The business travel market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is set to reach $270.8 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 8.3 percent from 2025 to 2030. This projection underscores the region’s economic recovery and the rising demand for seamless corporate travel solutions. Tumodo, an online business travel platform, reports that business travel in the MENA region surged by 50 percent in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, highlighting a significant rebound in corporate mobility. Data revealed that this growth not only reflects renewed corporate confidence but also points to the evolving landscape of business travel in the region.
Travel patterns
As global markets stabilize and corporate connections strengthen, the MENA region is witnessing a dynamic transformation in business travel patterns. The company reports that China emerges as the leading business travel destination from the MENA region, accounting for 25 percent of trips, followed by the UAE (13 percent), Saudi Arabia (5 percent), India (4 percent), and the U.K. (3.5 percent). France and Germany each hold a 3 percent share.
Dubai continues to be a pivotal transit hub, featuring high-frequency flights to Guangzhou and Seoul, while Riyadh, Cairo, and Doha are experiencing increased business travel due to significant infrastructure investments.
Read more: Business travel spending reached $933 bn globally in 2022
Hospitality
The MENA hospitality market was valued at $286.06 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to expand to $487.36 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.67 percent. Corporate travellers are showing a preference for premium accommodations. Tumodo reports that four-star hotels lead bookings at 45 percent, with five-star hotels gaining traction at 20 percent, reflecting a growing demand for high-end stays.
Additionally, luxury hotels in the Middle East experienced a 145 percent year-over-year increase in bookings during Ramadan 2025, as travellers opted for premium experiences. Three-star hotels account for 15 percent of reservations, while apartments and budget hotels also comprise 15 percent.
Sustainability
The emphasis on sustainability is revolutionizing business travel practices across the globe. The company aligns itself with the UAE Environment Vision 2030 goals and advocates for environmentally conscious choices. Tumodo’s AI-driven solutions foster a sustainable approach to corporate travel by optimizing eco-friendly routes and accommodations. This technology allows businesses to minimise their environmental impact while ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness throughout travel. This shift highlights the increasingly important role of AI in optimizing corporate travel management and ensuring policy compliance.
“With business travel demand accelerating across MENA, organizations are prioritizing efficiency, compliance, and sustainability in their travel strategies,” stated Stan Klyuy, CCO at Tumodo. “Our AI-powered platform streamlines travel management, reducing policy violations from 60 percent to just 4 percent, optimizing budgets, and helping companies adopt more sustainable travel practices by recommending eco-friendly routes and accommodations, ultimately enhancing the overall travel experience for corporate clients.”
Bleisure
The evolving travel landscape also reflects the rising trend of “bleisure” travel, which combines business trips with leisure experiences. The average business trip duration has extended to 10 days, echoing pre-pandemic norms, while room rates have risen by 10 percent to an average of $160 per night.
As the MENA region continues to solidify its status as a global business hub, Tumodo remains committed to facilitating seamless, technology-driven travel experiences for corporate travellers worldwide.
