Saudi domestic tourism thrives on family, group travel
Tue, 07 Jan 2025
Saudi Arabia reveals a robust 44% growth in domestic bookings in 2024, marking a significant contribution (over 40%) to the overall travel land ...
Valor Hospitality targets regional growth
Tue, 07 Jan 2025
Valor Hospitality Partners Middle East Valor Hospitality Partners Middle East views full-service hotel management as key to elevating quality s ...
ATM 2025 to address soaring growth within aviation sector
Tue, 07 Jan 2025
Several leaders from the international aviation sector are expected to participate in the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which wi ...
Xinjiang Airport Group receive record 48.5m passengers in 2024
Tue, 07 Jan 2025
China's Xinjiang Airport Group logged record passenger and cargo traffic in 2024, serving around 48.5 million passengers and completing 302 ...
Six Senses 2025 wellness forecast
Tue, 07 Jan 2025
Wellness tourism is diversifying dramatically as today’s cross-generational tribe of enlightenment seekers strive for mental, spiritual a ...
UAE achieves record 1m aircraft movements in 2024
Tue, 07 Jan 2025
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced that the Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre surpassed one million air traffic mov ...
Visit Qatar is Diamond Sponsor for Saudi Travel Market
Tue, 07 Jan 2025
The Saudi Travel Market 2025 partnered with Visit Qatar as the Diamond Sponsor for its second edition. The event, a leading platform in the tou ...
Hamad International Airport served 52.7m passengers in 2024
Mon, 06 Jan 2025
Hamad International Airport (DOH) achieved a milestone in 2024, serving 52.7 million passengers, a 15 per cent increase compared to the previou ...
Royal Opera House Muscat presents Beauty and the Beast on ice
Mon, 06 Jan 2025
The Royal Opera House Muscat opened the 2025 season with a winter wonderland performance of Beauty and the Beast on Ice, presented by Internati ...
Etihad Airways partners with Badminton World Federation
Mon, 06 Jan 2025
Etihad Airways, the UAE's national airline, has announced a new partnership with the Badminton World Federation, starting in the 2025 seaso ...
Global Village wows thousands with Al Jassmi’s concert debut
Mon, 06 Jan 2025
Emirati superstar Hussain Al Jassmi performed at Global Village, the region's top multicultural family destination, marking his first perfo ...
Italian tourism excellence showcased in Abu Dhabi
Mon, 06 Jan 2025
An event to showcase Italian tourism excellence was held in the UAE capital recently as part of the Abu Dhabi stop of the “World Tour Ves ...
Hatta Winter Festival Photo Walk unites photographers
Mon, 06 Jan 2025
The Hatta Winter Festival, organised by Brand Dubai, showcases community-focused activities and a Photo Walk on January 4th, 2025, bringing tog ...
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island reveals upgraded villas at Al Yamm
Mon, 06 Jan 2025
Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Abu Dhabi Resorts is reintroducing its luxury property, Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort, with updated beachfront vil ...
Coldplay Abu Dhabi 2025: everything you need to know
Mon, 06 Jan 2025
The excitement surrounding Coldplay’s once-in-a-lifetime concerts at Zayed Sports City Stadium is palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting th ...
Ethiopian Airlines opens Wako Gutu Terminal
Mon, 06 Jan 2025
Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa's largest airline brand, has inaugurated the Wako Gutu Airport Terminal in Bale Robe, attended by Oromia R ...
Saudi Tourism Forum to open in Riyadh on Tuesday
Mon, 06 Jan 2025
Riyadh will host the third edition of the Saudi Tourism Forum from January 7 to 9 at Roshn Front under the theme "To Discover." ...
Jeddah airport receives record 49.1m passengers in 2024
Mon, 06 Jan 2025
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah achieved a major milestone in 2024, recording the highest annual operational figure in Saudi air ...
Catrion to provide catering for Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia
Sun, 05 Jan 2025
Dakar and Catrion have announced that Catrion will be the exclusive catering partner for the Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2025, taking place from J ...
GSTC Food & Beverage Criteria consultation is now open
Sun, 05 Jan 2025
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), in collaboration with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), announced i ...
International flights to resume at Damascus Airport
Sun, 05 Jan 2025
The Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport announced the resumption of international flights to and from Damascus Interna ...
Emirates first Airbus A350 enters commercial service
Sun, 05 Jan 2025
Emirates achieved a milestone by operating its inaugural flight from Dubai to Edinburgh with its first Airbus A350 in commercial service, repor ...
DXB to start 2025 with record 4.3 million guests in 15 days
Sun, 05 Jan 2025
Dubai International (DXB) is on track to welcome 4.3 million guests in the first 15 days of the year, setting the stage for its busiest January ...
Abu Dhabi welcomes World Tour Vespucci and Italy Village
Sat, 04 Jan 2025
As part of the Abu Dhabi stop of the “World Tour Vespucci and Italy Village,” the event “The Wonders of Italian Tourism and t ...
Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort announces key appointments
Sat, 04 Jan 2025
Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort, a luxury hospitality project in Ras Al Khaimah, has announced the appointment of Rajeev Gopalakrishnan as Direct ...
Etihad opens new US Preclearance Lounge at Zayed International
Sat, 04 Jan 2025
UAE national carrier Etihad Airways has opened its new US Preclearance Lounge at Zayed International Airport, thus enhancing the travel experie ...
Qatar launches its biggest shopping, entertainment fest
Sat, 04 Jan 2025
Shop Qatar, the nation’s largest shopping and entertainment festival, kicked off on January 1 with an elegant opening ceremony at Place V ...
Hong Kong launches its first domestically developed C919 passenger jet
Thu, 02 Jan 2025
Hong Kong has launched its first domestically developed C919 passenger jet aircraft, operated by China Eastern Airlines, on January 1, 2025.
AlUla launches citrus season for harvest celebrations
Thu, 02 Jan 2025
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has launched the 2025 Citrus Season celebration, which will take place from January 3 to 11. Coinciding wi ...
DAE acquires 83 aircraft, signs 233 lease deals in 2024
Thu, 02 Jan 2025
Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) today (January2) reported its business transactions update for 2024. The company had acquired 83 aircraft, of ...
Al Raha Beach Hotel rebrands as Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa
Thu, 02 Jan 2025
Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa, a beachfront destination in Abu Dhabi, unveiled its new identity at an exclusive gala dinner, announced by Gene ...
Mövenpick Ghala Muscat celebrates first anniversary
Thu, 02 Jan 2025
Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Ghala Muscat is celebrating its first anniversary, marking a year of excellence, hospitality, and cherished ...
Turkish Airlines launches Unesco amenity kits
Thu, 02 Jan 2025
Turkish Airlines is introducing a new Unesco Türkiye Series amenity kit collection, inspired by six Unesco World Heritage sites in Tü ...
British explorer to cross KSA on foot in historic expedition
Thu, 02 Jan 2025
British explorer and TV presenter Alice Morrison is gearing up for a one-of-a-kind adventure, set to make history as the first person t ...
Passenger traffic at Egyptian airports rises by 9pc in 2024
Thu, 02 Jan 2025
The passenger traffic at Egyptian airports rose 9 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023, the Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported, citing the Mi ...
Qatar visitor numbers top 5m; tourism spend hits $10.9bn
Thu, 02 Jan 2025
The in-destination tourism spend in Qatar surged by 38% in 2024 to QAR40 billion ($10.97 billion), while the total international visitor number ...
Ritz-Carlton, Doha promotes Popa to Quality Leader
Thu, 02 Jan 2025
The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, announces the promotion of Oana Popa to Quality Leader, a position that reflects her ongoing commitment to excellence a ...
NBF augments capital by converting $275m AT1 capital
Tue, 31 Dec 2024
National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) completed the conversion of its Additional Tier 1 capital securities (AT1 capital), amounting to $275 million ( ...
Msheireb Downtown Doha attracts 15 million visitors in 2024
Tue, 31 Dec 2024
In 2024, Msheireb Downtown Doha became one of the Qatar's premier destinations, welcoming over 15 million visitors, a remarkable increase f ...
Bahrain, Kuwait to welcome Emirates A350 on January 8
Tue, 31 Dec 2024
Emirates is bringing forward the deployment of its Airbus A350 to Bahrain and Kuwait. Services will start 8 January, making them the second and ...
Visit Bahrain debuts first international tourists at Hawar Resort
Tue, 31 Dec 2024
Visit Bahrain plans to offer exclusive excursions to Hawar Resort for tourists, part of its year-round events and programs for visiting groups ...
Global Village plans seven drone shows for New Year’s Eve
Tue, 31 Dec 2024
Global Village, a multicultural family destination, has announced seven drone shows, each timed to coincide with one of the seven New Year' ...
Riyadh Season 2024 draws record 13 million visitors
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
Saudi General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has announced that Riyadh Season 2024 had achieved a new milestone, with the number of visitors rea ...
Air Arabia starts flights to Tashkent from Ras Al Khaimah
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
Air Arabia, one of the leading low-cost carriers in Middle East and North Africa, celebrated the launch of its latest route from Ras Al Khaimah ...
Hospitality tech firm Onda sets up joint venture in UAE
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
Onda, a South Korean AI and big data-driven hospitality technology company, has announced plans to establish a joint venture with a UAE-b ...
Hawar Resort open for bookings from January 29
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
Hawar Resort by Mantis, located on UNESCO-recognised Hawar Island, offers eco-luxury travel combining sustainability, cultural heritage, and mo ...
Sofitel Ras Al Khaimah introduces new Sales & Marketing team
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
As Sofitel Ras Al Khaimah, which opened in May this year, wraps up its first successful year, the property has completed the hiring of its dynami ...
NPRA announces passport delivery service within 24 hours
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
The Interior Ministry Undersecretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA), Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, announc ...
Tamkeen publishes hospitality and tourism skills reports
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
Tamkeen has announced the launch of a new sector skills report highlighting the skills and jobs required in Bahrain’s Hospitality and Tou ...
Hospitality facilities must be licensed: Saudi Ministry of Tourism
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has emphasised the obligation of all hospitality facilities, including private establishments, to have a ...
Number of Umrah performers increases by 35pc in Q3 2024
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has announced the results of the Umrah Statistics Report for the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.
Ras Al Khaimah ready for new trends shaping travel
Tue, 24 Dec 2024
The future of travel is all about personalisation and purpose and as we look ahead to 2025, global travellers will seek more meaningful, transf ...
UAE carriers reach 87.1 million seats in 2024
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
The UAE carriers have fully recovered their capacity, surpassing 2019 levels and increasing it to 87.1 million seats in 2024, a 10.5 per cent i ...
Surge in Saudi international travel to popular destinations: Wego
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
Wego, one of the top travel apps and MENA's online marketplaces, has revealed a significant rise in travel activity among Saudi travellers ...
Gulf Air honors 18 Bahraini licensed engineers
Mon, 30 Dec 2024
Gulf Air, the National Carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, recognized 18 Bahraini engineers who successfully completed a comprehensive type-rati ...
Higher Authority set up to develop Hawar Islands
Sun, 29 Dec 2024
Bahrain's His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has issued a decree establishing the Higher Authority for Hawar Islands Development, ba ...
179 presumed dead in South Korea plane crash
Sun, 29 Dec 2024
At least 122 people have died and two were rescued after a Jeju Air passenger jet carrying 181 people erupted in flames as it went off the runw ...
New resort opens in Hawar Island
Sun, 29 Dec 2024
Mantis has announced the official opening of the Hawar Resort. The resort is the first strategic project implemented under the master plan for ...
High demand for luxury travel in UAE: survey
Sun, 29 Dec 2024
American Express Middle East has unveiled the results of its Trendex Survey*, painting a vivid picture of the travel, shopping and entertainmen ...
Hyatt adds Bahia Principe to its portfolio
Sun, 29 Dec 2024
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the completion of an agreement for affiliates of Hyatt and Grupo Piñero to enter a long-term, ass ...
Red Sea Airport welcomes first flynas flight from Dammam
Sun, 29 Dec 2024
Red Sea Global (RSG) has launched the first direct flight from Dammam's King Fahd International Airport to Red Sea International Airport (R ...
Explora Journeys launches 'Unique Oceans Offer'
Sun, 29 Dec 2024
Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has launched its “Unique Oceans Offer” covering the Medit ...
Air Arabia launches debut flight from RAK to Moscow
Sat, 28 Dec 2024
Sharjah-based lowcost carrier Air Arabia has officially launched its first direct flights to Moscow's Domodedovo International Airport from ...
UAE adopts autopsy, aviation medicine protocol in air mishap probe
Sat, 28 Dec 2024
UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced that it has approved the "Protocol for Autopsy and Aviation Medicine in Ai ...
Bahrain Airport Company officials elected to top ACI committee
Sat, 28 Dec 2024
Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport, has announced that its senior executives - Leen ...
Vatel College signs co-operation deal with Onyx Rotana
Sat, 28 Dec 2024
Vatel Bahrain, a part of Vatel network of global hospitality schools, has signed a co-operation agreement with the Onyx Rotana Hotel that will ...
Saudi Red Sea issues new licences to boost marine tourism
Sat, 28 Dec 2024
The Saudi Red Sea Authority has announced that it has issued 12 new licences for tourism shipping agents, cruise ship operators as well as mari ...
Rotana unveils plans for new 5-star property in Mogadishu
Fri, 27 Dec 2024
Rotana, a leading hotel management company, has announced the signing of Mogadishu Rotana, the first luxury hotel development in Somalia, in pa ...
Slemani Rotana, Tablochin celebrate Iraqi culture
Thu, 26 Dec 2024
Slemani Rotana, a 5-star hotel in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, has partnered with local artist Tablochin to deepen its connection with the country's ...
Qatar invites visitors to enjoy its winter desert adventures
Thu, 26 Dec 2024
Qatar's desert landscapes offer a variety of activities, including sand dune adventures and camel rides. This winter, residents and visitor ...
UAE tourism sees significant growth in 2024
Thu, 26 Dec 2024
The UAE tourism sector saw significant growth in 2024, aligning with the goals of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031.
Japan Airlines' system under cyberattack, flights delayed
Thu, 26 Dec 2024
Japan Airlines (JAL) said on December 26 that its system network is under a cyberattack, with at least 14 domestic flights delayed for up to an ...
‘Discover Aseer’ hosts Highlander during first hiking in KSA
Wed, 25 Dec 2024
Aseer, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has hosted the Highlander Adventure, a global hiking event series that launched in 2017, during its firs ...
DSF set to open first-ever Auto Season on January 1
Wed, 25 Dec 2024
The annual Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is accelerating the city’s biggest-ever celebrations into full gear with the launch of the inaug ...
DSF to launch spectacular new drone shows
Wed, 25 Dec 2024
Dubai’s skyline will be lit up with a dazzling new theme of free-to-watch drone shows from December 27 to January 12 as part of the annua ...
Gulf Air recognises Bahrain’s top corporate and travel agents
Wed, 25 Dec 2024
Gulf Air, the National Carrier of Bahrain, has honoured its key corporate and travel partners in the kingdom. < ...
Abu Dhabi hotels receive 4.8 million guests in 2024: DCT
Wed, 25 Dec 2024
Abu Dhabi’s hotels received 4.8 million guests year-to-date (YTD) as of October 2024, a 26% increase in international guests compared to ...
TBO Holidays partners with agents for festive Qatar holiday
Tue, 24 Dec 2024
TBO Holidays is partnering with travel agents to provide clients with a distinctive holiday experience in Qatar during the festive season.
Jumeirah unveils reimagined sanctuaries in Dubai, Bali
Tue, 24 Dec 2024
Jumeirah, a leading luxury hospitality company, has unveiled renovated villas and suites in Dubai and Bali. These additions aim to provid ...
Five AI-driven travel and expense trends expected in 2025
Tue, 24 Dec 2024
Artificial intelligence (AI) is getting smarter every second, and in the coming year, it promises to revolutionise the tools that travellers an ...
Hyatt, Playa negotiating potential acquisition
Tue, 24 Dec 2024
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has executed an exclusivity agreement with Playa Hotels & Resorts (Playa) under which Playa has agreed to negotiat ...
SalamAir enhances travel flexibility with launch of new services
Tue, 24 Dec 2024
SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost airline, will launch three products designed to enhance passenger’s travel experience. Starting Jan ...
12m people attend this year’s Riyadh Season
Tue, 24 Dec 2024
General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Board of Directors Chairman Turki Alalshikh said that Riyadh Season has achieved a significant milestone ...
Over 45 fireworks shows to light up Dubai for New Year's Eve
Tue, 24 Dec 2024
As the New Year 2025 celebrations approach, the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) in Dubai announced its preparations to organise and ...
King Khalid Airport tops rankings in Saudi Arabia
Tue, 24 Dec 2024
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh ranked first among airports with over 15 million annual passengers, achieving an 82 per cen ...
97pc of UAE consumers plan to travel soon: Trendex survey
Tue, 24 Dec 2024
Some 97% of UAE consumers plan to travel during the upcoming winter and spring holidays and a majority of them showed strong demand for luxury ...
Cruise Saudi opens Saba Beach on Private Island
Mon, 23 Dec 2024
Cruise Saudi, a Public Investment Fund portfolio company responsible for the creation and development of Saudi’s cruise sector, has annou ...
Miral announces ambitious sustainability strategy
Mon, 23 Dec 2024
Miral has unveiled its comprehensive Sustainability Strategy, which aims to become a regional benchmark for sustainable leisure, entertainment, ...
Airport International Group awarded Silver Jubilee Medal
Mon, 23 Dec 2024
During a meeting held at the Royal Hashemite Court on December, 18, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein bestowed upon Airport Int ...
Abu Dhabi comedy season two hits in 2025
Mon, 23 Dec 2024
Abu Dhabi is set to host the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Comedy Season, featuring the world's top comedy stars from 26 April to 12 July ...
Tourism Seychelles hosts exclusive Saudi Fam trip
Mon, 23 Dec 2024
Tourism Seychelles Middle East has organised an exclusive Familiarisation trip from Saudi Arabia to the stunning islands of Seychelles, which t ...
Royal Opera House Muscat hosts top shows in January
Mon, 23 Dec 2024
The Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) is set to showcase its 2024/25 season in January 2025, offering world-class performances and educational ac ...
Damac Maison Distinction wins Best Boutique Hotel
Mon, 23 Dec 2024
Damac Maison Distinction, a Dubai-based luxury residence, has been recognised at the 10th edition of the Middle East Hospitality Excellence Awa ...
New GM named for Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Science Park
Mon, 23 Dec 2024
IHG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Soha Zahar as the General Manager of Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Science Park. &nb ...
Wego reveals top European spots for UAE travelers
Mon, 23 Dec 2024
Wego, one of the top travel app and online marketplace in MENA, has revealed the most popular European destinations for UAE travelers during Ch ...
Gulf Air summit puts spotlight on major flight safety initiatives
Sun, 22 Dec 2024
Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air hosted the second Gulf Flight Safety Association (GFSA) conference at the Mövenpick Hotel in the c ...
Emirates opens its Karachi Travel Store
Sun, 22 Dec 2024
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has officially launched its new Travel Store in Karachi, making it the airline&rsquo ...
Ajman Tourism unveils two Emirati experiences
Sun, 22 Dec 2024
The Ajman Department of Tourism Development has announced the selection of two tourism experiences as part of the “Tourism Experiences Tr ...
Air Arabia launches debut flights to Warsaw, Vienna
Sat, 21 Dec 2024
UAE low-cost carrier Air Arabia has announced the launch of its inaugural flights to two major European destinations - Polish capital Warsaw an ...
Wizz Air brings out incredible offers for festive season
Fri, 20 Dec 2024
As the new year approaches, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the ultra-low-fare national airline of the UAE, is celebrating the holiday season with an incre ...