Mastercard and Trip.com have partnered to showcase AI-powered booking experiences for the travel sector, demonstrating how consumers could search, book and complete purchases through Trip.com’s AI agent, TripGenie.
Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal has launched two new customer services, Time to Think and flyadeal Connections, offering greater booking flexibility, full refunds within 24 hours and expanded domestic and international connecting-flight options across its growing network.
Bahrain will host the first race of the 2027 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar, which will feature 24 Grands Prix across 22 countries and 10 Sprint events.
Emirates and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support Dubai’s ambition to become a leading global destination for higher education, international students and lifelong learning.
Slovakia is intensifying efforts to attract more visitors from the GCC, highlighting spa and medical tourism, mineral and healing springs, nature and sports as key opportunities, according to Loretta Pinke, Head of the Slovak Tourism Representation – GCC Region, speaking to Gulf Tourism News during Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai.
Jayasom has opened its Jayasom Wellness Resort, AMAALA, on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, introducing a luxury integrative wellness destination focused on personalised programmes for long-term health and wellbeing.
flydubai has expanded its global connectivity through new interline agreements with Air India and Uzbekistan Airways, adding access to more than 80 destinations across Asia, Australia and Europe. The deals bring flydubai’s interline network to 46 airline partners, strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub.
International visitor spending in the Middle East is forecast to increase by $116 billion, or 57%, between 2025 and 2030, according to the newly unveiled ATM Travel Trends Report 2026, produced by Arabian Travel Market in association with Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company.
Etihad Airways and Swissport signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Arabian Travel Market to expand their partnership. Swissport will increase Etihad’s served airports from 30 to 40, adding 10 locations worldwide. The MoU covers ground handling and cargo services, with potential hospitality expansion through Aspire lounges.
Visit Qatar signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with TT-Travel (FUN&SUN) at ATM 2026 in Dubai. The partnership will launch a dedicated charter programme from October 2026, boosting direct air connectivity and aiming to generate more than 22,000 Russian tourist arrivals to Qatar in 2026/2027 winter, from Moscow and Yekaterinburg.
