The Middle East is positioned to capitalise on changing preferences among affluent international travellers as demand pivots towards highly personalised, experience-led luxury journeys, according to Xing Zhang, founder of travel platform Connect.
Speaking in Abu Dhabi around a luxury travel networking gathering, Zhang noted that high-net-worth travellers, particularly from China, are increasingly moving beyond conventional luxury offerings. Instead, they are seeking deeper connections with destinations through local culture, gastronomy, wellness, and nature, while maintaining high expectations for accommodation quality.
Zhang identified Abu Dhabi as particularly well-suited to benefit from this evolving demand due to its existing combination of cultural landmarks, natural attractions, design, and premium hospitality infrastructure. He stated that the primary commercial opportunity lies in presenting these elements via curated itineraries supported by knowledgeable regional partners.
Connect seeks to facilitate these market ties by connecting Chinese luxury travel buyers and bespoke designers with Middle Eastern and African suppliers through direct business-to-business engagements and first-hand destination discovery experiences.
Sources
- Khaleej Times · 2026-10-25
