Business travel and entertainment spending in the Gulf remained robust this summer, despite a volatile year, according to a report by Tumodo and Platinumlist.

Data reveals a 34.2% increase in business travel bookings across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Saudi Arabia led this growth, with the following increases in bookings:

• Jeddah: 33.9%
• Dammam: 22.2%
• Riyadh: 18%
• Cairo: 14.5%

The most popular travel routes included Riyadh-Jeddah, Dubai-Riyadh, and Cairo-Riyadh. Average airfares rose 14.6% year on year to $627, while hotel rates decreased by 8% to $137 per night. The average trip length increased from 4.2 to 6.5 days, and business class bookings rose from 6.1% to 8.6%.

“Even with everything going on in the region this year, our data doesn’t show businesses pulling back on travel. What we’re seeing this summer is that trips are fewer, longer, and more considered.”

In the entertainment sector, UAE live entertainment bookings returned to year-on-year growth in June. Arabic music bookings grew more than fourfold, while comedy shows doubled. Football events, including Eid fixtures and World Cup fan zones, also drew significant crowds.

“Arabic music and comedy are pulling audiences we weren’t seeing at this scale a year ago, and people are going out more often even as they spend a little less each time.”

The report suggests the trend of deliberate spending in corporate travel and entertainment is likely to continue into the second half of the year.