Tourism has long been celebrated for its economic benefits, driving 9.1 percent of global GDP at just over $9.9 trillion in 2023, supporting nearly 330 million jobs worldwide, fostering cultural exchange and uniting nations besides serving as a powerful engine for economic growth and development.Yet, beneath the glossy surface lies...

Abu Dhabi, UAE --  Hotel revenues in the UAE reached approximately AED 45 billion ( $12.24 billion) in 2024, reflecting a 3 percent year-over-year growth, said Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council. Hotel occupancy rates also climbed to 78 percent last...

Saudi Arabia is transforming its culinary arts into a cultural ambassador, blending tradition with innovation. Through culinary education, tourism, and global collaborations, the Kingdom showcases its rich heritage, fostering cultural exchange and positioning Saudi cuisine on the international stage.

The Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) is driving innovation in hospitality training through technology, vocational education, and industry collaborations. With digital platforms like ‘Dubai Way’ and partnerships with Coursera and top hotels, DCT is equipping a skilled workforce to support Dubai’s growth as a global tourism hub.

New York, US -- Luxury hospitality group Equinox Hotels has announced plans for the opening of Equinox Resort Treyam, one of Magna's twelve destinations, located on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. Magna's destinations, including Treyam, are part of NEOM, the evolving regional development, taking shape in northwest Saudi...

Agile work models and diverse skill demands propel MENA's freelance economy, empowering businesses to thrive amid modernization and digital transformation.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia witnessed a surge in commercial registrations across various business sectors in the last quarter of 2023, with land transport of goods leading the way, the Kingdom's Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday.Land transport of goods witnessing a remarkable increase. By the end of Q4 2023,...

Dubai, UAE -- Dubai hotels achieved a 3.4 percent year-on-year growth in occupancy levels, reaching 90.8 percent, according to preliminary data for February released by CoStar, a provider of global real estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces.Other key metrics also showed positive growth, with the average daily rate (ADR) increasing...

According to Tatiana Leskova, Associate Director of Corporate Ratings at Standard and Poor's Global Ratings that the global economy while remaining subdued, operating at subpar growth levels, S&P estimates that UAE GDP expanded at over 3 percent in 2023, including close to 6 percent growth for the non-oil sector”.

They will buy 40.5% stake in TMG Holding’s hospitality business.

Abu Dhabi, UAE--Abu Dhabi IPO Fund (ADIPOF) is working on three initial offerings in the technology, hospitality, restaurants, and financial sectors, expected toward the end of 2024.It was revealed by Bassel Al Khawaja, Advisory Head at Abu Dhabi IPO Fund (ADIPOF) on the sidelines of the 2nd day of the...

Under the deal, two luxury hotels will be built in Trojena.

The kingdom’s Minister of Housing, Majid Al-Hogail recently said that Gulf country's residential real estate finance is expected to exceed 1.2 million contracts with a value of SR600 billion ($162 billion) by 2030.

Muscat, Oman -- The revenues of 3-5-star hotels in Oman reached RO 122.5 million ($318 million) at the end of July 2023, up by 27.8 percent over the corresponding period in 2022.Statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) show that the total number of hotel guests...

Acquisition aims to diversify and expand into several sectors.

Dubai, UAE--The UAE's real estate market has recorded a strong performance across all sectors in the first half of the year as non-oil economy witnesses strong growth in spite of global macroeconomic headwinds. According to a market report by CBRE, rental performance in Abu Dhabi’s occupier market showed substantial improvement...

Luxury accommodations and air-conditioned shopping malls have not replaced the deeply ingrained culture of hospitality in Islam's holiest city.

“Cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi have rapidly established themselves as the hospitality destination of choice for business and leisure. Emirates such as Ras Al Khaimah are also heavily investing in these sectors, offering international tourists diverse offerings across the leisure and entertainment sectors,” he adds.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund (TDF) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with an affiliate of Hyatt Hotels Corporation to establish luxury hotels across the kingdom.The collaboration aims to develop several hospitality-led destinations which will enhance the tourism sector in the country. The...

Dubai, UAE-- Seeking to take advantage of the boom in the Middle East's hospitality sector, Radisson Hotel Group will triple its presence in the region by 2030.The hotel group, running 52 hotels and resorts in the Middle East, is planning to have 150 properties in operation and under development by...

DOHA, QATAR - Qatar expects more than five million people to visit the Gulf state in 2023 despite a post-World Cup lull, its tourism chief said on Sunday.Akbar Al-Baker, head of Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism, admitted that hotels had fallen quiet after the World Cup final on December 19.But he...

While 2022 saw record levels of demand for commercial office space as a result of ‘Programme HQ’, 2023 looks set to be dominated by the delivery of high quality residential-led mixed use schemes and a continued focus on tourism, leisure and entertainment projects, adds Burch, Partner and Head of Real...

At the moment, the market is solidly Dubai, which is recognised as the world leader in branded residential offerings with all eyes on the city’s upcoming openings. The slower approach of Abu Dhabi will be something to watch as it makes large-scale investments into the luxury sector, he adds.

Over the next decade, the Kingdom's tourism industry is projected to develop at an annual rate of 11 percent, making it the region's fastest-growing tourism market.

US job gains surged unexpectedly last month as unemployment slipped to its lowest rate in over five decades, government data showed. The world's biggest economy added 517,000 jobs in January after a five-month slowdown in hiring, as the jobless rate edged down to 3.4 percent, said the Labor Department in...

Riyadh, UAE---Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment has signed MoUs with three companies to develop and market investments in hospitality, tourism, catering services and entertainment activities besides cooperation in operating residential and commercial complexes.The MoUs were signed with Kadana Company, Lifestyle Development Company and Jusoor Al-Khaleej Company at the Hajj and...

In its Q3 review, the apex bank attributed the upward review to the robust performance of some non-oil sectors, including tourism, hospitality, real estate and manufacturing.

SHARJAH, UAE - The 9th edition of the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum (SITTF) is set to kick off at the Sharjah Expo Centre on November 24, 2022, under the theme 'Building a Resilient Future for Tourism'. The forum will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin...

The Gulf ministers review projects aimed at strengthening joint Gulf action in tourism as well as strategic partnerships between the GCC and other countries and stakeholders.

Experts attribute the main reasons for the increase in the real estate demand to the UAE government's numerous initiatives and the high income level of investors.

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has confirmed its participation at the 42nd GITEX Technology Week, to be held from October 10- 14 2022 at the Dubai World Trade Center.

Major events such as Qatar World Cup 2022, Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, etc. will give Gulf tourism a boost in the last quarter of this year, according to a latest report.

Hotels in Dubai are reporting an increase in room bookings ahead of the Qatar World Cup 2022, with many expecting to be fully booked during the international football event.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed with Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia, cooperation between their countries and prospects for enhancing it to advance their mutual interests. The talks took place during a meeting held between the two leaders at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.

The total number of hotel guests in the UAE rose to 10.5 million during the first half of 2022, up from 8.3 million during the same period last year, latest research by Colliers suggests.

'Eco-friendly travelers' are gradually putting pressure on hospitality businesses in the Gulf region to incorporate green concepts and sustainability practices into service delivery.

A Jordanian-Moroccan hospitality and tourism training project will be launched in the Hashemite Kingdom as part of the strategic partnership between the two countries, Moroccan Ambassador Sidi Muhammad Khaled Al-Nasiri announced on Saturday.

Jaime Byrom, who has sold millions of hotel rooms over 10 World Cups, said wealthy supporters will be flocking to the tiny Gulf state from around the globe.

Dubai attracted 7.12 million international overnight visitors between January and June 2022, recording over 183 growth compared to the 2.52 million tourists who visited during the same period in 2021.

Saudi Arabia will see a boom in construction of hotels in 2023, with some 63,753 to be available for guests next year.

DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island is a beachfront resort.

A SAR 1.5 billion ($399 million) hospitality investment fund that will advance lifestyle hotels in Saudi Arabia will be set up by the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) in partnership with Ennismore and Al Rajhi Capital. Ennismore is the world’s largest and fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company and Al Rajhi Capital, an...

The final quarter of 2021 provided a major boost to Dubai hotel results, with properties surpassing even 2019 figures across all major KPIs. Occupied room nights in the quarter hit 10.1 million, up 12 percent from 9 million in 2019. Length of stay increased from 3.5 nights to 4.5, a 20...

The Chairman of Dubai World Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, inaugurated the 29th edition of the Middle East’s largest travel and tourism exhibition Arabian Travel Market (ATM) on 9 May 2022.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has achieved sixth place on the Best Workplaces List of 2022 – Small & Medium Organizations. The ranking is awarded by the Great Place to Work, the global authority that recognizes high-trust, high-performing workplace cultures. RAKTDA is the category’s highest placed government entity...

Some of the iconic real estate holdings developed by Taiba throughout Saudi Arabia suggest that the Kingdom is headed towards an unprecedented economic transformation.

The Emaar Hospitality Group will open the resort in Q2.

The luxury hotel chain is planning 15 new hotels in the next 10 years, which include at least 5 new properties in Dubai and a new hotel in Makkah

The numbers come from a quarterly statistical report released on Sunday by the Department of Statistics.

Floating restaurants and hotels could be a significant supporting player as the GCC region aspires to increase its footprint as a global tourism hub.