Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways offer free stopover stays programme image DCT Abu Dhabi

Etihad, DCT Abu Dhabi to offer free stopover stays in emirate

ravellers can choose from a selection of hotels across the city for one or two nights as part of their online booking on the airline’s website

cyber incidents are a rising concern for travel, leisure and hospitality industry reveals Allianz GettyImages-1269232851

Cyber incidents pose key threat for travel, hospitality sectors, shows survey

The findings of the Allianz Risk Barometer are based on insights from 3,000 risk management professionals and leaders

Trending destinations for Middle East travellers in 2024; see list

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, India and UAE remain the top travel destinations in 2024, revealed Wego, the online travel marketplace and travel app

UAE - GCC visa free travel

ATM 2024: UAE reveals details of GCC’s Schengen-styled ‘Grand Tours’ visa

The GCC Grand Tours visa will allow tourists to spend more than 30 days in the region

Dubai says Q1 international visitors up 11% this year

Dubai says Q1 international visitors up 11% this year

The city reported 5.18 million international overnight visitors in Q1 2024

NEOM, Saudi Red Sea Authority sign marine tourism MoU

NEOM, Saudi Red Sea Authority to formulate marine tourism regulations

The partnership seeks to implement and activate joint initiatives to advance research, deliver innovation and enhance the visitor experience

How Red Sea Global is delivering Saudi tourism

Red Sea Global’s CEO shares how the firm is delivering on Saudi’s tourism agenda

John Pagano tells Gulf Business how “nature and the environment”, the most valuable assets on the company’s balance sheet, differentiate RSG from other destinations

Schengen visa process to go digital from 2028

Major Schengen visa update for Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and India

Under the new arrangement, nationals of Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain will be eligible for five-year multiple-entry Schengen visas

Dubai sees strong overnight visitor numbers in Jan and Feb GettyImages-1417041621

Dubai receives 3.67 million overnight visitors in Jan-Feb

Dubai recorded 1.77 million international visitors in January, and 1.9 million in February, according to DET figures

dubai fireworks

Eid al Fitr 2024 fireworks across UAE: Where to watch it in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

From Dubai’s Global Village to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, fireworks will light up the night sky to mark Eid al Fitr 2024

Travel, tourism visa applications

Travel, tourism global contribution to hit record $11.1tn in 2024: WTTC

In 2023, the travel and tourism sector accounted for 9.1 per cent share of the global GDP with a workforce of nearly 330 million

Travel tips from an expert - visa-free

Eid al Fitr holiday travel: Visa-free destinations for UAE residents

At the onset of 2024, Skyscanner witnessed record travel demand, outperforming the global flights market and emerging as the fastest-growing metasearch platform in 2023

Tourism

Abu Dhabi’s ambitious 2030 tourism strategy: GDP contribution at $90bn, over 178,000 jobs

The Tourism Strategy 2030 reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision to transform its social and economic landscape

The Red Sea

Red Sea International Airport to receive its first flight from Dubai

The Red Sea, envisioned to comprise 50 resorts upon full completion in 2030, represents a significant step towards realising Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative

Louvre

Louvre Abu Dhabi draws over 1.2 million visitors in 2023

Since its opening in 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi has not only attracted art enthusiasts and collectors but also positioned the emirate as a global cultural hub

Abu Dhabi extends 10 per cent tourism tax waiver to boost events Image-courtesy-WAM

Abu Dhabi extends 10% tax waiver to boost events tourism

While enjoying the fee waiver, event organisers are mandated to secure event licenses through the Abu Dhabi Events Licensing System

Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh, Morocco

UAE residents now eligible for Morocco eVisa: How to apply

The change in application channels comes with reduced processing times as well

Travel to MALDIVES - Tropical sunset beach background as summer landscape panorama with beach swing or hammock and white sand and calm sea beach banner. Tranquil beach scene vacation or summer holiday concept. Relaxing spa wellbeing wallpaper

Eid al Fitr holiday: International travel destinations grow in popularity

Outbound travel numbers had gone up substantially this year with international travel packages making up 60 per cent of all bookings

Oman to invest $31bn in tourism sector by 2040. Getty Images by Emran Omar

Oman to invest $31bn in tourism sector by 2040

In 2023, Oman received four million visitors, up from 2.9 million in 2022, a year-on-year rise of almost 38 per cent

Italy Trade Commissioner

Italian Trade Commissioner on why the UAE loves ‘Made in Italy’

Highlighting the positive trends in the market, Soldani underscores the opportunities for trade and cooperation between the two countries

Sochi added to flydubvai summer network

flydubai to take travellers to Sochi this summer

The three-times-a-week service will depart from Terminal 2 at Dubai International (DXB), on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays

UAE DUBAI cost of living

Top travel trends for 2024: Study unpacks UAE traveller habits

From choosing sustainable travel options to making up to two outbound trips in 2024 are some of the trends being followed by UAE travelers

Dubai hosted 17 million international visitors in 2023

Dubai welcomed 17 million international visitors in 2023

The tourism sector’s performance closely parallels Dubai’s 3.3 per cent GDP growth in the first nine months of 2023

UAE-UK visa waiver programme

Solo travel to London anyone? UAE nationals no longer need a pre-entry visa to UK

The visa waiver programme kicks in from February and travellers can apply for it at the start of the month

WATCH: Messi shatters stereotypes in Saudi Tourism’s newest campaign

The campaign shines the spotlight on Saudi’s open and welcoming culture and the importance of inspiring young Saudi women to reach their full potential

The RIG msterplan announced Image courtesy OPDC The RIG

Saudi oil rig ‘adventure park’ gets a masterplan

The project includes three hotels with a total of 800 rooms, 11 restaurants, an extreme sports and adventure park, a marina and helipads

Dubai news _Yousuf Lootah Head of DET Environmental Sustainability Social Responsibility Committee at the award ceremony for DET's DST stamp initiative Image Supplied

Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp: DET awards 70 hotels; see list

Dubai is the first city in the region to mandate sustainability criteria for its hotel classification system, with the DST initiative further reinforces its drive to become a leading sustainable destination

AD Ports Group creates Khalifa Port drydocks

UAE’s AD Ports Group to support cruise tourism in Egypt  

The collaboration will see AD Ports Group investing $3m over 15 years in the management and operation of the three cruise terminals to provide new services, improve access for cruise operators and add new itineraries

UAE: Fourth edition of 'World's Coolest Winter Campaign' kicks off image DUbai Media Office

UAE: Fourth season of ‘World’s Coolest Winter Campaign’ kicks off

In its third season, the campaign saw tourists numbers reach 1.4 million, an increase of 8 per cent compared to the second edition

Football fever: Qatar gears up for AFC Asian Cup, other key events in Q1 2024 image Getty Imges

Football fever: Qatar gears up for AFC Asian Cup, other key events in Q1 2024

Qatar will welcome football fans from around the region for the AFC Asian Cup being held from January 12 – February 10 this year