The Gulf region cannot afford to remain trapped in a prolonged state of “neither war nor peace”, with its stability and future dependent on fragile arrangements and repeated efforts to contain crises after they erupt, Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to His Highness the UAE President, said at a key forum on Monday.
The long-awaited Unified Gulf Tourist Visa is set to be launched soon, allowing international visitors to travel more easily across the six GCC countries, Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi said, according to Saudi Gazette.
GCC capital markets have witnessed significant development in recent years, driven by governments’ efforts to diversify funding sources and deepen capital markets, said top rating agency Fitch, adding the combined market capitalisation of listed equity markets across the Gulf region stands at around $4 trillion.
Senior sustainability and operations leaders from some of the Gulf’s most influential hospitality brands, including Rotana, Taiba and Five Hotels & Resorts, came together at an exclusive industry forum in Dubai to discuss the sector’s evolving approach to sustainability and ESG performance.
Oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz are rebounding this month despite continued restrictions on shipping, with Saudi Arabia sharply increasing shipments through the strategic waterway after attacks disrupted its main pipeline route to the Red Sea, according to data from energy intelligence firm Kpler.
Amadeus is preparing to introduce its new Amadeus Max for Travel Sellers across the Gulf region, as the travel technology company expands its use of artificial intelligence to help travel agencies improve efficiency and simplify increasingly complex booking and servicing processes.
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.
Regional diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis around the Strait of Hormuz appeared to stall on Monday after a meeting between Iran and other Gulf countries was postponed, as fresh attacks on shipping and Saudi Arabia's closure of a key oil pipeline heightened concerns over global energy supplies.
The Gulf stock markets recorded trading in approximately 401.7 billion shares during 2025 recording a 19.5% jump over the previous year, with the value of shares traded surging to hit $618 billion, according to the latest data released by the GCC Statistical Centre.
Dubai’s tourism industry is increasingly demonstrating its strength, with the city’s hotel sector delivering sustained performance growth, said a report ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026. The hotel occupancy reached 66% in August, representing 89% of last year's city occupancy levels.
