New traveler insights released today by Dragonpass show that Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are now driving the GCC’s outbound travel growth, with Qatar and Oman also experiencing remarkable rises as regional aviation capacity and tourism investments accelerate.
According to Dragonpass’ aggregated airport usage data across the GCC, Saudi Arabia recorded a 36 percent year-on-year surge in travel volumes this summer, with June 2025 marking the Kingdom’s highest travel month on record. This momentum reflects both the expansion of Saudi airport capacity and the growing appetite for leisure and business travel enabled by Saudi Vision 2030.
Bahrain saw a 208 percent rise in total travel activity compared to the previous year, the fastest of any GCC market, underscoring its evolution into a key regional connector and its amplified role in the Gulf’s tourism strategy.
Qatar also recorded significant growth with a 198.9 percent increase in travel, supported by new route development and the continued global appeal of Doha as a major events destination.
Meanwhile, Oman posted an 89.2 percent increase in travel volumes year-on-year, with August emerging as its peak month. This growth reflects both the Sultanate’s positioning as a premium heritage-focused destination and expanding connectivity through Muscat International Airport.
While the UAE remains the region’s leading global hub, it experienced a 21 percent decline in summer travel volumes, due to shifting seasonal patterns and strengthened competition from its rapidly rising neighbors.
A New Culture in GCC Travel: Premium Becomes Standard
The Dragonpass data highlights a clear shift in traveler behavior: airport lounge access is now considered part of the expected travel experience in the Gulf region.
Bahrain shows the highest lounge engagement in the world, with 1.35 percent of passengers accessing premium airport facilities, far higher than major hubs such as London Heathrow or Hong Kong. Saudi Arabia ranks second in the region, with 0.86 percent of passengers using airport lounges, followed by the UAE, Oman and Qatar.
This reflects a cultural change led by fast-growing affluence, an expanding business travel base and continued investment in world-class aviation experiences.
“Travel is becoming a defining measure of progress in the GCC. The surge we are seeing from GCC countires is not only about more people flying, it reflects dynamic economic growth and new international confidence. Airport experiences play a crucial role in that momentum. Dragonpass is committed to ensuring that as the region’s airports scale up, travelers enjoy a consistently elevated journey wherever they fly,” said Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer, Dragonpass.
With new hubs rising and traveler expectations advancing, Dragonpass is expanding partnerships and services across the GCC to support the next era of regional mobility, one shaped by speed, comfort, premium experiences and stronger global connectivity.
