Revealed: MOON Smart City masterplan, UAE among possible locations
Thu, 19 Feb 2026
Moon World Resorts, a Canadian-based design studio, has announced the debut of MOON’s revolutionary Smart City masterplan. The masterplan combines a unique integrated destination resort, luxury living, authentic space tourism, wellness + longevity and environmental innovation.
Staycations lead UAE Ramadan travel plans: Wego
Tue, 17 Feb 2026
Wego reports that UAE residents are favouring staycations, cultural experiences and spiritually focused city breaks during Ramadan 2026. As the holy month approaches, travellers are planning shorter, experience-led trips, with increased domestic travel and selective short-haul journeys to culturally resonant destinations.
Ministry of Culture adds five UAE sites to ICESCO Islamic Heritage list
Mon, 16 Feb 2026
The UAE Ministry of Culture announced the inscription of five national heritage sites on ICESCO’s Islamic World Tangible Heritage List during the 13th Islamic World Heritage Committee meeting in Uzbekistan. The sites include Saruq Al Hadid in Dubai and four locations in Sharjah: Al Faya, Khorfakkan’s historic towers and forts, Al Nahwa, and Wadi Al Helo.
UAE solidifies global leadership in aviation, tourism in 2025
Sun, 15 Feb 2026
In 2025, the UAE aviation sector hit record milestones, with DXB handling 95.2 million passengers, Abu Dhabi Airports over 33 million, and Sharjah 19.48 million. Ras Al Khaimah surpassed one million passengers. Expanded connectivity, cargo growth, and technological upgrades reinforced the UAE’s global aviation and logistics leadership.
UAE signs deal to launch phase four of airspace restructuring project
Thu, 12 Feb 2026
UAE’s civil aviation and defence ministries have signed an agreement for the implementation of Phase IV of the country’s Airspace Restructuring Project, that will focus on upgrading air traffic management systems and boosting air route capacity while supporting planned expansions by airports and national carriers.
Premier Inn signs MoU to develop up to eight hotels in Mideast
Thu, 12 Feb 2026
Premier Inn Middle East has signed an MoU with Equitativa Real Estate to develop six to eight hotels, adding 3,500 keys across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The AED 2 billion ($545 million) investment will double Premier Inn’s current portfolio of 3,184 keys.
UAE hospitality sector caps strong 2025 on tourism boom
Mon, 09 Feb 2026
The UAE’s hospitality sector ended 2025 on a high note delivering outstanding results, buoyed by strong tourism inflows across all major markets, said an industry expert. Dubai welcomed 17.5 million international visitors in the first 11 months, while Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah also recorded year‑on‑year growth in visitation.
UAE Economy & Tourism Ministry honours 11 entities for supporting Emirati SMEs
Mon, 09 Feb 2026
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism honoured 11 federal entities and national companies at the second National Forum for SMEs – Government Procurement for supporting Emirati SMEs and facilitating their access to government contracts and tenders in 2025.
Algeria moves to cancel air services agreement with UAE
Sun, 08 Feb 2026
Algeria has initiated the necessary procedures for the termination of the air services agreement between Algeria and the United Arab Emirates, an Algerian News Agency report said.
Ras Al Khaimah lights up for Year of the Horse
Wed, 04 Feb 2026
Ras Al Khaimah will usher in the upcoming Chinese New Year with a spectacular fireworks display on Saturday, February 8, 2026, at 8:00pm, welcoming the auspicious Year of the Horse as part of the 2026 UAE Happy Chinese New Year celebrations.
UAE World’s Coolest Winter campaign generates $3.4bn in hotel revenues
Tue, 03 Feb 2026
The UAE’s sixth World’s Coolest Winter campaign ran for six weeks from December 16, generating AED 12.5 billion ($3.4 billion) in hotel revenues, hosting over 5 million guests, achieving 84% occupancy, reaching 1.5 billion people globally, and highlighting entrepreneur-led, sustainable tourism initiatives.
Ajman hosts ‘Running for the Love of Kuwait’ to mark UAE–Kuwait ties
Sun, 01 Feb 2026
The Ajman Department of Tourism, Culture and Media (ADTCM) organized ‘Running for the Love of Kuwait’, a community sports event held to celebrate the long-standing brotherly relation between the UAE and Kuwait.
UAE explores boosting civil aviation ties with India
Sun, 01 Feb 2026
Abdulla Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and GCAA Chairman, met with India’s Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu to explore enhancing civil aviation cooperation and strengthening the bilateral partnership to support economic growth, investment, and development between the UAE and India.
UAE hospitality targets 25pc local produce with ‘Sustainable Product’ initiative
Sun, 01 Feb 2026
Dr Amna Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Agriculture Centre, has launched the Sustainable Product initiative, aimed at increasing the share of locally sourced agricultural and animal products used across the UAE’s restaurant and hotel sector to 25 per cent.
UAE, Saudi Arabia among largest wellness markets: GWI
Wed, 28 Jan 2026
The Global Wellness Institute reports that the largest wellness markets and standout five-year growth leaders include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Mexico, Poland, the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, the US, and Australia, according to its annual Country Rankings report covering wellness data from 145 countries worldwide.
UAE Minister, UN Tourism Secretary-Gen explore partnership opportunities
Mon, 26 Jan 2026
Abdullah Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, emphasised enhancing cooperation and partnerships with UN Tourism, exchanging expertise across tourism sectors. He made the remarks during a bilateral meeting with UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nowais at FITUR Madrid 2026.
UAE Minister engages tourism counterparts from 4 nations
Mon, 26 Jan 2026
Abdullah Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, held bilateral meetings with tourism officials from Brazil, Portugal, Azerbaijan, and Argentina to strengthen cooperation, promote sustainable tourism, exchange expertise, and advance partnerships toward more developed and prosperous levels in the global tourism sector.
UAE's hotel revenues surge 8.8pc to $12bn in 2025
Sat, 24 Jan 2026
UAE's hotel revenues for the 11-month period from January to November 2025 rose to AED44.4 billion ($12 billion), up 8.8% over the previous year, said a report. This was mainly driven by a spurt in the number of hotel guests which soared to 29.1 million, while guest nights exceeded 99.4 million.
Six Senses to debut in UAE
Mon, 19 Jan 2026
Six Senses, the globally recognised hospitality brand, will make its UAE debut with Six Senses The Palm, Dubai, opening in early Q3 2026. Located on the quieter West Crescent of Palm Jumeirah, the 61-suite boutique resort offers a thoughtful approach to beachfront living.
Yalago posts 25pc growth in 2025, UAE, Maldives lead
Wed, 14 Jan 2026
Yalago, part of the Emirates Group, recorded its strongest year to date in 2025, with total sales rising 25% year on year and surpassing previous records four months ahead of schedule. The UAE, Maldives, US, Thailand, and Spain ranked as the top booking destinations.
UAE passport ranks 5th globally on Henley Passport Index
Wed, 14 Jan 2026
The UAE has recorded the strongest long-term rise of any country on the Henley Passport Index, climbing an unprecedented 57 places over the past two decades to rank 5th globally in 2026. UAE passport holders now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 destinations worldwide.