Sharjah Airport has introduced a new Home Check-In service that lets passengers complete check-in procedures, get boarding passes, and hand over luggage from home before heading to the airport. The initiative, aimed at easing congestion and saving time, allows travellers to proceed straight to passport control upon arrival. The service can be booked via the airport’s website, hotline (800745424), or the “SHJ Home Check-In” mobile app, and must be scheduled at least eight hours before departure. A dedicated team from Sharjah Airport will visit passengers’ homes, workplaces, or hotels to complete all formalities, including baggage collection. Available initially across selected areas in Sharjah, the service caters especially to families and business travellers looking for faster and more convenient airport experiences. Packages start at AED145 for one to two bags (Coral), AED165 for three to four bags (Silver), and AED185 for up to six bags (Gold), with an additional AED20 per extra bag. Sharjah Airport Authority said the move aligns with its goal of enhancing passenger comfort and efficiency through technology and service innovation, as part of its broader strategy to modernise travel experiences across the emirate.  

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Riyadh is set to host the inaugural edition of the TOURISE Summit (TOURISE 2025), organized by the Ministry of Tourism from November 11 to 13. TOURISE aims to shape the future of global tourism, fostering its growth and sustainability. It brings together leading figures from key sectors that intersect with tourism, such as technology, aviation, entertainment, education, sustainability, and media. Discussions will seek to develop innovative, actionable solutions that enable the tourism industry to address future challenges and thrive over the next five decades. Minister of Tourism and Chairman of TOURISE Ahmed Al-Khateeb expressed his profound gratitude to HRH the Crown Prince for his generous patronage, which, he noted, expands the event’s reach and influence. He emphasized that this patronage reflects HRH the Crown Prince’s unwavering support for the tourism sector as part of Saudi Vision 2030. He noted that “work is progressing on all fronts to empower our vital sector, which continues to demonstrate its readiness and competitiveness day after day.” He underscored that Saudi Arabia ranked first among G20 countries in international tourist arrivals for 2024 and led globally in growth of tourism revenues from inbound visitors. TOURISE 2025 will feature a dynamic agenda of discussions, panels, and interactive experiences built around four key axes: addressing challenges, seizing growth opportunities, stimulating major investments, and shaping future policies. Sessions will also explore the rapid transformations shaping the tourism sector, including artificial intelligence in tourism, bold investment models, innovative travel experiences, and sustainable tourism that balances people and the planet. (Spa)

Chedi Hospitality has signed a management agreement with Al Seeb Real Estate Development for the forthcoming Chedi Private Residences Downtown, an exclusive new address that will bring the brand’s essence A Voyage UnboundTM to the vibrant heart of Dubai. The new development follows the remarkable success of The Chedi Private Residences Sheikh Zayed Road, which achieved 65% sales within months of its launch earlier this year. Building on that momentum and following the recent unveiling of The Chedi Residences Wadi Safar in Saudi Arabia, The Chedi Private Residences Downtown underscores Chedi Hospitality’s continued expansion with partners who share its values of excellence, trust, and cultural authenticity. “Our trajectory is clear — Chedi Hospitality is embracing its evolving role as a global house of refined living experiences,” said Stephan Schupbach, Chief Executive Officer of Chedi Hospitality. “Our legacy gives us strength, but our future is what drives us. The Chedi Private Residences Downtown reflects not only our continued vision for thoughtful growth but also the strength of our celebrated partnership with Al Seeb Real Estate Development. Together, we share the same pursuit of excellence and authenticity that defines The Chedi experience. Each new signing, whether a hotel or a residence, embodies our commitment to creating living experiences that are deeply personabale yet globally resonant, refined, connected, and timeless.” Mahesh Kalwani Vice Chairman of Al Seeb Real Estate Development, added: “Our collaboration with Chedi Hospitality has always been defined by trust, respect, and an uncompromising pursuit of quality. We are proud to work together again with Chedi Hospitality on a project that represents excellence in both form and spirit. The Chedi Private Residences Downtown will set a new benchmark for refined living …

The 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly opened in Riyadh, marking a historic first for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and the largest Assembly since UN Tourism was founded 50 years ago. Around 160 delegations from member states including ministers, senior officials, and leaders from across industry and civil society are coming together to celebrate five decades of international collaboration under the theme “AI-Powered Tourism: Redefining the Future.” The Assembly is hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, with extensive cooperation and planning alongside UN Tourism and a wide range of partners. This collaboration underscores the Kingdom’s dedication to advancing the industry and facilitating impactful dialogue on the global stage. For half a century, UN Tourism has advanced economic opportunity, cross-cultural understanding, and peace through travel. With the sector’s rapid digital transformation reshaping how people discover, book, and experience destinations, this year’s Assembly focuses on ensuring AI serves people and places supporting jobs, small businesses, destination stewardship, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Over the coming days, delegates will participate in four plenary sessions, numerous meetings of seven specialized committees, and the 124th and 125th sessions of the Executive Council – the organization’s highest executive body. The agenda is designed to foster discussions on how artificial intelligence and digital transformation can accelerate sustainable, inclusive growth and deepen international cooperation in tourism. His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, said: “Saudi Arabia is proud to welcome the world to the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly as we celebrate 50 years of UN Tourism’s global cooperation and shared progress. This week marks a defining moment for our industry — a chance to shape how tourism grows in the decades …

The 2025/2026 cruise season will run from November to May, and Qatar is expected to receive 72 cruises, including 40 partial shift flights, 15 departure and return flights, and 3 cruises arriving in Qatar for the first time. This season, the cruise terminal, operated by Mwani Qatar, will welcome a number of world-renowned ships such as MS Seven Seas, Navigator and Celestial Discovery, as well as the Arroya Cruise, which is visiting Doha for the first time, underscoring Qatar’s growing position as a leading destination for global cruise tourism. Qatar Tourism and Qatar Ports have announced the start of the new cruise season 2025/2026, with the arrival of the luxury cruise ship MSC Eurebia at the Cruise Terminal at Doha’s Old Port. Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, Head of Tourism Development at Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar has established itself as a major hub for cruise tourism in the region, with the cruise sector becoming a vital component of Qatar’s tourism strategy. The growth of the cruise industry is the result of an integrated strategic vision led by Qatar Tourism, in close collaboration with Mwani Qatar and all partners. We are committed to continuing our quest to provide an exceptional experience that embodies the spirit of authentic Qatari hospitality and meets the highest international standards.” For his part, Mr. Abdulrahman Saad Al Baker, Director of the Cruise Ship Terminal at Mwani Qatar, said: “The launch of the 2025/2026 cruise season represents a continuation of the success of the cruise sector in the State of Qatar, and confirms the readiness of the cruise terminal managed by Qatar Ports and its commitment to providing high-quality services that keep pace with the highest international standards. …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced that it is updating the Abu Dhabi Hotel Classification Manual to reflect travel trends and deepen relationships with stakeholders by providing guidance on quality standards. The manual establishes clear standards in categories from housekeeping to soundproofing to safety, and is used to determine a hotel or resort’s star rating from one to five stars. First produced in 2007, featuring mandatory minimum criteria and rating criteria, the manual was updated in 2018 to add a guest experience index, mystery shopping and product designators. The new edition is designed to build on this work and add further refinements, creating a global benchmark for hospitality excellence and guest experience. HE Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The updated Hotel Classification Manual will deliver on Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 by positioning Abu Dhabi as a thought leader in global hospitality regulation and enhancing the emirate’s alignment with international benchmarks while showcasing unique service excellence elements. It provides granular detail and guidance that chart a clear path for hotels as we meet the strategy’s goal of increasing visitors by more than half between 2023 and 2030.” The updated manual will have changes in three main areas. It will reflect current global best practices, expand category definitions to widen coverage to more hotels and resorts, and introduce accolades to recognise hotels that exceed expectations in specific areas. Visitors, hotels and investors will all benefit from the update: visitors through elevated and more consistent hotel experiences, hotels through new opportunities to differentiate their offering via specialised classifications, and investors through streamlined infrastructure requirements that reinforce Abu Dhabi’s …

IDeaS has signed a master service agreement with Adeera Hospitality in Saudi Arabia. The agreement provides a framework for Adeera Hospitality to implement IDeaS solutions across the entirety of their upcoming luxury properties in Saudi Arabia. Wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Adeera Hospitality is a hotel management company responsible for developing distinctive new Saudi hospitality brands. Adeera’s ambitious plans include launching a portfolio of 60+ all-new hotels among multiple brands over the coming five years. IDeaS was selected as Adeera Hospitality’s strategic partner for its best-of-breed solutions, proven expertise, and reputation for reliability and scalability. The adoption of IDeaS G3 RMS will enable hotels and resorts managed by Adeera to optimize their revenue strategies through powerful forecasting, precision pricing and effective inventory management capabilities. The first hotel in the roll-out is the Grand Hotel King Fahd Financial District in Riyadh, scheduled to open in 2026. Thomas Grundner, Chief Commercial Officer of Adeera Hospitality, said“Our partnership with IDeaS represents a significant step forward in establishing Adeera’s commercial framework. As we gear up to unveil a new era of Saudi-born hospitality brands, it is crucial that our hotels implement cutting edge data intelligence and revenue management from the very beginning. IDeaS technology and expertise will empower us to enhance pricing strategies, improve forecasting accuracy and elevate performance throughout our expanding portfolio guaranteeing that we provide tangible value to our owners and outstanding experiences to our guests.” Adeera Hospitality was particularly drawn to IDeaS’ advanced Group Evaluation functionality, which enables rapid assessment of a group’s total value as well as the impact of any potential displaced business. Additionally, the breadth of IDeaS’ forecasting and dynamic revenue optimization capabilities offers the flexibility for …

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and its partners concluded a high-impact showcase at World Travel Market (WTM) 2025. STA harnessed rising interest from the global travel trade, signing nine new MoUs and strategic agreements with industry leaders and global brands, and held more than 500 meetings with key industry players. In addition, twenty-seven MoUs and agreements were facilitated between Saudi partners and international organizations to accelerate growth, boost global awareness, and enhance international connectivity. STA captivating the global travel trade with Saudi’s Unreal Calendar of world-class events and entertainment and its iconic destinations – from the ancient wonders of AlUla and the pristine Saudi Red Sea, to the cultural energy of Jeddah and the dynamic spirit of Riyadh. Saudi’s presence at WTM demonstrated its commitment to building meaningful global partnerships, unlocking new investment opportunities, and delivering world-class tourism experiences, driving the next chapter of tourism growth. Over three days, 71 Saudi partners connected with the international travel and tourism trade at the immersive “Saudi Land” pavilion, presenting a broad selection of bookable products, new travel packages, and flagship experiences such as luxury openings at Shura Island and the launch of Six Flags Qiddiya City. A highlight of WTM 2025 was the inaugural DMO Awards at Saudi Land, designed to honor destination management organizations for their excellence and authenticity demonstrated during the event. Diriyah received the ‘Best Authenticity’ Award for its outstanding incorporation of authentic Saudi elements. Qiddiya was honored with the ‘Best Operational Excellence’ Award in recognition of its exceptional service delivery, strong product knowledge, and effective use of digital tools. Finally, Al Madinah earned the ‘Best of Show’ Award for delivering the most exceptional overall performance, combining authenticity, operational …

Mandarin Oriental announced the opening of Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai, the Group’s second property in the city. Located within Wasl Tower, an architectural masterpiece on Sheikh Zayed Road, the hotel brings Mandarin Oriental’s signature blend of Asian heritage and local character to the heart of Downtown Dubai, curating a vertical boulevard where hospitality, culture and commerce unite. The urban property features 259 elegant guestrooms and suites, 224 private residences and 10 dining venues, all crowned by a rooftop helipad designed for discreet VIP arrivals. Developed in partnership with Wasl Hospitality, the hotel sets a new benchmark for contemporary luxury in the city. Designed by UNStudio and engineered by Werner Sobek, Wasl Tower is defined by its sculptural twisting form and the region’s tallest ceramic façade. Innovative ceramic fins enhance airflow and support natural cooling, whilst integrated energy-efficient technologies position the building as a model for sustainable vertical living. The interiors, by London-based G.A Group, draw from Mandarin Oriental’s Asian heritage and the dynamic character of Downtown Dubai. The hotel’s guestrooms and suites feature warm, understated palettes and custom furnishings, alongside expansive views of the Arabian Gulf or the Dubai skyline. A curated art collection runs throughout the property, featuring works by regional and international artists in hues inspired by the desert landscape. Sitting atop the hotel, are The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai — the brand’s first residential development in Dubai, set to launch in 2026 — offering a lifestyle defined by privacy, service and skyline views. Dining is at the heart of the hotel’s experience, beginning with Yù & Mì, a modern Chinese bar and restaurant inspired by the cultural energy of 1960s Hong Kong. At the forefront, Yù serves …

Unveiled at World Travel Market (WTM) London, this renewed collaboration through Amadeus Digital Media aims to significantly boost visitor numbers to Abu Dhabi, targeting over 60% growth through Amadeus’ platforms compared to the previous year. The new initiative will leverage cutting-edge AI-powered programmatic campaigns to target travellers who are actively seeking their next destination. A key focus is to engage new consumers who may not have previously considered Abu Dhabi as a travel destination, thereby expanding the emirate’s global appeal. By increasing exposure to a wider consumer base and driving booking conversions, this collaboration is expected to bring substantial benefits to Abu Dhabi’s key industry stakeholders, such as hoteliers and travel agents. HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our long-standing partnership with Amadeus has been instrumental in showcasing Abu Dhabi’s diverse offering to a global audience. This expanded collaboration is pivotal to our journey to achieve the ambitious goals set out in our Tourism Strategy 2030. By harnessing Amadeus’ advanced technology and extensive reach, we are not only aiming for escalated growth in visitor numbers but also strategically building destination awareness in new and emerging markets.” Campaigns stemming from the renewed partnership will strategically target diverse consumer segments, ensuring that Abu Dhabi’s rich cultural heritage, thrilling adventures, family-friendly attractions, and stunning coastal landscapes are prominently featured worldwide. Jan Tissera, President, International, Global Accounts and Destinations, Hospitality, Amadeus, added: “Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi exemplifies our shared commitment to transforming travel through data-driven insights and innovative technology. By combining Amadeus technology and market intelligence with DCT Abu Dhabi’s visionary approach, visitor outreach can be refined to create meaningful, personalized journeys that truly …