Accessible, seamless, visa-free travel could make Asia-GCC corridor next great growth engine

Measures to ensure accessible, seamless, visa-free experiences could turn the Asia-GCC corridor into the next great growth engine for the Middle East’s travel sector, according to industry leaders speaking at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026. The 33rd edition of ATM concludes today at Dubai World Trade Centre. Moderated by Sienna Parulis-Cook, Director of Marketing and Communications, Dragon Trail International, the session featured perspectives from Shahab Abdollah Shayan, Regional Director Asia Pacific, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Aaron Goldring, Senior Economist, Oxford Economics, Frederic Brohez, Chief Operating Officer, Pulse Hotels & Resorts, and Waad Melliti, Senior Business Manager, World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF).