Dubai: ATM 2025 travel trends placed aviation and cruise developments centre stage, with passenger numbers and tech-led innovations taking focus. The Global Stage welcomed Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, who revealed Dubai is on track to hit 96 million passengers in 2025, following an impressive 8.5 million in January alone.

Griffiths emphasised Dubai’s strong global positioning, with India, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and USA remaining key markets. He discussed how AI and biometrics are redefining the passenger journey—particularly at the new Al Maktoum International Airport, designed around traveller convenience with smaller concourses to minimise transit times.

Also Read: ATM 2025 Growth Breaks Records with 55,000+ Global Attendees

“In the future, customer preferences are not going to be driven just by price…but the convenience and quality of the customer experience,” said Griffiths. He underlined Dubai Airports’ ambition to become the world’s leading airport operator.

On the maritime front, ATM 2025 travel trends highlighted the rising profile of cruise tourism. A panel of industry leaders, including MSC Cruises’ Angelo Capurro, noted global cruise deployment grew 25% between 2019–2024, with a further 5% increase already in 2025. The Middle East emerged as a promising cruise hub, with average cruise days in the region rising by 125%.

Capurro shared that 150 nationalities sailed with MSC Cruises last year, with Central Asian travellers rising significantly due to better connectivity and visa access. The session also covered the launch of Saudi Arabia’s Aroya Cruises and the role of the Cruise Alliance in boosting regional cooperation and guest satisfaction.

The Global Stage wrapped up with market insights into Asia Pacific and India’s next-gen travellers, further confirming ATM 2025’s role in defining the sector’s future.