• Exclusive VIDEC research presented at ATM 2026 reveals online channels will play a key role in the UAE travel market’s recovery, with online air penetration forecast to reach 52% by 2030 
  • VIDEC forecasts the UAE local point-of-sale air market will reach US$6.5 billion by 2030, driven predominantly by online channels and a recovery in corporate travel demand 
  • Senior leaders from Wego, MakeMyTrip and Trip.com explored the sector’s next phase during ‘The Future of OTAs in 30 Minutes’ 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Online travel channels are set to play an increasingly important role in the UAE travel market’s recovery, with online air penetration forecast to rise to 52% by 2030, according to new research from VIDEC presented at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026.
VIDEC’s GCC & Egypt Travel Market Sizing & OTA Benchmarking Study, 2019–2030 examines the fastest-growing travel segments, market projections and distribution trends shaping the UAE and wider region, including the growing influence of online travel agencies (OTAs).
The research forecasts that the UAE air market, measured using a demand-side methodology based on bookings made at the local point of sale (POS), will reach US$6.5 billion by 2030, driven primarily by online channels and the recovery of corporate travel demand. Online penetration is forecast to increase from 42% in 2025 to 46% in 2026 and 52% by the end of the decade.
The findings also highlight the scale of the wider UAE aviation market. UAE airports handled approximately 160 million passengers in 2025, with low-cost carriers accounting for 35% of traffic. Passenger volumes among low-cost carriers increased by 81%, from 31 million in 2019 to 56 million in 2025, while network carriers carried 103 million passengers in 2025, compared with 97 million in 2019.
VIDEC also estimates the UAE to be the region’s largest air market in gross booking value (GBV) terms, valued at US$55 billion in 2025 across local and global points of sale.
Virendra Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of VIDEC, said: “The UAE’s travel market opened strong in 2026. Between 2023 and 2025, Emirati carriers recorded robust growth, particularly the low-cost carriers. That momentum carried into the first two months of 2026, after which the market saw significant setbacks.
“Capacity for full-service carriers remains 15–25% below pre-war levels, while low-cost carriers (LCCs) – local as well as the likes of Air India Express, flynas and IndiGo – are recovering faster and are expected to end 2026 closer to their 2025 capacity. Flying point-to-point and catering primarily to short-haul regional demand, LCCs are leading the rebound as this segment is the first to return.”
Competition within the OTA market is also intensifying. According to VIDEC, MakeMyTrip maintained its leadership of the UAE air OTA market in 2026, supported by the South Asian diaspora and higher fares, while Trip.com has grown rapidly to become the second-largest air OTA after entering the UAE market more recently. In the hotel OTA category, Booking.com and Agoda together account for approximately 70% of the market.
Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director – UAE, RX Global, said: “VIDEC’s findings demonstrate how technology and changing booking behaviour are reshaping the UAE travel market. As online penetration continues to increase, the relationship between travellers, OTAs and travel suppliers is evolving rapidly, creating opportunities for both established platforms and newer market entrants.
“Providing access to research of this depth, and bringing the findings together with perspectives from some of the world’s leading online travel businesses, is an important part of ATM’s role in helping the industry understand where the market is heading and identify the opportunities that will shape its next phase.”
Following the VIDEC research presentation, the changing competitive landscape was explored during The Future of OTAs in 30 Minutes, which brought together Ross Veitch, CEO, Wego; Raj Rishi Singh, Chief Business Officer – Corporate, Flights and GCC, MakeMyTrip; and Schubert Lou, CEO, Trip.com.
The panel examined the future role of OTAs as regional and global platforms compete for a greater share of the increasingly digital traveller journey. The discussion explored how evolving consumer expectations and new technologies are changing online travel, as well as the importance of localisation, customer experience and payments in building loyalty and capturing growth.
Taking place from 14–17 September 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre, the 33rd edition of Arabian Travel Market is being held under the theme ‘Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology’, bringing the global travel community together to strengthen partnerships, exchange knowledge and explore the trends shaping the next era of tourism.
Concluding today, ATM is now in its 33rd edition and remains the leading international travel and tourism event in the Middle East, bringing together the global travel community to develop partnerships, share knowledge and explore new business opportunities across the sector.

About ATM
Now in its 33rd year, Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading global platform driving growth and innovation across every sector of the travel and tourism industry. Held annually in Dubai – the gateway to global travel and tourism with its unmatched connectivity – ATM is where the energy of opportunity comes to life.
More than just an event, ATM is a dynamic hub for industry communities, featuring forums, experiences, and networking opportunities that continue well beyond the show floor throughout the week. Now in a period of rapid expansion, ATM has grown 16% year-over-year, attracting over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

About ATM Travel Tech
ATM Travel Tech is the premier co-located technology event within Arabian Travel Market (ATM), dedicated to showcasing the groundbreaking innovations set to transform global travel by 2040.
ATM Travel Tech will feature more than 180 exhibitors from 30 countries across two dedicated halls, providing a dynamic platform for the technologies, partnerships, and ideas shaping the future of travel.
At its core, the Tech & Innovation Hub spans 850m², offering immersive demos in AI, VR and AR, robotics, fintech, and green technologies. The Future Stage will bring together global tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and futurists to discuss artificial intelligence, immersive commerce, cybersecurity, and sustainability. Evolving from ATM’s fastest-growing sector, ATM Travel Tech provides a dynamic platform driving the future of travel technology.
The latest edition of ATM takes place in Dubai from 14-17 September 2026.
https://www.wtm.com/atm/en-gb.html

WTM Spotlight in Saudi Arabia is the definitive launchpad for Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambitions – a platform purpose-built to connect the Kingdom’s growing tourism sector with the global travel industry. The show promotes meaningful exchange between regional stakeholders and international players. It’s where global travel brands gain direct access to one of the most promising new markets, and where Saudi Arabia showcases its destinations, vision, and investment opportunities to the world. WTM Spotlight Riyadh plays a vital role in shaping the Kingdom’s journey as a rising force in global tourism.

Next event: 8-10 September 2026 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre (RFECC)
http://spotlight-riyadh.com/

About RX
RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 41 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com.

About RELX
RELX  is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and territories and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people, over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.
*Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors

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