Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO of flag carrier Emirates, has kicked off the mega travel and tourism exhibition event, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, in Dubai.

A press release from the Dubai government’s media office said the “leading global travel and tourism event” is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from May 6-9, hosting 2,300 exhibitors from 165 countries in its “largest edition to date” and welcoming some 41,000 attendees.

“Policymakers, industry leaders, and travel professionals will gather at the event to explore the theme ‘Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship’.

“The four-day conference agenda of ATM 2024 through May 9 will feature 200 speakers across more than 50 sessions at the DWTC,” the press release said.

It added that ATM was launched in 1994 with 300 exhibitors and 7,000 trade visitors and had now established itself as a “globally renowned event integrating” multiple travel sectors and verticals from leisure and luxury hospitality to corporate travel.

“Exhibitor participation has increased by 26 per cent this year, with growth recorded across all event verticals,” the press release said.

At the inaugural event, Sheikh Ahmed said that the “massive interest” generated amongst ATM 2024 attendees reaffirmed Dubai’s standing as a “major destination” for tourism and travel in the region, highlighting its role in “shaping the future of the industry by bringing together leaders of allied sectors from around the world”.

The press release said ATM 2024’s focus was on spotlighting visionary entrepreneurs in aviation, hotels, hospitality and public attractions, and underscoring their transformative role in the future of the sector.

It said its four-day conference agenda featured a host of speakers for multiple on two main stages — the Global Stage and the new Future Stage.

“The Global Stage will host daily summits exploring entrepreneurship, developing markets, sustainability and luxury, while the Future Stage will be the home of all innovation-related content, covering topics such as AI, NextGen destinations, travel technology and future trend forecasts.”

The press release said ATM 2024 is part of Arabian Travel Week, a 10-day-long festival of travel and tourism events that take place in Dubai. In addition to ATM, other events that are part of Arabian Travel Week are the ATM Start-up competition, ATM Travel Tech, GBTA Business Travel Forums and Buyer Networking.