Saudi Arabia Joins UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, Bahrain, and Other Countries in Middle East Propelling US Tourism Freefall with Nearly Three Percent Drop in Air Arrivals Last Year

Saudi Arabia Joins UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, Bahrain, and Other Countries in Middle East Propelling US Tourism Freefall with Nearly Three Percent Drop in Air Arrivals Last Year

Saudi Arabia Joins UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, Bahrain, and Other Countries in Middle East Propelling US Tourism Freefall with Nearly Three Percent Drop in Air Arrivals Last Year

Saudi Arabia joined the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, Bahrain, and other Middle Eastern nations in 2025, which helped to reduce air travel to the US by around 2.9%. Given that fewer people are travelling to the US from these once significant sources, this reduction represents a worrying change in the dynamics of US tourism. Numerous variables, such as shifting travel tastes, regional geopolitical concerns, and the increasing appeal of shorter-haul locations, might be blamed for the decline. New international travel trends are displacing the once-dominant flow of tourists to the US as Middle Eastern nations increasingly steer their tourists toward Europe and Asia. This pattern highlights how international tourism is changing and how difficult it is for the US to continue to be a popular tourist destination in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia: A Sharp Decline in Air Arrivals

Saudi Arabia, a major source of high-value travelers to the US, saw a significant 6.5% decrease in arrivals in 2025, with only 91,119 Saudi visitors making their way to the United States. In addition, departures from the US showed a 3.0% drop, totaling 97,532 passengers. Despite this decline, Saudi Arabia still represented a substantial portion of Middle Eastern travel to the US, with a foreign share of 51.7%, amounting to 188,651 total passengers.

This downturn can be attributed to a combination of factors, including regional geopolitical tensions, changes in flight routes, and competition from other international destinations offering similar luxury and business experiences. With more flights connecting Saudi Arabia to Europe and Asia, travelers may be opting for these alternatives, reducing their visits to the US.

CategoryStatisticArrivals to U.S. (Foreign Originating)91,119Arrivals Change (%)-6.5%Departures from U.S. (Foreign Returning)97,532Departures Change (%)-3.0%Total Foreign Share188,651 (51.7%)

UAE: A Slight Dip but Still a Major Contributor

The UAE remains one of the largest contributors to US tourism from the Middle East, but even it saw a 2.2% drop in arrivals in 2025, with 1,137,377 UAE passengers arriving in the US. Departures from the US were only slightly reduced, dropping by 0.6% to 1,027,496 passengers. The UAE accounted for 52.7% of the total foreign-originating passengers from the Middle East, with a total of 2,164,873 travelers.

While the decrease is noticeable, the UAE still holds a dominant position in Middle Eastern travel to the US. Dubai, in particular, remains a business hub and a major entry point for luxury travelers, despite the growing competition from other regions.

CategoryStatisticArrivals to U.S. (Foreign Originating)1,137,377Arrivals Change (%)-2.2%Departures from U.S. (Foreign Returning)1,027,496Departures Change (%)-0.6%Total Foreign Share2,164,873 (52.7%)

Qatar: A Steep Decline in Air Arrivals

Qatar experienced one of the most drastic drops in Middle Eastern air arrivals, with a 11.7% decrease in passengers arriving in 2025. The total number of 877,798 arrivals represents a sharp reduction in visitor numbers. Departures also saw a 8.1% drop, totaling 880,668 travelers. Qatar’s overall foreign share stood at 51.1%, amounting to 1,758,466 total passengers.

This sharp decline can be attributed to several factors, including the expansion of Qatar Airways’ network to Europe and Asia. As Qatar diversifies its international routes, travelers from the region are likely seeking destinations with shorter travel times and more options.

CategoryStatisticArrivals to U.S. (Foreign Originating)877,798Arrivals Change (%)-11.7%Departures from U.S. (Foreign Returning)880,668Departures Change (%)-8.1%Total Foreign Share1,758,466 (51.1%)

Turkey: A Modest Decline, But Still Significant

Turkey, a significant player in Middle Eastern tourism, also saw a 0.9% drop in air arrivals to the United States in 2025, with 899,964 Turkish visitors arriving. While this decline is relatively modest, it is part of a larger pattern of shifting travel preferences from long-haul flights to alternative destinations closer to home. The increase in departures by 6.4%, with 916,462 passengers leaving the US, further highlights the changing dynamics in Turkish travel.

Turkey’s total foreign share from the Middle East stood at 42.9%, with 1,816,426 total passengers. The increase in departures indicates that while Turkish travelers are still visiting the US, they are increasingly exploring other destinations, particularly within Europe, as airlines expand routes to these regions.

The relatively smaller decline in arrivals from Turkey may be seen as a positive, as the market continues to contribute significantly to US tourism, but it is clear that Turkey’s travelers are diversifying their options. To maintain its position as a top destination, the US will need to remain competitive by offering experiences that align more closely with Turkish tourists’ evolving preferences.

CategoryStatisticArrivals to U.S. (Foreign Originating)899,964Arrivals Change (%)-0.9%Departures from U.S. (Foreign Returning)916,462Departures Change (%)+6.4%Total Foreign Share1,816,426 (42.9%)

Jordan: A Smaller Market, Still Affected

Jordan, while a smaller source of travelers compared to other Middle Eastern nations, also experienced a notable decline in air arrivals to the United States in 2025. The country saw a 6.2% drop in visitors, with 62,309 passengers arriving in the US. Although Jordan’s total share of foreign-originating passengers was smaller, it still represents an important segment of Middle Eastern tourism, especially for cities like New York and Los Angeles.

Despite this decline in arrivals, the number of departures from the US showed a smaller decrease of 1.1%, totaling 62,727 passengers. This suggests that while fewer Jordanians are traveling to the US, those who do are still making the journey, albeit in smaller numbers.

The country’s total foreign share of Middle Eastern travel was 125,036, representing 30.8% of the region’s foreign-originating passengers. This decline, though less severe than that seen in other Gulf nations, still mirrors a broader regional trend of reduced interest in long-haul travel to the US, with alternative destinations in Europe and Africa becoming more appealing for Jordanian travelers.

CategoryStatisticArrivals to U.S. (Foreign Originating)62,309Arrivals Change (%)-6.2%Departures from U.S. (Foreign Returning)62,727Departures Change (%)-1.1%Total Foreign Share125,036 (30.8%)

Kuwait: A Modest Drop with Stability in Departures

Kuwait, although a smaller market for US tourism, has been impacted by the same shift in travel dynamics seen across the Middle East. In 2025, the country recorded a 2.8% decline in air arrivals, with 33,121 Kuwaiti visitors arriving in the US. Departures from the US showed a slight increase of 0.5%, with 30,720 passengers returning to Kuwait.

Despite the modest drop in arrivals, Kuwait continues to maintain a relatively high foreign share of 57.6%, contributing a total of 63,841 passengers. This stability in departures suggests that Kuwaiti travelers remain loyal to the US as a travel destination, but the decrease in arrivals is part of the broader trend where even established markets are seeing slower growth due to competition from other international destinations.

As one of the nations with a higher share of outbound travel from the region, Kuwait may continue to show a resilient travel market, but the declining arrival numbers signal a need for the US to adapt and attract this demographic more effectively in the future.

CategoryStatisticArrivals to U.S. (Foreign Originating)33,121Arrivals Change (%)-2.8%Departures from U.S. (Foreign Returning)30,720Departures Change (%)+0.5%Total Foreign Share63,841 (57.6%)

The Bigger Picture: Total Middle East Decline

In total, Middle Eastern air arrivals to the United States dropped by 2.9% in 2025, with 3,478,290 foreign-originating passengers compared to the previous year. While departures from the US increased by 2.8%, totaling 3,499,570, the overall foreign share from the region was 6,977,860—accounting for 48.7% of the total international travel to the US.

This decline is part of a broader global trend, where Middle Eastern travelers are seeking new destinations as competition intensifies in the global tourism market. Europe and Asia, with shorter travel times and increasingly attractive offers, have emerged as strong contenders for these high-spending travelers.

In 2025, Saudi Arabia joined the UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Jordan, Bahrain, and other Middle Eastern countries in contributing to a nearly 2.9% drop in tourists arriving to the US. This decline is driven by shifting travel preferences and competition from Europe and Asia.

What Lies Ahead for US Tourism?

To combat this decline, the US tourism industry must adapt. Offering more tailored experiences, loosening visa restrictions, and marketing directly to Middle Eastern travelers’ unique interests can help reverse the trends. The Middle Eastern market has traditionally been lucrative for luxury hotels, high-end shopping districts, and upscale restaurants in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. However, to keep attracting these travelers, the US must rethink its appeal in a changing world.

In conclusion, the shift in Middle Eastern travel patterns represents both a challenge and an opportunity. By evolving and responding to these new trends, the US can once again become the go-to destination for travelers from the Middle East.

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