According to World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)  international visitor spend in the United Arab Emirates is set to reach a record AED 228.5BN in 2025, 37% above the previous peak of 2019. The global tourism body’s annual Economic Impact Research (EIR) shows that Travel & Tourism in the UAE is set for another record year in 2025, with the sector forecast to contribute AED 267.5BN to the national economy, accounting for almost 13% of GDP. According to the research, by the end of the year, Travel & Tourism will also support more than 925,000 jobs. Domestic visitor spend is also projected to reach a record high at AED 60BN – 47% above 2019, highlighting the continued strength of the local travel market. These milestones reflect the UAE’s leadership in driving innovation, sustainability, and seamless connectivity across its cities and attractions, powered by initiatives such as smart city development, world-class infrastructure, and a laser focus on visitor experience. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The UAE continues to lead the way in global Travel & Tourism. From cutting-edge smart cities to exceptional hospitality and seamless visa systems, the country is a model of how strategic vision drives economic growth. “With initiatives like the Tourism Strategy 2031 and the National Tourism Charter, the UAE is building a future-ready sector rooted in sustainability and innovation. With strong leadership and public-private alignment, 2025 is set to mark yet another chapter in the UAE’s remarkable tourism success story.” According to the data, in 2024 the sector contributed AED 257.3BN to the UAE economy and supported 898,600 jobs, making up nearly one in eight jobs in the country. Spending from international travellers reach AED 217.3BN, while domestic visitor spend injected …

oneworld welcomes Oman Air as its 15th member airline. As the flag carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Air strengthens the alliance’s presence across the Middle East and unlocks new opportunities for global travel. “We are proud to welcome Oman Air to the oneworld family,” said Nat Pieper, CEO of oneworld. “Oman Air brings valuable strategic reach and award-winning product and service to the alliance. This partnership opens up exciting new connections for our customers, particularly across the Gulf and South Asia, and reinforces oneworld’s position as the premium alliance for international travellers.” Effective 1 July, oneworld customers can access an extended network of destinations across Oman Air’s growing global schedule — including the launch of a new non-stop Muscat–Amsterdam service. As a full oneworld member airline, Oman Air will provide oneworld Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby customers with benefits including earning and redeeming miles, earning status points, priority check-in and boarding and lounge access. Likewise, Oman Air’s top tier customers will gain access to oneworld priority benefits including a network of nearly 700 premium airport lounges globally, as well as newly opened oneworld branded lounges in Amsterdam’s Schiphol and Seoul’s Incheon Airports. “Oman Air is honoured to be joining the oneworld alliance, whose members and global footprint represent the best of what international travellers want to experience,” said Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air. “We are thrilled to be able to welcome oneworld customers to the Sultanate of Oman to experience our unique culture, stunning mountain excursions, beautiful beaches, and, above all, the warm hospitality of the Omani people.” Oman Air, with its hub at Muscat International Airport, serves 42 destinations across 22 countries and territories globally, including key …

DCT Abu Dhabi welcomed over 100 agents and executives from Designer Travel for a curated itinerary as the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) hosted the Designer Travel UK Annual Conference  at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental hotel. The event brought together travel agents and trade partners from the UK to experience the diversity of Abu Dhabi as a premier tourism destination. As part of the conference programme, DCT Abu Dhabi welcomed over 100 agents and executives from Designer Travel for a curated itinerary, including a gala dinner and immersive experiences across the emirate, introducing them to Abu Dhabi’s rich cultural heritage, world-class attractions and renowned hospitality. Established in 2008, Designer Travel is one of the UK’s leading bespoke travel specialists, with a network of 170 expert travel advisors across the country. The renowned travel agency has gained recognition for crafting highly personalised, tailor-made holiday experiences for discerning clients. Hosting the annual conference in the emirate aligns with Abu Dhabi’s strategic focus on the UK as a key source market. As of year-to-date 2025, the emirate has welcomed over 219,000 UK hotel guests, marking a 46% year-on-year increase. UK visitors are also staying longer, with an average stay of 4.2 days, and are showing increased engagement with Abu Dhabi’s growing portfolio of cultural and leisure experiences. DCT Abu Dhabi remains committed to building strong industry partnerships through continuous engagement with the UK travel trade. The Designer Travel UK Annual Conference, alongside initiatives such as the Experience Abu Dhabi Roadshow and the Experience Abu Dhabi Experts digital training platform, reflects this commitment. These efforts support the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030, fostering long-term tourism growth by introducing new …

Dubai’s short-term rental and boutique hospitality professionals gathered at Mama Shelter for the official launch of Short Stay Circle, a new industry-driven community initiative built to inspire collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation across the UAE’s growing STR sector. The launch event brought together operators, hosts, tech providers, consultants, and founders from across the hospitality ecosystem to explore the evolving landscape of guest experience, operations, and sustainable growth. From panel talks to breakout discussions, attendees gained insight into the real-time challenges and emerging trends shaping the future of short stays in the region. The event spotlighted key voices from the hospitality space, including Farida Ahmed, Co-Founder & General Manager, Frying Pan Adventures, Sandy Muirhead, Director, No More Bottles, Giulia Figliuzzi, Group Marketing Director, Hero Experiences and Lauren Hamilton, Founder & General Manager, Ride Skipper. From eco-conscious operations to cultural preservation, each speaker shared the tangible ways their businesses are embedding sustainability into both back-end systems and guest-facing experiences. Frying Pan Adventures emphasised a zero-waste food approach, alongside efforts to re-educate guests and teams on the value of “going back to basics.” Ride Skipper discussed how its salaried driver model supports consistency, care, and longer-term environmental thinking. No More Bottles championed the use of Purezza premium filtered water systems to reduce plastic dependency in hospitality venues. Hero Experiences Group shared its work with archaeologists and local authorities to create immersive, low-impact guest experiences that preserve the region’s heritage and protect fragile desert ecosystems. The conversation also explored how innovation and sustainability must go hand in hand, with speakers noting the growing importance of tracking eco-impact, encouraging mindful consumption, and using technology to reward sustainable behaviours. More than just a networking event, Short …

Archer announced a strategic partnership with Jetex focused on developing infrastructure across Jetex’s international portfolio of private terminals to support Archer’s planned commercial air taxi network. This collaboration, planned to focus initially on infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, is expected to expand to additional sites around the world across Jetex’s global portfolio, which includes 40 private aircraft terminals in more than 30 countries. Building upon Archer’s prior partnerships with other leading infrastructure providers, this approach advances Archer’s plans to scale a vertiport network that can support the growth plans for Archer’s air taxi operations globally. Under this partnership, the two companies plan to enhance Jetex’s strategically located fixed base operator (FBOs) locations to better suit Archer’s Midnight aircraft. Archer plans to work with Jetex to design the passenger experience and integrate eVTOL aircraft into daily operations.These upgrades will be paired with Jetex’s luxury service standards to deliver an efficient, tech-enabled customer journey. Adel Mardini, Founder & CEO of Jetex commented: “eVTOL technology is an instrumental part of our industry, designed to transform urban mobility and shape the future of business aviation. We are proud to work with our partners at Archer on making this ambitious vision a reality at Jetex Abu Dhabi and our other global destinations.” Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer, said, “Building a beautiful, safe and high-performing aircraft is only one aspect of our business. To succeed in the UAE and beyond we need to pair Midnight with strategic infrastructure that allows us to operate by delivering a premium experience for our passengers. With their wide-ranging global portfolio, and deep expertise with high-end customer service, Jetex is a perfect fit as a partner in Archer’s …

As Europe enters the peak of its summer season, residents across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are already mapping out their holiday plans—many of which are centred around Eid Al Adha and the long school break. Recognising this annual surge in outbound travel, McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, Europe’s leading owner and operator of designer outlet destinations, continues to position its portfolio as an integrated part of the travel experience for Gulf visitors. For GCC holidaymakers looking for a destination that offers rich culture, seasonal climate, accessibility, and award-winning food, Europe continues to be a leading choice. McArthurGlen brings additional value by delivering exceptional price points on luxury brands up to 70% less, conveniently located in areas already planned as part of the traveller’s trip. GCC tourists drawn by heritage, leisure, or family fun options, McArthurGlen designer outlets are an easily accessible location that will flow naturally in the rhythm of their holiday. Every McArthurGlen Designer Outlet is designed to complement the city’s cultural landscape. This commitment to quality and local relevance has earned McArthurGlen Designer Outlets several spots in the Outlet Centre Performance Report Europe (OCPRE) – a respected consumer survey by Ecostra and French Magdus – with Designer Outlet Serravalle topping the list. Visiting Designer Outlet Salzburg, for example, fits neatly into a personalised itinerary if one is celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Sound of Music, or attending the Salzburg Festival. In Vienna, the museums and historical grandeur create a one-of-a-kind holiday experience, including a cruise on the Danube River. Conveniently located between cultural excursions to Bratislava and nearby wellness retreats, Designer Outlet Parndorf – in the top 10 best outlets in Europe – offers a seamless and …

According to WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), developed in collaboration with Oxford Economics, the sector contributed EGP 1.4TN to Egypt’s GDP in 2024, accounting for 8.5% of the national economy. Looking ahead, 2025 is projected to set a new all-time high with a forecast annual growth of 4.9% and increase in the sector’s share to 8.6% of national GDP. This underlines the central role of Travel & Tourism in Egypt’s continued economic development. 2024 also marked the strongest year on record for visitor spending. International visitor expenditure reached EGP 726.9BN, up 36.1% compared to 2019, while domestic visitor spending rose to EGP 449.9BN, 31.8% above pre-pandemic levels. This upward trend is set to continue. In 2025, international visitor spending is projected to increase to EGP 768.2BN, and domestic spending is expected to reach EGP 460.6BN, maintaining the country’s strong recovery and sustained demand across both international and local travel. In addition to record-breaking economic contribution and visitor spending, in 2024, the sector supported 2.7 million jobs, exceeding the 2019 peak. This growth is set to continue, with 2025 employment forecast to rise to 2.9 million, marking a 22.3% increase compared to 2019. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Egypt’s Travel & Tourism sector is experiencing a powerful resurgence, with record-breaking economic contribution and a sustained surge in visitor spending. These numbers reflect a sector on the rise: dynamic, resilient, and vital to the country’s growth. “With its rich cultural heritage, world-class attractions, and growing connectivity, Egypt continues to captivate travellers from around the globe. The government’s focus on investment, infrastructure, and sustainable tourism is clearly paying off.” WTTC forecasts a decade of sustained expansion for Egypt’s Travel & Tourism sector. By 2035, …

flyadeal has joined sister airline Saudia’s AlFursan loyalty programme giving members additional travel options to earn and redeem reward miles with the Kingdom’s fast-growing low-cost carrier. It’s the latest move by flyadeal towards further integration with national flag carrier Saudia, which codeshares on its entire domestic and international network. The new partnership was signed at a ceremony held at Saudia’s headquarters in Jeddah by Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, and Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan. The event was presided by His Excellency Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Saudia Group Director General. Steven Greenway, flyadeal CEO, said: “Joining AlFursan was just a matter of time for flyadeal. We’ve scaled our operations significantly across Saudi Arabia and internationally that now give members of the AlFursan loyalty programme more travel options with great flexibility to earn and redeem reward miles on flyadeal’s rapidly growing network. “Being the leading loyalty programme in the Kingdom, AlFursan has developed a diverse membership and partnership base for which we are delighted to be joining. With the sharp rise in the number of tourists, business travellers and pilgrims to, from and within Saudi Arabia, we are creating a dynamic aviation ecosystem built on demand, appeal, choice and loyalty.” Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan, added: “We are focused on expanding our member base while introducing exceptional partnerships such as the one with flyadeal, to enhance the programme and offer more exclusive rewards than ever before. This includes increasing our partner network and launching new features designed to provide more options for members to earn and redeem their reward miles. Our goal is for AlFursan to be the most rewarding loyalty programme in Saudi Arabia, and one of the best …

chatlyn recently opened its Dubai office to strengthen its presence in the Middle East. chatlyn, the AI communication hub transforming how hotels engage with guests across every touchpoint, announced it has secured €8 million in Series A funding led by Smedvig Ventures. With this investment, chatlyn aims to accelerate its mission to become “the AI brain for hotels”—an intelligent system that supports hotel operations (front desk, reservations, marketing, and guest services) and autonomously optimizes guest communications to maximize revenue and satisfaction. “Every day, hotels are missing revenue because a guest inquiry comes in at 2 AM and gets lost in the shuffle, or a staff member can’t quickly find the right response in the right language. In today’s world, you lose potential guests when you don’t respond immediately,” said Nicolas Vorsteher, CEO and Co-founder of chatlyn. “We want to bring back meaningful conversations to the hospitality industry and free up staff’s valuable time for in-person guest interactions. We’re building the AI brain for hotels – an AI that understands hospitality context, speaks 35+ languages fluently, and learns each property’s unique voice to deliver experiences that feel both personal and effortless.” “chatlyn has fundamentally transformed our guest experience from reactive to proactive,” said Garry Loefgen, Head of Commercial at InterContinental Vienna. “Our AI assistant handles over 70% of inquiries instantly in perfect German, English, Arabic, and many other languages, while our team focuses on creating magical moments. It’s like having a multilingual concierge that never sleeps and gets smarter every day.” The round included participation from AnyDesk founder Andreas Burike, Austrian transport leader Blaguss, business angel Mathias Hiebeler (former owner of Grob aircraft, acquired by Helsing), and strategic hospitality angels. The …

Etihad Airways has begun operating its iconic Airbus A380 on daily flights to Toronto, boosting capacity by 31% and marking a new chapter in the airline’s long-standing commitment to Canada ahead of its 20th anniversary. Etihad’s famous big bird was welcomed with a water-cannon salute at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The upgraded service introduces the unparalleled luxury of Etihad’s flagship A380 aircraft to Canadian skies for the first time. This includes the airline’s award-winning First Apartments and the world’s only three-room suite in the sky, The Residence, offering an exceptional flying experience for guests on the route between Zayed International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport. The increased capacity responds to strong demand for travel between the UAE and Canada, particularly across business, leisure and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) segments. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We are proud to introduce the A380 and offer guests flying between Abu Dhabi and Canada an extraordinary new travel experience with Etihad. Toronto has been a cornerstone of our North American network since 2005, when we became the first airline from the Gulf region to operate flights to Canada. The introduction of our flagship aircraft on this route reflects our deep commitment to the Canadian market.” Etihad’s A380 features 486 seats across four cabins, including: • The Residence: A private three-room suite with living room, bedroom and ensuite bathroom with shower • First Apartments: 9 fully enclosed suites with personal space, 80-inch lie-flat beds and separate ottoman seat • Business Studios: 70 lie-flat seats with aisle access, premium dining and exclusive access to The Lobby, a serviced lounge in the sky • Economy Smart Seats: 405 seats with …