Qatar Airways has increased capacity to Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, Shanghai, and Singapore this winter season to meet the global demand on these routes. This increase in flight frequency is part of the airline’s broader winter schedule enhancements, which have already introduced additional frequencies to more than 15 major destinations, including Cape Town, Dublin, London, Phuket, and Toronto. The World’s Best Airline, as voted by Skytrax in 2025 for a record ninth time, continues to offer greater choice and connectivity through its Doha hub, the award-winning Hamad International Airport. The growing demand for Qatar Airways’ travel experience resulted in the airline offering nearly 3,000 additional flights this year. Qatar Airways service to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) Starting 17 December 2025, Qatar Airways flights to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) will increase from 14 to 17 weekly flights. The additional services will offer seamless connections between Southeast Asia and Jeddah, London, and Paris through Doha. Qatar Airways service to Lagos (LOS) Effective 15 December 2025 until 28 March 2026, Qatar Airways’ services to Lagos (LOS) will increase from 10 to 14 weekly. The increased frequency enhances connectivity between the Nigeria and Qatar Airways’ extensive global network of over 170 destinations, facilitating smoother travel for both business and leisure passengers to Delhi, Guangzhou, and London. Qatar Airways service to Shanghai (PVG) Effective 01 January to 28 March 2026, services will rise from 7 to 10 weekly flights to meet growing inbound and outbound demand from China. This frequency increase will further enhance connectivity between Asia and Qatar Airways’ key destinations across Algiers, São Paulo, and Warsaw.   Qatar Airways service to Singapore (SIN) From 12 January 2026, Qatar Airways will deploy the Airbus A380 on select flights …

Alaa Al Ali with over three decades of experience in the travel and tourism industry, leading Nirvana Travel and Tourism since its establishment in 2007, is a highly respected figure in the UAE’s travel sector. Ali has been instrumental in establishing Nirvana as a regional powerhouse in the tourism market. Under his visionary leadership, the company continues to evolve each year, striking a seamless balance between exceptional customer service, operational efficiency, technological innovation, and groundbreaking product development. His remarkable contributions to the industry have earned him a well-deserved feature on ‘The Most Creative Business Leaders in the Arab World’. Guided by an in-depth understanding of the region and a clear business vision, Ali has steered Nirvana to the forefront of the UAE’s travel sector, earning prestigious awards and widespread industry recognition. He now heads NG9 Holding, a dynamic conglomerate comprising Nirvana Holding, Gewan Holding, and 9Yards, operating locally and regionally across 10+ countries in multiple industries with a diverse business portfolio.

Hatim Al Harbi is a transformation-driven leader who turns bold visions into tangible realities. With 20 years of experience spanning government transformation, tourism development, and entrepreneurship, he has built systems, teams, and platforms that redefine regional impact. As Chief of Tourism at the Aseer Development Authority, Alharbi established Saudi Arabia’s first regional Destination Marketing & Management Office (DMMO), later expanding it into a full tourism sector that achieved 26% growth in visitor numbers and gained global recognition through UN Tourism, GSTC, and PATA. His approach combines visionary thinking with practical execution building what doesn’t exist and leading what truly matters. Beyond government leadership, Alharbi has co-founded ventures in digital, fintech, and F&B, embodying the spirit of innovation that drives Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transformation.

Naeem Darkazally is a hospitality leader with commercial and asset management experience. His career path is filled with rich experience. He has worked in senior management positions with leading international hotel chains, such as Marriott, IHG, Le Meridien, and Millennium & Copthorne, as well as major grassroots operators like Rotana, where he was a key player in successfully opening 12 Rotana hotels in various destinations. Owning the Abjar Group, he managed to restructure a multi-branded franchised hotel’s all commercial disciplines. In April 2021, Darkazally moved to Tourism Authorities — firstly in Ajman, UAE and thereafter at Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism — as a hospitality advisor on strategies and developments.

Meerah Ketait is Head of Retail and Leisure UAE for dnata Travel, the UAE’s longest serving travel provider, part of the Emirates Group. The UAE’s original travel agency, dnata Travel was formed in 1959 as an air ticket provider, and has since expanded to become a multi-channel, full-service travel agency with a regional presence. Ketait heads the dnata Travel leisure brand in the UAE, including its extensive retail network, and online channels, including www.dnataTravel.com. Ketait manages a team of travel experts who work round the clock and around the world to bring UAE travellers the most current destination information and inspiration, as well as tailor-made packages. Ketait has worked with the Emirates Group for more than a decade, supporting Emirates Airline in a series of product management roles, before starting her career with dnata Travel in 2022.

In a dazzling show, the Arabian Travel Awards introduced new stars of the evening at its eighth edition in Dubai. Known as the ‘Oscars of the industry’, the awards recognise the key players who contribute immensely to the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors in the Middle East. Chief Guest for the event was Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi – Director of Tourism Development – Ministry of Economy and Tourism, UAE and the Guest of Honour was  His Excellency, Tengku Dato’ Sirajuzzaman Tengku Mohamed Ariff, Ambassador Of Malaysia To The UAE. The aim is to encourage them to continue promoting travel, tourism, and hospitality in the region. Fair and unbiased, the Arabian Travel Awards follow a systematic method of internet-based voting. These awards are supported by Tourismbreakingnews.ae, TravelTVmiddleeast.news, and TravTalk Middle East, premier media partners for the event’s coverage. The awards are divided into four categories: Personal Awards, Business Awards, Trending Awards, and Partner Awards. They include awards for Best Business Hotel, Best Family Friendly Hotel, Best City Hotel, Best Green Hotel, Best Leisure Hotel, Best Destination Management Company, Best Hotel Apartments, Best B2B Travel Portal, and Best Luxury Hotel to name a few.

The eighth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards returns tonight recognising the key players who contributed immensely to the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors in the UAE. It is an invitation only event at Embassy Suits by Hilton Business Bay Dubai. Arabian Travel Awards is a platform for the Middle East market to appreciate the efforts of the travel, tourism and hospitality specialists who have contributed to the booming travel, tourism and hospitality industry. The aim is to encourage them to continue promoting travel, tourism and hospitality in the region. The Arabian Travel Awards are fair and unbiased, following a systematic method of internet-based voting. These awards are supported by Tourismbreakingnews.ae, TravelTVmiddleeast.news and TravTalk Middle East who are premier media partners for the coverage of the event. The awards will be divided into four categories: Personal Awards, Business Awards, Trending Awards and Partner Awards. They will include awards for Best Business Hotel, Best Family Friendly Hotel, Best City Hotel, Best Green Hotel, Best Leisure Hotel, Best Destination Management Company, Best Hotel Apartments, Best B2B Travel Portal, and Best Luxury Hotel to name a few. San Jeet, Mentor, Arabian Travel Awards, shared, “The awards this year come at a pivotal time. With the region witnessing historic growth and tourism fast becoming a strategic pillar for diversified economies, it’s more important than ever to celebrate those leading the way. From sustainability champions to digital disruptors, the Arabian Travel Awards is a tribute to those redefining the future of travel in the GCC.” 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 …

Located in King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), and a 20-minute drive from King Khaled International Airport, W Riyadh-KAFD will be a brand debut for W Hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and will offer an urban escape in the vibrant capital. Set to feature 210 luxury guestrooms and suites, seven restaurants, retail space, expansive event and meeting facilities as well as the brand’s iconic Whatever/Whenever service, W Riyadh – KAFD will bring the brand’s bold design, innovative culinary experiences, and always-on programming to locals and international visitors alike, positioning the property to emerge as an icon of hospitality in Riyadh. Design plans for the property also include signature brand spaces such as the Living Room, WET Deck®, AWAY® Spa, and FIT® fitness centre. KAFD stands as the world’s largest LEED-certified mixed-use business destination, spanning 1.6 million square metres of luxury residences and hotels, office spaces, retail outlets, and entertainment and cultural venues. From its sustainable design and eco-friendly operations to smart infrastructure and LEED-certified buildings, KAFD epitomises the core values of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to evolve the hospitality sector and create sustainable developments.

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 …