ATM Signs Partnership with ICCA

…as international business events sector expected to reach US$1.5 trillion this year

Funke Olaode

Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the leading international event for the travel and tourism sector, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), expanding the business events sector at the 2025 edition of the exhibition. The business travel spending is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2024, reaching a record US$1.5 trillion.

The partnership is testament to ATM’s commitment to fostering growth within the sector as a crucial driver of tourism in the region. The IBTM @ ATM, a dedicated show feature spotlighting business events, will  also debut at ATM 2025

As the official Business Events Partner for ATM 2025, ICCA will lead sessions on the evolving landscape of global business events, including seminars focusing on the sector’s future and addressing key trends such as sustainability, digital transformation, and the integration of AI to enhance event experiences.

Furthermore, ICCA will be responsible for facilitating the attendance of key international association buyers, showcasing the region’s diverse offer for event planners, and its capacity to attract large-scale congresses with the long-term outlook of contributing to the region’s economy and development.

In addition, the Association will launch an exclusive government meeting ranking report at the show, providing critical data on the Middle East’s growing influence in the business events arena. The organisation has previously highlighted Dubai as the top city in the Middle East for association meetings in 2023 and Abu Dhabi in 2022.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Our partnership with ICCA reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional value to the business events sector, which has always been a cornerstone of ATM. We look forward to leveraging ICCA’s global network and insights to deliver unparalleled value to our exhibitors and attendees as we explore the future of business events, particularly in the rapidly expanding international market.”

The latest insights from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) show a strong recovery in the business events sector. Business travel spending is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2024, reaching a record US$1.5 trillion. Dubai has already secured 175 international business events in the first half of 2024, a 24% increase compared to last year, according to Dubai Business Events (DBE), highlighting the UAE’s importance as a key destination for business events.

Lauding this bold initiative, Dr Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, added: “We are thrilled to announce a strategic partnership between ICCA and ATM. ICCA will create enhanced value with regard to business and knowledge at Arabian Travel Market. This collaboration represents a significant step toward driving meaningful business engagements, with dedicated sessions, research reports, and networking opportunities for key stakeholders.

“Together, we aim to bring the best of the Business Events to ATM, fostering connections that will leave a lasting impact. The strategic partnership also highlights ICCA’s commitment to sharing exclusive insights on the global meetings industry and future best practices. We look forward to an exciting and productive journey ahead.”

Reinforcing ATM’s pivotal role as a platform for the breadth of the travel community, this year’s exhibition will feature the debut of IBTM @ ATM, a specialised zone for suppliers to the business events industry to showcase their offers and connect with buyers through prescheduled appointments and business exchange sessions. The initiative will also include an exclusive conference programme tailored to the business events industry’s latest trends and developments.

This follows growing demand from visitors and exhibitors attending ATM. At the 2024 event over 7,000 attendees and 1,500 buyers expressed an interest in the sector, as well as 400 exhibitors highlighting it as an essential part of their offering.

Claudia Hall, Exhibition Director, IBTM World, said: “As the global platform for the Business Events industry, IBTM is excited to be part of the collaboration with ATM and our long-standing strategic partner ICCA to deliver a tailored experience for event planners and suppliers in the region. With substantial growth anticipated for the business events sector in the Middle East, and increasing demand from suppliers and buyers at ATM wanting to connect, do business and share knowledge and insights, it feels like an opportune moment to use our expertise to support this growth.”

The 32^nd edition of ATM will highlight the pivotal role of connectivity in shaping the future of tourism with the theme: “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”. Bringing together professionals and industry leaders from the leisure, MICE, luxury and corporate travel sectors, ATM provides a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and business opportunities, allowing participants to explore the latest trends, innovations, and developments worldwide.

Now in its 32nd year, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. Held annually at the Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2024 spanned 12 halls, making it the largest edition to date. The event attracted over 47,000 attendees and more than 35,000 visitors (including 6,000+ high-value buyers) and over 2,550 exhibitors and representatives from over 161 countries. In 2025, ATM will expand to 13 halls, growing across all sectors, and will continue to be a crucial gathering for the global travel and tourism industry. Arabian Travel Market is part of Arabian Travel Week. ATM Dubai takes place from 28 April to 1 May 2025, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai