Set to take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from April 28 to May 1, the leading global event for the travel and tourism industry has announced notable growth from key regions including Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Americas, reflecting continued recovery and rising demand across the sector.

The increase in attendance coincides with a boost to global tourist numbers that reached an estimated 1.4 billion arrivals in 2024, according to the World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, an 11 per cent increase from the previous year. In addition, total export revenues from tourism, including passenger transport, reached a record $1.9 trillion last year.

The report also indicated that the Middle East was the best-performing region compared to 2019, with international arrivals rising by 32 per cent last year from pre-pandemic levels. The outlook is promising for international tourist arrivals in 2025, which are anticipated to grow by three to five per cent.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market said; “Asia is the fastest-growing region at ATM 2025, with a projected 27 per cent year-on-year increase in exhibitors this year. This growth is largely attributed to enhanced regional connectivity and stronger links with international markets, driving expansion opportunities. It’s not only national tourism organisations that are contributing to this growth but also regional and city-level destinations, with private sector participation on the rise.”

Countries such as Japan, Macao, the Maldives, Mauritius, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India are playing a pivotal role. India is anticipated to witness a remarkable 41 per cent increase in participation at ATM this year, which includes a stronger presence from the Ministry of Tourism and major national airline carriers, among other stakeholders.

Regional tourist boards, including Rajasthan Tourism, the Government of Goa, Andhra Pradesh Tourism, the Phuket Tourist Association, Hong Kong and the Jakarta Provincial Government, are also contributing to Asia’s growing presence at ATM.

Reflecting the region’s continued infrastructure growth and appeal to both business and leisure travellers, participation from Middle East exhibitors at the event has grown by 17 per cent. Saudi Arabia’s participation continues to rise at ATM, where the country’s giga projects and many prominent private sector companies from the Kingdom will be showcased to an international audience.

With its cultural diversity and historical tourism appeal, Europe is on track for steady growth of 12 per cent, with participants from across the continent participating in the upcoming edition of ATM. Meanwhile, exhibitor participation from Africa and the Americas remains in line with last year’s edition.

ATM 2025 will centre on the theme Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity, underscoring the importance of connectivity in shaping the industry’s future. The event is set to attract more than 47,000 attendees and feature more than 2,600 exhibitors from more than 161 global destinations.