Ras Al Khaimah's property market continued to attract investment during the first half, supported by demand for residential and tourism-related assets and a growing pipeline of major developments. Apartment sale prices rose about 18% year-on-year to AED2,298 per square foot, while villa prices increased 7.3%, said a report.
Hong Kong is intensifying efforts to boost tourism and attract major sports and cultural events, with the sectors highlighted as priorities under the city’s 2026-2030 development plan and latest Policy Address.
Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia, is strengthening its position as a tourism destination after hosting a three-day motorcycle tour that brought together 354 riders from Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries, alongside 22 international participants.
Egypt’s tourism ambitions are driving airlines to rethink capacity planning, with the country targeting 30 million annual visitors by 2030. As demand fluctuates seasonally, ACMI and wet leasing could offer carriers greater flexibility to manage short-term capacity gaps and growth, according to Justinas Bulka, CEO at KlasJet.
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.
Bahrain will host the International Tourism Investment Forum (ITIF) in January 2027 in partnership with UN Tourism.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed a collaboration agreement with Healthy Living, Abu Dhabi’s government-led movement supporting longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives, to promote healthier food choices across the emirate’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Visit Qatar has launched Qatar Calendar 2026/2027, featuring more than 560 events, festivals and championships across the country, as Qatar seeks to strengthen its position as a year-round tourism destination.
The Middle East conflict has dealt a major blow to tourism in the region and begun to weigh on travel demand far beyond its borders, with international tourist arrivals in the Middle East plunging 22% in the first half of 2026 as global tourism managed only modest growth of 0.4%.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed nine new joint marketing partnerships with Indian travel companies to bring 75,500 additional visitors to the emirate, widening connections with Abu Dhabi’s number one source market.
