Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar drive tourism growth to 2036

THE NEWS: The World Travel and Tourism Council projects that the combined Travel and Tourism GDP of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar will grow from $272 billion in 2025 to $435 billion by 2036, a rise of about 60%.

DETAILS:

The four Gulf markets are expected to add more than $163 billion to their tourism economies over the 2025‑2036 period.

The forecast is drawn from the WTTC’s latest Global Trends Report.

The Middle East’s Travel and Tourism sector generated about $386 billion in GDP in 2025.

It is projected to contract 14.5% to $330 billion in 2026, making the region the only one worldwide expected to record a decline that year.

WHY IT MATTERS: The long‑term growth signal highlights substantial investment and development opportunities across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Qatar, while the near‑term contraction warns operators and policymakers of a temporary dip in demand that could affect staffing, inventory and revenue planning.

FAQ

What is the projected combined Travel and Tourism GDP for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Qatar by 2036?
The WTTC forecasts the four markets will reach $435 billion in combined Travel and Tourism GDP by 2036, up from $272 billion in 2025, indicating roughly a 60% increase over the period.

How much is the Middle East’s Travel and Tourism sector expected to shrink in 2026?
The sector is projected to fall 14.5% in 2026, dropping from about $386 billion in 2025 to roughly $330 billion, which would make the Middle East the only global region slated for a contraction that year.

Which organization issued the forecast and where can it be found?
The forecast comes from the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) most recent Global Trends Report, which analyses long‑term tourism growth and short‑term outlook for regions worldwide, including the Middle East.

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Tags: saudi-arabia-tourism