Tag: tourism marketing

Salman Gul > Insights > tourism marketing
Seasonal and Event-Led Tourism Campaigns in the GCC

Seasonal and Event-Led Tourism Campaigns in the GCC (2026)

Posted on by Salman Gul
Riyadh Season draws more than 20 million visitors per edition. Ramadan flips an entire market's daily rhythm to after-sunset. Gulf summer empties the region outbound while winter fills it inbound. In GCC tourism, the calendar is not context for your...Read More
Tour Operator and Travel Agency Digital Marketing

Tour Operator and Travel Agency Digital Marketing (2026)

Posted on by Salman Gul
Every time a traveller books your tour on Viator or GetYourGuide instead of your own site, you hand over roughly 20% to 30% of the sale in commission, the customer's contact details, and the right to ever market to them...Read More
Travel Tech and eSIM Marketing: Growth for Travel Platforms

Travel Tech and eSIM Marketing: Growth for Travel Platforms (2026)

Posted on by Salman Gul
Travel eSIM revenue grew 85% in 2025 alone, from $989 million to $1.8 billion, and the number of travellers using one nearly doubled year-on-year. And yet, for most eSIM apps, customer acquisition costs are climbing month over month, repeat-purchase rates...Read More
Inbound vs Outbound Travel Marketing in the GCC

Inbound vs Outbound Travel Marketing in the GCC (2026)

Posted on by Salman Gul
The GCC outbound tourism market is worth around $88.5 billion in 2026 and growing at 8.1% a year toward $152 billion by 2033, while the region is simultaneously the fastest-growing inbound destination in the world. These are two entirely different...Read More
Travel Content and Influencer Marketing in the Middle East

Travel Content and Influencer Marketing in the Middle East (2026)

Posted on by Salman Gul
The UAE influencer marketing industry is approaching $620 million in 2026, more than 92% of UAE brands now use it, and 72% of consumers trust creator recommendations over brand-led ones. For travel, this is not a side channel. It is...Read More
Attraction and Experience Marketing in the GCC

Attraction and Experience Marketing in the GCC (2026)

Posted on by Salman Gul
A Dubai itinerary fills up faster than travellers expect. The desert safari goes for Saturday evening, then the preferred yacht slot, the theme-park entry and the Burj Khalifa viewing time all disappear. Visitors now plan with purpose, pre-booking experiences before...Read More
Destination Marketing: How Cities and Regions Attract Visitors

Destination Marketing: How Cities and Regions Attract Visitors (2026)

Posted on by Salman Gul
72% of destination marketing organisations now prioritise conversion and economic-impact metrics over awareness, and 80% run co-operative campaigns with local businesses. The era of justifying a tourism budget with impressions and reach is closing. Destination marketing in 2026 has shifted...Read More
Digital marketing for tourism and travel in the GCC and Middle East, hub cover

Digital Marketing for Tourism and Travel in the GCC and Middle East: The Complete Guide

Posted on by Salman Gul
GCC & Middle East tourism marketing Digital marketing for tourism and travel in the GCC The playbook for destinations, attractions, tour operators and travel-tech across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the wider Middle East, built on real 2026 data and...Read More
Tourism Marketing in Saudi Arabia: The Vision 2030 Opportunity

Tourism Marketing in Saudi Arabia: The Vision 2030 Opportunity (2026)

Posted on by Salman Gul
Saudi Arabia welcomed 122 million visitors in 2025, recorded around SAR 300 billion in tourism spending, and posted SAR 82.7 billion in spending in the first quarter of 2026 alone from 37.2 million visitors. The Kingdom already blew past its...Read More
Chart showing Dubai hotel occupancy falling from 84.7 percent in February 2026 to 33 percent in March 2026

How to Increase Hotel Occupancy in Dubai: The 2026 GCC Demand Recovery Playbook

Posted on by Salman Gul
In February 2026, Dubai's hotels were running at 84.7% occupancy. Four weeks later, that number was roughly 33%. That is not a seasonal dip. That is a market-wide demand event, and if you run marketing for a hotel, resort or...Read More