Jordan Unites With Saudi Arabia, Uae, Qatar, Bahrain, Turkey, And Egypt To Lead New Middle East Tourism Boom With Record Visitor Spend And Growing Demand From Asia, Europe, And The Us

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Jordan joins forces pinch Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Turkey and Egypt to motorboat caller Middle East tourism revival pinch grounds visitant walk and soaring request from Asia, Europe and nan US successful singular location recreation renaissance by these countries that are now starring 1 of nan world’s speediest post-pandemic recreation rebounds. Driven by accelerated maturation successful world arrivals, record-breaking revenues and overseas investment, arsenic good arsenic initiatives for illustration extended e-visas and monolithic infrastructure projects, this business is reshaping nan domiciled of nan region successful world tourism. With Jordan posting gross maturation of almost 12% and Saudi Arabia starring maturation worldwide, nan upward plaything is suggestive of a caller era successful nan Middle East led by long-haul markets and concerted nationalist guidance strategies.

Jordan: Strong Revenue Growth Despite Regional Tensions

Jordan’s tourism gross grew by 11.9% during nan first half of 2025, reaching $3.667 billion, moreover pinch a humble 3.7% driblet successful June owed to escalating location tensions. According to nan Central Bank of Jordan, nan maturation is chiefly driven by world demand—especially from emerging and long-haul markets.

• Asian tourists contributed nan highest surge, up 42.9%.
• European visitors roseate by 35.6%.
• American tourists accrued their publication by 25.8%.
• Arab visitors added 11.5% growth.
• Tourists from other nationalities contributed an further 43% successful gross growth.

Conversely, Jordanian expatriates visiting nan state spent 0.8% less than past year. Outbound tourism besides roseate slightly, pinch Jordanians spending $999.7 million overseas successful H1 2025, up 3.3%, though June posted a crisp 22.7% drop, signaling recreation caution.

Jordan’s balanced recovery, contempt geopolitical pressure, marks its integration into a wider bloc of Middle Eastern countries reshaping location recreation dynamics.

Discover Jordan’s Timeless Wonders

Amman – Urban Vibes and Ancient Echoes
Things to Do: Explore ancient ruins, browse artisan markets, and bask panoramic café terraces.
Places to Visit:

• The Citadel and Roman Theatre for sweeping metropolis views
• Rainbow Street for boutique shopping and thoroughfare eats
• The Jordan Museum for history from nan Stone Age to modern times

Petra – The Lost City of Stone
Things to Do: Hike ancient trails, marvel astatine rock-carved temples, and watch Petra ray up astatine night.
Places to Visit:

• The Treasury (Al-Khazneh) astatine nan extremity of nan Siq canyon
• The Monastery for panoramic views aft a 900-step hike
• Petra by Night for a candle-lit spectacle done nan gorge

Aqaba – Red Sea Relaxation and Adventure
Things to Do: Go diving aliases snorkeling, unwind astatine a luxury resort, aliases return a glass-bottom vessel tour.
Places to Visit:

• South Beach and Tala Bay for marine life encounters
• Ayla Oasis for high-end eating and golf
• Aqaba Fortress for Ottoman history by nan shore

Saudi Arabia: World Leader successful Tourism Growth

Saudi Arabia topped world tourism gross maturation successful Q1 2025, outpacing each different countries. The Kingdom recorded SAR 49.4 billion (approx. US $13.2 billion) successful world visitant spending—an summation of much than 10% from past twelvemonth and 102% above 2019 levels.

• The state hosted 30 cardinal world visitors successful 2024.
• The full number of travelers (domestic + international) reached a historical 116 million.
• Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy has unlocked monolithic infrastructure projects including NEOM, Diriyah Gate, and Red Sea developments.

Visa reforms—including simplified eVisas, a 96-hour stopover visa, and unified GCC tourer permits—have importantly accrued Saudi Arabia’s accessibility to world travelers.

With robust maturation crossed business tourism, belief visit (Hajj and Umrah), and taste events for illustration nan Riyadh Season, Saudi Arabia has emerged arsenic a centerpiece of world tourism revival.

Saudi Arabia’s Bold Tourism Transformation

Riyadh – Where Culture Meets nan Future
Things to Do: Shop successful sparkling malls, circuit practice sites, and sojourn emerging arts districts.
Places to Visit:

• Al Masmak Fortress for history buffs
• Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge for skyline views
• Diriyah Gate for immersive civilization and dining

Jeddah – The Red Sea’s Cultural Capital
Things to Do: Stroll aged municipality streets, dive into nan sea, and feast connected section seafood.
Places to Visit:

• Al-Balad Historic District pinch coral-stone architecture
• Jeddah Corniche and Waterfront Park for water views
• The Floating Mosque for serene seaside prayers

AlUla – Desert Majesty and Hidden History
Things to Do: Explore stone formations, ancient tombs, and be euphony festivals nether godforsaken stars.
Places to Visit:

• Hegra (Madain Saleh), Saudi’s first UNESCO site
• Elephant Rock, nan iconic sandstone landmark
• Maraya Concert Hall, nan world’s largest mirrored building

United Arab Emirates: Dual Powerhouses Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Dubai attracted 5.31 cardinal world visitors successful Q1 2025—a 3% rise compared to nan erstwhile year. Hotel occupancy deed grounds levels, and world spending exceeded US $179.8 billion successful 2024, solidifying Dubai’s position arsenic nan financial and tourism epicenter of nan Middle East.

Key tourism pillars successful Dubai:

• Luxury unit and shopping festivals
• Cultural practice astatine Al Fahidi and Jumeirah
• Iconic landmarks for illustration Burj Khalifa and The Palm

Dubai has besides aggressively embraced distant worker visas, semipermanent residency options, and transit stopover tourism.

Abu Dhabi: Culture and Wellness Tourism Rise

Abu Dhabi hosted 1.4 cardinal overnight guests successful Q1 2025. Hotel revenues surged to $630 million, an 18% year-on-year increase. Revenue per disposable room (RevPAR) roseate by 25%, reaching $131.8.

Key developments successful Abu Dhabi:

• Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim projects
• Yas Island’s intermezo district
• Eco-tourism successful Al Ain and Liwa

The UAE’s streamlined visa-on-arrival for complete 80 nationalities and Golden Visa programme further boost appeal.

UAE’s World of Wonders

Dubai – Innovation, Luxury, and Skyline Views
Things to Do: Dune bash, shop luxury, and marvel astatine sky-piercing towers.
Places to Visit:

• Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall for municipality thrills
• Dubai Marina and JBR Beach for leisure and nightlife
• Al Fahidi Historical District for taste contrast

Abu Dhabi – Grand Mosques and Island Escapes
Things to Do: Immerse successful Islamic art, thrust roller coasters, aliases relax connected land retreats.
Places to Visit:

• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for achromatic marble grandeur
• Louvre Abu Dhabi connected Saadiyat Island
• Yas Island’s Ferrari World, Warner Bros., and SeaWorld

Sharjah – Arts, Heritage, and Serenity
Things to Do: Visit museums, kayak successful mangroves, and research Islamic heritage.
Places to Visit:

• Sharjah Art Museum and Art Foundation spaces
• Al Noor Island for butterfly gardens and sculptures
• Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization

Qatar: Small Size, Big Results

Qatar welcomed astir 1.5 cardinal tourists successful Q1 2025, maintaining beardown momentum aft a 25% emergence successful visitant arrivals successful 2024. By extremity of 2025, nan state is expected to surpass 5.3 cardinal visitors, driven mostly by:

• GCC root markets (accounting for up to 51% of full traffic)
• Sporting and taste events post-FIFA World Cup 2022
• Luxury edifice growth, pinch Doha starring nan charge

Tourism now contributes complete 8% to GDP, pinch precocious mean regular rates (ADR) and RevPAR metrics successful cardinal cities.

Qatar’s unified visa level and Hamad International Airport’s world-class transit services person transformed it into a cardinal location hub.

Qatar’s Cultural Rise connected nan Gulf Stage

Doha – Tradition Meets Futurism
Things to Do: Wander museums, shop souqs, and respect architecture.
Places to Visit:

• Museum of Islamic Art and M7 creation district
• Souq Waqif for spices, textiles, and cafes
• Katara Cultural Village for arts, music, and galleries

Al Wakrah – Coastal Calm and Local Charm
Things to Do: Relax connected beaches, dine outdoors, and sojourn sports landmarks.
Places to Visit:

• Al Wakrah Heritage Souq for eating by nan sea
• Al Wakrah Public Beach for sunset strolls
• Al Janoub Stadium from FIFA 2022 legacy

Lusail – Qatar’s City of nan Future
Things to Do: Explore luxury malls, thrust e-scooters, and spot modern municipality planning.
Places to Visit:

• Lusail Marina Promenade
• Place Vendôme Mall pinch fountains and high-end brands
• Lusail Stadium, nan World Cup last venue

Bahrain: Quiet Giant of Gulf Tourism

Bahrain has recorded 1 of nan astir explosive rebounds successful nan region:

• Q2 2025 arrivals jumped 38% complete Q1.
• Year-on-year gross roseate a staggering 562%.
• The Kingdom is targeting 14.1 cardinal tourists by 2026.

In H1 2023, Bahrain hosted 5.9 cardinal visitors, generating BD 924 million (~US $2.5 billion) successful revenue. The mean walk per tourer is expected to emergence to BHD 74.8, pinch mean stays reaching 3.5 nights.

Key strengths:

• Easy introduction pinch visa-free aliases visa-on-arrival for GCC and 100+ countries
• Cultural destinations for illustration Manama and Muharraq
• Strong entreaty to play travelers from Saudi Arabia

With luxury marina resorts, festivals, and Formula One anchoring its tourism offerings, Bahrain is becoming a cardinal subordinate successful location leisure travel.

Bahrain’s Blend of Heritage and Coastal Cool

Manama – Markets, Museums, and Modern Life
Things to Do: Dive into Bahrain’s pearl-diving legacy, shop nan souq, and bask rooftop lounges.
Places to Visit:

• Bahrain National Museum for Dilmun relics
• Bab Al Bahrain marketplace gateway
• Block 338 for food, nightlife, and section art

Muharraq – Where nan Island’s History Lives On
Things to Do: Explore pearl diving trails, aged merchant houses, and restored architecture.
Places to Visit:

• Pearling Path UNESCO Site
• Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House for a peek into royal history
• Arad Fort astatine sunset for oversea and entity views

Riffa – Regal Residences and Shopping Secrets
Things to Do: Visit hilltop forts, tee disconnected astatine luxury play clubs, and shop pinch locals.
Places to Visit:

• Riffa Fort overlooking lush valleys
• Royal Golf Club for title play
• Riffa Bazaar for section sweets and spices

Turkey (Türkiye): Q1 Record and Ambitious 2025 Targets

Türkiye recorded $9.45 billion successful tourism gross successful Q1 2025, representing TL 363.7 billion, and hosted 8.84 cardinal world visitors, mounting a caller grounds for nan first quarter.

• 2025 targets: 65 cardinal arrivals, $64 cardinal successful receipts
• Cultural, medical, and formation tourism proceed to thrust demand
• Tourists from Europe, Russia, nan Gulf, and Asia dress up cardinal markets

Istanbul, Antalya, and Cappadocia stay prima destinations, while nan state continues to beforehand year-round tourism pinch wintertime sports, agrarian eco-routes, and humanities way development.

Visa accessibility remains high, pinch eVisa access for complete 100 countries and simplified transit introduction policies.

Türkiye’s Crossroads of Continents

Istanbul – History, Bazaars, and Bosphorus Views
Things to Do: Sail betwixt continents, shop 4,000 stalls, and circuit Ottoman palaces.
Places to Visit:

• Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque
• Grand Bazaar and Spice Market
• Topkapi Palace and Bosphorus vessel tours

Cappadocia – Fairy Chimneys and Underground Cities
Things to Do: Fly astatine sunrise, hike valleys, and research cave homes.
Places to Visit:

• Göreme Open-Air Museum pinch Byzantine cave churches
• Hot Air Balloon Rides astatine dawn
• Derinkuyu Underground City

Antalya – Coastal Beauty and Roman Ruins
Things to Do: Swim successful turquoise waters, rotation ancient streets, and bask edifice life.
Places to Visit:

• Kaleiçi (Old Town) and Hadrian’s Gate
• Düden Waterfalls and Konyaaltı Beach
• Aspendos Roman Theater for summertime concerts

Egypt: Tourism Revival Driven by Culture and Safety

Egypt welcomed 8.7 million visitors betwixt January and June 2025—a 24% increase complete nan aforesaid play past year. Q1 unsocial brought successful 3.9 cardinal visitors, and nan authorities intends to scope 17–18 cardinal arrivals by year-end.

• 2024 tourism revenues deed $15.3 billion
• 2025 target: $16.45 billion+
• Recovery led by European, Russian, and Gulf travelers

Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and nan Red Sea resorts proceed to predominate nan recreation landscape. The upcoming Grand Egyptian Museum and improved airdrome infrastructure are cardinal investments supporting semipermanent growth.

Egypt’s visa strategy has improved significantly, pinch eVisa entree for complete 75 countries and simplified airdrome introduction procedures.

Egypt’s Eternal Allure

Cairo – Where Pyramids and People Collide
Things to Do: Gaze astatine wonders, bargain successful bazaars, and dive into Egyptology.
Places to Visit:

• Pyramids of Giza and nan Sphinx
• Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
• Khan el-Khalili for gold, spices, and souvenirs

Luxor – Open-Air Museum of Ancient Power
Things to Do: Cruise nan Nile, sojourn pharaoh tombs, and research ineffable temples.
Places to Visit:

• Valley of nan Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut
• Karnak Temple complex
• Luxor Temple, illuminated astatine night

Sharm El Sheikh – Red Sea Bliss and Desert Thrills
Things to Do: Snorkel coral reefs, thrust camels done soil dunes, and bask edifice luxury.
Places to Visit:

• Naama Bay for shopping and nightlife
• Ras Mohammed National Park
• St. Catherine’s Monastery adjacent Mount Sinai

Shared Regional Drivers Behind nan Middle East Tourism Boom

All 7 nations are harnessing akin levers to thrust this unprecedented tourism description . These include:

1. Visa Policy Innovations

• Jordan: Expanding bilateral visa agreements and eVisa rollout
• Saudi Arabia: Launch of 96-hour transit visa, Umrah eVisa, and unified GCC entry
• UAE: Visa-on-arrival for 80+ countries, Golden Visa, and status residency
• Qatar: Hayya level and unified GCC visa discussions
• Bahrain: Visa-free entree for astir of Europe and simplified online visas
• Türkiye: Wide eVisa entree and transit-friendly policies
• Egypt: Streamlined online visa portal and expanded introduction access

2. Event-Driven Demand

• Sports (Formula One, golf, tennis, shot tournaments)
• Cultural seasons (Riyadh Season, Dubai Shopping Festival, Egypt’s Sun Festival)
• Major upcoming expos and conferences

3. Strategic Infrastructure Spending

• New airports (e.g., Red Sea International, NEOM, Grand Egyptian Airport upgrades)
• Hotel mega-projects (Mandarin Oriental Muscat, Atlantis The Royal Dubai, Four Seasons NEOM)
• Interconnected carrier links (e.g., GCC rail, ferry routes)

4. Diversified Tourism Themes

• Adventure and eco-tourism successful Jordan and Egypt
• Desert luxury successful Saudi and Qatar
• Beach and land escapes successful Bahrain and UAE
• Wellness and aesculapian tourism successful Türkiye

Jordan unites pinch Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Turkey, and Egypt to lead nan caller Middle East tourism roar because each 7 countries are reporting grounds visitant spending, surging arrivals from Asia, Europe, and nan US, and coordinated strategies to powerfulness location recreation growth. This agreed momentum is fueled by visa reforms, awesome infrastructure investments, and a shared push to reposition nan Middle East arsenic a world tourism hub.

A Region Redefining Global Travel

Jordan joins Saudi Arabia, nan UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Turkey and Egypt arsenic nan Middle East has abruptly go a azygous recreation bloc, and arguably a inclination setter connected nan world shape for nan post-pandemic recreation recovery. With visionary policies, eager mega-projects, and blocks of record-breaking postulation and gross figures, this location confederation isn’t conscionable drafting successful millions –– it is redefining nan early of world travel.

As nan world searches for destinations that are reliable, safe and pinch varied experiences to offer, nan Middle East surely delivers connected each scores, and past some.