The global travel industry is entering its next phase of growth, according to new research from Arabian Travel Market’s (ATM) Official Research Partners, STR and Euromonitor International, which indicates that consumer demand for travel remains fundamentally resilient despite the challenges facing the Middle East this year.
The latest forecasts suggest that while geopolitical developments have temporarily impacted traveller confidence and disrupted aviation and hospitality markets across parts of the region, the long-term outlook for tourism remains positive. As stability returns, destinations with strong tourism infrastructure, established global connectivity and continued investment are expected to recover quickly, creating fresh opportunities for destinations, hospitality providers, airlines and tourism businesses worldwide.
One of the strongest indicators of this confidence comes from Euromonitor International, a market intelligence company, whose latest research, Travel in an Age of Poly-Crisis, forecasts that travel spending across the Middle East and Africa will grow by 47.7% between 2025 and 2030, adding more than US$50 billion to the regional travel economy. The findings reveal that travellers continue to prioritise experiences despite inflationary pressures, with global travel expenditure now exceeding pre-pandemic levels and growing faster than GDP in many markets.
Together, the research from STR and Euromonitor highlights three trends expected to shape tourism’s next chapter. Demand for travel has not weakened but evolved. Rather than cancelling trips, consumers are increasingly adapting their travel behaviour, favouring regional destinations, seeking greater flexibility and placing even greater value on meaningful experiences. According to Euromonitor, experiences continue to outperform traditional tourism spending, while digital engagement has become an essential part of the traveller journey.
Confidence will determine the pace of recovery. STR’s latest hospitality outlook shows that as safety perceptions improve, air connectivity returns and destination marketing resumes at full strength, hotel performance across key Middle East markets is expected to strengthen steadily. Markets supported by diversified demand, established tourism ecosystems and long-term investment are forecast to recover most rapidly as traveller confidence returns.
Finally, innovation is becoming one of the industry’s greatest competitive advantages. Euromonitor’s research highlights AI-powered customer journeys, predictive support, seamless digital experiences and hyper-personalisation as essential differentiators, while hospitality businesses are increasingly focusing on revenue optimisation and experience-led strategies to respond to changing traveller expectations.
These findings closely reflect ATM 2026’s theme, Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology, which explores how resilience, innovation and changing traveller expectations are redefining the future of global tourism.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE, RX Global, said: “Periods of uncertainty often accelerate change, and today’s travel industry is already adapting faster than many anticipated. What is particularly encouraging from the latest research is that traveller confidence has not disappeared; it has evolved. Consumers continue to prioritise travel, destinations are responding with greater agility, and technology is enabling businesses to become more resilient than ever before.”
The exclusive findings from both organisations will be presented during ATM’s conference programme.
On the Global Stage, Euromonitor International will present The State of Travel: Inflation, Polycrisis & the New Travel Reality, examining how inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and changing consumer priorities are reshaping travel demand and creating new opportunities for destinations and businesses.
STR will contribute two sessions during ATM 2026. Decoding Hospitality Growth – What Do Today’s Travellers Want?, taking place on the Future Stage, will explore the evolving expectations of today’s travellers and how hospitality brands can respond through experience-led strategies.
The team will also host the Hospitality Roundtable: Rebooting Hotel Revenue, Where to Start? in the Experience Hub, bringing together hospitality professionals for an interactive discussion focused on practical commercial strategies, operational resilience and revenue recovery.
“At ATM, our role extends beyond bringing the industry together. We are committed to providing the insights, research and strategic conversations that help destinations and businesses navigate change with confidence. By welcoming leading research organisations such as STR and Euromonitor International, alongside thousands of industry decision-makers, ATM creates a platform where the global travel community can move beyond responding to today’s challenges and begin shaping tomorrow’s opportunities,” added Curtis.
Against a backdrop of evolving market conditions, ATM 2026 will provide one of the first major global forums where destinations, tourism authorities, hotel groups, airlines, technology providers and investors can come together to examine the latest research, exchange practical strategies and identify the opportunities shaping tourism’s next phase of growth. The event will reinforce Dubai’s position as a global platform for collaboration, innovation and long-term industry resilience.
