UAE Online Travel Bookings to Exceed 50% by 2030, ATM Research Finds

Online travel channels are expected to account for more than half of all air bookings in the United Arab Emirates by the end of the decade, according to new research unveiled at the 33rd Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai.

The study, conducted by travel intelligence firm VIDEC, projects that online air booking penetration will rise from 42% in 2025 to 46% in 2026, before reaching 52% by 2030. Researchers say the shift reflects changing consumer behaviour, stronger adoption of online travel agencies (OTAs) and the continued digitalisation of the region’s travel industry.

VIDEC’s GCC & Egypt Travel Market Sizing & OTA Benchmarking Study (2019–2030) forecasts that the UAE’s domestic point-of-sale air market will grow to US$6.5 billion by 2030, driven largely by expanding online distribution and the gradual recovery of corporate travel.

The report also paints a picture of a rapidly expanding aviation sector. UAE airports handled approximately 160 million passengers in 2025, with low-cost carriers accounting for 35% of total traffic. Passenger numbers on budget airlines surged from 31 million in 2019 to 56 million in 2025—an 81% increase—while network carriers carried 103 million passengers, up from 97 million before the pandemic.

Beyond passenger traffic, VIDEC estimates the UAE remains the region’s largest aviation market by gross booking value (GBV), valued at US$55 billion in 2025 across both local and international points of sale.

Speaking during the research presentation, Virendra Jain, CEO and Co-Founder of VIDEC, said the UAE entered 2026 with strong momentum following several years of robust growth by Emirati airlines. However, he noted that geopolitical disruptions created significant setbacks after the first two months of the year.

According to Jain, capacity among full-service airlines remains 15–25% below pre-conflict levels, while low-cost carriers—including regional operators and airlines such as Air India Express, flynas and IndiGo—are recovering more quickly. He said short-haul, point-to-point travel has become the fastest-rebounding segment of the market.

The study also highlights intensifying competition among online travel agencies. MakeMyTrip retained its position as the UAE’s leading air OTA in 2026, supported largely by demand from the South Asian diaspora, while Trip.com has rapidly emerged as the second-largest player after expanding into the market. In the hotel segment, Booking.com and Agoda together account for around 70% of online bookings.

Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director for RX Global in the UAE, said the findings demonstrate how technology is reshaping the relationship between travellers, airlines and digital booking platforms. She added that access to data-driven market intelligence is becoming increasingly valuable as travel businesses adapt to evolving customer expectations.

The research presentation was followed by a high-level panel titled The Future of OTAs in 30 Minutes, featuring executives from Wego, MakeMyTrip and Trip.com, who discussed localization, digital payments, customer experience and the growing battle for loyalty in an increasingly competitive online travel marketplace.

Held from 14–17 September at the Dubai World Trade Centre, Arabian Travel Market 2026 concludes today under the theme “Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology.” As one of the Middle East’s leading travel industry gatherings, the event has reinforced a clear message: the future of tourism in the Gulf will be shaped not only by airlines and destinations, but increasingly by the digital platforms connecting travellers to every stage of their journey.