Business trips drive travel growth in Q3 across MENA region

According to a Khaleej Times report dated October 8th, UAE-based online business travel platform Tumodo revealed that the end of Q3 (September) recorded the highest booking volume of the quarter, bouncing back quickly after the political unrest in the area, temporary airport closures, and widespread trip cancellations, as travel activity was suspended in the third quarter. 

This growth draws attention to the wider MENA travel market’s upward trajectory, which was worth $18.1 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to grow by 6.1% YoY in 2025. 

Industry experts predict that the MENA travel market is likely to surge to $270.8 billion by 2030, surpassing global growth trends.

Mohanad Nada, Head of GCC at Tumodo, said the recovery highlighted the market’s strength. “The 30% surge above expectations in Q3 demonstrates the resilience of the MENA business travel sector and its ability to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining growth,” he noted.

Tumodo’s internal data revealed that Saudi Arabia and the UAE were the region’s popular business travel hubs in Q3, accounting for 20% and 15% of total bookings, respectively. 

Both countries continued to push travel market growth regardless of regional issues. 

The market hierarchy was similar to the previous quarters, with Egypt and Qatar next in the list, while Morocco, Bahrain, and Oman emerged as growing players. 

The most travelled routes in Q3 were Dubai–Kuala Lumpur, Dubai–Riyadh, and London–Dubai.

The average hotel booking value was estimated at around $169 in Q3, showing an increase from August, indicating the end of the vacation season. 

Air travel bookings averaged $499.9, with Emirates leading the preferred carrier chart among travellers, taking up 20.75% of total bookings. 

Turkish Airlines followed at 10.41%, ahead of Flydubai (4.58%), Qatar Airways (3.15%), and Air France (2.72%).

Tumodo’s Q3 data revealed a growing demand for shorter business trips across the MENA region, with 1- and 2-day stays accounting for 9% and 7% of total travel, respectively.

Longer trips remained stable, with seven-day stays representing 4%.

The growth highlights increased and varied business demands across the region, from quick regional meetings to longer projects.

With the MENA region quickly expanding into sectors beyond oil and gas, such as technology, finance, and infrastructure, the third-quarter performance has laid a strong framework for sustained growth.

The surge in travel in September, fueled by post-vacation demand, showcased strong potential heading into the final quarter of 2025.

Industry expectations remain positive, with inbound travel to the area anticipated to rise by 13% annually through 2030, and business travel spending expected to expand 1.5 times faster than the global average.

MENAFN, Maghrebi.org, Khaleej Times