Hyatt’s Middle East business enquiries climb 5.2% on bleisure demand

Sign up to our newsletters

Stay informed with the
latest news and analysis

REGISTER

عربي

You are viewing 1 of your 2 free articles

Grand Hyatt Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia

Hyatt is reporting a 5.2% year-on-year rise in corporate travel enquiries at its Middle East hotels in 2024, reflecting both steady appetite for meetings and the growing influence of “bleisure” travel.

The group received more than 42,000 requests across meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), with the UAE accounting for more than half at 24,000, a 6.6% increase.

Saudi Arabia saw even stronger momentum, with enquiries up 10% to reach 7,000.

That shift aligns with broader lifestyle trends shaping regional demand. Data from Dubai-based booking platform Tumodo shows Middle East business travel spend reached US$18.1 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow 6.1% in 2025, outpacing projected global averages.

The platform also reported a 40% jump in bookings across MENA in the first half of this year, driven by demand for Saudi travel, experience-led itineraries and digital booking tools.

Hyatt survey reveals holiday booking habits

Middle East business travel to grow 6.1% in 2025

But volumes only tell part of the story. The rebound is also being shaped by changing traveller behaviour, a shift Hyatt says is increasingly evident at its regional properties, where executives are extending itineraries, building in days to explore new destinations and demanding more from hotel partners.

“We are increasingly seeing business travellers look to make the most of trips by bolting on days to explore local surroundings,” said Paul Dalgleish, Vice President of Sales, Revenue and Business Development for EAME at Hyatt.

“Companies in turn are laser-focused on hosting events that inspire productivity through more engaging and personalised formats.”

For Hyatt executives, the desire for more meaningful travel is becoming a clear differentiator.

“Business travellers are particularly drawn to authentic connections with their surroundings — whether that’s tasting local cuisine, learning a new skill like beekeeping, or exploring cultural heritage,” said Gareth Cummings, Regional Vice President of Hyatt Sales Force.

Beekeeping at Hyatt's Alila Jabal Akhdar in Oman

“We only see this trend growing as travellers look for experiences that turn corporate trips into memorable journeys.”

Sport is also an important factor in trip planning, particularly in the UAE.

Hyatt’s research shows that 45% of leisure travellers plan entire holidays around sporting events, while among corporate guests, 42% say access to sport during work trips is a key incentive and 40% actively combine sporting activities with business schedules.

According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), corporate travel spending worldwide is expected to hit US$1.64 trillion in 2025, compared with US$1.48 trillion this year.

Hyatt has reported steady Q2 2025 growth, with global revenue per available room (RevPAR) up 1.6% year-on-year and room supply rising nearly 12%. The group added 8,920 rooms worldwide during the quarter, while its signed pipeline expanded to around 140,000 rooms.

For more information, visit www.hyatt.com