Middle East Tourism

In 2025, inbound arrivals to Saudi Arabia rose by 7% to reach 32 million trips, reflecting the Kingdom's strategic focus on human-centred travel. This approach, which prioritises authentic cultural experiences, meaningful interactions, and community engagement, aims to harmonise rapid infrastructure ...

Booking sales in Saudi Arabia increased by 13% in current retail value terms in 2025, reaching SAR115 billion. This growth was driven by the mobile-first ease of booking, flexible payment options, and a focus on value-focused accommodation. A report released by Almosafer, a Saudi travel firm under S ...

Travel in the United Arab Emirates is set to show substantial growth in 2025, with both inbound and outbound segments recording gains. One of the key drivers in 2025 has been the continued rise in international arrivals, especially into Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Destination branding efforts by Dubai's De ...

Retail value sales of travel in Saudi Arabia recorded double-digit growth in 2025, driven by record-breaking pilgrim statistics, cultural milestones, and key global events. These achievements were the result of intentional investments, regulatory reforms, and transformative mega-projects. The previo ...

Booking activity is set to show solid growth in current value terms in the United Arab Emirates in 2025. Increased travel demand from core international source markets like India, Russia, the UK, and China has led to a surge in advanced bookings, especially for family and leisure travel. Meanwhile, ...

Inbound tourism to the United Arab Emirates is expected to post solid growth in 2025, driven by sustained government investment in destination branding, as well as rising demand from key source markets including India, Russia, the UK, and China. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have continued to dominate as tour ...

The global river cruise market is anticipated to achieve a value of USD 20,822.16 million, advancing at a 10.86% during 2025-2035. A river cruise involves traveling along a river on a cruise vessel, offering scenic views and visits to riverside towns or landmarks. These cruises often feature fine di ...

Destination Market Insight: Gulf Cooperation Council (2025) Summary Analysis of destination markets, infrastructure, and attractions, as well as risks and opportunities in the GCC region. This report explores the types of travelers that visit the region as well as a SWOT analysis. Scope This report ...

The global scooter rental market has been witnessing significant growth in the recent years. Scooter rental services provide users an affordable, flexible, and convenient mode of transportation within cities. With growing traffic congestion and pollution levels in major cities worldwide, shared mobi ...

The LGBT tourism market is estimated to be valued at USD 357.00 Bn in 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2025 to 2032. The LGBT tourism market has seen tremendous growth over the past decade. Factors such as rising social acceptance of LGBT community and its inclusio ...

The educational tourism market is estimated to be valued at USD 531.32 Bn in 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13% from 2025 to 2032. Educational tourism is one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry. It involves people travelling internationally or domestica ...

Sports tourism is a growing phenomenon worldwide. It refers to trips and visits undertaken by sports enthusiasts to attend sports events or to participate actively in various sporting activities. Major activities included under sports tourism are extreme sports events, water sports, winter sports, g ...

The Saudi Arabia luxury market size reached USD 10.1 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 23.3 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% during 2025-2033. The rising e-commerce industry, along with the development of upscale malls, is primarily ...

Global business tourism market has witnessed significant growth over the past few years. Business tourism refers to travels undertaken for purposes of business interactions, conferences, exhibitions, trade shows and other business events. It contributes substantially to the GDP of many economies glo ...

Surfing tourism is a multi-billion dollar global industry that is growing rapidly. As awareness regarding the health benefits of surfing and adventure tourism increases, more people are traveling to popular surfing destinations around the world. Regions such as Bali, Hawaii, and Southern California ...

The population of Lebanon is predicted to increase by 14.0%, due to changes in net migration and natural change, standing at a total of 6.6 million citizens by 2040. Demographic changes, economic conditions and social trends are all contributing to negative net migration. Lebanon’s birth rate is als ...

Saudi Arabia meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) market has witnessed significant growth over the past decade due to national vision to diversify the economy away from oil. The kingdom has invested heavily in developing world-class infrastructure including modern convention ce ...

Countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, such as Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, have emerged as lucrative markets for various global destinations. The high disposable incomes of GCC residents coupled with the arid climate of their home countries has resulte ...

The global scooter rental market has been witnessing significant growth in the recent years. Scooter rental services provide users an affordable, flexible, and convenient mode of transportation within cities. With growing traffic congestion and pollution levels in major cities worldwide, shared mobi ...

Rural tourism refers to tourism activities that take place in rural areas and involve interactions between tourists and local population living in those areas. It allows tourists to experience rural lifestyle and cultures while also providing economic benefits to people residing in villages. Rising ...

The LGBT tourism market has seen tremendous growth over the past decade. Factors such as rising social acceptance of LGBT community and its inclusion across policies has encouraged more open declarations of sexual orientations. As a result, dedicated tourism offerings catering to this group have eme ...

Global urban tourism market has witnessed significant growth over the past few years. According to recent estimates, over 1.4 billion international tourist visited cities worldwide in 2021, indicating increase of20% as compared to pre-pandemic levels. Factors such as rapid urbanization, growing pref ...

Sports tourism is a growing phenomenon worldwide. It refers to trips and visits undertaken by sports enthusiasts to attend sports events or to participate actively in various sporting activities. Major activities included under sports tourism are extreme sports events, water sports, winter sports, g ...

Dark tourism is a specialized segment of the tourism industry which involves travel to sites and events associated with death, suffering, or the seemingly macabre. This includes visiting locations of historical tragedies and disasters like concentration camps from World War II or sites of ethnic con ...

Culinary arts tourism refers to traveling primarily to experience the cuisine and culture of various destinations. It is a growing niche in the tourism industry where travelers seek authentic culinary experiences through interacting with local chefs, visiting food producers, learning about tradition ...