DUBAI: India’s tourism industry is witnessing substantial growth, driven by increasing disposable incomes, a rising middle class, and improved international connectivity.
This expansion is reflected in the country’s growing influence at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, taking place from 28 April to 1 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
India's representation at the event has surged by 41 percent year-on-year, highlighting its strengthening presence in global travel and hospitality.
According to research from Future Market Insights, India's outbound tourism market is expected to reach USD55 billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.4 percent over the next decade. The boom is largely driven by millennials seeking diverse international travel experiences. With destinations worldwide increasingly targeting Indian travellers, the country’s outbound sector is becoming one of the most lucrative markets globally.
Rising travel demand
India’s outbound tourism has already made a significant impact on major destinations. In 2024, Dubai recorded 3.14 million overnight visitors from South Asia, with India playing a dominant role. This substantial contribution formed part of the city’s total 18.72 million international visitors, marking a nine percent year-on-year increase. The numbers underline the growing preference among Indian travellers for global destinations, particularly those in the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, domestic tourism and hospitality are also witnessing remarkable expansion. Data from STR reveals that India’s hotel supply has increased at a CAGR of just over 3 percent in the past decade, with 114,000 new rooms added since 2014. Strong developer interest has driven this growth, with occupancy rates rising in eight of the last ten years.
India’s ATM 2025 showcase
The nation’s increased presence at ATM 2025 underscores its importance in the global travel industry. Exhibitors from India include the Ministry of Tourism, national airline carriers Air India and Air India Express, and regional tourism boards from Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, noted: “India’s expanded showcase at ATM highlights its vast travel offerings, from luxury experiences and cultural destinations to adventure and wellness tourism. This presence also creates opportunities for global travel professionals to engage with one of the world’s most promising tourism markets.”
India’s growing role in global tourism will be a focal point in ATM 2025’s extensive conference programme. The event features 68 sessions across three content stages—the Global Stage, Future Stage, and the newly introduced Business Events Stage. On 30 April, industry experts will discuss the session Multimedia: Connecting Global Audiences & Unlocking Hyper-Localised Campaigns, analysing the travel habits of key markets, including India and China.
Key industry discussions
Another high-profile discussion, The Big Ticket Events: Global Impact and Learnings, will examine the rise of sports and events tourism. This session will explore how recent developments, such as Saudi Arabia securing the rights to host Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, will drive tourism between India and the Middle East.
On the final day of ATM, Euromonitor will present insights into the Asia-Pacific (APAC) market, offering a deep dive into the factors reshaping traveller trends in the region. Later, Shivani Gupta, Managing Partner at SPAG – A FINN Partners Company, will discuss India’s Next Gen Traveller, shedding light on strategies to capitalise on the nation’s rapidly evolving tourism landscape.
For its 32nd edition, ATM has adopted the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity.” This theme highlights the importance of collaboration in reshaping the future of global travel.
ATM 2025 is set to welcome over 2,600 exhibiting companies and more than 47,000 attendees, with representation from 161 countries. The event is hosted in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and features key industry partners, including Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Al Rais Travel.