An Open Letter to the Middle East's Travel Industry: Unlocking Your True Potential

The third edition of Skift Global Forum East begins in Dubai tomorrow evening. As Skift’s work in the region becomes more extensive with every passing year, I wanted to write out my observations on the main challenges I see the region’s industry has to overcome.

As an Indian-American living in New York, my ties to the Middle East and the larger MENA region run deep. My parents once called this region home, my sister and her family still reside here, and so do many of my closest cousins, spread across various Middle Eastern countries. Moreover, my own family is a beautiful blend — we have three wonderful children, two of whom were born in the Arab world. When I speak about the Middle East, I do so not as an outsider, but as someone who cares deeply about its future and is genuinely invested in its success.

Over the past few years, I've traveled to the Middle East dozens of times, witnessing firsthand the incredible potential and energy that permeate the region, especially in the young people. However, I've also observed areas where improvements could accelerate growth and innovation, particularly in the travel industry and the broader business sector. I'd like to share three key points that