IHG brings Garner Hotels to Mideast with two new UAE properties
Tue, 29 Sep 2026
IHG Hotels & Resorts is bringing Garner Hotels to the Middle East through two UAE properties with Nooa Holdings, adding 285 rooms to its portfolio. The hotels, in Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai, are expected to open in 2026.
Four Seasons advances regional expansion with Saudi, Gulf projects
Sun, 27 Sep 2026
Four Seasons is expanding its Middle East portfolio with new hotels, resorts and residences, including a planned Jeddah opening in summer 2027. The group is also advancing projects in Madinah, the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah and Egypt.
BWH Hotels targets 70 Mideast properties within three years
Thu, 24 Sep 2026
BWH Hotels is expanding across the Middle East, driven by evolving traveller preferences and rising tourism investment. Following ATM Dubai 2026, the group said it operates 27 regional hotels and aims to reach 70 within three years, supported by a strong development pipeline.
Middle East conflict hits tourism as global growth slows to 0.4%
Thu, 17 Sep 2026
The Middle East conflict has dealt a major blow to tourism in the region and begun to weigh on travel demand far beyond its borders, with international tourist arrivals in the Middle East plunging 22% in the first half of 2026 as global tourism managed only modest growth of 0.4%.
Mideast international visitor spending forecast to rise 57pc by 2030: ATM report
Wed, 16 Sep 2026
International visitor spending in the Middle East is forecast to increase by $116 billion, or 57%, between 2025 and 2030, according to the newly unveiled ATM Travel Trends Report 2026, produced by Arabian Travel Market in association with Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company.
Marriott maintains positive outlook for UAE, Mideast tourism
Mon, 14 Sep 2026
The UAE’s tourism sector remains well positioned for long-term growth, supported by continued investment, strong infrastructure and expanding air connectivity, according to Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East & Africa, Luxury, Europe Middle East & Africa and Global Leader, Design Hotels, Marriott International.
Egypt retains top spot as Wego tracks major shifts in Mideast travel
Mon, 14 Sep 2026
Travel demand across the Middle East remained resilient in the first eight months of 2026 despite flight disruptions, with search activity holding firm. Egypt retained the top destination ranking, while Nepal, China and Vietnam recorded significant gains, according to Wego data.
The Hoxton to make Mideast debut with Dubai Media City hotel
Tue, 08 Sep 2026
The Hoxton is set to make its Middle East debut with a 230-room flagship hotel in Dubai Media City, following a partnership between Ennismore and regional developer Select Group.
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.
Mideast leads air connectivity growth with 21pc rise in 2025: report
Mon, 07 Sep 2026
Air connectivity across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East grew 11% in 2025, led by a 21% increase in the Middle East driven by Gulf carriers. Asia-Pacific connectivity rose 10%, reflecting expanding international networks and continued recovery in city-pair connections across the region.
dnata takes Opulence by Ahlan Arabia luxury roadshow to France
Thu, 03 Sep 2026
dnata Representation Services, part of Dubai-based dnata Travel Group, will host the next edition of its luxury travel roadshow, Opulence by Ahlan Arabia, in Courchevel, France, this December, marking the event’s first edition outside the Middle East.
Global passenger traffic rises 0.2pc in July despite regional declines: IATA
Mon, 31 Aug 2026
Global air passenger demand rose 0.2% in July 2026, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , despite a slight decline in international traffic. Domestic demand increased 0.6%, while global capacity grew 0.3%.
Sun Phu Quoc Airways appoints Aviareps as Mideast GSA
Mon, 24 Aug 2026
Aviareps Middle East has been appointed the Official General Sales Agent (GSA) for Sun Phu Quoc Airways (SPA), strengthening the airline’s commercial presence across the Middle East.
First Noted Collection Hotel in Middle East set for Riyadh
Wed, 12 Aug 2026
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a franchise agreement with Morina Development & Investment to introduce Cantonal Hotel Riyadh Noted Collection by IHG, marking the brand’s debut in the Middle East.
Minor Hotels posts 2pc Q2 profit growth amid uneven market conditions
Mon, 10 Aug 2026
Minor Hotels reported steady growth in the second quarter of 2026, with core profit rising 2% year-on-year to THB 2.8 billion (approximately $84.3 million), supported by continued strength across Europe and the Americas that helped offset weaker trading conditions in the Middle East.
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.
Global air travel demand falls 1.7pc in June amid Mideast pressures: IATA
Thu, 30 Jul 2026
Global air passenger demand fell 1.7% year-on-year in June 2026, driven by weaker domestic markets and Middle East pressures, while international traffic showed resilience excluding the region, according to the latest International Air Transport Association (IATA) data.
Qiddiya City secures top global destination accreditation
Thu, 23 Jul 2026
Qiddiya City has become the first destination management organisation in the Middle East to receive the Destination Marketing Accreditation Programme (DMAP) Accreditation with Distinction from Destinations International, marking the highest level of recognition under the global accreditation framework.
Etihad, Abra Group sign deal to boost Latin America links
Wed, 22 Jul 2026
Etihad Airways and Abra Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen air connectivity between Latin America, the Middle East and Asia through closer cooperation between Etihad and Abra's airlines, including Avianca, GOL and Wamos Air.
ATM research forecasts resilient future for tourism despite regional challenges
Thu, 16 Jul 2026
The global travel industry is entering a new era of growth, with consumer demand remaining strong despite geopolitical challenges and market disruptions affecting parts of the Middle East, according to new research from Arabian Travel Market’s (ATM) official research partners STR and Euromonitor International.
Tourism growth continues but risks are rising: OECD
Thu, 02 Jul 2026
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries tourist arrivals hit a record 847 million in 2025, up 3.4%. However, geopolitical tensions, climate events and cost pressures are creating uncertainty and shifting travellers toward cheaper, shorter, safer trips.