Business travel in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region surged by 50 per cent in Q1 2025, compared to the same year-ago period, marking a significant rebound in corporate mobility, an industry report said.
The region’s economic resurgence and the increasing demand for seamless corporate travel solutions are cited as the major drivers of this growth, the report by Tumodo, a UAE-based online business travel platform, said.
The report, citing recent research, said the MENA business travel market is expected to reach a revenue of over $270 billion by 2030.
MENA business travel surges
“As global markets stabilise and corporate ties strengthen, the MENA region is witnessing a dynamic shift in business travel patterns,” Tumodo said.
The company report also said China leads as the top business travel destination from the MENA region, accounting for 25 per cent of trips, followed by the UAE (13 per cent) and Saudi Arabia (5 per cent).
India (4 per cent), the UK (3.5 per cent), France and Germany (3 per cent each) are the other major travel destinations from the region.
The report said Dubai remains a key transit hub, with high-frequency flights to Guangzhou and Seoul, while Riyadh, Cairo, and Doha are witnessing increased business travel due to large-scale infrastructure investments.
Hospitality market growth
The report also said the MENA hospitality market, valued at an estimated $286 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to over $487 billion by 2032, on the back of corporate travellers demonstrating a preference for premium accommodations.
Four-star hotels led bookings at 45 per cent, while five-star hotels gained traction at 20 per cent, indicating a rise in demand for high-end stays, the report said.
Moreover, luxury hotels in the Middle East saw a 145 per cent year-over-year increase in bookings during Ramadan 2025 as travellers opted for premium experiences, it said.
“With business travel demand accelerating across MENA, organisations are prioritising efficiency, compliance, and sustainability in their travel strategies,” said Stan Klyuy, CCO at Tumodo.
The company said the evolving travel landscape also reflects the growing trend of “bleisure” travel, combining business trips with leisure experiences.
The average business trip duration has extended to 10 days, mirroring pre-pandemic norms, while room rates have increased by 10 per cent to an average of $160 per night, it said.
