The Middle East travel and tourism sector grew 5.3% in 2025, outpacing the global growth rate of 4.1%, with Saudi Arabia accounting for the largest share of the regional expansion, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Emerging Travel reported on April 28.

The regional sector contributed $385.8bn to GDP and supported 7.1mn jobs. International visitor spending across the Middle East rose 5.2%, against a global average of 3.2%.

Saudi Arabia was the main driver of growth. Tourism sector GDP rose 7.4% on the year, with the Kingdom contributing $178bn, or 46% of the regional total. International visitor spending in Saudi Arabia climbed 8.2%, while business travel rose by more than 55%.

The UAE tourism sector reached $68.5bn in GDP contribution, with international visitor spending of $56.9bn.

Jordan recorded 5.5% growth, with spending reaching $8.5bn. Oman also grew by 5.5%, with sector GDP at $4bn. Business travel spending across the UAE, Jordan and Oman rose 23% in 2025.

"The Middle East's performance in 2025 highlights the strength and long-term potential of travel and tourism, with the sector continuing to act as a key driver of economic growth, job creation and international connectivity," WTTC president and chief executive Gloria Guevara said.

The 2025 figures form the baseline against which disruption from the US-Iran war that began on February 28 2026 will be measured. WTTC estimates point to potential losses of up to $600mn for the regional industry.

The council said analysis of previous crises suggested demand could rebound within two months of stabilisation, provided governments and industry acted to restore traveller confidence.

WTTC will convene global industry leaders aboard the Crystal Serenity in Egypt in early May 2026 to discuss recovery priorities and public-private coordination.

Saudi Arabia's tourism trajectory has been confirmed by the country's own data published earlier this month, which showed 123mn total tourists in 2025, more than 30mn international visitors, and $81bn in tourism spending. International tourism revenues grew 252% on 2019, the highest growth rate in the world according to UN Tourism.