Middle East tourism projected to reach $350 billion by 2030: ATM report
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...
Saudi crown prince plans Turkey visit
Saudi Arabia's crown prince expects to travel to Turkey next month, a Saudi official told AFP Wednesday. The trip by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, will also include stops in Egypt, Cyprus and Greece, said the official, who requested anonymity because he was not permitted...Emirates, Jafza sign MoU
They will explore ways to offer travel incentives to SMEs.UK gives visa waiver to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain
The UK Home Office affirmed that “an electronic visa waiver allows the holder to travel to the UK without obtaining a visa provided they complete an online waiver for each visit.Arabian Travel Market 2022 kicks off in Dubai
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.Abu Dhabi tourism department readies to launch summer campaign
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) will announce its summer campaign at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), alongside a series of new initiatives and global partnerships. Sharing the best of Abu Dhabi with the world, travel partners and some surprise guests, DCT Abu Dhabi will...Algeria slaps travel bans on diaspora activists: rights groups
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch on Friday called on Algerian authorities to lift "arbitrary travel bans" on activists from the diaspora. The watchdogs singled out the cases of three Algerian-Canadians prevented from returning to their homes in Canada between January and April. "Although one of the three was finally...Record Airbnb bookings in Q1
The firm says results signal travel rebound.Eid holidays boost Gulf tourism as COVID curbs ease
From overseas to the domestic circuit, the tourism industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council is witnessing a welcome resurgence, especially after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.Booking volumes up 195% YoY for Eid, says dnata Travel
The top five most-booked destinations this year so far with dnata Travel include the Maldives, the UAE itself, Turkey, Mauritius, and Oman.Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority on Best Workplaces List
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...Air travel recovery gathering steam as Covid restrictions eased: IATA
The accelerated growth recorded in February 2022 compared to a year ago, is helping passenger demand catch up to 2019 levels.Liberal young flee to Turkey’s ‘Little Russia’
Thousands have left Russia for Turkey, many paying exorbitant airfares to reach one of the last accessible destinations as Western sanctions tighten.Security eyed as more Arab nations adopt epassports
Arab countries that offer electronic passports include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Lebanon, Algeria, Kuwait, Morocco, Comoros, Djibouti, Mauritania, Somalia and Sudan. Countries in the region that don't have a microchip in their passports include Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, the Palestinian territories, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.UAE citizens can travel visa-free to Israel
Israel has announced that all UAE citizens can now travel visa-free to Israel. The move is part of a wider strategy developed by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism to tap the UAE as a new market.Lebanon bans top officials of five banks from travel
A prosecutor in Lebanon has issued travel bans against the heads of the boards of five Lebanese banks as a precautionary measure as she investigates transactions by their banks, according to the media reports.Iran FM willing to travel to Vienna if nuclear deal reached
Iran's foreign minister said Friday he was ready to travel to Vienna if a deal is reached to revive the 2015 nuclear accord, as the US suggested an agreement is possible.Gulf travel industry rides on frequent innovations
While biometric identity management systems have helped improve the pandemic-like situation to some extent by enabling officials at border gates to verify the identity of passengers at a faster rate, this sector demands frequent innovations.Air travel momentum up as countries lift Covid restrictions: IATA
Air travel recovery was gaining momentum as countries were lifting restrictions, with a sharp 11-percentage-point increase for international tickets sold in recent weeks, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Data released by IATA said that in the period around 8 February (seven-day moving average) the number of tickets...Valid PCR requires to travel through King Fahd Causeway
The Police Directorate of Causeway has asked travelers to follow precautionary measures that are mandatory.UAE lifts curbs on travel to 12 African countries
The United Arab Emirates has lifted curbs on travel to twelve African countries for citizens fully vaccinated and who have received a booster dose of the approved COVID-19 vaccines.IATA urges governments to accelerate lifting of travel restrictions
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urges urged governments to accelerate the relaxation of travel restrictions, saying evidence suggests a minimal impact of travel restrictions on the spread of the virus. IATA called for removing all travel barriers (including quarantine and testing) for those fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine,...UAE resumes entry for travelers from 12 African countries
The countries comprise Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.Passport strength: Where do Arab countries stand?
The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports, based on how many countries and territories their holders can travel to without needing a visa.Gulf watch: Sectors that will grow most in 2022
The business environment in the region will experience a transformation that will have a far-reaching impact on economic trends and social dynamics.UAE tops list of safest travel destinations in 2022
After the progress and setbacks to travel and tourism in 2021, enthusiasts are looking to make the best of 2022.Kuwaitis told to avoid European travel over Omicron surge
Kuwait has called on its citizens to avoid travel to several European countries hit hard by the Omicron coronavirus variant. In a series of statements overnight Sunday, the oil-rich Gulf state also urged Kuwaitis already there to return home because of the surge in cases on the continent. The foreign ministry...Expatriate remittances to Morocco exceeded $9.32bn till Nov 2021
Expenses stood at 9.8 billion dirhams at the end of November 2021, against 9.58 billion dirhams a year earlier and 19.26 billion dirhams during the first eleven months of 2019.Iran making efforts to ease travel of expats to country: Ebrahim Raisi
Iranian expats are free to travel to and from the country and the government's plans and decisions should ensure that the travel of the citizens should be trouble-free, President Ebrahim Raisi has said. Raisi was speaking at the newly established Iranian Expatriates Supreme Council. He said the government's efforts are...Abu Dhabi Airport traffic likely to surge 400% over holiday season
From the period running December 22 to January 2, Abu Dhabi Airports estimates an average of 32,000 passengers and 102 flights per day.UAE suspends entry for travelers from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria
UAE citizens are barred from traveling to the four African countries except for the country's emergency treatment cases, official delegations, and scholarships. In addition, the country has introduced new travel requirements for those coming on direct flights from Uganda and Ghana. These include having a negative COVID-19 test obtained within...Dubai airport fully operational for first time since pandemic
Dubai airport, one of the world's busiest travel hubs, is fully operational for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic erupted in March 2020, officials said Monday. The opening of sections closed as the Covid-19 crisis took hold comes as the United Arab Emirates records a rise of infections amid...Etihad launches WorldPass for frequent travelers from UAE
Etihad Airways has announced a new travel solution aimed at corporate and frequent travelers booking from the UAE, said local media. The newly launched Etihad WorldPass allows the airline’s customers to purchase a travel subscription which offers complete flexibility and ease with rearranging bookings throughout the year, said sources. Etihad...Arab countries ban travel from African nations
The United States and several European countries have taken similar steps, banning travel from at least seven southern African countries. South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla told reporters that he felt some of the reactions to the new Covid-19 variant that was found in South Africa were ‘unjustified.’Emirates expects to return to profit in ‘next 18 months’ as losses drop by half
Aviation giant Emirates expects to return to profitability "in the next 18 months" as the sector bounces back from the Covid pandemic, its president Tim Clark said Tuesday. The Dubai-based carrier said last week it was on the path to recovery as six-month losses dropped by more than half from...Kuwaitis complain about rising prices, high inflation
Growing costs and a drop in purchasing power are seen as deterioration of the standard of living Kuwaitis have been accustomed to for years.Gulf Air boosts frequencies
Passenger numbers have grown ahead of the holiday season.Climate and Covid recovery loom large over Dubai air show
Airlines are still deep in the red, with losses expected to extend by another $51.8 billion this year.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.Which Asia-Pacific countries are re-opening to foreign visitors?
Mainland China, where Covid-19 first emerged last year, remains closed to overseas tourists, as is Japan.Combat Field: a gamer’s paradise at Riyadh Season
Among many attractions of Riyadh Season is Combat Field for fans of war and combat games. It simulates the reality of wars through 33 events.Emirates to restart flights to Saudi Arabia and St. Petersburg
Emirates will restart flights to Saudi Arabia and St. Petersburg in Russia with demand for travel rising as the Covid pandemic restrictions ease in many parts of the world.Emirates to provide extra baggage for Lebanon-bound customers
Customers can avail the additional baggage allowance for travel booked on emirates.com, Emirates sales offices, via travel agents as well as online travel agentsAll fully vaccinated tourists can travel to UAE
Tourists will have to do a mandatory RTPCR test on arrival, according to the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority.Expo 2020 promises a productive Q4
The sale of tickets, easing of travel restrictions and positive investment projections point to a surge in economic activity in the run-up to the mega event.Emirates to increase salaries of employees
Emirates has announced that from October 1 it will undo all changes to employee pay structure that it undertook to save the airline from going under last year when Covid swept through the whole world.Abu Dhabi updates Covid-19 travel list of ‘green’ countries
Travelers from these countries need not quarantine on arrival in Abu Dhabi.Jazeera Airways posts 138% growth in passenger traffic in Q2
The operational performance shows positive signs that travel will recover at a fast pace after eased restrictions come to effect by the middle of Q3 2020Saudi borders reopen for vaccinated pilgrims
Authorities in the ministry responsible for coordinating foreign pilgrims will from Monday begin "gradually receiving Umrah requests from various countries of the world," the Saudi Press Agency reported.UK moves UAE from red list to amber, eyes boost in travel sector
The UK government announced on Thursday that the UAE will be moved from the red to the amber list, as the situation in the country has improved. Bahrain, India and Qatar were also moved to the amber list, according to a statement issued by the UK Government.Dubai airport expects heavy inflow of passengers as UAE eases curbs
Dubai airport is expecting a heavy inflow of passengers with the UAE’s announcement that there would be an easing of travel restrictions from African and Asian countries.