#tourism

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

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

Etihad significantly expands codeshare with Air France-KLM (Image: Supplied by Etihad)

Air France KLM adds flights to North Africa amid Middle East tensions

Airlines have suspended hundreds of flights to and from Tel Aviv, as well as some to Lebanon and Jordan since the outset of the war

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

China Southern inaugurates flights from Beijing to Riyadh

China Southern launches new flights connecting Beijing with Riyadh

The new routes reinforce Saudi Arabia’s commitment to boost the growth of the travel and aviation sectors

Egypt’s finance minister says cutting inflation is priority

Egypt’s finance minister says cutting inflation is priority

Inflation dipped to 33.3 per cent in March from a record 38.0 per cent in September

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

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

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP expands over 9% in 2023

The emirate’s GDP in 2023, reached Dhs1.14tn, marking its best performance in ten years

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

EFG HERMES - gcc economy - sector

EFG Hermes reveals five must watch sectors for 2024

Following the theme of its conference, EFG Hermes highlights opportunities available in frontier emerging markets

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

Emaar’s Dubai Mall welcomes 105 million visitors in 2023

Dubai Mall becomes most visited place in 2023, with 105 million visitors

The latest figures from Emaar Malls shows that a record 20 million people visited the mall in the first two months of this year alone

ADNEC Group contribute Dhs7.4bn to the local economy

ADNEC Group’s economic contribution in 2023 tops Dhs7.4bn

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition and Al Ain Convention Centre welcomed 1.78 million visitors, up 123 per cent from 802,000 visitors in 2022

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

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

Muzzammil Ahussain CEo fo Almosafer

Power Letters 2024: Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Almosafer

A surge in visitor numbers is on the cards both in Saudi Arabia and the wider region when the announced unified GCC tourist visa begins to be implemented

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

Qatar Airways starts flights to Alula Qatar Airways starts flights to Alula

Qatar Airways inaugurates flights from Doha to AlUla, Saudi Arabia

With the two new weekly flights to AlUla, Qatar Airways now services 10 destinations in Saudi Arabia

UAE Kosovo sign visa exemption agreement in January 2024 Image Kosovo Embassy

UAE, Kosovo approve visa-free entry for citizens

UAE citizens holding valid passports for at least six months are exempt from the visa requirement for entry into Kosovo and can stay there for up to 90 days per visit

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

Top travel trends for the Middle East GettyImages

Here are top 5 travel trends in the Middle East for 2024

Priority Pass operator Collinson shares that from backpacking to wellness retreats, the rise in holidays that enable travellers to get back to basics is undeniable

siranna new destination launched by NEOM Image NEOM

Saudi Arabia: What NEOM’s new destination, Siranna, has to offer

Situated on the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, this ultra-luxurious destination will be home to a 65-key hotel, as well as 35 exclusive residences

WATCH: Accor’s Philip Jones on winning GB Company of the Year

Accor walked away with two recognitions at this year’s Gulf Business Awards, which were held at Dubai’s Palazzo Versace hotel.

Miral_Yas Waterworld Expansion Image Supplied

Abu Dhabi: Yas Waterworld expansion to add thrilling new experiences

Yas Waterworld is a part of Yas Island that includes attractions such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, CLYMB Abu Dhabi and Yas Bay Waterfront

Saudi Arabia e visa

Saudi Arabia expands investor e-visa to all countries

The list includes individuals who have a valid tourist or commercial visa from the US, the UK or any Schengen country

Red Sea Global unveils Shebara its luxury hotel brand Image: Supplied

Red Sea Global unveils Shebara, its luxury hotel brand

Shebara will open in the summer of 2024 and is the first resort to be owned and operated by RSG at The Red Sea destination

Dubai Harbour welcomes Virgin Voyages 2_ Dubai Cruise Season Image Supplied

Dubai 2023-24 cruise season: Emirate welcomes Resilient Lady from Virgin Voyages

The call is one of a number of international cruise liners set to arrive at Dubai Harbour during this year’s cruise season, with 300,000 passengers and 49 ship calls