Tumodo, a UAE-based online business travel platform, tracks corporate travel demand, pricing, and destination trends across the Mena region in Q1 2026.

The quarter began at levels similar to December 2025, with January rising slightly by 5%.

February recorded a strong 20% increase in trips and bookings, aligning with forecasts, while March did not exceed February but remained 5% above January, partly driven by corporate staff relocations within the region.

Overall, Q1 2026 matched Q4 2025 in total bookings, though Tumodo estimates growth could have reached around 25% if March had not been affected by regional conflict.

Saudi Arabia was the leading destination, accounting for 30% of business trips, followed by the UAE at 20% and Egypt at 10%.

Key travel routes included Dubai–Riyadh, Dubai–Cairo, and Riyadh–Cairo.

Average airfares increased to $451 from $439 in Q4 2025, while hotel rates rose to $467.

Emirates led carrier usage, followed by Saudia, Turkish Airlines, and flydubai.

Business trips averaged four days, with inbound travel expected to grow steadily through 2030.

Mohanad Nada, Head of GCC at Tumodo, said: "February performed exactly as we had forecast and the numbers showed it. March was a different story, but it still came in ahead of January, which tells you the underlying appetite for business travel in Mena remains solid. The more immediate concern for corporate travel managers right now is pricing. We expect meaningful cost increases on air travel over the coming months, and the companies that book early will be the ones that protect their budgets." -TradeArabia News Service