A research unveiled at Arabian Travel Market 2025 happening in Dubai’s WTC (ATM) highlighted key travel trends across the Middle East region. Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, revealed insights from the ‘ATM Trends Report: Leisure, Luxury and MICE – Leading Trends for the Middle East’.
Exploring Trends in the GCC at ATM 2025
Dave Goodger, Managing Director EMEA, Tourism Economics, An Oxford Economics Company, said, “Global travel will hit new record levels this year, converging back on the pre-pandemic trend, with international and domestic demand rebounding across all regions of the world.”
He added, “We are seeing people prioritizing travel over many other aspects of spending, with the Middle East being a popular destination. In the GCC, growth is outpacing the global average and travel in the region is largely being driven by international demand, with over 85% of the expected growth in Middle East accommodation demand coming from international travel.”
Meanwhile, new trends in entertainment travel, educational travel, and elderly travel are bringing fresh opportunities to the region.
“The Middle East presents tremendous growth opportunities and serves as a crucial node connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia,” shared Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group.
Streamlined entry regulations, more direct flight options, and strong tourism investments have played a key role in the region’s swift rebound.
By leveraging emerging consumer trends and focusing on innovation in both business and technology, the partnerships across the region have deepened, drawing more international visitors and building a more interconnected and thriving future.
ATM 2025 concludes today at the Dubai World Trade Centre and has seen more than 5,000 attendees this week from 166 countries with 2,800 exhibitors.
The 32nd edition of the show has centred on “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”, exploring how the future of tourism will be shaped by connectivity across borders, industries and communities.
