- Policymakers and travel experts from the Middle East, Singapore and the Seychelles examined physical and digital connectivity at ATM 2026
- Panellists cited effective multilateral communication and data-sharing, as well as comprehensive contingency planning, as priorities for region’s travel sector
- Drawing parallels with industry’s post-COVID recovery, speakers said the Middle East must prepare for a swift post-conflict rebound in travel activity
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 16 September 2026: The Middle East’s travel and tourism community must prioritise aviation infrastructure and data-informed decision-making in preparation for a swift post-conflict rebound, according to ministers and industry experts speaking at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026. The 33rd edition of ATM is being hosted at Dubai World Trade Centre until Thursday 17 September.
Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General, Arab Air Carriers’ Organization (AACO), Schubert Lou, CEO, Trip.com, H.E. Laura El Khazen Lahoud, Minister of Tourism, Lebanon, and H.E. Nicola Amanda Bernstein, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Republic of Seychelles, met on ATM 2026’s Global Stage to discuss post-conflict connectivity and explore ways to future-proof operations. The session was moderated by Thomas Shambler, Head of Business, ITP Media Group.
After drawing parallels with the regional travel sector’s faster-than-anticipated post-pandemic recovery, Teffaha said: “Aviation is now part of the DNA of the human race. Aviation connectivity is something that is no longer a luxury, and should not be treated as a luxury by governments. It should be treated as part of the infrastructure foundation of any country in the world.”
Commenting on how the Middle East’s geopolitical situation affected the Seychelles’ tourism sector, Bernstein said: “During this period, we found that demand was still strong, but it became about availability, frequency, connectivity, and of course, affordability of the different route options available. About 60% of our travel comes through the Middle East, so we were particularly vulnerable when tensions arose here. The resilience, for us, is founded both in the strength of our partnerships – when it comes to how we get back on our feet together – and diversification.”
With reference to Lebanon’s post-conflict priorities for connectivity, Lahoud said: “We need to have smarter tourism. We need to collaborate more with the airlines, as we know things they don’t know and they know things we don’t know. We need to share our data and make sure supply, demand, efficiency – all this – is synchronised.”
Offering his perspective on what could help the travel sector prepare for future challenges, Schubert said: “I would say we need a playbook, outlining how we as an industry deal with these situations, and how quickly we can respond – saying that [when we encounter] A, B, C, we do X, Y, Z. It’s about how we can accelerate decision-making together. Then, once we have the playbook, it’s about infrastructure.”
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE, RX Global, said: “The Middle East’s travel and tourism community has had to contend with significant challenges over the past six months, and the resilience and determination demonstrated have been truly impressive. It is enlightening to hear ministers and industry experts reflect on lessons learnt, and discuss how the region can further strengthen and future-proof both its physical and digital connectivity over the longer term.”
This year marks the introduction of ATM’s refreshed brand identity, visible across the event. The evolution reflects the show’s continued growth beyond the traditional exhibition floor into a year-round platform connecting communities, ideas and commercial opportunities across the global travel and tourism ecosystem.
Held under the theme Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology, ATM 2026 will examine how artificial intelligence, digital transformation, smart mobility and evolving traveller expectations are influencing the future of tourism. The Global Stage hosted a total of 10 sessions on the show’s third day, including How Public-Private Partnerships Support Destination Growth and High Spend, High Value? Rethinking the Impact of Premiumisation.
Now in its 33rd edition, Arabian Travel Market remains the leading international travel and tourism event in the Middle East, bringing together the global travel community to develop partnerships, share knowledge and explore new business opportunities across the sector.
Registration is live for ATM 2026. Media can register here; to register as a visitor, click here; and for enquiries related to exhibiting, please click here.
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