Sheikh Hamdan says Dubai will help shape future of global tourism

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has highlighted Dubai’s growing role in shaping the future of international tourism during a visit to Arabian Travel Market 2026, one of the world’s major gatherings for the travel industry.

The Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence toured the exhibition at Dubai World Trade Centre, where more than 1,400 tourism organisations and companies from the UAE and around the world are taking part.

Sheikh Hamdan tours Arabian Travel Market

During his visit, Sheikh Hamdan explored a number of exhibition stands and met representatives from across the global tourism sector.

He was briefed on new developments and trends affecting travel, hospitality and tourism, as companies and destinations use the event to present their latest projects, technologies and strategies.

The 33rd edition of Arabian Travel Market runs in Dubai until September 17 and brings together 1,405 organisations, institutions and specialist companies.

Sheikh Hamdan described the exhibition as an international platform connecting leading figures and experts from across the industry.

He also said Dubai would continue to serve as a destination and meeting point where the future of global travel and tourism is shaped.

Tourism looks towards 2040

This year’s Arabian Travel Market is being held under the theme Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology.

The programme is focused on the forces expected to transform travel over the coming years, including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, smart mobility and changing traveller expectations.

Technology is becoming an increasingly important part of the tourism experience, influencing everything from the way people choose destinations and book hotels to how they move through airports and explore cities.

For Dubai, these changes create another opportunity to strengthen its position as a destination willing to adopt new ideas quickly.

Airlines, hotels and destinations meet in Dubai

Arabian Travel Market brings together a broad cross-section of the tourism industry.

Participants include tourism authorities, airlines, hotel groups, destinations, travel technology companies and other businesses operating across the sector.

The conference programme is divided across the Global Stage, Future Stage and Experience Hub, with discussions covering aviation, hospitality, sustainability, investment, luxury travel, accessibility and the ability of destinations to adapt to future challenges.

The variety of sectors represented reflects how tourism has evolved beyond flights and hotels into a much larger ecosystem connecting technology, investment, entertainment, mobility and urban development.

AI and robotics take centre stage

Technology is one of the strongest themes at this year’s event.

The dedicated ATM Travel Tech exhibition and Tech & Innovation Hub are showcasing developments in areas including artificial intelligence, robotics, immersive technologies, fintech and smart mobility.

These technologies are expected to play a growing role in how travellers plan and experience their journeys.

Artificial intelligence, for example, can increasingly personalise recommendations and customer service, while smart mobility systems can make movement around destinations faster and more efficient.

For a city such as Dubai, which has consistently positioned itself at the intersection of tourism and technology, the shift fits closely with its wider development model.

Dubai strengthens its global tourism partnerships

Arabian Travel Market is also an important business platform for Dubai.

The annual event gives the emirate an opportunity to strengthen relationships with international tourism partners, explore opportunities in both established and emerging markets and showcase new developments across its own tourism offering.

Thousands of industry professionals gathering in the city create opportunities for new airline routes, hospitality projects, destination partnerships and technology investments.

This international network has become increasingly important as destinations compete not only for visitor numbers, but also for longer stays, higher-value tourism and repeat travellers.

Dubai wants to lead the next tourism era

Sheikh Hamdan’s visit placed the focus on Dubai’s ambition to remain ahead of changes reshaping the industry.

The city has spent decades developing infrastructure designed around international connectivity, hospitality and major events.

But the next stage of tourism will increasingly depend on how destinations respond to technology, sustainability and changing consumer behaviour.

Arabian Travel Market 2026 brings many of those conversations together in one place.

With more than 1,400 organisations gathering at Dubai World Trade Centre and technology taking an increasingly central role in the programme, the event reflects the transformation already under way across global travel.

For Sheikh Hamdan, Dubai’s ambition is clear: not simply to participate in that transformation, but to remain one of the places where the future of tourism is being created.