Signals

UAE – Day three of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 cast a spotlight on the evolving role of connected transport and the booming cruise sector in shaping the next era of Middle Eastern tourism.

Dave Goodger, managing director EMEA at Tourism Economics (Oxford Economics), revealed that cruise tourism in the region is not just growing, it’s outpacing global travel trends. Mashhoor Baeshen, executive director, commercial and business development at Cruise Saudi, stated: ‘Cruise tourism will be pivotal in our efforts to boost GDP under Saudi Vision 2030.’

Shorter 3–4-night cruises are being positioned as strategic introductory experiences to attract new consumers and build brand awareness in emerging cruise markets.

Angelo Capurro, executive director at MSC Group’s Cruises Division, highlighted the sector’s diversity, noting travellers from over 150 nationalities, including new markets such as Central Asia. Capurro went on to explain that cruise projects such as Aman at Sea (an ultra-luxury yacht experience to be launched in 2027) and expanded port development across Kuwait, Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah and the Red Sea, will transform the region’s travel landscape. Discussions also highlighted the potential of a GCC unified cruise visa, which could drive up to 40% growth in regional travel.

Later, a panel entitled The Role of Ground Transportation in Connected Travel Strategies, moderated by conference chair Alexandra Topalian, explored the convergence of data, mobility and sustainability.

Ahmed Arab, head of business development in the MEA region at Uber, explained how ground transport is becoming ‘not just an enabler of the travel experience, but an integral part of it’. The company’s vision to go fully electric and become a net-zero platform by 2040 will rely on policy reform, infrastructure and AI-driven super-apps that unify trip-planning across modes.

Jehan de Thé, group public affairs director at Europcar Mobility Group, highlighted the rapid growth of shared mobility and car-sharing, particularly in cities like Montreal, where 12% of the population now use shared cars. ‘The future of mobility lies in shifting from car ownership to car usage,’ he said. The panel also spotlighted regional innovations, such as autonomous buses on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island and creative multi-modal solutions in Kigali, Rwanda.

Explore our Mobility section and Cruise Ship Market report to understand the innovative trends, tastes, experiences and behaviours that are set to dominate industry thinking over the coming decade.