Saudi Arabia Aligns With the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan as Luxury Retreats, Wellness Tourism and Authentic Travel Reshape the Middle East

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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July 6, 2026 10:52 AM

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Saudi Arabia Aligns With the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan as Luxury Retreats, Wellness Tourism and Authentic Travel Reshape the Middle East. Travel across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan is entering a new phase. Visitors are increasingly looking beyond traditional sightseeing and large-scale resort experiences, choosing wellness retreats, eco-tourism destinations, cultural districts, mountain escapes and private luxury experiences instead.

The shift is emerging as tourism becomes an increasingly important economic driver across the Middle East. Regional travel and tourism contributed approximately US$385.8 billion to GDP in 2025 while supporting more than 7.1 million jobs, making the sector one of the fastest-growing components of the Middle Eastern economy.

Across the region, governments continue investing heavily in tourism diversification, sustainable travel products, heritage preservation, adventure tourism and wellness-focused developments designed to attract higher-spending travellers.

Saudi Arabia Expands Beyond Religious Tourism

Saudi Arabia remains one of the Middle East’s largest tourism markets.

The Kingdom recorded approximately 116 million domestic and international tourists during 2024, including nearly 29.7 million inbound visitors and 86.2 million domestic travellers. Tourism spending reached approximately SAR 284 billion, reflecting the sector’s growing contribution to economic diversification under Vision 2030.

While religious tourism continues to dominate arrivals, Saudi Arabia is increasingly promoting luxury and experiential tourism through destinations such as AlUla, the Red Sea coastline, Diriyah and the Asir Mountains.

Luxury marine tourism is also expanding. Saudi Arabia recently intensified efforts to position its Red Sea coast as a global superyacht destination, targeting affluent international travellers seeking exclusive experiences away from traditional tourism hubs.

United Arab Emirates Focuses on Wellness and Authentic Experiences

The United Arab Emirates continues attracting record visitor numbers while simultaneously broadening its tourism offerings.

Dubai welcomed 18.72 million international overnight visitors during 2024, establishing a new tourism record and reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading travel destinations.

At the same time, visitor preferences are shifting.

Travellers are increasingly exploring destinations such as Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Hatta and Saadiyat Island instead of focusing exclusively on Dubai’s traditional luxury districts.

Ras Al Khaimah reported 1.35 million overnight visitors in 2025, accompanied by a 12% increase in tourism revenues. The emirate’s focus on adventure tourism, mountain activities, wellness retreats and nature-based experiences has contributed significantly to its growth.

Sharjah continues attracting cultural travellers through museums, heritage districts and UNESCO-recognised cultural initiatives, while Hatta’s mountain landscapes have become increasingly popular among visitors seeking outdoor and wellness-oriented experiences.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi has expanded its luxury tourism positioning through cultural assets, premium hospitality developments and destination-led experiences. International hotel guests increased substantially during 2024 as the emirate strengthened its profile among high-value travellers.

Oman Builds Momentum Through Eco-Tourism

Oman is benefiting from rising demand for sustainable and nature-focused travel.

Destinations including Muscat, Salalah, Jebel Akhdar and the Musandam Peninsula continue attracting visitors interested in coastal landscapes, mountain tourism, wellness retreats and cultural heritage experiences.

Regional tourism reports indicate that Oman remains among the Middle Eastern destinations investing heavily in eco-tourism, adventure tourism and sustainable visitor infrastructure.

The country’s tourism strategy increasingly centres on lower-density tourism developments that preserve natural environments while supporting local economic activity.

Qatar Continues Diversification Beyond Events Tourism

Qatar’s tourism sector has evolved significantly following major international sporting events and infrastructure investments.

Doha continues attracting leisure and business travellers through luxury hospitality developments, cultural attractions and premium retail districts.

Regional travel data shows continued growth in Gulf-origin travel to Qatar, while the country is increasingly promoting wellness tourism, cultural experiences and longer visitor stays.

The expansion of Hamad International Airport and tourism infrastructure continues to support broader economic diversification efforts linked to the tourism sector.

Bahrain Strengthens Boutique and Cultural Tourism

Bahrain is positioning itself as a destination focused on heritage, gastronomy and boutique luxury experiences.

Manama remains a major gateway for regional visitors, particularly from neighbouring Gulf countries. Tourism growth is increasingly being supported by cultural attractions, waterfront developments, culinary tourism and events-led travel.

The country’s smaller geographic footprint has encouraged the development of short-stay, high-value tourism experiences rather than large-scale resort expansion.

Jordan Benefits from Cultural and Natural Tourism

Jordan continues attracting travellers seeking heritage, archaeological and adventure tourism experiences.

Destinations such as Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba and the Dead Sea remain central to the country’s tourism economy.

As regional travel patterns evolve, Jordan is increasingly benefiting from demand for authentic cultural experiences, desert tourism and eco-tourism products that align with broader global travel preferences.

Tourism’s Expanding Economic Role

Across the Middle East, tourism is becoming a critical source of economic diversification.

Regional forecasts indicate tourism spending could approach US$350 billion annually by 2030, supported by expanding aviation networks, new hospitality projects and increasing demand for premium travel experiences.

Governments throughout the region continue introducing new tourism products, improving infrastructure and easing travel processes to strengthen competitiveness within the global tourism market.

Chronological Tracker

Key Statistics

• Middle East tourism GDP contribution: US$385.8 billion (2025)
• Tourism-supported jobs: 7.1 million
• Dubai visitors: 18.72 million (2024)
• Saudi Arabia tourists: 116 million (2024)
• Saudi tourism spending: SAR 284 billion (2024)
• Ras Al Khaimah visitors: 1.35 million (2025)
• Projected Middle East tourism spending by 2030: US$350 billion

FAQ

What tourism trends are driving Middle East travel in 2026?

Luxury retreats, wellness tourism, eco-tourism, adventure travel and authentic cultural experiences are becoming increasingly important across the region.

Which destinations are benefiting from the shift?

Ras Al Khaimah, AlUla, the Saudi Red Sea, Muscat, Salalah, Sharjah and Saadiyat Island are among the destinations attracting growing interest.

Why is tourism becoming more important economically?

Tourism contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to regional GDP, supports millions of jobs and plays a central role in economic diversification strategies across the Middle East.

Key Dates

• 2024 – Dubai records 18.72 million visitors
• 2024 – Saudi Arabia exceeds 116 million tourists
• January 2025 – Ras Al Khaimah reports record visitor growth
• 2025 – Middle East tourism GDP reaches US$385.8 billion
• 2030 – Regional tourism spending projected to reach US$350 billion

Conclusion

Saudi Arabia Aligns With the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan as Luxury Retreats, Wellness Tourism and Authentic Travel Reshape the Middle East. From Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast and AlUla to Ras Al Khaimah, Muscat, Doha and Manama, Middle East tourism is increasingly being shaped by travellers seeking wellness, sustainability, cultural immersion and exclusive experiences. As tourism’s economic contribution continues expanding, destinations across the region are broadening their offerings beyond traditional sightseeing and positioning themselves around experiential, nature-based and luxury travel segments.