Dubai is putting artificial intelligence at the center of tourism as Arabian Travel Market 2026 opens in the city. The Department of Economy and Tourism is redesigning travel around connected data and predictive services.
Dr Marwan Al Zarouni, CEO of AI at DET, outlined the approach on September 14 at the Future Stage. The strategy aims to improve visitor journeys while helping Dubai manage demand and capacity.
The new direction moves beyond isolated booking and check in improvements toward one connected travel system. AI can link airlines, hotels, mobility, attractions and government services for faster decisions and personalized experiences.
Al Zarouni said, “AI is defining how travel systems are designed and operated,” during the opening session. The approach shifts tourism toward real time prediction and coordination.
Dubai already uses an AI powered wise itinerary planner to organize visitor experiences. Mobile hotel check-in supports smoother arrivals. Dubai’s Smart Travel ecosystem handled more than 9.4 million travelers during the first half of 2026.
Smart mobility adds another layer to the connected tourism model. Dubai launched autonomous taxi operations in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim during 2026. The initial rollout included 100 autonomous taxis, supporting the emirate’s self-driving strategy.
Arabian Travel Market 2026 is reinforcing this technology focus through its new ATM Travel Tech show. The event runs from September 14 to 17 at Dubai World Trade Centre under the Travel 2040 theme. More than 180 technology exhibitors from 30 countries are participating.
Connected data remains the key requirement for Dubai’s AI tourism vision. Al Zarouni said integrated platforms can generate meaningful insights, while disconnected systems restrict AI’s value. Accurate data can help systems respond to flight delays, hotel availability and traffic.
Dubai has linked this strategy with its D33 Economic Agenda and public sector AI programs. Dubai AI Campus and Dubai AI Lab support wider adoption, while an AI ethics committee addresses transparency.
The result could make AI less visible but more useful across tourism. Visitors may see faster entry, better recommendations, smoother transfers and fewer manual steps. Dubai’s next tourism phase centers on infrastructure that coordinates journeys.
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