Specialised co-sourcing is gaining traction in the travel industry amid cost, talent, and geopolitical pressures. According to 24/7 Travel Partner Desk, it can cut operational costs by 40–50%, and up to 70% in high-cost markets like the US and Northern Europe.
Amadeus, a travel technology company, reported Q1 2026 revenue growth of 3.1% (7.9% constant currency). Adjusted EBIT increased 6.6%, and diluted EPS rose 8.8%. Free cash flow reached €273.6 million ($323 million), up 4.5% year-on-year, reflecting continued financial performance improvement.
Almosafer Travel & Tourism Co, Saudi Arabia’s leading travel company, has officially launched on the ChatGPT platform, becoming the first application from Saudi Arabia to offer its consumer services through this global AI interface by OpenAI.
A temporary ceasefire in the Iran conflict has brought a visible sense of relief to the Gulf travel industry after weeks of disruption that affected flights, hotel bookings and regional travel confidence.
Wego, an online travel marketplace in Mena, has announced a strategic collaboration with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) to enhance how travellers across the Mena region discover, explore, and plan trips to Türkiye.
Direct Travel has expanded its Avenir platform across Energy, Marine, and Mining divisions via ATPI, offering a unified global model for executive and project travel that complements existing specialist workforce and logistics solutions.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported that global passenger demand in March rose 2.1%, while capacity fell 1.7%, lifting load factor to 83.6%. International demand dipped 0.6% amid a 60.8% Middle East traffic drop.
Travel demand to the UAE is recovering steadily, with travellers favouring flexibility, faster decisions and shorter booking cycles. Data from UAEVisaTravel.com shows dip in February–March, followed by stabilisation and growth to 30–50% of pre-disruption levels.
Bhutan will launch the Bhutan International Travel Mart (BITM) 2026 to strengthen its global tourism position. The inaugural event will be held in Thimphu from June 11 to 13, 2026, bringing international stakeholders together.
Emirates reinforced its commitment to accessible travel by hosting Travel Rehearsals in over 40 cities, supporting more than 250 families. The programme helps young people with autism prepare for airport journeys, reducing anxiety and building confidence to fly.
