RIYADH: Consumers in the Middle East are willing to pay premium towards a sustainable and luxurious travel experience including travel and accommodation, according to a statement released by Dubai’s annual trade show Arabian Travel Market.
This statement comes at a time when sustainability has been a hot topic that has recently grabbed a lot of attention in the Middle East’s luxury travel sector over the past few years.
In the UAE alone, up to 61 percent of residents claim that they are willing to pay more for exchange of a more responsible, eco-friendly and sustainable tourism experience.
In fact, post COVID-19, one in 10 consumers have actually stayed in luxury yet green accommodation over the course of the past three years, according to a report launched by British market research firm YouGov titled “Global Travel & Tourism Whitepaper 2023.”
During the same period, affluent travelers’ sustainable luxury hotel stays witnessed a 50 percent surge, according to the report.
In addition to this 58 percent of the respondents residing in the UAE disclosed that the activity of traveling in general has become even more important after the pandemic-induced lockdown.
When zooming in on the luxury aspect in particular, 25 percent of people living in the emirates are pursuing entertainment options. On the other hand, 19 percent of the people are after first-class accommodation options.
Over and above green luxurious travel experiences, it is also very important to them that the experience is also authentic.
Since the pandemic, 51 percent of high-income travelers are headhunting raw and meaningful travel experiences. Adding to this, 27 percent of the travelers are reported to pay premium in order to stay in isolated and private accommodation options.
“The Middle East has developed an unparalleled international reputation for luxury tourism, with consumers across the region placing a high value on bespoke, memorable and environmentally responsible experiences,” Exhibition Director Middle East at ATM Danielle Curtis said in the statement.
This year, the 30th edition of ATM will take place between May 1 and May 4 under the theme “Working Towards Net Zero.”
The event is expected to see the participation of travel professionals and industry leaders from over 150 countries who will tackle innovative ways in which they are actually delivering luxury and sustainable travel experiences across the Gulf region.
The aim of the event is to provide market insights, connect global suppliers and help discover sustainable solutions, products and endless inspiration at the new ATM Sustainability Hub.
