Visit Newport Beach has inked a collaboration agreement with Qatar Airways under which the flag carrier will promote the Californian destination as a premier tourism hub for GCC residents, while supporting efforts to establish the region as a priority market for luxury tourism and business exchange.
Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways has launched its biggest-ever sale, giving travellers the chance to buy one ticket and get the second for free with 3 million seats available for travel across the airline’s entire network. The promotion runs till September 26 and will cover more than six months of travel.
Growth in the non-oil private sectors of GCC economies accelerated in August, with output and new orders increasing at a faster pace and supplier delivery times improving, despite continued geopolitical uncertainty, according to top ratings agency S&P Global.
Visa-free access, seamless travel experiences and stronger connectivity could make the Asia-GCC corridor a major growth engine for the Middle East’s travel sector, industry leaders said at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai.
The GCC will host six tournaments on the DP World Tour’s 2027 global schedule, including four consecutive weeks of golf in the Middle East at the start of the season and the Race to Dubai finale in the UAE in November.
The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has raised the overnight deposit interest rate by 25 basis points from 4.25% to 4.50%, effective September 17. The move comes following the US Federal Reserve’s announcement to raise the Interest Rate on Reserve Balances (IORB) by 25 basis points.
Kerala is launching new tourism initiatives to boost Gulf arrivals, including Bahrain. Culture and Tourism Minister P C Vishnunath said roadshows and information kiosks will be set up with India’s embassy and Bahrain’s BKS. Kerala welcomed 100,000 Arab tourists last year, aiming for 300,000 in five years.
Gulf nations should highlight their individual tourism and business events offerings while presenting a more coordinated regional proposition to international visitors, regional industry leaders said at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai.
Seychelles Tourism Board is placing the GCC at the heart of its high-value, sustainable tourism strategy, as around 60% of international visitors transit Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi. At ATM 2026, it unveiled plans to deepen regional partnerships and broaden the destination’s appeal.
The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) is stepping up its efforts to attract visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market through its participation in Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, held in Dubai from September 14 to 17.
