Expo City Dubai won the title of ‘Best debut Hotel Apartments Cheval Maison’ at the 8th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2025. The Arabian Travel Awards wrapped up with energy and pride as the region’s finest in travel, tourism and hospitality came together to celebrate a year of standout achievements. Often called the Oscars of the industry, the ceremony brought together leaders, innovators and changemakers for an evening that highlighted excellence and the region’s rapidly evolving tourism landscape.

Emirates will deploy its Airbus A350 across all seven weekly flights to Baghdad starting 1 January 2026. The A350 will replace the current Boeing 777 operating flights EK 943/944 four times weekly, offering customers it’s latest cabins for a more consistent travel experience on every flight. The introduction of the A350 across the full weekly schedule to/from Baghdad is part of Emirates’ commitment to delivering on its ‘Fly Better’ promise. Configured in three classes, the Emirates A350 offers 32 Business Class lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 21 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, and 259 spacious Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 layout. Passengers can enjoy an elevated cinematic experience with the airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment system – ice, wider aisles, quieter cabins, and advanced lighting designed to reduce jet lag. The exclusive deployment of the A350 to Baghdad underscores Emirates’ long-standing commitment to Iraq and the wider region. The Airbus A350 was first deployed to Baghdad in August this year on flights EK941/942.

Bin Ham Travel Group has renewed its long-standing partnership with Amadeus, a global leader in travel technology, to further enhance travel booking experiences and drive sustainable growth across the region. Through this continued collaboration, Bin Ham Travel Group will leverage Amadeus’ state-of-the-art solutions to deliver seamless, real-time booking services. This partnership will continue to provide access to rich travel content, enabling more personalized offers, greater choice, and a seamless booking experience across flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel services. In addition, Bin Ham Travel Group will benefit from Amadeus’ innovative portfolio of digital solutions, including Amadeus Online Suite Mobile App, which will enhance the mobile booking journey for customers. The Amadeus Value Hotels (AVH) will offer access to competitive hotel content worldwide while the NDC-X program will give access to next-generation airline retailing and personalized offers. H.E. Ahmed Musallam Bin Ham, CEO of Bin Ham Travel Group, commented: “Our renewed partnership with Amadeus reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative travel solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. Together, we aim to elevate the travel experience by offering a wider range of choices, seamless booking, and greater convenience.” Echoing this sentiment, Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, Managing Director, Amadeus Gulf, said: “Bin Ham Travel Group has been a valued partner for many years. By renewing our collaboration, we are jointly advancing the travel ecosystem in the UAE with cutting-edge solutions that enhance efficiency and deliver exceptional value to travelers and partners alike.” This renewed alliance underlines the shared vision of both companies to set new benchmarks in travel technology, strengthen the UAE’s position as a global travel hub, and deliver enriched experiences to both individual travelers and corporate clients.

Akbar Travels secured the title of Best Travel Portal Middle East at the 8th edition of Arabian Travel Awards. Arabian Travel Awards is a platform for the Middle East market to appreciate the efforts of those travel specialists owing to whom the travel and hospitality industry is booming as ever. The aim is to encourage them to continue promoting tourism in the region. The Arabian Travel Awards are fair and unbiased, following a systematic method of internet-based voting. These awards are supported by TravelTV.news, TravTalk Middle East and TravTalk India, the premier media partners for extensive coverage.

Over 80% of travellers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia (KSA) intend to go on more or the same amount of holidays in 2026 compared to 2025 (84% in UAE and 83% in KSA). This includes 54% who plan to go on an increased number (56% in UAE and 52% in KSA), according to new industry research amongst 4,017 adults in UAE and KSA. Figures from Marriott Bonvoy’s 2026 Ticket to Travel Report suggest continued overall growth in the industry. In 2026, the average traveller is planning 3 domestic holidays within their own country, 2 short-haul breaks (four-hour flight or less) and 2 long-haul trips. The report also shows that on average people book their holiday 2.1 months in advance (2.5 in UAE and 1.6 in KSA). Visiting multiple countries (not just destinations) within one trip – will continue to be common for travellers in 2026. 75% say they ‘probably or definitely’ plan to do this next year. Popular international travel destinations for travellers in the UAE and KSA include Italy, Switzerland, France and Turkiye. Nearly three quarters of travellers (72%) say they have used AI to plan or research a holiday (77% in UAE and 68% in KSA). Over a fifth (23%) say they use it ‘all the time’ (24% in UAE and 22% in KSA). ChatGPT is the favoured AI platform for travel planning – used by three quarters (76%) of those who have previously used AI for this purpose (81% in UAE and 70% in KSA). It is followed by Gemini at 38% (41% in UAE and 35% in KSA) and Copilot at 21% (23% in UAE and 19% in KSA). Reinforcing the increased familiarity and trust travellers …

AJi signed an agreement with Numu Company to collaborate on the Masar Branded Residences project – an exclusive, high-end residential development within the Masar Makkah Master Plan. Located approximately 3 km from Masjid al-Haram, the project will offer panoramic views of the Holy City and combine modern luxury with the spiritual and cultural essence of Makkah. The signing took place on the sidelines of Cityscape Global, which this year convenes global real estate and infrastructure leaders in Riyadh to explore opportunities shaping the future of urban living in Saudi Arabia and beyond. The event aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambition to position Saudi Arabia as a hub for world-class investment and sustainable development. The Masar Branded Residences will span approximately 3,800 square meters, featuring between 280 and 320 high-end apartments, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, as well as penthouses and duplexes. Around 70% of the ground-floor area will be dedicated to retail and commercial spaces, complemented by premium amenities designed to meet five-star branded residence standards, ensuring a refined, world-class living experience. AJi’s scope includes full design services. AJi will provode full design services for the project. Eng. Hamzeh Awwad, CEO of AJi, said: “Our partnership with Numu builds on our long-standing relationship and deep understanding of Masar’s architectural identity and design regulations. We are honored to contribute to a project that combines elegance, functionality, and spirituality – reflecting Makkah’s significance and the Kingdom’s vision for world-class urban development.” Mr. Fuad Al Amri, NUMU Company President, added: “Collaborating with AJi ensures that Masar Branded Residences will meet the highest standards of design and quality. Together, we aim to deliver a development that complements Makkah’s skyline and enriches its …

Dubai International (DXB) is preparing for a strong year-end travel wave beginning 27 November and carrying through to 31 December 2025, with forecasts indicating over 10 million guests will pass through the airport during this period. The early lift begins with the UAE National Day long weekend, with daily totals averaging over 294,000, before accelerating into December, which is expected to welcome more than 8.7 million guests and stand as DXB’s busiest month yet on record. Daily guest numbers are expected to exceed the 300,000-mark during December with Saturday, 20 December likely to be the busiest day with 303,000 guests. During this period, the pattern is consistent across both arrivals and departures. Outbound travel dominates in the days leading up to the National Day break, as residents take advantage of the long weekend. Mid-December, the rhythm shifts again and inbound travel rises sharply, driven by Dubai’s vibrant and rich festive calendar. Dubai Airports continues to work closely with oneDXB partners including airlines, control authorities, commercial partners and airport service teams, to ensure smoother journeys. The airport has also issued smart travel tips to help guests make their journey seamless during this travel peak: • If you’re flying with Emirates, use the airline’s convenient home, early and self-service check-in facilities as well as a city check-in option at ICD Brookfield Place in the DIFC area in Dubai. • Arrive no earlier than three hours before the scheduled departure time. Use online check-in where available to save time. • Families with children over the age of 12 can use Smart Gates to speed up the passport control process. • Emirates First and Business Class guests departing from Terminal 3 can use the “Red …

Six Flags Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia’s first-of-its-kind theme park and entertainment destination, will welcome visitors from the 31st December, 2025. Qiddiya City is the world’s first global destination built entirely upon the Power of Play. Located just 40 minutes from Riyadh, this vibrant city will unite entertainment, sports and cultural experiences at an unprecedented scale. Six Flags Qiddiya City, the city’s inaugural entertainment destination, will bring next-level thrills and unforgettable experiences to families, friends, and adventure-seekers from across the Kingdom and beyond. It will feature 28 rides including record-breaking experiences, such as: • Falcons Flight, the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster • Iron Rattler, the world’s tallest tilt coaster, and • Spitfire, the world’s tallest inverted coaster With 18 rides specially designed for families and younger entertainment-seekers, the park ensures entertainment for all generations. Guests can also look forward to a variety of international dining options, along with retail outlets offering exclusive Six Flags merchandise and souvenirs. Adult ticket prices will start from SAR 325, children’s ticket prices start from SAR 275, and infants under the age of 4 are able to access the park for free. Pricing is inclusive of all rides, whilst guests can also enhance their visit with the Unlimited GoFast Pass offering priority access for selected rides. Full ticketing details can be found at www.SixFlagsQiddiyaCity.com and exclusively available for pre-booking from today. The theme park is designed to be accessible to all guests, including individuals with special needs, senior citizens, and their companions, ensuring an enjoyable and inclusive experience for everyone. Discounted tickets for these guests are available for purchase exclusively at the park with prices starting from SAR 75. Brian Machamer, Park President …

Rotana announced the upcoming launch of Rotana DISCOVERY on 1 December 2025, its new global loyalty programme developed under the framework of its membership in the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and integrated into the award-winning GHA DISCOVERY platform. The launch marks the transition of Rotana Rewards Select into Rotana DISCOVERY, connecting members to a world of benefits. Through this partnership, Rotana’s loyalty members gain access to 950 hotels across 100 countries and join a global community of over 32 million travellers. This milestone reinforces Rotana’s long-term commitment to delivering on its brand promise of Treasured Time while expanding its international recognition and loyalty reach. The introduction of Rotana DISCOVERY marks a key milestone in the company’s international growth ambitions. As Rotana continues to expand its presence across the MENAT region and beyond, the partnership with GHA strengthens its ability to deliver greater value to guests, partners, and owners. With more than 79 operating hotels and a robust development pipeline across multiple markets, Rotana remains focused on innovation and connectivity as central pillars of its hospitality strategy. Philip Barnes, Chief Executive Officer of Rotana, said: “Hospitality has always been about people, the connections we make, the moments we share, and the recognition that makes every guest feel valued with a real sense of belonging. With Rotana DISCOVERY, we are deepening those connections while expanding our reach on a global scale. This partnership with Global Hotel Alliance allows us to bring the essence of Rotana’s hospitality to new audiences around the world, reinforcing our brand’s position as a regional leader with an international footprint built on trust, consistency, and genuine care.” Chris Hartley, Chief Executive Officer of Global Hotel Alliance, said: “The …

At the eighth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards in Dubai, Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island was recognised as the Best Family Friendly Resort in Northern Emirates. Arabian Travel Awards referred to as the Oscars of the industry honour the visionaries, innovators, and leaders who have significantly contributed to the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. It was a night which celebrated excellence, recognised achievements. The aim is to encourage them to continue promoting travel, tourism, and hospitality in the region. Fair and unbiased, the Arabian Travel Awards follow a systematic method of internet-based voting. These awards are supported by Tourismbreakingnews.ae, TravelTVmiddleeast.news, and TravTalk Middle East, premier media partners for the event’s coverage. The awards are divided into four categories: Personal Awards, Business Awards, Trending Awards, and Partner Awards. They include awards for Best Business Hotel, Best Family Friendly Hotel, Best City Hotel, Best Green Hotel, Best Leisure Hotel, Best Destination Management Company, Best Hotel Apartments, Best B2B Travel Portal, and Best Luxury Hotel to name a few.