Global leisure travel spending is projected to reach $15 trillion in 2040, up from $5 trillion in 2024. With an anticipated 7% annual uptick in leisure spending, the Middle East is expected to outperform all markets except Asia Pacific during the next five years. Destinations, airlines, hotels and industry stakeholders from around the world will gather to explore these unprecedented opportunities at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, which will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 4-7 May. Under the theme ‘Travel 2040: Driving New Frontiers Through Innovation and Technology’, the event will explore the factors and trends redefining the global travel landscape. Leisure travel will form a key part of the programme at ATM, where the event will spotlight the changing behaviours of leisure travellers globally, and the Middle East’s ever-growing status as a destination of choice for international tourists. The ATM Travel Trends Report, developed in collaboration with Tourism Economics, forecasts that international tourism nights in the Middle East will reach 1.5 billion by 2030, representing a 90% surge from 2024. Approximately 15% of these nights are expected to be among leisure travellers from outside of the region. According to the report, European source markets currently account for 50% of leisure travel into the Middle East, although faster growth is expected for African and Asia Pacific markets in the next five years. For exhibitors and buyers at ATM 2026, these projections underscore the strong growth potential of the leisure segment. With more than 2,600 exhibitors from 161 countries and over 47,000 attendees expected, the event will provide a comprehensive platform for the travel industry to leverage this rising demand. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, …

The renowned double-decker will begin operating between Zayed Abu Dhabi International (AUH) and Narita International (NRT) on 16 June 2026, in time for the busy summer travel season. The world’s only three-room suite in the sky, delivering Etihad’s legendary flying experience, is on its way to Japan. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “As we bring our latest A380 back into service, we’re delighted to introduce our remarkable aircraft to Japan. Our guests consistently tell us they love the onboard experience. Our attentive cabin crew delivers dedicated service to every passenger, whether they’re travelling in Economy, Business, First or The Residence, our three-room suite in the sky. “We’ve seen strong demand from customers for more seats to Japan, and the A380 allows us to deliver that. The aircraft is particularly well-suited to this route, given the importance of business travel between the UAE and Japan, two nations with deep economic and cultural ties. Japan has always been a favourite destination for our guests, and this move reinforces our commitment to the market.” The increased capacity opens up the UAE’s capital to more Japanese travellers, whether as a stopover or a destination to explore. Tokyo joins Etihad’s A380 network alongside London, Paris, Toronto and Singapore, and flights on are available to book now. Step into a world of luxury on Etihad’s A380, where every guest is treated to a unique and elevated experience. First Class takes luxury to new heights with the First Apartments. These nine private spaces are equipped with designer tableware, a spacious leather lounge chair, and a separate ottoman that transforms into an 80″ lie-flat bed. First-class guests also have access to personal vanity units and the exclusive …

Hilton announced the opening of Hilton Bahrain City Centre Hotel & Residences, introducing a new era of residential-style living and world-class hospitality in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Ideally located in the heart of Manama’s Al Seef District, this new property blends the comforts of home with the sophistication of Hilton hospitality. Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, officially inaugurated the property. The opening marks a new milestone in Bahrain’s luxury hospitality scene. Mr. Mahmood Mohamed Faqeeh, the owner of the hotel, highlighted the project’s strategic importance and expressed pride in bringing a flagship premier living property to the Kingdom. With 594 elegantly designed studios, one, two and three-bedroom suites, and penthouses, Hilton Bahrain City Centre Hotel & Residences offers a fully equipped kitchen in each room and modern amenities, creating the perfect home-away-from-home experience for extended stays, families, and long-term guests. With most rooms boasting sweeping views of the Bahrain skyline and the Arabian Gulf. Perfectly positioned adjacent to Bahrain City Centre Mall and within close reach of pristine beaches, the hotel is less than five kilometers from Bahrain Financial Harbour, The Avenues Mall, and Bahrain Exhibition Centre. Just 17 minutes from Bahrain International Airport, the property is ideally suited to both business and leisure travellers. Dining is an integral part of the Hilton Bahrain City Centre experience, featuring four unique venues. The Collective Café specialises in artisanal coffee, premium teas, elegant pastries, and afternoon tea service. The Collective restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine, crafted using locally sourced ingredients, along with artisanal breakfast options. Super Bass introduces a fun, all-American burger concept to Manama, while the Pool Lounge provides a relaxed setting for …

The latest addition to Rixos Hotels’ All-Inclusive portfolio is Rixos Murjana. This expansive property situated in King Abdullah Economic City presents the Kingdom’s largest kids club, the most thrilling integrated waterpark, the finest wellness rituals, gourmet dining, and so much more. Set along the untouched shores of the Red Sea, the soon-to-open Rixos Murjana is a self-contained paradise where everything you desire is effortlessly within reach. Consistently offering guests hospitality experiences that transcend the ordinary, this new Rixos Hotels’ property in Saudi Arabia is set to redefine hotel stays in the Kingdom. Spanning 275,000 square metres, the very best of indulgence, relaxation, and adventure come together in an All-Inclusive experience like no other – all-encompassing, uncompromising, and unmatched. As Saudi Arabia’s largest all-inclusive resort, every detail has been carefully crafted to create extraordinary stays for all ages. Complete with personalised service, contemporary comfort, and captivating Hijazi architecture that blurs the lines between elegant interiors and stunning coastline, Rixos Murjana allows every moment to flow seamlessly. Among its standout features are the serene, Maldivian-inspired overwater villas at Club Privé, offering a truly elevated escape, alongside 488 beautifully appointed rooms and suites tailored to every style of stay. Guests can savour their stay at their own pace by lounging on the 600-metre private beach, indulging in rejuvenating treatments at Anjana Spa, enjoying immersive live entertainment, or joining expert-led fitness classes at Exclusive Sports Club. At the heart of the resort’s offerings is a curated culinary journey: from global flavours at Terra Mare’s international buffet, to exquisite steaks at Alâ Aksam, and Mediterranean charm at MykOrini, inspired by the spirit of Mykonos and Santorini. Guests can also enjoy the relaxed elegance of Piazzetta …

Emirates and OpenAI have entered into a strategic collaboration to advance AI adoption and innovation across the airline. The collaboration will entail enterprise-wide deployment of ChatGPT Enterprise, supported by tailored AI literacy programmes, technical exploration, and executive strategic alignment designed to embed AI capabilities across the organisation. Ali Serdar Yakut, Executive Vice President IT said: “We see enormous potential for AI technology to support our business requirements, helping us tackle complex commercial challenges, strengthening our operations, and enhancing the customer experience. Closely working with OpenAI will make our technology investments both strategic and scalable, enabling us to deliver enhanced value to our employees and customers, fundamentally changing how we innovate, deliver value, and maintain our competitive edge in the industry.” Rod Solaimani, Regional Director, MENA & Central Asia at OpenAI said: “Emirates Group has laid out a bold vision for how AI can transform the future of aviation. With this collaboration, we’re proud to help them bring that vision to life – embedding intelligence across their operations, empowering teams with powerful new tools, and reimagining the travel experience for millions of customers.” As part of their work together, Emirates and OpenAI will explore opportunities to introduce practical use cases, develop an internal AI champion network, and establish an AI Centre of Excellence. This collaboration will identify key areas for enhancing and expanding AI capabilities across the organisation, covering critical skills, processes and technology needed to power Emirates into the next era. Emirates stands to gain early access to cutting-edge AI research and emerging breakthroughs, as well as collaboration on government-led innovation projects and accelerators. Additionally, Emirates and OpenAI will jointly run dedicated leadership sessions to explore practical applications, build sponsorship and advocacy for AI initiatives, …

Etihad Airways and Vietnam Airlines are strengthening travel ties between the UAE and Vietnam with the launch of a new codeshare partnership. The agreement enhances Etihad’s recently launched service between Abu Dhabi and Hanoi. Etihad guests can now access key domestic Vietnamese destinations as well as popular destinations across Asia, with the convenience of a single ticket for the entire journey, one check-in, and automatic baggage transfer throughout. Abu Dhabi becomes the effortless bridge linking Vietnam to the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “This partnership with Vietnam Airlines delivers significant value to our guests by unlocking access to some of Asia’s most dynamic and popular destinations. Our new Abu Dhabi-Hanoi service has been warmly received, and this codeshare agreement transforms it into a gateway to Vietnam’s most exciting cities. “Combined with our frequent flyer partnership, which enables loyalty members of both airlines to earn and redeem miles across our combined global networks, this collaboration underscores our commitment to providing our guests with greater flexibility, broader reach, and superior travel experiences.” Nguyen Quang Trung, Director of Corporate Planning and Development, Vietnam Airlines, said: “Vietnam Airlines is pleased to advance our partnership with Etihad Airways through this new codeshare agreement, following the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024. The collaboration offers seamless access to Etihad’s network across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, while allowing more travellers to experience Vietnam Airlines’ signature warmth and hospitality. Together with our expanded frequent-flyer partnership, this agreement enhances convenience, broadens destination choices, and strengthens tourism and economic ties between Vietnam and the UAE.” The codeshare will be implemented gradually, and Vietnam Airlines passengers will gain access to six …

Kerten Hospitality is expanding its presence in the Kingdom with Cloud 7 Al Murjan Island Resort – Dammam, a bold new addition to Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province waterfront. Cloud 7 Al Murjan Island Resort – Dammam will feature 74 overwater chalets, introducing one of the region’s most distinctive coastal hospitality concepts. The resort will also be home to Nyssa Beach, a ladies-only beach club offering a spa, wellness and fitness facilities, elegant salon services, and curated social and workspaces—an inspiring destination designed to enrich and empower the women’s community of Dammam. Designed by Zuhair Fayez Partnership under the vision of Dr. Zuhair Hamed Fayez; one of Saudi Arabia’s most influential architects who recently celebrated 50 years of shaping the Kingdom’s architectural landscape, the resort is part of a visionary, mixed-use development blending hospitality, leisure, entertainment, and wellness. Marwan Al Qaydy, CEO of Koushan Real Estate Development Company, “The development of Al Murjan Island marks a defining milestone for us, as it brings to life one of Dammam’s most iconic mixed-use destinations. As a self-contained island, it is designed as a vibrant hub where hospitality, entertainment, lifestyle, and leisure seamlessly come together on a single world-class waterfront, redefining premium coastal hospitality in the Eastern Province. Our partnership with Kerten Hospitality reinforces our commitment to delivering unmatched quality and guest-centric service. Together, we aim to set a new benchmark for hospitality in Dammam, ensuring every visitor to Al Murjan Island enjoys an experience defined by innovation, authenticity, and exceptional service.” Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality, commented, “Al Murjan Island represents the kind of purposeful destination that defines our vision for hospitality in Saudi Arabia. Together with Koushan Real Estate Development Company, we …

Dubai Airports and flydubai have entered a new chapter in their collaboration with the signing of a Service Level Agreement (SLA), at the Dubai Airshow 2025, strengthening operational and financial efficiency across the aviation ecosystem. The new integration means Dubai Airports has successfully linked flydubai’s systems with its operational database (ODMP) and billing platform (VEOVO) resulting in a fully automated, auditable billing process that replaces manual, workflow with a more efficient, consistent, and standardised approach. What once took thousands of PDF pages and lengthy OCR checks is now handled instantly through the standard iXML format. Dubai Airports can now send invoices directly to flydubai in digital form, allowing the airline to import and verify them immediately, a task that previously took weeks. The new system greatly improves audit and compliance across all passenger charges. Historically, passenger billing for major carriers like flydubai was complicated by large data volumes and difficult verification, but this integration has effectively solved those challenges. Adil Al Fahim, Chief Financial Officer, Dubai Airports, said: “The Dubai Airshow is where the future of aviation takes flight, and today’s signing reflects that spirit. Our integration with flydubai transforms what was previously a long, manual, process into a fully automated, auditable system, strengthening trust, efficiency, and operational excellence across the UAE’s aviation landscape. By integrating our systems, we’ve not only enhanced transparency and efficiency but also set a new benchmark for how financial processes can evolve to support aviation excellence. This project supports the scalability for the DWC expansion, brings agility in decision making, strengthens financial resilience, improves liquidity, aligns with best practices, and the risk of human error.” The project, delivered within eight months, brought together teams from Dubai Airports …

Arthouse Hotel NYC expands to Dubai with Arthouse Hills Arjan; AED 550 million landmark and the brand’s largest development, delivered in partnership with Adaan, Tuscany, Cledor, and NSE. Arthouse Hills Arjan is the second Arthouse-branded residential development in Dubai, following the success of the first Arthouse residence in Meydan. It brings the iconic design and creative heritage of Arthouse Hotel New York to one of the city’s fastest-growing communities. The tower stands as one of the tallest and most amenity-rich in Arjan, offering a wellness-focused, culturally inspired lifestyle experience. Blending Manhattan’s creative legacy with a premium, design-driven, and aspirational living philosophy, Arthouse Hills Arjan marks a significant expansion of the Arthouse brand in the UAE. Backed by a trusted network of established industry leaders, the development highlights global brand alignment while focusing on lifestyle, culture, and architectural excellence. Announcing the official signing ceremony marking the strategic alignment of all key partners bringing Arthouse Hills Arjan to life: Arthouse – Global Brand Partner. Adaan Developments – Developer, launching its first development in Dubai with Arthouse Hills, signaling long-term ambitions in premium residential offerings. Tuscany – Strategic Partner, providing development structure and market expertise. Cledor – Development Partner (Founded by Omar Gull), and the official Brand Partner for Arthouse in the UAE, serving as the gateway for all Arthouse-branded projects in the country. Santosh Punuru – Partner & Development Manager, a respected industry leader, strengthening execution confidence. NSE – Construction Contractor, ensuring technical quality and delivery capability. With 25 years of experience, the company has completed more than 120 projects for leading clients including Emaar, Deyaar, and RAK Properties, and is currently managing over 130 commercial and residential developments. Arthouse Hills Arjan …

RezLive.com hosted a vibrant roadshow in Muscat bringing together leading hospitality brands and over 180 plus travel agents from across Oman. The event spotlighted RezLive.com’s commitment to empowering travel agents through technology, curated content, and strategic partnerships. Attendees gained insights into RezLive’s expanding global footprint and product innovations during an engaging presentation. The roadshow featured active participation from top hotel partners, including:  Tulip Muscat, Ramada Encore Muscat Al-Ghubrah, Kyriad Hotel Salalah, Tulip Inn Hotel MaJan, Hilton Salalah Resort and  Jumeirah Muscat Bay. Each partner showcased their offerings and contributed to the excitement by distributing exclusive lucky draw vouchers, adding a celebratory touch to the evening. The event was graced by Mr. Jaal Shah, Founder of RezLive.com and Group Managing Director of Travel Designer Group, whose presence reinforced the brand’s strategic focus on regional growth and agent engagement. The evening concluded with a gala dinner and cocktails, fostering meaningful connections and celebrating the spirit of collaboration in B2B travel.