.

Organisers of the event has revealed this figure is a 15% year-on-year increase in attendees compared to its 30^th edition, last year.

This number sets a new record for the show, which the team illustrates the "strength, resilience and momentum" of the global travel and tourism sector.

In line with ATM 2024’s theme, ‘Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship’, over 2,600 exhibitors gathered at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) to explore the drivers behind industry growth and identify future opportunities within the global tourism sector.

Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME of Arabian Travel Market, said: “My colleagues and I are delighted that so many industry professionals from around the world were able to join us in Dubai to explore how innovation and entrepreneurship are shaping a more efficient, profitable and sustainable tourism sector for future generations. 

"We are thrilled to have set a new show record, underscoring our position as the travel and tourism exhibition of choice as we continue to drive global growth within the industry.”

ATM 2024 welcomed His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, who chaired a meeting of The Executive Council during the show. 

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan approved a series of major transport and tourism-related projects in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

This year’s opening session saw policymakers from across the region explain how Gulf nations are working together to streamline the GCC’s tourism offering. 

The panel discussion, which took place following opening remarks from H.E. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE minister of economy, featured insights from H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority; H.E. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority; H.E. Azzan Al Busaidi, undersecretary of tourism at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism in Oman; and H.E. Sarah Buhijji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority.

Elsewhere in the show, panellists outlined predictions for the future of air travel and the importance of innovation in enabling the industry to accommodate the significant growth in air traffic during the session titled Looking Skyward for Innovation: How Technology is Disrupting Aviation. 

Moderated by travel expert Mark Frary, the session featured insights from Cirium, IATA, AviationXLab and Riyadh Air.