Leading Travel Trends And Market Opportunities Unveiled At ATM 2025 For The Middle East

Research presented at the Arabian Travel Market 2025 has highlighted significant trends in the Middle East's travel industry. The 'ATM Trends Report: Leisure, Luxury and MICE – Leading Trends for the Middle East', published by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, emphasised ongoing growth in international demand. Global travel is anticipated to return to pre-pandemic levels this year.

Dave Goodger, Managing Director EMEA at Tourism Economics, stated, "In the GCC, growth is outpacing the global average, with over 85 percent of the expected rise in accommodation demand driven by international travel." This indicates a robust recovery and increasing interest from global travellers in the region.

Trip.com Group contributed insights through a session titled Partnering for Progress. They noted that entertainment, educational, and elderly travel segments are expanding, offering fresh opportunities. CEO Jane Sun pointed out that strategic location, relaxed visa policies, and investment in tourism infrastructure are crucial factors aiding the region's recovery.

VIDEC Consultants shared findings on air and hotel sector prospects in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and India for online travel agencies (OTAs). Founder and CEO Virendra Jain highlighted that the young, digitally savvy population and strong air connectivity support growth in religious, wellness, VFR (visiting friends and relatives), and luxury travel sectors.

The UAE’s Total Air Market is projected to grow from US$4.2 billion in 2024 to US$5.4 billion by 2028. This marks a 32 percent increase from 2019 levels. OTA bookings are expected to reach US$679 million in 2024. Meanwhile, airline websites and apps are predicted to account for US$851 million in bookings due to loyalty programmes and improved digital platforms.

The diverse airline options and large expatriate community in the UAE present significant opportunities for OTAs. However, competition remains fierce. With increasing digital adoption, OTAs are using fintech solutions and tech-driven features to offer seamless booking experiences.

Event Highlights

The Arabian Travel Market 2025 concludes tomorrow at Dubai World Trade Centre. The event's 32nd edition focused on 'Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity'. It attracted over 55,000 attendees and more than 2,800 exhibitors from 166 countries.

This gathering underscores the Middle East's pivotal role in shaping future tourism trends through innovation and connectivity enhancements. As these developments unfold, they promise to redefine how travellers experience this dynamic region.

With inputs from WAM