The Middle East continues to be at the forefront of global tourism trends. Numerous cities in the region are becoming some of the most happening places, attracting millions of tourists seeking the best in hospitality, dining, experiences and scenery.
Numbers don’t lie. Tourism Economics has compiled another report on behalf of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), highlighting that tourism spending in the Middle East is expected to reach a staggering $350 billion by 2030.
This marks a 50% increase from numbers seen in 2024. Such incredible transformations are largely supported by the increase in business travel, surge in luxury segment and the boom in regional sports tourism. Sports is becoming a bigger part of the Middle East.
Middle East’s strong position in global tourism
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, ATM, highlighted that the recent report confirms that the state of tourism in the Middle East is incredibly strong. Bold national visions, enhanced connectivity and game-changing infrastructure are some of the key factors.
European source markets make up 50% of all leisure travel to the Middle East. Isn’t this amazing? India and the UK are counted among the top inbound international leisure source markets. China is also a critical market, ranking high on the list.
If outbound tourism is taken into consideration, Saudi Arabia and Egypt dominate regional trends – and Thailand and the UK occupy top positions as preferred long-haul destinations. Emirates, Etihad, Saudia and more airlines are also expanding their fleets.
Heard of ‘bleisure’ yet? Rising hunger for business and leisure travel
There is no doubt that the Middle East is gradually becoming a global hub for business events. Spending on business travel in the region is expected to rise 1.5 times faster than the global average through to 2030.
The region’s strategic location supports business and leisure travel. This is especially true for Dubai and Abu Dhabi as the UAE Emirates are playing host to a number of business events and its strategic location is enhancing accessibility for guests.
Business travel is playing an important role in improving the Middle East’s reputation for hosting major events. It is expected to see one of the fastest rates of business travel rise among all regions, underscoring the need to combine business and leisure for ‘bleisure’.
Luxury and sports supporting Middle East tourism
The Middle East is noticing a big increase in luxury and lifestyle tourism. Global spending on luxury leisure hospitality could reach more than $390 billion by 2028. The region’s hospitality, curated experiences and premium cultural events also support.
Sports is another factor to consider if tourism numbers are being handled. The Middle East has a proven track record for successfully hosting high-profile entertainment and sports events, including Dubai Expo 2020 and Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The strong appetite for sports tourism in the region is highlighted in the recent report. Sports and entertainment events are significantly boosting the travel industry, driving demand for hotel stays, flights and other services.
In essence, business, leisure, luxury, sports and entertainment are creating the perfect conditions for tourism to flourish in the Middle East. Because of its strategic location and strong focus on hospitality and infrastructure, the region is bound to rise.
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