Middle East tourism is entering another period of expansion, with international visitor spending forecast to increase by US$116 billion, or 57 per cent, between 2025 and 2030. The latest ATM Travel Trends Report 2026, produced by Arabian Travel Market with Tourism Economics, places rising international travel demand, changing source markets and evolving visitor behaviour at the centre of the region’s tourism outlook. The findings arrive as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Doha and other regional destinations continue developing hotels, attractions, aviation links, business-event infrastructure and leisure experiences. For travellers, the growth points to a wider range of tourism products and increasingly connected journeys across the Middle East. Trade Arabia
International visitor spending moves higher
The latest report forecasts international visitor spending in the Middle East will rise by US$116 billion between 2025 and 2030. That represents a 57 per cent increase over the five-year period and places visitor expenditure at the centre of the region’s expected tourism expansion. Trade Arabia
The wider MENASA region, covering the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia, is also recording strong travel activity. In 2025, travel volumes across MENASA were almost 50 per cent above 2019 levels, according to Tourism Economics research presented through ATM. By 2030, international travel across MENASA is forecast to reach 316 million arrivals and 2.3 billion visitor nights, generating about US$408 billion in spending. TravelDailyNews International
Dubai remains a major tourism gateway
Dubai continues to provide a major entry point for international visitors travelling to the region. The city recorded 18.72 million international overnight visitors in 2024, a 9 per cent increase from the previous year, according to Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism
The destination combines international air connectivity with hotels, shopping, beaches, cultural attractions, restaurants, entertainment and business events. Its airport also provides connections between Europe, Asia, Africa and other global markets, supporting multi-country itineraries through the Gulf.
For leisure travellers, Dubai offers a mix of city sightseeing and resort tourism. Business visitors can combine conferences and exhibitions with attractions, dining and short leisure stays.
Luxury travel and business tourism expand
Luxury travel remains an important part of the Middle East tourism market. The ATM Travel Trends Report 2025 identified growing demand for premium hospitality and curated experiences, while business travel and sports tourism were also highlighted as areas of expansion. WTM
Business events are another important component. Dubai secured 437 new business events in 2024, with those events projected to bring more than 210,000 delegates to the city over the following years, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism
This creates travel demand that extends beyond traditional holiday periods. Conferences, exhibitions, sporting competitions and entertainment events can bring international visitors into destinations throughout the year.
Saudi Arabia adds new tourism routes
Saudi Arabia is another major part of the region’s tourism development, with Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla and the Red Sea destinations expanding their tourism profiles.
Riyadh combines business travel, cultural attractions, restaurants and major events, while Jeddah provides access to the Red Sea coast and historic Al-Balad district. AlUla adds archaeological landscapes and desert tourism to the regional offer.
The development of these destinations gives international travellers more options beyond traditional Gulf city breaks. It also supports itineraries combining urban experiences with heritage, nature and coastal tourism.
Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE diversify visitor experiences
Abu Dhabi adds another dimension through cultural tourism, island resorts, museums, wildlife experiences and major entertainment attractions. Travellers can combine the UAE capital with Dubai because the two destinations are connected by road and can be incorporated into the same trip.
Across the wider UAE, tourism products range from desert excursions and beaches to heritage districts and large-scale entertainment venues. This variety supports both short city breaks and longer holidays.
Dubai’s 2024 visitor data showed that GCC and MENA markets accounted for 26 per cent of international arrivals, Western Europe 20 per cent and South Asia 17 per cent, illustrating the breadth of its international visitor base. Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism
Connectivity remains central to growth
Air connectivity is closely linked to the region’s tourism expansion. Major hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and other Gulf cities connect long-haul markets with destinations across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The ATM Travel Trends Report 2025 identified Asia Pacific and Africa among important source markets for inbound travel growth, while Europe also remains a significant market. The report forecast inbound travel to the Middle East to increase by 13 per cent annually between 2025 and 2030. WTM
For travellers, improved connectivity can make multi-destination holidays easier to arrange, particularly when flights, hotels and regional transport are combined within one itinerary.
What the growth means for travellers
The latest forecasts point towards a Middle Eastern tourism market shaped by international arrivals, higher visitor spending, luxury travel, business events, sports tourism and expanded destination infrastructure.
For visitors, that means more choices across city, beach, desert, heritage and entertainment holidays. Dubai and Abu Dhabi provide established international gateways, while Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla and other emerging destinations are adding different experiences to the regional travel map.
With international visitor spending forecast to rise sharply through 2030, tourism development across the Middle East is increasingly focused on attracting travellers from multiple markets and encouraging longer, more varied journeys across the region.
