#Travel

Travel trends for 2026 Getty Images- Image for illustrative purposes

Revealed: Here’s what travel will look like in 2026

Travel is getting personal, intentional and identity-driven, with Global Hotel Alliance pointing to a new kind of explorer, one who values meaning over mileage and experience over excess

DXB to welcome over 10m passengers between Nov 27 to Dec 31

DXB to welcome over 10m passengers between Nov 27 to Dec 31

Traffic is set to rise from the UAE National Day weekend, when daily volumes are expected to average more than 294,000

GCC travel trends from Dragonpass Getty Images- image for illustrative purposes

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman lead regional travel expansion: Dragonpass

Bahrain recorded the highest lounge usage globally, at 1.35 per cent of passengers, ahead of major international hubs such as London Heathrow and Hong Kong

From Madinah to Hong Kong: Etihad Airways charts bold expansion across destinations

The new service enhances travel options for religious, business, and leisure travellers, underscoring the airline’s commitment to key markets

Explora Journeys' Achille Staiano on commercial innovation in travel

Explora Journeys’ Achille Staiano on commercial innovation in travel

Personalisation, wellness, and mindful itineraries are no longer optional; they are core to both guest satisfaction and commercial sustainability

Power banks, phones, and laptops: IATA’s rules you must know before flying

Power banks, phones, and laptops: IATA’s rules you must know before flying

These rules aim to help passengers understand the line between acceptable and dangerous use of electronic devices and batteries during air travel

Business travel picks up in MENA report shows- Getty Images

MENA business travel surges 30% in Q3; driven by short trips, Tumodo reports

The broader MENA market, valued at $18.1bn in 2024, is expected to reach $270.8bn by 2030, outpacing global averages, the report showed

Samsonite at 115: Subrata Dutta on staying relevant, stylish and sustainable  

Samsonite at 115: Subrata Dutta on staying relevant, stylish and sustainable  

Samsonite’s president of APAC and Middle East chats to Neesha Salian on how the 115-year-old company blends heritage with modernity, while focusing on innovation

Dubai Airports kicks off next phase of accessibility strategy Image Dubai Airports

World’s most accessible airports by 2035: Dubai Airports launches next phase of strategy

Dubai Airports emphasised that the strategy represents a long-term commitment to inclusivity, combining infrastructure, services, and cultural transformation to ensure that every traveller

Surge in domestic travel and lounge usage across Saudi, reports Dragonpass

Surge in domestic travel, lounge usage across Saudi, reports Dragonpass

Domestic travel in Saudi Arabia increased by 126 per cent between 2024 and 2025, more than doubling the number of domestic trips in just one year, according to Dragonpass

AI's impact on travel Image-for-illustrative-purposes Getty Images

AI in travel: Untapped potential or risky business?

A new Kaspersky survey reveals that while a majority of UAE internet users engage with AI, its adoption for travel planning remains surprisingly low, despite overwhelmingly high satisfaction rates among those who use it

DXB Travel Peak Advisory

Dubai: DXB expects 3.6m passengers in back-to-school travel rush

The travel surge follows a record-breaking H1 2025, when Dubai welcomed 9.88 million international overnight visitors

Sebastien Bedu, General Manager, Middle East, International SOS on how UAE-based firms manage employee travel risks in an uncertain world

How can UAE-based firms manage employee travel risks in an uncertain world?

Whether your teams are deployed for infrastructure projects in remote areas or executive meetings in volatile regions, having the right strategy and plan makes all the difference

5 key tips to make visa applications more seamless and easy Getty Images For illustrative purposes only

Smooth travels: 5 key tips for a seamless visa application experience

VFS Global shares five simple yet essential tips to help you navigate the visa application process with confidence, ease, and safety

Travel disruptions: UAE waives overstay fines for Iranian citizens

Recent airspace closures and the suspension of flights to and from Iran have left many Iranian nationals unable to return home

Hajj 2025: Here's how many pilgrims visited Saudi Arabia

Hajj 2025: Here’s how many pilgrims visited Saudi Arabia

According to GASTAT, 1.5 million pilgrims arrived from outside the kingdom through various entry points for Hajj

Middle East travel spend set to soar 50% by 2030: report

Middle East travel spend set to soar 50% by 2030: report

The report’s findings confirm that travel growth in the Middle East is incredibly strong, with annual growth averaging more than 7 per cent through 2030

Elevate DMC's Samir Hamadeh on Eid Al Adha, summer 2025 travel trends

Elevate DMC’s Samir Hamadeh on summer 2025 travel trends

The CEO of Elevate DMC discusses evolving traveller behaviour — from luxury family getaways and immersive cultural experiences to the rising appeal of staycations and short-haul escapes

flydubai resumes daily flight to Damascus Syria image Dubai Media office flydubai

flydubai resumes daily flights to Damascus after nearly 12-year hiatus

The daily service will depart from Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport (DXB)

Ibrahim Shiuree on the Maldives’ vision for sustainable tourism, GCC growth

Ibrahim Shiuree on the Maldives’ vision for sustainable tourism, GCC growth

Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and MD of the Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation, outlines how the Maldives is leveraging improved air connectivity, sustainability, and exclusive experiences to attract regional travellers

Moscow Metro at 90: A memorable journey through time and tunnels

With over 250 stations and more than 14 lines, the Moscow Metro is both a time capsule and a blueprint for the future. The network functions as both transportation and a public gallery — a dual identity that few metros worldwide can match

Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

RAKTDA CEO Raki Phillips on how the emirate is shaping the future of tourism in the UAE

Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism vision is rooted in strategic execution, partnership-driven innovation, and a commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth. As RAKTDA CEO Raki Phillips articulates, the emirate is not just keeping pace — it’s shaping the future of tourism in the UAE

Nearly 962,000 pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for Hajj

Nearly 962,000 pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for Hajj

The Ministry of Interior announced that Hajj Security Forces had apprehended five residents and nine citizens at the entrances to Makkah for violating Hajj regulations

Tourism outlook: International visitor spend in Middle East to hit $194bn in 2025: WTTC

International visitor spend in Middle East to hit $194bn in 2025: WTTC

Travel and tourism in the region is projected to contribute $367.3bn to the regional economy and support 7.7 million jobs in 2025

Saudi Arabia introduces tourise _image for illustrative purposes

Saudi Arabia launches TOURISE, a global platform to reshape the ‘future of tourism’

The inaugural invite-only TOURISE Summit will take place in Riyadh from November 11–13, and will extend as a year-round platform to shape how the world travels, connects and grows

UAE GenZ -travel trends -Getty Images

Gen Z travel trends: Here’s what matters to young UAE travellers

According to the report, the top motivator for Gen Z travellers is to unwind and disconnect (32 per cent ), followed by exploring new cultures and seeking adventure

Air Arabia reports Q1 2025 numbers image-Air-Arabia

Air Arabia posts 34% rise in Q1 profit as passenger nos, revenue rise

Air Arabia’s revenue rose by 14 per cent to Dhs1.75bn, with over 4.9 million passengers flown across six operating hubs

UAE new visa rules

UAE grants visa fine exemption to Sudanese nationals

The decision takes effect from May 19, 2025, and will remain valid until December 31

TikTok’s Mario El Feghali on how the brand is enhancing travel experiences

The head of Business Partnerships for Travel & Tourism, Global Business Solutions, MENA on how TikTok is shaping travellers’ behaviours

Travel ban lifted: UAE citizens can visit Lebanon from May 7

Travel ban lifted: UAE citizens can visit Lebanon from May 7

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised that no citizen will be allowed to exit UAE borders without completing this registration through the ‘Twajudi’ service