What to Expect at Arabian Travel Market 2021

The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is set to take place from 16th May to 19th May 2021. This year, ATM will take place as a hybrid event with the live event taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre.

ATM 2021 will reunite the tourism industry as destinations from all over the world will showcase their brand. The theme for the event this year is ‘A New Dawn for Travel and Tourism’. So, what can you expect at this leading trade show?

01. Big travel brands in attendance

The leading travel brands from all over global will be present in one place at ATM 2021. From accommodation and hospitality, renowned tourism attractions, innovative travel technology companies to key airline routes, the biggest names will be present at the trade show.

02. Seminars & Workshops

A variety of speakers and leading influential personalities from the industry will share their insights at Arabian Travel Market. This is a great opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of the industry.

03. Innovative Technology Providers

ATM 2021 will take travel tech to new levels. The innovative technology and solution providers will showcase the next generation in travel tech at the event. You will discover innovations from some of the most splendid minds in the travel & hospitality industry.

04. World Responsible Tourism Awards

Through World Responsible Tourism Awards, ATM will recognize the businesses putting the most effort to promote and implement responsible practices. Furthermore, Arabian Travel Market will raise the issues and spread knowledge in regards to practical solutions and sustainability challenges the sector faces.

05. Face-to-face Meetings

That’s right. Arabian Travel Market will be the first travel trade show to physically take place in over a year. As Dubai is probably the safest city in the world, you can trust in the measures put in place to ensure your safety.

Undoubtedly, Arabian Travel Market 2021 will unite the industry once again. If you can’t make it, remember 1-2-1 video meetings will take place a week later; from 24th May to 26 May 2021.

Feature image by Arabian Travel Market

Dubai plans to redefine the travel experience for millions and reshape its geography by retiring one of its most iconic institutions: Dubai International Airport (DXB). Once a symbol of the city’s meteoric rise, DXB now nears closure as Dubai shifts its aviation ambitions to a colossal new home, Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

For decades, DXB has played a central role in global air travel, processing over 90 million passengers annually and serving as the beating heart of international connections between East and West. However, the airport’s legacy as the world’s busiest international hub approaches its final chapter. Why? Because Dubai envisions a future defined by space, scale, and a bold new concept of travel and urban life.

Why Close the World’s Busiest International Airport?

The answer lies 45 kilometers south in the desert sands of Dubai South, where Dubai is building a new mega-airport. Al Maktoum International, already partially operational, will become the world’s largest airport. When completed, it will feature five runways, 400 aircraft gates, and the capacity to handle 260 million passengers each year.

Unlike DXB, which dense neighborhoods in Garhoud and Al Qusais confine, DWC gives Dubai room to grow. In contrast, the new site offers scalability and flexibility. The project doesn’t just expand the city’s capacity—it reimagines it. Sleek architecture, cutting-edge technology, and integrated logistics with nearby Jebel Ali Port will ultimately deliver a smoother, more efficient experience for travelers and cargo alike.

Dubai isn’t just chasing numbers; rather, it’s planning for longevity. DXB, built in 1960, continues to age. Its infrastructure nears the end of its useful life. Keeping it operational would force the city to invest billions just to preserve the status quo. Dubai chooses a clean slate.

What Will Happen to the Land?

By closing DXB, Dubai unlocks a massive piece of prime real estate in its urban core. While officials haven’t announced exact redevelopment plans, they’ve opened the door to limitless possibilities. Think residential neighborhoods, parks, commercial centers—a brand-new district rising where runways once lay.

In fact, this transformation reflects the evolution seen in other global cities. Hong Kong, for instance, turned its former Kai Tak Airport into a thriving urban hub. Dubai plans to do the same—only on a larger scale.

When Is This Happening?

The shift won’t happen overnight. Dubai expects the transition to unfold over multiple decades. The first new terminal at Al Maktoum will open in 2032, and officials aim for full capacity between the late 2030s and the 2050s. Until then, DXB will keep serving passengers as Dubai phases in the move to DWC—starting with cargo and low-cost carriers, followed by flagship airlines like Emirates.

Travelers flying to and from Dubai will experience business as usual, for now. But the city has already set the change in motion, and soon, its skyline and story will look very different.

The Bigger Picture

Dubai has never hesitated to reinvent itself. It has transformed from sand dunes to skyscrapers, from a sleepy fishing village into a global metropolis. The closure of DXB doesn’t mark a loss; it signals a pivot. This moment reflects Dubai’s faith in the future, its bold planning, and its relentless drive to build bigger and better.

Unlike most cities, which adapt to their airports, Dubai is flipping the script. The city isn’t just designing an airport for tomorrow; it’s designing an entire city around it.

Feature Image via Arabian Business