UAE and Saudi Travel Trends: Cultural Immersion
New report shows UAE and Saudi travellers are seeking spontaneous cultural discovery and learning local languages before trips.
The latest UAE Saudi travel trends show a significant shift in how residents explore the world, with a growing preference for spontaneous cultural discovery over rigid itineraries. According to the ATM Travel Trends Report 2026, travellers from the UAE and Saudi Arabia are increasingly seeking out local customs and traditions that they have not previously researched before arriving at their destinations.
Leading the Way in Language and Discovery
The report, published by the Arabian Travel Market in association with Tourism Economics, highlights that 70% of travellers from these two nations are actively pursuing these unplanned cultural experiences. This trend suggests a move toward more authentic and organic travel experiences.
Gulf residents are also showing a unique commitment to linguistic preparation. The study found that 66% of travellers from the UAE and Saudi Arabia attempt to learn at least some of the local language before departure. This represents the highest proportion of language learners among the 14 markets surveyed in the report.
Diverse Accommodation Choices in the UAE
The findings also shed light on the evolving accommodation habits of UAE residents. A striking 81% of UAE travellers now choose to book multiple hotels during a single trip to a destination.
The motivations for this multi-hotel approach are varied:
- 52% of these travellers do so to experience the unique atmosphere of different neighbourhoods.
- 46% aim to mix their experience by combining budget-friendly stays with luxury accommodations.
Shaping the Future of Tourism
These insights, which incorporated research from Hilton, are set to be a primary focus at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2027. The event is scheduled to be held from 3–6 May 2027 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The 2027 event will operate under the theme 'Travel without boundaries: Shaping global travel through experience,' aiming to explore how these shifting preferences are redefining the global tourism industry.