Middle East outbound travel market increasing

Arabian Travel Market has revealed that with a rising population and increasing disposable incomes especially in the GCC countries, destinations in Europe as well as Asia are now homing in on its multi-billion outbound travel market, which could top $20 billion within the next 20 years, according to data from the World Tourism Organisation (WTO).

 

Consistent with that point of view, Arabian Travel Market 2012, which takes place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 30 – May 3, 2012, has witnessed a surge in enquiries which has culminated in almost 59 per cent of exhibition space. “The region is not only one of the fastest growing inbound markets, but for some, more crucially, it is one of the fastest growing outbound markets, commented group exhibition director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Mark Walsh. “We have received bookings from all five continents of the world reconfirming the importance of this region’s outbound tourism potential.”

 

The WTO reckons that an additional two million Arabs will travel abroad within the next twenty years, taking its total of outbound tourists to 37 million, spending an estimated $20 billion and accounting for 2.2 per cent of global outbound travel, a rise of 0.7 per cent. “Those numbers may seem modest, but it is a case of quality not quantity with travellers from this region. According to the WTO, the average tourist from the UAE spends $22,000 a year on flights and accommodation alone, totaling $6.6 billion annually spent on outbound travel. Saudi Arabia’s market is worth an estimated $4.8 billion,” added Walsh.

 

“We have found that many independent leisure travellers now prefer to carry out their own Internet research at home. Therefore the show is now dedicated to travel industry professionals,” concluded Walsh. The 2011 edition of the leading travel exhibition in the Middle East accommodated 2,236 exhibitors covering over 20,000m² and attracted more than 22,000 visitors.

-TTG MENA.