Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are becoming an important mechanism for infrastructure delivery across the Middle East and North Africa, with the Gulf region leading the shift as governments diversify their economies and expand private-sector participation, according to a report.
More than 1,400 construction, real estate and data infrastructure leaders gathered in Dubai for the ninth edition of Construction Technology ConFex (CTF) 2026, as artificial intelligence, automation and the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure emerge as key forces reshaping the GCC’s built environment.
Healthcare technology startups across the GCC attracted $148 million in disclosed investment between January 2025 and July 2026, according to PitchBook data
Risks to some issuer ratings in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states could increase under a hypothetical scenario in which traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted through most of 2027, Fitch Ratings says in a new report.
Morocco is gaining popularity among GCC travellers, recording 19.8 million tourist arrivals in 2025 and 9.4 million in H1 2026. With Saudi interest rising, the country is targeting 26 million annual visitors by 2030.
Georgia is gaining popularity among GCC travellers, recording 145,513 visits in 2025 as tourism growth accelerates. With 7.8 million international arrivals, Georgia’s accessibility, affordability, and diverse experiences are driving Gulf market demand.
The Middle East's travel and tourism sector is forecast to shrink 14.5% in 2026 amid geopolitical disruptions, but the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) expects the region to become the world's fastest-growing tourism market through 2036, led by Gulf economies.
GCC tourism generated $254.7 billion in economic contribution in 2025, attracting 75.7 million visitors and $131.9 billion in inbound spending, as sector growth reached 7.3%, surpassing the global rate of 6.7%, according to the GCC Statistical Centre.
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.
Arabian Drilling, Saudi Arabia’s largest drilling contractor by fleet size, has signed a contract with a new client in the GCC, marking its entry into another regional market. Operations are expected to begin before the end of the third quarter of 2026.
