The Middle East is rapidly solidifying its position on the global maritime map, with the cruise industry emerging as a primary engine for regional tourism expansion. As Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 prepares to return to the Dubai World Trade Centre from August 17 to 20, the sector’s explosive growth will be a focal point for the thousands of travel professionals descending on the city.
According to the latest industry data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), global cruise passenger volumes are expected to reach 42 million by 2028, a significant jump from the 34.6 million recorded in 2024. The Middle East is capturing a substantial slice of this volume; the region was expected to welcome more than 2 million cruise passengers in 2025 alone, supported by over 300,000 port visits across hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Aqaba and Salalah.
A new cruise frontier
The regional growth story is particularly centred on the Red Sea, which was projected to attract 500,000 passengers in 2025, with more than half of those travellers calling at Jeddah.
Research from Tourism Economics highlights a unique trend for the region: travellers interested in visiting the Middle East are almost twice as likely to consider a cruise holiday compared to those considering other global regions. This indicates a massive untapped potential for travel agents to bundle land-and-sea itineraries for their high-net-worth clients.
“With new cruise lines launching in Saudi Arabia and expanded Red Sea and Arabian Gulf itineraries, the region is strengthening its position on the global cruise map,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. “ATM 2026 will provide a platform for cruise leaders and destination stakeholders to collaborate on sustainable growth strategies.”
Cruising insights
ATM 2026 will host a series of high-level sessions dedicated to the maritime sector. On the Global Stage, the session ‘Cruising Insight: Ripple Effects of the Blue Economy’ and the leadership roundtable ‘Cruise Leaders: Putting Cruise on the Map’ will bring together experts from Oxford Economics, Ayan Consulting, Celestyal Cruises, and TUI Cruises to discuss the infrastructure and environmental strategies needed to sustain this momentum.
The exhibitor floor reflects this maritime boom, with a diverse line-up of confirmed participants, including Cruise Saudi, MSC Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Oceanwide Expeditions and CruiseXplore.
Under the overarching theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology,” ATM 2026 will explore how the cruise industry can utilise next-generation technology to enhance the passenger experience and port efficiency.