Latest news with #EMEAatTourismEconomics
Hi Dubai
01-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
ATM 2025: New Research Reveals Top Travel Trends and Market Opportunities in the Middle East
The Middle East's travel industry is set for a strong rebound in 2025, with international demand driving rapid growth across the region, according to research unveiled at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai. The 'ATM Trends Report: Leisure, Luxury and MICE' by Tourism Economics revealed that global travel is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, with the GCC outperforming the global average. Over 85 percent of the region's projected accommodation demand growth is being driven by international travellers. Dave Goodger, Managing Director EMEA at Tourism Economics, noted the GCC's strategic advantages and strong momentum in attracting tourists. Group added that growing interest in entertainment, educational, and elderly travel segments is expanding opportunities, backed by favourable visa policies and robust infrastructure investment. Further insights from VIDEC Consultants highlighted rising demand in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and India for air and hotel bookings through online travel agencies. Founder and CEO Virendra Jain pointed to the region's digitally savvy youth, strong cultural connections, and booming air connectivity as key growth enablers for religious, wellness, VFR (visiting friends and relatives), and luxury travel. VIDEC projects the UAE's total air market will grow to $5.4 billion by 2028, up 32 percent from 2019. OTA bookings are expected to hit $679 million this year, with airline direct channels surpassing $850 million due to enhanced digital experiences and loyalty offerings. ATM 2025 wraps up tomorrow at Dubai World Trade Centre, having hosted over 55,000 attendees and 2,800 exhibitors from 166 countries under the theme 'Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow's Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity.' News Source: Emirates News Agency
Al Etihad
29-04-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE to remain a top travel destination through 2030
30 Apr 2025 00:12 MAYS IBRAHIM (DUBAI)The UAE is expected to remain among the top destinations for travel and tourism spending in the Middle East through 2030, according to new projections unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market 2024 in 2025 ATM Trends Report data presented by Dave Goodger, Managing Director for EMEA at Tourism Economics, shows that the UAE and Saudi Arabia are set to exceed $50 billion in total travel expenditure by the end of the decade. Both countries are also forecast to witness sustained growth across all travel segments - including leisure, business, and inbound UAE is on track to achieve annual growth rates of 9% in business travel spending and 5% in both leisure and inbound travel through the end of the decade, the report Middle East's tourism volume will more than double from 2019 levels by 2030, Goodger said, citing Tourism Economics than 85% of the region's tourism growth over the next five years will come from international visitors, he added. Younger, Wealthier Travellers Outbound travel from the Middle East is also booming. Travellers from the GCC have one of the highest propensities globally to travel abroad, with average outbound trip durations of 7.6 nights - well above the global average of travellers also spend more per day, with the region becoming a vital source market for destinations worldwide, from Morocco and Turkey to Thailand and the key driver of this growth in the region is the rise of younger, wealthier travellers with a high appetite for luxury and authentic experiences, according to travellers are significantly more likely to use advanced technology such as AI chatbots and travel planning tools, he to 60% of UAE travellers now rely on AI for all aspects of their trip planning - a figure much higher than the global average. Growth Drivers Goodger also noted that cultural and entertainment events, including concerts, festivals, and major sporting competitions, are attracting tourists to the travel, particularly the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector, is also seeing rapid growth, he like the ATM itself – which last year generated $2.5 billion in business deals and welcomed 45,000 attendees – demonstrate the strong ROI such gatherings bring to key enablers of the tourism surge in the region include technology and pointed out that Gulf carriers account for 12% of all global aircraft orders – a figure that far exceeds the region's share of international air restrictive visa policies could boost visitor numbers from some markets by up to 40%, he cruise sector is also seeing growth, which bolsters regional connectivity. Goodger noted that Middle East ports are expected to record more than 300,000 cruise visits in 2025. The report's data shows that Dubai and Abu Dhabi enjoy the highest share of regional passenger days in the Middle East.
