Emirates has officially unveiled its fully retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft in South Africa, marking a regional first with the introduction of its highly praised Premium Economy cabin. Now flying to both Cape Town and Johannesburg, the upgraded aircraft reflects Emirates’ continued commitment to delivering world-class travel experiences and strengthening ties with South Africa as it celebrates 30 years of service in the country. Key aviation and tourism leaders, including officials from Wesgro and the South African Civil Aviation Authority, joined Emirates for a guided tour of the aircraft. The refreshed Boeing 777 features four revamped cabin classes: First Class Suites, a redesigned Business Class with a 1-2-1 layout, the all-new Premium Economy, and enhanced Economy Class. The Premium Economy cabin, making its African debut, offers luxurious touches including wide leather seats, generous legroom, footrests, 13.3-inch screens, and exclusive inflight amenities—delivering a Business Class-like experience at accessible fares. This rollout is part of Emirates’ ambitious $5 billion retrofit program, one of the largest in aviation history, aiming to upgrade 219 aircraft. With 67 aircraft already completed, the initiative underscores Emirates’ goal to elevate comfort, design, and service standards across its global fleet.

Shiji and Amadeus announced a new partnership to offer hotel companies a full range of technology solutions in one place. This includes Property Management Systems (PMS), Point of Sale (POS), Central Reservation Systems (CRS), and tools for sales, catering, and operations. Shiji, known for its fast-growing PMS and support for food and beverage outlets worldwide, is joining forces with Amadeus, a well-respected name in travel technology. Together, they will share one image database and provide smooth, reliable service to make hotel operations easier. This partnership is more than just connecting systems. It’s about working together to give hotels the best technology and support they need to operate well and serve their guests better. By combining their strengths, Shiji and Amadeus aim to help hotels run more smoothly and deliver better experiences with trusted technology and service.  

Visit Oman has announced the launch of its new trade partner travel course in partnership with OTT – Online Travel Training. The course will be available free of charge for one year to over 93,000 registered travel agents globally. This initiative is designed to boost awareness of Oman as a top travel destination and support the digital growth of the country’s tourism sector. By offering easy access to in-depth knowledge about Oman, Visit Oman aims to increase registrations on its platform and promote travel products from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the nation. The online course covers key topics such as “A Glimpse of Oman,” “Seasons,” “Culture & Heritage,” “Travel Tips,” the “Visit Oman Booking Engine,” and “How to Sell Oman as a Destination.” These lessons provide travel agents with the information they need to confidently market Oman to their clients and drive more bookings. Visit Oman hopes that this course will help position the country as a preferred travel destination while empowering the global travel trade with the tools to sell Oman more effectively. Travel agents can register now to take advantage of this unique learning opportunity

TUI Group and Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) announced a landmark partnership to position Oman as a leading sun-and-beach destination for European travellers. The alliance aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to diversify the economy and strengthen the tourism sector as a key pillar of growth. Under the agreement, the first cluster of five new hotels will be developed in the Dhofar Governorate. Operated under renowned TUI brands including ROBINSON, TUI Blue, RIU, Jaz, and The Mora, the properties are expected to welcome international guests starting from the winter of 2028. As part of the collaboration, OMRAN Group will acquire a 1.4% strategic shareholding in TUI Group, reinforcing a shared commitment to long-term, sustainable tourism development. Both partners emphasised that the joint venture would follow the highest sustainability standards, integrating economic, social, and cultural dimensions to ensure tourism growth benefits local communities and businesses. The initiative is expected to generate new employment opportunities, expand hospitality infrastructure, and increase Oman’s visibility on the global tourism map.

Air Arabia will increase its flight frequency between Sharjah and Phuket to three flights per day starting 15 December 2025. The expansion comes in response to strong and growing demand for travel to Phuket, one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations. The additional flights aim to provide passengers with greater flexibility and convenience while reinforcing Air Arabia’s presence in the Thai market. In addition to Phuket, Air Arabia also operates non-stop flights from Sharjah to Bangkok and Krabi, strengthening its network coverage across Thailand. The increased connectivity supports both tourism and business travel between the UAE and Thailand. Air Arabia operates a fleet of 83 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, offering value-added services such as SkyTime, its in-flight streaming platform, and SkyCafe, the onboard menu. Passengers can also benefit from the airline’s Air Rewards loyalty program. Tickets for the expanded Sharjah–Phuket flights are now available for booking via Air Arabia’s website, call centre, or travel agencies, providing travellers more options for convenient and affordable connections between the UAE and Thailand.

Visit Qatar has launched its new Winter in Qatar 2026 campaign, inviting travellers from across the GCC to explore the country’s vibrant winter season filled with culture, adventure, and family experiences. The campaign highlights Qatar’s top attractions, from desert safaris in Sealine to the luxury of Zulal Wellness Resort and the cultural heart of Katara. Visitors can also enjoy shopping at Place Vendôme, exploring Msheireb Downtown, and indulging at the Qatar International Food Festival. Building on the success of the Moments Made For You campaign, this edition focuses on creating unforgettable moments for all types of travellers—heritage seekers, adventure enthusiasts, luxury lovers, and families. The first promotional video, released today, stars Kuwaiti actor and content creator Khaled Abdullah Al Mouzaffar experiencing thrilling desert adventures and the energy of UFC Fight Night. More videos will follow, featuring regional creators such as Farah, Aqeel, and Lebanese entrepreneur Karen Wazen, along with their families.  With visa-free entry for GCC citizens and easy access by air or land, Qatar is positioning itself as the ultimate winter destination for the region.

Etihad Airways announced direct flights to Damascus, Syria, starting June 2026. The new route meets growing demand from travellers in the UAE and GCC seeking convenient access to the historic Syrian capital, while also offering Syrians direct connections to Abu Dhabi. Service to Damascus will operate four times a week on Etihad’s Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring eight Business seats and 150 Economy seats, combining comfort, convenience, and the airline’s renowned hospitality. Passengers can also benefit from seamless onward connections through Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to destinations across Etihad’s global network. The new flights strengthen social and cultural ties between the UAE and Syria, providing greater connectivity for families, communities, and travellers across the region. Damascus marks the 28th new destination announced by Etihad in the past year, as the airline continues its rapid expansion. Passenger numbers have grown over 80% compared to 2022, with the airline on track to reach 38 million passengers annually by 2030.  

Melia Hotels International and LALIGA have announced a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening their presence in the Middle East, one of the world’s fastest-growing luxury markets. The agreement unites Spain’s iconic football league with the  globally recognised hospitality brand, blending sport, lifestyle, and travel. Under the partnership, Melia Desert Palm and ME Dubai will feature CASA LALIGA, dedicated spaces for fans to watch matches. Pony Line Sports Bar at Melia Desert Palm will transform into a fully branded LALIGA hub, offering VIP seating, Spanish tapas, and immersive match-day experiences, while the resort’s Layali Villa will provide private screenings with exclusive LALIGA memorabilia. ME Dubai will host a CASA LALIGA lounge at Central, including merchandise, table football zones, themed tapas and cocktails, and special beverage offers. The collaboration also includes MeliaRewards VIP experiences, from premium matchday access to private stadium tours, and special content filmed for LALIGA Show in Arabic at Meliá properties. Digital campaigns will run across LALIGA’s social media channels, reaching over 50 million followers globally. Gabriel Escarrer, CEO of Meliá, highlighted the alliance as a union of two global Spanish brands sharing excellence and passion, while LALIGA President Javier Tebas emphasised its role in expanding the league’s footprint in the Middle East.

Oman Air, recorded its busiest khareef season to date, flying over 200,000 passengers to Salalah between June and August 2025—a 15% increase, when compared to 2024. This milestone highlights growing demand and the airline’s strategic focus on supporting Omani tourism while providing reliable domestic connectivity. The airline expanded its operational capacity with up to 14 daily flights and the deployment of widebody aircraft, increasing seat availability by up to 75% on peak routes. Oman Air maintained its fixed national fare program, with over 70% of passengers taking advantage of the OMR 54 return fare, making the route accessible and attractive for a wide range of travellers. For travel partners and agencies, the surge in traffic represents enhanced opportunities for packaged tours, group bookings, and MICE operations. Oman Air also reinforced its market presence through sponsorship of the Khareef Dhofar Festival, in collaboration with Dhofar Municipality, further positioning the airline as a key enabler for destination promotion and cultural tourism. The airline’s strong operational performance, coupled with route expansion and strategic partnerships, underscores Oman Air’s role as a critical partner for travel trade stakeholders, providing scalable capacity and facilitating growth in inbound and domestic tourism.

Visit Qatar hosted a high-level workshop in Doha with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), marking a significant step toward deepening regional cooperation in tourism and entertainment. The workshop provided STA with a platform to present its strategic outlook while opening channels for dialogue and collaboration between both nations. Discussions highlighted the shared commitment of Qatar and Saudi Arabia to enhance cooperation, create joint initiatives, and position the Gulf region as a premier global destination. Industry representatives explored opportunities to align strategies, strengthen partnerships, and leverage both countries’ growing tourism and entertainment sectors. The session was attended by Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Mawlawi, Chief Executive Officer of Visit Qatar, alongside leading stakeholders from Qatar’s tourism industry. “This workshop demonstrates our united vision for promoting the Gulf as a world-class hub for culture, tourism, and leisure,” said Eng. Al-Mawlawi. “By working together, we can deliver exceptional experiences for visitors while driving long-term growth across the region.” The engagement underscores the increasing importance of cross-border collaboration in the tourism sector, reflecting the region’s ambition to expand its global footprint.