Middle East Safari Tourism Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Adventure Safari, Private Safari), Accommodation Type (Safari Resorts & Lodges, Safari Camps), By Group, By Booking Mode, By Country, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Middle East Safari Tourism Market Trends

The Middle East safari tourism market size was estimated at USD 929.9 million in 2023 and it is expected to grow at CAGR of 7.1% from 2024 to 2030. Growing interest in Middle East tourism, presence and emergence of companies catering to upsurge in demand of tours and safaris, influence of social media on tourism trends, increasing support from governing authorities to promote tourism in the region and overall allure of Middle Eastern landscape are some of the key reason behind expected growth of this market.

Growing attraction about Dubai desert conservation reserve, authentic Bedouin desert camps, Emirati cuisine, falconry demonstrations, constellations sightings, Arabic culture and heritage have been driving growth for this market. The industry primarily relies on tourists visiting Dubai and areas around. Dessert exploration in private vehicle, night safaris, luxurious accommodations and multicourse meals are some of the key aspects that have been featured in promotional campaigns of the companies to enhance the overall appeal for the tours. These factors play stimulating role in demand generation for safaris in Middle East market.

The Middle Eastern safaris have lured tourists for centuries and surreal landscapes of Arabian dessert, Rub’al Khali, have been centre of attraction for many. Presence of both ancient archaeological wonders and most advanced architectures of contemporary times surrounded by skyscrapers and shopping malls is also one of the many alluring aspects of this region.

Middle Eastern region holds numerous locations where tourists encounter monuments related to history of civilization. Furthermore, getting a captivating glimpse of lesser-known regions of the Persian Gulf adds unique value to the experience. All these features of tours and safaris have been gaining growing attention from tourists around the world and offering lucrative opportunities for the Middle East safari tourism market.

Market Concentration & Characterisation

The Middle East safari tourism market is growing at accelerating pace and the growth stage is identified as medium. This market is characterised with competitive scenario where some of the companies enjoy hard-earned privileges like entry on rarely open lands, and access to such areas where not all safaris could reach. Some of the new entrants are also attracting great demand for their customised safaris. Presence of international brands and their tie-up with local market leaders in hospitality industry is also influencing the market competition.

Degree of innovation is at low level, as experience of Middle Eastern safaris has more relevance with age-old archaeological wonders and cultural heritage of the region. However, companies operating in the market have been working on inventing customised and personalised services through specially tailored tours and safaris for the customers.

The industry is highly impacted by regulations as it involves safaris through global heritage sights, reserved habitats of wildlife, and dessert lands. The key regulations that are applicable to this market are those established by governing authorities. Some of regulations for tourists include prohibition from photographing significant government buildings, defense institutions, and oil & gas refineries, dress code requirements at certain locations and more. The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) regulates the license issuance and compliance adherence with predetermined industry standards.

Threat of substitutes for this market is very low for this market as it entails travels through some of the most unexplored parts of the world for global tourists. What tourists get to experience in Middle Eastern safaris is not offered by any other region as it is characterised with unique value added by regional landscape and culture.

Type Insights

The adventure safari tourism market in Middle East held revenue share of 50.53% in 2023. This includes close range encounters with wild animal from inside of safari bus. Some of the wild animals which are often spotted include crocodiles, lions, tigers, rhinos, baboons, hyenas, and giraffes as well. Also, the other sort of adventure safaris from Middle East includes dune bashing, sandboarding, and quad biking as well.

Middle East private safari tourism market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2024 to 2030. This anticipated growth can be attributed to growing income levels, ever-changing preferences of tourists choosing private safaris over larger group safaris, and customised tours planned by agents and organiser at premium range prices. Such private safaris entail specially designed and tailored itineraries for smaller groups or couples.

Accommodation Type Insights

The safari resorts & lodges market in Middle East held revenue share of 41.54% in 2023. This can be attributed to luxurious offerings provided by key market players. The safari resorts & lodges offer diligently designed services, amenities to cater every need of tourists, wellness facilities and stays closer to adventure safari locations. This adds premium range value to the experiences. In addition, the lavish stays equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, mobile networks, and internal money transfer facilities are usually preferred by travellers around the world.

The demand for safari camps in Middle East safari tourism market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2024 to 2030. The safari camps are located at the common safari spots to add feature of adventure to the experience. Group of young customers who are willing to engage in immersive as well as thrilling experience often prefers these stays and services.

Group Insights

The participation of couples in the Middle East safari tourism market held revenue share of 45.34% in 2023. Safari tourism is extensively preferred by couples as one of the most thrilling experiences. Younger and mid-age couples from different parts of the world are inclined towards choosing distinctive experiences such as chance to travel along extra ordinary beauty of landscapes, exciting encounters with wildlife, remarkable wonders of historic era and more. These couples tend to choose combination of adventure and luxury as their safari experience.

The participation group of friends in the Middle East Safari tourism market by group of friends is expected to grow at CAGR of 7.3% from 2024 to 2030. To travel with friends and experience safaris in groups is one of the most commonly chosen alternatives by travellers around the world.  As stated by Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), nearly 23% of adventure tourists picked to travel with their friends in year 2021. Such tours are tailored with customised approach and personalised services.

Booking Mode Insight

Middle East safari tourism market through direct booking held revenue share of 64.92% in 2023. The direct booking services was nothing less than irrational imagination a few decades ago. Middle East was one of the hardest region to travel in for long time in past. However, the emergence of  world of web, improved awareness about the global tourism and processes involved in planning such tours, widespread accessibility to facts and information concerning safari tours, existence of booking websites and platforms, and benefits accomplished through direct bookings have been boosting direct bookings.

Marketplace bookings-based Middle East safari tourism market CAGR of 8.8% from 2024 to 2030. Global companies, commonly known as online travel agencies (OTAs) who are in the business of assisting the tourists with online offer the marketplace bookings aggressively promote their services while offering unparalleled discounts. This increases number of tourists opting for the marketplace bookings instead of other ways.

Country Insights

Saudi Arabia Safari Tourism Market

Saudi Arabia safari tourism market held 28.09% of the Middle Eastern market revenue in 2023. The key attractions other safari of Saudi Arabia include Farasan Islands, architectural landscapes of Diriyah, traditional folk markets situated in old alleys and more. In addition, newer parks opened recently are becoming tourist hotspots. In March 2022, Sharjah Emirate announced the opening of the largest safari park, Sharjah Safari, outside Africa. The park is home to 1,000 bird species, and 50,000 animals. Since 2016, Saudi’s commitment to reduce the economy’s dependence on oil has resulted in development of luxurious infrastructure, leisure driven businesses, and eco-systems that foster travel and business.

Qatar Safari Tourism Market

Qatar safaris include sand boarding through Arabian dessert, adventure sports in West Baty, Mangroves Kayaking, purple island, falconry demonstrations, and more. The region holds high potential for safari tourism market in upcoming years.

Key Middle East Safari Tourism Company Insights

 The industry is characterized by the presence of major domestic and regional companies and emerging players. Major players of the industry emphasize product innovation & differentiation and unique designs aligned with the changing consumer trends. These players have extensive distribution networks worldwide, which enable them to reach a wide customer base and expand into emerging markets. Emerging companies, on the other hand, are focused on niche markets, specialized product portfolios, and fresh designs to improve their visibility in the market.

• TUI Group is leisure, travel, and tourism company from Germany. The company owns more than 400 properties across the world with extra-ordinary focus on Asia, Middle East and Africa.

Recent Developments

• In February 2022, 800-hectare park, Sharjah Safari, opened its gates for visitors. More than 600 animals were present in the area. Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) develop the park in valuable partnership with Maguari-One Zoo and Wildlife Consultants.

 Middle East Safari Tourism Market Report Scope

Middle East Safari Tourism Market Report Segmentation

 This report forecasts growth at regional and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segment from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the Middle East safari tourism market report based on type, accommodation type, group, booking mode and region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Adventure Safari

  • Private Safari

  • Others

• Accommodation Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Safari Resorts & Lodges

  • Safari Camps

  • Treehouses

  • Others

• Group Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Friends

  • Families

  • Couples

  • Solos

• Booking Mode Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Direct Booking

  • Agents and Affiliates Account

  • Marketplace Booking

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Qatar

  • Oman