MENA Tourism Boom Drives Gulf-Arab Collaboration
The tourism and hospitality sector across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is experiencing a resurgence, driven by mega-projects, policy reforms and Gulf state investment. A recent industry analysis highlights remarkable growth in 2025. Middle East Briefing Current market …
The tourism and hospitality sector across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is experiencing a resurgence, driven by mega-projects, policy reforms and Gulf state investment. A recent industry analysis highlights remarkable growth in 2025. Middle East Briefing
Current market overview
Gulf-Arab connectivity & investment
The Gulf states are both sources of tourists and sources of capital for hospitality projects across the region—including North Africa and Jordan. Investors from GCC are actively funding hotels, resorts, destination entertainment and cultural hospitality assets in Egypt, Jordan and elsewhere.
Example: Overnight GCC tourist arrivals in Jordan rose ~6% in H1-2025. Zawya
Implications for entertainment & hospitality
Challenges
Outlook
For the Gulf + broader MENA region:
Written by
Sophie Aldridge
Global Economics Editor · Geopolitics
Sophie spent a decade advising governments on trade policy before deciding the story was more interesting than the memo. She covers global economics, geopolitics, and the power transitions reshaping emerging markets. Sharpest on sanctions, supply chains, and the politics behind the price of everything. Based in Washington, D.C. Reach out at sophie.aldridge@theplatinumcapital.com.
