Middle East tourism set for strong growth as ATM Travel Trends Report forecasts 57% rise in international visitor spend by 2030
International visitor spending in
the Middle East is forecast to increase by US$116 billion, or 57%, between 2025 and
2030, according to the newly unveiled ATM Travel Trends Report 2026, produced
by Arabian Travel Market in association with Tourism Economics, an Oxford
Economics company.
Forecast Highlights
- Visitor Spending: International visitor spend in the Middle East is projected to rise by US$116 billion (+57%) between 2025–2030.
- MENASA Growth: Travel volumes in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) were 50% above 2019 levels in 2025, triple the global growth rate.
Global Travel Records (2025):
- 24 billion visitor nights (16% above 2019).
- US$7.2 trillion in in-destination spending (+26% vs. 2019).
- 1.5 billion international arrivals for the first time.
Regional Outlook
- Short-Term (2026): Geopolitical disruption expected to impact travel.
- Medium-Term (2027): Strong rebound forecast, with MENASA travel growth at 17% vs. 8% globally.
- Long-Term (2030): MENASA projected to reach 316 million arrivals, 2.3 billion visitor nights, and US$408 billion in spending.
Industry Insights
- Recovery Speed: Post-disruption recovery now averages 10–12 months, down from ~24 months in early 2000s.
- Consumer Trends: Travel seen as essential; experiences prioritized over material goods.
- Capacity Growth: Dubai hotel keys grew from ~45,000 in 2008 to ~170,000 today; Abu Dhabi now at ~55,000.
- Dual Role of Middle East: Both a destination and a connectivity hub linking Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Technology & AI
- Adoption: 91% of Middle East travel businesses are piloting or using AI; 85% report cost savings.
- Travel Planning: 28% of prospective visitors used AI chatbots to plan trips (vs. 12% globally).
- Localization: AI and localized experiences seen as key to serving diverse traveler markets.
Panel Perspectives
- Eddy Tannous (Rotana): Middle East capacity still has significant growth potential compared to global cities.
- Tarik Fadil (Agoda): AI-powered, localized travel experiences will sharpen every step of the journey.
- Danielle Curtis (RX Global): ATM provides valuable insights into demand shifts shaping the sector’s future.
Big Picture
The Middle East is not just rebounding—it’s outpacing global travel growth structurally, driven by demographics, wealth, investment, and technology. By 2030, the region is positioned as both a top destination and a global hub, with AI integration accelerating efficiency and personalization.
