ATM 2026 sizzles: Middle East outbound spending to hit US$60B by 2030

MIDDLE EAST – Middle East residents’ overseas travel spending has surged, projected to grow 6% annually to over US$60 billion by decade’s end.

This boom powers Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 demand, set for May 4-7 at Dubai World Trade Centre under the theme ‘Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology’.

Exhibition space jumps 10% year-on-year, with CAGR spikes from Africa (31.99%), Asia (13.95%), Europe (8.75%), Americas (8.25%), and Middle East (8.04%) during 2024-2026.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, noted international engagement mirrors global tourism shifts, from Africa’s sustainable luxury infrastructure to Asia’s air-tech explosion, forging unprecedented Middle East ties unimaginable a decade ago.

Africa’s Mega-Projects Draw GCC Eyes

Egypt leads with 21% outbound leisure night growth from the Middle East by 2030, fueled by Grand Egyptian Museum, New Alamein, Ras al-Hekma, Great Transfiguration, and Marassi Red Sea.

Exhibitors like Egyptian Tourism Authority, Rixos Premium Seagate, Sunrise Resorts, and Classic for Touristic Resorts showcase at ATM.

Morocco ramps rail for 2030 FIFA World Cup co-hosting, adding 120 air routes in 2024 and 80 in 2025, including Atlanta-Marrakech, targeting 150,000 hotel beds and 26 million visitors. Visit Morocco and partners highlight progress.

Türkiye and Asia Pacific Powerhouses

Türkiye claims 8% of 2025 Gulf outbound nights, eyeing 96% source market growth by 2030 via Mercan DMC, Regnum Hotels, Atas Group, Ajet Airlines, Bursa Culture Union, and Türkiye Tourism Promotion Agency.

China rebounds with visa-free access for 76 countries including GCC, streamlining entry via China Cultural Center UAE, Garden Hotel Guangzhou, and China Highlights, boosting UAE-Saudi inflows while courting Middle Easterners.

MENASA and Global Gateway Innovation

ATM spotlights MENASA and Eastern Europe trends through Ultra Luxury Lounge, IBTM @ ATM, and dual Travel Tech halls. Dubai’s 274-destination connectivity reinforces its six-continent gateway status.

For QSR operators, US$60 billion spend signals airport-restaurant gold: Emirates Helsinki routes and Cape Town’s 11.1 million passengers prime Subway or Five Guys modules in lounges, mirroring Dubai’s AED 878 RevPAR records.

Hotel F&B zones crave modular platters for MICE, think Nando’s peri-peri for Morocco World Cup previews, capturing 20% incremental spends amid 15% tourism CAGR.

Hospitality investors salivate: ATM’s exhibitor surge validates 10-12% mid-upscale yields as Rixos expansions and Shangri-La hires fuel GCC dominance. This edition charts travel’s tech-driven future, blending ultra-luxury with sustainable QSR hybrids for decade-long prosperity.

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