Key industry trends, including innovation, connectivity and customisation, will be the highlight of the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market, the leading travel trade show in the region, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from April 28-May 1, 2025.

In a press statement, the organisers of the trade fair say that each year, ATM addresses issues reshaping the international travel landscape, and 2025 will be no exception. In line with its theme, ‘Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity’, ATM 2025’s extensive conference programme and exhibition will explore how contemporary shifts in technology and traveller behaviour can both contribute to and benefit from enhanced connectivity.

Danielle Curtis

“Connectivity through technology is obviously a key growth area in travel and tourism, but it is also about the seamless flow and interaction of people, goods and ideas, which support businesses worldwide. So, if you are looking to engage with the global trends, cultural shifts and traveller behaviours shaping the future of the tourism sector, there is no better place than ATM,” says Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market.

The statement adds that one of the trends expected to shape the market in 2025 and beyond is so-called nostalgia travel. From remakes of 1990s films to early 2000’s music acts on tour, the pull of the past is strong for the Millennial generation. Many of today’s travellers, including those from the United Arab Emirates, where ATM is held, are seeking to reconnect with their youth by recreating special trips or childhood dreams. Some are also looking to connect with their own children by sharing nostalgic experiences in familiar places, providing myriad opportunities for enterprising travel companies.

According to organisers of ATM, sports and music tourism is also experiencing significant growth, with the former expected to be worth USD 1.33 trillion and the latter forecast to reach USD 13.8 billion by 2032. Fans are not only travelling more to see their favourite teams and artists but are also increasing their budgets to do so. Regional markets are already capitalising on this trend, with Saudi Arabia welcoming 2.5 million overseas tourists across 80 international sports events in the last four years alone. 

Travel to and from the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is expected to see a resurgence from 2025

The statement adds that travel to and from the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is expected to see a resurgence from 2025, with numbers of arrivals there and in the Middle East on track to exceed pre-pandemic levels by the end of next year. This trend is thanks in part to visa-free travel initiatives, digital nomad visas and the influence of popular television shows set in Asian countries, such as The White Lotus and Squid Game. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts that a growing middle class in APAC will be responsible for 50 pc of global air passenger growth up to 2043. These trends are reflected by 18 pc year-on-year growth in the size of ATM Asia segment on the show floor.

According to the statement, cutting-edge technology is always in sharp focus at ATM’s Travel Tech exhibition, which will welcome returning exhibitors such as Amadeus, WEGO and WebBeds in 2025. This year, delegates will explore how advances in artificial intelligence (AI), high-speed Wi-Fi and virtual reality (VR) are converging to create highly personalised, immersive in-flight viewing, entertainment and shopping experiences, enabling airlines and service providers to anticipate customer preferences and needs like never before.

Of course, connectivity is about more than just technology, as demonstrated by the number of travellers choosing to go solo in an effort to shake digital fatigue and foster face-to-face connections. Those travelling alone are not doing so only for leisure purposes, with digital nomadism a rising trend since the Covid-19 pandemic. The statelment adds that data from Squaremouth revealed that 42 pc of travel insurance customers plan to take a solo trip this year, a trend that will be placed under the microscope at ATM 2025.

Travellers will also continue to focus on sustainable practices and responsible tourism in 2025, areas that were highlighted at ATM 2024 and which will form a key component of the content programme. The 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey by consultancy firm Deloitte found that 81 pc of Millennials and 79 pc of Gen Zs think businesses should do more to enable consumers to make more sustainable purchasing decisions, and interest in sustainable travel is only growing. Indeed, the ecotourism market is expected to increase to USD 429 billion by 2028.

The organisers say that ATM 2025 will bring together professionals and industry leaders from the leisure, luxury, corporate, and business events including Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) travel sectors, providing a platform for networking, knowledge sharing and business opportunities. In addition to the exhibition, international and regional experts will take to ATM’s Global and Future stages throughout the event to deliver an extensive conference programme. 

The statement adds that held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2025’s strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as Destination Partner, Emirates as Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais Travel as Official DMC Partner.