Dubai, UAE – June 2025 — As the global vaping industry converges once again at the World Vape Show Dubai 2025, one trend has clearly taken center stage: the resurgence and reinvention of hookah (shisha) products in the modern vape market.
Held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, this year’s event brought together over 1,000 exhibitors and thousands of attendees from around the world. While innovation in disposables, pod systems, and nicotine-free vaping continued to generate buzz, it was the next-generation hookah offerings that captured the attention of both traditional users and curious newcomers.
A Fusion of Tradition and Technology
Hookah, a centuries-old cultural tradition rooted in Middle Eastern and South Asian heritage, is undergoing a transformation. Brands showcased electronic hookah systems, portable shisha pens, and nicotine-free herbal blends, all designed to deliver the classic shisha experience in a sleek, convenient, and tech-driven format.
“Today’s consumers want the rich flavors and rituals of hookah, but with less hassle and more portability,” said Ali Rami, Regional Sales Director at Al Rawan Shisha Tech, one of the leading exhibitors. “We’re combining tradition with innovation, and Dubai is the perfect stage to present that fusion.”
Product Highlights
Some of the most talked-about hookah-related innovations at the show included:
Rechargeable Electronic Hookahs with digital heat control and Bluetooth pairing
Disposables with Shisha-Style Flavor Profiles, offering bold fruit and spice combinations
Multi-hose Portable Devices with no charcoal or water required
Nicotine-Free Hookah Pods targeting younger, wellness-focused consumers
The increased focus on health-conscious alternatives was evident across the category, with several brands launching zero-nicotine, glycerin-based hookah juices that mimic traditional taste and cloud output while avoiding nicotine entirely.
Global Market Growth
The revival of hookah products aligns with a wider trend: the global hookah and herbal shisha market is projected to grow substantially in the next five years, fueled by rising demand in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Europe and Asia. The World Vape Show highlighted how hookah is evolving from lounge culture into a premium, lifestyle-driven category.
On June 20, the World Vape Show Dubai 2025, which has attracted much attention from the global industry, entered its third day at the Dubai World Trade Center. At the exhibition, luckeevape found that many brands concentrated on displaying various forms of new hookah products.
At present, the Middle East and some European markets have a stable and large group of hookah users, and the ordinary taste and usage experience of traditional e-cigarettes can no longer meet the consumption needs of these users. For this reason, many brands have launched new hookah equipment that is closer to the traditional hookah experience, in order to achieve portability and technological upgrades while maintaining the traditional hookah smoke volume and flavor restoration.
Industry Response and Future Outlook
Industry insiders applauded the variety and quality of hookah innovations on display. “This is no longer a niche,” noted Sofia Nguyen, a vape analyst attending the show. “Hookah vaping is becoming a serious product segment, especially as consumers seek novel, social, and flavorful experiences.”
As Dubai positions itself as a global hub for both vaping culture and regulatory leadership, the prominence of hookah products at World Vape Show 2025 signals a shift in consumer interest—and a new wave of opportunity for manufacturers blending heritage with innovation.
Stay tuned as we continue to cover more highlights from the World Vape Show Dubai 2025, including exclusive interviews, product spotlights, and market insights from the heart of the vape world.
