​Wealthy travelers prefer the Middle East
The Middle East has been named the leading region for luxury travel.

Wealthy Travelers Favour the Middle East | Photo for illustration Read more
Wealthy travellers spend more money in the Middle East than in other regions of the world, according to a report from international payment system Mastercard.

Wealthy tourists show a strong interest in cultural attractions and eco-friendly luxury, with Istanbul, Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah and Marrakech the most visited cities.

In Dubai, wealthy travellers spend the most, averaging US$814, US$300 more than London and Paris in 2022. By comparison, in Saudi Arabia, the average spend is US$731.

Affluent travelers account for about 36% of all tourists. Millennials have the highest percentage of luxury travelers, followed by Generation Z. Mastercard notes that wealthy people focus on experiences rather than purchasing goods.

They also tend to choose unique and personalized experiences, such as cultural immersion and solo travel. The wealthy use loyalty programs and membership cards, most often to access exclusive airport lounges.

According to the report, it is Generation X that will drive the growth of the tourism sector in the Gulf countries. In the UAE, for example, representatives of the younger generation will spend US$ 18.2 billion, or 60% of the total spending by 2028.