TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
32nd edition of Arabian Travel Mart 2025 will feature 68 conference sessions with 185 high-profile speakers who will address audiences across three content stages: The Global Stage, the Future Stage, and the new Business Events Stage. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director, Middle East, ATM, shared the details with TRAVTALK of this year’s edition.
Dr Shehara Fernando
Could you share the focus/theme of this year?
The theme for ATM 2025, Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity, will shine a spotlight on the transformative power of connectivity. As we traverse an era of growth in the global travel and tourism sector, linkage is a crucial pillar in shaping its future. This theme underscores the importance of linking borders, industries, and communities to redefine the landscape and drive sustainable practices for the future of travel.
How will this year’s ATM be different from last year?
Expanding to 13 halls from 11 last year, ATM 2025 will be the largest edition yet, with growth in exhibitor participation from Asia (27%), Africa (21%), the Americas (18%), the Middle East (17%), and Europe (12%). With 55,000 attendees and 2,800 exhibitors from 161 destinations, we are excited to welcome a global audience this year. The visitors can look forward to a gamut of innovative features. Among these are sessions that will focus on critical source markets, including Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and India. We will also launch IBTM@ATM, a zone for business events suppliers to showcase their offerings and connect with buyers through prescheduled appointments and business exchange sessions. As part of IBTM@ATM, we will unveil a new Business Events Stage where industry experts will outline strategies for growth in business events and corporate travel. ATM Travel
Tech is larger than ever, reflecting the travel industry’s growing reliance on technology
and innovation.
Are you focusing on MICE sector? If so, do share more details?
Business events will be a key focus of ATM 2025. IBTM@ATM has been created in business events industry and demand among ATM visitors, 7,000 attendees, 1,500 buyers and 400 exhibitors. Highlights at IBTM@ATM’s brand new Business Events Stage include a session led by one of our key partners, International Congress and Convention Association, entitled: Building Stronger Connections: Bridging Global and Regional Association Collaboration. A session on Advancing Climate Action in Business Travel will be hosted by the Global Business Travel Association, which will reveal the results of the first-ever global benchmarking initiative.
Elaborate about the conferences for this edition?
ATM 2025 will feature 68 conference sessions and 185 high-profile speakers who will address audiences across three content stages: the Global Stage, the Future Stage, and the new Business Events Stage. The Global Stage is home to the highest level of expertise, featuring C-Suite executives, ministerial leaders, and global influencers and includes a dynamic mix of panel discussions, interviews, and presentations. On the Future Stage, speakers will explore insights into the changing landscape of travel, while the Business Events Stage will unlock strategies for growth in events and corporate travel.
Focus on AI and sustainability this year?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an important role in altering travel by making experiences efficient and seamless. ATM will examine the impact of AI on the industry during several conference sessions and will showcase exciting developments in AI across the show floor.
