A global survey found 79.5% of tour operators saw enquiry declines since the Iran war, with 59.3% reporting drops of 20% or more, widespread cancellations, and no recovery signs, especially across Middle East, Asia and Europe markets.
Kuwait Airways has announced that it will resume scheduled flights to Colombo, Sri Lanka, via King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, starting April 15 with passengers transported by land through the Nuwaiseeb border crossing.
WTTC’s Cruising for Impact report highlights cruise tourism’s global benefits, contributing $98.5 billion to GDP, supporting 1.8 million jobs, generating $199 billion output, and driving repeat visits, strengthening communities and sustaining long-term tourism demand worldwide.
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, will increase its service between Abu Dhabi and Kabul to daily flights from 1 May 2026, responding to strong demand following the successful launch of the route earlier this year.
Traveloris, an Australian travel technology company, has reached a milestone with the live launch of its AI Trip Planning & Booking Engine on Tasmania.com and CairnsDiscoveryTours.com.
Visitors to Oman’s Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve reached 136,549 in 2025, up from 105,686 in 2024, highlighting rising eco-tourism interest and reinforcing the islands’ appeal as a distinctive destination locally and internationally.
Saudi Arabia reported strong domestic tourism growth in Q1 2026, with 28.9 million tourists, up 16% year-on-year, and spending reaching SAR34.7 billion ($9 billion), an 8% increase, highlighting sustained demand supporting the tourism sector.
DIAFA, the Abu Dhabi-based luxury investment platform and a IHC unit, has acquired a majority stake in the hospitality portfolio of British businessman Richard Caring. The deal estimated at $1.8 billion includes some of the UK’s iconic brands such as Ivy restaurants chain and private members’ club Annabel’s.
European Union authorities have announced that its new Entry/Exit System (EES) has become fully operational across all Schengen countries. An advanced technological system, EES digitally records entries/exits of non-EU nationals travelling to 29 European countries for short stays in just 70 seconds.
Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to just one daily flight to its airports until May 31 due to the Iran crisis, a Reuters report said citing a Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) letter.
