International visitor spending across the MENASA region is expected to increase by US$116 billion, or 57%, between 2025 and 2030, according to the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Travel Trends Report released during ATM 2026 in Dubai.
UAE Hotel Occupancy and Domestic Tourism Growth
Hotel occupancy across the seven emirates of the UAE reached approximately 68% by the end of August 2026. Abu Dhabi received more than 3.4 million hotel guests in the same period, with occupancy levels near 70%, according to Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi.
The Accor Plus loyalty program, launched in the UAE in May
2026, increased the domestic travel mix from 2% to 16%, reflecting a rising focus on local tourism. Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance, noted a 7% rise in UAE staycations during 2026 despite a decline in international demand.
Airline Capacity Expansion and Fleet Investment
Etihad Airways boosted capacity by 15% year-on-year in 2026 and hired over 600 employees year-to-date. Group CEO Antonoaldo Neves announced plans to launch four new destinations in China and four in Africa in 2027. The airline is also scheduling the delivery of 15 additional aircraft in the latter half of 2026.
Neves confirmed a US$1 billion investment to retrofit Etihad’s fleet,
implementing a new design inspired by Abu Dhabi aimed at enhancing the passenger experience. He described July 2026 as the airline’s most profitable month ever, citing ultra-high load factors.
Emirates Group unveiled a new Helsinki route and introduced new cabin products at ATM 2026. Boutros Boutros, an Emirates representative, emphasized a customer-centric approach during the event.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths reported a 26% increase in passenger demand in July 2026 compared to June, along with encouraging forward bookings for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Technological Adoption and AI Integration
Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption continues to accelerate in Middle East travel businesses, with 91% piloting
or operating AI technology and 85% reporting measurable cost savings, according to the ATM Travel Trends Report. Prospective visitors to the region utilized AI chatbots for trip planning at a rate of 28%, compared with 12% in other global regions.
Cultural and Heritage Tourism Development
Sharjah’s tourism strategy centers on culture and heritage, highlighted by initiatives like the Heart of Sharjah and investments in museums and traditional experiences, as indicated by Khalid Al Mansouri of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. Likewise, Abu Dhabi is expanding its cultural attractions, including museums with 300,000 years of history and upcoming venues such as the Guggenheim, to
deepen visitor engagement with the region’s heritage.
H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, conveyed the region’s recovery trajectory: “We stopped the descending. We are in the ascending aspect at the moment. We’re taking off.” Rotana Hotel Management’s COO Eddy Tannous confirmed market strength after a robust summer, stating, “We’re still here. We’re not rebounding. We’re becoming much stronger.”
