International travel demand is set to rise in early 2026, with Western Asia, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, showing significant growth in market share. According to Mabrian, a global travel intelligence firm, Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, along with Doha in Qatar, are among the top 10 global destinations experiencing increased travel intent.
Mabrian's analysis, which tracks international air capacity and flight search behaviour, reveals that Western Asia now captures 8.9% of total international travel demand. This marks a notable increase from the previous year, with the region showing the strongest upward trend worldwide. The GCC countries are also boosting international air capacity by 3.6% over the next six months, with key markets such as the UK, US, Germany, and Russia contributing to this growth.
Carlos Cendra, Director of Marketing and Communications at Mabrian, highlighted the role of established hubs like Dubai and Doha, alongside emerging destinations, in attracting travellers from Europe, Asia, and North America. Despite recent unrest in Iran, travel intent towards Western Asia remains stable, demonstrating the resilience of the region's tourism sector.
Asia continues to drive global travel demand, with Eastern and Southeast Asia accounting for 31.7% of international travel interest. Whilst traditional destinations in Southern Europe and North America see a slight decline, lesser-known regions are expanding their market share, driven by emerging markets and competitive value for money. This diversification in travel demand signals a shift towards exploring new and alternative destinations.
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