Ramadan 2025 Sees Shift in UAE Tourism Trends, Visa Data Reveals
Ramadan 2025 has marked a turning point for tourism in the UAE, with global travellers engaging in new ways.
According to Visa's latest Travel Pulse Q1-2025 report, international visitor numbers rose by 6% year-on-year—along with a notable shift in who's visiting and how they're spending.
Unveiled just ahead of the Arabian Travel Market, the report highlights surprising growth from emerging markets. Visitor spending from Azerbaijan shot up by 111%, followed by Tajikistan at 81%, and Kyrgyzstan at 62%. These figures reflect a changing travel landscape, with new markets taking a front seat in the region's tourism economy.
Another standout trend: mid-market travellers—non-premium Visa cardholders—were the biggest spenders during Ramadan. They accounted for 45% of total international visitor spend, compared to 41% during non-Ramadan periods, showing a rising influence of this segment.
The visitor mix is also evolving, with Central and Eastern Europe stepping into the spotlight. Tourist numbers from the Czech Republic jumped by 86% compared to the rest of the year, followed by Romania (67%), Poland (63%), and Germany (44%). These markets are reshaping the UAE's traditional tourist profile. 'Ramadan used to be considered a quiet time for travel,'
said Salima Gutieva, Visa's VP and Country Manager for UAE. 'But the patterns we're seeing now tell a different story. Our data shows the UAE is increasingly attracting new visitors that bring fresh spending behaviours and preferences. Travellers are also adapting to changing economic conditions, which we see in how long they stay and how they spend.'
With Ramadan no longer seen as a slow season, the UAE's tourism dynamics are clearly shifting—bringing new energy to a historically quieter travel window.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
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