The Arabian Travel Market in Dubai has been postponed from its 4-7 May dates to a 17-20 August 2026 slot, with organisers RX citing safety and attendee confidence as reasons for the decision. The event, now in its 33rd year will still be hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre. ATM 2026 also features its dedicated co-located events, including IBTM @ ATM, the hub for the MICE sector, and ATM Travel Tech.
Organisers explained the decision was taken due to the need to “prioritise the safety and wellbeing” of participants and to provide “greater confidence and flexibility” for international attendees.
Although Dubai airport reported damage from an Iranian drone attack on 16 March, little wider disruption has been identified in the emirate. That said, the UAE has had to deal with more than 2,000 missiles and drones since the start of the war. While the air defence systems have largely done their job protecting the country, it is clearly a harder ask to protect the UAE’s hard-won image of safety and stability.
“The safety and wellbeing of our customers, partners and colleagues remains our highest priority, and the decision to reschedule ATM 2026 to August reflects our commitment to ensuring that everyone can participate at this important industry gathering.” said Danielle Curtis, RX’s exhibition director for the Middle East.
RX is headquartered in the UK where the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) has advised against all but essential travel to the UAE, saying the regional escalation poses “significant security risks”.
ATM is a key flagship event and annual gathering for airlines, hotel groups, travel companies and tourism boards. The new August date comes in a quieter period for business in the Gulf, with extreme temperatures. Revenues could well not just be deferred but reduced significantly. The upside may be a boost in the quieter August season.
The emirate does, of course, have experience of delayed major events, with the precedent of Expo 2020 baking in an extra level of experience of flexibility for local event professionals.
At the same time, the August switch may offer a chance to bolster a quieter period in Dubai. Such rescheduling could help redistribute demand, filling hotel rooms and event spaces during an otherwise slow season.
For RX, the postponement takes out the risk of a last-minute disruption and gives exhibitors plenty of time to re-plan their logistics. With UAE airspace opening and closely intermittently, travel planning is clearly an issue at the world’s busiest international air hub. Most important now is to retain the exhibition’s status a a key platform for shaping travel trends across the region, so a reschedule to August seems to be the best move for RX and its exhibitors.
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix have also been called off for April, with Formula 1 determining it is unsafe to race due to the ongoing conflict. And crypto conference TOKEN2049 has also announced its Dubai edition will now move to 2027.
Source: www.exhibitionworld.co.uk
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