Kerzner International Holdings Limited has assumed management of The Meydan Hotel, Dubai’s landmark trackside hotel owned by Dubai Holding. Following enhancements to rooms and public areas, the hotel is now accepting reservations for early 2026. The Meydan Hotel, uniquely built into the grandstand of an international horse racetrack, offers guests a front-row experience to world-class racing. The property features some of the city’s largest rooms and suites, all with balconies, and is located just 15–20 minutes from Dubai’s key business and leisure hubs. Kerzner plans to bring its signature service and innovative touch to the hotel while preserving its racing heritage. Guests can look forward to upgraded culinary experiences, including the all-day Mediterranean restaurant Farriers, the Saddle Bar, and the Tea Lounge. The hotel also offers event spaces for up to 50,000 guests, a 9-hole golf course, padel and tennis courts, and a vibrant nightlife scene. Michael Heyes, CFO of Dubai Holding Hospitality, said the management handover aligns with Dubai’s long-term vision, supporting the Meydan district’s growth as a residential and lifestyle hub. Kerzner’s portfolio in Dubai includes iconic properties such as Atlantis, The Palm, One&Only Royal Mirage, and Bab Al Shams, and the company now adds The Meydan Hotel to its Rare Finds collection, continuing its legacy of shaping Dubai’s hospitality landscape.

Cruise Master has successfully hosted the Middle East’s first-ever Polar Expedition Forum, setting a milestone for the region’s luxury adventure travel sector. The exclusive trade event, held at Shangri-La Dubai, brought together leading global expedition cruise brands and top Middle Eastern travel advisors. Designed as an industry-first platform, the forum highlighted the growing demand for polar exploration and its emergence as one of the fastest-expanding segments in luxury travel. The programme featured immersive product presentations, strategic networking sessions, and one-on-one business meetings, giving advisors the tools to better sell and promote polar voyages. Expedition brands including 66° Expeditions, Albatros Expeditions (soon to rebrand as Polar Latitude Expeditions), Celebrity Cruises, Oceanwide Expeditions, Silversea, and Swan Hellenic showcased their latest ships, itineraries, and sales strategies for the regional market. Ashok Kumar, Founder and Managing Director of Cruise Master, said: “Travellers today are seeking transformative journeys. Polar expeditions are not just about reaching remote destinations — they are about discovery, sustainability, and unforgettable memories.” An engaging panel, “Charting New Waters: Your Gateway to the Polar Expedition Market”, explored shifting traveller demographics and the unparalleled experiences awaiting in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Oman Air hosted a trade event in Dubai, bringing together key travel agents and industry partners to share updates on its latest product offerings and strategic developments. The session, led by Brajesh Kumar, Regional Manager – Sales (GCC & MEA), provided agents with an overview of Oman Air’s expanding global network and its milestone entry into the oneworld alliance, which offers guests seamless access to more than 900 destinations worldwide and enhanced benefits across partner airlines. In addition to the alliance, Oman Air shared key company updates including the launch of new European routes to Rome and Amsterdam, the introduction of double-daily flights to London, and its recognition as an APEX WORLD CLASS™ airline for excellence in guest experience. The airline also highlighted its efforts during Dhofar’s Khareef season – an enduring favourite among GCC citizens and residents – while promoting Oman’s year-round appeal through its stopover programme and new Oman Air Holidays platform. The presentation also touched on Oman Air’s cutting-edge NDC product, which empowers partners to offer seamless, dynamic and tailored travel experiences. The event underscored Oman Air’s dedication to its travel agent partners in the UAE, recognising their vital role in the airline’s commercial success. By fostering direct communication and providing comprehensive product knowledge, Oman Air aims to equip its partners with the tools needed to effectively sell the airline’s premium and value-driven offerings to their clients. Oman Air operates across the GCC region with 04 daily fights between Dubai and Muscat.

Oman Sail has expanded its partnership with Visit Oman to strengthen the Sultanate’s position as a major destination for sailing and sports tourism. The collaboration aims to enhance the overall experience for visitors and participants at upcoming world-class sailing events hosted in Oman. Among the flagship events are Mussanah Race Week, the IODA Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship, and the World Sailing Inclusion Championships. Each of the events will bring together international athletes, enthusiasts, and spectators, thus showcasing Oman’s growing reputation as a hub for competitive sailing and inclusive sporting opportunities. The partnership will bring together tourism and sports, giving visitors a chance to enjoy Oman’s cultural heritage alongside its modern facilities. With Visit Oman’s travel expertise and Oman Sail’s event management, the initiative will offer special packages and services designed for both participants and guests. This collaboration supports Oman’s vision to grow sports tourism in a sustainable way. It also strengthens the country’s position as a global destination for hosting major, inclusive sporting events while showcasing Oman’s natural beauty and warm hospitality.

MSC Cruises announced the return of its award-winning ship, MSC Euribia, to Dubai for the winter 2025-26 season. From 8 November  2025, to  1 April 2026, the ship will offer guests immersive itineraries across the GCC, combining modern cruising with cultural discovery. Sailing roundtrip from Dubai, MSC Euribia will visit top regional destinations including Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island, Doha, Manama, and Muscat. Guests can select from three- and four-night mini cruises or seven-night Arabian Gulf voyages, allowing flexible experiences to explore the Gulf at their own pace. Onboard, MSC Euribia features the MSC Yacht Club, an all-inclusive luxury “ship within a ship,” offering private suites, 24-hour butler service, an exclusive lounge and restaurant, and a private pool and sun deck. Guests also enjoy 10 dining venues, 21 bars and lounges, five pools, and the Ocean Cay AquaPark. Families benefit from a 700 sqm dedicated kids’ area, while the Delphi Theatre hosts nightly live entertainment. Angelo Capurro, Executive Director of MSC Cruises, said: “The MSC Yacht Club is loved by guests for its outstanding service and exclusive facilities. Bringing it to the Gulf ensures an unparalleled luxury cruising experience.” Bookings for MSC Euribia’s Dubai season are now open. For details, visit the MSC Cruises website.

British Airways is boosting connectivity between the Middle East and the UK with additional flights from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow starting this October, continuing through summer 2026. From 27 October 2025, the airline will operate a daily service from Bahrain, more than doubling its weekly flights and adding over 9,000 seats. This expansion offers passengers increased flexibility for business, family, or leisure trips to the UK and beyond. In Saudi Arabia, British Airways will run 12 weekly flights from Riyadh this winter, rising to 14 per week from summer 2026. Jeddah will see five flights per week in summer 2026, up from four, enhancing options for travelers across the Kingdom. Abu Dhabi will also benefit from a daily service to London starting winter 2025, providing greater convenience and travel choice. The expanded schedule is aimed at meeting growing demand in the region while ensuring seamless onward connections via London Heathrow to over 200 destinations worldwide. Tickets for the additional flights are now available on ba.com, giving customers the opportunity to plan ahead for upcoming travel.

Sharaf Travel has renewed its strategic partnership with Amadeus Gulf, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and customer-centric travel experiences across the region. Through Amadeus technologies such as NDC-X, Fare Optimiser, and B2B Wallet, Sharaf Travel aims to deliver smarter retailing, secure payments, and highly personalized experiences for both corporate and leisure travelers. The collaboration underscores a shared vision to make travel more connected, efficient, and intelligent. The milestone was marked by a gathering of key leaders, including Jayaram Vaidyanathan, Managing Director & CEO at Sharaf Travel, and Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, Managing Director of Amadeus Gulf, alongside other senior executives from both organizations. Their presence highlighted the importance of the partnership in driving digital transformation and enhanced customer engagement in the travel sector. “This renewed collaboration enables us to leverage advanced technologies to meet the evolving needs of travelers and deliver seamless, personalized experiences,” said Sharaf Travel leadership. Together, Sharaf Travel and Amadeus Gulf are set to redefine the travel landscape in the region, combining innovation, operational excellence, and a strong focus on customer satisfaction. Tickets and travel services powered by these technologies are now available through Sharaf Travel’s booking channels.

Saudi Arabia unveiled its Saudi Winter 2025 programme, with Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Tourism Authority, HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb, leading the launch ceremony attended by over 120 private-sector partners. Running through the first quarter of 2026, Saudi Winter will feature over 1,200 tourism products and 600 special offers across Riyadh, Diriyah, Jeddah, AlUla, the Red Sea, the Eastern Region, and other destinations including Qassim, Hail, and Madinah. Key attractions include live concerts, cultural performances, poetry nights, family and beach activities, the AlUla Wellness Festival, World Rally Championship, F1H2O powerboat race, WWE Royal Rumble, and a collaboration with MrBeast. Presented under the theme “Winter is Alive,” the programme revealed the Events Calendar and highlighted tourism seasons across Riyadh, Diriyah, AlUla, and Al-Khobar, showcasing cultural landmarks, heritage experiences, and distinctive seasonal activities. “The launch of Saudi Winter 2025 presents a new opportunity to position Saudi Arabia as a leading global winter destination,” said Al-Khateeb, emphasising alignment with Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s target of 150 million visitors by 2030.

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced that the first phase of resorts and attractions on Shura Island will open to guests in the coming weeks. The debut includes three world-class hospitality brands: SLS Red Sea, The Red Sea EDITION, and InterContinental The Red Sea Resort along with Shura Links, Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course. The launch represents a key milestone for Vision 2030, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s efforts for economic diversification and sustainable tourism. “Shura Island embodies our mission to redefine tourism while protecting and celebrating nature,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG. “With its opening, we move closer to delivering a truly regenerative tourism experience.” When fully complete, Shura Island will feature 11 luxury resorts, including Four Seasons, Jumeirah, Raffles, and Rosewood. Designed by Foster + Partners under the “Coral Bloom” concept, the development blends harmoniously with the natural environment and is fully powered by renewable energy. Guests will access the island via a 3.3km crossing, the Kingdom’s longest internal bridge or through Red Sea International Airport, which is expanding its network with new direct international flights.

flynas in collaboration with Riyadh Airports Company (RAC), launched a new self-bag drop facility at King Khalid International Airport, marking a major step in enhancing passenger convenience and digital services. The automated service, now fully operational at Terminal 1, enables passengers to check in their baggage independently, without staff assistance. The process takes less than 20 seconds per bag, significantly reducing waiting times at check-in counters while ensuring a faster, smoother start to the travel experience. This initiative reflects flynas’ commitment to digital transformation and aligns with RAC’s strategy to deliver innovative solutions that improve airport efficiency and passenger flow. By introducing self-bag drop technology, both partners aim to increase passenger throughput, minimise congestion, and improve overall operational efficiency at the airport. In addition to saving passengers valuable time, the system optimizes terminal space, contributing to a more seamless and modernized airport environment. The move underscores flynas’ role in driving smart travel solutions and RAC’s dedication to positioning Riyadh among the leading digitally advanced airports in the region.