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.
Minor Hotels signs NH Riyadh Prime Square, marking Mideast debut
Mon, 29 Jun 2026
Minor Hotels has signed NH Riyadh Prime Square Hotel, marking the Middle East debut of its NH Hotels & Resorts brand. Opening in 2030, the 121-room upscale hotel will be developed by Heyazah Real Estate Development in Riyadh's King Fahad District.
Air cargo demand up 6% in May; Mideast carriers report decline
Mon, 29 Jun 2026
Total global air cargo demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased by 6.0% in May this year, compared to May 2025 levels (6.5% for international operations), according to International Air Transport Association (IATA) data.
IHG recognised as top employer in Mideast for 2026
Wed, 24 Jun 2026
IHG Hotels & Resorts has been recognised as a top employer in the Middle East in the 2026 Great Place to Work rankings, highlighting its strong people-first culture and growing employer brand across a key expansion region.
Dubai Duty Free retains Mideast top honour for 25th year
Mon, 22 Jun 2026
Dubai Duty Free has been named Best Duty Free Shopping in the Middle East for the 25th consecutive year at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards, held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City.
flydubai named Best Connectivity Airline in Mideast
Sun, 21 Jun 2026
flydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, received the “Airline with the Best Connectivity in the Middle East” award for the third time at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2026.
IATA halves 2026 airline profit forecast, big loss seen for Mideast industry
Sun, 07 Jun 2026
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has sharply cut its profit outlook for the global airline industry, citing disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. Airlines are now expected to post a net profit of $23 billion in 2026, while Middle East airlines are likely to post $4.3 billion loss, it said.
Air traffic through Syrian airspace surge 375% in May
Tue, 02 Jun 2026
Syria recorded nearly 12,000 overflights in May after airlines altered their routes across the region to avoid airspaces affected by recent regional developments.