Dubai, UAE -- Mastercard and CrescentRating released the 11th edition of the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), revealing how AI, digital trust, regional mobility and destination readiness are reshaping the next phase of Muslim-friendly travel. The report projects international Muslim arrivals to increase to 208 million this year, compared to...

Dubai, UAE -- Saudi Arabia's tourism authority has launched a digital platform bringing together travel offers and tourism packages from more than 50 private-sector partners as part of its summer tourism campaign. The platform, launched under the slogan "Offers Now and Later", is designed to attract visitors from within the...

Domestic travel helped sustain Saudi Arabia's tourism sector in the first quarter, with total visitor numbers rising to 37.2 million and hotel performance strengthening in key religious destinations.

The growth was driven primarily by domestic travel, which reached 93.3 million tourists, up 8.3% from 2024, while inbound visitor numbers declined 1.6% to 29.3 million.

Dubai, UAE --- Global travel companies and tourism industry leaders expressed confidence in the UAE's tourism sector during the "Engage by Elevate online 2026" summit, citing the destination's resilience and continued appeal to international travellers. The hybrid event, organised by Elevate World and hosted from Dubai, brought together more than...

Saudi Arabia is seeking to leverage changes in global trade and supply chains to position itself as a “connector economy,” linking Africa, Europe and Asia, senior Saudi ministers said during discussions at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos.

The post-oil Gulf has the chance to redefine authenticity itself—as a deliberately trained, global hospitality culture built by people, not pipelines.

From the 1980s onward, the federal government and individual emirates launched broader diversification and liberalization programs to reduce reliance on oil and develop sectors like aluminum, tourism, aviation, re-export trade, and telecommunications, the author adds.

Saudi Arabia greenlit its 2026 budget Tuesday, projecting a deficit of 165 billion riyals ($44 billion) as the kingdom presses on with an ambitious spending drive to diversify its oil-dependent economy.

The global travel industry is at a turning point. Today’s travellers are re-evaluating what is means to move through the world - they no longer define luxury by scale, spectacle, or the number of destinations visited.  Instead, they seek experiences that are meaningful, restorative, and deeply personal. At Explora Journeys,...

The USD$1.6tn global travel market is about to get the greatest shakeup since the dawn of the internet. The major Online Travel Agents (OTAs) like Booking.com, Expedia and Airbnb are bracing themselves for a quantum change and it’s one they cannot control. As consumers move from booking travel through these...

Tabuk, Saudi Arabia - Red Sea Global announced the opening of the first resorts and attractions on Shura Island, which will begin welcoming guests in the coming weeks. This milestone marks a pivotal step toward realizing Saudi Vision 2030, diversifying the national economy, and strengthening the Kingdom's position on the...

Dubai, UAE --  ‘Big-ticket’ events are playing a pivotal role in driving international tourism and accelerating economic growth, according to experts speaking recently at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025. In the GCC alone, the event and exhibition market is expected to reach US$827 million by 2029, growing at a CAGR...

Thousands signed a petition to "Save Hankorab" after discovering a contract between an unnamed government entity and an investment company to build a resort.

Zakopane, Poland -- Saudi photographer Fahad Alayyash gazed over the Alpine-like panorama of the Tatras, Poland's highest mountain range -- and a surprising new hotspot for Arab tourists. The 38-year-old is among thousands of Gulf residents spending their summer vacation in Zakopane, a resort known for its ski lifts and...

The sinkholes are marketed as a tourist attraction in Dhofar, whose temperate climate draws many visitors from the Gulf during its punishing summers.

Amman, Jordan -- Jordan has seen a decrease in the number of tourists visiting its famed ancient city of Petra and other sites since the Gaza war began in October 2023, according to officials. Although Jordan does not border the Gaza Strip, it has been among several countries across the...

Cairo, Egypt - In the shadow of the Grand Egyptian Museum, souvenir shop owner Mona has been readying for the tourist boom she hoped the long-awaited opening would bring -- now once again out of reach. "I had bet everything on this opening," she told AFP from her shop, just...

Dubai, UAE – The Middle East’s tourism sector is poised for unprecedented expansion, with a new report predicting a 50 percent surge in travel spending by 2030, reaching nearly $350 billion. The ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, compiled by Tourism Economics for Arabian Travel Market (ATM), highlights the region’s rapid...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is poised for an unprecedented summer season, with the official launch of the "Saudi Summer 2025" program, themed "Colour Your Summer." The initiative, unveiled today by Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA),...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, has officially unveiled TOURISE, a groundbreaking global platform set to transform the future of the tourism industry. The inaugural TOURISE 2025 event will take place in Riyadh from November 11-13, bringing together public and private sector leaders, experts, and...

Executive Director Mohamed Al Rais unveils a tech-human hybrid approach to personalize travel experiences — and announces a strategic India office to tap into Dubai’s largest source market.

For travel and tourism companies based out of the Middle East, utilizing technology to optimize the content creation process, and enabling content editing for Arabic language is crucial. This empowers them to target their core segment and showcase their fluent communication to specific micro markets, leading to better dividends.

Dubai, UAE - Gen Z travellers in the UAE are reshaping the future of tourism, prioritizing cultural immersion, sustainability, and digital convenience, according to new research by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. The study, conducted by YouGov, found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of Gen Z respondents prefer accommodations that reflect local...

Dubai, UAE: The Arabian Travel Market, which will take place from Apr 28 to May 1 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will bring together professionals and leaders from all travel sectors and verticals including leisure, business events (MICE), luxury and corporate travel sectors. At a press conference, RX Global,...

The GCC’s luxury hospitality sector has become a global benchmark, yet behind every polished facade lies an increasingly complex financial reality. Costs are rising, investor expectations are shifting, and technological disruption continues to redefine both guest expectations and operational models. At the heart of this transformation is a simple but...

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...

Muscat, Oman -- Travel and tourism sector's contribution to the Gulf's GDP by the end of 2024 reached approximately 11.4 percent, with a value of $247.1 billion. The latest data released by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) indicated that the growth rate...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Diriyah Company has collaborated with Pantone to produce "Diriyah Tan," a color that embodies the essence and deep-rooted spirit of the history of Diriyah, the City of Earth. The unique color was inspired by Diriyah's land, reflecting this destination's significance as a leading cultural and tourism...

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...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's tourism sector achieved a record surplus in the 2024 travel account, reaching SAR49.8 billion ($13.27bn), a 7.8% increase over 2023, according to a Tourism Ministry press release. The release said that this surge was fueled by a 13.8 percent increase in inbound visitor spending...

To realize its vision for “smart tourism”, Singapore Tourism Board is leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and augmented reality to enhance visitor experiences.

The framework for future-proofing tourism revolves around three core pillars: People, Planet, and Purpose. This vision is particularly evident in the GCC, where a people-first transformation is taking place.

Humanity is on a tech-fueled trajectory. Data and informed predictions are inspiring, showing how AI is reshaping economies, smart cities are rising, and boundaries are dissolving.

Visit Saudi, experience the warmth, generosity and hospitality of the people, Jerry Inzerillo tells TRENDS in an exclusive interview.

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.

WTTC research shows that, having endured estimated losses of $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs in 2020 alone, travel and tourism has recovered and is set to reach new heights. The travel sector is expected to continue to grow, creating over 100 million new jobs, adds the author.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The number of employees in tourism-related activities in Saudi Arabia increased by 5.1 percent in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, reaching 959,175, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). GASTAT's Tourism Establishments Statistics bulletin for the second quarter...

Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah seeks to welcome 3.5 million tourists annually by 2030, says Raki Philipps, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. In his address at a recent forum in the northern emirate, Phillips highlighted that tourism is Ras Al Khaimah’s fastest growing sector, contributing 5% to the...

The global tourism industry has turned the clock back to 2019 before COVID created a massive hole in worldwide passenger travel, mostly born out of health safety concerns. In 2023, UN Tourism tracked 1.3 billion global arrivals, up from 975 million a year earlier, near 2019 figures of 1.475 billion.

The rapid, ongoing expansion of global tourism has brought with it opportunities for communities around the world to share cultures and knowledge. This growth brings new and diversified economic prospects while supporting efforts to preserve local cultures, and protect the environment. However, traditional tourism models often prioritize maximizing short-term economic...

"Growth at all costs no longer an option," says world-renowned tourism policy, planning and development expert Dr Marina Novelli in an interview.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's planned futuristic mega-city known as NEOM announced on Sunday the opening of its "first physical showcase": a luxury Red Sea island featuring restaurants, hotels and yachting berths. The opening of the island, known as Sindalah, comes amid persistent doubts about NEOM's viability and ahead of...

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used to enhance customer service through chatbots, personalized recommendations, and dynamic pricing. Hotels and travel companies use AI to analyze customer behavior, preferences, and trends, providing personalized experiences that improve customer retention and engagement.

Twice a month, TRENDS MENA's Opinion Hub will deliver exclusive insights from top travel, tourism, aviation, and hospitality leaders in the Middle East and Africa.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Riyadh is currently hosting the third Seasonal Dates Exhibition, a major economic, social, and tourist event. Organized by the National Company for Agricultural Services, the exhibition is being held at Al-Rabwa Markets in the Al-Rabwa neighborhood, east of Riyadh, and will continue daily until the end...

Doha, Qatar - Qatar has emerged as the leading player in the Middle East tourism sector, boasting an impressive 147% increase in tourist arrivals during the first half of 2024 compared to pre-pandemic levels, as reported by UN Tourism. This growth positions Qatar ahead of its regional competitors, with Saudi...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia's tourism sector, particularly the leisure and holiday segments, witnessed substantial growth in 2024.In a statement marking World Tourism Day, observed every year on September 27, the ministry said that the Kingdom welcomed 17.5 million international tourists between January and July 2024, a 10 percent...

The kingdom welcomed 17.5 million international tourists in the first seven months of 2024, leading G20 nations in tourism growth for the period.

While Europe and Americas have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, the Middle East's growth outpaces all other regions, UN World Tourism Organization says.