Abu dhabi: Perk (formerly TravelPerk), the AI-native platform specializing in travel and spend management, has announced the opening of its Middle East office in the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). This move underscores Abu Dhabi's status as a hub for advanced technologies and digital innovation, aligning with the UAE's goal of having AI contribute 20% to the non-oil GDP by 2031.
According to Emirates News Agency, Perk's expansion into Abu Dhabi marks a significant commitment to the UAE and the wider GCC region. The company plans to triple its business travel spend from UAE customers by 2028, tapping into a business travel market expected to reach US$94 billion by 2030. Currently, small and mid-market businesses, which form Perk's core customer base, are underserved by modern platforms. Abu Dhabi's robust AI infrastructure and globally connected business ecosystem present an ideal environment for Perk's regional growth.
Avi Meir, CEO and Co-Founder of Perk, emphasized the strategic alignment between the UAE's national strategy and Perk's AI-focused platform. He stated, "The UAE has made AI central to its national strategy, and that ambition mirrors exactly what Perk is built for. We are an AI-native platform, and Abu Dhabi is clearly seeking to become an AI-native market. We have believed in this region since we first saw customers here in 2021, and we want to be part of its future. Opening in Abu Dhabi is not just a commercial step. It is us saying clearly that we are here for the long term."
Perk's presence in the UAE dates back to 2021, during which time the company identified a growing demand for its services. The UAE is now Perk's ninth-largest market globally by travel spend, within a business that expanded by 48% in 2025 and is nearing US$400 million in annualized revenue.
Alessandro Borgogna, Chief Cluster Planning and Development Officer at ADIO, remarked on the significance of Perk's regional presence in Abu Dhabi. He noted that the corporate travel market is evolving to prioritize better control over travel, expenses, and mobility across multiple markets. This trend creates opportunities for platforms like Perk that can serve international businesses at scale. Abu Dhabi provides a conducive environment for companies pursuing global ambitions, as travel technology becomes increasingly integral to the emirate's broader mobility and business services ecosystem.