#tourism

Saudi-Arabia new hotel rooms by 2030 Getty-Images

Saudi Arabia set to deliver 362,000 new hotel rooms by 2030

International arrivals to Saudi Arabia reached 30 million in 2024, up from 27.4 million in 2023, demonstrating a robust upward trajectory for the tourism and hospitality sectors

ADFD launches Dhs440m Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza project in Egypt

ADFD launches Dhs440m Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza project

The project’s strategic location near iconic landmarks is expected to attract visitors from around the world, creating new investment opportunities and driving sustainable growth in Egypt’s tourism sector

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi to open in April

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi to open in April

The 17,000-square-metre attraction will offer visitors an immersive journey at the intersection of art, technology, and nature

Jordan sees a record 1.32 million overnight visitors from GCC in 2024

Jordan sees a record 1.32 million overnight visitors from GCC in 2024

The data reveals a steady rise in the total number of GCC visitors during the summer months over the past three years

Dubai welcomes 18.72 million international visitors in 2024

Dubai saw the highest growth in visitor numbers from North East and South East Asia (24 per cent), followed by Africa (20 per cent) and CIS and Eastern Europe (16 per cent)

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi carries 3.5 million passengers in 2024

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi carries 3.5 million passengers in 2024

The budget carrier carried more than 1.2 million international visitors to Abu Dhabi in 2024, contributing 25 per cent to Zayed International Airport’s point-to-point traffic

Ras Al Khaimah welcomes a record 1.28 million visitors in 2024 GettyImages-1266132094

Ras Al Khaimah welcomes a record 1.28 million visitors in 2024

With plans to attract over 3.5 million annual visitors by 2030, the emirate is on track to achieve its ambitious goals

Dubai attracts 16.79 million tourists between Jan to Dec 2024

Dubai attracts 16.79 million tourists between Jan to Nov 2024

Dubai’s strong tourism performance and sustained growth in both visitor numbers and hotel performance indicate the emirate’s resilience and appeal

Air Arabia expands RAK operations with new flights to Tashkent, Moscow

These developments mark a key step in the carrier’s expansion strategy and its role in bolstering the tourism sector in Ras Al Khaimah

AIN DUBAI reopens Image courtesy WAM

Ain Dubai reopens after over two-year hiatus

Ain Dubai resumed operations on Wednesday, December 25

Miral's Mariam Al Musharrekh on factors driving demand for talent in the region

Miral’s Mariam Al Musharrekh on factors driving demand for talent in the region

The group ED of Human Resources at Miral shares her insights on why companies and businesses need to recalibrate their HR strategies to meet the current and future needs of the industry

DCT Abu Dhabi's Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani on supporting a new wave of cultural talent

DCT Abu Dhabi’s Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani on supporting a new wave of cultural talent

The undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi shares insights into the department’s talent development strategy and how it aligns with Abu Dhabi’s broader cultural ambitions

Heineken to open GCC’s first large-scale brewery in Dubai – report

Heineken to open GCC’s first large-scale brewery in Dubai – report

Sirocco will start building the brewery late next year and has secured all necessary permits

Raki Phillips on how RAKTDA is partnering with Huawei to boost tourism

Raki Phillips on how RAKTDA is partnering with Huawei to boost tourism

The CEO says Huawei provided invaluable support in crafting the right messaging, focusing on what would resonate most with Chinese tourists

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