The UAE and Saudi Arabia are quickly emerging as pivotal hubs for corporate mobility and business travel in the Middle East. Government initiatives such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Golden Visa programme are driving an influx of international investment, global talent, and large-scale projects. This growth is pushing sustainability to the forefront of corporate strategies: companies are expanding travel programmes while being increasingly expected to minimise environmental impact and demonstrate social responsibility.
The MENA hospitality market is projected to reach $487 billion by 2032, fueled by demand for talent in sectors such as AI, climate technology, consulting, and construction. Saudi Arabia’s megaprojects, including NEOM and The Red Sea, are attracting a global workforce and driving corporate accommodation demand, while the UAE’s Golden Visa programme is drawing elite professionals, with its business travel market expected to reach $94 billion by 2030. At a recent IoD trade event in London, Dubai officials highlighted that the DMCC free zone now hosts over 26,000 companies, including roughly 2,000 UK firms. These figures underscore the region’s rising appeal as a hub for business, relocation, and innovation.
As corporate travel intensifies, sustainability has become a central pillar of decision-making. PwC reports that more than 60% of Middle Eastern companies now have formal ESG strategies, making environmental reporting, emissions tracking, and ethical supply chain management standard practice. This shift is shaping how organisations source and manage accommodation: hotels and serviced apartments are increasingly eco-certified, reducing water and energy usage while incorporating health and wellness amenities. The region’s high CO₂ output, driven by air conditioning and extreme climate, makes sustainability tracking and mitigation essential across MENA.
With sustainability and strategic growth shaping the region, let’s dive into the latest business travel trends in the Middle East.
What are the latest business travel trends in the Middle East?
- Business travel spend rising
Middle East business travel spending reached $18.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow around 6.1% in 2025. Companies are investing more in travel programmes as the region attracts global talent and large-scale projects, reflecting confidence in its growing corporate mobility landscape. - Extended stays are increasing
Long-stay bookings are on the rise, particularly in serviced residences and corporate housing across key cities such as Dubai, Riyadh, and Al Khobar. Extended stays provide stability for international teams and offer a more home-like experience for employees on long-term assignments. - Bleisure & flexible stay plans
Business travellers are increasingly combining work and leisure, extending business trips for personal time. Properties that offer flexible options, such as late check-outs and customisable services, are becoming highly preferred. - Sustainability as a core differentiator
Companies are prioritising eco-conscious accommodation, including properties with lower emissions, green certifications, and transparent environmental credentials. ESG reporting is now a key factor in corporate travel decision-making. As MENA continues to face high nightly CO₂ outputs due to regional climate conditions, proactive emissions tracking and offsetting strategies are essential for meaningful sustainability progress. - Younger generations leading change
Gen Z and younger Millennials are shaping corporate travel policies with their expectations for sustainability, wellness, and convenience. Their preferences are influencing how companies design travel programmes and select accommodations. - Operational efficiency & tech adoption
Organisations are increasingly using AI, analytics, and smart tools to predict travel trends, optimise costs, enhance guest experiences, and reduce their carbon footprint. Technology is becoming a central enabler of both efficiency and sustainability in corporate mobility.
How AltoVita can support your travel programme in the Middle East
Here’s how AltoVita, the award-winning corporate accommodation management platform, can support your travel programme and ESG goals in the Middle East.
Tailored Solutions & Extensive Inventory For Diverse Needs
AltoVita offers over 500,000 units across the Middle East, covering a wide range of asset classes, from serviced apartments and aparthotels to luxury hotels, co-living residences and residential compounds. In the UAE alone, our platform provides access to 192,500 units across more than 5,000 properties, while in Saudi Arabia it offers 63,000 units.
We tailor solutions for complex programmes, including commutes, monthly stays, and long-term assignments. Thanks to our strong relationships with local suppliers, we can negotiate tailored inclusions and add-on features while ensuring personalised experiences for families or solo corporate travellers. Every property in our global network undergoes a rigorous four-tier quality control process, guaranteeing policy compliance and duty of care.
Support your ESG Goals with EcoStats
Our platform features EcoStats, an integrated ESG solution that provides standardised CO₂ emissions data for every night’s stay. Given the MENA region’s high CO₂ output, largely due to the heavy use of air conditioning, EcoStats provides a vital mechanism for monitoring, benchmarking, and offsetting emissions across corporate travel programmes. EcoStats is fully embedded in our booking flow delivering granular data for all our properties during the search and shortlist stage and enabling users to make more eco-conscious decisions.
“In Saudi Arabia and the UAE, more companies are asking for corporate housing that is both comfortable and sustainable. We’re seeing a steady shift where businesses want accommodation options that reduce energy use, support local communities, and still offer all the modern services employees need. It’s about finding the right balance between convenience, quality, and care for the environment. This change shows how ESG goals are becoming part of everyday business travel and housing decisions”
— Fatine El Khayyari, Hospitality Growth Manager, MENA, AltoVita
Local Presence in the UAE and Saudi Arabia
AltoVita has recently established legal entities in both the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), becoming the first international corporate accommodation provider to incorporate directly in KSA. These local entities streamline compliance, simplify operations, and enable invoicing in local currencies, while also delivering an additional 5% tax benefit.
Support in your Local Language
AltoVita provides Arabic-speaking support for clients in the UAE and KSA, ensuring clear communication and a deep understanding of local customs, expectations, and regulations. This expertise helps clients and partners navigate the region efficiently while receiving the high standard of service they expect.
“At AltoVita, we provide seamless support across KSA and the UAE, and speaking Arabic is a key part of that. Communicating in the local language allows us to connect instantly, build trust, and deliver the high standard of service our clients expect and deserve.”
—Musaeb Al-Najjar, Hospitality Growth & Sourcing Manager, EMEA, AltoVita
Proven Experience Supporting Global Clients
AltoVita has extensive experience managing corporate accommodation programmes for industry leaders, including Fortune 500 companies and the Big Four in the Middle East. Our expertise ensures smooth, compliant, and high-quality stays for employees across diverse assignments and circumstances.
Streamlined Bookings and Reporting on One Platform
With AltoVita, there’s no need to manage fragmented systems or juggle multiple tools and providers. Our platform centralises the entire corporate accommodation journey, from booking requests to reporting and guest feedback. Using a blend of AI and human expertise, we optimise every step of the process while curating the highest-quality accommodation options for a smooth and enjoyable guest experience.
Looking to scale your corporate accommodation programme in the Middle East? Discover how AltoVita can help you streamline operations, achieve your sustainability goals and guarantee guest satisfaction.
