WTTC forecasts a 14.5% contraction in Middle East tourism GDP in 2026 due to conflict, but projects 6.3% annual growth through 2036, making it the world's fastest-growing tourism region.
The 2026 Iran conflict scenario is used to assess systemic vulnerabilities in Middle East tourism, with $600M in daily losses and a 2-4 year setback to Saudi Vision 2030, alongside three strategic recommendations for investors.
A 2026 strategic assessment of Gulf hospitality arguing that giga-project corrections mask a deeper, more durable shift toward heritage-led, authenticity-driven luxury that will define global hospitality trends through 2030.
HVS surveyed owners and investors representing 160,000 GCC hotel rooms, finding cautious but intact long-term confidence despite the 2026 U.S.-Iran conflict disrupting aviation and traveller demand.
WTTC's four-decade analysis shows tourism contributed $11.6 trillion to global GDP in 2025 and confirms destinations always recover from crises with strong government leadership.
UAE hospitality leaders and Minister of Economy discuss recovery strategies amid regional conflicts, with Oxford Economics forecasting resilient long-term demand despite near-term challenges.
WTTC brings together 300+ industry leaders aboard Crystal Serenity to discuss global tourism recovery, with Egypt showcasing tourism revenue growth from $4.9B to $18B+.
WTTC data shows Middle East tourism GDP reached $385.8 billion in 2025, with Saudi Arabia leading at $178 billion and business travel spending surging 23% regionwide.
Q1 revenues reached $921 million with 35 million loyalty members, as international stays drove 69% of room revenues across the independent hotel alliance.
ADR reached AED846.34 (+10.4%) and RevPAR hit AED720.98 (+9.9%), driven by conferences like WCO Technology and concerts by Lewis Capaldi and Linkin Park.
The conference brought together 1,600 leaders with $975M in business opportunities, revealing five trends reshaping Middle East hospitality beyond traditional room-based models.
CoStar data shows Qatar hotels achieved 83.9% occupancy in November 2025, with Formula 1 and Doha Film Festival driving the highest ADR and RevPAR since the 2022 World Cup.
Skift partnered with Abu Dhabi's tourism authority to analyze key industry shifts, from the Middle East's growing influence to AI's impact on travel planning.
Qatar's occupancy hit 83.9% with RevPAR rising 20.3% year-over-year, driven by Formula 1 and the Doha Film Festival.
The study of 34 million GHA DISCOVERY members shows travelers will prioritize personal expression over destinations, with leisure trips averaging 6 vs 4 business trips.
The report projects 2% GDP growth for 2025 with tourism recovering through North American and European visitors, while the Abraham Accords create new regional travel opportunities.
Knight Frank is anticipating an active market for hotel deals in the UAE as the Emirates continue to be a magnet for hospitality capital. In its UAE Hospitality Market Review – Autumn 2025, the global property consultancy says an increasing range of regional and international investors are being attracted to a maturing market characterised by strong growth fundamentals and a deepening pool of institutional capital.
Helped by a Limp Bizkit concert, Abu Dhabi’s hotel industry posted its highest August occupancy on record, according to preliminary data from CoStar. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed record-breaking data for Egypt’s Travel & Tourism sector, with 2024 marking the highest-ever contribution to the national economy, and 2025 forecast to surpass that record once again.
Latest data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that international visitor spend in the United Arab Emirates is set to reach a record AED 228.5BN in 2025, 37% above the previous peak of 2019.