Dubai, UAE — December 2025 — The Middle East and North Africa region has cemented its status as a global business hub, with corporate travel demand experiencing significant growth in 2025.
According to the annual business travel report released today by Tumodo, a B2B travel platform in the region, this surge is characterized by a rise in short, cost-effective trips and strengthened connectivity, particularly within the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The report underscored the market’s robust trajectory, projecting it to reach a staggering $270.8 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.3 percent. This growth is fueled by economic diversification, massive infrastructure projects, and the region’s strategic geographic position.
“The fall in the average booking price amidst rising demand clearly shows that regional connections in MENA have become not only stronger but also more cost-efficient,” said Mohanad Nada, Head of GCC at Tumodo. “The shift reflects strengthening economic ties within the Middle East and continued integration across key MENA markets,” he added.
Key trends and insights from the 2025 report:
Booking patterns and air travel: Travel demand peaked in January and February, stabilised through spring and summer, dipped in September, and rebounded in November. Mirroring this, airfares were high in early 2025, dropped in late summer, and rose again with the September business season.
Regional routes dominated in affordability and activity. The Riyadh-Dubai route was the most affordable at $174, with the return trip costing $233, signalling tight Gulf connections.
For airlines, Emirates emerged as the most preferred carrier, accounting for 24.3 percent of major airline bookings with an average ticket price of $938. IndiGo followed as the top low-cost choice with a 20.4 percent share and an average fare of $114.
Economy class dominated preferences at 72.81 percent, followed by business class at 25.6 percent, indicating a strong corporate shift towards cost optimization.
The rise of the short business trip: Short-duration travel continues to define MENA business travel.
One-day itineraries were most common, closely followed by two- and three-day stays, with average prices ranging from $156 to $164. Same-day check-in trips remained vital for intra-regional meetings.
“Tumodo attributes this trend to tighter scheduling, efficiency-driven decision-making and increasing reliance on hybrid project models across the region,” the report noted. Longer trips of seven to twelve days accounted for only a small share of overall travel.
Hospitality and traveller behaviour: Companies are optimising travel budgets without sacrificing comfort. The average hotel night rate decreased from $182 in 2024 to $171 in 2025. Nearly 41 percent of travellers chose five-star properties, while 37 percent opted for four-star hotels.
Add-on services saw high uptake, with airport transfers and visa support being the most frequently selected. The integration of Yango Rides into the Tumodo platform made transfers particularly popular.
Based in the UAE, Tumodo is an online B2B travel platform that assists businesses in optimising corporate travel. It offers AI-driven tools, a user-friendly interface, and 24/7 assistance, enabling customers to plan trips quickly and save up to 35 percent on associated costs.
