The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has found that the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector is projected to expand by 5.3% in 2025, surpassing the global average of 4.1%. Notably, Saudi Arabia is driving this growth, with predictions indicating its travel and tourism GDP will rise by 7.4%, which is nearly twice the global rate. International visitor spending is forecasted to increase by 8.2%, while business travel expenditure could jump by over 55%.

In total, the travel and tourism sector of the Middle East contributed $385.8 billion to GDP in 2025, sustaining 7.1 million jobs. Within this landscape, Saudi Arabia stands as the largest travel economy, accounting for $178 billion or 46% of the region’s total GDP. Additionally, the UAE and Jordan demonstrated strong performance, with the UAE’s sector reaching $68.5 billion in GDP and Jordan marking a 5.5% growth.

Business travel serves as a crucial engine for growth, with a projected 23% increase in spending across the Middle East in 2025, reflecting a greater demand for face-to-face interactions and the region’s rising role in hosting significant international events.

Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of WTTC, noted: “The Middle East continued to deliver strong Travel & Tourism growth in 2025, with Saudi Arabia playing a central role in driving this success and emerging as a leader in the region, with growth nearly double the global average.”

The WTTC emphasizes that ongoing investments in infrastructure and connectivity, coupled with a focus on high-value travel, will be vital for maintaining this upward trajectory.