Tourism investment in the Middle East has long been tracked through new hotels, airline capacity, mega-projects, and major entertainment events. But another pillar of the region’s growth is becoming increasingly visible: international congresses, corporate meetings, and business travel. Prepared by Tourism Economics, the ATM Travel Trends Report 2026 addresses this shift for the first time with a dedicated section on business events. The section, prepared by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), examines the meetings sector not as a small segment sitting alongside general tourism activity, but as one of the core areas shaping the region’s visitor economy.
According to the report, attendance at international association meetings in the Middle East has nearly doubled over the past decade. Business travel also represents a significant share of total international arrivals across Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Looking ahead, international business travel across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia is expected to continue growing strongly through 2030. This expansion is not driven solely by the development of more convention centers. New airports and air connections, hotel investment, the growing presence of international companies in the region, and the rise of large-scale events are all supporting the same market. Alongside cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which have long been part of the global meetings market, Riyadh, Doha, and other regional centers are becoming increasingly prominent.
As a result, business events are moving beyond their role as an additional product supporting tourism demand during peak periods. Congresses and meetings are becoming direct components of destination investment, international connectivity, and economic diversification strategies.
Association Meeting Attendance Has Nearly Doubled
One of the most notable indicators in the report is the growth in international association meetings. Attendance at these events in the Middle East has nearly doubled over the past decade. This increase shows that the region is gaining a larger share not only of corporate meetings and major trade exhibitions, but also of congresses organized regularly by international associations across different countries.
Association congresses represent a particularly valuable market for destinations. Because many of these events rotate between different countries or cities, destinations often need to bid years in advance and compete internationally. These meetings can also take place in specialist fields such as healthcare, science, engineering, technology, energy, and academia. As a result, the impact of a congress can be linked not only to visitor numbers, but also to a destination’s international position in specific industries. Rising attendance in the Middle East suggests that cities across the region are becoming more visible in these bidding processes.
Business Travel Represents a Major Visitor Segment in the Gulf
Business travel already accounts for a significant share of overall visitor activity across Gulf countries. Congresses are not the only force behind this demand. Growth in finance, energy, technology, construction, aviation, and professional services is also supporting international business travel across the region.
As new corporate headquarters, investment projects, and regional offices expand, a broader market is emerging not only for individual business travel, but also for company meetings, training programs, product launches, and industry gatherings. This strengthens the distinction between the meetings sector and traditional leisure tourism. Leisure demand often moves according to seasonality, pricing, or consumer preferences, while business travel can be directly linked to economic activity and commercial relationships. Economic diversification programs across the Gulf are making the boundary between tourism investment and business events increasingly fluid.
Wider Travel Growth Is Also Supporting the Congress Market
Total travel volume across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia rose to around 50 percent above 2019 levels in 2025. The region accounted for more than half of the total increase in global travel during the same period. While geopolitical uncertainty in 2026 is expected to put pressure on travel demand, a stronger recovery is forecast for 2027. International travel in the region is expected to grow by 17 percent, compared with a global forecast of 8 percent.
By 2030, international visitor numbers across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia are projected to reach 316 million, while overnight stays are expected to rise to 2.3 billion. International visitor spending is forecast to reach $408 billion. In the Middle East alone, international visitor spending is expected to increase by $116 billion between 2025 and 2030, representing growth of 57 percent. This wider expansion also creates a stronger transport and accommodation base for business events. More flights, a larger hotel supply, and improved urban infrastructure are increasing the core capacity required for international congresses.
The Convention Center Race Alone Is Not Enough
Many destinations across the Middle East are investing in new venues to expand their meetings sectors, but winning international congresses requires more than simply building a large hall. Destination selection for association meetings can involve processes that extend over several years. Air connectivity, visa procedures, hotel capacity, local scientific or industry communities, financial support, and organizational experience all form part of the bidding process.
For this reason, investment in meetings infrastructure needs to be supported by a strong local ecosystem. A destination seeking to attract an international medical congress may benefit from a modern convention center, but the international connections of local healthcare institutions, universities, and experts can also strengthen its bid. Similarly, for meetings in technology or energy, it can become increasingly important for the destination to be a genuine center of economic activity in that field. This also helps explain why economic diversification investments and the congress sector are becoming increasingly interconnected across the Middle East.
