As the Middle East’s travel scene shifts from bucket lists to purpose-driven experiences, one Destination Management Company is quietly leading the charge. 365 Adventures has made a name for itself by constantly evolving with innovation, while ensuring authenticity and operational efficiency – a rare trifecta in a sector often defined by rigid itineraries and complex supply chains.
We sat down with Meraj, founder of 365 Adventures, to talk about how the company is evolving the DMC model through new partnerships, community engagement, and technology. From bundling smarter to building a new “Arabian Experience Camp”, he and his team are proving that the future of travel in the region lies in meaningful, scalable innovation.
Given how rapidly the DMC landscape is changing, what is your strategy for reinventing packages to stay ahead of the curve, keep interests high and drive conversions?
We build trips like Lego. There’s a solid core plan, then fun add-ons you can snap on: horse rides, sunset keshta, stargazing, so it fits couples, families, or micro-groups fast. We refresh for the season (Ramadan/Eid, school breaks, wellness weekends), team up with local communities and creators to keep it fresh, and share winning products with trusted DMC/OTA partners using ready-to-go rate cards and media kits.
After every trip, guest ratings and guide notes help us tweak timing, meeting points, and inclusions each week. We also set language-specific days and sensible minimums so quality stays high and costs make sense. That’s why we invested in The Arabian Experience (TAE) Camp, our own flagship venue where we can test ideas quickly and keep the bar high.
What trends are you seeing right now in your booking flow? Are lead times getting shorter, group sizes shifting, or certain types of experiences consistently topping the charts?
We’re seeing a clear split in booking behaviour: B2B partners and corporates continue to plan well in advance due to budgeting, approvals and programme objectives, while B2C locals typically book at the last minute, unless they’re expecting visitors, in which case they lock things in earlier.
Overall lead times are compressing as travellers expect flexibility (24 to 48-hour cancellation) and keep options open until late. Small-group travel remains strong, but there’s a noticeable rise in medium groups (6-15 pax), particularly for corporate teams and incentives; larger groups are more selective on accommodation and inclusions to maximise efficiency and budget.
On the product side, cultural immersions, desert adventures and premium/luxury tours continue to lead, while unique, personalised experiences are gaining traction as travellers prioritise memorable, tailored activities over generic offerings.
From a founder and operations point of view, how do you approach innovation at 365 Adventures? What does it look like in practice, and where do you see the biggest opportunities for disruption in destination management over the next 3-5 years?
We love trying new things, but we do it smartly! We don’t just jump into projects; we test ideas with small teams, measure what works, and then share our best tricks with everyone. Think of it like a recipe book for success.
We mix things up: 60% of our efforts go into stuff we know guests already love, 30% into cool variations, and 20% into exciting new adventures. That’s right, we always aim to give 110% to everything. We figure this out by seeing how you book and what makes you happy (or not so happy).
Looking ahead 3-5 years, we see some awesome opportunities:
- VIP trips for small groups: Special, high-quality experiences for just 2-8 people, bringing in more happy customers and great reviews.
- Talkin’ your language: More trips specifically designed for Arabic, Spanish, and French speakers.
- Book while you scroll: See a cool video from a travel influencer, tap twice, and boom, you’ve booked your own adventure!
- Green travel you can trust: Clear and honest ways to show that your trip is good for the planet.
Tell us more about your new Arabian Experience (TAE) Camp – how did it come about, and how does it capture the growing traveller appetite for authenticity, sustainability, and cultural immersion?
TAE was born so we could own the experience end-to-end and try new ideas fast. Set in Riyadh’s Red Sands, it mixes authentic Najdi hospitality with a bold equestrian vibe – shaded majlis lounges, crackling fire-pit zones, wide open arenas, and snap-to-fit layouts for wellness circles, cultural nights, team offsites, or… whatever you dream up.
It’s designed for today’s traveller: real hosts and stories, small groups, local sourcing, and light-impact operations, all delivered in easy, bite-size modules (from half-day to full-day) you can book and extend without fuss.
Additionally, TAE is open to any event looking for a venue: brand launches, retreats, photo/film shoots, community gatherings, weddings-with-a-desert-twist, you name it. Bring the idea and we’ll bring the horses, the gahwa (Arabic coffee), and the golden-hour magic. Personally, I believe this is our number 1 “must-try” experience in Riyadh.
You have made the shift to your new 366 ERP. How would the system transform your internal speed, partner reliability, and overall guest experience? And what role do you see technology playing in shaping the next generation of regional DMCs?
It’s our single, live system for everything: vehicles, guides, venues, and inventory. Because everyone sees the same info, we confirm bookings faster, make fewer mistakes, and hand work to ops cleanly.
What partners get: clear, up-to-date capacity, simple hold/release rules, and clearer SLAs.
What guests get: quick confirmations, WhatsApp updates on time, exact meeting points, and smoother issue handling.
Why does it matter for the future? tech will let DMCs plug into OTAs and partners by API, build dynamic packages on the fly, run real-time ops dashboards, and show sustainability/quality info at checkout, so providers are faster, clearer, and more trustworthy.
We think 365 Adventures’ approach is refreshingly pragmatic, ensuring all the touch points of sustainability, tech adoption, and human connection are well balanced without losing sight of what makes travel transformative. As the Middle East continues to redefine itself as one of the world’s most dynamic tourism regions, it’s clear companies like 365 won’t just be reacting to trends, but writing the next chapter of them.
