The Meet Global MICE Congress (MGMC), the largest international event in the business tourism sector concluded in Moscow. It is held for the third time in 2025 this year, the event welcomed guests from 35 BRICS nations and countries of the Global South to share expertise and build new partnerships in the field of MICE tourism. The congress is attended by over 2,500 participants and features over 130 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge solutions and services in the MICE industry. In addition, the event features 200 Hosted Buyers, providing a unique opportunity for direct engagement with key decision-makers. The first day of the forum, 17 December began with the plenary session “Unity Through Open Diversity: New Opportunities for the MICE Industry”; the central theme of MGMC 2025. The session also highlighted Moscow’s progress in developing MICE infrastructure. The city welcomes business travellers every year: in 2024, one in five visitors from Russia’s regions and one in eight international visitors came for business purposes, while the overall number of business trips increased by 1.4 million. Guests can choose from 2,200 hotels, plan cultural itineraries in just a few clicks via the RUSSPASS digital service, and enjoy gastronomic experiences, supported by nearly 23,000 venues. Most importantly, Moscow offers modern, unconventional locations for events. Options for business events include Skolkovo Technopark, the Lomonosov Cluster, Zaryadye Park, the Ostankino TV Tower, the State Historical Museum, and the Khudozhestvenny Cinema. Speakers and participants in these and other panel discussions and case-study sessions included representatives of the tourism boards of Jordan and Nepal, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Maldives, the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as companies from Argentina, India, …

CruiseXplore marked 11 years of excellence by hosting a high-energy bowling networking event that brought together key stakeholders from across the cruise industry. The event saw participation from 16 leading cruise line partners and over 90 travel agents, creating an engaging atmosphere of friendly competition, lively conversations, and meaningful networking. The unique format offered attendees a refreshing platform to connect beyond traditional industry settings, further strengthening long-standing relationships. Commenting on the milestone, Lakshmi Durai, CEO of CruiseXplore, said, “We extend our sincere gratitude to our cruise line partners, the travel agent community, and our media partners for their continued trust and support. A special note of appreciation goes to our dedicated CruiseXplore team, whose passion and commitment make every milestone possible.” Stepping into its 12th year, CruiseXplore continues to strengthen its commitment to empowering the travel trade and fostering long-term growth in collaboration with its partners.

Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort, Vignette Collection won ‘Best Lifestyle Resort 2025’ at the 8th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2025. “We are incredibly proud to be named Best Lifestyle Resort 2025! This award is the ultimate validation of the hard work and passion poured into every detail of our guest experience. It stands as a powerful testament to our strength as one team, working in perfect cohesion toward one bold vision. This victory belongs to every single member of our family who strives for excellence daily. Thank you for this amazing recognition.” Sabrina Amrani – Complex Director of Operations Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort, Vignette Collection

Oman Air has announced the launch of its first new route for 2026: Taif. Starting 31 January 2026, the service marks the airline’s fifth destination in Saudi and another milestone in the expansion of its regional network. The new flight will operate three days a week, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, using the Boeing 737, offering guests convenient flight timings alongside Oman Air’s signature service and hospitality. Commenting on the launch, Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said, “Expanding into Taif represents a strategic step in our regional network growth and reinforces the strong economic and cultural ties between Oman and Saudi Arabia. It likewise enables us to better serve our guests by providing them with more choice and convenience.” Abdulkarim Al-Darwish, President of Middle East and Africa Markets at the Saudi Tourism Authority, also stated, “We welcome Oman Air’s new service to Taif, which marks a key step that enhances connectivity between our two countries and provides travelers from Oman with greater access to key destinations across Saudi. Expanding regional air links aligns with our broader mission to accelerate tourism growth and strengthen strategic partnerships” With the addition of Taif, Oman Air now operates five destinations to Saudi Arabia including Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam and Madinah, underscoring the airline’s commitment to enhancing intra-regional connectivity and supporting broader economic and social links. Guests can enjoy the best fares when booking on www.omanair.com or Oman Air’s mobile app.

Over 400 participants from across the industry, including representatives of hotels, attractions, DMCs, developers and airlines participated at the third annual city tourism briefing in Al Ain by the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). They convened to evaluate the robust growth across Abu Dhabi’s tourism and hospitality sector, foster strategic collaborations, and accelerate progress towards the ambitious goals of the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030. H E Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “In collaboration with our industry partners, we have continued to drive success across every segment: culture, leisure, business, and live entertainment. The City Tourism Briefing provides a vital platform for us to celebrate these milestones with the entire ecosystem, and to align on goals and strengthen the collaboration that will further steer momentum toward the ambitions of Tourism Strategy 2030 and ensure that Abu Dhabi remains a world-leading destination shaped by innovation and excellence.” During the briefing, DCT Abu Dhabi officials provided updates on the sector’s performance this year, revealed plans for 2026, and led presentations on the role of marketing campaigns and cultural heritage in promoting the sector locally and internationally. A significant portion of the briefing focused on enhancing connectivity and infrastructure, highlighting the critical role of robust transport networks in supporting the emirate’s tourism objectives. A panel discussion featured transport leaders Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways; Adel Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia; Nathalie Jongma, Vice President Aviation Development at Abu Dhabi Airports Company; and Azza Al Suwaidi, Deputy CEO of Mobility at Etihad Rail. Etihad Airways revealed that in 2026 it will significantly expand its destination network. Celebrating similar success, Abu …

John Mangelaars, currently Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO, joins the Board of Directors immediately and will succeed as Chief Executive Officer on 1 April 2026. Travelport announced that Greg Webb has notified the Board of Directors that he has decided to step down as Chief Executive Officer, effective 31 March 2026. He will continue as part of the Board of Directors. Mangelaars joined Travelport in September of this year with a remit to deliver the scale, reliability, and innovation that both agencies and suppliers need to thrive in an increasingly complex and demanding marketplace. He is a distinguished executive with over 30 years of leadership experience spanning global technology and travel industries across both B2B and B2C sectors. He has deep industry knowledge and a proven track record in scaling e-commerce operations. Most recently before joining Travelport, John served as CEO at Skyscanner, a global travel marketplace focused on META search, where he led the company through Covid to a strong recovery into the genAI era. Prior to that, he was CEO at Travix International, a leading global online travel agency, where he drove revenue growth and expansion across multiple global markets and established the company as one of the first OTAs to implement NDC.  

The Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) announced the appointment of YBrs. Encik Mohd Amirul Rizal bin Abdul Rahim as the new Director-General of Tourism Malaysia effective 8 December 2025. This appointment was made by YB Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in accordance with the powers granted under Section 10 (1) of Act 481: Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board 1992. He replaces YBhg. Datuk Manoharan Periasamy who will retire on 6 December 2025. Mohd Amirul Rizal holds a Master’s Degree in Tourism Management from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). He began his career with Tourism Malaysia on 2 September 2002 and has since held various portfolios in the country’s tourism marketing and promotion. He previously served in the Research Division before assuming the position of Director of Tourism Malaysia Terengganu State Office and Director of Tourism Malaysia Seoul, South Korea Overseas Office in 2008. He has also served in the Domestic Promotion and Events Division, International Promotion Division (Asia & Africa), and most recently as Senior Director of Advertising & Digital Division. In addition, he also played an important role as Head of the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) Secretariat. Apart from his important responsibilities in Tourism Malaysia, he is also active in associations and has been appointed as the President of the Tourism Malaysia Recreation Club, demonstrating balanced leadership in strategic, operational and employee empowerment aspects. With 23 years of experience in various tourism marketing and promotion activities, his appointment is believed to strengthen the development of the country’s tourism industry in efforts to make Malaysia a leading global tourism destination ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).

According to data from Coherent Market Insights, the Kingdom’s outbound tourism market, estimated at US$27.5 billion in 2025, is projected to reach US$47.8 billion by 2032, underscoring the country’s growing market and highlighting its expanding influence on global travel. Saudi Arabia is entering an exciting phase of outbound travel, fuelled by greater global mobility and a rising demand for premium experiences, factors that will be addressed during the forthcoming WTM Spotlight Riyadh when it welcomes global travel leaders for its first edition in 2026. Taking place at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Convention Centre (RFECC) in September WTM Spotlight Riyadh will showcase how Saudi travellers are shaping demand in both established and emerging destinations. Preferences for luxury stays, customised itineraries, and extended-family travel are driving interest in destinations that cater to this high-value segment. Saudi Arabia’s outbound travel market is growing, supported by digital adoption, higher disposable income, and growing international confidence. Almosafer research shows that international bookings made by Saudi travellers for trips outside the MENA region rose by 11% in Q1 2025, while international stays increased by 13%. Saudi travellers are broadening their horizons, looking beyond established favourites such as London, Paris, Istanbul, Phuket, Rome, and Cape Town, and exploring new destinations. Balance Tourism research points to growing interest in emerging destinations, such as Georgia and Azerbaijan for their climate, Bosnia and Herzegovina for its halal-friendly European appeal, and parts of Southeast Asia where modern halal infrastructure attracts Saudi travellers. Saudi travellers continue to prioritise premium experiences, with high demand for luxury accommodation and tailored itineraries. According to the research from Coherent Market Insights, 41% book five-star hotels and 32% opt for four-star properties, with daily spending on …

H.E Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, in a special gathering underlined Dubai’s growing commitment to integrating sport, tourism, sustainability and technology as the emirate prepares to host the World Sports Summit (WSS), positioning the event as a key driver of destination development and sports tourism. Addressing industry stakeholders, Belhoul emphasised that the future of sport extends well beyond football, calling attention to athletes, innovators and contributors across all disciplines who are shaping the wider sports ecosystem. He highlighted the strategic role of technology and sustainability as core pillars of the summit, reflecting Dubai’s broader vision for innovation-led growth. An interactive technology activation zone will be hosted alongside the main summit arena, allowing visitors to experience cutting-edge sports innovations—many supported and showcased by athletes themselves. Sustainability, Belhoul noted, will be embedded across discussions, experiences and programming, reinforcing sport’s responsibility in driving positive environmental and social impact. Belhoul also pointed to the complementary positioning of major global events taking place in Dubai on 28 December, including the Globe Soccer Awards and WSS Day Zero. While Globe Soccer focuses on football excellence, the World Sports Summit adopts a multi-sport, legacy-driven approach, celebrating long-term contributions across the global sports landscape. Crucially for the travel and tourism trade, Belhoul confirmed ongoing collaboration with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to create immersive experiences for athletes, delegates and their families. Timed during the peak holiday season, the summit has been curated to blend high-level dialogue with destination experiences—from desert adventures to New Year celebrations—strengthening Dubai’s appeal as a world-class sports and leisure hub. The World Sports Summit is positioned as one of the most exclusive global gatherings dedicated to shaping the future of …

Blue Seven Technologies won ‘Most Innovative Corporate Booking Tool developed in the Middle East’ at the 8th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards. “Being recognised as the Most Innovative Corporate Booking Tool developed in the Middle East” is a strong validation of the vision behind Travelclub.ae. From inception, our focus has been on reimagining B2B travel through technology-led innovation. By integrating AI-driven intelligence, smart automation, real-time analytics, and scalable digital architecture, Travelclub.ae empowers travel partners with speed, accuracy, and superior decision-making capability. Our platform is designed to continuously evolve, adopting the latest advancements in travel technology to enhance efficiency, transparency, and value across the ecosystem. This recognition belongs to our exceptional team, technology partners, and loyal customers who share our belief that the future of B2B travel is intelligent, connected, and innovation-driven.”Saleem Sharif Dy. Managing Director of Blue 7 Technologies