Yango Ads, the advertising technology arm of Yango Group, shared new insights into travel and hospitality marketing trends in emerging markets during its event, Yango Ads Live: The Next Destination.
The report highlights how data-driven advertising is influencing travel choices, with nearly half of travellers affected by targeted campaigns.
Impact of targeted ads
According to the report, 48% of travellers surveyed said targeted ads influence their destination choices. The findings underscore the increasing role of AI-powered recommendations, hyper-local content, and real-time search data in hospitality advertising. These tools help brands engage travellers more effectively, especially with the UAE’s busy winter travel season approaching.
Yango Ads data shows that 60% of tourists from emerging markets plan trips two to three months in advance. This contrasts with travellers from Europe and the US who typically plan a year ahead. The difference emphasizes the need for timely marketing campaigns around UAE peak periods such as Eid, Dubai Shopping Festival, and major cultural events.
Industry perspectives
Malika Kennedy, Chief Business Development Officer at Yango Ads MEA, said, “At Yango Ads, we demonstrate how our AI-powered insights and precision targeting help hospitality brands deliver the personalised, authentic experiences today’s travellers expect, turning inspiration into bookings and loyalty. In the UAE, where tourism contributed 12% to GDP last year, we are empowering our partners with smarter travel marketing in one of the world’s most dynamic tourism markets and a top destination for international tourist spending.”
The panel discussion The Travel Shift: From Touchpoints to Trust featured experts from across the travel sector, focusing on how brands can build and maintain traveller trust in 2025. Participants included Aysel Kazimova, CIS & Eastern Europe Travel Expert; Laura Eckrodt, Airline Expert; and Karthik Priyadarshan, Global Digital Director at Rixos Hotels.
Anna Yastrebova, Head of Regions Russia, CIS, and Baltic States at Dubai Tourism, commented: “Collaboration between tourism boards, airlines, hoteliers, and technology partners is essential to maintaining Dubai’s position as a global tourism leader. Events such as the one hosted by Yango Ads play a key role in bringing these stakeholders together, helping shape strategies that embrace innovation and data-driven marketing.”
Future outlook
Looking ahead, the UAE’s travel market is expected to grow steadily, with a focus on premium experiences, sustainability, and technology-driven personalisation. Yango Ads plans to continue supporting hospitality partners with AI-powered targeting and flexible campaigns, expanding its reach across the GCC and key emerging markets to keep pace with changing consumer behaviour.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
