MADRID: The Middle East’s tourism sector is undergoing a historic transformation in 2024, with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain leading the charge. According to new reports from UN Tourism and IATA, these nations are driving exceptional growth in international arrivals and reshaping the region’s global appeal. Qatar has achieved a staggering 141% increase in tourist arrivals, making it the fastest-growing destination in the region, while Saudi Arabia has led in volume with a 61% increase in international arrivals, attracting millions of visitors through its ambitious Vision 2030 initiatives. From record-breaking visitor numbers in Qatar to Saudi Arabia’s transformative projects, alongside the UAE’s dominance as a global hub and the rising stars of Oman and Bahrain, these countries are redefining the Middle East’s tourism landscape with strategic investments, cultural initiatives, and world-class offerings.
The global tourism sector has shown extraordinary resilience in 2024, with 1.1 billion international tourist arrivals recorded in the first nine months of the year, representing a 98% recovery compared to 2019, according to UN Tourism. IATA’s October 2024 analysis echoes this recovery, highlighting a 7.1% year-on-year increase in global Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) and a record-high passenger load factor of 83.9%. The Middle East, in particular, has stood out with a 29% growth in international arrivals, the strongest globally. Countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain have led this resurgence, driving regional and global tourism recovery through strategic investments and enhanced connectivity.
The Middle East has emerged as the global leader in tourism recovery in 2024, with countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Bahrain driving exceptional growth. According to UN Tourism, the region recorded a 29% increase in international arrivals compared to 2019, the strongest growth globally. Qatar achieved a staggering 141% increase in tourist arrivals, making it the fastest-growing destination in the region, while Saudi Arabia led in volume with a 61% increase in international arrivals, attracting millions of visitors through its ambitious Vision 2030 initiatives. This resurgence is complemented by findings from IATA, which reported that air travel demand in the Middle East grew steadily, with Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) rising by 2.2% year-on-year in October 2024 and reaching 9.4% growth year-to-date. These countries have become trailblazers in leveraging strategic investments, cultural attractions, and enhanced air connectivity to solidify their positions as tourism powerhouses.
According to UN Tourism, Qatar achieved a remarkable 141% increase in international arrivals compared to 2019, more than doubling its pre-pandemic figures. This exceptional growth highlights Qatar’s strategic focus on hosting global events, enhancing its luxury tourism offerings, and investing in world-class infrastructure, including state-of-the-art airport facilities. While IATA data does not provide country-specific insights for Qatar, its contribution to the 29% regional growth in international arrivals underlines its pivotal role in the Middle East’s tourism resurgence.
Saudi Arabia, as per UN Tourism, recorded a significant 61% rise in international arrivals compared to 2019, driven by its ambitious Vision 2030 initiative. The Kingdom’s large-scale projects, including NEOM and The Red Sea Project, along with cultural promotions such as Al-Ula and Riyadh Season, are reshaping its tourism landscape. While IATA reports regional growth in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) and Available Seat Kilometers (ASK), Saudi Arabia’s strong performance highlights its contribution to the Middle East’s air travel and tourism recovery.
The United Arab Emirates continues to lead as a global tourism and transit hub. According to IATA, Dubai International Airport (DXB) handled 23 million passengers in Q1 2024, an 8.4% increase year-on-year, with projections indicating that Dubai will handle 91 million passengers by the end of 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic records. The UAE’s iconic attractions, such as the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah, coupled with world-class shopping and hospitality, have cemented its status as a global favorite.
Oman, according to UN Tourism, is set to attract 5.3 million visitors in 2024, marking a 24.7% increase compared to 2023. Oman’s focus on promoting its natural beauty and cultural heritage, such as the Jebel Akhdar “Green Mountain” project, has drawn international attention. This growth highlights Oman’s success in positioning itself as a serene and culturally rich destination in the region.
Bahrain has also shown strong performance, attracting over 4 million visitors in 2023, as per WTTC data. The tourism sector’s contribution to GDP is expected to rise to 13.4% in 2024, reflecting a 2.1% annual increase. Bahrain’s focus on enhancing its infrastructure and promoting its cultural heritage is helping it compete as a key destination in the Middle East.
