Middle East on Track to Become a Major Player in the Tourism Industry

The Middle East has traditionally been a popular destination for religious tourism, which fuelled the growth of the sector in the region.

However, several nations have diversified their tourism industries by sanctioning ambitious projects designed to make the Middle East a tourism hot-spot.

While some of these projects are still under construction, the early signs suggest they have what it takes to establish the Middle East as the next go-to destination for tourism.

Middle East Giants Making Huge Moves to Boost Tourism

Wynn Resorts first announced their plans to open the Middle East’s first-ever entertainment resort in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in January 2022.

Efforts to diversify income streams across the region have led each nation to follow their own path, but the UAE made headlines merely by being open to the idea.

The multi-billion-dollar resort is now under construction, and the UAE has gone a step further by awarding the country’s first-ever casino licence.

Their goal is to target high-spending travellers, projecting a gross gaming revenue in the range of $1-$1.67bn, although there is a base expectation of $1.33bn.

Even though casinos are still a delicate topic in the region, the UAE has opened its doors to a regulated gambling environment.

Their success or failure may set a precedent for similar projects in other countries, including Kuwait.

Kuwait has always adhered to the cultural laws that have governed the Middle East and have maintained their disdain for gambling, although that could change soon.

They have taken a different approach towards attracting global tourists and are focusing on an entertainment resort that doesn’t involve casinos.

Kuwait’s family-oriented entertainment city plans for expansive leisure, and they are hoping it will be enough to be recognised as a leisure hub in the region.

While neighbouring countries want to add casinos to their resorts, Kuwait are still grappling with the pressure of integrating gambling into their plans.

Intriguingly, while you won’t find physical casinos in Kuwait, online gambling operates in the country, but they are regulated by foreign operators.

If they decide to add gambling to their offerings, it would open the door for more real money online casinos in Kuwait over the next few years.

Middle East Tourism Buzz Could be an Economic Game-Changer

Tourism has become a lucrative option for many Middle Eastern countries looking to move their primary revenue source away from the oil and gas industry.

For example, tourism is projected to contribute 10 percent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2030. For context, it contributed less than 3% in recent years, highlighting the renewed emphasis on the lucrative sector.

Tapping into the wealth of the sector could change the face of the Middle East’s economy, making it more robust and similar to those in the Western world or Asia.

The potential tourism boom in the Middle East will have a knock-on effect on other related sectors, driving the demand for hospitality, transportation and retail through the roof.

It would also spark an infrastructural review that could see airports, roads and public transport receive upgrades, making the country more accessible to foreign visitors.

One of the main challenges Middle Eastern countries may face in becoming tourism hubs is navigating the cultural differences that may deter some international visitors. 

Balancing tradition with the cosmopolitan expectations of global tourists requires careful planning. 

The Middle East, especially countries such as Saudi Arabia, has recently introduced reforms to ease travel restrictions, relax dress codes and expand entertainment options.

These steps demonstrate that the region is adapting to international tourism standards without compromising its cultural identity.