Your definitive guide to the most important global travel trade shows 2026, travel industry events 2026, and luxury hospitality trade fairs driving international tourism business.
From London to Latin America, Cape Town to Riyadh and Dubai, the World Travel Market portfolio remains one of the most powerful platforms shaping the future of global tourism.
In 2026, the World Travel Market (WTM) series continues to define the global travel trade calendar and stands at the centre of the most influential global travel trade shows 2026. For destinations, boutique hotels, yacht charter companies, travel tech innovators, airlines, investors and tourism boards, these travel industry events 2026 are more than exhibitions — they are deal-making arenas, brand launchpads and strategic networking ecosystems.
As international tourism rebounds and luxury experiential travel accelerates, participation in leading luxury hospitality trade fairs and global tourism expos is no longer optional for brands seeking international distribution and high-value partnerships.
Here is your complete, publication-ready guide to every major WTM event happening in 2026 — including Arabian Travel Market (ATM), part of the RX global travel portfolio.
WTM Africa 2026
Dates: 13–15 April 2026
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa
WTM Africa serves as the gateway to the African travel economy. The event connects inbound and outbound African tourism markets with global buyers, media and investors.
Why it matters:
- Strong focus on responsible tourism and sustainability
- High-quality hosted buyer programme
- Growing boutique safari lodges and experiential travel presence
- Excellent platform for Indian Ocean islands and emerging African destinations
For boutique hotel operators and eco-luxury brands targeting safari, coastal and cultural travel markets, WTM Africa offers focused, high-intent networking.
WTM Latin America 2026
Dates: 14–16 April 2026
Venue: Expo Center Norte, São Paulo, Brazil
WTM Latin America is the leading B2B travel trade show in the region, bringing together South American destinations, international tourism boards and global travel suppliers.
Why it matters:
- Strong regional outbound travel market
- Adventure and experiential tourism growth
- Expanding luxury and boutique hospitality sector
- Gateway to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Peru markets
For travel brands looking to access Latin America’s rising middle and luxury travel segments, this is a strategic show to attend.
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026
Dates: 4–7 May 2026
Venue: Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE
Arabian Travel Market remains the Middle East’s most influential travel trade event. Though branded separately, ATM is part of the RX global portfolio that includes WTM events worldwide.
ATM brings together more than 55,000 travel professionals, including:
- Luxury hotels and boutique resorts
- Airlines and private aviation operators
- Yacht charter and marine tourism brands
- Travel technology platforms
- Destination marketing organisations
With dedicated zones for travel tech and luxury travel, ATM is particularly relevant for small luxury hotels, marina destinations, high-net-worth travel experiences and lifestyle brands targeting the GCC market.
WTM Spotlight Riyadh 2026
Dates: 8–10 September 2026
Venue: Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
WTM Spotlight Riyadh is one of the newest additions to the global WTM portfolio, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s rapid tourism transformation under Vision 2030.
The event focuses on:
- Saudi giga-project developments
- International destination partnerships
- Hospitality investment
- Luxury and experiential travel growth
For boutique hotels, resort developers, yacht tourism operators and destination consultants, this is a high-opportunity market with aggressive expansion goals.
WTM London 2026
Dates: 3–5 November 2026
Venue: ExCeL London, United Kingdom
WTM London is the flagship event of the portfolio and one of the most influential global travel trade shows in the world.
This is where:
- Tourism ministers unveil strategy
- Major airline partnerships are negotiated
- Boutique hotel collections launch globally
- Travel technology innovations debut
- Luxury travel trends are defined
The show attracts more than 40,000 travel professionals from across 180+ countries. For any serious global tourism brand, WTM London remains the definitive annual industry gathering.
Why the WTM Portfolio Matters in the Global Travel Trade Show Landscape 2026
Across continents, the WTM ecosystem anchors some of the most commercially significant travel industry events 2026 and global travel trade shows 2026.
It offers:
- Structured hosted buyer programmes connecting suppliers with qualified international buyers
- High-level conference summits focused on tourism investment and destination strategy
- Sustainability and responsible tourism platforms aligned with ESG priorities
- Dedicated visibility for luxury hospitality trade fairs segments, including boutique hotels and experiential resorts
- Travel tech innovation showcases driving digital transformation
- Government, aviation and infrastructure engagement
For yacht charter companies, small boutique hotels, luxury safari lodges, destination marketing organisations and travel entrepreneurs, these global tourism trade fairs provide concentrated access to international tour operators, online travel agencies, wholesalers and high-net-worth travel planners.
2026 WTM Global Calendar at a Glance
- April 13–15: WTM Africa – Cape Town
- April 14–16: WTM Latin America – São Paulo
- May 4–7: Arabian Travel Market (ATM) – Dubai
- September 8–10: WTM Spotlight Riyadh – Saudi Arabia
- November 3–5: WTM London – United Kingdom
Final Word: Positioning Your Brand at the Leading Travel Industry Events 2026
If 2026 is about expansion, new partnerships and strategic visibility, the WTM portfolio represents some of the most important global travel trade shows 2026 on the calendar.
From emerging African tourism corridors to Latin America’s growth markets, from Middle Eastern luxury demand to London’s global trade stage — these travel industry events 2026 act as catalysts for global tourism growth, hospitality investment and cross-border collaboration.
For boutique hotels, yacht tourism brands, destination consultants and luxury travel operators, participating in these luxury hospitality trade fairs and international tourism expos can directly influence distribution reach, media exposure and long-term strategic partnerships.
For travel brands looking to scale globally in 2026, these are not optional dates — they are cornerstone industry moments within the global travel trade show ecosystem.
