As global leisure travel accelerates toward a projected $15 trillion in annual spending by 2040, the Middle East is emerging as one of the world’s most dynamic tourism frontiers. New analysis from Boston
Consulting Group places today’s global leisure outlay at $5 trillion, with the next decade expected to reshape where—and how—the world travels.
As global leisure travel accelerates toward a projected $15 trillion in annual spending by 2040, the Middle East is emerging as one of the world’s most dynamic tourism frontiers. New analysis from Boston Consulting Group places today’s global leisure outlay at $5 trillion, with the next decade expected to reshape where—and how—the world travels.
Nowhere is this shift more visible than in the Middle East, where leisure spending is forecast to grow seven per cent annually between 2025 and 2030, a pace second only to Asia Pacific. It’s a trajectory that will take centre stage at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, returning to the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 4 to 7 under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology.”
The ATM Travel Trends Report, produced with Tourism Economics, anticipates 1.5 billion international tourism nights in the region by 2030 – an astonishing 90% rise from 2024. Roughly 15% of these will come from leisure travellers beyond the region, with European markets currently accounting for half of incoming leisure visits, and faster growth expected from Africa and Asia Pacific.
For the more than 2,600 exhibitors from 161 countries and over 47,000 attendees expected at ATM 2026, these numbers signal a leisure market entering a transformative phase. Millennials and Gen Z are driving demand for digital-first experiences, while multigenerational and solo travel have rapidly shifted into the mainstream. Leisure events are now considered the strongest opportunity for tourism expansion, cited by half the industry experts surveyed. In the Middle East, classic draws—beaches, city breaks, desert landscapes—are being joined by rising interest in sports tourism, cultural travel, and wellness-led escapes.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director, ME, ATM
“By 2030, nearly 30 billion tourism nights are expected globally, with the Middle East accounting for around 8%,” notes Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME for Arabian Travel Market. “Leisure nights in the region are set to grow by 87%, reflecting rapid infrastructure development and an expansion of experiential and cultural offerings.”
ATM’s 33rd edition will broaden the conversation even further. Programming will explore how destinations and brands across MENASA are adapting to shifting traveller values and how innovation is reshaping everything from booking journeys to in-destination experiences. Features such as the ATM Ultra Luxury Lounge, IBTM @ ATM, and a significantly expanded ATM Travel Tech—now spanning two halls—will highlight the forces redefining modern tourism.
As global travel enters a new era shaped by evolving tastes and unprecedented investment, ATM 2026 positions Dubai once again as the crossroads where the industry gathers to map the future.
