The Travel Industry’s Most Recovered Country In The World: The United Arab Emirates

Travelport, a global technology company that powers travel bookings for hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotels worldwide, today released the below trend data highlighting that the United Arab Emirates has recovered to 110% of its 2019 levels, based on point of destination travel. This makes the U.A.E. currently the most recovered country in the world. Contributing to the U.A.E.’s strong recovery is Dubai, which has currently recovered to 114% of its 2019 levels. This makes it the second most recovered city in the Middle East and the fifth most recovered city in the world. Dubai is also currently ranked as the top global destination for corporate travelers, who currently make up nearly one-third (29%) of all 2022 bookings to the city.

Global Recovery Update

• To date, the global travel industry has recovered more than two-thirds (67%) of its gross activity, a 14% growth in the first three months of 2022 alone.
• At 110% recovered, the U.A.E. is currently the most recovered country in the world.
• Dubai (114%) is the second most recovered city in the Middle East, following Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (115%).
• Dubai is also the fifth most recovered city in the world:
  • 1. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (136%)
  • 2. Montego Bay, Jamaica (132%)
  • 3. Cancun, Mexico (124%).
  • 4. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (115%)
  • 5. Dubai, U.A.E. (114%)

United Arab Emirates Travel Trends

• The top nine countries traveling to the U.A.E. are:
  • 1. The United Kingdom
  • 2. Bangladesh
  • 3. India
  • 4. Pakistan
  • 5. Germany
  • 6. Saudi Arabia
  • 7. France
  • 8. United States
  • 9. Italy

• The top nine international destinations for travelers from the UAE are:
  • 1. India
  • 2. Pakistan
  • 3. The Philippines
  • 4. Saudi Arabia
  • 5. Bangladesh
  • 6. China
  • 7. Egypt
  • 8. Turkey
  • 9. United Kingdom

• Corporate travelers are returning in high volumes to Dubai, making up nearly one-third (29%) of all 2022 bookings to date.
• Dubai is the top business travel destination in the world, currently outpacing London which ranked number one for corporate travel in 2019.
• Dubai’s appeal to corporate travel could be a result of successful destination events such as EXPO 2020 Dubai and The Dubai World Cup, in addition to the U.A.E. being the most vaccinated country in the world*.
• The top nine countries heading to the U.A.E. for business travel are:
  • 1. India
  • 2. Pakistan
  • 3. Bangladesh
  • 4. Saudi Arabia
  • 5. United Kingdom
  • 6. Sri Lanka
  • 7. Egypt
  • 8. The United States
  • 9. Germany

For more trend data or travel insights, please contact Travelport’s PR team at press@travelport.com.