Mastercard’s Economics Institute has highlighted key global and regional insights in its Travel Trends 2024 report. We’re looking at the Middle East and the top trends highighted in the report.
1. Travel desire is at an all-time high
The Middle East’s travel industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco have reported record tourist arrivals, bolstered by strategic marketing and infrastructural developments.
Saudi recorded more than three million inbound visitors per month between January and March 2024. Egypt recorded 27% YOY visitor growth compared to 2023. Dubai saw a 11% increase in visitor numbers in Q1 of 2024. While Morocco hit 3.3 million visitor numbers in Q1, 2024, an increase of 12.8% from last year.
2. Travellers want to spend more time in MENA
Tourists are extending their stays in the Middle East and Africa by an average of three days. In the UAE, this trend is evident with visitors staying a day longer than before. Morocco is also seeing travellers staying an extra four days per trip. In addition to this, the longer stays are translating to an increase in spending per trip.
3. Making memories takes priority
Travellers are prioritising unique and memorable experiences over material purchases with experiences representing 12% of tourist sales in 2024 so far. This shift has seen tourism spending on activities like dining and cultural events rise significantly, with the UAE reporting a 21% increase in casual dining expenditure compared to last year. Concerts and notable sporting events are becoming increasingly popular, and events like the eclipse above the pyramids are drawing more tourists than the traditional attractions.
4. Cruises rise in popularity
With cruises becoming more financially accessible, they have risen in popularity by around 16% compared to 2019. This is unsurprising given the investment the Middle East has put into cruising recently with the introduction of the Red Sea Cruise terminals, Saudi’s first cruise line AROYA due to set sail, and Celestyal signing an MoU to promote cruising in Abu Dhabi.
As traveller numbers in the Middle East continue to rise, so do their spending. The latest collaboration from Mastercards and HSBC Middle East aims to facilitate secure, streamlined digital payments for travel merchant clients through its Mastercard Wholesale Program (MWP). The program is aimed towards B2B travel transactions in the MENA region to improve security and liquidity.
