Abu Dhabi flight requests rise 59.5pc as GCC business travel accelerates: XO
Wed, 30 Sep 2026
Abu Dhabi’s private aviation demand is surging as the emirate strengthens its role as a regional business hub, with flight requests up 59.5% year-on-year and flights rising 140%. Requests on the Abu Dhabi-Riyadh route jumped 450%, according to XO data.
GCC hotel supply set to rise 25pc by 2030: Cavendish Maxwell
Tue, 29 Sep 2026
Countries across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are expected to add nearly 126,000 hotel rooms by 2030, increasing regional supply by 25% to about 616,000 rooms, according to real estate advisory and hospitality consultancy Cavendish Maxwell.
Over 20m tourists travel across GCC countries in 2025
Mon, 28 Sep 2026
More than 20 million tourists travelled between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in 2025, marking a 3.6 percent increase from the previous year, according to a statistical bulletin issued by the Statistical Centre for the GCC (GCC-Stat).
GCC tourism generates $254.7bn as sector advances towards 2030 goals
Sun, 27 Sep 2026
Tourism’s economic value in the Gulf Cooperation Council reached $254.7 billion in 2025, supporting 4.5 million jobs, as the sector strengthens its contribution to regional economies and expands its presence in the global tourism market, according to GCC-Stat.
GCC tourism sector shows signs of recovery as business travel returns
Sun, 27 Sep 2026
The GCC’s tourism sector is showing signs of recovery following significant disruption from the regional conflict, according to Richard Stolz, Partner – Tourism at Roland Berger Middle East.
GCC, North Africa hotel pipeline hits $90bn, with 200,000 new rooms planned: report
Wed, 23 Sep 2026
The GCC and North Africa have a US$90 billion hotel pipeline, with 200,000 new rooms planned, according to HVS. About 88,000 rooms are under construction, while more than 55% of projects are expected to open by 2030, underscoring rapid hospitality growth.
Newport Beach California seals collaboration deal with Qatar Airways
Sat, 19 Sep 2026
Visit Newport Beach has inked a collaboration agreement with Qatar Airways under which the flag carrier will promote the Californian destination as a premier tourism hub for GCC residents, while supporting efforts to establish the region as a priority market for luxury tourism and business exchange.
Jazeera Airways offers 3 million seats in biggest-ever sale
Sat, 19 Sep 2026
Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways has launched its biggest-ever sale, giving travellers the chance to buy one ticket and get the second for free with 3 million seats available for travel across the airline’s entire network. The promotion runs till September 26 and will cover more than six months of travel.
Visa-free travel could drive Asia-GCC tourism growth, industry leaders say
Thu, 17 Sep 2026
Visa-free access, seamless travel experiences and stronger connectivity could make the Asia-GCC corridor a major growth engine for the Middle East’s travel sector, industry leaders said at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai.
GCC to host six tournaments on DP World Tour’s 2027 schedule
Wed, 16 Sep 2026
The GCC will host six tournaments on the DP World Tour’s 2027 global schedule, including four consecutive weeks of golf in the Middle East at the start of the season and the Race to Dubai finale in the UAE in November.
New Kerala push to woo more tourists from Bahrain, GCC
Wed, 16 Sep 2026
Kerala is launching new tourism initiatives to boost Gulf arrivals, including Bahrain. Culture and Tourism Minister P C Vishnunath said roadshows and information kiosks will be set up with India’s embassy and Bahrain’s BKS. Kerala welcomed 100,000 Arab tourists last year, aiming for 300,000 in five years.
ATM 2026: GCC destinations urged to balance collaboration, competition
Tue, 15 Sep 2026
Gulf nations should highlight their individual tourism and business events offerings while presenting a more coordinated regional proposition to international visitors, regional industry leaders said at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai.
Seychelles puts GCC at centre of high-value tourism strategy at ATM 2026
Tue, 15 Sep 2026
Seychelles Tourism Board is placing the GCC at the heart of its high-value, sustainable tourism strategy, as around 60% of international visitors transit Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi. At ATM 2026, it unveiled plans to deepen regional partnerships and broaden the destination’s appeal.
JNTO boosts GCC tourism push with new Japan destinations at ATM 2026
Mon, 14 Sep 2026
The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) is stepping up its efforts to attract visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market through its participation in Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, held in Dubai from September 14 to 17.
Bahrain chairs GCC meeting on tourism cooperation
Wed, 09 Sep 2026
Bahrain chaired a virtual GCC tourism meeting focused on strengthening regional cooperation and advancing joint tourism initiatives. Discussions covered promotion and marketing, tourism data, a unified guide licence, the Gulf Tourism Capital initiative, international cooperation, joint events and hotel classification.
Mauritius records 10.5pc growth in Mideast arrivals, brings 20 partners to ATM
Tue, 08 Sep 2026
Tourist arrivals to Mauritius from the Middle East increased by approximately 10.5% between January and July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, as the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) prepares to target further growth across the GCC at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026.
Morocco welcomes 9.4m tourists in H1 2026 as GCC interest grows
Tue, 01 Sep 2026
Morocco is gaining popularity among GCC travellers, recording 19.8 million tourist arrivals in 2025 and 9.4 million in H1 2026. With Saudi interest rising, the country is targeting 26 million annual visitors by 2030.
GCC welcomes 75.7m tourists as tourism contribution hits $254.7bn
Mon, 31 Aug 2026
GCC tourism generated $254.7 billion in economic contribution in 2025, attracting 75.7 million visitors and $131.9 billion in inbound spending, as sector growth reached 7.3%, surpassing the global rate of 6.7%, according to the GCC Statistical Centre.
145,513 GCC visits boost Georgia’s rising tourism appeal in 2025
Thu, 06 Aug 2026
Georgia is gaining popularity among GCC travellers, recording 145,513 visits in 2025 as tourism growth accelerates. With 7.8 million international arrivals, Georgia’s accessibility, affordability, and diverse experiences are driving Gulf market demand.
Mideast tourism to rebound strongly despite 2026 setback: WTTC
Thu, 06 Aug 2026
The Middle East's travel and tourism sector is forecast to shrink 14.5% in 2026 amid geopolitical disruptions, but the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) expects the region to become the world's fastest-growing tourism market through 2036, led by Gulf economies.
Jazeera Airways offers up to 50pc off on GCC flights
Mon, 03 Aug 2026
Jazeera Airways has launched a GCC travel promotion, offering up to 50% off fares on flights across the Gulf region. The limited-time offer covers 13 destinations, with discounted bookings available from August 3–8, 2026 for travel through December 12, 2026.