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The 2025 Skift Global Forum East brought together the region’s most influential travel leaders at a moment when the Middle East is quickly reshaping global tourism. This year’s conversations made one point clear: the global travel landscape is tilting toward the East as the Gulf accelerates tourism growth, expands air connectivity, and attracts a new wave of high-spending travelers. Speakers discussed how this shift affects market dynamics, visitor expectations, destination development, and long-term strategy.
Leaders also explored the rise of experiential travel, the renewed momentum in luxury, the fast-growing short-term rental economy, the cultural and economic power of major events, and the increasing pressure to build responsibly. The role of AI surfaced throughout the event as brands reconsider how travelers search, plan, and evaluate travel choices in an era of abundant but inconsistent information.
In this report, Skift partnered with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi to present the most important insights and takeaways drawn directly from on-stage conversations.
Topics Covered in This Report:
The 2025 Skift Global Forum East brought together the region’s most influential travel leaders at a moment when the Middle East is quickly reshaping global tourism. This year’s conversations made one point clear: the global travel landscape is tilting toward the East as the Gulf accelerates tourism growth, expands air connectivity, and attracts a new wave of high-spending travelers. Speakers discussed how this shift affects market dynamics, visitor expectations, destination development, and long-term strategy.
Leaders also explored the rise of experiential travel, the renewed momentum in luxury, the fast-growing short-term rental economy, the cultural and economic power of major events, and the increasing pressure to build responsibly. The role of AI surfaced throughout the event as brands reconsider how travelers search, plan, and evaluate travel choices in an era of abundant but inconsistent information.
In this report, Skift partnered with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi to present the most important insights and takeaways drawn directly from on-stage conversations.
Topics Covered in This Report:
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