‘Luxury remains top pull for UAE’

The Middle East’s tourism sector is undergoing an exciting transformation driven by visionary strategies, significant investments and shifting traveller preferences. Mohamed Awadalla, Chief Executive Officer, TIME Hotels, explains how the region’s hospitality sector is embracing these global tourism shifts and why hotel operators adapt to evolving tourism trends.

According to new research by Tourism Economics, compiled on behalf of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), tourism spending in the Middle East region is projected to rise more than 7 per cent annually, reaching nearly $350 billion by 2030. This impressive growth, which is over 40 per cent higher than global averages, underscores the Middle East’s remarkable resilience and adaptability.

Particularly exciting is the expected 13 per cent annual growth in international inbound travel, highlighting vast opportunities in business travel, luxury experiences, sustainable tourism and event-driven trips.

We have noticed a significant upswing in business travel, particularly the rise of the ‘bleisure’ trend. The flexibility of remote work and digital nomad lifestyles has fuelled this growth, with spending on business travel in the Middle East anticipated to outpace the global average by around 1.5 times.

To address this, TIME Hotels & Resorts offers sophisticated spaces that seamlessly blend state-of-the-art meeting facilities with luxurious leisure amenities, ideal for both professional and personal stays.

The luxury travel sector remains exceptionally strong, driven by the region’s growing appeal to high-net-worth individuals (HNIs). Visitors from Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions are projected to boost inbound travel. Responding to this demand, our new luxury brand, Rotella, focuses on exclusivity, elegance and personalised experiences.

Sustainability is now a crucial factor influencing travel decisions. The sustainable tourism market is projected to grow by over 11 per cent annually through 2029, reflecting travellers’ increasing commitment to eco-friendly practices. At TIME Hotels, sustainability is a core principle.

Our forthcoming projects in Tanzania and Morocco, known for their eco-tourism potential, embody this philosophy.