Dubai, UAE – The Middle East’s aviation and cruise industries are entering a new era of accelerated global expansion, reinforcing the region’s position as one of the world’s most strategically connected travel hubs. These dynamic sectors will take centre stage at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, scheduled to run from 4–7 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

According to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, produced in partnership with Tourism Economics, part of Oxford Economics, air passenger demand in the Middle East is projected to grow by 23% between 2025 and 2030. The increase is being driven by ambitious national tourism agendas, record-breaking airport performance and substantial aircraft investments across the GCC.

The region’s four largest carriers — Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Saudia — have collectively placed nearly 780 aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus, underscoring long-term confidence in global travel demand. Middle Eastern airlines now account for 12% of all new unfilled aircraft orders worldwide, with GCC carriers responsible for 93% of that total.

The scale of fleet expansion is mirrored in the region’s growing global connectivity. Qatar Airways serves more than 170 destinations worldwide, while Etihad Airways is expected to operate a fleet of over 110 aircraft connecting to more than 90 destinations by the end of 2025. Emirates flies to 140 destinations across six continents, and Saudia operates direct services to over 90 international destinations. Collectively, these networks position the Middle East as a powerful aviation super-connector linking markets across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific.

Further strengthening the region’s aviation landscape, Maldivian carrier Beond has announced plans to establish operations in Bahrain, enhancing the kingdom’s appeal as a luxury travel hub. Meanwhile, AirAsiaX has selected Bahrain as a regional bridge connecting Asia and Europe, a move expected to significantly boost inbound tourism flows.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME at Arabian Travel Market, said the region’s unmatched connectivity is accelerating tourism growth, expanding global trade corridors and deepening cultural exchange. She added that ATM 2026 will provide a platform for aviation leaders to shape the next phase of fleet expansion, smart mobility and sustainable development.

Aviation trends will be explored during high-profile sessions on the Global Stage, including “Aviation Predictions 2030: Networks, Fleet Futures & the Future of Mobility” and “The State of Travel: Inflation, Polycrisis & the New Travel Reality,” alongside discussions examining the Asia-GCC growth corridor. On the Future Stage, sessions such as “Automated Aviation: Smarter Skies, Cabins & Lounge Experiences” will assess how artificial intelligence, biometrics and next-generation aircraft are reshaping the passenger journey.

Confirmed aviation exhibitors include Emirates, Qatar Airways, flydubai, flynas, flyadeal, dnata, Icelandair and Air Charter Service, reinforcing ATM’s standing as a leading global aviation marketplace.

The cruise sector is also experiencing robust momentum. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), global cruise passenger numbers are forecast to exceed 42 million by 2028, up from 34.6 million in 2024.

Regionally, the Middle East is expected to welcome more than 2 million cruise passengers in 2025, with over 300,000 port visits across destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Aqaba and Salalah. The Red Sea alone is projected to attract approximately 500,000 passengers in 2025, with more than half calling at Jeddah.

Research from Tourism Economics further indicates that travellers considering the Middle East are nearly twice as likely to opt for a cruise holiday compared to those exploring other regions, highlighting significant untapped growth potential.

Curtis noted that new cruise lines launching in Saudi Arabia, alongside expanded Red Sea and Arabian Gulf itineraries, are strengthening the region’s global cruise profile. ATM 2026 will host dedicated sessions including “Cruising Insight: Ripple Effects of the Blue Economy” and “Cruise Leaders: Putting Cruise on the Map,” bringing together industry stakeholders to discuss sustainable growth strategies.

Confirmed cruise exhibitors include Cruise Saudi, MSC Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Oceanwide Expeditions and CruiseXplore.

With more than 55,000 travel professionals and over 2,800 exhibiting companies from 166 countries expected to attend, ATM 2026 will explore the future of global travel under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology,” highlighting the trends and innovations shaping the industry’s next chapter.