Travelex has strengthened its footprint in the United Arab Emirates with the opening of three new stores at Sharjah International Airport (SHJ). The move brings the foreign exchange specialist's total presence at the airport to four locations, serving both departing and transit passengers with access to travel money in more than 60 currencies.
The new outlets are designed to streamline the currency exchange process for travelers. Customers can purchase foreign currency on the day of departure or opt for a pre-order online and collect it at the airport. For returning tourists, the stores also offer VAT refunds in cash, adding a layer of convenience to the post-travel experience.
Accessibility is a key feature of the new locations. Travelex has introduced priority services for passengers with disabilities and offers support in multiple languages, catering to the diverse international traffic that passes through Sharjah. This aligns with the company's broader commitment to inclusive and customer-friendly foreign exchange services.
Expansion reflects UAE tourism growth
The expansion comes as Sharjah's tourism sector continues to surge, with the emirate recording a 38% increase in tourism in 2025. This growth has fueled demand for travel-related services, and Travelex's investment is a direct response to rising passenger numbers at the airport.
Batu Dölay, Managing Director of Travelex Middle East & Southeast Asia, commented, “As the UAE continues to thrive as a leading transit hub and tourist destination, we’re delighted to be expanding our estate at Sharjah International Airport, meeting increasing passenger demand and ensuring travellers have convenient access to travel money.”
Travelex has operated in the UAE for two decades and now runs 55 stores across the country. The latest addition at Sharjah reinforces its position at a key international transit hub, complementing its existing network in major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The new stores also support Travelex's focus on accessible and convenient foreign exchange. With passenger traffic on the rise, the additional locations aim to make currency exchange and VAT refunds easier for travelers passing through Sharjah, a gateway that connects the Middle East with Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Industry observers note that the move is part of a broader trend of travel services expanding at regional airports. Similar developments have been seen at other airports in the region, such as Mactan-Cebu International Airport in the Philippines, which recently won an award for passenger experience, highlighting the global emphasis on enhancing airport services.
For travel professionals, the expansion signals confidence in the UAE's aviation and tourism sectors. As airlines add capacity and new routes, such as Vietjet's new Vietnam–Philippines routes, airports are investing in ancillary services to improve the traveler journey. Travelex's move is a strategic play to capture the growing demand for currency exchange and related services at Sharjah.
The new stores are now operational, and Travelex expects them to handle a significant volume of transactions, particularly during peak travel seasons. The company's long-standing presence in the UAE, combined with its latest investment, underscores its commitment to the region's travel infrastructure.
