Passenger traffic across the Middle East is expected to soar to 530 million by 2043, effectively doubling from current figures, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The 20-year forecast anticipates an average annual growth rate of 3.9% in passenger numbers from 2023 to 2043, slightly surpassing the global average of 3.8%.  Also, the region is set to achieve the highest net profit per passenger globally, expected to post a net profit of $6.2 billion, representing an 8.7% profit margin, well above the global average, driven by strong economic performance and demand for both business and leisure travel. As per the IATA Passenger reports, “Middle Eastern airlines saw a 14.2 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.9 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor increased by +3.0 percentage points to 79.3 per cent compared to April 2023.” With hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh leading the charge, the focus must now shift to ensuring all parts of the region are equipped to benefit from the coming wave of air traffic and infrastructure development.

Emirates and Air China have announced plans to establish a partnership for expanding their reciprocal interline cooperation. The collaboration will include the development of a framework for cargo operations and reciprocal benefits within their frequent flyer loyalty programmes. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said, “Our partnership with Air China commenced 26 years ago (July 1999) and since 2018, approximately 18,000 Emirates customers have benefited from the expanded connectivity offered through our interline agreement.” The airlines are also exploring the coordination of flight schedules and adjustments to minimum connecting times. Once implemented, this will offer customers streamlined booking processes, single-ticket itineraries, and expanded access to airport lounges, opening up a world of new destinations with greater ease and convenience. He added, “As we continue expanding our investments in the Chinese mainland, we look forward to deepening our partnership with Air China to meet growing travel demand in this strategic market and create new pathways for travel and trade between China and the global community.” The partnership will focus on knowledge exchange in strategic operational areas, such as revenue management, data analytics, digitalisation, brand development, and the advancement of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Baheej has announced the fourth component of its transformative Yanbu Waterfront Project: a 34-room boutique Wellness resort that brings together ancestral wellness wisdom and contemporary design inspired by the region’s seafaring heritage. Set along the serene shores of Yanbu, the 34-room resort will offer guests an immersive retreat anchored in wellness, culture, and tranquillity. The resort will feature private sea-view cabanas, curated wellness programs, and a signature spa architecturally inspired by the pearl—a historic emblem of Yanbu’s maritime past and a symbol of renewal and calm. Norah Al Tamimi, CEO of Baheej, added: “This project is a reflection of Baheej’s vision to enrich Saudi destinations with meaning, not just infrastructure. Our wellness resort is more than a place to stay — it’s an experience crafted around the values of balance, beauty, and belonging. We believe it will become a new symbol of Yanbu’s evolving identity as a serene coastal escape.” Through this addition, Baheej continues to offer guests opportunities to reconnect with curated experiences that include meditation at sunrise, movement rituals inspired by coastal rhythms, and wellness treatments rooted in Arabic healing traditions and native ingredients. The wellness resort joins a growing collection of destination-defining assets developed by Baheej in Yanbu, including Cloud 7Lifestyle hotel by Kerten Hospitality, Kaynuna Beach Escape and the upcoming Jaba Tour Centre and Diving Club.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Amadeus have announced the integration of IATA CO2 Connect’s flight-specific emissions data into the Amadeus Travel Platform, a move that enhances transparency and sustainability in air travel. Through this integration, airlines, travel agents, corporate travel managers, and online travel platforms can now access and display accurate CO2 emissions data at the point of booking. This new functionality allows travellers to make more environmentally informed decisions based on a trusted data source.  Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA, stated, “Our agreement with Amadeus will help fulfil traveller expectations for greater transparency as airlines progress towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050. IATA surveys reveal that close to 90% of passengers expect airlines or travel agents to provide carbon emission data for flights they have booked. Yet, 79% highlight that the carbon calculations provided are not always consistent. Making IATA CO2 Connect data available through the Amadeus platform will help users make more informed travel decisions using accurate emissions data.” IATA CO2 Connect leverages real-world operational data — including aircraft type-specific fuel consumption — directly provided by more than 70 global airlines. The data is calculated using a globally standardised methodology, ensuring reliability and comparability across different carriers and flight routes.

Abu Dhabi will host the M&I Expo from 14–16 April 2026, following a strategic partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Worldwide Events. Set to take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the event will gather 1,000 top global decision-makers in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. The expoalso  aims to foster global collaboration and business development through immersive showcases and branded experiences. Mubarak Al Shamsi, Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau Director, DCT Abu Dhabi said: “Hosting the M&I Expo in Abu Dhabi reinforces the emirate’s strength and sustained growth as a premier destination for business events and incentive travel. Our latest achievement reflects our strategic commitment to building a world-class MICE ecosystem offering cutting-edge event venues and exceptional hospitality rooted in our core cultural values. With iconic venues such as Qasr Al Watan and Yas Marina Circuit, complemented by Abu Dhabi’s diverse leisure attractions such as the newly opened teamLab Phenomena, we are confident this event will showcase the very best of what our destination has to offer.”

Etihad Airways will enhance its Sydney to Abu Dhabi route with the introduction of the Airbus A350-1000 starting 1 October 2025. Initially operating on select flights alongside the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the A350 will take over all 10 weekly services by 31 January 2026, offering passengers upgraded comfort and premium Business Suites. Meanwhile, Etihad’s Melbourne route will continue daily with the airline’s latest 787-9 aircraft, also featuring the new Business Suites and expanded premium seating. Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, said: “We are delighted to bring morepremium travel options to Australia with the arrival of our A350 on this important route. When theschedule is fully deployed early next year, we will have grown overall seat availability by ten per cent,and premium seat count by over 20 per cent.“We have increased our flight frequencies to Sydney this year, offering guests greater flexibility andenhanced connectivity across our expanding global network. This growth provides more seamless traveloptions to key destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and also welcomes more visitors to ourhome in Abu Dhabi, where they can enjoy our exclusive stopover programme, featuring one or two-night complimentary stays at a premium hotel.”

Based on Wego’s real-time search data, the findings reveal a strong demand for early travel planning and emerging preferences across both short-haul and long-haul escapes. The destinations include Baku- Azerbaijan, Bangkok-Thailand, Tbilisi in Georgia, Kathmandu- Nepal, Bali- Indonesia , Phuket in Thailand, London- United Kingdon and Yervan in Armenia. Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego, said: “Eid holidays continue to be a key travel period for UAE residents, and we’re seeing a clear shift towards destinations that offer more than just relaxation. Travelers are seeking immersive experiences, cultural depth, and visa-friendly convenience. Cities like Baku, Tbilisi, and Yerevan are rising in popularity as they offer the perfect blend of affordability, accessibility, and charm, making them ideal for both spontaneous getaways and meaningful escapes.”

In an exclusive interview with TravTalkME, Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, Head of Secretariat, Visit Malaysia 2026, highlighted that Middle East is their key target market to increase their revenue and global initiatives to promote Visit Malaysia 2026 are underway. He said, “The Middle East is our key target market to increase revenue in terms of tourism to the country. Visitors from the region are among the highest-spending and longest-staying tourists—on average, they spend 11 days in Malaysia. We see them as a key source for driving tourism revenue.We’re preparing for a major global campaign to promote Visit Malaysia through various campaigns. Creating demand is our priority across different countries and market segments. We want to ensure that people know more about Malaysia through promotions across Middle East, Asia and beyond. Our strategy includes strong partnerships with airlines, OTAs, travel agents, industry players, and MICE groups. We’re also segmenting our markets, particularly targeting luxury travellers, who are a key focus for us. A major announcement is scheduled for World Tourism Day on 27 September 2025, in Malacca, Malaysia. More than 150 countries will participate in both the World Tourism Conference and the World Tourism Day celebrations. We take this opportunity to launch a bigger scale of Visit Malaysia 2026.”

TravTalkME is proud to celebrate a landmark achievement for the region and the global tourism sector: Shaikha Al Nowais, Corporate Vice President of Owner Relationship Management at Rotana, has been elected as the Secretary-General of UN Tourism. This historic appointment marks her as the first female Emirati to hold this prestigious international position. A trailblazer in the hospitality industry, Shaikha Al Nowais has long championed gender diversity and the empowerment of women in the workplace. Under her leadership, Rotana has implemented progressive policies focused on equal pay, access to education and training, and supportive workplace environments for all employees—regardless of gender. Her election not only reflects her outstanding contributions to tourism and hospitality but also signifies a bold step forward for female representation in global leadership. As Secretary-General, she is expected to bring fresh vision and inclusive leadership to the future of international tourism.

In a special interview with TravTalkME, Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Director International Promotion Division, North and East Asia, Tourism Malaysia shared that efforts are being made to intensify priority markets such as the GCC to drive more opportunities and that they are planning a special event to connect Malaysian sellers with international buyers and media in September this year on world tourism day to further promote about ‘Visit Malaysia 2026’. She added that Malaysia is ramping up its preparations for the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, with major initiatives already underway this year. A national priority, the campaign brings together strategic partners from across the hospitality and tourism industry—including hotels, airlines, and media platforms—to amplify Malaysia’s brand on the global stage. “Among the key highlights is Global Meet, a business-to-business (B2B) platform taking place later this year. The event will connect Malaysian tourism sellers with international buyers and media, aiming to boost global awareness and drive business opportunities ahead of 2026. Additionally, Malaysia will host World Tourism Day in Melaka this September, further showcasing its readiness and commitment. Efforts are being intensified in priority markets. While neighboring countries remain strong contributors to tourist arrivals, Malaysia is expanding its focus to China, India, and notably the Middle East—aligning with the Prime Minister’s regional engagement efforts. Long-haul markets like Europe are also a renewed priority.” To drive this agenda, Malaysia has launched a series of sales missions and workshops. These include recent promotional tours in India, China, and the Middle East, such as the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) and missions to Jeddah and Riyadh. Post-COVID, the push is clear: re-establish Malaysia’s presence in under-engaged regions and aggressively market the country as a top tourism destination. …