Tag Archives: travel

The Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) travel and tourism sector added $247.1 billion to the region’s GDP in 2024, marking a 31.9 percent jump from 2019, according to new figures from the GCC Statistical Centre. Tourism’s share of GDP is forecast to reach $371.2 billion by 2034, accounting for 13.3 percent of the region’s economy. The sector also plays a vital role in job creation, with employment contributions valued at $4.3 billion in 2024—up 24.9 percent from 2019—and an estimated 1.3 million new jobs expected by 2034. The report, “Tourism in the GCC: A Gateway to Development and Sustainable Transformation,” highlights rising youth and women’s participation in the industry. Women represented 13 percent of the workforce in 2024, up 73.2 percent since 2019. Eco-tourism and intra-GCC travel are also on the rise, with natural reserves expanding and 19.3 million intra-regional tourists recorded in 2024.

Turkish Airlines has expanded its Southern Europe network with the addition of Seville, one of Spain’s most prominent tourism hubs. With this launch, Seville becomes the airline’s sixth destination in Spain, joining Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, and Bilbao. Starting 17 September 2025, Turkish Airlines began to operate daily flights between İstanbul Airport and Seville Airport, providing passengers with more travel options and enhancing regional connectivity. The new route aims to strengthen tourism and business ties between Turkey and Spain. Known as the heart of Andalusia, Seville is celebrated for its rich heritage, stunning architecture, and renowned Andalusian cuisine. Its cultural significance, stretching from ancient times to the Umayyad civilisation, makes it a prime destination for travellers seeking history, culture, and gastronomy. Commenting on the launch, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, said: “We are delighted to offer our passengers a new travel option with the launch of our Seville flights. Through our strategically located homebase in İstanbul, we will continue bridging cultures and continents worldwide, while creating new opportunities for tourism and business.” The new Seville flights further strengthen Turkish Airlines’ commitment to expanding its global network and connecting passengers to key destinations across Europe and beyond.