Syria’s Ministry of Tourism has officially launched the 2026 summer tourism season in the presence of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, as part of ongoing efforts to revive the sector during the post-liberation recovery phase.
Fatima Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, held a meeting with representatives of Bahrain’s hotel sector as part of regular meetings aimed at strengthening partnership with the hotel sector and following up on preparations for upcoming tourism seasons and events.
China’s travel and tourism sector is set for strong growth, with World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) data projecting a 5.3% expansion in 2026 and 6.5% annual growth over the next decade, reaching $3.5 trillion by 2036.
EU tourist accommodation recorded 471.1 million overnight stays in the first quarter of 2026, up 3.4% from a year earlier. Overnight stays increased steadily throughout the quarter, reaching 143.5 million in January, 154.4 million in February and 173.2 million in March.
Eid visitors have given a much-needed boost to the hospitality industry in Bahrain battered in recent months by Iranian aggression. Thankfully, Bahrain’s tourism sector recorded strong growth during the recent extended holidays, said a top minister.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in collaboration with Etihad Airways and leading tourism stakeholders, has concluded a C-level trade visit from India, reinforcing long-standing partnerships and setting a clear direction for the next phase of growth across one of the emirate’s most important source markets.
Saudi-based Shalfa Facilities Management has announced that it has secured a key contract from Tatweer Buildings Company to provide FM services at its school buildings in the kingdom's Qassim Region. The scope of work includes cleaning, maintenance and gatekeeper services.
New research commissioned by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) warns that prolonged border delays linked to the rollout of Europe's new Entry/Exit System (EES) could put up to 41 million visitor arrivals and $45.4 billion in visitor spending at risk from four of Europe's most important source markets.
Saudi Arabia and Indonesia reaffirmed tourism cooperation during a meeting in Toledo, Spain, focusing on boosting visitor flows, enhancing Hajj and Umrah experiences, and expanding leisure travel under their existing tourism partnership agreement.
Saudi Arabia and France have signed a joint action programme to deepen tourism cooperation, focusing on investment, sustainability, innovation, workforce development, data sharing and destination marketing, following high-level talks on the sidelines of the UN Tourism Executive Council.
