Saudi Arabia Leads GCC Outbound Travel Boom With 36% Surge In 2025, New Survey Reveals

Recent insights from Dragonpass reveal that Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are leading the growth in outbound travel within the GCC. Qatar and Oman are also seeing notable increases as regional aviation capacity and tourism investments grow. This trend highlights the dynamic changes in travel patterns across the region.

According to Dragonpass' data, Saudi Arabia experienced a 36% increase in travel volumes compared to last year. June 2025 was particularly significant, marking the highest travel month ever for the Kingdom. This surge is attributed to expanded airport capacity and increased interest in leisure and business travel, driven by Saudi Vision 2030.

Bahrain recorded a remarkable 208% rise in total travel activity over the previous year, making it the fastest-growing market in the GCC. This growth underscores Bahrain's emergence as a key regional connector and its enhanced role in Gulf tourism strategies.

Qatar also saw substantial growth with a 198.9% increase in travel. This was supported by new route developments and Doha's continued appeal as a major events destination on the global stage.

Meanwhile, Oman reported an 89.2% rise in travel volumes year-on-year, with August being its peak month. This reflects Oman's positioning as a premium heritage-focused destination and improved connectivity through Muscat International Airport.

The UAE remains the leading global hub in the region but experienced a 21% decline in summer travel volumes. This decrease is due to changing seasonal patterns and increased competition from rapidly growing neighboring countries.

The Dragonpass data indicates a shift in traveler behavior within the GCC: airport lounge access has become an expected part of the travel experience. Bahrain leads globally with 1.35% of passengers using premium airport facilities, surpassing major hubs like London Heathrow or Hong Kong.

Saudi Arabia ranks second in lounge engagement within the region, with 0.86% of passengers accessing these facilities, followed by the UAE, Oman, and Qatar. This trend reflects growing affluence, an expanding business travel base, and ongoing investment in top-tier aviation experiences.

"Travel is becoming a defining measure of progress in the GCC," said Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonpass. "The surge we are seeing from GCC countries is not only about more people flying; it reflects dynamic economic growth and new international confidence."

With new hubs emerging and traveler expectations evolving, Dragonpass is expanding partnerships and services across the GCC to support this new era of regional mobility characterized by speed, comfort, premium experiences, and stronger global connectivity.