Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has marked significant growth in its EMEA footprint, with more than 720 hotels now operating across the Middle East, Europe, Eurasia and Africa. In the first half of 2025 alone, the company added over 4700 rooms through more than 60 new hotel openings, driving year-over-year organic system growth of 5% in EMEA, alongside 27 new deal signings in the region, reinforcing its focus on high-growth markets and expanding access to quality, branded accommodations to travellers across the region. Standout additions include the Dolce by Wyndham Siracusa, Monasteri Golf and Spa in Sicily and the Signature Cave Cappadocia, Trademark Collection by Wyndham in Türkiye; offering distinctive stays in one the region’s most captivating destinations. Wyndham also opened new destinations across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with launches in Georgia, Romania, and Kazakhstan, and accelerated its momentum in Eurasia with 21 new openings in the first half of the year, expanding the regional portfolio to over 90 hotels – primarily located in India, one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing hospitality markets. Wyndham’s strategic development partnerships also played a key role in driving brand growth, bringing its globally recognized Super 8® by Wyndham brand to two high-demand markets: the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iberia. “With more than 720 hotels now open across EMEA, we’re seeing incredible momentum. Travel is thriving and we’re meeting that demand with a growing portfolio that reflects the energy and diversity of this region. From stunning resorts in Sicily to one-of-a-kind cave stays in Cappadocia, we’re adding experiences that truly inspire. And with new signings in markets like Iberia and Saudi Arabia, we’re not just growing – we’re creating new opportunities for …

The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) has launched the Germany Halal Travel Guide, a dedicated resource designed to support Muslim travellers in planning seamless, culturally respectful journeys throughout Germany. Available in both English and Arabic, the guide can be downloaded free of charge from a dedicated microsite hosted on the official Germany Travel website. Created with the expectations of GCC visitors in mind, the guide features practical information and curated recommendations. It highlights halal dining, prayer spaces, and culturally considerate stays that help visitors from the region feel comfortable and confident while exploring Germany. Germany continues to grow as a preferred destination for travellers from the GCC, supported by a well-developed infrastructure, strong hospitality standards, and an inclusive approach to tourism. In cities such as Berlin, Dresden, Dusseldorf and Munich, visitors can enjoy a wide selection of halal restaurants, Arabic-speaking staff, and accessible prayer spaces, all contributing to a sense of ease and belonging. The Germany Halal Travel Guide offers valuable insights for Muslim travellers seeking experiences aligned with their lifestyle and travel preferences. Whether visiting for leisure, medical care, education, or retail tourism, the guide introduces options that support spiritual needs and cultural expectations. It also showcases Germany’s natural beauty, cultural landmarks, and world-class wellness facilities in a format that makes trip planning both efficient and rewarding. Yamina Sofo, Director of the Marketing and Sales Office, GNTO GCC, said: “The launch of our Halal Travel Guide reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring Muslim travellers feel informed and welcomed in Germany. The guide presents clear, accessible information to support planning and create a worry-free travel experience. We are committed to showing guests from the GCC that Germany is a destination …

Qatar Airways has introduced increased flights to over 15 global destinations for this year’s winter season. The airline is facilitating demand for its services for travellers from all around the globe and continues to offer greater choice and connectivity through its Doha hub. Qatar Airways marks up to 10 daily flights to London as its highest-ever frequency, which is complemented by British Airways’ double daily flights. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways is consistently witnessing a steady rise in demand for our 5-star services to some of the most prominent destinations in the world, most notably for London, Dublin, Cape Town, and São Paulo. This winter, in partnership with Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia will launch flights from Melbourne to Doha, increasing capacity to three daily flights between the two cities. Qatar Airways will also restart services to Canberra, reinforcing its commitment to enhance connectivity between Australia and the world. The latest increase in flight frequency is testament to our continual and unmatched enhancements of experiences for our passengers travelling through the Best Airport in the Middle East – our hub, Hamad International Airport.” The airline’s global connectivity is supported by its diverse fleet of young aircraft that includes 54 Boeing 777s equipped with ultra-high-speed Starlink on-board Wi-Fi that is free for all passengers. Qatar Airways is first airline in the world to fully equip and operate over 50 widebody aircraft with Starlink, and the only carrier in the MENA region offering the service. Passengers in both Premium and Economy cabins enjoy free, gate-to-gate Wi-Fi speeds of up to 500 Mbps per aircraft. The airline is now equipping its Airbus A350 fleet, aiming to complete Starlink installation …

The event provided a unique platform that showcased the rich heritage of the State of Qatar and its long-standing passion for equestrian sports. The event included carefully selected elements, including vivid portrait drawings that embody the long-standing traditions of race day, a dedicated station for engraving letters on horse-inspired leather pieces as personal souvenirs, as well as a heritage corner that allows visitors to pull a roll from a traditional pearl diving basket, each scroll bearing an Arabic proverb that reflects the wisdom of the folklore, creating an authentic experience that connects visitors to the essence of the Qatari story. His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Doha Bid Committee for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, visited Visit Qatar’s Visit Qatar event as part of Visit Qatar’s Qatar Goodwood Festival, accompanied by His Excellency  Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of Visit Qatar, and Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar.

Visit Qatar participates as the official title sponsor of Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar 2025 in West Sussex, United Kingdom. The event is a highlight of the British horseracing calendar and reflects Qatar’s continued interest in being part of the international sporting calendar, as well as its long-standing relationship with Goodwood Racecourse. The festival is known for being a prestigious event that attracts world-class horses and jockeys, as well as equestrian and fashion enthusiasts from around the world. An official delegation from Visit Qatar is in attendance, along with representatives from the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club and key figures from the UK’s tourism and horse racing industries. This year’s event will also feature Qatari thoroughbreds, reflecting Qatar’s rich equestrian heritage. The 2025 edition will feature 13 group races, including three Group-1 events, along with curated daily experiences for guests. Visit Qatar has exclusive sponsorship of Group 1 and Group 2 races, including the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (July 29), the Qatar International Stakes and the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes (July 30), the Qatar Nassau Stakes, the King George Qatar Stakes (August 1), and the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (August 2). Key areas across the festival, including the Richmond and Lennox enclosures, will be adorned with Visit Qatar branding, reinforcing the brand’s presence throughout the event. Highlights of the sponsorship include a dedicated hospitality pavilion that showcases authentic Qatari culture and serves as a platform to connect with international partners and tourism industry players. Visit Qatar’s VIP Pavilion will host business partners, embassy representatives, Racing and Equestrian Club guests, as well as UK stakeholders and invited influencers. The sponsorship aligns with Visit Qatar’s broader strategy to raise brand visibility …

In a strategic leap forward in hospitality innovation, L’AZURE Hospitality has officially partnered with Shiji Group Enterprises to implement their cutting-edge Property Management System (PMS) across all their properties in NEOM, Riyadh, and Dubai. This collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in our journey to reimagine guest experiences through seamless digital integration, operational excellence, and data-driven personalization. “At L’AZURE Hospitality, we view technology as an extension of thoughtful service. Partnering with Shiji Group empowers us to deliver smarter, more personalized journeys while enabling our teams to operate with elevated precision and agility,” shared Nuran Kilani, COO, L’AZURE Hospitality.

Emirates has officially launched its new daily service to Hangzhou, marking its fifth gateway in the Chinese mainland and the second new destination added in under a month, following Shenzhen. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, commented on the launch: “China has become one of the world’s leading aviation markets, and Emirates is proud to have played a role in its development. Adding two new gateways within just one month is a major milestone that underscores our deepening commitment to the Chinese mainland. This expansion also demonstrates the strong momentum our East and Southeast Asia growth strategy has gained over the past year. With rising demand, we’re optimistic our global network will continue connecting people, businesses, and economies across Asia and beyond. Emirates remains committed to delivering seamless, reliable connectivity between this dynamic region and the world. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, and all our local partners for their invaluable support in enabling the successful start of this route.” Flight EK310 landed at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport on 30 July to a warm welcome from local dignitaries, airport officials, and a ceremonial water cannon salute. Passengers on the inaugural flight from Dubai were treated to commemorative keepsakes including keychains, certificates, and Chinese tea tasting sets to mark the occasion. The inaugural flight carried passengers from across Emirates’ global network, including key markets like the UAE, Nigeria, Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Brazil, as well as a VIP delegation led by Emirates’ senior management, and members of the international media. Operated by an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER, flight EK310 departs Dubai at 0940hrs and arrives in Hangzhou at …

Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore joint collaborations on programmes designed to meet the travel needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across global markets. The signing ceremony was attended by Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management; Matthew Jones, VP-USA, Emirates; Ashraf Baytam, Senior Manager Global Business Travel, Emirates; and Ryan Plemmons, Vice President, Global Sales Strategy, IHG Hotels & Resorts. Together, Emirates and IHG will explore ways to reach and engage with SMEs through value-added benefits and exclusive rewards to facilitate business travel. The hotel group will provide enhanced travel incentives and seamless integration with its extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts around the globe. Present at the signing ceremony was Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management, who commented: “With the SME segment playing a crucial role in fostering economic growth and creating jobs, Emirates is committed to supporting them with solutions and value-added propositions to meet their travel needs. We are pleased to collaborate with the leading hotel group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, to explore programmes that will be mutually beneficial to our valued customers. Together we aim to extend valuable benefits to our customers in the SME sector, while expanding our customer base in this very important segment.” Mark Sergot, SVP, Global Sales, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Emirates to redefine business travel for Small and Medium Enterprises worldwide. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to delivering exceptional value, seamless experiences, and exclusive rewards tailored to the unique needs of SMEs. By combining IHG’s hospitality expertise with Emirate’s global connectivity, we …

Radisson Hotel Group announced the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Sahafa, further strengthening its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in the lively Sahafa District, the new hotel blends modern luxury with Saudi hospitality and marks another step forward in the Group’s strategic expansion, with over 50 hotels now in operation and under development across the Kingdom. Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Sahafa is a striking architectural landmark, offering 171 stylishly appointed rooms and suites with extensive views of the King Abdullah Financial District and northern Riyadh skyline. Just 20 minutes from King Khalid International Airport, the hotel enjoys proximity to key leisure and business attractions, including Riyadh Boulevard, King Salman Social Center Park, and Vox Cinema Riyadh Park. Guests can indulge in a variety of dining experiences. Al Diwan Restaurant offers international cuisine and themed nights, while The Terrace Restaurant and Lounge, will feature Mediterranean flavors in a vibrant open-air setting. Al Multaqa Café welcomes guests to unwind with freshly brewed coffee and handmade pastries in a relaxed lobby atmosphere. Hazem Ibrahim, General Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Sahafa, commented “We’re thrilled to welcome guests to a destination that truly captures the spirit of modern Riyadh. From our carefully designed rooms to our world-class culinary and meeting experiences, every detail has been created to exceed expectations. Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Sahafa blends the city’s vibrant energy with the comfort and excellence that define the Radisson Blu experience.” With a dedicated Kids’ Club catering to children aged 4 to 10, and a fully equipped fitness center, the hotel ensures a well-rounded stay for all guests. The Sidra Grand Ballroom spans 560 square meters for …

Biannual World Parity Monitor reveals the scale of price pressure on hotel direct channels — and where hotels still hold the advantage. In 75% of hotel rate searches, at least one OTA displays a lower price than the hotel’s own website — a stark finding from the H1 World Parity Monitor 2025 by 123Compare.me. Chronicling the first six months of 2025 — the H1 World Parity Monitor looked at parity on a per-search basis — discovering OTAs undercut the hotel’s own website in 33% of comparisons. The hotel direct channel beat third parties in 45% of cases, while parity was maintained in just 22% of occasions. But when all available offers for the same room are taken into account — an average of more than 20 per search — the picture shifts dramatically: in three out of four searches, at least one OTA shows a lower rate than the official site. Mapping rate integrity across leading global destinations and shedding light on the behaviors putting the direct channel under pressure — the biannual World Parity Monitor interestingly concluded that the share of searches where OTAs publish lower rates has remained stable compared to 2024. In both January and April, undercutting occurred in 35% of cases. By June, this figure dropped to 28% — the lowest value so far this year. Mobiles amplify the rate parity issue — OTAs undercut the official site in 38% of searches, versus 31% on desktop. Faster decision-making, exclusive discounts, and optimized user experiences make mobile a more vulnerable space for hotels. According to Roberto Gobo, Director of Digital Strategy and Technology at Valamar, these disparities often stem from operational blind spots: “Disparity mostly happens when …