The global ultra-luxury travel market is poised for significant expansion, with its value projected to rise from USD 2.7 trillion in 2025 to USD 4.8 trillion by 2032, underscoring the growing appetite for highly personalised, exclusive and experience-driven travel. This rapidly evolving segment will take centre stage at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, scheduled to be held from 4 to 7 May 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Taking place under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology,” the 33rd edition of ATM will explore how innovation, individuality and sustainability are redefining the future of ultra-luxury travel, with the Middle East emerging as a key growth engine for the sector.
Ultra-Luxury Travel Gains Momentum
According to research by Fortune Business Insights, the global luxury travel market—defined by premium, tailor-made journeys centred on exclusivity, elevated comfort, personalised service and enhanced privacy—continues to demonstrate strong long-term growth. These defining characteristics now sit at the core of the ultra-luxury segment, which is increasingly shaped by technological integration, bespoke design and experiential depth.
Reflecting this evolution, ATM 2026 will introduce the ATM Ultra Luxury Lounge, marking the beginning of a multi-year focus on the convergence of ultra-luxury, technology and sustainability. The dedicated space will bring together leading global brands and specialists operating at the highest end of the travel spectrum, including bespoke tour designers, private island operators and private jet service providers.
The private aviation segment, in particular, is gaining momentum. According to advisory firm Creative Zone, the regional private jet market is expected to exceed USD 943 million by 2029, driven by rising demand for privacy, flexibility and premium travel experiences.
The ATM Ultra Luxury Lounge will serve as a curated showcase for high-end travel offerings, enabling suppliers to engage directly with qualified luxury travel buyers through an exclusive, appointment-based programme designed to facilitate high-value networking and collaboration.
Middle East Strengthens Its Ultra-Luxury Credentials
“While luxury travel remains one of ATM’s strongest growth pillars, ultra-luxury is emerging as the next frontier, reflecting the region’s maturing market and its growing base of high-spending travellers,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. “To meet this demand, we have created the ATM Ultra Luxury Lounge—an exclusive environment designed to connect ultra-luxury brands with buyers serving high-net-worth individuals, elevating the quality and depth of engagement at ATM.”
Curtis noted that the region’s expanding portfolio of ultra-luxury developments continues to fuel market confidence. “Ambitious projects such as Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea destinations, the forthcoming Cheval Blanc resort in Dubai on Naïa Island, and the Bvlgari Resort & Mansions in Abu Dhabi, alongside rising interest in private jet ownership and charter services, clearly demonstrate the strength of demand across this segment,” she added.
Global Brands and Luxury Destinations in Focus
Beyond the ultra-luxury segment, ATM 2026 will continue to showcase leading luxury hospitality brands including Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Jumeirah International, and One&Only, alongside premier luxury destinations such as the Maldives and Mauritius.
Insights from the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, developed in partnership with Tourism Economics, highlight the resilience of the luxury travel sector. High-end and experiential travel segments continue to outperform broader global tourism growth, with outbound luxury travel from the Middle East rising at twice the global average.
Tourism Economics data further shows that travellers from the Middle East spend approximately 50 per cent more per trip than the global average, reinforcing the region’s dual role as both a leading luxury destination and a powerful source market for premium travel worldwide.
Redefining Luxury for the Future
“Luxury travel today is no longer defined by opulence alone,” Curtis said. “It is increasingly shaped by purpose, connection and transformation. Discerning travellers are seeking journeys that are exclusive yet meaningful—experiences that enhance wellbeing, align with personal values and foster deeper connections with people and places.”
As the ultra-luxury segment continues to evolve, the Middle East remains at the forefront of this transformation, blending innovation with authenticity and conscious design. Through dedicated platforms such as the ATM Ultra Luxury Lounge, ATM 2026 will provide a strategic forum for global industry leaders to shape the next chapter of ultra-luxury travel, as the sector advances toward a USD 4.8 trillion future.
