Middle East business travel adapts to global shifts, sees 6.1% growth
Experts gathered at the new Business Events Stage during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai, part of the newly launched IBTM@ATM Zone, to discuss how regional business travel spending is adapting in response to these global shifts and to explore the financial outlook driving strategic developments across the sector.
In partnership with the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the session titled State of the Nation: Navigating the Future of Business Travel in the Middle East provided a thorough analysis of the market dynamics influencing corporate travel budgets and decision-making processes today.
Catherine Logan, Regional Senior Vice President EMEA and APAC, Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), said: 'In general, the argument for business travel in 2025 is strong, but transformational change will continue to influence how we travel for work around the world. These include economic stability, budget factors, how and where we work, implications of technology, the evolution of sustainability in business travel and the focus on the traveller.'
Logan also highlighted that sustainably managed business travel is a force for good, driving progress for businesses, governments, economies and people.
According to the 2024 GBTA Business Travel Index Outlook Report, the Middle East accounts for 1.2% of global business travel spend and has performed better than any other region post-Covid with spend reaching 19.4% higher than pre-Covid levels. The estimated business travel spending in the Middle East was $18.1 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% in 2025, highlighting the region's strategic importance in the global corporate travel and events ecosystem.
Ciaran Kelly, Managing Director of Middle East & Africa, FCM Travel, said: 'There is a positive outlook for business travel in the region, backed by trends we are seeing from our customers, surveys, and what our forecasts are for the year ahead. A lot of the growth is due to the public and private projects taking place – it is almost impossible to get a seat on a plane from Dubai to Riyadh, for example, and once you land, hotel availability is limited. Hotel occupancy across the region is the highest globally, around 70-80% mark putting a lot of pressure on hotels, but in general, everything is positive."
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: "Understanding the shifts in business travel spending is essential for companies that want to remain competitive and resilient in a fast-evolving market. Sessions like this at IBTM@ATM are crucial for providing our attendees with actionable insights and real-world analysis, empowering them to navigate shifting travel patterns and discover new opportunities in the Middle East and beyond."
The Business Events Stage at IBTM@ATM will continue to explore emerging trends across business travel, MICE, and corporate events until April 30. The sessions will cover various topics, including the integration of AI and future-proofing strategies for business travel, the human connection versus AI in event experiences, new trends in Chinese outbound MICE travel, achieving net zero carbon emissions in the events industry, and advancing climate action through strategic partnerships in business travel, among other topics.
The 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market, held under the theme 'Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow's Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity', will welcome more than 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries this week at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), reinforcing Dubai's pivotal role as a centre for global tourism and business collaboration.
Held in conjunction with DWTC, ATM's strategic partners include Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Destination Partner; Emirates, Official Airline Partner; IHG Hotels & Resorts, Official Hotel Partner; and Al Rais Travel, Official DMC Partner. – TradeArabia News Service
Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Campaign ME
2 days ago
- Campaign ME
AI in corporate affairs: Reputation at the speed of conflict
Driving into the office, I caught the Business Breakfast on Dubai Eye. The topic: a sophisticated SharePoint vulnerability exploited by China-linked state actors, targeting critical infrastructure in the US and Germany. The story hit close to home for several reasons. At KROHNE, like many industrial firms, we're heavily reliant on SharePoint — and in the Middle East, we still operate with physical servers rather than cloud. While this particular breach didn't trigger a media frenzy or reputational fallout, the technical expert being interviewed made a key point that stayed with me: AI was used to both accelerate the attack and drive the defence. This is exactly the position corporate affairs teams now find themselves in. Whether it's a cyber incident or a reputational one, AI is collapsing the timeline — and redefining the rules. Reputation and cybersecurity now share the same clock The SharePoint exploit (CVE-2025-49704 and 49706) wasn't about PR. It was about exfiltrating cryptographic keys, embedding backdoors, and quietly probing networks. But had there been a secondary reputational vector — say, falsified press statements or synthetic media targeting stakeholders — the consequences would have unfolded in real time. In today's environment, it's not just what happens — it's how fast your team knows, responds, and resets the narrative. That's the shift. Reputation used to be shaped over time. Now it's shaped in minutes — by algorithms, automated feeds, and sentiment at scale. AI can hurt you — and help you recover In the wrong hands, AI can generate fake stakeholder letters, deepfake video statements, or bots impersonating customers and employees. None of this is hypothetical anymore. But AI can also flag anomalies faster than any analyst, monitor global sentiment in real time, and triage which reputational risks need human escalation. We're entering an era where reputation management is no longer about being reactive. It's about being ready. Corporate affairs needs tools that talk to each other Reputation protection is now a team sport — and your comms, legal, and IT functions need shared systems that work at machine speed. You can't respond to an AI-generated crisis with manual workflows or defend your CEO's credibility with a three-day press release process. And you can't monitor reputation in real time if your data sits in silos. This isn't about new platforms. It's about interoperability, trust, and readiness. Three moves to future-proof your reputation function Scenario-train for AI-infused narrative risks Crisis simulations often focus on operational impact — downtime, customer data, supply chain disruption. Now is the time to build in parallel simulations around reputational attack vectors: What if a deepfake CEO video surfaces at 5pm on a Friday? What if AI-generated emails claim your company is withdrawing from a market or cutting staff? Your legal and communications teams need to be rehearsed, resourced, and empowered to act on gut and data — not wait for permission. Fuse legal, communications, and digital intelligence Narrative risk doesn't sit neatly in one department. AI-generated misinformation might start as a social media post, but it quickly becomes a compliance issue, a market signal, and a legal minefield. Companies that respond effectively will be those that build cross-functional fluency and fast-track decisions between legal, corporate affairs, and digital monitoring teams. Invest in an AI-powered reputation audit now — before it's reactive Map how your organisation uses AI in customer-facing roles, where your reputational exposure lies across platforms and geographies, and which tools can give you early warning when sentiment shifts. Think of it as a reputational telemetry system: always-on, integrated, and geared for action. The SharePoint breach didn't cause reputational damage, at least as far as we can se — but it could have. The difference wasn't just security posture. It was speed, readiness, and system-level awareness. In reputational terms, AI is no longer the future — it's the terrain. The companies that come through the next wave of shocks intact won't be the ones with the most polished messaging. They'll be the ones who saw the signal first, acted fast, and had the internal fluency to respond with clarity, not chaos. The question isn't whether you'll face a machine-speed narrative threat. It's whether you'll be ready to respond at the same pace — or faster. By Jonathan Ashton, Head of Marketing and Communications, KROHNE Middle East and Africa
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE emerges as top global safe-haven for wealth in new tax index
The UAE has emerged as the world's most attractive destination for wealth preservation, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai topping the newly released Tax Friendly Cities Index 2025 by global mobility platform Multipolitan. The report underscores the UAE's status as a global hub for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) seeking stability, fiscal efficiency, and long-term wealth protection amid growing global tax pressures. Multipolitan's 'Wealth Report 2025: The Taxed Generation' ranks 164 cities based on their statutory taxation frameworks, legal governance, and treaty networks. Abu Dhabi takes the top spot, followed closely by Dubai in second place, outperforming traditional financial centres such as Singapore (3rd), Zurich (6th), and Hong Kong (7th). The UAE's achievement underscores its role as a magnet for global capital and talent in an era when rising taxes, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting regulatory landscapes are redefining global wealth strategies. Abu Dhabi leads due to its zero per cent income tax regime, relatively low property transfer fees, strong legal infrastructure, and consistent policy environment. Dubai's second-place ranking reflects its unparalleled international connectivity, broad treaty coverage, and a regulatory ecosystem that supports transparent wealth management and investor confidence. Speaking on the findings, Nirbhay Handa, CEO of Multipolitan, said, 'Wealth isn't just being built anymore — it's being defended. Geography has become the ultimate strategy. The UAE is at the forefront of this shift, offering not just low tax rates but something even more important — predictability, legal clarity, and institutional trust.' The Index arrives at a time when high-tax jurisdictions in Europe and North America are tightening regulations on wealth, inheritance, and capital flows. In contrast, cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai offer a rare combination of low-tax environments, asset security, and regulatory foresight — a mix that increasingly appeals to globally mobile families and corporate leaders. The report also highlights the broader strength of the Gulf region in shaping the future of wealth mobility. Five additional GCC cities made the top 20 — Manama (4th), Doha (5th), Kuwait City (8th), Riyadh (12th), and Muscat (17th) — driven by tax incentives, economic diversification strategies, and growing financial sector sophistication. With seven of the top 20 tax-friendly cities located in the GCC, the region's reputation as a rising force in wealth preservation is now firmly established. In addition to taxation metrics, Multipolitan's report introduces two complementary indexes that provide a multidimensional lens on global resilience. In the Wealth Preservation Cities Index (2015–2025), Zug, Hong Kong, and Basel ranked highest for safeguarding purchasing power during a volatile decade. Abu Dhabi and Dubai placed 22nd and 24th, respectively, indicating growing maturity and increasing investor confidence in long-term capital security. Meanwhile, in the Smart & Sustainable Cities Index 2025, Wellington, Copenhagen, and Singapore topped the rankings. Abu Dhabi and Dubai, ranked 23rd and 25th, are quickly climbing the ladder as they invest in climate resilience and digital infrastructure — cornerstones of future wealth sustainability. According to Knight Frank's 2024 Wealth Report, Dubai recorded the highest global influx of ultra-rich individuals, with over 4,500 new HNWIs relocating to the city in the past year alone. This was driven by its appealing visa regimes, lifestyle offerings, and safe-haven status during geopolitical upheavals. Abu Dhabi, with its long-term investor residency schemes and rapidly expanding private banking sector, is also gaining traction among institutional wealth managers and multi-family offices. The Multipolitan report includes expert commentary from former leaders at EY, Deloitte, and BDO, as well as international tax lawyers and family office strategists. Collectively, these perspectives paint a picture of a new global order in wealth planning — one where jurisdictional agility, smart structures, and proactive compliance are becoming essential. Topics addressed range from how American expatriates are restructuring their holdings, to how AI is transforming global tax strategy, to Portugal and Malta's rising appeal as complementary wealth hubs. What sets Abu Dhabi and Dubai apart, experts note, is their ability to combine traditional financial stability with innovation and long-term governance vision. With no personal income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or wealth tax, the UAE continues to attract wealth creators seeking to shield their legacies from policy volatility. Moreover, the country's rapidly growing network of double tax treaties — now exceeding 140 — ensures international compliance and ease of asset mobility. As governments worldwide increase scrutiny on offshore structures and adopt transparency standards like the OECD's Common Reporting Standard (CRS), the UAE's strategy of aligning competitive taxation with robust regulatory practices has earned global credibility.
Tahawul Tech
3 days ago
- Tahawul Tech
'Meraki's use of AI and analytics enables more efficient network operation'
Amer Sethi, Executive Territory Manager, Cisco Meraki and Sherif Azzam, Business Unit Manager, Comstor, Saudi Arabia outline the benefits of Cisco Meraki and how it enables a unified vision for future-ready workplaces in the KSA and beyond. Answered by Amer Sethi, Executive Territory Manager, Cisco Meraki How does Cisco Meraki fit into Cisco's overall vision for the future-ready workplace in 2025 and beyond? A key theme of Cisco's vision is breaking down silos between networking, security, observability, and collaboration. Cisco highlighted that it is unifying its products into a single platform experience. Cisco announced that it has a specific focus on delivering a unified cloud management platform that brings together management of campus networks (Cisco Catalyst and Meraki), data centre fabrics (Nexus ACI and NX-OS), WAN/branch networks, and industrial IoT – all through one interface. This platform also converges security and observability, meaning tools like Cisco ThousandEyes (for performance visibility) and Cisco Secure Cloud analytics are built-in. This will matter for customers because this convergence means a 'single pane of glass' to run their entire infrastructure. Consistent policy, configuration, and monitoring can be applied across on-premises and cloud environments. A unified platform with common data also unlocks better AI-driven insights – since the Cisco AI Assistant and Canvas can draw on telemetry spanning the whole environment. Ultimately, Cisco's platform approach aims to kill complexity: simplifying operations for overwhelmed IT teams and ensuring that adding new technology (like an AI workload or a security microservice) doesn't require a separate management silo. By unifying domains that were historically separate, Cisco helps enterprises be more agile and future-proof in how they deploy and secure technology What are the key trends driving Meraki's innovation roadmap, especially in cloud-managed networking and security? Cisco Live 2025 in San Diego showcased Cisco's strategic vision for the coming era, centred on the rise of AI and the need for fundamentally new approaches to networking and security. Cisco executives emphasized that we are entering the 'agentic AI' era – a time when AI agents, bots, and autonomous applications will work alongside humans. This shift demands reimagining network architecture to handle unprecedented scales of data, automation, and security challenges Cisco's vision is to meet this challenge by unifying platforms and embedding intelligence across its portfolio, so networks can be more adaptive, secure, and easier to operate in the AI-driven future Can you share details about the latest advancements, such as Wi-Fi 7 solutions, AI-enabled cameras, and unified licensing? Wireless networking took a leap forward with the introduction of Wi-Fi 7 technology in Cisco's portfolio, aimed at extremely high-density and high-capacity environments. Cisco launched the Cisco Catalyst CW9179F access point, the industry's first enterprise Wi-Fi 7 AP tailored for large venues (such as stadiums, auditoriums, transportation hubs, and sprawling campuses). This access point supports all the new features of Wi-Fi 7, including 4K QAM modulation and multi- link operation, and uniquely offers software-controllable antenna patterns. It has 16 spatial streams across the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and newly opened 6 GHz band, plus dual 10 Gbps uplink ports and even a built-in GPS receiver for accurate positioning and outdoor frequency coordination. In addition, Cisco introduced the Cisco Catalyst Wireless Gateway appliance, capable of managing up to 5,000 APs and 50,000 clients in a single network with seamless roaming (up to 1,000 client roams per second), designed for very large campus wireless deployments. All this technology matters because, Wireless is the primary access method for most users and devices today – and Wi-Fi 7 represents a major jump in wireless capacity and speed (with over 30 Gbps theoretical throughput on one AP). By bringing out a Wi-Fi 7 AP, Cisco enables enterprises to start adopting the latest standard and be ready for new devices that support it. The CW9179F is engineered not just for raw speed but for reliability in challenging environments: its unique antenna can be tuned via software to focus coverage where needed, which is invaluable in a stadium or conference where crowds gather in one area and then disperse. This flexibility improves user experience by reducing dead spots and interference. The high client capacity and roaming performance address a typical pain point in large venues where thousands of users move and demand connectivity – the network can handle fastmoving clients (like people walking through an airport) without drops. For everyday workplaces, these advancements mean an office or campus can support more devices (IoT sensors, AR glasses, high-def video calls) concurrently and do so with lower latency (important for interactive applications). Moreover, Cisco's new wireless gateway/controller significantly simplifies operations at scale – large organizations can manage their entire wireless estate as one fabric, with consistent security and roaming, rather than segmented clusters of controllers. Together, Cisco's Wi-Fi 7 AP and the enhanced wireless control infrastructure ensure that the wireless network will not be the bottleneck as workplaces add more people, devices, and data-heavy applications in the coming years. How is Meraki leveraging AI and analytics to enhance network security and operational efficiency? AI-Driven Network Management and Performance Assurance: Meraki uses AI-powered channel planning algorithms that monitor network conditions and dynamically adjust frequencies to avoid interference, ensuring optimal wireless performance. This AI also adapts transmission power to comply with local regulations, improving network reliability and efficiency. Advanced Analytics for Security and Operations: AI-enabled smart cameras analyse video feeds in real time to detect anomalies, unusual activities, and potential security threats. This transforms traditional surveillance into proactive security solutions that can trigger automated responses only when necessary, reducing manual oversight and improving threat detection. Adaptive Policies for Security and Resource Optimization: Meraki employs adaptive policies that continuously monitor network activity and device behaviour to identify anomalies and automatically segment traffic to isolate threats. These policies also dynamically allocate network resources to prioritise critical applications, ensuring low latency and high reliability for IoT and edge AI applications. AI and IoT Integration for Intelligent Insights: By combining AI with IoT data, Meraki systems can simulate environments, optimize configurations, and provide nuanced insights such as customer behaviour analytics (e.g., footfall, dwell time, and sentiment analysis). This helps organisations improve operational decisions and enhance user experiences. Edge AI for Rapid Issue Diagnosis: AI operating at the network edge can quickly diagnose issues like power outages or connectivity problems with high accuracy, reducing alert fatigue by filtering out false positives and focusing on actionable insights. Overall, Meraki's use of AI and analytics enables smarter, more secure, and efficient network operations by automating complex tasks, enhancing threat detection, and providing actionable intelligence for both security and operational improvements For the future Cisco has announced that a new cloud-based management platform will bring together Cisco Meraki and Cisco Catalyst networks, plus wired, wireless, and SD-WAN, under one roof. In other words, whether an organization uses Meraki access points, Catalyst switches, or IoT/industrial networking, these can all be monitored and managed through a single interface with a common policy database. Cisco also integrated ThousandEyes internet and application monitoring into this platform, extending visibility from the campus LAN out to cloud services and remote users. How is Meraki addressing the needs of both mid-market and large enterprise customers? Cisco Meraki addresses the needs of both mid-market and large enterprise customers by offering a scalable, cloud-managed IT portfolio that simplifies network management, enhances security, and improves operational efficiency across diverse environments: Scalability and Simplicity: Meraki provides a unified cloud-managed platform that supports deployments ranging from small to mid-size businesses to large enterprises with millions of users. This platform enables multi-site management through a single web-based dashboard, allowing IT teams to monitor and control networks remotely with ease. Comprehensive Product Portfolio: The Meraki portfolio includes wireless access points, security and SD-WAN appliances, switches, endpoint management, smart cameras, and IoT sensors. This breadth of products supports various business sizes and needs, from high-density campus environments to ruggedized outdoor deployments. Operational Efficiency and Automation: Meraki's cloud-first architecture offers zero-touch provisioning, automated troubleshooting, AI-driven network insights, and proactive alerts. These features reduce the need for on-site support and lower operational costs, which is especially beneficial for mid-market customers with limited IT resources and large enterprises managing complex networks. Security and Compliance: Built-in security features include unified threat management, zero-trust enforcement, and integration with Cisco Talos threat intelligence. This ensures robust protection suitable for enterprises with stringent security requirements as well as mid-market customers seeking simplified yet effective security. Flexible Management for Enterprise Needs: For large enterprises, Meraki supports hybrid management models, integration with Catalyst switching and wireless, and extensive API capabilities for automation and customization. This flexibility helps enterprises adopt cloud management at their own pace and scale. Customer Support and Services: Meraki offers 24/7 global technical support with multi-language coverage, named support owners, and service level agreements, ensuring reliable assistance for all customer segments. Business Outcomes Focus: Meraki tailors its approach based on where customers are in their cloud management journey. For mid-market customers, the focus is on full-stack Meraki solutions that simplify IT tasks through automation and AI. For large enterprises, the emphasis is on adopting Meraki dashboard for monitoring or full management, enabling cloud-enabled or hybrid network management strategies. Overall, Meraki's cloud-managed platform and comprehensive product suite provide scalable, secure, and easy-to-manage networking solutions that meet the distinct operational and security needs of both mid-market and large enterprise customers What should customers and partners expect next from Cisco Meraki in terms of future innovations or strategic priorities? A new cloud-based management platform will bring together Cisco Meraki and Cisco Catalyst networks, plus wired, wireless, and SD-WAN, under one roof. In other words, whether an organization uses Meraki access points, Catalyst switches, or IoT/industrial networking, these can all be monitored and managed through a single interface with a common policy database. Cisco also integrated ThousandEyes internet and application monitoring into this platform, extending visibility from the campus LAN out to cloud services and remote users. Cisco is creating this so it can support customers who have long struggled with having multiple network management tools – one for wireless, one for switches, one for SD-WAN, etc. That fragmentation leads to inefficiency and blind spots. Cisco's unified platform approach means IT teams get consistent operations and assurance across the entire enterprise network. For example, an admin can define an access policy or segment once and have it automatically applied to campus Wi-Fi, branch routers, and even cloud edges. Troubleshooting becomes faster – if a user is experiencing poor application performance, the integrated ThousandEyes vantage points (even embedded now in new Cisco Wi-Fi 7 APs and in mobile devices) can quickly show if the issue is the campus network, the WAN, or an external SaaS. Having one cloud portal also eases the move to cloud-based networking for traditionally on-prem gear (Catalyst switches can now be managed with Meraki-like simplicity if desired). Ultimately, this reduces the skill barrier and operational overhead for managing large enterprise networks, making it easier to adopt new technology (like an AI app or new branch office) without adding complexity. It 'future-proofs' the workplace by ensuring the network can adapt – via unified management – to whatever comes next, be it more remote work, more IoT sensors in buildings, or new cloud apps. Answered by Sherif Azzam, Business Unit Manager, Comstor, Saudi Arabia How is Comstor KSA supporting its partners in taking Cisco Meraki solutions to their customers? At Comstor KSA, we are deeply committed to empowering our partners to successfully deliver Cisco Meraki solutions to their customers. Our support strategy is multi-faceted and designed to address every stage of the sales and deployment process: – Comprehensive Training & Enablement: We provide regular training sessions, workshops, and certification programs to ensure our partners are fully equipped with the latest knowledge and skills on Cisco Meraki's cloud-managed networking portfolio. – Pre-Sales and Technical Support: Our dedicated team of Meraki-certified experts offers pre-sales consultation, solution design assistance, and technical support. This helps partners confidently position Meraki solutions and address complex customer requirements. – Marketing & Demand Generation: We collaborate with partners on joint marketing initiatives, including webinars, digital campaigns, and events. These activities help create awareness, generate leads, and drive demand for Cisco Meraki solutions. – Demo Equipment & Proof of Concept: Comstor provides access to demo equipment and supports proof-of-concept deployments, enabling partners to showcase Meraki's capabilities directly to customers and accelerate decision-making. – Logistics Support: We streamline the procurement process with efficient logistics, making it easier for partners to close deals and deliver projects on time. – Ongoing Business Development: Our account managers work closely with partners to identify new opportunities, provide market insights, and support business growth strategies tailored to Meraki's unique value proposition. By combining these resources and expertise, Comstor KSA ensures our partners are well-positioned to deliver innovative Cisco Meraki solutions that meet the evolving needs of their customers. Image Credit: Comstor & Cisco
