More than 19.5 million Hajj pilgrims and Umrah performers from abroad arrived in Saudi Arabia during 2025, including 18.03 million Umrah performers and 1.5 million Hajj pilgrims.
Riyadh Air has announced the expansion of its network in Asia with the launch of new flights connecting Riyadh with Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan, and Manila in the Philippines.
India is rapidly emerging as one of the world's most sought-after source markets for MICE and luxury travel, with global destinations and hospitality brands intensifying efforts to attract the country's high-spending corporate and premium leisure travellers.
The number of guests staying at three- to five-star hotels in Oman reached 992,009 by the end of June 2026, marking a 13% decline compared to the same period in 2025, when the number stood at 1,140,086, according to the latest data.
Oman has introduced a new free 14-day tourist visa for nationals of selected countries to provide greater flexibility for visitors and enhancing the country's tourism offerings.
Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), has announced that SEVEN Abha, its first entertainment destination in the Aseer region, will open on Wednesday.
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, has become one of the world’s first resorts to receive the newly launched DarkSky Approved Resort certification, developed by DarkSky International in collaboration with Red Sea Global.
Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, has announced that its passenger network will continue to expand with Dubai and Al Dhaid stations scheduled to open on September 30, 2026.
Red Sea Global (RSG), the regenerative tourism developer, has partnered with DarkSky International to establish the world’s first certification recognising resorts that protect natural night skies through responsible outdoor lighting.
Jazeera Airways has launched a GCC travel promotion, offering up to 50% off fares on flights across the Gulf region. The limited-time offer covers 13 destinations, with discounted bookings available from August 3–8, 2026 for travel through December 12, 2026.
