Athira Thoppil

The MENA region’s tourism success now depends less on attracting visitors and more on empowering locals to see themselves as part of the experience.

MENA travelers are redefining global tourism — blending faith, family, and cultural identity with digital fluency and a growing appetite for authentic, experience-led travel.

Despite strong demand and hiring momentum, travel is stuck in a cycle of churn — with pay gaps, skills shortages, and weak career pathways making talent the sector’s biggest growth challenge.

Traditional travel agents continue to hold a strong place in the market, even though their booking volumes are lower than those of OTAs.

Only a third of travelers actively avoided destinations due to extreme weather. But many are opting for flexible bookings, safer seasons, or backup plans rather than canceling trips entirely.

As wellness tourism grows, India has the opportunity to lead by offering rejuvenating journeys rooted in heritage, authenticity, and holistic health.

Social media platforms are the most influential source of travel inspiration, surpassing official travel websites, review platforms, and traditional media.

Older women are traveling more and there are plenty of opportunities for the hotels and airlines to adapt their product offerings.

Women are reshaping travel as key decision-makers, prioritizing meaningful, independent experiences.