Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is set to highlight the thriving luxury tourism sector when it returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April to 1 May. According to McKinsey and Company research suggests that luxury tourism and hospitality will reach USD391 billion by 2028, up from USD239 billion in 2023, with Asia gaining significant ground in the market segment. Supporting this trend, data recently issued by the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf revealed that GCC states earned USD 110.4 billion in international tourism revenues in 2023. The largest share of tourists came from the Asia-Pacific region (38%), followed by the Middle East (25.1%), Europe (22.9%), Africa (8.8%), and the Americas (4.3%). Bringing together top-tier hospitality brands, influential industry figures, and innovative travel destinations, the event will showcase the latest trends and insights that are shaping the high-end travel segment. According to McKinsey and Company, demand for luxury tourism and hospitality is expected to grow faster than any other industry. This is predominantly due to the rising number of high-net-worth individuals globally and a growing segment of aspiring luxury travellers willing to allocate larger proportions of their income to premium experiences. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Markets, said: “The increase in inbound tourism from Asia and the growing wealth in this region create a major opportunity for Middle Eastern tourism, especially in the luxury sector. At ATM, Asia is among our fastest-growing markets for exhibitors, boasting a 27% increase in exhibitors from the region this year. National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) from destinations like Japan, Maldives, South Korea, India and Thailand are driving this growth, alongside regional tourist boards such as …

Tourism Malaysia, Dubai Office was honoured with the title of ‘Best NTO – South East Asia’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “We are deeply honoured to receive this prestigious award from DDP Group. It reflects our commitment to positioning Malaysia as the premier travel destination in this region. This recognition underscores our dedication to fostering strong partnerships with airlines, agents, and media. Looking ahead to Visit Malaysia 2026, we are excited to enhance our promotional strategies with both new and existing partners. ”- Mohd Faharuddin Hatmin, Director, Tourism Malaysia Dubai Office.

The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) is driving significant growth in Saudi Arabia’s coastal tourism sector, supported by ongoing government efforts to position the Kingdom as a leading global tourism destination in line with Vision 2030. With increasing interest in yacht tourism both locally and internationally, SRSA has intensified its regulatory role, issuing comprehensive frameworks such as the Saudi Yacht Regulation, the Visiting Yachts Regulation, the Large Yacht Chartering Regulation, and the Marina Design and Operations Regulation. These efforts aim to enhance marine infrastructure, ensure environmental sustainability, and encourage investment in coastal tourism. In collaboration with its partners, SRSA has accelerated infrastructure development along the Red Sea, issuing 29 tourism licenses that have strengthened the economic landscape for yacht tourism. Among these, 3 licenses were granted to yacht chartering companies, 10 to marina operators, and 5 to technical service providers in leisure and tourism, fostering a thriving marine tourism ecosystem. The Red Sea region, spanning 1,800 km of coastline, is home to over 1,000 islands, 150 pristine beaches, and 3,200 cultural and tourism assets, including heritage villages, vibrant markets, and active maritime ports. Such natural and cultural assets provide a strong foundation for Saudi Arabia’s emerging yacht tourism industry. It was shared by Saudi Press Agency. SRSA has been actively engaged in fostering international partnerships to enhance investment opportunities. It participated in major global yacht and maritime exhibitions, including the Monaco Yacht Show 2023 and the Dubai International Boat Show 2024, with the goal of adopting best practices in yacht tourism and strengthening global collaboration. The authority signed agreements with leading institutions such as the Yacht Club de Monaco and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation to advance Saudi …

Wego released exclusive insights into Kuwaiti travelers’ destination preferences for Ramadan 2025.  Top Ramadan Destinations for Kuwaiti travellers are Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan retain their positions as the most-searched international destinations, reflecting cultural ties and family-centric travel. Bangladesh, Jordan, the Philippines, Nepal, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates, round out the top 10 with Nepal emerging as this year’s standout growth market. Wego’s Ramadan data reveals a blend of steadfast loyalty and surging interest in different destinations, alongside notable airfare fluctuations shaping travel decisions. Flight searches to Nepal for travels during Ramadan have seen more than a fivefold increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, searches to Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and Jordan have more than doubled this year. Even the destination with the most modest growth of the lineup, Türkiye, saw YoY 54.51% increase in searches on Wego. Wego data showed that airfares for top Ramadan destinations from Kuwait have risen by an average of 17.51% YoY, attributed to high seasonal demand. Ramadan airfare spikes for the United Arab Emirates (+64.63%) Nepal (+43.65%), and Pakistan (+36.70%) have been observed to be among the highest compared to last year.

Golden Sands Hotel Creek won ‘Best Luxury Hotel at Dubai Creek’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. Golden Sands Hotel Creek is located in one of the world’s most desirable cities, Dubai. Consisting of 150 premium rooms and suites, Golden Sands Creek is a boutique five-star hotel. With bespoke services, premium amenities and unmatched hospitality, Golden Sands Creek is a true representation of the Emirati hospitality.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is poised to develop 362,000 new hotel rooms by 2030 as part of its US$110 billion hospitality sector transformation, according to data released ahead of the 2025 edition of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s ongoing and unprecedented expansion across infrastructure, real estate, tourism, and hospitality, in line with Vision 2030, is positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in the travel and tourism sector. This strategic growth is setting new industry standards while creating significant investment opportunities, enabling investors to actively participate in the country’s long-term economic transformation, according to industry experts. Oussama El Kadiri, Partner – Head of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure at Knight Frank, said: “Fueled by ambitious Vision 2030 goals, Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector presents a compelling investment landscape, evidenced by its record-breaking SAR 444.3bn GDP contribution in 2023, accounting for 11.5% of the national economy. This growth reflects the Kingdom’s strategic initiative to position itself as a leading global tourism destination. The sector’s rapid growth is further evidenced by the increase in international arrivals, which reached 30 million in 2024, up from 27.4 million in 2023. This upward trajectory, coupled with a strong investment pipeline, supports Saudi Arabia’s goal of attracting 70 million international visitors annually by 2030. El Kadiri further emphasized the impact of upcoming global events on Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation. Major international events, such as the 2029 Asian Winter Games, World Expo 2030, and the FIFA World Cup 2034, are expected to drive further growth in tourism, hospitality, and related industries. These events will not only increase visitor numbers but also enhance Saudi Arabia’s global reputation as a premier destination for leisure, business, and mega-events. …

Mabrian, part of The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group signed a strategic partnership with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) to provide industry-led and reliable data-driven insights that support the sustainable growth of the travel industry as Knowledge Partner. As part of this collaboration agreement, in which The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group also takes part, both companies will give WTTC access to their comprehensive travel intelligence databases, offering in-depth data analysis and insights on key industry trends: air connectivity, traveller’s sentiment and interests, demand profiling, accommodation supply, and event impact analysis, among others. Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President, Advocacy & Communications at WTTC, commented on the partnership, highlighting “Data-driven insights are critical to the sustainable growth of the Travel and Tourism sector. We are delighted to welcome Mabrian as a Knowledge Partner and look forward to leveraging their expertise, as well as The Data Appeal Company’s, to enhance our research and advocacy efforts.” “Joining this partnership with WTTC is a significant step in our mission to empower the travel and tourism sector with data-driven insights,” says Mirko Lalli, CEO at The Data Appeal Company. “It is also an opportunity to help industry leaders anticipate trends, optimise strategies, and drive more sustainable tourism development worldwide.” Under the agreement, signed by Mabrian with WTTC representatives in the most recent edition of ITB Berlin, WTTC’s research team will have access to the travel intelligence databases from both Mabrian and The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group and Mabrian, and their experienced pool of in-house analysts and consultants. These insights will support WTTC’s industry research initiatives, policy development, and thought leadership efforts, contributing to WTTC’s mission of fostering informed decision-making …

Wego announced its partnership with Waves, the innovative experience app and aggregator that seamlessly connects users with yachts and chalets. This collaboration brings an unparalleled luxury experience to travelers looking to explore coastlines, indulge in water activities, or celebrate special occasions in style. With this partnership, Wego customers can now easily book family friendly yacht trips ranging from 2 to 6 hours, accommodating an average of 25 guests for bespoke journeys across Dubai, Kuwait, Jeddah, and Qatar. Whether it’s a tranquil coastal escape, an adventurous boating experience, or an exclusive celebration, Wego and Waves together offer the perfect setting for unforgettable moments at sea. Mr. AbdulRahman AlSaadoon, CEO of Waves added: “By integrating Waves with Wego, we are bringing our world class yacht experiences to a broader audience. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to redefining travel by seamlessly connecting land and sea.” Waves has quickly established itself as a regional leader, beginning its journey in Kuwait before expanding to Qatar during the World Cup and further into Saudi Arabia and Dubai. The platform is known for its hassle-free booking experience, ensuring reliability, convenience, and premium service for all users. Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego, said: “We are excited to partner with Waves to offer our customers exclusive luxury experiences. This partnership enhances our mission of providing travelers with unique, hassle-free travel options that go beyond conventional tourism.” Through Wego’s extensive reach and seamless technology, travelers now have easier access to Waves’ fleet of luxurious yachts, making premium water experiences more accessible than ever. The collaboration aligns with both companies’ missions to enhance travel convenience and elevate experiential tourism in the region. Travelers can now access …

Etihad Airways is strengthening its presence in Russia with a significant capacity increase on its Abu Dhabi-Moscow route, providing enhanced travel options between the Middle East and Russia. From 1 October, Etihad is adding a third daily flight between Abu Dhabi and Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO), increasing the service to 21 flights per week. The expanded service operates on an Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring 8 Business and 150 Economy seats. In addition to the Moscow frequency increase, Etihad continues to expand its network with new routes planned for 2025, including a new service to Sochi, Russia’s premier resort destination on the Black Sea coast, starting from 29 May. The increased Moscow service creates better connections for travellers from Russia to Etihad’s expanding global network, particularly to popular destinations across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia. The triple-daily flights are perfectly timed to facilitate both business travel and leisure trips, giving guests the option to choose departures throughout the day to suit their schedules. For those looking to extend their journey, Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover programme offers up to two complimentary nights at premium hotels, allowing travellers to experience the vibrant capital city’s attractions, from pristine beaches and cultural landmarks to thrilling theme parks and desert adventures.

Emirates announced plans to introduce newly retrofitted Boeing 777s on its second and third daily flights between Dubai and Riyadh, starting from 30 March and 7 May respectively. The airline aims to offer customers more opportunities to experience its latest generation Business Class seats, as well as highly acclaimed Premium Economy product, making it easier than ever to explore and connect to Dubai and beyond in style and comfort. The planned upgrades to the retrofitted Boeing 777s will make the Kingdom’s capital the first in the Middle East/GCC and among one of the few destinations in the airline’s network to be served exclusively with its latest retrofitted aircraft. Emirates’ enhanced Boeing 777s will operate as follows: EK815 and EK816 operate with a refurbished Emirates Boeing 777 starting 30 March 2025. * From 7 May 2025, Emirates will operate the refurbished Boeing 777 on its third service, EK 817 and EK 818, starting with six flights per week; and from 11 August 2025, the aircraft will be deployed daily. * The newly refurbished Emirates Boeing 777, featuring the airline’s best-in-class products, was first introduced to Riyadh in October 2024 on flights EK819 and EK820. Following positive customer feedback and demand, Emirates is expanding its Boeing 777 premium products for a better experience in the skies across every cabin class. The airline plans to increase its network of cities served by more of this fleet type in the coming weeks and months. The latest refurbished Emirates Boeing 777s include Premium Economy seats arranged in a 2-4-2 layout, offering enhanced comfort and space. The upgraded Business Class cabin features a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access, providing even more privacy and convenience. Emirates’ refurbished aircraft …