With TravTalk ME as the media partner Future Hospitality Summit World 2025 (FHS World) begins today 27 -29 October 2025 which will see the world’s leading minds in hospitality investment gather at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. FHS World, widely recognised as the Middle East’s premier hospitality investment forum, will see 300+ investors in attendance with more than USD$ 5 trillion asset under management, 40 percent of them coming from non-GCC countries. Together, these decision-makers span a wide spectrum of capital sources, from investment companies and family offices to sovereign funds, REITs, and private equity firms. Their presence at FHS World underscores a renewed appetite for investment, not just in established hubs like Dubai and Riyadh, but across Europe, the GCC, Asia, and North Africa, where destinations such as Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia are gaining momentum. Delegates will have access to unrivalled networking and deal-making opportunities, enabling direct engagement with investors all actively searching for the next wave of hospitality ventures.

Hilton announced the signing of an agreement with The Zubair Corporation to open three hotels in Muscat under the Waldorf Astoria, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and DoubleTree by Hilton brands – doubling its footprint in the Sultanate. The signings mark the debut of the iconic Waldorf Astoria brand in Oman and underscore Hilton’s plans to diversify its portfolio and deliver trusted hospitality to emerging and established destinations across the region. The three hotels will be located within Barr Al Jissah, an iconic waterfront luxury development on Muscat’s coastline. Surrounded by rugged mountains and secluded beaches, Barr Al Jissah combines natural beauty with world-class hospitality experiences – making it a timeless destination for leisure visitors, wellness seekers, families, and business travellers, all within 40 minutes of Muscat International Airport. Carlos Khneisser, Chief Development Officer, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said: “The debut of Waldorf Astoria in Oman, alongside the new Hilton Hotels & Resorts and DoubleTree by Hilton properties, marks a significant new chapter for Hilton in the Sultanate. Oman’s rich culture, heritage, and natural landscapes continue to attract discerning travellers. These new properties will enable us to meet that growing demand across both leisure and business segments – supporting Oman’s Vision 2040, which aims to attract 12 million tourists annually to the Sultanate by 2040. Together with The Zubair Corporation, we are proud to bring this transformative destination to life and strengthen Oman’s position as a leading tourism hub.” Niels Bormans, Group Chief Executive Officer at The Zubair Corporation, added: “The collaboration with Hilton reflects our shared vision for Oman’s tourism future. By combining Hilton’s global expertise with our commitment to preserving the Sultanate’s heritage and natural beauty, Barr Al …

Turkish Airlines  is further strengthening its footprint in the United Arab Emirates with the introduction of two daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Istanbul. Starting 26 October 2025, the airline will increase its frequency from ten to fourteen weekly flights, offering its guests greater flexibility and seamless connectivity across its unrivaled global network. With this development, travellers from Abu Dhabi will benefit from two daily departures, unlocking easier access not only to Istanbul, but also to over 350 destinations worldwide through Turkish Airlines’ expansive hub. The frequency increase coincides with Turkish Airlines’ 44th year of its flight operations in the UAE, underscoring its long-standing commitment to connecting the UAE to the world. Commenting on the expanded operations, Turkish Airlines Vice President, Sales (Middle East and Cyprus), Erol Şenol, said: “The introduction of double daily flights from Abu Dhabi marks not only a culmination of over four decades of flag carrier’s presence in the UAE, but also a renewed commitment to offering our guests more choice, convenience, and connectivity. We are proud to serve as a bridge between Türkiye and the world through our Istanbul hub, bringing people, cultures, and opportunities closer together.” The national flag carrier underlines its connectivity not only with increasing flight operations across the globe but also maintains its unrivaled flight network as the airline flying to more countries than any other, a distinction that has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records™ with the title of “Most Countries Flown to by an Airline”. This outstanding accomplishment had reaffirmed Turkish Airlines’ status as a true global connector of people and cultures over decades. Fares for the Abu Dhabi–Istanbul route will start from 950 AED and tickets are available for purchase …

Ryanair announced a record winter schedule for Amman offering over 300,000 seats across 18 destinations and connecting Jordan to 12 EU countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The rapid restoration of Ryanair’s full operations at Amman Airport reflects the pro-business approach of the Jordanian Government and the airport’s pragmatic support, reinforcing Jordan’s position as one of the Middle East’s most attractive and accessible tourism destinations. Ryanair reaffirmed its commitment to driving inbound tourism and economic growth by offering Europe’s lowest fares, allowing visitors to spend more in Jordan’s local hotels, restaurants, and services, directly supporting job creation and local businesses. Ryanair also unveiled an ambitious investment proposal for the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which envisions increasing annual traffic by 360% to reach 3 million seats, operating 50 direct connections from European cities to Jordan, launching new flights to Marka (Amman) Airport, and maintaining year-round services to Aqaba. Ryanair CEO, Eddie Wilson, said, “Ryanair is thrilled to announce the return to full operations to Jordan from Oct, underlined by a record Winter schedule for Amman. With 84 weekly flights across 18 routes to 12 European countries such as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, and Spain, Ryanair’s investment will ensure that Jordan remains a key tourist destination this Winter – delivering enhanced connectivity, increased tourism, and economic growth with Europe’s lowest fares. Ryanair’s rapid return to Jordan is built on a long-standing partnership between Ryanair and the Kingdom, whose pro-growth strategy will ensure Jordan remains the premier tourist destination in the Middle East. We are also excited to unveil our investment proposal which will increase Ryanair traffic to Jordan to 3m seats p.a., deliver 50 direct connections across Amman, Marka …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) hosted an exclusive Europe (Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Romania) Marketplace in Al Ain Region, connecting over 200 travel trade partners from each country with more than 50 Abu Dhabi-based stakeholders, including hotels, attractions, and destination management companies. It forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with industry partners from key markets and boost visitor numbers to the emirate. Abu Dhabi has experienced a robust increase in visitors from Europe, with overnight guests increasing by 8% year-to-date compared to last year. This positive trend is further bolstered by enhanced accessibility, as flight connectivity from Europe has seen an 18.4% year-on-year increase in total seat capacity to over 3.24 million seats in 2025. These figures, coupled with high visitor satisfaction rates, paint a clear picture of European travellers eager for more of what Abu Dhabi has to offer. The event featured a range of discussions, networking opportunities, and familiarisation activities designed to ignite collaboration and educate Europe travel partners on Abu Dhabi’s extensive offering. From the vibrant capital city to the historic sites of Al Ain Region, the array of diverse experiences makes Abu Dhabi a destination with endless travel possibilities. Attendees also experienced traditional Emirati performances and engaged in cultural workshops. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Europe represents a dynamic and rapidly growing market for Abu Dhabi, and our commitment to fostering robust partnerships within this region is paramount. This marketplace is designed to be an invaluable platform for direct engagement, allowing us to not only showcase the breadth of Abu Dhabi’s unique offerings but to also listen, collaborate …

Red Sea International Airport (RSI), operated by daa International, celebrated Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight from Doha to RSI marking a milestone as RSI’s second international route, the new Qatar Airways flight will run three time weekly, further expanding access to The Red Sea by providing direct connectivity to Qatar and seamless one-stop access to travellers from Europe. Enabled by the strategic support of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), and the Air Connectivity Programme (ACP), the inaugural Qatar Airways flight was welcomed by an esteemed delegation. Guests in attendance to mark the momentous occasion included John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global, Ahmad Darwish, Group Chief Administrative Officer at Red Sea Global, Andrew Tyler-Smith, CEO at RSI, Anas Ali Almahbob, GM of Economic Licenses at GACA. Qatar Airways delegation was led by Abdulla Al-Malki, SVP Business Control and Financial Support, Mr. Karthik Viswanathan, VP Sales – Middle East, Caucasus, Pakistan & ISC, and Sheikh Jassim bin Fahad Al-Thani, Head of Aeropolitical & Regulatory Affairs. Once Qatar Airways received their official route license from GACA, delegates enjoyed a tour of RSI’s elevated passenger experience including landscaped gardens, serene architecture and a landmark VIP lounge experience. With more connections and services on the horizon, the airport is set to become a key gateway to one of the world’s most extraordinary destinations. Located 90 km south of Al Wajh in the west of Saudi Arabia, RSI is within three hours flying time for 250 million people and within eight hours for 85% of the global population.

Accor announced the signing of the Creekside Hotel in Dubai owned by Dubai Duty Free and operated by United Hospitality Management, the hotel will join the Accor network under a white-label franchise agreement before being fully repositioned and added to the MGallery Collection following a detailed renovation plan. Situated in Al Garhoud, and incorporating the Aviation Club, home of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, and just minutes from Dubai International Airport, Festival City Mall, the Gold Souk, and heritage sites such as Al Fahidi (Bastakiya), the Creekside Hotel enjoys a prime location overlooking the historic Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Cub. The hotel has long been recognized as a hidden gem within the city, seamlessly blending modern architecture, sweeping views, and connectivity to both business and leisure districts. The property features 292 rooms and suites, each designed for modern comfort and offering views over the creek and cityscape. It is also home to an impressive, curated collection of approximately 482 commissioned artworks by 52 artists, displayed throughout public areas, guestrooms, and bespoke furniture, reflecting MGallery’s emphasis on storytelling and cultural richness. Leisure and wellness offerings include two outdoor pools with a rooftop deck overlooking the atrium, the Akaru Spa with 14 treatment rooms, sauna and steam rooms, as well as access to the Aviation Club Fitness Centre, including gym, indoor squash courts, outdoor tennis courts and paddle courts. The property holds a unique place in the city’s cultural and sporting fabric as the home of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, an arena synonymous with the annual Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships that attracts some of the biggest names in global sport. The white-label management agreement reflects a shared …

flydubai has announced seven new interline agreements, boosting its total number of interline partners to over 40 and offering passengers access to more than 300 destinations across the combined networks. The Dubai-based carrier continues to expand connectivity across Asia and Europe, strengthening Dubai’s position as a global aviation hub. Passengers can now connect to over 30 European destinations through Greece’s Aegean Airlines and Italy’s ITA Airways, including Amsterdam, Athens, Brussels, Frankfurt, Madrid, Munich, Thessaloniki, Turin, and Venice. In Asia, interline partnerships with Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Myanmar Airways International open up more than 90 destinations across the Far East and South-East Asia, including Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, and Yangon. flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said: “These agreements provide our passengers with more flexibility and choice while enhancing Dubai’s accessibility for tourism and business. Our commitment to seamless travel ensures single-ticket itineraries and through-checked baggage across partner networks.” With a modern fleet of 95 Boeing 737 aircraft, flydubai offers an elevated travel experience in Business and Economy Class, featuring lie-flat seats, international menus, and immersive inflight entertainment. Interline flights are available for booking via flydubai.com, partner airline websites, and travel agents.

The value of MENA’s hospitality market is set to grow from US$310 billion in 2025 to more than US$487 billion by 2032, according to data released ahead of the Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World, Madinat Jumeirah Dubai, 27-29 October. The travel and tourism sector is projected to contribute US$367 billion to the Middle East economy and support 7.7 million jobs this year, says the World Travel and Tourism Council. International visitor spending is expected to reach nearly US$194 billion, up nearly a quarter from 2019, pre-pandemic levels, with domestic spending forecast to hit US$113 billion. As of Q2 2025, the Middle East’s hotel construction pipeline reached an all-time high of 650 projects with 161,574 rooms. At the end of June, 337 projects, with almost 86,500 rooms, were under construction, with 147 projects due to start by Q2 2026. Saudi Arabia tops the Middle Eastern hotel construction chart, with more than 92,000 rooms across 342 projects. Next is Egypt with 127 projects and a record-high room count of over 28,000, followed by the UAE with 100 projects (25,470 rooms); Oman with 27 projects (4,709 keys) and Qatar with 16 projects (nearly 3,500 rooms). The unprecedented hospitality, tourism and infrastructure expansion reinforces the region’s position as a global magnet for investment, say experts. Amr El Nady, Head of Hotels & Hospitality MEA and Managing Director, Global Hotel Desk at Jones Lang Lasalle, said: “Saudi Arabia is targeting 150 million tourist arrivals annually by 2030, while Egypt aims for 30 million international visitors by 2028. Both nations are seeking to significantly increase tourism’s contribution to their GDP, with KSA targeting 10% and Egypt 15%. This strategic focus is driving substantial hospitality investment, …

The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will open to the public on 22 November in Saadiyat Cultural District, marking a significant cultural milestone for the emirate. As the largest museum of its kind in the region, it represents a new global destination for science, nature, and education, inviting visitors to explore the story of life on our planet and engage in conversations about its future. The 35,000-square-metre museum is an exciting addition to the UAE’s evolving cultural landscape. It takes visitors on an immersive journey through 13.8 billion years of natural history – from the Big Bang and the formation of our solar system to the evolution of life, including the rise and fall of dinosaurs and the extraordinary biodiversity of our planet. Among the highlights of the museum are three travellers from deep time. One is the famed specimen affectionately known as Stan, a nearly complete skeleton of a mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, an apex predator which ruled the Earth 67 million years ago. It is joined by the largest animal ever known, represented by a magnificent, 25-metre female blue whale specimen, offering extraordinary insight into evolution, marine biodiversity, and the planet’s ongoing story of life. Completing the trio is the Murchison Meteorite – an artefact that witnessed the formation of our planet and contains 7-billion-year-old grains formed even before our Solar System. H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “The opening of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi marks a major milestone in our journey to shape the emirate’s cultural landscape. The museum offers an immersive look at the story of life on Earth, framed for the first time …