Rails, ruins and crafts: Eight trends shaping Middle East travel

The Arabian Travel Market 2026 concluded on Thursday, emphasizing that the Middle East travel industry is not merely recovering from a disrupted year, but speeding up. Wego's online travel marketplace revealed that travelers continued planning trips even while airspace was closed in some areas. Wego's CEO Ross Veitch explained that access, not desire, determines destination performance in the region.

The Travel Trends Report predicts a 57 percent increase in international visitor spending across the Middle East by 2030. Here are the eight trends shaping the region's travel landscape next.

The golden age of Gulf rail saw over a third of Wanderlust readers seeking rail journeys, a figure that has nearly doubled in recent years. The launch of Etihad Rail sparked interest, leading to the Dream of the Desert project. This fully curated rail experience, set to launch in Saudi Arabia in September 2027, traverses undiscovered terrain, historical sites, and UNESCO heritage spots. It will offer luxury travel with live performances at each stop, catering to adventure, wellness, and exploration audiences.

Egypt has consistently topped the Wego destination rankings for 12 consecutive years, with the Grand Egyptian Museum contributing to a 43.5 percent rise in inbound arrivals in the first quarter of 2023. Egypt is set to join other Middle Eastern countries in the museum moment, as Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai will reopen later this year.

The fort, dating back to the 18th century, has been transformed into a museum with an underground extension featuring historical artifacts, oral histories, and immersive audiovisual shows. Other Middle Eastern museums, such as Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, are also expected to open soon.

Craft-led travel gained popularity at ATM, with stands offering hands-on experiences, particularly in Bahrain's pearl-shucking. Craft tourism is increasingly attracting Gen Z travelers, and makers, artists, and cultural custodians were among the top interests of Wanderlust readers. Hotels in the region are starting to incorporate craft activities like weaving, pottery, mosaic sessions, and jewelry-making into their activity menus.

The UAE Grand Tour, launching in September, treats the country as a single destination, offering seven multi-day itineraries that connect seven emirates. The Grand Classic and Grand Adventure programs run for 11 days and 10 nights, while the Grand Eco-Friendly and Grand Wellness itineraries focus on sustainability and well-being.

These comprehensive journeys connect various attractions, from desert dunes and mountain trails to coastal reserves and heritage forts. The concept recognizes that visitors who travel between emirates tend to stay longer, spend more, and gain a more complete understanding of the UAE's offerings.

Emirates airline expanded its network with Helsinki, launching the A350 service in October. Finland's vast forests, numerous lakes, Nordic capital, and Northern Lights appeal to travelers. Emirates is operating at 93 percent of its pre-disruption capacity and has forward bookings ahead of last year's figures from various countries. Nepal, a top destination on Wego's 2026 leader board, gained eight places and exhibited the highest ascent on the chart, demonstrating the region's growing travel potential.