In recent years, economic policies and agendas in many Middle East countries have changed dramatically, primarily with less of an emphasis on oil and gas and a greater focus on tourism. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman, with Vision 2030 and Vision 2040, respectively, have implemented long-term plans to promote sustainability, improve the quality of life for citizens, and attract more international visitors.
Efforts to boost tourism, which include hosting major sporting events and building massive theme parks and destination resorts (Six Flags Qiddiya City in Riyadh and Yas Island in Abu Dhabi) have been quite successful throughout the region. In 2024, Saudi Arabia welcomed 30 million international visitors, up 9.4 percent from the year prior. Qatar, meanwhile, had the largest increase in the region, registering a 25 percent improvement with 5 million visitors. Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also had notable increases.
Many Gulf countries have no plans to break their momentum. From airport expansion plans to luxury hotels, here’s a quick look at what the countries in the region are doing to maintain—and manage—significant growth in tourism.
1. Hotel Project Pipeline
Hotel capacity in many Middle East countries has gradually increased in recent years, and that trend is expected to continue. As of September 2024, there were more than 800 hotel establishments with in excess of 150,000 rooms in Dubai alone. Moreover, Dubai had 56 hotel projects accounting for 15,073 rooms in its construction pipeline for Q1 2025, according to Lodging Econometrics’ (LE) Hotel Construction Pipeline Trend Report for the Middle East. Throughout the region, the hotel pipeline increased 4 percent year-over-year, with 634 projects and 158,656 rooms. There were 327 hotels under construction during Q1 2025.
LE analysts also reported all-time quarterly highs for luxury hotels (185 projects and 42,268 rooms) and upper upscale chain developments (153 projects and 37,946 rooms). Saudi Arabia had the most in-development projects (319) in Q1 2025 and a record high room count (85,416), while Egypt (125 projects and 28,768 rooms) and the UAE (102 projects and 27,279 rooms) ranked second and third. Ninety-four percent of all hotel projects in the region are located in Riyadh, Dubai, Jeddah, Cairo, and Makkah. LE anticipates 108 new hotels opening in the Middle East by the end of 2025.
While luxury accommodations are still the primary focus for hospitality infrastructure in the region, Saudi Arabia is expanding travel options by partnering with Super 8 by Wyndham to open 100 economy hotels by 2036. Budget hotels accounted for just 6 percent of its hotel development pipeline in 2025.
2. Major Airport Investments
Airport expansion and construction is another major point of focus for Middle East countries anticipating further tourism growth. According to Airports Council International (ASI) Asia-Pacific & Middle East, countries in these regions have allocated a combined $240 billion for building new airports and enhancing existing facilities from 2025 to 2035. More than half of that amount, $136 billion, will go towards expanding capacity by 680 million more passengers at existing airports, while $104 billion is allocated for new developments. By 2035, the Asia-Pacific and Middle East is expected to increase airport passenger capacity by 1.24 billion.
“The $240 billion investment is not just about concrete and runways, it’s about socio-economic development in the region,” said ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East president SGK Kishore. “Enhanced passenger experiences will stimulate tourism and business travel, while bolstered cargo capacity will streamline supply chains, driving regional trade and development.”
The largest projects in the Middle East are the new $35 billion terminal for Dubai International Airport and the $50 billion King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, which aims to have the highest passenger capacity in the world by its expected completion date in 2030. Musandam Airport in Oman and a 28-gate terminal at Kuwait International Airport are among the other major projects in the region.
3. Disneyland Abu Dhabi
Furthering its efforts to become a global leisure and entertainment hub, the UAE unveiled plans in May 2025 to build the first-ever Disney theme park (Disneyland Abu Dhabi) in the Middle East. Still in the design phase, the park is expected to open on Yas Island between 2030 and 2033. Yas Island is already home to massive theme parks like Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and Yas Waterworld.
While the new park will feature the iconic Disney characters, shops, and rides, it will also celebrate the “futuristic and cultural essence of Abu Dhabi,” according to a statement from Disney.
4. Gig Tourism
Gig tourism is another major tourism trend in the Middle East, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia in particular hosting international sporting events and concerts at world-class venues like Expo City Dubai, Etihad Arena, and King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
The legendary rock band Guns N’ Roses played at Riyadh Kingdom Arena and Etihad Arena in May 2025. Others with shows planned in the Middle East in 2025 include Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, Mary J. Blige, Bill Burr, Jennifer Lopez, Post Malone, and Metallica.