Why UAE firms are poised to spend more on travel in 2026

COMPANIES BELIEVE SOME FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS ARE STILL WORTH THE FLIGHT

- BY JUSTIN VARGHESE Your Money Editor

Business travel spending across the Middle East climbed sharply in 2025, lifting the outlook for 2026 as organisations across the region continue to prioritise in-person engagement for strategic goals. Travel management firm musafir.com reports that regional corporate travel spending rose nearly 20 per cent over the past year, led by demand for major events, executive gatherings and cross-border collaboration.

The UAE remains at the centre of this momentum as companies travel more frequently between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Doha to align leadership teams, advance projects, close deals and deepen client relationships. This shift helped drive 35 per cent year-on-year growth in musafir.com’s corporate travel bookings, reflecting broad demand across the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The firm notes that activity linked to conferences, trade shows, offsites, and expansion initiatives has increased steadily as organisations work more fluidly across the Gulf.

Surge in Mice activity

The uptrend is closely tied to a marked rise in Mice activity — an industry term covering meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions — alongside large-scale industry events and cross-border leadership sessions. These formats support structured collaboration and allow companies to bring decision-makers together in ways virtual meetings often cannot replicate.

“We are witnessing a fundamental recalibration of why companies travel,” said Sachin Gadoya, CEO and Co-Founder of musafir.com. “Business travel is no longer defined by routine movement, but by purposeful moments that drive alignment, trust and outcomes.”

Purpose over presence