Business travel spending in the Middle East is expected to decline by 5.5 per cent in 2026 to US$16 billion, according to the 2026 Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Business Travel Index annual global report.
The report, which tracks business travel spending and growth across 72 countries and 44 industries, was cited by Maura Geertsma, divisional vice president of corporate travel at dnata Travel Management and member of the GBTA Middle East Advisory Board, while presenting excerpts from the report at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai earlier this month.
At the global level, business travel spending is forecast to grow 7.2 per cent in 2026, with travel volumes expected to increase by 1.3 per cent, taking total global business travel spending to just over US$1.7 trillion.
However, GBTA’s outlook represents a moderation from 2025, when global business travel spending grew by 8.4 per cent. The slower growth expected this year comes amid disruptions caused by airspace closures across the Middle East, and a sharp increase in energy prices.
Despite the softer annual outlook, business travel demand in the region is showing signs of recovery following a weaker period earlier this year amid the US-Iran conflict.
“We are seeing a lot of business travellers already returning to the Middle East. The recovery is slower in big European markets like France and Germany. However, Asian markets like India and China are recovering better,” said Geertsma.
The recovery is also being reflected in corporate travel transaction volumes. Ciaran Kelly, managing director for the Middle East & Africa Region at FCM Travel, said the company’s total transaction numbers declined by 10 to 30 per cent between March and May amid the disruption. The market, however, has since begun to regain momentum.
“We have seen a good end of August and September. We are now seeing a huge surge in inquiries for Middle East both for incentives and meetings. Sectors like energy and construction are seeing a lot of momentum. Going ahead we are forecasting our total transaction numbers will be above what we were doing in January and February,” said Kelly.
