The GCC is witnessing an unprecedented tourism surge, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading global travel expansion, leading to faster adoption of eSIM, a market player said.
Airalo, a leading global eSIM marketplace, said it registered a 20 per cent growth of the eSIM market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in 2024.
eSIM adoption rising
This reflects the region’s digital transformation and the surge in GCC travellers using eSIMs for seamless connectivity across top destinations in Europe, the US, and Asia, the company said.
Airalo said it recorded a sharp increase in eSIM activations across the region, driven by the demand for instant, cost-effective, and hassle-free connectivity.
The company, citing recent market data, said Saudi Arabia saw a 15 per cent increase in international flight bookings last year compared to 2023, while the UAE experienced a 16 per cent rise in international visitors during the same period.
Ahmed Elfiky, Director of Growth at Airalo, said Saudi Arabia’s push into leisure and entertainment is evident with major events like the Riyadh Season and the upcoming 2029 Asian Winter Games.
Similarly, the UAE continues to attract and retain visitors with initiatives such as the evolving developments in Dubai’s Expo City.
“These efforts are positioning both countries as premier global tourism hubs. With both countries increasingly drawing millions of visitors, this is fueling demand for seamless digital connectivity,” he said.
Elfiky said with multi-billion-dollar tourism investments, record-breaking visitor numbers, and world-class events, reliable mobile connectivity has become a necessity for modern travellers.
He said in the four years leading up to June 2023, bandwidth consumption in the Middle East grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 30 per cent, with a key driver behind this spike being the increasing demand of customers on the move.
“All indications point to this trend continuing for the foreseeable future with digital advancements enabling the potential for mobility at an unprecedented rate,” he said.
Airalo said it offers instant activation of eSIMs, besides flexible data plans, and seamless global connectivity, eliminating the need for physical SIM swaps or costly roaming fees.
“As tourism in the GCC continues to soar, more travellers are embracing eSIM technology for instant, borderless, and hassle-free connectivity – ensuring they stay connected wherever their journey takes them,” it said.
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