Latest news with #DanielleCurtis
Tourism Breaking News
2 days ago
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Arabian Travel Market underscores the vital role of Asia Pacific in the future of tourism as international travel is set to reach US$2.5 trillion by 2029
Post Views: 28 According to a recent report compiled by Tourism Economics on behalf of ATM, tourism nights from Asia Pacific and Africa are on track to more than double between 2025 and 2030. The number of tourism nights, specifically from China to the Middle East, is expected to grow by 189% through 2030, and APAC source markets are set to account for the largest share of business nights in the region, with India, in particular, gaining importance. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: 'More than 60% of travellers are booking trips around concerts and sporting events, while over 40% are influenced by digital platforms such as TikTok. Interestingly, film and television are also playing a significant role, evidenced by a rise in bookings to Thailand following the popularity of The White Lotus.' The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is poised for significant tourism growth, with spending on international travel forecast to hit US$2.5 trillion and domestic travel to reach US$4.3 trillion by 2029, according to the latest data from Euromonitor International. Outbound travel from APAC is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7%, with intra-regional journeys expected to account for 61% of all trips by the end of 2025. By 2029, one in three trips is anticipated to be outside the APAC region, with 75% of bookings set to be made online. The Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, is key to ensuring the emirate's strategic success in APAC markets, with a focus on market segmentation and storytelling. By tailoring messaging for platforms such as the video-sharing website Bilibili and the social networking and e-commerce platform Red Note, and leveraging strong air links through carriers like Emirates and flydubai, Dubai's tourism authorities continue to position the city as a relevant, accessible, and aspirational destination for travellers across Asia. As a newcomer to APAC tourism markets, Saudi Arabia has adopted a highly localised approach, as outlined during the discussion. Recognising the diversity of the region, which comprises 49 distinct countries, tourism authorities in the Kingdom study each source market closely, from dietary preferences to cultural nuances, tailoring travel experiences accordingly. This strategy is supported by partnerships with media, trade, and research bodies to ensure that Saudi Arabia's offerings resonate authentically with travellers across the region. Curtis added: 'Technology is playing an increasingly pivotal role in travel decision-making across the APAC region, with consumers relying heavily on digital tools, social media, and AI. Mobile-first planning is transforming how travellers research and book trips, although the digital landscape varies significantly from country to country. One constant across the region is the importance of trust, particularly in peer-generated content, which continues to influence traveller choices at every stage of the journey.'
Hi Dubai
09-06-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Middle East Travel Spending to Hit $350bn by 2030 as Tourism Grows 50%
Travel spending in the Middle East is set to soar 50% by 2030, reaching nearly $350 billion, according to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025 released by Arabian Travel Market in partnership with Tourism Economics. Driven by robust inbound tourism, expanding luxury and business travel, and mounting investment in sports and entertainment, the region is projected to outpace global travel growth. Inbound travel is expected to grow 13% annually through 2030, with Asia, Africa, the UK, and India emerging as key source markets. 'Travel growth in the Middle East is incredibly strong, with annual growth averaging more than 7 per cent through 2030,' said Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME at Arabian Travel Market. She pointed to national visions, major development projects, and enhanced connectivity as central to this rise. By the end of 2024, regional travel spending is forecast to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 54%. Business travel, in particular, is growing at 1.5 times the global rate, positioning the Middle East as the world's second-fastest-growing region for corporate tourism. Aviation and hospitality are also playing pivotal roles. Regional carriers—Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and Saudia—have collectively placed orders for nearly 780 aircraft, underscoring long-term ambitions to cement the region's status as a global aviation hub. Luxury tourism continues to thrive, with nearly 60% of visitors opting for high-end experiences—far above the global average. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia's giga projects are at the forefront of this trend. Sports tourism is emerging as another powerful growth engine. With the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Dubai Expo setting the stage, the sector is expected to grow 63% by 2030, boosted by events like Saudi Arabia's upcoming 2034 FIFA World Cup and increasing investment in motorsports, golf, and esports. News Source: Gulf Businesss
Biz Bahrain
09-06-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Tourism spending in the Middle East is projected to reach $350bln by 2030, according to a new travel industry report
A new report compiled by Tourism Economics on behalf of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) predicts that by 2030, total tourism spend in the Middle East will be 50% higher than in 2024, generating expenditure of nearly US$350 billion. The ATM Travel Trends Report 2025 reveals insights into the trends and transformations redefining the travel sector in the Middle East and worldwide, including the surge of business travel, the growth of the luxury segment, and the boom in regional sports tourism. The report highlights exceptional growth in Middle East travel spending, projected to exceed 2019 levels by 54% this year and anticipates an annual growth rate of over 7% from 2025 to 2030. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: 'The report's findings confirm that travel growth in the Middle East is incredibly strong, with annual growth averaging more than 7% through 2030. Bold national visions, game-changing developments, and enhanced connectivity are some of the key factors driving this momentum.' Underscoring the Middle East's strong position in global tourism, inbound travel from outside the region is set to grow by 13% annually up to 2030 and outbound business travel forecast to surge at 9% per year. European source markets make up 50% of all leisure travel to the Middle East, with India and the United Kingdom the top two inbound international leisure source markets. China is also a critical market, ranking third by value with leisure spend expected to increase by 130% by 2030. Furthermore, tourism nights by visitors from Asia Pacific and Africa, are expected to increase by over 100% between now and 2030. For outbound travel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt dominate regional flows, while Thailand and the United Kingdom lead as preferred long-haul destinations. The four largest airlines in the region – Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Saudia – have placed nearly 780 aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus, representing major expansions to their existing fleets. This significant investment underscores the region's strategic focus on becoming a global aviation hub and meeting rising passenger demand over the coming decade. The Middle East's rise as a global hub for business events is another key highlight of the report, which states that spending on Middle East business travel will grow 1.5 times faster than the global average through to 2030. The region's strategic location at the centre of Asia, Africa, and Europe supports business and leisure travel, with the latter on a particularly strong trajectory for growth. The sector plays a vital role in developing the region's reputation for hosting major events. It is expected to experience the second-fastest rate of business travel growth among all global regions, underscoring the increased potential for combining business and leisure travel, or 'bleisure'. Curtis commented: 'At ATM 2025, we recognised the industry's hunger for innovation in travel technology as well as the rising demand for business travel across the region. In response, we launched two dynamic new zones, IBTM@ATM and the Innovation Zone, designed to empower our growing audience to shape the future of travel with the speed and scale our exciting industry demands.' The region is also witnessing unprecedented growth in luxury and lifestyle tourism, attracting a new generation of high-net-worth travellers, drawn to exceptional Middle East hospitality, curated experiences and premium cultural events. According to the report global spending on luxury leisure hospitality is expected to continue growing briskly reaching over US$390 billion by 2028. 'Travellers drawn to the Middle East tend to spend more on travel overall, nearly 60% habitually spending on luxury experiences while travelling compared to under 40% among travellers who favour other destinations,' added Curtis. Of the more than 170 luxury hotel properties in the Middle East, nearly 100 are situated Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with 22 currently in development. With several luxury properties in the pipeline among Saudi Arabia's Giga projects, the region will continue to serve as a preferred destination for luxury and leisure travellers. Following in the footsteps of the Qatar 2022 World Cup and Dubai Expo 2020, the Middle East region has a proven track record for successfully hosting high-profile entertainment and sports events. According to the ATM Travel Trends report, the strong appetite for sports tourism in the region will lead to a potential growth rate of 63% in the coming years, with the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia set to continue this momentum. According to the report, golf, motorsports, football, cycling, and esports are all benefiting from heightened visibility and investment in the region. This surge in sporting and entertainment events is significantly boosting the travel industry, driving increased demand for hotel stays, flights, and related services, creating a ripple effect that supports broader tourism growth. ATM is the leading international travel and tourism event held annually in Dubai. It plays a vital role in shaping the future of global travel. Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the 2025 edition welcomed over 55,000 industry professionals from 166 countries, achieving year-on-year growth of 16%. The next edition will take place from 4-7 May 2026. To view the report, please click here.
Gulf Business
09-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Middle East travel spend set to soar 50% by 2030: report
Image: Getty Images Travel spending in the Middle East is projected to climb 50 per cent by 2030, reaching nearly $350bn, driven by surging inbound tourism, expanding luxury and business travel, and increased investment in sports and entertainment, according to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025 released by The report forecasts that inbound travel to the region will grow by 13 per cent annually between 2025 and 2030, significantly outpacing global averages. Key source markets fueling this rise include Asia and Africa, alongside strong demand from Europe, where the UK and India remain the top international leisure contributors. 'Travel growth in the Middle East is incredibly strong, with annual growth averaging more than 7 per cent through 2030,' said Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME at Arabian Travel Market. 'Bold national visions, game-changing developments, and enhanced connectivity are key drivers behind this upward trajectory.' Travel spending in the region is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by 54 per cent in 2024, and business travel is set to grow at 1.5 times the global average, making the Middle East the world's second-fastest growing region for business tourism. Travel industry driven by key developments in regional aviation and hospitality sectors The report also underscores the region's transformation into a global aviation hub, with Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Saudia placing close to 780 aircraft orders with Boeing and Airbus, underscoring long-term growth ambitions. Meanwhile, luxury travel continues to thrive. With nearly 100 of the Middle East's 170 luxury hotels located in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and more underway in Saudi Arabia's giga projects, the region is becoming a magnet for high-net-worth travellers. According to the report, nearly 60 per cent of visitors to the Middle East spend on luxury experiences, compared to less than 40 per cent globally. 'Travellers drawn to the Middle East tend to spend more overall, attracted by exceptional hospitality, curated experiences, and premium cultural events,' Curtis said. Sports tourism is another major growth driver. Following events such as Qatar's 2022 FIFA World Cup and Dubai Expo 2020, the region is set for a 63 per cent increase in sports-related travel, with the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia expected to further boost the sector. The report highlights rising interest and investment in football, golf, motorsports, cycling, and esports. Read:
Business Recorder
05-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Middle East tourism spending to hit $350bn by 2030
A new report released by Tourism Economics on behalf of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) forecasts a dramatic surge in tourism spending across the Middle East, with total expenditure projected to reach almost $350 billion by 2030. Unveiled in the ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, the findings highlight the transformative shifts and attributes the rise to the rise of business, leisure as well as sports tourism in the Middle East. The report gave a nod to the luxury hotel boom in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which has been building capacity in recent years to respond to luxury travel demand. Dubai also welcomed a new record of 18.72 mn international visitors in 2024. The report estimates that Middle East travel spending in 2025 will exceed pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 54 percent, with a sustained growth trajectory of 7 percent annually from 2025 to 2030. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: 'The report's findings confirm that travel growth in the Middle East is incredibly strong, with annual growth averaging more than 7 percent through 2030,' she was quoted as saying. 'Bold national visions, game-changing developments, and enhanced connectivity are some of the key factors driving this momentum.' Countries driving the growth The highest influx of visitors for leisure travel are from Europe, added the report. India and the United Kingdom top the list of inbound international leisure markets, followed by China, which is expected to see a 130 percent increase in leisure travel spending by 2030. Tourism nights from Asia Pacific and African visitors are also expected to more than double during the same period. On the outbound front, Saudi Arabia and Egypt lead regional travel flows, with Thailand and the UK ranking as top long-haul destinations. Aviation sector expanding The region's aviation sector is preparing for this surge with major fleet expansions. The four largest Middle Eastern carriers — Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Saudia — have collectively ordered nearly 780 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, signaling long-term investments in capacity and service excellence, added the report. Last month, Emirates airline posted record annual profit on strong travel demand. Meanwhile, earlier this year, Dubai International Airport (DXB) retained the title of the World's Busiest International Airport in 2024, reaching nearly 92.3 million passengers. Dubai is also set to complete the first phase of Al Maktoum International Airport – set to be the world's largest – by 2032. Saudi Arabia is also getting ready to launch Riyadh Air, its new premium national carrier, by the end of 2025. This growth aligns with the region's broader ambition to become a global aviation and business travel hub, thanks to its geographic advantage at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Dubai's tourism sector thrives with hospitality industry matching demand Luxury tourism booms The report also underscores the Middle East's emergence as a luxury tourism hotspot, driven by high-net-worth travelers seeking premium experiences, cultural depth, and the region's signature hospitality. In an earlier interview with Khaleej Times, Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) said, 'People are drawn to Dubai due to a combination of its unique and cosmopolitan lifestyle, its high level of safety, the ease of access to the city, doing business and navigating daily life in Dubai.' Global luxury leisure spending is forecast to reach $390 billion by 2028, with the Middle East capturing a growing share, added the report. Currently, over 170 luxury hotels operate in the region, nearly 100 of them in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with another 22 under development. These efforts also align with the goals of D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai's economy by 2033. Dubai has also retained its top 10 ranking in the Global Power City Index for two years running. 'Dubai makes even luxury travel affordable' as Gulf city welcomes record tourists Currently, the Middle East is also experiencing a boom in sports tourism, with UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar hosting global sporting events, driving increased demand for flights, accommodations, and event-related services.
