Saudi Arabia isn't aiming to be the next Dubai but is forging its own unique path in tourism," Aradhana Khowala tells TRENDS in an exclusive interview.

Dubai, UAE -- Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) has confirmed that 25 percent of visitors to Dubai are repeat visitors, reflecting their satisfaction with the experience the city has to offer. Speaking at a keynote session on the second day of the Dubai AI and Web 3...

Tourism is a major contributor to the Kingdom's economic diversification efforts, the IMF notes in its 2024 Article IV Consultation report. Tourism revenues reached $36 billion in 2023.

Sydney, Australia - Australian airline Qantas scrapped its non-stop Perth to London flight Thursday, saying the decision was taken as a "precaution" due to tensions in the Middle East. The flight, usually a non-stop 17-and-a-half hour journey, will now refuel in Singapore, allowing it to carry a full load of passengers...

Dubai, UAE - Dubai has reinforced its position as a global tourism leader by welcoming a record 9.31 million international overnight visitors in the first half of 2024, marking a 9 percent increase from the 8.55 million visitors during the same period in 2023. The achievement is aligned with the...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, has implemented two pioneering initiatives that focused on training human resources in working in luxury coastal resorts and travel agencies according to the best international practices.One of the initiatives targeted 1,059 trainees working...

Dubai, UAE -- Dubai welcomed 9.31 million international overnight visitors from January to June 2024, a 9 percent increase over the 8.55 million tourist arrivals in the first half of 2023, according to data published by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Following a landmark 2023, when the...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Saudi Red Sea Authority, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, has launched the "Seas of Excellence" training program to improve the quality of tourism services and adopt international best practices to deliver a luxurious coastal tourism experience.Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb attended the launch...

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...

Manavgat, Turkey - The baby loggerhead sea turtles emerged from their eggshells and began their first challenge in life: a wobbly dash across the sand to the moonlit waters of Turkey's Mediterranean coast -- sometimes with a helping hand from volunteers. It is a perilous journey into the unknown for the...

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb highlights the upcoming launch of a tourist visa aimed at drawing more international visitors while speaking at a conference reviewing the 2024 summer tourism program.

Taif, Saudi Arabia - Taif and its serene towering mountains, nestled deep within the majestic Sarawat Mountains, serve as a bridge connecting tourism and recreation. During summer, they form a distinct boundary between the Tihamah and Sarawat regions, a simple equation evident in meteorological data and rainfall patterns. This region...

Oregon's tourism strategy focuses on year-round visitation, sustainability, and regenerative travel, aiming to optimize economic impact while preserving natural beauty and cultural heritage, Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson tells TRENDS in an interview.

Sharjah, UAE -- Sharjah's renowned landmark and award-winning family-friendly destination, Al Noor Island, has secured its place among the top 10 attractions in the Middle East by winning the prestigious 'Best of the Best' title for 2024 on the leading travel-review platform TripAdvisor. Developed and managed by the Sharjah Investment...

GCC tourism's GDP contribution will rise from $130 billion in 2023 to over $340 billion by 2030, driven by aviation growth and infrastructure investments.

Dubai, UAE -- The Mastercard Economics Institute has revealed in its latest Travel Trends 2024 report a major shift in the travel industry this year, characterized by a significant increase in travel spending and strong growth in traveler traffic. This latest global report provides comprehensive insights into the evolving landscape of the...

Hospitality industry revenue in Qatar is expected to witness the highest growth rate in GCC until 2028, Alpen Capital has said in a report. Qatar’s hospitality sector is projected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11% (from $0.9bn in 2023 to $1.5bn in 2028). The growth...

Washington, United States -- Virgin Galactic on Saturday successfully completed its last spaceflight before heading into a two-year pause on commercial operations to upgrade its fleet, as the space tourism company seeks to finally turn a profit. "Galactic07 is back on terra firma, now as astronauts!" the company said on X...

Oman witnesses a 16.4% growth in passenger traffic in early 2024 The Sultanate of Oman’s aviation sector has experienced remarkable growth in the initial four months of 2024.  According to the data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the country witnessed a significant surge in both...

Djerba, Tunisia - Only a dozen pilgrims turned up Friday at this year's Jewish pilgrimage on Tunisia's island of Djerba amid heightened security concerns after a deadly attack last year and as the Israel-Hamas war rages in Gaza. The pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa's oldest, usually draws thousands of...

Alberta's tourism sector, with attractions resonating with GCC travelers, aims for a $25 billion visitor economy by 2035, says Joseph Schow in an exclusive interview with TRENDS.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the only high-income economies to rank among the top 10 most improved economies between 2019 and 2024, a WEF report says.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, has announced the expansion of its eVisa program to tourists from the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Barbados and Grenada. Nationals of these three countries can now apply for a visitor visa to Saudi either electronically...

Dubai, UAE -- Dubai welcomed 5.18 million international overnight visitors from January to March 2024, an 11 percent rise over the 4.67 million tourist arrivals during the same period in 2023, according to data published by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) at the 31st edition of Arabian Travel...

Dubai, UAE - The 31st edition of Arabian Travel Mart, 2024, taking place from May 6 to May 9, is poised to welcome over 2,300 exhibitors and representatives from more than 165 countries, with 41,000 attendees expected. The theme of this year's event is ‘Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship.’...

Ajman, UAE - The Arabian Travel Market 2024 (ATM) kicks off in Ajman from May 6 to May 9, celebrating the emirate's cultural heritage, vibrant events, and array of tourism offerings. "ATM 2024 marks a pivotal moment for Ajman as we unveil our commitment to Ajman Vision 2030," Mahmood Khaleel...

NEOM, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NEOM to collaborate on developing legislation, regulations, and technology in marine tourism.The partnership will promote the sharing of expertise and enable the implementation and activation of joint initiatives. The aim is to enhance...

Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Miral Destinations, a subsidiary of Miral and promotional partner for Yas Island and Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi, is set to showcase its latest offerings and attractions and unveil Saadiyat Island’s forthcoming ‘Elevate Your Senses’ campaign at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024. Scheduled to take place...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia has called for a "real commitment to a two-state solution that is a credible, irreversible path to a Palestinian state". At the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development aimed at dialogues to tackle the most pressing geopolitical, social...

Business travelers worldwide are drawn to the GCC countries due to their rapidly growing economies, strategic geographic locations, and ambitious infrastructure development plans.

GCC region is a hidden gem, offering a distinct blend of Arabic culture and history, Fahim Jalalli, CEO of Kanoo Travel, tells TRENDS in an exclusive interview.

Tourism industry accounts for 9 percent of GCC region's GDP and it is expected to grow annually at 7.7 percent. Trends looks at some of the influential industry players driving this growth.

TEHRAN, IRAN – Iran and Iraq will launch the first maritime passenger transport line within the next two months, an official at Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) said. The chief executive of the organization noted that an expert-level meeting was held by the Iraqi side with a focus on...

DUBAI, UAE – Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC)  Mahir Julfar said that the DWTC's performance in 2023 was outstanding, welcoming 2.47 million participants - a 25 percent surge in visitor numbers compared to 2022. ‘’This achievement was propelled by the successful staging of 301 Meetings, Incentives, Conferences,...

Dubai, UAE--Dubai received 3.67 million overnight visitors in January-February 2024, with an increase of over 18 percent year-on-year (YoY), figures released by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) showed. According to the DET's Tourism Performance Report for January-February 2024, Dubai recorded 1.77 million international visitors in January, and 1.9...

Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) is collaborating with Dustour Marine Wooden Boats Trading Establishment to establish a new state-of-the-art project to support the Emirate’s coastal development in line with urban, social, recreational and economic expansion plans. The Musataha agreement was signed during the Abu Dhabi Department...

Emirate's new tourism strategy aims to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP from $13.34 billion in 2023 to $24 billion by 2030.

GCC countries collaborate on comprehensive tourism strategy, leading global recovery post-pandemic with remarkable growth rates and ambitious plans for sustainable development.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced the addition of the new shipping service 'NRS' by Folk Maritime to Jeddah Islamic Port. This initiative aims to connect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to various ports along the North Red Sea. The introduction of these two new...

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with over 100 properties in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Türkiye (MENAT), announces on Sunday the soft opening of Dar Rayhaan by Rotana, Al Khobar, in Saudi Arabia. The opening is in line...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's tourism sector contributed to a record-breaking $36 (SR135 billion) in spending by international visitors. The surge, reported by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), represents a substantial 42.8 percent increase from the previous year. The Kingdom's remarkable performance in tourism was further highlighted by its...

Flights to Al Jouf Airport and Red Sea Airport to start from April 18.

Doha, Qatar-- Qatar is looking to develop "plans and strategies" to streamline procedures and regulations in order to solve solve all obstacles facing the sector and align its development with the state's overall progress. This was stated by Chairman of Qatar Tourism Saad bin Ali bin Saad Al Kharji at...

Dubai, UAE-- Outbound travel from China is estimated to almost double this year, compared with 2023 and will only be 22% below its peak pre-pandemic numbers of 155 million tourists in 2019, who spent over $250 billion overseas, according to Oxford Economics Full recovery is expected to materialise in 2025,...

Dubai, UAE - As China's outbound tourism steadily rebounds from the pandemic's impact, the Middle East is emerging as a preferred destination for Chinese travelers, alongside traditional hotspots like Thailand and Malaysia. Data from online travel agencies including Ctrip, Tongcheng, Tuniu, Mafengwo, and Zuzuche indicates a significant rise in Chinese...

ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA – The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has marked a significant milestone in the development of the Sharaan Resort with the inaugural rock excavation for the much-anticipated project.  The initial excavation symbolizes the start of a mission that combines Jean Nouvel’s architectural innovation with Bouygues' engineering expertise....

Dubai, UAE -- Atlantis Dubai becomes the first resort destination in the Eastern Hemisphere to gain the Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation by both Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, following the successful certification of Atlantis Aquaventure in 2023. The CAC designation, awarded by the International Board of Credentialing...

ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA – Situated in the heart of Old Town here, Dar Tantora Hotel offers guests a chance to step back in time. Housed in beautifully restored mudbrick buildings, the hotel is imbued with the region's rich history and culture. The Old Town, with its origins going back over...

Dubai, UAE -- More than 100 of the world’s leading travel technology companies will be exhibiting at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) in the UAE from May 6-9. ATM 2024’s sold-out Travel Tech space will be 56 percent bigger than...

As the only  bidder, Saudi Arabia was anointed host of the 2034 World Cup last October by FIFA. Infrastructure is the initial concern for the oil-rich kingdom, which is snapping up high-profile sports events in an attempt to sweep away its conservative image and entice foreign investment.