AVENEW Development, a Dubai-born real estate innovator, has signed an agreement with Hilton  to open Waldorf Astoria Dubai Islands and Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Islands, introducing the iconic luxury brand to one of the city’s most anticipated coastal destinations. Waldorf Astoria Dubai Islands will feature 150 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, complemented by a curated selection of dining experiences including a rooftop restaurant, an all-day dining venue, a pool lounge, a specialty restaurant, a signature bar, and the celebrated Peacock Alley. Guests will also enjoy elevated lifestyle offerings such as an outdoor pool, a dedicated kids’ pool and club, a fitness studio and a tranquil spa – building on the brand’s legacy of exceptional service and sophisticated design. Bringing Waldorf Astoria’s timeless luxury and world-renowned hospitality to Dubai Islands, the project is designed to balance residential comfort with the brand’s signature service. It will offer meticulously crafted living spaces that combine architectural excellence with functional elegance, creating a truly distinctive and coveted experience. Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Islands will comprise 120 branded residences, delivering an exclusive collection of premium furnished apartments. Owners will benefit from personalized services and amenities that ensure comfort, convenience and privacy, in addition to full access to the hotel’s facilities. The signing marks a significant scaling of AVENEW’s exclusive portfolio, representing its second branded residence on Dubai Islands and its sixth overall development within the master-planned waterfront community. The move strategically capitalises on Dubai’s established global leadership in the luxury hospitality and branded residential sector. The branded residence segment has grown from a niche market into a leading global asset class. By introducing Waldorf Astoria Residences to Dubai Islands, AVENEW Development combines its forward-looking vision with …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) will exhibit at ITB Berlin from 3-5 March 2026, continuing its annual presence at one of the world’s most influential travel trade events and reinforcing Abu Dhabi as a leading global destination for culture-led travel. At ITB Berlin, DCT Abu Dhabi and its stakeholders will engage with international travel trade partners to explore new opportunities for collaboration built on the emirate’s evolving tourism proposition. Meaningful visitor experiences will take centre stage, with the museums and institutions of Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi inviting the world to engage with the stories of the UAE and the wider world, and discover the connections that have shaped creativity and innovation throughout history. Zayed National Museum, one of the district’s newest additions, presents the history of the UAE from ancient times to the present and honours the legacy of the country’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his commitment to cultural heritage, education, identity, and belonging. The recently opened Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi offers a 13.8-billion-year journey of the universe, from meteorites and ancient fossils to environmental futures, framed through an Arabian lens. This cultural momentum extends beyond Saadiyat Island, with institutions such as newly reopened Al Ain Museum further reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s commitment to protecting and sharing its heritage. This year’s ITB coincides with Ramadan, and with rising interest in culturally immersive travel experiences, the delegation will educate visitors about this important annual religious event. The Holy Month is one of the most atmospheric times to visit Abu Dhabi, offering travellers opportunities to engage with local traditions, daily life, heritage and architecture through spiritual and …

Stirling Hospitality Advisors revealed in their report that Ras Al Khaimah is entering a new phase of its tourism and investment cycle, where demand growth is set to outpace hotel supply from 2027 onwards, creating a clear and time-sensitive opportunity for investors. The report shows that 2025 marked a structural change for the Emirate’s hospitality market, as growth shifted decisively toward higher-value, international demand. Occupancy reached 75.0%, while average daily rates climbed to AED 618.1, driving RevPAR growth of 11.5% year-on-year. Total demand reached 4.8 million room nights, generating AED 1.06 billion in room revenue and AED 1.72 billion in total hotel revenue, up 12% compared to 2024. This performance positioned Ras Al Khaimah as the third-best RevPAR performing hotel market in the UAE and fifth across the Gulf, reinforcing its progress toward the 3.5 million annual visitor target by 2030 and highlighting a structural shift toward more resilient, quality-led growth. The growth of Ras Al Khaimah’s hospitality sector continues to be premium-led, with five-star hotels accounting for more than half of existing keys. While development momentum remains strong with over 2,000 keys announced in 2025 and around 2,500 keys scheduled by 2027, upcoming supply is strategically concentrated on the luxury market. The three- and four-star segments continue to be a key area of opportunity for emirate wide tourism diversification, supported by healthy, although still undersupplied pipeline activity, and a progressively diversifying demand base. A prominent finding of the report is the emerging demand–supply gap, with cumulative demand forecast to exceed supply by approximately 1,300 hotel keys by 2030. Undersupply is expected to begin materialising from 2027 onwards, creating a defined investment window for projects delivered between 2026 and 2029. …

Czech Tourism clenches the title ‘Best wellness destination’ at the 8th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2025. “Winning the Best Wellness Destination award at the Arabian Travel Awards is a proud milestone for Czech Tourism and a testament to our country’s rich spa heritage, natural healing traditions, and world-class wellness experiences. This recognition strengthens our commitment to welcoming more travellers from the region by enhancing partnerships, promoting signature spa towns, and introducing curated wellness itineraries.” Prasad Shirke, Key Account Manager Czech Tourism

Crowne Plaza Al Jubail is now open, welcoming guests to a contemporary hotel experience in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. The opening further strengthens IHG’s premium offering in the Kingdom and showcases the Crowne Plaza brand’s continued momentum. The new property caters to modern business and leisure travellers seeking a blend of productivity and comfort in one of KSA’s most important industrial and commercial cities. Since launching the first business-class hotel in 1983, Crowne Plaza has remained a bold, inventive leader in the hospitality industry. Reflecting its global focus on evolving travel needs, the hotel brings the brand’s three key differentiators – Crafted Connections, Purposeful Gatherings, and Blended Travel – to life through its spaces, services and overall guest experience. Ideally located close to the city centre and key business districts, Crowne Plaza Al Jubail provides convenient access to Al Jubail’s commercial hubs, while also being within easy reach of leisure attractions such as Al Nakheel Beach, Fanateer Corniche, and Deffi Park. This central positioning allows guests to stay connected to work while making time to explore the city. The hotel features 190 guest rooms and suites and seven meeting rooms, following Crowne Plaza’s modern design approach and offering clearly defined zones for work, relaxation, and sleep. Thoughtfully designed layouts enhance comfort and functionality, supporting productivity while allowing guests to unwind with ease. Dining at Crowne Plaza Al Jubail is designed for flexibility and everyday enjoyment. Al Basatin Restaurant offers international and local cuisine in a relaxed all-day dining setting, while Le Monde Café serves specialty coffee, pastries, and light bites ideal for informal meetings or moments on the go. La Palma Restaurant, a fine dining restaurant overlooking …

Saudi Arabia recorded a landmark year for tourism in 2025, welcoming more than 122 million domestic and inbound visitors, according to preliminary figures. Sharing the update on X, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Saudi Arabia extended his gratitude to the Kingdom’s leadership for their continued support of the sector — support that has driven another year of record performance and sustained growth. The figures, unveiled at #WEF26, also revealed over SAR 300 billion in total tourism spending during the year. “Saudi tourism is no longer an emerging story,” Al Khateeb said. “It is a growth engine, building investor confidence, shaping global demand, and unlocking long-term opportunity at scale.” The Saudi Tourism Authority echoed this positive momentum, describing the growth as unprecedented and noting that the 122 million visitor milestone brings the Kingdom significantly closer to its Vision 2030 target of 150 million visitors annually. The results further reinforce Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism markets, supported by major destination developments, enhanced connectivity, and strong investor confidence.  

According to Sports Tourists: Travelling with Passion, a white paper by GSIQ, a global sports and tourism insights agency and research partner of ATM 2026, frequent sports event travellers not only outspend traditional tourists but are also increasingly seeking premium, high-quality experiences. Highlighting the scale of the opportunity, the research also projects the sports tourism sector to representing a potential 63% increase in the number of people who intend to take a sports-related trip in the coming years in the coming years, delivering a substantial uplift for Middle East sports tourism, which PwC values at approximately US$600 billion, while globally, the market is expected to reach over US$2 trillion by 2030, redefining the shape of the global travel and tourism industry. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “By understanding the mechanics of sports tourism, destinations and tour operators can develop strategies to drive repeat visits, and attract new audiences. Ultimately, knowing what motivates sports fans to travel will determine how stakeholders meet evolving consumer expectations, to ensure sustained engagement and growth in this potentially lucrative market.” Sports tourists are primarily motivated by their passion for sport, but their travel decisions are strongly influenced by accessibility, affordability, quality and overall value. The white paper highlights that value remains a decisive factor, with 63% of respondents prioritising fair ticket and package pricing, particularly among newer sports travellers. Notably, while only 36% say a destination must already appeal to them, 41% are open to extending a sports-led trip into a longer leisure holiday. As a result, major sporting events act as a catalyst for destination growth, encouraging deeper exploration, longer stays and stronger word-of-mouth advocacy for host locations. Indeed, around 80% of …

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Riyada), has launched the Soughat initiative, aimed at empowering Omani artisans and integrating their handcrafted products into the tourism experience across a number of hotel destinations, enhancing local content and strengthening the presence of authentic Omani crafts among visitors. The initiative was announced alongside OMRAN Group’s participation in the First International Forum for Creative Handicrafts, organised by Riyada. The forum serves as an international platform dedicated to empowering handicrafts enterprises and startups, fostering innovation through modern technologies, building local and global partnerships, and highlighting Omani handicrafts as a key pillar of the creative economy. Soughat focuses on establishing interactive retail touchpoints for handicraft products within hotel properties, enabling artisans to directly reach tourists while introducing visitors to locally made products and the stories behind their creators. The first phase of the initiative will be rolled out across several properties within OMRAN Group’s hotel portfolio, including W Muscat, InterContinental Muscat, Barceló Mussanah Resort, and Jumeirah Muscat Bay. Commenting on the launch, Mohammed Hamed Al Rasbi, Social Investment Lead at OMRAN Group, said: “The Soughat initiative reflects OMRAN Group’s commitment, in partnership with Riyada, to empowering Omani artisans and strengthening the presence of traditional crafts within the tourism experience. Through this innovative initiative, we aim to create effective channels that enable handicraft products to reach tourists, supporting a sustainable economy. The Group also reaffirms its continued support for creative and handicraft sectors in the Sultanate through participation in specialised platforms and the implementation of impactful initiatives aligned with Oman Vision 2040.” Maryam Yousuf Al Farsi, Head of the E-Commerce Section at Riyada, stated: “This initiative forms part …

Accor in partnership with Arabian Hotels & Catering, announced the signing of Swissôtel Jeddah Al Hamra, reintroducing one of Jeddah’s most iconic landmarks to the Kingdom under the Swissôtel brand. The signing marks the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership to transform a well-established property with more than four decades of heritage into a contemporary destination aligned with the evolving Saudi market. Originally opened in 1984, the hotel is a long-standing hospitality address in the prestigious Al Hamra district, one of Jeddah’s key commercial and lifestyle areas. Over the years, the property has maintained consistent relevance across both business and leisure segments, supported by sustained market performance. The hotel comprises 323 guestrooms, five dining venues, an exclusive club lounge, and comprehensive meeting and event facilities, including a large ballroom suited to high-profile corporate, social and governmental events. The hotel will undergo a phased renovation over the next 24 months, ensuring full alignment with Swissôtel brand standards. Its repositioning will introduce a renewed design and guest experience rooted in Swiss mastery, precision, and vitality. The transformation will respect the property’s existing character while elevating its positioning to meet the evolving expectations of the Saudi market. The conversion aligns with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, supporting the Kingdom’s objectives to diversify its economy, grow the tourism sector, and attract high-quality international hospitality brands. Following its repositioning, Swissôtel Jeddah Al Hamra will further strengthen Accor’s presence in Saudi Arabia and support the Group’s long-term growth strategy in one of the region’s key markets. “This signing represents an exciting opportunity for Accor to further strengthen its leading position in Saudi Arabia while adding an iconic and well-established hotel to our Swissôtel portfolio. Swissôtel …

Smart Travel LLC wins ‘Most Reliable B2B Travel Portal’ at the 8th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2025. “Smart Travel LLC is proud to win another Arabian Travel Awards, as the Most Reliable B2B Portal. This award reflects the technical and commercial success of www.smartzett.com. In just two years, Smartzett has on-boarded 2,500+ affiliates, becoming the only B2B platform in the region offering a complete one-stop travel solution.” Afi Ahmed, Chairman, Smart Travel