The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Frieze announced their partnership to evolve Abu Dhabi Art into Frieze Abu Dhabi, marking a new chapter in the emirate’s role on the global art calendar. For 17 years, Abu Dhabi Art has been a cornerstone of the region’s cultural landscape, establishing itself as a defining moment in the regional calendar. Anchored in the emirate’s world-class museums, dynamic artist residencies, and established institutions that nurture talent and emerging artists, the fair has built a reputation for credibility, while attracting an international collector base that reflects Abu Dhabi’s cosmopolitan spirit and global standing. The evolution into Frieze Abu Dhabi builds on that legacy, reinforcing the emirate’s long-term cultural vision while extending the fair’s reach through Frieze’s international networks and expertise. Anchored in its central role in the capital’s cultural life, the fair will continue an approach that remains rooted in discovery, dialogue and global perspectives. The collaboration represents the first major initiative under Frieze’s new ownership and reflects a shared ambition, underlining Abu Dhabi as a centre for culture and creativity, while giving Frieze a unique position in the Arabian Gulf’s most established art ecosystem. His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “For nearly two decades, Abu Dhabi Art has reflected our vision of culture as a driver of dialogue, connection, and creativity, supported by a vibrant ecosystem of museums, residencies, and institutions that nurture both established and emerging artists. The launch of Frieze Abu Dhabi is a natural evolution of that journey. It is rooted in the achievements of Abu Dhabi Art and will carry them …

These projects form part of a comprehensive strategic portfolio of 52 developments spanning 60 million sq. ft. across Sharjah, with total investments and partnerships exceeding AED 7.2 billion. The five projects that anchor Shurooq’s achievements in this sector are the Heart of Sharjah, House of Wisdom, Al Noor Island, Maraya Art Centre and 1971 Design Space, and Mleiha National Park. Collectively, they reflect Shurooq’s commitment to fostering a thriving cultural economy rooted in heritage, creativity, and sustainability. Over the past 15 years, the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has advanced beyond traditional urban development to firmly establish Sharjah as a global centre for culture and the arts, a sustainable platform for knowledge, and a dynamic destination for the creative economy in the region. According to Shurooq’s recently issued 15-year progress report, the authority has delivered five major projects in the Arts & Culture sector, with total investments and partnerships amounting to AED 447 million. These are part of a comprehensive strategic portfolio that includes 52 projects across various sectors, spanning a total area of 60 million square feet throughout the emirate, with total investments and partnerships exceeding AED 7.2 billion. These efforts align with UNESCO reports, which emphasise that cultural and creative projects are a significant economic and social driver, contributing meaningfully to GDP, creating job opportunities, and strengthening social cohesion, while also having a positive impact on sustainable development. This underscores the sector’s strategic importance as a key element in supporting sustainable growth and economic diversification, particularly in cities that adopt cultural identity as a central part of their urban fabric. These investments also support the UAE’s drive to position the creative economy as a cornerstone of its …

Air India Express has unveiled a limited-time offer allowing passengers to enjoy 10kg excess baggage for only AED 1, providing exceptional value for travellers this season. The special offer can be availed exclusively during the booking flow and cannot be added once the ticket is issued, encouraging passengers to plan ahead and secure their savings early. Valid for sale until 31st October 2025 and for travel up to 30th November 2025, this initiative reinforces Air India Express’s commitment to offering affordable and passenger-friendly options, especially for guests travelling with additional luggage. Agents are encouraged to highlight this offer to customers seeking great value on their upcoming trips between the UAE and India, and to remind them that the AED 1 baggage add-on must be selected during the booking process. With this move, Air India Express continues to strengthen its appeal among cost-conscious travellers, delivering smart savings and convenience through its dynamic offers.

In line with its mandate as the executive arm of the Sultanate of Oman for tourism development OMRAN Group participated in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning’s Urban October event from 6–9 October 2025. During the event, the Group presented a portfolio of current and future projects that aim to support efforts in advancing Oman’s tourism and urban development landscape. Port Sultan Qaboos Waterfront, a landmark redevelopment project that will transform Muscat’s historic port into an integrated, mixed-use tourism destination. The project seeks to preserve the site’s cultural and architectural heritage, while opening new horizons for tourism and modern lifestyles, and strengthening investment opportunities within a framework of balanced and sustainable development. Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences, Muscat a luxury beachfront resort on the Al Bustan coast featuring 200 hotel rooms, 100 hotel apartments, five restaurants, and premium leisure and sports facilities. This project marks the first entry of the Four Seasons brand into Oman, reflecting a promising, attractive, and distinctive investment environment. Club Med Musandam Resort, a 215,000 sqm beachfront development in Khasab with 300 rooms and extensive leisure amenities, blending authentic Arabian hospitality with world-class family and leisure tourism experiences , while representing the first Club Med resort in the Middle East. This participation underscores OMRAN Group’s pivotal role as a catalyst for tourism infrastructure and Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs), creating destinations that seamlessly combine hospitality, lifestyle, and sustainability. It also reinforces the Group’s contribution to Oman Vision 2040 and the National Tourism Strategy, while enhancing the Sultanate’s competitiveness on both regional and global levels.

The Arabian Travel Awards is delighted to announce Malaysia Tourism as the Platinum Partner for its highly anticipated 8th edition, set to take place on 25th November 2025. An invite-only, red-carpet affair, the Arabian Travel Awards brings together the most influential names in travel, tourism, and hospitality—a distinguished gathering that celebrates excellence, innovation, and leadership across the industry. As Malaysia prepares to unveil its grand Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, this partnership presents an ideal platform to showcase the country’s vibrant culture, rich heritage, and luxurious travel experiences. The collaboration is poised to inspire high-value travellers from the Middle East to explore Malaysia’s islands, rainforests, and cosmopolitan cities. “Partnering with the Arabian Travel Awards as Platinum Partner marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with the Middle East. As we look ahead to Visit Malaysia 2026, this collaboration allows us to highlight Malaysia’s timeless appeal and our readiness to welcome discerning travellers seeking authentic, world-class experiences.,” said Mohd Faharuddin Hatmin, Director Tourism Malaysia in Dubai. San Jeet, Convener of the Arabian Travel Awards, added, “We are thrilled to have Malaysia Tourism join us as our Platinum Partner. Their participation reflects our shared vision to elevate global tourism and spotlight destinations that blend tradition, innovation, and luxury with a sustainable outlook.” Now in its 8th year, the Arabian Travel Awards continues to honour outstanding contributions that define the future of global tourism, setting new benchmarks of quality and inspiration for the industry’s finest.  

flynas has announced the launch of a new route connecting Jeddah and Moscow, starting 23 December 2025, in collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Air Connectivity Program. The move aligns with flynas’ growth and expansion plan and supports the Kingdom’s strategic objectives in tourism and aviation. The airline will operate three weekly flights between King Abdulaziz International Airport (Jeddah) and Vnukovo International Airport (Moscow), expanding reliable travel links between Saudi Arabia and Russia. This follows flynas’ successful launch of scheduled flights between Moscow and Riyadh in August, marking a continued commitment to enhancing international connectivity. The new route forms part of flynas’ “We Connect the World to the Kingdom” initiative, supporting the National Civil Aviation Strategy, which aims to connect Saudi Arabia with 250 international destinations, accommodate 330 million passengers, and host 150 million tourists annually by 2030. The expansion also complements the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP), facilitating smoother access to the Two Holy Mosques and enriching the travel experience for visitors. With this addition, flynas strengthens its position as a key driver of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector, providing convenient, reliable, and strategically aligned international travel options for passengers and tourists alike.

AlMadinah AlMunawarah Chamber has launched a tourism sector operations room, a unified service platform dedicated to supporting all investors in the tourism sector. The chamber aims to enhance the sustainability and growth of existing tourism investments by addressing the challenges faced by facility owners, particularly those related to license renewal procedures with the relevant authorities. The chamber is actively engaged in resolving challenges encountered by investors across various tourism-related activities, including accommodation, travel and tourism, tour program organization, tour guiding, and catering and logistics. The operations room offers a range of services, such as expediting the issuance of necessary licenses for hospitality facilities, providing specialized advisory support for investors, and addressing challenges within the tourism and accommodation sectors. This initiative is part of the chamber’s efforts to improve the quality of services provided to visitors of Madinah. (Source: SPA)

Etihad Airways launched its new daily flights to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, connecting Zayed International Airport (AUH) with Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD). The inaugural flights operated at full capacity in both directions, reflecting the strong demand for travel between the two capitals. The service marks Etihad’s debut into Ethiopia, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation hubs. The launch also coincides with the formal activation of Etihad’s landmark Joint Venture with Ethiopian Airlines, announced earlier this year, which enhances collaboration between the two flag carriers and expands seamless travel options between Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Under the new Joint Venture, Etihad and Ethiopian Airlines will coordinate schedules and jointly develop routes, offering guests more choice and convenience while strengthening trade, tourism and cultural links between both regions. The agreement also paves the way for broader cooperation in areas including loyalty programmes, training and cargo, underscoring the airlines’ shared commitment to deliver a smoother, more connected travel experience for guests. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said “The launch of our daily flights to Addis Ababa creates a bridge between two regions with expanding connections and growing economic relations. It also marks the formal start of our landmark Joint Venture with Ethiopian Airlines, a partnership that will redefine connectivity between Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Together, we are creating more opportunities for trade, tourism and collaboration, while giving our guests access to an even broader network through our respective hubs in Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa.” Through the Joint Venture, Etihad guests can now reach more than 55 destinations across 33 African countries via Ethiopian’s hub in Addis Ababa, while Ethiopian Airlines customers …

From literature escapes to supermarket tourism and skincare-fuelled itineraries, travelers are planning to curate trips based on their hobbies and passions for 2026, according to Skyscanner data and global consumer research. * The Skyscanner Travel Trends report for 2026 has unveiled the seven biggest trends in travel, showing that the year will become “personal” for travellers in the UAE. The seven trends shaping travel for 2026 are:  Destination Check-in – In 2026, accommodation will increasingly hot shaping where and why people travel, with where hotelsthey stay becoming the destination Data shows that 76% of travellers have picked a destination based purely on accommodation. Glowmads – Statistics show more than half (55%) of adults in the UAE have bought beauty or skincare products on previous international trips while 45% plan to visit beauty stores and get skincare/beauty treatments in 2026. Therefore, beauty rituals have the potential to shape how, not just where, beauty lovers travel. Furthermore, 37% said beauty-related activities are cheaper abroad than home. Shelf Discovery – Travellers are searching for the most authentic bites in the food aisles with 83% saying they often or always explore the local supermarkets or grocery stores on their trips, while 57% say they learn more about local culture in food aisles. Furthermore, 44% are keen to try local food on holiday. Altitude Shift – Travellers are chasing year-round alpine escapes from snow to stillness. Skyscanner data shows more than three-quarters (92%) are already looking into booking a summer or autumn trip to a mountain destination next year and 31% are planning a hiking trip with 59% saying the clean air and cooler weather makes mountain trips more appealing. Bookbound – Individuals are looking to …

The UAE’s MICE market is forecast to grow to US$9.26 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 8.96%. The Saudi Arabian market is projected to reach US$5.33 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.93%. Together, these markets are expected to drive the Gulf’s emergence as one of the world’s most dynamic business event regions, supported by major tourism development programmes, strong air connectivity and the growing appeal of the Middle East as a platform for global trade and innovation. According to Mordor Intelligence, the region’s meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions (MICE) industry continues to expand at pace as investment in large-scale venues, infrastructure, and international partnerships accelerates. Building on the success of its inaugural edition, IBTM @ ATM will return to Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in 2026, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 4–7 May, with a dedicated business events hub in Hall 3. This expanded space emphasises the show’s strategic focus on the global business events sector and highlights the Middle East’s position as one of the fastest-growing regions for meetings and events worldwide. The ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, produced in partnership with Tourism Economics, also indicates a continued rise in business travel across the Middle East, with the region’s share of global corporate travel spending forecast to increase from 2.5% in 2024 to more than 3% by 2030. This is being supported by the steady recovery of international demand, improved air connectivity and the continued development of business tourism infrastructure. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The expansion of IBTM @ ATM reflects the strength and ambition of the Middle East’s business events sector. By …