Travel trends for 2026 Getty Images- Image for illustrative purposes

Revealed: Here’s what travel will look like in 2026

Travel is getting personal, intentional and identity-driven, with Global Hotel Alliance pointing to a new kind of explorer, one who values meaning over mileage and experience over excess

Red Sea Global's Brett Armitage on transforming Saudi's hospitality landscape

Red Sea Global’s Brett Armitage on sustainability, authenticity and transformative experiences

The group head of Global Branding and Marketing at Red Sea Global, on how story telling, collaboration and transformative guest journeys are placing the destination at the forefront of sustainable, human-led luxury

GCC travel trends from Dragonpass Getty Images- image for illustrative purposes

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman lead regional travel expansion: Dragonpass

Bahrain recorded the highest lounge usage globally, at 1.35 per cent of passengers, ahead of major international hubs such as London Heathrow and Hong Kong

Royal Commission for AlUla's Phillip Jones on culture, community, conservation

Royal Commission for AlUla’s Phillip Jones on culture, community, conservation

The chief tourism officer shares how the destination is influencing the kingdom’s tourism momentum and its model that blends conservation, community, and culture

Explora Journeys' Achille Staiano on commercial innovation in travel

Explora Journeys’ Achille Staiano on commercial innovation in travel

Personalisation, wellness, and mindful itineraries are no longer optional; they are core to both guest satisfaction and commercial sustainability

MCN MENAT's Ghassan Harfouche on 'Transforming Moments into Tourism Legacies'

MCN MENAT’s Ghassan Harfouche on ‘Transforming Moments into Tourism Legacies’

Unpacking the findings of its latest tourism report, the CEO of MCN MENAT and president of McCann APAC, shares how destinations can convert the buzz of live events into enduring tourism legacies

Business travel picks up in MENA report shows- Getty Images

MENA business travel surges 30% in Q3; driven by short trips, Tumodo reports

The broader MENA market, valued at $18.1bn in 2024, is expected to reach $270.8bn by 2030, outpacing global averages, the report showed

GCC tourism report highlights from GCC STAT -Image-for-illustrative-purposes-Getty Images

GCC tourism sector projected to reach $371.2bn by 2034: GCC STAT

By 2034, the tourism industry is expected to generate around 1.3 million new jobs, reflecting its potential to further bolster employment opportunities in the region

Cultural Assets Group launches SAR850m investment fund, backed by Saudi Cultural Development Fund

Saudi’s Cultural Assets Group launches SAR850m investment fund, backed by Cultural Development Fund

The fund will invest across diverse fields, including visual arts, fashion and cultural retail, digital content experience design, and interactive media and production, as well as emerging technologies

Red Sea Global to open Shura Island resorts, golf course soon

Red Sea Global to open Shura Island resorts, golf course soon

Shura Island will eventually feature 11 resorts, with additional openings planned in the coming months

Dubai issues new regulation to strengthen tourist transport sector Image RTA_Dubai Media Office

Dubai’s RTA, DET issue new regulation to strengthen tourist transport sector

The regulation was issued under Administrative Decision No 97 of 2025, which implements Executive Council Resolution No 107 of 2023 governing tourist transport activity in Dubai

Dubai launches first sand equestrian track in Hatta to boost tourism

Dubai launches first sand equestrian track in Hatta to boost tourism

Visitors can ride hired horses or bring their own to navigate the natural surroundings

Phillipa Harrison is new CEO of RAKTDA

RAK govt appoints Phillipa Harrison as new CEO of RAKTDA

Ras Al Khaimah, which welcomed a record 650,000 visitors in H1 2025, aims to attract more than 3.5 million tourists annually by 2030

Dubai introduces new licence service for visiting boat owners

Dubai introduces new licence service for visiting boat owners

International visitors now have the opportunity to enjoy an exceptional marine experience in Dubai’s waters

Abu Dhabi to build 'Sphere' venues across the region

Abu Dhabi to build ‘Sphere’ venues across the region

The deal follows the October announcement of Sphere Abu Dhabi and was detailed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing made on July 28

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Image Abu Dhabi media Office_WAM

Prominent landmarks: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque rises in global rankings

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi ranked eighth globally in TripAdvisor’s 2025 Top Attractions list, up two spots from 2024

saudi arabia - Vision 2030 - IMF

TOURISE unveils global Advisory Board ahead of inaugural Riyadh summit

TOURISE aims to foster cross-sector convergence, creating a space where thought leaders, innovators, and visionaries can collaborate to define the future of the sector

TOURISM IN RAS AL KHAIMAH (RAK) CONTINUES TO GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH WITH RECORD-BREAKING HALF-YEAR PERFORMANCE 1

Ras Al Khaimah records busiest half-year, visitor arrivals and revenues up

Key source markets saw strong growth, with visitors from India increasing by 25 per cent year-on-year

Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

Raki Phillips steps down as RAK Tourism chief for Accor post

During his six years at RAKTDA, he helped transform the northern emirate into one of the region’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.

Dubai Summer surprises: How is it different from other retail events

Beyond the bargains: What makes Dubai Summer Surprises stand out?

For the first time in its history, DSS introduces three specially curated retail seasons aligned with the summer rhythm

Mudrick Ramadhan Soragha, Minister of Tourism of Zanzibar, outlines the island’s vision for high-value, low-impact tourism, discussing everything from strategic partnerships with Gulf nations to rising GCC visitor numbers to the island

Zanzibar’s Tourism Minister on its vision for growth, GCC visitors and eco-tourism

Minister Mudrick Ramadhan Soragha shares Zanzibar’s high-value, low-impact tourism vision, highlighting Gulf partnerships, rising GCC visitors and cultural preservation

Saudi Arabia tourism nos in q1 Image-for-illustrative-purposes-Getty-Images

Saudi Arabia tops global tourism revenue growth in Q1 2025, shows report

During Q1 2025, Saudi Arabia recorded a 102 per cent surge in international arrivals compared with Q1 2019

DSS 2025: A look inside the record 66-day experience in Dubai

Dubai Summer Surprises 2025: A look inside the 66-day shopping experience

For the first time, DSS adopts a three-season shopping model—dubbed Summer Holiday Offers, the Great Dubai Summer Sale, and Back to School

Dubai Duty Free shatters sales records in 2025: What’s driving the growth?

Dubai Duty Free shatters sales records in 2025: What’s driving the growth?

The robust performance was driven by a surge in travel during the Eid holidays and the early summer season

5 key tips to make visa applications more seamless and easy Getty Images For illustrative purposes only

Smooth travels: 5 key tips for a seamless visa application experience

VFS Global shares five simple yet essential tips to help you navigate the visa application process with confidence, ease, and safety

Abu Dhabi sees rise in hotel guests and revenue in March -image Getty Images

Abu Dhabi hotel revenues hit Dhs611m in March with rising tourist demand

Roughly 417,000 hotel guests stayed in the emirate during March, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal as a global travel destination

DET citywide briefing Image Dubai Media Office

Dubai: DET briefing highlights growth, new campaigns and community initiatives

Reflecting the UAE’s Year of Community theme, the briefing underlined the role of collaboration in achieving Dubai’s tourism growth

Middle East travel spend set to soar 50% by 2030: report

Middle East travel spend set to soar 50% by 2030: report

The report’s findings confirm that travel growth in the Middle East is incredibly strong, with annual growth averaging more than 7 per cent through 2030

Bucket list alert: 5 epic things you can only do in Saudi Arabia

This summer, gaming takes center stage as Riyadh hosts the Esports World Cup 2025 from July 7 to August 24 at Boulevard Riyadh City

Elevate DMC's Samir Hamadeh on Eid Al Adha, summer 2025 travel trends

Elevate DMC’s Samir Hamadeh on summer 2025 travel trends

The CEO of Elevate DMC discusses evolving traveller behaviour — from luxury family getaways and immersive cultural experiences to the rising appeal of staycations and short-haul escapes