Middle East & Africa Online Travel Market Outlook, 2028

The Middle East and Africa (MEA) online travel market is an intersection of tradition and innovation, covering various cultures, historical landmarks, and magnificent landscapes. The MEA Online Travel Market reflects the synthesis of old heritage and modern technology, altering how tourists explore and enjoy these enthralling regions. The MEA region beckons with a tapestry of possibilities, from the towering skyscrapers of Dubai to the ancient pyramids of Egypt, from the busy marketplaces of Marrakech to the beautiful beaches of the Seychelles. As the region's internet connectivity grows, online travel platforms have emerged as the key to unlocking these riches, offering seamless access to flights, rooms, activities, and more. The Middle East and Africa region has a diverse range of cultures, languages, and traditions. The MEA's online travel platforms specialize in designing immersive experiences that allow passengers to connect with local communities, participate in cultural events, and learn about centuries-old customs. The MEA region is home to notable historical landmarks, including Giza's Pyramids, Jordan's Petra, and Marrakech's ancient city. These assets are highlighted by online travel platforms, which provide virtual tours, historical insights, and guided experiences that bring the past to life for modern travelers. The MEA region offers a diverse range of scenery, from enormous deserts in Saudi Arabia to lush rainforests in Uganda. Eco-tourism options, adventure activities, and nature-based experiences that highlight the region's natural beauty are highlighted by online travel providers. The Middle East is synonymous with richness and elegance. This specialty is catered to by online platforms, which provide a curated range of high-end accommodations, exclusive experiences, and luxury transportation options for discerning tourists seeking indulgence. The MEA region is home to prominent religious landmarks, including Saudi Arabia's holy cities of Mecca and Medina, as well as Jerusalem's Old City. Online travel platforms specialize in organizing pilgrimages, religious tours, and spiritual experiences that appeal to spiritually enlightened tourists. Cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi are well-known for their futuristic architecture and technological advances. These modern marvels are highlighted by online travel platforms, which provide virtual tours of skyscrapers, shopping malls, and entertainment complexes that illustrate the region's rapid development.

According to the research report, “Middle East & Africa Online Travel Market Outlook, 2028” published by Bonafide Research, the market is projected to add more than USD 75 Billion by 2028. In the MEA region, online travel providers prioritize helping local businesses by marketing authentic souvenirs, handicrafts, and artisanal products. This specialty appeals to travelers who value responsible and sustainable travel methods. The different cuisines of the MEA region reflect its cultural richness. Food tours, cooking lessons, and dining experiences that allow guests to taste the region's gastronomic delicacies are highlighted on online travel platforms. Consumer behaviors and preferences in the MEA region have changed as a result of urbanization. As cities grow in size, more individuals seek out travel opportunities, both domestically and abroad. Online travel platforms meet this demand by providing a diverse selection of places and activities. The MEA region is distinguished for its unique landscapes, cultures, and tourist attractions. Online travel platforms take advantage of this diversity by offering a diverse range of travel options for travelers with various interests and tastes. Visitors to the region are drawn to the region by high-profile events such as the Dubai Expo and international sports championships. Online travel platforms play an important role in enabling bookings and lodging for these events, increasing demand for their services. Mobile device use is widespread in the MEA region. Online travel platforms improve their interfaces for mobile devices in order to appeal to the public's inclination for mobile-centric browsing and reservations. MEA countries are investing in economic diversification beyond oil and gas. This diversification includes investments in tourism infrastructure, which internet travel platforms help facilitate by making bookings easier and enhancing accessibility.

Based on report, market is segmented into three major countries, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. Among them Saudi Arabia is leading the market of Middle East and Africa online travel market. With rising internet penetration and smartphone usage, Saudi Arabia is undergoing a dramatic digital change. This has resulted in an increasing reliance on internet platforms for a variety of life activities, including trip planning and booking. Saudi Arabia has a young population, and young Saudis are more tech-savvy and likely to use digital tools for travel planning and booking. This generational change is fueling the expansion of internet travel culture. Because of its strategic location in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia serves as a hub for international travel. Many Saudis use online travel agencies to book flights and accommodations for vacations and business travel abroad. Saudi Arabia is home to the holy sites of Mecca and Medina, which attract millions of travelers each year for Umrah and Hajj. Online platforms offer services related to pilgrimage travel, including visa processing, accommodation, and transportation. The various environments of Saudi Arabia, including deserts, mountains, and Red Sea beaches, provide numerous chances for adventure tourism. Desert safaris, scuba diving, and trekking are all promoted on online channels. Saudi Arabia is a regional economic and commerce center. Online portals offer business travelers such services as corporate bookings and airport transfers. Given that the country's workweek runs from Saturday to Wednesday, weekends (Thursday and Friday) are popular travel days. Weekend getaway packages and special bargains are available on online platforms. Many visitors opt to rent automobiles to see Saudi Arabia's extensive landscapes.

Based on service type, market is majorly segmented into transportation, travel accommodation, vacation packages, and others (travel insurance, visas and passport services, currency exchange services, travel spa and wellness services, travel gear and gadgets, etc.). Transportation service type is leading the market of Middle East & Africa online travel market in 2022.

Transportation services have emerged as the market leader in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) online travel market due to a mix of factors, including the region's distinct travel landscape, developing consumer behaviors, and technological improvements. Because the MEA region is home to a diverse assortment of cultures, landscapes, and attractions dispersed across huge distances, tourists must rely on efficient and accessible transportation. Online transportation systems provide an excellent answer by offering a wide range of options, such as flights, buses, trains, and auto rentals, allowing tourists to easily navigate the region's extensive web of locations. Furthermore, the rise of low-cost carriers, enhanced air connectivity, and the construction of regional transit facilities have made travel more accessible than ever. Online platforms excel at collecting these possibilities, providing low prices and real-time availability that correspond with MEA passengers' cost-conscious tastes. The ease of scheduling transportation online appeals to tech-savvy people as well, particularly in urban areas where smartphone usage is strong. Furthermore, travel inside the MEA region sometimes comprises multi-country itineraries or regional exploration; therefore, transportation is an essential component. This demand is met by online platforms that simplify difficult bookings and provide flexible solutions that meet a wide range of travel arrangements.



Based on device market is bifurcated into laptop/desktop devices and mobile devices. Mobile devices segment is expected to grow at fastest rate in Middle East & Africa Market. Furthermore, based on mode of booking market is divided into online travel agencies (OTAs) and direct travel suppliers.

The rapid expansion of mobile devices in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) online travel market can be attributed to a convergence of variables such as demography, technical adoption, and changing customer behavior. Smartphones have become a vital part of people's daily lives, including how they research, plan, and book travel, with mobile penetration rates growing across the MEA area. Mobile devices' mobility and simplicity appeal to the region's tech-savvy populace, allowing them to access online travel platforms on the go and make informed decisions at their fingertips. Mobile apps provide easy interfaces, faster booking processes, and real-time information, which correspond to the preferences of MEA passengers who value efficiency and rapid gratification. Furthermore, many people in the MEA region have abandoned traditional desktop computing in favour of mobile devices as their primary source of internet access. As a result of this trend, online travel companies are optimizing their mobile products to ensure seamless responsiveness and user-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the MEA region's complex cultural and linguistic terrain lends itself well to mobile platforms that can support several languages, dialects, and scripts, increasing accessibility and inclusivity. The rise of mobile devices in the MEA online travel market is not only changing the way travelers interacts with the industry, but it is also promoting more connectivity, convenience, and empowerment, redefining the region's travel future. Online travel agencies (OTAs) are leading the market of MEA with significant market share. OTAs provide a one-stop shop for tourists, aggregating a wide range of travel services such as flights, lodging, tours, and transportation. Given the variety of experiences and places available in the MEA region, OTAs cater to the diverse needs of visitors seeking convenience and efficiency in trip planning. OTAs specializing in the MEA region offer localized content, customer assistance, and payment alternatives that appeal to the region's unique cultural and linguistic backgrounds. This translation builds confidence and improves the user experience by catering to the special demands of MEA passengers.

Recent Developments:

• February 2023, Amadeus announced that it would be acquiring the Middle East-based travel technology company Travelport for $4.8 billion. This acquisition will give Amadeus a stronger foothold in the Middle East travel market.

• In March 2023, Kayak acquired the Israeli startup FlightDeal for an undisclosed amount. FlightDeal is a website that specializes in finding deals on flights. This acquisition will help Kayak expand its offering of flight deals to its users.

• May 2023, Momondo launched a new feature called "Price Alerts" that allows users to set price alerts for flights and hotels. This feature is designed to help users save money on travel arrangements.

Key Players Insights:

Booking Holdings Inc., Expedia, Inc., Make My Trip Pvt. Ltd., Alibaba Group Holding Limited, Tripadvisor LLC, Despegar.com, Corp, Travelstart Online Travel Operations Pty Ltd, Wego Pte Ltd.

Considered in this report:
• Geography: Middle East & Africa
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report:

• Middle East & Africa Online Travel with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Country-wise Online Travel market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Countries covered in the report:

• United Arab Emirates
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa

By Service Type:

• Transportation
• Travel Accommodation
• Vacation Packages
• Others (Travel Insurance, Visas and passport services, Currency Exchange Services, Travel spa and wellness services, Travel gear and gadgets, etc.)


By Device:

• Laptop/Desktop Devices
• Mobile Devices

By Mode of Booking:

• Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)
• Direct Travel Suppliers

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience:

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations and organizations related to the Online Travel industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.