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Rich travellers are seeking out new luxury travel destinations, and the Middle East has emerged as the top location where they want to spend their money.

The Middle East: A Leading Region in Luxury Travel

According to a recent report by Mastercard, wealthy travellers spend more money in the Middle East than other destinations, showing strong interest in sustainable eco-luxury and cultural experiences.

Popular Destinations

Among the most popular destinations, Istanbul, Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah, and Marrakesh emerged as the most visited cities. Dubai is where high-net-worth individuals spend the most on their cards compared to other destinations, with an average expenditure of $814.

How the Wealthy Want to Travel

High-net-worth travelers are placing more emphasis on experiences rather than physical goods, with a growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly travel options. Unique and personalized experiences, such as cultural immersion and solo travel, are also becoming increasingly popular among affluent travelers.

Sustainable Travel in High Demand

One of the most notable trends from the report was the increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly travel experiences. Affluent travelers are willing to pay a premium for authentic eco-luxury experiences.

New Experiences, Unexplored Destinations, and “Micro-Trips”

Luxury travelers are increasingly seeking out destinations that offer cultural immersion, and the trend of combining business and leisure travel, or “bleisure,” is on the rise.

Personalisation is Key

Well-heeled travellers are prioritizing unique personalized experiences over location. Quality luxury accommodation is a high priority, with 27 percent of respondents saying they would pay more for villas and chalets in secluded and private locations.

Who are the Highest Spenders?

Middle East travellers are among the highest spenders in the luxury travel market, both within the region and globally. Kuwaiti tourists, for instance, spend an average of USD 3,390 per card in Paris, five times the spending by American tourists.