A year in review May 2025 – September 2026
ATM 2025 grows 16% year-on-year
DXB maintains ACI #1 ranking
Unified visa to boost intra-GCC travel
MOTF welcomes more than 4 million visitors
2025 > 2025 >
MAY
JUNE TOURISM SPEND BOOM PREDICTED A Tourism Economics report on behalf ATM predicts that by 2030, total tourism spend in the Middle East will be 50% higher than in 2024, generating expend- iture of nearly US$350 billion. The ATM Travel Trends Report 2025 says inbound travel to the region will increase by 13% annually from 2025 to 2030, with key source markets including Asia and Africa. DXB RANKS ACI #1 Dubai International (DXB) maintains its position as the leading airport in the ACI’s 2024 Air Connectivity Ranking for the Asia-Pacific & Middle East. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths says: “What sets DXB apart is not only the scale of our network, but the consistency and quality of the connections the airport provides.” SAUDI SMASHES VISITOR TARGET Saudi Arabia welcomed 116 million tourists in 2024, exceeding its annual visitor target for the second year in a row, according to the Ministry of Tourism. The destination recorded 29.7 million inbound tourists, up 8% year on year.
JULY GCC TOURIST VISA ON THE CARDS A unified tourist visa for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman will be launching ‘soon’ says GCC Secretary General Jassem Al-Budaiwi, speaking after a meeting with the bloc’s interior ministries. The new visa will enable travellers to move freely among any GCC country. The initiative was first discussed in May 2023. JORDAN'S H1VISITOR BOOST Visitor numbers to Jordan pick-up 18% year-on-year in H1 2025, reaching 3.292 million versus 2.786 million in H1 2024, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Growth was driven by an increase in overnight stays and same-day visits, supported by promotional cam- paigns and infrastructure improvements. DDF REPORTS RECORD H1 SALES Retail giant Dubai Duty Free (DDF) announces record half-year sales posting a 5.34% year-on-year increase with turn- over reaching US$1.128 billion for the first six months of 2025. This exceeds 2024’s record H1 turnover of $ 57.24 million.
AUGUST MUSEUM MILESTONE FOR DUBAI Dubai’s Museum of the Future surpasses 4 million visitors since its grand opening in February 2022, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s most iconic cultural and scientific institutions. In just over three years, the venue has hosted more than 420 events exploring AI, sustainable cities, future health, education, and the arts and welcomed leaders from across the world . OMAN AIR PLATFORM GOES LIVE Oman Air launches its new digital platform, Oman Air Holidays, powered by global tourism giant TUI. The service enables travellers to book holidays to more than 20 destinations while positioning Oman as a top-tier inbound destination. UAE TRAVELLERS EMBRACE AI An ATM-commissioned report by Tourism Economics reveals 60% of UAE travellers now trust AI to plan their trips, far outpacing the global average of 48%. The study shows that nearly six in 10 travellers across the region have already used AI to plan aspects of their travel, with 21% doing so before their most recent trip.
ATM’S 2025 SUCCESS ATM 2025 (April 28 to May 1) welcomes more than 55,000 industry professionals from 166 countries, representing a 16% increase on the 2024 edition. The event showcased more than 2,800 exhibiting companies, with 19% from the Middle East and 81% from the rest of the world. UN ELECTS SHAIKHA AL NOWAIS UN Tourism elects Emirati business and hospitality leader Shaikha Al Nowais as its next Secretary-General, starting January 2026. The nomination represents a landmark first for the sector, as the first woman leader of UN Tourism in its 50-year history. DISNEY HEADS TO ABU DHABI The Walt Disney Company and Miral, Abu Dhabi’s creator of immersive destinations and experiences, reveal plans to develop a waterfront Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi. The 7th Disney theme park resort will combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dha- bi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture.
12 | ATM YEARBOOK 2026
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