- New dnata CEO outlines key travel trends in the UAE
- AI automates manual processes cutting delivery times
- Skiing and winter trips now major trends
- Cruising becoming major trend in GCC
- Q4 booking demand tracking 5pc higher than last year
Nabil Sultan Al Murr the new Group CEO of dnata has outlined key travel trends in the UAE during an interview. Artificial intelligence has automated manual processes such as thousands of hotel contracts cutting delivery times from months to near real-time. Technology speeds up information processing to deliver relevant travel offers and products to customers faster. Skiing and winter trips which were rare four to five years ago are now major trends among UAE residents and nationals with dnata launching a winter programme featuring roughly ten ski destinations.
Interest is expanding to unique cold-weather experiences such as seeing the Northern Lights in Finland. Cruising is becoming a major trend in the GCC and Middle East marking a sharp shift from the region’s historical travel habits. Over the next five years Gen Z travellers are expected to reshape the market with different core priorities and food particularly healthy and experiential dining is driving a revolution in how travel packages are positioned.
Fourth-quarter booking demand is tracking about 5pc higher than last year with per-passenger spending up nearly 10pc. dnata anticipates a full recovery and turnaround in Dubai’s leisure and business travel market by the first quarter of 2027.
