Gen X driving GCC outbound travel, says ATM
The GCC outbound market is forecast to grow exponentially over the next five years, driven by Gen X travellers, according to recent research, says Arabian Travel Market (ATM) which takes place from May 6 to 9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Generation X, those people born between 1965 and 1980 - are leading the significant growth in outbound travel from the GCC countries, according to findings by New York headquartered Research Nester.
The report highlights numerous reasons why this generation has a dominant share of the GCC’S outbound market, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabian markets.
Commenting on the report, Danielle Curtis, exhibition director, Arabian Travel Market said, “Within an age range of approximately 43 years to 58 years, many Gen Xers hold senior positions within companies and as such tend to travel overseas regularly on business trips.
“In addition, with responsibility comes reward and therefore many have high earning potential and disposable income. Many successful entrepreneurs at this stage in their careers also have built significant wealth and can afford to travel frequently.
“Many industry commentators are focused on Millennial and Gen Z travellers, but it is perfectly logical that Gen X would dominate the GCC outbound market value given the region’s demographics, particularly expatriate senior management.”
Members of Gen X are also changing their lifestyles, with considerable numbers now looking for a more sustainable work life balance. This often means spending more leisure time with their families, including holidays and combining business with leisure, which is significantly growing the bleisure segment of travel. To illustrate these points, Gen X will be responsible for
Us$11.1bn, 41% of Saudi Arabia’s total outbound market value of Us$27bn by 2028 according to the report. It is a similar picture in the UAE. Gen X will spend Us$18.2bn, 60% of the total market value of Us$30.5bn by 2028.
“It is also worth considering that as this generation begins to age and subsequently retire, naturally it will be Millennials who will begin to dominate outbound market share in the decade ahead,” added Curtis.
Overall, Saudi tourists favour Europe as a destination, accounting for Us$13.2bn in market value by 2028, compared with just Us$7.4bn in 2019.
Other top destinations for GCC travellers include the UK, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the US, India, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and South Africa.
The trend of increasing outbound GCC business has certainly not gone unnoticed by many international destinations.
“In 2023 we welcomed 76 national pavilions covering approximately 55% of the total show floor space, with 1,350 participating companies. This year with the return of national pavilions from Spain and China, as well as a number of African destinations, we have allocated additional floor space to accommodate this growth,” added Curtis.