Future Fund Oman (FFO), a portfolio of the sultanate's sovereign wealth fund Oman Investment Authority (OIA), has announced a new package of 105 strategic projects and investments worth $1.74 billion, spanning renewable energy, manufacturing and tourism industries.
The global travel industry is entering a new era of growth, with consumer demand remaining strong despite geopolitical challenges and market disruptions affecting parts of the Middle East, according to new research from Arabian Travel Market’s (ATM) official research partners STR and Euromonitor International.
According to Danielle Curtis, Regional Portfolio Director–UAE at RX Global, Dubai and the GCC are reinforcing tourism resilience through innovation, collaboration and long-term planning, with ATM 2026 highlighting AI and travel technology as key drivers of future industry growth.
Bahrain could become only the second country in the region to host a Six Flags theme park under an ambitious proposal designed to create a world-class entertainment destination that complements, rather than competes with, the successful Saudi attraction, a Gulf Daily News report said.
Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) has announced a package of incentives and facilities to support tourism establishments in the emirate.
Al-Wadi Resort in Saudi Arabia’s Aseer Region has unveiled the Kingdom’s tallest fountain, soaring 120 metres. The SAR16 million ($4.3 million) attraction holds over seven million litres of water and anchors a 300,000-square-metre tourism development.
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.
