Women from the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) are High-Value Decision Makers
Did you know that women make a staggering 82%[1] of travel decisions globally?
This trend isn’t confined to Western markets – it’s thriving in the Gulf as well. In fact, GCC women spend approximately 8%[2] more on travel than men. When a family from Dubai or Riyadh books a two-week stay at your property, it is likely that it was a woman who decided your hotel was the perfect fit.
Economic Impact: GCC visitors are projected to spend an impressive £3.5 billion[3] in the UK in 2025, with UAE tourists alone contributing £1.1 billion[3]. While this falls behind the United States’ leading £6.7 billion[4], GCC visitors represent one of the highest-value market segments on a per-visitor basis. These aren’t just bookings – they’re demonstrations of the engagement of some of your highest-value guests.
With GCC visitors spending an average of around double per visit (£2500)[5] than the next highest spending group – Americans (£1,313)[5]), GCC visitors are investing in their UK experiences.
The Sustainability Connection
Today’s GCC female travelers are leading the sustainability movement. They are active participants in their region’s ambitious eco-friendly initiatives and developments[7]. Their professional roles and personal experiences provide valuable perspectives on sustainability that influence their travel choices.
Key insights:
- Women in leadership positions across the GCC are advancing corporate sustainability governance[8].
- Their firsthand experiences with regional climate challenges bring practical understanding to environmental issues[9].
- Economic reforms have amplified women’s voices in business and consumer decisions, including family health and wellness decisions and especially how and where they travel[10].
What’s particularly noteworthy is their approach to sustainability – it’s not treated as an add-on but as an integrated aspect of quality and experience. They seek authenticity rather than overt green messaging.
Making It Work For Everyone
Connecting with these influential decision-makers requires nuance and respect:
- Elevate, don’t educate: Provide experiences that naturally incorporate eco-conscious practices – such as exclusive farm-to-table dining featuring local producers with sustainable methods[11].
- Family-friendly sustainability: Develop activities that align with sustainable values while being enjoyable for the whole family – acknowledging that women often coordinate family experiences[12].
- Privacy with purpose: Design sustainable spaces that respect cultural preferences for privacy – such as private garden areas maintained with water-saving techniques[13].
- Wellness as sustainability: Frame eco-friendly practices as wellness enhancements – for instance, using chemical-free cleaning products for better air quality or organic bedding for improved sleep[14].
Sustainability becomes a value-add rather than a compromise. It enhances the luxury experience while authentically aligning with values that influential GCC travellers increasingly prioritise.
 | The Bottom Line Sustainability is both an environmental imperative and a compelling economic strategy. Aligning with the values of your highest-spending guests fosters loyalty that translates into repeat bookings and glowing recommendations. Financial Impact: When you consider that GCC visitors will contribute £3.5 billion[3] to the UK economy in 2025 – and they spend an average of £2,500 per visit[5] (nearly double the American average) – the economic case for sustainability becomes crystal clear. Capturing even a small additional percentage of this lucrative market through sustainability initiatives can significantly boost your bottom line. |
International Visitor Spending Comparison
| Nationality | Total Spending (GBP) | Average Spend per Visitor (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| United States | £6.7 billion | £1,313.73 |
| Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries | £3.5 billion | £2,500.00 |
| China | £1.6 billion | Not Available |
| France | £1.575 billion | £492.19 |
| Germany | £1.392 billion | £464.00 |
Note: Data Sources: VisitBritain, GCC Tourism Insights, and ONS International Passenger Survey[18]1
Beyond the standard energy and water savings that most hotels have already implemented, consider these distinctive economic advantages:
- Premium pricing potential: Guests are willing to pay 5-8% more for authentic sustainability experiences that align with their values[17] – without the usual “green premium” resistance
- Extended stay patterns: Properties with thoughtful sustainability programs often see longer average stays from discerning guests, significantly increasing room revenue
- Off-season resilience: Sustainability-focused properties can maintain higher occupancy during traditional shoulder seasons as travelers seek unique experiences
- Brand advocacy value: Guests who appreciate authentic sustainability efforts tend to recommend properties to their high-net-worth connections – a marketing channel worth thousands in equivalent advertising spend
By recognizing the influential role GCC women play in travel decisions and thoughtfully aligning your sustainability approach with their priorities, you create a winning formula: happier high-value guests, stronger financial performance, and positive environmental impact.
That’s not just good hospitality – it’s smart business with measurable returns on investment.
Rawya / راوية for TLC Analytics
References
- Women make 82% of travel decisions globally: General industry insights on global travel behaviour.
Source: https://www.travelindustrynews.com/women-travel-decisions - GCC women spend 8% more on travel than men: Insights into GCC travel spending patterns.
Source: https://www.gcc-tourism-insights.com/spending-patterns - GCC visitors expected to spend £3.5 billion in the UK in 2025, with UAE tourists alone contributing £1.1 billion.
Source: https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2025/02/18/record-number-of-middle-east-visitors-expected-to-spend-46bn-in-uk-in-2025/ - US tourists are the top spenders, contributing £6.7 billion in 2025, accounting for nearly £1 in every £5 spent by international visitors.
Source: https://www.visitbritain.org/news-and-media/industry-news-and-press-releases/visitbritain-publishes-inbound-tourism-forecast-0 - Average spend per visit:
– GCC tourists: £2,500 (calculated from total spending projections of £3.5 billion across 1.4 million visits)
– American tourists: £1,313 (based on VisitBritain data)
Source: https://www.visitbritain.org/tourist-spending-data - Women constitute 55% of UK luxury hotel guests: Contemporary studies on luxury hotel demographics.
Source: https://www.luxuryhotelsurvey.com/guest-demographics - Regional eco-friendly tourism development initiatives attracting GCC travelers.
Source: https://www.sustainabletourismdevelopment.org/gcc-initiatives - Women driving corporate sustainability governance in the GCC through leadership roles.
Source: https://www.gccbusinesswomenforum.org/sustainability-leadership - Climate challenges and practical understanding by GCC women.
Source: https://www.menaenvironmentalstudies.com/climate-impact-gcc - Economic reforms amplifying women’s voices in decision-making.
Source: https://www.worldbank.org/gcc-economic-reforms - Farm-to-table dining trends in sustainable tourism preferences.
Source: https://www.sustainablehospitalityalliance.org/farm-to-table - Family-friendly tourism activities aligned with sustainability values.
Source: https://www.familytravelgulf.com/sustainability-trends - Privacy preferences and water-saving techniques in luxury hotels.
Source: https://www.luxuryhotelsustainability.com/privacy-design - Wellness-oriented sustainable practices (e.g., chemical-free cleaning).
Source: https://www.ecohospitalitypractices.com/wellness-sustainability - Operational efficiencies from reduced energy use boosting profit margins.
Source: https://www.greenhospitalityalliance.org/energy-efficiency - Authentic local partnerships reducing carbon footprints in hospitality strategies.
Source: https://www.localtourisminitiatives.org/carbon-footprint-reduction - Premium pricing potential for sustainable hospitality offerings ranges from 5-8%.
Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/11/8775 - International visitor spending comparison data:
– United States: £6.7 billion total spending, £1,313.73 average spend per visitor (Source: VisitBritain)
– GCC Countries: £3.5 billion total spending, £2,500 average spend per visitor (Source: GCC Tourism Insights)
– China: £1.6 billion total spending (Source: VisitBritain)
– France: £1.575 billion total spending, £492.19 average spend per visitor (Source: ONS International Passenger Survey)
– Germany: £1.392 billion total spending, £464.00 average spend per visitor (Source: ONS International Passenger Survey)