Aleph Hospitality has signed a hotel management agreement with Diyar Al Khalidiyah Hotel Services Company for the Diyar Al Khalidiya hotel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. In its continued expansion across Saudi Arabia, Aleph Hospitality now enters the Makkah market. Diyar Al Khalidiya will be the management company’s second operational hotel in the Kingdom after the Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah. The 338-room hotel is located on Ibrahim Khalil Street, near the Great Mosque of Makkah and the Abraj Al-Bait Towers. Taking over management of the hotel in August 2025, Aleph Hospitality is currently in negotiations with hotel brands to secure suitable and international branding for the hotel. Makkah, the heart of Islamic pilgrimage, is witnessing unparalleled growth in its Hajj and Umrah tourism, and its visitor numbers nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023, while spending metrics quadrupled. The Hajj tourism industry is projected to reach USD343.55 billion by 2034, reflecting an impressive CAGR of 7.20%. Under Vision 2030, Makkah’s hospitality infrastructure is being scaled massively in terms of hotel rooms, smart systems, and transport networks to support an annual pilgrimage target of 30 million by 2030. Riyad Al Horaibi, CEO of Diyar Al Khalidiya, said, “We are pleased to partner with Aleph Hospitality, a reputable and experienced hotel management company known for delivering operational efficiency and strong ROI. With the increasing demand in Makkah’s hospitality sector, it was important for us to align with a management firm that understands the local market and brings a track record of success. We are confident this partnership will elevate the guest experience and strengthen the overall performance of our property.” Tariq Dowidar, Vice President Saudi Arabia of Aleph Hospitality, said, “With Makkah set to welcome …

The Government of Ras Al Khaimah has announced the appointment of Phillipa Harrison as the new CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). Harrison, the former Managing Director of Tourism Australia, will spearhead the Emirate’s bold vision to become the ‘Destination of the Future’, bringing decades of international tourism expertise across Australia and other global markets. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAKTDA’s Executive Committee, said: “Tourism is at the heart of Ras Al Khaimah’s strategy, it is our fastest-growing sector and we’ve achieved remarkable milestones in a short period of time. Harrison brings with her a depth of knowledge and leadership experience, most recently with Tourism Australia, that gives us confidence in her ability to align with Ras Al Khaimah’s ambitious goals and strategic targets in the tourism sector.” Commenting on her new role, Harrison said: “I’m honored to join at such an exciting time. Ras Al Khaimah has already established itself as an international success story, and I look forward to unlocking even more growth in the years ahead.” Harrison’s appointment will help to advance Ras Al Khaimah Government’s objectives to further cement its position as a leading sustainable tourism destination, one that welcomed a record 650,000 visitors in H1 2025 alone, on its way to achieving a target of over 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030.

The coveted Arabian Travel Awards will kick off on 25th November 2025 as an invitation only event recognising the visionaries transforming travel, tourism and hospitality across the Middle East. Now, in its 8th edition promises a powerful gathering of leaders, disruptors, and unsung heroes from across the region. At its core, the Arabian Travel Awards has always been about people. The dreamers, doers, and disruptors who’ve reimagined what travel can be. This year, as the Middle East cements its place as a global tourism powerhouse, the awards return with deeper purpose and stronger emotion. It’s not just another event, it’s a tribute to resilience, innovation, and the sheer will to keep going in an industry that never sits still. Each year, the awards recognise those who shape the way we experience the world, whether it’s a travel advisor who’s earned the trust of thousands, a portal that makes booking easier, or a hotel that redefines hospitality. San Jeet, Mentor, Arabian Travel Awards, shares, “These awards are not about fame. They’re about impact. They honour those who show up, step up, and bring change, no matter the odds. And that’s what makes them special.” Winners are chosen through a transparent, digital voting process. The 2025 edition will present honours across Personal, Business, Trending, and Partner categories, each spotlighting a different kind of contribution, but all equally powerful. And while the voting has begun, the call for nominations is still open. From Best City Hotel to Best B2B Travel Portal, this is the moment to put forward the names that deserve to be celebrated.

Jordan and South Africa have agreed to deepen bilateral relations, with tourism emerging as a key pillar of cooperation. In a recent round of political consultations, both nations highlighted the potential of strengthening religious and cultural tourism exchanges, while also exploring broader opportunities in economic, trade, and educational partnerships, according to the Jordan News Agency (Petra). The talks, led by Majid Qatarneh, Secretary-General of Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, and Candith Mashego-Dlamini, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, underscored a shared commitment to promoting mutual tourism flows and enhancing collaboration in global platforms. Jordan’s rich religious heritage and South Africa’s diverse cultural and natural attractions were identified as strong foundations to foster two-way tourism. Both sides reaffirmed their intention to coordinate closely on regional developments and support each other’s initiatives in international organizations.

Rotana announced a strategic partnership with Lighthouse, the hospitality industry’s leading commercial platform, to enhance data-driven decision-making and revenue performance across its portfolio. Under the agreement, Rotana will deploy Lighthouse’s Rate Insight solution, integrated with iDeaS G3 Revenue Management System, across its 79 operating properties, with all future openings set to join the platform. This next-generation technology will provide Rotana’s commercial teams with comprehensive real-time market intelligence, automated pricing optimisation, and intuitive analytics to drive agile, informed decision-making in increasingly competitive markets. As global travel continues to recover and evolve, the hospitality sector faces unprecedented fluctuations in demand, shifting booking patterns, and increased competition from both traditional hotels and alternative accommodation providers. In this environment, access to high-quality, actionable data has become a decisive factor in commercial performance. Eddy Tannous, COO of Rotana, said: “This partnership is about unlocking the full potential of our commercial strategy. By combining Lighthouse’s industry-leading intelligence with our operational excellence, we are giving our teams the ability to make faster, more informed decisions that protect our brand positioning and drive stronger returns. It’s a critical investment in both our people and our future.” “The hospitality landscape demands data-driven commercial decisions. Our ability to deliver real-time market intelligence positions hotel groups like Rotana to drive business growth while maintaining brand integrity,” said Jens Munch, CEO and Co-Founder of Lighthouse. “Partnering with a forward-thinking group such as Rotana ensures our platform continues to deliver meaningful impact—enhancing rate positioning, efficiency, and strategic agility at scale.” The collaboration follows a rigorous evaluation process led by Rotana’s commercial leadership team, who identified Lighthouse’s unmatched data accuracy, real-time processing capabilities, and ease of use as key reasons for selection. Rotana expects the …

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has granted VistaJet the Foreign Operator Certificate, making it the first international private aviation company authorized to operate on-demand domestic flights within Saudi Arabia. This milestone reflects the Kingdom’s strategy to expand its aviation ecosystem and unlock new opportunities in luxury tourism and high-end business travel. With VistaJet now cleared to operate locally, travellers—particularly affluent tourists, corporate leaders, and investors—will gain seamless access to Saudi Arabia’s diverse destinations, from Riyadh and Jeddah to emerging cultural and leisure hubs such as AlUla and the Red Sea. GACA emphasized that the decision will boost competition, enhance service quality, and attract investment in private aviation. It also aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to transform the Kingdom into a leading aviation hub by 2030, connecting three continents. Awad bin Attallah Al Sulami, GACA’s EVP for Economic Policies and Logistics Services, highlighted that private aviation is a “vital enabler for both business and tourism,” playing a central role in the Kingdom’s wider Vision 2030 objectives. VistaJet’s entry into the domestic market reinforces Saudi Arabia’s positioning as a premium tourism and investment destination, ensuring global travelers can access world-class connectivity and bespoke travel experiences within the Kingdom.

Zayed International Airport (AUH) has achieved Level 3 accreditation in the Airports Council International (ACI) Customer Experience Accreditation programme, a significant milestone that marks the airport’s commitment to delivering world-class guest experiences. The Level 3 accreditation represents a major upgrade from the previous Levels 1 and 2, both of which have also been successfully renewed. It reflects the airport’s commitment to placing guests at the heart of its operations and recognises the progress made in embedding customer experience into every layer of the organisation. The accreditation follows a period of sustained traffic growth, with AUH welcoming 15.5 million passengers in the first half of 2025 – a 13.2% year-on-year growth, building on 28.1% growth in 2024 and 44.5% in 2023. As passenger volumes continue their upward trajectory, the airport is scaling its customer experience strategy to meet and exceed the expectations of an expanding global traveller base. Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “This recognition from ACI comes as we celebrate 17 consecutive quarters of growth, including a strong performance in the first half of 2025. As we expand connectivity to meet rising demand, we remain sharply focused on enhancing the guest experience. Achieving Level 3 accreditation reflects our ability to deliver both growth and quality, ensuring that our customer experience evolves in step with our success.” The ACI Customer Experience Accreditation is the only global initiative of its kind that provides a comprehensive evaluation of how customer experience is integrated across airport operations. It assesses how effectively airports understand, manage, and embed guest experience into their overarching strategy. To attain Level 3, Zayed International Airport introduced a series of targeted initiatives that were met …

As media partner for ITB Asia, TravTalk Middle East conducted a special interview with Darren Seah – Executive Director – ITB Asia where he spoke of the importance of the Middle East market. The Middle East continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Asia-Pacific’s travel dynamics. With a reputation for luxury, experiential travel, and high-value outbound tourism, the region’s significance is only increasing. “Oman is joining us this year, and we’re in active discussions with other Middle Eastern destinations including the UAE,” said Darren Seah – Executive Director – ITB Asia. He further added, “We were recently in the UAE, engaging with key stakeholders to strengthen regional collaboration.” As global tourism rebuilds with resilience and innovation, ITB Asia 2025 is poised to deliver its biggest edition yet. Expanding across five halls and occupying over 25,000 square meters of exhibition space, this year’s show set to take place in Singapore will bring together more than 1000 exhibitors and 18,000 attendees from around the world. Beyond its size, ITB Asia 2025 reflects deeper shifts in the industry—particularly the growing influence of the Middle East market and the rising power of Generation Z travellers. This growing engagement aligns with the broader tourism strategies of countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar—each investing heavily in hospitality infrastructure, cultural offerings, and mega-events, as part of long-term national visions such as Saudi Vision 2030. For ITB Asia, this means not just showcasing the region as a destination, but also as a vital source of outbound travellers seeking immersive, high-quality travel experiences across Asia-Pacific.  

As part of its preparations for the 2025/2026 cruise season, which is scheduled to kick off this November in Doha, Qatar Tourism, in cooperation with the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau, organized a strategic workshop aimed at highlighting the cruise ship passengers and discussing the most prominent projects and initiatives related to the development of the cruise tourism sector in Qatar. The workshop sought to discuss the existing challenges and exchange views, as well as develop the skills and knowledge of all employees and partners involved in the cruise sector in the country, both public and private. This initiative aims to ensure that the sector is ready to provide a distinguished tourism experience to visitors to Qatar as well as unifying efforts among all relevant authorities. Over the course of two days, the workshop brought together representatives from various relevant government and private entities, where the sessions included presentations on the most prominent trends and experiences of global tourist destinations in the field of cruises, identifying points that need to be developed, and proposing innovative initiatives and solutions to enhance the experience. Commenting on the workshop, Mr. Omar Abdulrahman Al Jaber, Head of Tourism Development at Qatar Tourism, said: “The marine tourism sector is one of the vital pillars of Qatar Tourism’s strategy, due to its growing role in supporting the national economy and enhancing the country’s position as a global tourism destination in this industry and provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve excellence in service, ensuring an exceptional experience for visitors to QT.” Commenting on the workshop, Mr. Yousef Jaber Al Jaber, Director of Government Development Affairs at the Civil Service and Government Development …

Rocco Forte Hotels and Emerald Pine Capital are pleased to announce a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the expansion of the Rocco Forte brand across Europe and the Middle East. This would enhance their presence beyond Saudi Arabia. By combining Rocco Forte’s renowned operational excellence with Emerald Pine Capital’s investment and asset management expertise, the collaboration creates a highly aligned team with deep capabilities across sourcing, underwriting, structuring and execution. Together, the partners will pursue repositioning, value-add, and development opportunities in gateway cities and high-demand leisure destinations. The aim is to offer a differentiated and compelling proposition for investors and a streamlined and effective process for asset owners. Charles Forte, Director of Development at Rocco Forte Hotels: “I am pleased to be able to announce our partnership with Emerald Pine Capital and I am confident that their years of experience and strong reputation within the financial world will further fortify our existing team and our expansionary efforts in Europe and beyond.” Fabrizio Grena, founding partner and CEO of Emerald Pine Capital: “As the luxury hospitality sector continues to evolve, we are delighted to partner with Rocco Forte to offer a distinctive combination of expertise and skill sets to our clients and partners. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to quality and long-term value creation in the hospitality space. We look forward to working with aligned partners on this exciting journey.”