Visitor

Ras Al Khaimah records highest visitor numbers in 2022

The full-year figures follow a strong December performance in which the emirate welcomed its highest ever footfall in one month, with over 128,000 visitors

Red Sea project render

Saudi Arabia: The Red Sea to join exclusive Serandipians’ luxury network

Upon completion in 2030, The Red Sea will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and over 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites

Qatar

Qatar launches first commercial charter flight to and from Kazakhstan

The nation has identified Kazakhstan as one of 15 target markets where tourists can relax, rejuvenate and enjoy Qatar’s vibrant culture

Vietnam

Dubai’s Sunset Hospitality Group launches Azure Beach and Attiko in Vietnam

The group sets sights on opening a further 20 venues in 2023, 15 of those internationally, as its expansion plan gathers pace

Dubai International courtesy Twitter (Dubai Media Office)

Dubai welcomes over 23.7 million passengers in 2022

This marks an 89 per cent increase in passenger traffic compared to the previous year

Emirates signs pact to support visitor arrivals to The Bahamas

UAE’s Emirates Airline, Bahamas partner to promote tourism

The airline and the country’s Ministry of Tourism will participate in joint initiatives to boost visitor traffic into the islands from across the airline’s network

musafir travel trends 2023 -e1607842665376

International travel to see steeper growth in 2023, predicts Musafir.com

The average annual business travel spend of SMEs in the UAE is expected to grow by 15-20 per cent in 2023

Dubai Airbnb

Airbnb launches remote working hub in Dubai

Those interested in working and living in Dubai can access the hub for local long-term listings and information on entry requirements and visa policy

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi to launch mega-coaster in January 2023

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi’s new mega-coaster to launch in Jan 2023

Mission Ferrari will provide a 5D rollercoaster experience that includes the world’s first sideways coaster drop

Dubai welcomes 11.4 million international overnight visitors between Jan-Oct

Dubai welcomes 11.4 million international overnight visitors between Jan-Oct 2022

The emirate’s average hotel occupancy in the first 10 months of the year stood at 71 per cent

UAE: The year 2022 in review

The UAE has accelerated its growth this year with key strategies, strong initiatives and a future-first approach

Tourism

This is how tourism must shift to actually address climate change

An estimated 11 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions are due to tourism, and that’s predicted to double by 2050

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi launches its first flight to Tashkent

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi launches first flight to Tashkent

The flights will connect Abu Dhabi International Airport to Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport with a twice-weekly service

Saudi’s NEOM unveils first luxury island development

Sindalah will feature a 86-berth marina, while offshore buoys will house superyachts

World's Coolest Winter Campaign_ WAM

Sheikh Mohammed launches third ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign

In its second edition last year, the campaign generated Dhs1.5bn in revenue, with the number of local tourists increasing to more than 1.3 million

Saudi’s Public Investment Fund launches Aseer Investment Company

The new investment arm will attract local and foreign direct investment to develop the Aseer region

miral group ceo

Cover feature: How Miral is transforming Abu Dhabi with its grand vision

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, group CEO of Miral, the leisure, tourism and lifestyle brand, tells us how the company is realising Abu Dhabi’s ambitious economic, leisure and tourism strategy, one mega project at a time

Saadiyat

Saadiyat: One island, many journeys

Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island features an exclusive beach lifestyle, world-class hospitality, unique cultural attractions and a spectacular natural ecosystem that will keep you coming back for more

Saudi Arabia elected chair of UNWTO

UNWTO elects Saudi Arabia as chair of Executive Council

The Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, will represent the kingdom as chair of the UNWTO Executive Council

Revealed: Winners of the Gulf Business Awards 2022

The awards celebrated stalwarts and companies from across the region’s business landscape

Tourism strategy

Sheikh Mohammed launches national tourism strategy to boost competitiveness

The strategy aims to attract new investments worth Dhs100bn to the country’s tourism sector

Almosafer

Saudi’s Almosafer partners with Visit Oman to boost sultanate’s inbound tourism

Almosafer’s consumer business will run a 360 marketing campaign throughout 2023 to promote Oman to its customer base in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE

DCT Abu Dhbai Hotelbeds tie up

DCT Abu Dhabi, Hotelbeds partner to promote Abu Dhabi in key markets

The strategic partnership will increase awareness of the emirate among Hotelbeds’ network of travel agents and partners

Japan

Emiratis can travel to Japan without a visa from November 1

The decision coincides with the launch of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UAE and Japan

Ennismore to build hotels at the Ski Village in TROJENA, NEOM

NEOM Hotel Development names Ennismore as inaugural hotel partner for Trojena

Morgans Originals and 25hours Hotels will be the first two Ennismore brands to be unveiled at Trojena by NEOM

Saudi’s Seera Group to operate inbound charter flights to the kingdom

Flights will operate from November 2022 through to March 2023

Dubai Safari Park_pic courtesy Dubai Media Office

Dubai Safari Park opens for 2022-2023 season on Sept 27

The park will be open every day, from 9am to 5pm, during the new season

Digital Vat-refund scheme launched in UAE_ Photo courtesy WAM

UAE’s Federal Tax Authority, Planet Tax Free launch digital VAT-refund scheme for tourists

The 100 per cent paperless process is expected to save more than 16,800 trees per year and more than 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions

Saudi wealth fund to build $412m stake in local tourism firm

The Public Investment Fund signed a pact to acquire a 30 per cent stake in Almosafer Travel & Tourism

NBA Abu Dhabi Games- DCT Abu Dhabi

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games are set to dazzle UAE’s basketball fans on Oct 6 and 8

Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, DG for Tourism, DCT – Abu Dhabi, tells Gulf Business about the upcoming NBA matches in the emirate, the tourism authority’s partnership with NBA and Abu Dhabi’s role as a global sporting hub