Oberoi unveils plans for luxury resort in Saudi Arabia’s Wadi Safar
Wed, 30 Sep 2026
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts has unveiled details of The Oberoi Sukoonvilas, Wadi Safar, a luxury resort under development in one of Diriyah, a historic town in the northwest of Riyadh and an emerging Saudi tourism destination. The property is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027 and will be the first hotel to welcome guests in Wadi Safar.
Flexibility, value shape Dubai’s 2026 tourism market: Radisson RED
Mon, 28 Sep 2026
Dubai’s tourism market is entering the final quarter of 2026 with rising visitor numbers and hotel occupancy. Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis recorded occupancy growth to 82.3% in August, as travellers increasingly prioritise flexibility, value and business-leisure experiences when booking stays.
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.
AI is changing tourism faster than businesses can digest: travel tech leaders
Sun, 27 Sep 2026
As World Tourism Day is marked today, Belvera Partners has brought travel technology leaders together to examine how AI is accelerating changes across tourism. The speakers highlighted its growing impact on destination discovery, direct bookings, customer experiences and the wider travel value chain.
Tourism conditions improve across most economies: WEF index
Fri, 25 Sep 2026
Travel and tourism conditions have strengthened across most of the world, a new World Economic Forum report finds, but destinations face a growing challenge: turning record demand into lasting value amid rising costs, geopolitical and climate disruptions.
Gulf Air, Sepang Formula 1 event to strengthen Bahrain-Malaysia travel ties
Wed, 23 Sep 2026
Bahrain and Malaysia are set to deepen tourism and travel ties as Gulf Air launches direct flights to Kuala Lumpur on September 29, 2026, ahead of the Formula 1 event at Sepang International Circuit, boosting connectivity and access for travellers.
Al Jabal Al Akhdar advances tourism development ahead of 2027
Tue, 22 Sep 2026
Al Jabal Al Akhdar is stepping up tourism preparations after being named Capital of Gulf Tourism for 2027, as visitor numbers and hotel revenues grow. The wilayat welcomed 101,608 visitors in the first half of 2026.
Hong Kong unveils plans to boost tourism, major events
Mon, 21 Sep 2026
Hong Kong is intensifying efforts to boost tourism and attract major sports and cultural events, with the sectors highlighted as priorities under the city’s 2026-2030 development plan and latest Policy Address.
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.
Bahrain to host the International Tourism Investment Forum 2027 in January
Fri, 18 Sep 2026
Bahrain will host the International Tourism Investment Forum (ITIF) in January 2027 in partnership with UN Tourism.
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%.
DCT Abu Dhabi signs new deals to welcome 75,000 Indian visitors
Thu, 17 Sep 2026
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed nine new joint marketing partnerships with Indian travel companies to bring 75,500 additional visitors to the emirate, widening connections with Abu Dhabi’s number one source market.
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.
Fujairah highlights tourism offering at Arabian Travel Market 2026
Thu, 17 Sep 2026
During the final day of Arabian Travel Market 2026 in Dubai, the Fujairah stand welcomed Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, who was briefed on the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Department’s participation and its showcase of the emirate’s diverse tourism, cultural and heritage offerings.
Abu Dhabi moves to promote healthier food choices across tourism sector
Thu, 17 Sep 2026
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed a collaboration agreement with Healthy Living, Abu Dhabi’s government-led movement supporting longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives, to promote healthier food choices across the emirate’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Qatar launches over 560 events for 2026/2027 tourism calendar
Thu, 17 Sep 2026
Visit Qatar has launched Qatar Calendar 2026/2027, featuring more than 560 events, festivals and championships across the country, as Qatar seeks to strengthen its position as a year-round tourism destination.
Emirates signs new partnerships to boost tourism, customer reach
Wed, 16 Sep 2026
Emirates has signed and renewed agreements with tourism boards, travel platforms, cruise operators, business councils, sports tourism specialists and financial partners, expanding collaborations across key markets including Mozambique, Kenya, China, Spain, Finland and Vietnam to drive tourism, connectivity and customer engagement.
Dubai launches two new sustainability courses for tourism, hospitality sector
Wed, 16 Sep 2026
Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has launched two new sustainability courses designed to strengthen practical training for tourism and hospitality professionals as the emirate continues to embed responsible practices across its visitor economy.
Dubai Ruler visits ATM 2026, highlights innovation, tourism growth
Tue, 15 Sep 2026
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visited the 33rd Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre, reviewing innovations and trends shaping global travel and tourism.
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.