#tourism

Abu Dhabi airports’ nine-month passenger jumps 31.2%

Abu Dhabi airports’ nine-month passenger jumps 31.2%

The growth in passenger traffic was more pronounced in Q3 2024, with Abu Dhabi airports serving 7.7 million passengers

Aviation sector’s share to Dubai GDP seen at $53bn by 2030

Aviation sector’s share of Dubai GDP seen at $53bn by 2030

The share of the aviation industry to Dubai’s economy hit a record Dhs137bn in gross value added, equivalent to 27 per cent of the GDP

Dubai delivers 12 hotels, over 2,700 rooms in H1 2024

Dubai delivers 12 hotels, over 2,700 rooms in H1 2024

The growth is set to continue, with 40 more hotels expected to open by the end of 2024, as well as 4,748 more rooms between 2026 and 2027

Saudi Arabia leads G20 in international tourist growth in 2024 

Saudi leads G20 nations in tourist growth from Jan-July

This surge follows a robust performance in 2023, when the kingdom welcomed 27.4 million tourists, a 56 per cent rise from 2019

Yas Island Airport Lounge unveiled at Zayed International Airport

Yas Island debuts arrival lounge at Zayed International Airport; details here

Yas Island Lounge will welcome visitors headed to the destination with all the information they need to start planning their adventure

How Abu Dhabi’s investment legacy is fostering economic development

How Abu Dhabi’s investment legacy is fostering economic development

The city benefits from a thriving, diversified economy, fueled by strategic vision, structural reforms and prudent economic policies

Tourism’s share to UAE GDP seen at Dhs450bn by 2031

Tourism’s share of UAE GDP to hit Dhs450bn by 2031

The sector’s contribution to the economy rose by 11.7 per cent to Dhs220bn last year and is forecasted to rise to 12 per cent or Dhs236bn in 2024

Saudi Arabia scraps hotel licencing fees in bid to boost tourism

Saudi Arabia scraps hotel licencing fees in bid to boost tourism

The initiative is part of the Tourism Investment Enabler Program that is aimed at making Saudi Arabia a global tourism powerhouse

Gulf Business Awards

Cast your vote now for the Gulf Business Awards 2024 nominees

Vote for the most deserving individuals and businesses for the upcoming awards

Abu Dhabi hotels visitor numbers for H1 2024 reported -GettyImages-

Abu Dhabi hotels receive 2.4 million guests between Jan-May

Abu Dhabi city accounted for the bulk of the guests, hosting 2.179 million, while Al Ain attracted circa 169,000 guests, and Al Dhafra welcomed around 64,000 guests

DWTCA sees strong growth in H1

DWTCA sees registered companies grow by 19 per cent in H1

According to the latest figures, the DWTCA Free Zone saw a substantial 21 per cent rise in the number of tenants, reaching 2,735 in H1

Etihad reports record $232m profit in H1 2024

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad posts record $232m half-year profit

The national airline carried 8.7 million passengers in the January-June period, a 38 per cent increase compared to the same period last year

Dubai DXB airport passenger traffic surges by 8% in H1

Dubai’s DXB airport sees record year for passengers after 8% rise in H1

Dubai International Airport welcomed 44.9 million passengers in the first half of the year

Bahrain’s Q1 2024 GDP expands by 3.3% YoY

Bahrain’s Q1 GDP up 3.3% fueled by non-oil sector growth

Non-oil economy increased 3.3 per cent in the January-March period, contributing almost 85.9 per cent to overall GDP

Emirates Park Zoo and Resort

From vision to reality: The transformational journey of Emirates Park Zoo and Resort

The Emirates Park Zoo and Resort has evolved from being a modest petting zoo to being home to over 220 wildlife animals

Dubai prime

Dubai’s tourism boom: 9.31 million visitors in H1 2024

Dubai’s hotel sector continues to perform well, with an average occupancy rate of 78.7 per cent, up from 77.7 per cent in the same period in 2023

Saudi Arabia welcomes 60 million visitors in H1 2024

Saudi Arabia welcomes 60 million visitors in H1 2024

Saudi Arabia witnessed a 22.9 per cent increase in visitor spending in Q1 2024 compared to the previous year

Diriyah awards $2bn contract for mixed-use district

Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah awards $2bn contract for mixed-use district

The contract was awarded to a joint venture to build educational institutions, cultural venues, offices and a luxury hotel

Egypt’s $50bn FDI boosts tourism, residential construction

Egypt’s $50bn FDI sparks growth in tourism, housing construction

The value of residential projects in Egypt totalled around $36bn in Q1 2024, ranking the country third after Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Travelling to Europe this summer? Use Uber's new boat services

Visiting Europe this summer? Try Uber’s new boat services

Tourists will be able to use the Uber app to access new nautical experiences in Ibiza, Venice, Athens, Paris, Corfu and Santorini

Staycations rise, visitors staying longer in Middle East, reveals travel report

Staycations rise, visitors staying longer in Middle East, reveals travel report

The emphasis on regional travel, unique experiences and budget-friendly options like cruises are set to shape the future of tourism in 2024 and beyond

GCC’s non-oil sector sees robust growth despite production cuts

GCC’s non-oil sector sees robust growth despite production cuts, ICAEW says

The overall GCC budget position is projected to remain somewhat in surplus this year, driven by robust financial standings and favourable credit ratings

Egypt: AD Ports, Red Sea Port Authority ink cruise terminals deal to boost tourism

The agreement, which includes a total investment of $4.7m over the next 15 years, aims to make the terminals operational by 2025

Cathay Pacific to connect Hong Kong with Riyadh

Cathay Pacific to launch flights connecting Hong Kong with Riyadh

The new service is expected to offer more travel options while promoting business, trade and tourism opportunities

Turkey-Kuwait-X

Kuwait’s Sheikh Meshal tours Turkey in first non-Arab state visit

The visit underscored the importance of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Kuwait and laid the groundwork for enhanced cooperation in various fields

DET, Emirates join forces to promote Dubai’s hub status

DET, Emirates partner to jointly promote Dubai’s tourism hub status

The two entities will promote the city’s business-friendly policies and processes, ultra-modern infrastructure, and innovation-led economy

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

Emirates Airline expands retrofit program to 191 aircraft

Dubai’s Emirates Airline expands retrofit programme to 191 aircraft

The airline’s original plan was to have 67 A380s and 53 777s undergo full refurbishment

Dubai airport passenger numbers to exceed 90 million in 2024

Dubai airport passenger numbers to exceed 90 million in 2024

The city’s main airport registered a 31.7 per cent increase in passenger traffic in 2023 to 86.9 million, surpassing pre-pandemic levels

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