Middle East tourism is experiencing a faster growth than any other region.
CNN's Eleni Giokos talked to Julia Simpson, WTTC president, about trends in the Middle East's tourism sector and the challenge of making travel more sustainable.
Here's a related interview, slightly edited for length and clarity.
CNN: Middle East's tourism sector is thriving in many areas but also facing challenges. What are the current major trends?
Simpson: It's amazing to see travel making a strong comeback. It's my first time at the Arabian Travel Market, and I've been told it's never been this busy. Globally, we're witnessing a vibrant market—terrific growth in travel and tourism.
CNN: Are GCC nations and the Middle East witnessing more interest and demand now compared to previous times?
Simpson: Yes, the GCC and Middle East regions are thriving, outpacing all others. Countries like Saudi Arabia, for example, are celebrating their 100 millionth visitor. Dubai's getting a new airport, and thousands keep flocking to destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al-Khaimah. In fact, the revenue generated by the travel industry has increased by 50%, and it's contributed about 25% to their GDP. It's doing exceptionally well.
CNN: What's driving this surge in interest and demand? Is it due to the untapped potential or the increasing demand for authentic experiences?
Simpson: There are two factors to consider. Firstly, Dubai is a well-known destination. It offers great safety, quality, good cuisine, fascinating arts, and rich culture. The rest of the GCC is also developing. For instance, Saudi Arabia's Diriyah project revived an old castle, attracting thousands of visitors.
Secondly, there's a growing interest in authenticity. People want to explore the region, learn about it, and experience everything it has to offer. For instance, Saudi Arabia has rewilded a million trees, has beautiful green mountains, and stunning regions like Oman in the south, which have a completely different climate from the rest of the Middle East.
Sustainability
CNN: The region has experienced unprecedented flooding, prompting discussions around sustainability. How has sustainability become so vital in this region?
Simpson: Yes, climate events are affecting regions globally. We know the travel and tourism industry contributes about 8% to global greenhouse gas emissions, a significant figure. We found that most of the emissions come from ground vehicles, like those driving raspberries to hotels, or buses taking tourists from airports. Switching to electric vehicles could be a viable solution.
Another significant contributor is air travel—more efficient next-generation planes and the production of sustainable aviation fuel are promising steps. The issue is that airlines don't control their fuel supply. They must purchase fuel, so convincing countries to invest in sustainable aviation fuel is crucial.
CNN: We need to address the impact of conflicts like the one in Gaza on tourism. How does it impact risk perceptions?
Simpson: First, we should recognize these conflicts are terrible tragedies impacting innocent people. In terms of tourism, places directly affected see a drop in visitors. However, those slightly removed from the conflicts witness tourism booming. For instance, visitors in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al-Khaimah continue to travel, and the industries feel no real impact.
Egypt has impressive travel and tourism statistics due to its massive size. Geographical location plays a role in this success. The Gulf region has remained unaffected, as evidenced by the numbers, but there's a widespread perception which could potentially impact the number of tourists. However, at present, there's minimal impact on tourism and travel outside the directly impacted region.
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Simpson mentioned that Globally, they're witnessing a vibrant market with terrific growth in travel and tourism, which indicates a strong comeback of travel. In this context, individuals might be planning their next travel journey to explore destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al-Khaimah in the Middle East, contributing to the growth.
The Middle East's tourism sector's success in attracting visitors can be attributed to its focus on sustainability. Simpson explained that by investing in sustainable aviation fuel, switching to electric vehicles, and promoting destinations like Saudi Arabia's Diriyah project, the region is making travel more eco-friendly without compromising tourist experiences.
Source: edition.cnn.com
