India expands presence at Arabian Travel Market 2025, reflecting the country’s growing influence as both an outbound and inbound tourism powerhouse. With participation up 41% compared to the previous year, India’s tourism delegation will showcase a diverse range of experiences, destinations, and travel services at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April to 1 May.
The rise in India’s visibility at ATM aligns with the country’s accelerating outbound travel market, which is projected to reach USD 55 billion by 2034, according to Future Market Insights. This growth, at a projected CAGR of 11.4%, is driven by rising disposable incomes, a young and ambitious middle class, and increased global connectivity. Millennials in particular are fueling the demand for unique and international travel experiences, from cultural immersion to wellness retreats and adventure getaways.
India’s travel influence is also evident in regional travel figures. In 2024, Dubai welcomed 3.14 million overnight visitors from South Asia, with India contributing significantly to the city’s record 18.72 million international arrivals—a nine percent increase year-on-year. This trend is mirrored in other destinations as well, with global travel providers increasingly focusing marketing and promotional campaigns on Indian consumers.
STR data shows that India’s domestic hotel supply has expanded by a CAGR of over 3% over the past decade, with 114,000 new rooms added since 2014. Hotel developers remain confident in the Indian market, buoyed by occupancy rate growth in eight of the last ten years. This combination of strong outbound and robust domestic travel underlines India’s multifaceted role in the tourism sector.
Exhibitors at ATM 2025 representing India include the India Ministry of Tourism, national carriers Air India and Air India Express, and regional tourism boards from Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Their participation aims to boost awareness of India’s wide-ranging travel offerings—from heritage sites and luxury accommodations to emerging destinations and local experiences.
India will also feature prominently across ATM’s conference programming. On 30 April, a marketing panel will explore strategies for reaching Indian and Chinese consumers in a session titled “Multimedia: Connecting Global Audiences & Unlocking Hyper-Localised Campaigns.” The session will highlight new techniques in digital engagement, especially relevant for a market as diverse and dynamic as India.
Tourism trends involving India will also be explored in “The Big Ticket Events: Global Impact and Learnings,” which will assess the impact of major sporting and cultural events. With Saudi Arabia recently securing rights to host Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, industry leaders will discuss how such developments are influencing travel between India and the Middle East.
On the final day of the event, Euromonitor will offer insights into the Asia-Pacific region, including a segment focused on India’s evolving traveler demographics. Later, Shivani Gupta, Managing Partner at SPAG – A FINN Partners Company, will present “India’s Next Gen Traveller,” a session outlining key behavioral shifts and opportunities within the country’s rapidly expanding travel market.
Arabian Travel Market 2025 will center on the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity.” With over 2,600 exhibiting companies, more than 47,000 expected attendees, and representation from 161 global destinations, the event serves as a major international platform for exchanging ideas and strategies shaping the future of tourism.
India’s expanded presence at ATM demonstrates not only its growing economic and demographic clout but also the increasing sophistication of its tourism ecosystem. From global airline partnerships to digital marketing innovations and a booming domestic hospitality sector, India is positioning itself as both a premier source market and a destination in its own right.
