With 8.9 million passengers in the first nine months of the year, India was DXB’s top country destination in terms of traffic volume, followed by Saudi Arabia with 4.8 million passengers, and the UK (4.4 million passengers). Other country destinations of note include Pakistan with 3.1 million passengers, the US (2.7 million) and Russia (1.8 million). The top cities by traffic were London (2.7 million passengers) and Riyadh (1.9 million), closely followed by Mumbai (1.8 million) and Jeddah (1.7 million passengers). Propelled by strong growth throughout the first three quarters of the year and anticipation of an exceptional surge in guest numbers in the final quarter. Dubai Airports is forecasting annual passenger traffic at Dubai International (DXB) to reach 86.8 million – surpassing 2019 traffic. “We’re thrilled but not entirely surprised that DXB is all set to surpass the pre-pandemic milestone well ahead of our initial projections by almost a year. Our outlook for the remainder of this year and the next remains optimistic. Teaming up with our strategic partners, we’re ready for the challenge to continue to exceed guest satisfaction amidst the continuous surge in traffic,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of Sharjah Executive Council, the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced the 10th edition of the Sharjah International Travel & Tourism Forum (SITTF) scheduled to take place on November 22nd at the Expo Centre Sharjah. Held under the theme “Sustainable Tourism: The Way to Improvement”, the forum will gather experts from the travel and tourism industry, emphasising environmentally and socially responsible travel practices through a series of panel discussions and engaging workshops to further delve into the challenges and opportunities within the travel and tourism sector. The anticipated forum is set to feature notable keynote speakers, welcoming the likes of HE Abdalla bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s Minister of Economy, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, SCTDA Chairman, HE Dr. Nawal Al Hosany, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and representatives from the “Global Sustainable Tourism Council” (GSTC). Aligned with the UAE’s commitment to environmental conservation in the “Year of Sustainability,” SITTF aims to play a key role in implementing this vision, which is underscored by the nation’s hosting “COP28” event later in the year. The forum will delve into the essence of sustainable tourism, through creating a platform for experts to explore key topics, including sustainable and eco-tourism practices, strategies to mitigate and minimise negative impacts on the ecosystem, and the exploration of benefits for local communities both economically and socially. Additionally, the event will cover trends and innovations in sustainable tourism, economic benefits, and technology’s role. It will emphasise collaboration among various stakeholders to achieve sustainability goals …

Spain Tourism emerged winner as the ‘Most dynamic international tourism board’ at the 6th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards. “ATA is a very well organized & meticulously planned awards event with engaging hosts, amazing performances, and well-deserved winners. It is always a pleasure to attend this prestigious event. Being an Arabian Travel Award Winner is immensely gratifying as it recognizes dedication and excellence in the travel industry, opening new horizons for success and recognition. This award fuels our determination for 2024, inspiring us to exceed our achievements, set higher standards, and make a lasting impact in this region.” Daniel Rosado – Director – Spain Tourism

Mohamed Al Rais, Deputy Managing Director at Al Rais Travel highlighted UK and China has once again become the key source markets responsible for the growth of tourism in GCC.  According to the insights from Al Rais, Dubai’s reputation as a safe and secure destination and trusted brand has resulted in an uptick from key source markets. “Brand Dubai is trusted by people around the world. The country has rebounded incredibly well since COVID-19, with the latest figures for the first half of 2023 the best on record. As a travel company, our figures are very much representative of this. In terms of inbound markets, we’ve seen the top five markets shuffle to some extent, with Saudi dropping slightly and increases in British tourists. “The return of the Chinese market, which, despite only coming back in Q1 of this year, has already moved into a top five position,” said Mohamed Al Rais, Deputy Managing Director- at Al Rais Travel. These trends are certainly borne out by the latest figures released by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and no doubt experienced by ATM’s other partners, such as Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts. According to the latest statistics from DET, Dubai’s top source markets include India, which has seen a 44% increase between January and August 2023 compared to the same period last year; Saudia Arabia, which has seen a nominal 5% decrease during the same period; the UK, up 14%; and the Chinese market, which according to the data has witnessed a 309% jump in the first eight months of 2023 when compared to the same period in 2022. The tourism expert also believes Saudi Arabia and UAE, …

Emerald Palace Group (EPG)  announced a groundbreaking partnership with Raffles Branded Residences, heralding a new era of high-quality living with the unveiling of “The Contemporary Collection” of Raffles The Palm Residences & Penthouses, strategically situated on the prestigious West Crescent of The Palm Jumeirah Island in Dubai. “The Contemporary Collection” comprises a total of 30 freehold residences, ranging from 2 to 5 bedrooms, with sizes ranging from 2,500 square feet to an expansive 26,000 square feet with prices starting from AED 17 million (US$ 5 Million). Inspired by Raffles’ classic grandeur, the internationally renowned design group, Yodezeen, has meticulously crafted these residences to blend modern comfort with Art Deco opulence. This fusion of timeless classic and elegant contemporary design elements creates a unique living experience that seamlessly combines grandeur and intimacy. Residences come fully furnished, and the kitchens feature custom-designed wood and marble cabinetry by Poliform, concealing top-of-the-line German appliances by Miele. The elegant bathrooms offer rain showers, stand-alone bathtubs, and custom Italian vanities by Gessi, among other exceptional features. Seran Gheorghe, Vice President of EPG and Director of Sales for Raffles The Palm Residences, expressed his enthusiasm for this exceptional project, stating: “From time to time, an opportunity like this presents itself and elevates the lifestyle of the most discerning clientele, setting a new benchmark for the top-tier residential market in Dubai. We’ve brought together today’s luxury industry leaders in architecture, interior design, execution, and renowned brands, ensuring quality and sophistication for those privileged to make Raffles The Palm Residences their home in this exclusive collection. Our prime location and elevated positions ensure impeccable and uninterrupted 360-degree sea views from every residence.” Each residence within “The Contemporary Collection” showcases …

An iconic project worth USD 1.3 Billion is to be launched in Al Marjan Island Ras Al Khaimah with 300 key hotel and 524 residences by JW Marriott. The project will break ground by February 2024 and will open doors by end of 2026. The founders of WOW Resorts, Anwar Ali Aman and Bhupender ‘Bruce’ Patel, joined hands with representatives of Marriott International and the respected Arch. Abdulla Al Abdouli, Chief Executive Officer, Marjan. This exclusive collaboration marks the birth of the first JW Marriott-branded resort and residences on Al Marjan Island, poised to captivate over five million visitors annually, thereby enhancing the island’s stature on the world map of tourism and opulent living. Poised to be an architectural masterpiece on Al Marjan Island, this project is designed by celebrity Beverly Hills Architect Tony Ashai with Dubai based Lead Consultants Architecture Design Unit, ADU. Anticipated to open its doors towards the end of 2026, JW Marriott Al Marjan Island Resort & JW Marriott Residences Al Marjan Island herald WOW Resorts’ debut in the UAE’s Northern Emirates, a favoured destination for leisure and luxury. With a legacy of over two and a half decades crafting hospitality and real estate projects across North America, WOW Resorts are bringing yet another exemplar. The newly announced development promises to redefine the very essence of hospitality and residential opulence. Infused with bold design and premium experiences, for which the JW Marriott brand is celebrated, this new establishment is designed as an exquisite haven for both vacationers and those seeking the pinnacle of luxury resort living. This extraordinary property caters to aspiring homeowners, the discerning globetrotter of tomorrow, nature enthusiasts, and aficionados of aquatic sports. Comprising …

Golden Tulip Media Hotel walked away with two wins, one as Issam Slaimi General Manager with ‘Best Hospitality Professional’ and other as ‘Best 4 Star Executive Hotel’. “Being recognized as Best Hospitality Professional of the Arabian Travel Award is tremendous honour. I am grateful for this recognition in the travel industry. On behalf of our entire team at Golden Tulip Media Hotel we are thrilled to win the business award as “Best 4 star Executive Hotel ‘’ . It’s a testament to the unwavering commitment and hard work of our dedicated staff who constantly go above and beyond to deliver exceptional experiences, this recognition inspires us to strive for excellence and continuously improve our services.”

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of Holiday Inn & Suites Taif and Staybridge Suites Taif, in partnership with Al Jumaiah Group. Both properties are set to open in Q4 2025 in the Al Shafa, Taif, a relaxing destination located 2,500 meters above sea level and known for its historical sites, panoramic scenic views, pleasant weather, and fragrant rose gardens. The new resorts will play a vital role in supporting Taif’s growing hospitality scene and further cementing IHG’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Taif, as of the 10 strategic destinations under Vision 2030, is playing a key role in contributing to achieving Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for the tourism and hospitality sector with substantial government investments in infrastructure and its emergence as a prominent tourism destination. With its all year round leisure demand appeal, the dual signing of IHG hotels will add 280 rooms, catering to the high demand for world-class hospitality offering in the city. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director – India, Middle East and Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “We are pleased to strenghten relationship with our existing partner, Al Jumaiah Group and bring two brands from our essential and suits offering to the beautiful city of Taif. Having opened first internationally branded hotel in Taif – InterContinental Taif decades ago, we are proud to continue to strenghen our footprint and bring new brands to the city as it grows into a prominent tourims destination in the country. He added: “Saudi Arabia is a priority market for IHG – the continuous growth of our global portfolio within the Kingdom reflects our unwavering commitment to the vision of the leadership of the country and emphasizes our dedication to …

Emirates and Condor announced the activation of their reciprocal interline agreement which will boost connectivity for customers to 70 routes operated by both airlines across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia and the Middle East, with a single ticket fare and hassle-free baggage policy. The two carriers also signed a frequent flyer programme agreement enabling Emirates Skywards members to earn and redeem Miles on all Condor-operated flights. The agreements were signed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates Chief Commercial Officer and Jens Boyd, Condor Commercial Director at the Dubai Airshow. Starting from today, Emirates’ passengers will enjoy seamless access to new and exciting European and Caribbean destinations operated by Condor including 24 regional points via Frankfurt, 12 regional points via Dusseldorf, 9 regional points via Hamburg and 12 regional points via Munich. Some of the most popular cities available for Emirates’ customers include Malaga, Ibiza, Cancun and Havana, among others, all with a single ticket and convenient baggage check-through to the final destination. The interline agreement will also provide Condor’s customers convenient additional access to Emirates-operated flights between Frankfurt and Dubai, as well as beyond Dubai to 12 points across Asia, Australasia, Africa and the Middle East including Auckland, Bangkok, Male, Muscat and Mauritius, among others. Tickets are now on sale for travel immediately, itineraries can be booked on www.emirates.com, www.condor.com, with Online Travel Agencies (OTA’s) and all major GDS’ via travel agents. The new partnership will expand Emirates’ footprint in Europe by an additional 57 points via its existing four gateways in Germany, providing more options and connectivity for the airline’s customers to popular destinations in Europe and the Caribbean for both business and leisure travel. Emirates has been serving Germany since 1987 …

A significant amount of orders and deals were announced, including a multi-billion dollar commercial order from Emirates, backed by air travel demand returning strongly to reach pre-pandemic levels. Emirates announced an order of 95 wide-body aircraft, committing to additional Boeing 777-9s, 777-8s, and 787s, worth US$ 52 billion. Low-cost carrier FlyDubai also confirmed an $11 billion order for 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, the first wide-body aircraft in its fleet, SunExpress, the Turkey-based low-cost carrier, placed a firm order for 45 narrow-body 737 MAX jets to be delivered between 2029 and 2035, with options or purchase rights for another 45, and EgyptAir ordered its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, as the airline will take delivery of a total of 18 737 MAXs as part of a lease agreement with Air Lease Corporation (ALC). Another milestone order was made by airBaltic, the Latvian national airline, which will see it become the largest Airbus A220 customer in Europe, following the confirmation of an incremental order for an additional 30 A220-300s, taking the airline’s total firm orderbook to 80 aircraft. Timothy Hawes, Managing Director of Tarsus Middle East, said: “Today was a true testament to the continued growth we have seen across the industry and serves as the perfect platform to showcase the next-generation features and innovative technologies that will ensure an efficient and sustainable future. Day one has seen a series of landmark orders, deals and launches take place, and we look forward to seeing more over the coming days as industry players from across the world continue to gather in Dubai and collaborate to define the future for aerospace.” With an increased focus on Space at this edition of Dubai Airshow, the …