Damac Hospitality, which includes Damac Hotels & Resorts, secured over 30 accolades across some of the region’s most respected hospitality platforms, reflecting excellence in hotel performance, brand innovation, wellness, leadership, sustainability, dining and nightlife.
Emirates has announced the expansion of its operations to Tokyo Narita with the introduction of a second daily service from May 1, operated by the airline’s retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER. The second daily flight will provide travellers with greater choice and enhanced opportunities for multi-destination itineraries, including the convenience of a stopover in Dubai.
Rove has entered the Omani market through a strategic partnership with LEO Developments, marked by the signing of Rove Home Muscat Expressway — the brand’s first branded residences project in the Sultanate. The first of several planned developments, Rove Home Muscat Expressway, is set in a central and well-connected area near Muscat Hills and key road links.
A new study by ground transportation experts Mozio has named Dubai the world’s best-connected city for travellers, scoring 7.2 out of 10.The ranking assessed airport-to-city access using factors such as public transport frequency, transfer times, taxi fares, and resident access to transit. Dubai offers a 24-minute journey from the airport to the city centre, with public transport arriving every eight minutes.
Le Méridien Abu Dhabi Resort has announced the opening of its new Al Saadiyat Ballroom, a contemporary events space designed to host large-scale celebrations, conferences, and social gatherings in the heart of the capital. The Al Saadiyat Ballroom can accommodate up to 350 guests in a reception or theatre-style setting and up to 250 guests for banquets.
Emirates may consider buying a larger version of A350 if Airbus went ahead with a new wide-body variant, reported Reuters, citing its top official. A larger A350 would leapfrog the A350-1000, which Emirates has so far declined to buy over concerns about durability of its engines in harsh Gulf operating conditions.
K Hovnanian ME Investments (KHME), a subsidiary of Hovnanian Enterprises, and the majority shareholder of Al Tahaluf Real Estate Company, CJSC, has signed an MoU with Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund (TDF) and Emaar, The Economic City (EEC) to enable high-quality tourism investment and lifestyle-focused residential opportunities in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).
The Saudi Red Sea Authority's (SRSA) new requirements for beach operators mark the beginning of a transformative era for coastal tourism along the Red Sea. The requirements establish strict standards based on international benchmarks, such as the "Blue Flag" and ISO 13009, ensuring that every aspect of the tourist experience meets high safety and quality criteria.
Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, reported solid operational performance in 2025, carrying 6,647,879 passengers—a 5% increase compared to 2024—while operating 52,099 flights across its network. The airline achieved a notable improvement in operational efficiency, with the average passenger load factor increasing to 81.6%, up from 77.0% in the previous year.
Yas Marina Circuit has announced the launch of Yas Speed Festival 2026, a new community-driven motorsport festival celebrating speed, culture and connection. The festival will take place across two editions in February, with the inaugural edition running from February 7–8, followed by a second edition on February 21.
