Business and leisure combo drives GCC tourism boom
Business travelers worldwide are drawn to the GCC countries due to their rapidly growing economies, strategic geographic locations, and ambitious infrastructure development plans.
Expo opportunity to boost UAE-Monaco cooperation: Prince Albert II
Prince of Monaco, Albert II has called Expo 2020 Dubai a "great opportunity" to enhance the cooperation between his country and the UAE besides establishing links with other countries. Speaking on the sidelines of the celebration of the National Day of Monaco at Expo 2020 Dubai, he said that UAE...MAWANI signs MoU to build cruise terminal at Dammam port
The Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) has signed an agreement with Cruise Saudi and Globe Group to build a new cruise terminal at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and four berths at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and Yanbu Commercial Port. MAWANI said the move comes as part of its ongoing...Gulf Air boosts frequencies
Passenger numbers have grown ahead of the holiday season.Dubai non-oil economy surges to two-year high in October
Dubai's non-oil economy continued to grow in October, courtesy of a sharp rebound in new orders and increased tourism activity at the start of Expo 2020. The seasonally adjusted IHS Markit Dubai Purchasing Managers' Index climbed to 54.5 in October, from 51.5 in September, marking the sharpest improvement in business...Virgin continues space ticket sale
The current fare is $450,000 per seat.Bahrain eyes 14m tourists a year by 2026
Under the new 2022-2026 tourism strategy, the country also aims at an average daily visitor spend of 74.8 Bahraini dinars and raising the average tourist stay to 3.5 days.Dubai to merge economy and tourism departments
Dubai intends to merge the departments of economy and tourism in order to attract some 25 million tourists by 2025 and to widen the emirate’s foreign trade. The merged entity will be headed by Helal Al Marri.COP26 sees new coalition for net-zero tourism
The SGTC will be headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and may open regional offices in other countries.DCT Abu Dhabi, Hub71 partner to advance tourism, culture through startups
Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) will identify and collaborate with startups to advance the tourism and culture sectors, collaborate on high-impact events and provide mentorship to founders and entrepreneurs. Saeed Al Fazari, Executive Director at DCT...Sharjah Chamber and Kazakhstan to explore investment opportunities
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Kazakhstan have discussed ways of benefiting from promising investment opportunities in the two countries, especially in the tourism, industry and infrastructure sectors. During a meeting held recently at Expo 2020 Dubai, Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the SCCI, explored with...Qatar Tourism launches ‘Experience a World Beyond’
The promotional campaign can be seen across OOH, broadcast, print and digital channels across major cities.Saudi Arabia will launch world’s first ‘flying museum’
The Sky Museum will see a flight from Riyadh to Al-Ula, displaying ancient history on the first human civilization in Saudi Arabia.Israel eyes influx of tourists from UAE, Bahrain
Israel is anticipating a significant influx of Emirati and Bahraini tourists as the global tourism industry starts recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.Egypt sees Red Sea tourism rush from Russia
Russian tourists are finally returning to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh six years after a terrorist strike.UAE and Blue Origin to explore space economy and space tourism opportunities
The UAE will explore investment opportunities in the space economy and space tourism services besides other related ventures with Blue Origin, an aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight service company. In this direction, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, along with Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for...Middle East to see boost in tourism in 2021 and beyond
The tourism and travel sector in the Middle East is expected to grow 27.1 percent in 2021, a little behind the global average of 30.7 percent.UAE economy resilient, overcame many global challenges: RAK Properties CEO
The UAE was among the first countries to return to normalcy after the pandemic and is currently hosting Expo 2020 Dubai, said Mohammed Al Tair.Dubai approves Hatta master development plan
The Hatta master development plan is said to be aimed at developing Hatta, an exclave of Dubai, into a tourist spot that will also serve as a local and international destination for business and investment. It is expected to be implemented as part of a five-year development plan in the...S&P says lackluster tourism to keep Dubai economy down
Although Dubai is set for a ‘modest’ recovery this year on the back of a high vaccination rate in the UAE and fewer Covid restrictions, but a slower rebound in international tourism could be a drag on the economy until the end of 2022.Tunisia in bailout talks with Saudi Arabia, UAE: Central banker
The birthplace of the Arab Spring uprisings, Tunisia has faced years of economic woes exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, with 18 percent unemployment and debt verging on 100 percent of gross domestic product.PIF of Saudi Arabia to launch tourism on ‘THE RIG’
Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of ‘THE RIG,’ a new tourism project on oil offshore platforms to be located in the Arabian Gulf.Egypt’s current account deficit widens in Q1 as imports surge
Egypt's current account deficit widened in the first quarter of the current financial year because of a surge in imports and a slow rebound in tourism to pre-COVID-19 levels, according to central bank figures released on Thursday.UK and Gulf nations negotiate trade deal
"It brings me great joy and pleasure to officially announce the official launch of FTA negotiations between GCC countries and UK today," Zayed bin Rashid al-Zayani, Bahrain's minister of industry, commerce and tourism, said late Friday.UAE flights to help 1m Mideast tourists visit Brazil
Before the pandemic, around 75 percent of the tourist traffic between Brazil and the Middle East were to and from the UAE, and new direct flights from the UAE to Brazil’s Amazon and the Northeast regions are expected to reattain that traffic.Sharjah, Guatemala explore ways to boost trade, cultural ties
Sharjah and Guatemala have held discussions on enhancing trade exchange relations and joint investment opportunities in vital sectors like tourism, food security, and sustainable waste management, and others, as well as forge stronger bonds of cultural cooperation.Qatar Airways gets $3bn govt assistance after huge loss
The airline reported an overall loss of $4.1 billion for the year to March 31, double the figure for the same period the year before due to the coronavirus travel downturn. Qatar is among several governments that have stepped in to support their national carriers through the coronavirus shutdown, which...Riyadh Season 2021 has ‘big surprises’ in store
The event featuring concerts, theater performances, wrestling matches aims at making the Saudi capital a tourism entertainment destination.2022 World Cup may help Qatar sustain growth
The projects initiated as part of hosting the tournament include the construction of eight stadiums, Doha Metro Rail, a new airport, new seaports, laying new roads, and the futuristic sustainable Lusail City, which can accommodate 450,000 people once completed.Oman-UAE tourism sector partners hold workshop
The workshop was reportedly aimed at highlighting Oman’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai through the encapsulation of the country’s civilization throughout history. It also saw Oman highlighting the steps it had taken to boost tourism.Saudi Arabia reaches out to France for stronger economic ties
The move aims to further enhance bilateral investment relations by making use of the opportunities offered by Saudi Vision 2030.Kuwait Touristic to raise capital to $996m to boost tourism
Kuwait is looking to revitalize its tourism industry, and in this regard Kuwait Touristic Enterprises plans to increase its capital to $996 million.UAE outperforms ten global tourism destinations in H1
The emirates achieves hotel occupancy rate of 62 percent, ahead of the US, UK and TurkeyMessi, Neymar’s club PSG to play in Riyadh Season Cup
PSG boasts a stellar line-up, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, and Sergio Ramos taking to the field in its colors.Unesco recognizes Saudi marine sanctuary
The UN body has registered the Farasan Island Marine Sanctuary in its Man and Biosphere Program.Dubai-France trade reaches AED8.5 billion in the first half of 2021
DUBAI: The emirate of Dubai sees tourism and exhibition activity returning to normal, with EXPO 2020 around the corner, according to Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO. Sulayem said Dubai has largely managed to mitigate the economic repercussions from the spread of the pandemic and DP World...Lebanon army giving helicopter rides to tourists for money
While most wages in Lebanon have remained unchanged, the value of the Lebanese pound has gone down more than 90 percent since end-2019. As a result, the salary of a Lebanese soldier, in global terms, has gone down to $90 from $850 earlier.UAE investors behind Bahrain’s $492m tourism investment
Investments from UAE-based property developers helped Bahrain’s tourism sector remain buoyant during the pandemic.Two decades after 9/11, Saudi Arabia seeks economic reform, softer image
Women can drive and cinemas have reopened in the "new" Saudi Arabia under crown prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin SalmanOman Air inks deal in tourism push
The national carrier of Oman inked the deal with tripsnstay.No quarantine for fully vaccinated foreign travelers visiting Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi lifted its quarantine requirement for vaccinated tourists on Thursday as the UAE recorded zero Covid deaths for the first time since November 2020. However, before boarding for Abu Dhabi, all travellers — both vaccinated and unvaccinated – are required to present a negative PCR test result from within...Colonial-era architectural heritage at risk in Tunis
Built by Italian and French architects and businesspeople, such buildings are associated with colonialismDubai’s gourmet restaurants hungry for a star
It is a prize a restaurant or a chef would die for to possess. It is the culinary equivalent of an Oscar in the film industry. The Michelin star is the medal that diners of the world hunger for.Holy and worldly offerings of Saudi tourism
The Arab world's most powerful economy is devoting enormous resources to attracting at least 100 million tourists by 2030. TRENDSMENA offers a glimpse into the major tourist attractions of the kingdom.Obhur Bay, the go-to spot for pleasure seekers
To beat the sizzling summer heat, Obhur Bay is a go-to destination for many in Saudi Arabia. It is a favorite getaway of many of the governorate’s families and visitors.Saudi Arabia taps Alibaba to help Chinese tourists
Alibaba Cloud is expected to help promote Saudi Arabia as a tourist destination to travelers in the Chinese market.GCC hotel industry readies for a comeback
The Gulf hotel sector's investments, according to reports, have reached $27 billion. New hotel projects worth $3.5 billion in the region were approved in 2020, indicating that investors expect the hotel market to return to normal in the next two or three years when activities resume at normal level.‘Catastrophic’ pollution plagues Libya beaches
The environment ministry has ordered the closure of a number of beaches along the Greater Tripoli coastline, despite the roasting summer heat$24bn deals signed at Fifth China-Arab States Expo
Eight Chinese provinces and cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Zhejiang, Henan, and Guangdong, have signed 12 investment projects with Arab countries and other countries along the Belt and Road routes, with a total investment of 7.43 billion yuan. Three policy reports covering economic and trade relations between China and Arab States...Saudi Arabia to create million tourism jobs by 2030
Saudi Arabia has developed cultural, heritage tourism projects in more than 25 tourist destinations and eyes 100 million tourists by 2030.Saudi Arabia to accept IATA Travel Pass from Sept 30
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has accepted the pass as a valid way of confirming Covid-19 test.