Dubai’s tourism industry is on the rise, with 3.14 million overnight visitors from South Asia in 2024—India contributing significantly to the overall 18.72 million international visitors. This growth represents a 9% year-on-year increase, reflecting the deepening ties between India and the Middle East. As Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 approaches, India’s influence in the global travel sector is more prominent than ever. With a 41% increase in participation, the event will highlight India’s diverse travel offerings, from luxury getaways and wellness retreats to cultural landmarks and adventure tourism.
Leading the charge, major exhibitors such as the India Ministry of Tourism, Air India, Air India Express, and regional tourism boards from Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh will showcase the country’s expanding travel landscape. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, emphasized that ATM provides a crucial platform for global travel exchange, allowing the international community to tap into India’s rapidly growing tourism market. With India’s hotel supply increasing by over 3% CAGR in the past decade and rising occupancy rates, the country remains a hotspot for developer interest and tourism growth.
A key highlight of ATM 2025 will be its engaging conference program across three major stages—Global Stage, Future Stage, and the new Business Events Stage. Sessions like “Multimedia: Connecting Global Audiences & Unlocking Hyper-Localized Campaigns” will explore how advanced marketing strategies are shaping travel behaviors in key markets like India and China. Another spotlight session, “The Big Ticket Events: Global Impact and Learnings”, will examine the rising influence of sports and events tourism, particularly how hosting Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in Saudi Arabia is boosting cross-border tourism.
On the final day of ATM, industry leaders will dive into Asia-Pacific travel trends through insights provided by Euromonitor International. Later, Shivani Gupta, Managing Partner at SPAG – A FINN Partners Company, will present “India’s Next Gen Traveller”, focusing on the behaviors and preferences shaping the future of Indian tourism. With these expert-led discussions, ATM 2025 will deliver a comprehensive understanding of emerging traveler profiles and the strategies needed to capture this fast-evolving market.
As ATM 2025 marks its 32nd year, the event’s theme—“Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”—reflects the importance of uniting borders, industries, and communities. With 2,600 exhibitors, 47,000 attendees, and over 161 global destinations represented, Arabian Travel Market continues to be the region’s premier travel and tourism event. Arabian Travel Week (April 28 – May 4) will further enhance the experience with specialised forums focusing on MICE, travel tech, and business networking, positioning India as a key player in shaping the future of global tourism.