Perk, the AI-native travel and spend management platform formerly known as TravelPerk, has opened a Middle East headquarters in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), with plans to triple business travel spend from its UAE customers by 2028.

The company is establishing its regional base in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), formalising a presence in the UAE that dates back to 2021. The move comes as the UAE’s business travel market is projected to reach $94 billion by 2030, a growth trajectory that has drawn technology providers offering combined booking, expense and spend-management tools.

Why Perk chose ADGM

Perk said it selected ADGM as its Middle East base after assessing the emirate’s technology ecosystem, international business connectivity and support for high-growth companies. The company pointed to several factors behind the decision:

  • AI strategy: Perk describes itself as an AI-native platform and said Abu Dhabi’s focus on artificial intelligence and digital innovation aligns with its own growth strategy.
  • Regional access: ADGM gives Perk reach into businesses across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) while placing it inside one of the region’s established international financial centres.
  • Single-platform model: Perk combines business travel bookings, expense management and payment controls in one system, which the company said appeals to businesses managing corporate spending.
  • National AI push: the expansion lands as the UAE continues investing in artificial intelligence, with the government targeting AI for 20% of non-oil GDP by 2031.

UAE among Perk’s fastest-growing markets

Perk entered the UAE in 2021 and has expanded its customer base steadily since. The country is now the company’s ninth-largest market globally by business travel spend. Perk said it recorded 48% business growth during 2025 and is approaching $400 million in annualised revenue, adding that demand from UAE businesses shaped its decision to establish a permanent Abu Dhabi presence.

Targeting the underserved SME market

Perk said small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-market companies remain underserved by digital travel and expense tools, despite accounting for a significant share of business travel activity. As more companies replace manual processes with digital platforms, the company expects room to grow alongside the wider UAE travel market.

Perk said the Abu Dhabi office will support customers across the GCC as it builds new regional partnerships, with the 2028 revenue target guiding its expansion plans.