Prime Highlight
- The MENA business travel sector is expected to grow 6.1% in 2025, outpacing the global average.
- Saudi Arabia is the top destination, accounting for 20% of all business tripsbooked on Tumodo.
Key Facts
- Business travel bookings surged 40% in early 2025compared to late 2024, with April and May being the busiest months post-Ramadan.
- By 2030, the business travel market in MENA is projected to reach $270.8 billion.
Background
The business travel sector in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is growing strongly, with a 6.1% increase expected in 2025, according to a report by UAE-based travel platform Tumodo. In 2024, the business travel market was worth $18.1 billion and continues to expand faster than the global average.
Business travel bookings jumped by 40% in early 2025 compared to late 2024. The months of April and May, following Ramadan, were the busiest as more people traveled for work. Experts said this shows a shift from simply recovering from the pandemic to a new phase of growth. More global businesses are now focusing on MENA as an important business hub.
The most visited destination was Saudi Arabia, which comprises 20% of all booked business trips on Tumodo. The most popular airlines were Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines, whereas India and the UK were regarded as the cheapest and most comfortable routes.
A new trend called “bleisure” is also growing. It is estimated that 25% of business travellers now prolong their business trips to have leisure time. Airlines have adapted by offering better services, such as more comfortable seats, better lounges, and flexible entertainment options to meet these needs.
The issue of sustainability is gaining momentum. Businesses are also utilizing digital tools to monitor CO2 emissions and select more eco-friendly flights, hotels, and routes, as well as cut carbon emissions by up to 20%.
By 2030, the business travel business will have hit up to 270.8 billion. Although the future is optimistic, analysts caution that there are risks, such as changes in regulations and overconstruction of the infrastructure, that may influence growth.
Altogether, MENA is becoming one of the most popular business travel destinations in the world.
