Middle East Online Travel Overview 2019

Summary

A winning combination of government investment, positive economic change and consumer affluence is leading the Middle East travel market into a period of strong growth. This report provides sizing and analysis of the online and total leisure travel markets in the Middle East, as well as regional projections through 2022, including distribution dynamics, technology trends shaping the market and more.

Eager to showcase its cultural icons, religious meccas, world-class resorts and state-of-the-art event venues, the Middle East is opening its figurative doors to the world. Local government spending on infrastructure improvements has reached record levels, with Doha, Qatar’s stadium and metro-area projects running at full speed in anticipation of hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Not to be outdone, Dubai is polishing up its Dubai Parks and Resorts, the Dubai Frame and the Jewel of the Creek projects to prepare for as many as 25 million visitors to the World Expo in 2020. Egypt’s tourism market is now the fastest-growing in North Africa, and the government is proudly readying the US$1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum to open in 2020. In Saudi Arabia (KSA), the ambitious Vision 2030 initiative includes plans to establish the kingdom as a major tourist destination for domestic, regional and international travelers.