Emirates Expands Global Travel Network With Eleven New Tourism Partnerships at Dubai ATM 2026

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Emirates has increased air and tourism partnerships by signing 11 new deals on the second day of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai. The partnerships include collaboration agreements with destinations, tourism organizations, travel businesses, and airline partners within key markets. The agreements will provide new ways to improve the existing routes, increase global travel, and encourage growth within the tourism industry within Emirates’ network of destinations.

The agreements are designed to support tourism growth, improve access for travellers, develop new customer segments and expand Emirates’ global connectivity through deeper commercial cooperation. The partnerships cover destinations across Asia, the Middle East and Europe, while also extending support to specialised travel sectors including overseas worker mobility, marine crew movements and business travel.

During the event, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, visited Emirates’ exhibition stand at ATM. The visit highlighted the airline’s latest cabin innovations, passenger experience developments and product showcases presented during the global travel trade event.

Emirates and Sri Lanka Renew Partnership to Drive International Visitor Growth

Emirates has renewed its partnership with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), continuing a collaboration that began in 2022 to promote the island nation across global markets.

Through the agreement, Emirates will use its extensive international network of nearly 140 destinations to support Sri Lanka’s tourism ambitions and attract more visitors from major source markets.

Sri Lanka recorded strong tourism recovery momentum, welcoming more than 2.3 million international visitors last year, representing a 15.1 percent increase compared with approximately two million arrivals in the previous year.

The renewed partnership will focus on joint marketing campaigns, tourism promotions, customised travel packages, trade incentives and familiarisation programmes. These initiatives aim to showcase Sri Lanka’s beaches, cultural attractions, heritage sites and nature experiences to travellers worldwide.

Ras Al Khaimah Partners With Emirates to Expand Global Tourism Reach

Emirates and the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase visitor arrivals and strengthen the emirate’s presence among international travellers.

The partnership will focus on promotional activities across selected markets within Emirates’ global network, including joint advertising campaigns, trade engagement programmes, media initiatives and destination familiarisation trips.

Ras Al Khaimah will support these activities by developing curated visitor experiences highlighting the emirate’s natural landscapes, adventure tourism, cultural attractions and hospitality offerings.

The two organisations will also explore creating specialised holiday products and packages for Emirates customers. These experiences will be promoted through Emirates’ Dubai Experience platform, allowing travellers to combine Dubai connectivity with wider UAE exploration.

The partnership will also support travel operators through targeted incentives and commercial programmes aimed at increasing destination awareness.

Japan Tourism Collaboration Expands as Emirates Increases Connectivity

Emirates and the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) have signed a new MoU to encourage greater travel between Japan, Dubai and markets across the Middle East.

The agreement comes as Emirates continues expanding its operations in Japan through services to Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda and Osaka Kansai.

By October 2026, Emirates expects to operate up to 28 weekly flights between Dubai and Japan. The airline has also increased capacity through Airbus A380 operations, introduced Chauffeur-Drive services at Narita and Kansai airports, and opened a dedicated Travel Store in Osaka.

The renewed cooperation aims to strengthen awareness of Japan as a global tourism destination while supporting growing demand for travel between Japan and international markets.

Emirates Continues Supporting Maldives Tourism Growth

Emirates and the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) have renewed their tourism partnership to promote the island destination across Emirates’ worldwide network.

The airline has supported Maldives tourism development since joining the country’s West Asia and Indian Ocean network in 1987.

According to tourism statistics, the Maldives welcomed around 2.25 million visitors last year, with international air arrivals increasing by nearly 10 percent.

Through the renewed agreement, Emirates will continue promoting the Maldives in important markets including the United States, United Kingdom and Russia.

Joint campaigns, destination promotions and travel trade activities will help position the Maldives as a leading leisure destination for international travellers.

Emirates Signs Agreement to Support Overseas Filipino Workers

Emirates has signed an MoU with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to strengthen support services for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families.

The cooperation will explore initiatives related to welfare support, social protection, repatriation assistance, reintegration programmes, livelihood opportunities, corporate social responsibility activities and community engagement.

The agreement recognises the important role Filipino workers play in Dubai and the wider UAE economy.

The partnership comes as the UAE remains one of the largest destinations for Filipino workers overseas. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that the UAE hosts an estimated 271,000 Filipino workers.

Remittance data also highlights the economic connection between the two countries, with UAE-origin remittances reaching US$750.3 million during the first half of 2026, increasing 4.3 percent compared with the same period a year earlier.

Emirates Expands Corporate and Travel Partnerships Across Europe

Emirates has strengthened its European commercial partnerships through agreements with major travel organisations.

The airline and DERTOUR Group are expanding their long-term cooperation to increase Emirates product availability through DERTOUR’s sales channels, accelerate New Distribution Capability adoption and improve booking options for customers.

The partnership will focus on premium leisure travel, exclusive experiences, travel advisor support and marketing initiatives across Central, Eastern and Northern Europe.

In Italy, Emirates has partnered with Bologna Welcome and Parma Welcome to promote the Emilia-Romagna region among international visitors.

The cooperation will highlight the region’s cultural heritage, gastronomy, lifestyle experiences and business tourism opportunities through marketing campaigns, trade activities, media engagement and familiarisation programmes.

Emirates Develops Specialised Travel Solutions for Marine Crew and Business Travellers

Emirates has signed an MoU with Cisalpina Tours International to expand cooperation in marine crew travel management.

The agreement builds on an existing relationship and creates a dedicated framework for supporting cruise crew movements and specialised mobility requirements.

As part of MSC Group, Cisalpina brings extensive experience in corporate travel management, marine logistics and cruise crew transportation.

The partnership will explore opportunities to combine Emirates’ global aviation network with Cisalpina’s maritime travel expertise, supporting efficient crew movement solutions and analysing changing travel patterns across the cruise industry.

Emirates and Kuwait Airways Expand Airline Cooperation Through Codeshare Agreement

Emirates and Kuwait Airways have agreed to expand their existing interline partnership into a reciprocal codeshare arrangement.

The agreement will allow Kuwait Airways customers to access more destinations through Emirates’ Dubai hub, with simplified booking options, single-ticket journeys and baggage transfer to final destinations.

Emirates passengers will also gain access to Kuwait Airways services and destinations through the expanded cooperation.

The partnership represents another step in Emirates’ strategy to strengthen airline cooperation and improve global travel connectivity.

Emirates Builds Wider Global Tourism Network at ATM 2026

The 11 agreements signed during Arabian Travel Market demonstrate Emirates’ continued focus on strengthening destination partnerships, improving traveller access and expanding international tourism opportunities.

From Asia’s island destinations to Middle Eastern tourism hubs and European travel markets, the agreements create new opportunities for tourism promotion, commercial cooperation and passenger growth.

By combining Emirates’ global network with destination marketing organisations, travel companies and airline partners, the collaborations aim to support stronger international travel flows and enhance connections between markets worldwide.