Global City Dammam is preparing to launch its second season with new attractions and expanded facilities, targeting approximately 5.2 million visitors, up from more than 3 million during its inaugural season.
Saudi Arabia is set to host the Red Sea Yacht Show under a 10-year agreement signed between Sela, a company owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Tahaluf, in a move aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s position in the global yachting and marine tourism sectors.
UFC 333: VOLKANOVSKI vs EVLOEV made history at Etihad Arena on Saturday night (October 24), recording the highest attendance and gate for a UFC event in Abu Dhabi. The sold-out event featured two title fights and attracted thousands of fans, more than half of whom travelled from outside the UAE.
Three InterContinental Muscat team members have been shortlisted for the Hotelier Middle East Awards 2026, recognising their hospitality expertise and commitment to excellence. Ali Rady, Matthew Piercy and Viji Kunjachan earned nominations across housekeeping, food and beverage, and sustainability categories.
Tourism revenues across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reached $131.9 billion in 2025, marking an annual increase of 9.7 per cent, while tourist arrivals rose 4.9 per cent to 75.7 million, according to the Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-STAT).
Gulf Air CEO Martin Gauss highlighted the importance of collaboration, adaptability and strategic investment in supporting Middle East aviation growth at Routes World 2026 in Germany, citing the region’s infrastructure, connectivity and established hub networks as key competitive advantages.
Saudi Arabia’s tourist accommodation facility management registrations rose 29 per cent year-on-year to 20,560 by Q3 2026, with Makkah leading at 8,075, followed by Riyadh and Madinah, according to Ministry of Commerce figures.
Travel technology start-ups must demonstrate clear differentiation, solve specific customer problems and prepare for lengthy enterprise sales cycles as artificial intelligence reshapes the industry, according to speakers at the Travel Tech Association’s second annual Start-Up Summit.
CONNECT.XCITE 2026 MENA concluded its third edition in Abu Dhabi, bringing together selected Chinese luxury travel buyers and premium tourism partners from across the Middle East and Africa for business meetings, networking and destination discovery.
Dubai’s Rose Rayhaan by Rotana has won Best City Hotel Globally and Best Hotel View in the Middle East at the 2026 Haute Grandeur Global Awards, marking its strongest performance to date on the international hospitality stage.
