Saudi, UAE account for nearly 80pc of MENA business travel
The report recorded a 112
percent year-over-year increase in business trips and a 132 percent rise in
travel spending during the July-September period.
Saudi Arabia led with
48.6 percent of regional trips, followed by the UAE at 31.1 percent. Riyadh and
Dubai were the leading destination cities, while Jeddah-Riyadh and Riyadh-Dubai
ranked among the busiest routes.
Average airfare reached USD
615, up 36 percent from the first quarter of 2026. Hotel bookings averaged USD 663
for stays of 4.7 nights, according to the report.
September was the busiest
month, with daily bookings 13 percent higher than in August. Emirates was the
most-used airline, followed by Saudia and Air Astana.
“September confirmed that
the autumn business season is back,” said Mohanad Nada, Tumodo’s head of GCC,
noting that Riyadh, Dubai and Dammam led the recovery.
Tumodo expects business
travel demand to remain strong in the fourth quarter, advising companies to
book early and maintain flexible travel policies.
The findings point to
growing corporate mobility across the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE
remaining key centers for regional business travel.
