SLS The Red Sea is set to make its spectacular debut in Saudi Arabia with 150 rooms, suites, and villas, including 15 signature pool villas in November, bringing its unmistakable blend of theatrical flair, lavish style, and unapologetic spirit to Shura Island, the heart of The Red Sea destination. Just 20 minutes from Red Sea International Airport by boat or seaplane and 25 minutes by car, SLS The Red Sea places guests at the centre of it all. The resort is a five-minute journey from Shura Links, Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course, steps away from Shura Island’s yacht marina and high-end shopping and directly connected to The Red Sea’s coral reefs and marine reserves. With its bold spirit, world-class dining, and unapologetically playful energy, SLS is set to become Shura Island’s most exhilarating stage; not just a place to stay, but the place to be seen. SLS will shine as Shura’s vibrant epicentre where bold design, world-class dining, and electric energy collide to create the ultimate VIP experience. With The Red Sea’s outstanding natural beauty as its backdrop, the resort becomes a stage for the glamorous and the daring, and all those who crave the extraordinary. November marks the premiere of SLS The Red Sea, inviting guests to be the very first to experience its striking design, culinary artistry, and enviable style while more is being revealed scene by scene. Intimate and elevated, the opening act will set the tone for the showstopping grand reveal of the spectacular resort, which offers 150 rooms, suites, and villas, including 15 signature pool villas crafted for ultimate privacy and indulgence. Guests can indulge in five dynamic restaurants and bars, a see-and-be-seen pool …

Air Arabia  announced the launch of three weekly flights connecting Tangier to Rotterdam, starting 28 October 2025. The new service further strengthens Morocco’s connectivity with key European destinations and expands Air Arabia’s growing international network. The Tangier–Rotterdam route will provide added convenience for both leisure and business travellers, catering especially to the Moroccan diaspora in the Netherlands, while also supporting tourism and trade links between the two regions. Tangier, one of Morocco’s fastest-developing cities and a key Mediterranean gateway, will gain improved direct access to Europe’s economic hubs. Rotterdam, with its strong commercial profile, offers travellers new opportunities for cultural and business exchange. The launch underscores Air Arabia’s commitment to offering affordable, reliable, and value-driven air travel, while reinforcing Morocco’s position as a vital aviation hub linking North Africa with Europe.  

Oman Air has signed an agreement with H.E. Sayyid Ibrahim bin Saeed Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam, to support the Musandam Winter Season 2025/26. The agreement was formalized yesterday by the company’s Deputy CEO, Hamood Al Alawi. The carrier will play a key role in promoting the season, aimed at highlighting Musandam’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and tourism potential. The collaboration underscores the company’s commitment to supporting Oman’s domestic tourism strategy and strengthening its global visibility as a destination of choice. The Musandam Winter Season 2025/26 is expected to draw both domestic and international visitors, showcasing the region’s unique attractions, from fjords and mountain landscapes to cultural experiences and adventure activities. Through this partnership, Oman Air seeks to reinforce its role in advancing Oman’s tourism ambitions and contributing to the success of one of the country’s most anticipated seasonal events.

Qatar’s tourism industry is on track for a strong year in 2025, with new data showing double-digit growth across visitor spending and job creation. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s latest research, the sector is expected to contribute QAR 166.6 billion (USD 45.8 billion) to the national economy by 2035 — a major increase of more than 20 percent compared to 2019 levels. For 2025 alone, international visitor spending is projected to reach nearly QAR 98.8 billion (USD 27.1 billion), driven by rising arrivals from Saudi Arabia, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Leisure travel will dominate, making up over 76 percent of total spending, while business travel continues to play an important supporting role. The tourism boom is also expected to create more than 136,000 new jobs over the next decade, adding to Qatar’s efforts to diversify its economy and strengthen its position as a global destination. Qatar is now aiming to become one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in the Middle East.

The Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) travel and tourism sector added $247.1 billion to the region’s GDP in 2024, marking a 31.9 percent jump from 2019, according to new figures from the GCC Statistical Centre. Tourism’s share of GDP is forecast to reach $371.2 billion by 2034, accounting for 13.3 percent of the region’s economy. The sector also plays a vital role in job creation, with employment contributions valued at $4.3 billion in 2024—up 24.9 percent from 2019—and an estimated 1.3 million new jobs expected by 2034. The report, “Tourism in the GCC: A Gateway to Development and Sustainable Transformation,” highlights rising youth and women’s participation in the industry. Women represented 13 percent of the workforce in 2024, up 73.2 percent since 2019. Eco-tourism and intra-GCC travel are also on the rise, with natural reserves expanding and 19.3 million intra-regional tourists recorded in 2024.

Etihad Airways has launched its game-changing new A321LR aircraft on all flights to and from Kolkata, bringing a refined luxury experience to the popular Indian route. The sold-out inaugural flight, EY222, touched down at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport (CCU), Kolkata, India at 8.35pm on 24 September. All of Etihad’s eight return flights per week between Abu Dhabi and Kolkata will now be operated by the A321LR. The upgraded A321LR service reinforces Etihad’s commitment to the Indian market where it operates 183 flights per week to 11 destinations across India. The extensive network connects guests seamlessly between India and the Middle East, and conveniently onwards to Europe, Africa and North America. Kolkata, the capital and largest city of the West Bengal state, is an important gateway to India, with Etihad carrying more than 135k passengers annually between the city and Abu Dhabi. Kolkata holds the honour of being recognised as the cultural capital of India, welcoming visitors from around the world to explore the city’s rich heritage and artistic energy. As well as an increase in visitors travelling to India, Etihad is also catering to rising demand from corporate travellers as well as overseas students and those visiting friends and family. The state is also benefitting from an increase in investment in the IT and financial services sectors, which are also driving demand for corporate travel. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “India is an important market for Etihad and we’re incredibly proud to be in Kolkata to welcome our newest aircraft, the A321LR, on its inaugural flight to India. Whether choosing our luxurious First Suites, lie-flat Business seats with direct aisle access and a window-view, or our next-generation Economy …

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed a major vote of confidence in Italy’s Travel & Tourism sector, as its Members committed more than $8BN of new investment during the closing ceremony of the Global Summit in Rome. This landmark pledge, unveiled on stage before global leaders and industry executives, represents one of the largest ever investment commitments made at a WTTC Summit. The investment will supercharge Italy’s already thriving Travel & Tourism sector, strengthening its position as a world-leading destination and a magnet for sustainable growth.In 2025, Travel & Tourism is expected to inject $258BN to Italy’s economy and support 3.1MN jobs. Business travel has been a standout driver, with corporate visitors spending $30.8BN – an 18.1% increase on pre-pandemic levels. Italy also ranked as the seventh-highest business travel spender worldwide, while its booming MICE industry hosted almost 370,000 conferences and events in 2024, up 8.2% year-on-year. Against this backdrop of record performance, today’s $8BN commitment underlines the growing investor confidence in Italy’s infrastructure, hospitality, and wider travel ecosystem. These rising flows of capital are expected to boost connectivity and expand accommodation capacity, accelerate green and digital transitions across the sector, and create new opportunities for domestic and international investors alike. Gloria Guevara, WTTC Interim CEO, said: “Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence for Italy. More than $8BN of new investment from WTTC Members sends a powerful signal; Italy is not only a cultural icon but also one of the most exciting and resilient investment destinations in the world. These commitments will fuel job creation, sustainability, and innovation across the country’s Travel & Tourism sector.” WTTC Chair Manfredi Lefebvre added: “Today’s commitment reflects our unwavering belief in Italy’s potential as a leader in …

IHG Hotels & Resorts signed a management agreement with Jadeer Group for a new Hotel Indigo property in New Cairo. The signing strengthens IHG’s growing luxury & lifestyle portfolio in Northern Africa and adds another distinctive hotel to the Group’s presence in Egypt. The 120-room Hotel Indigo New Cairo is set to open in 2031 as part of Red (G), a mixed-use development featuring residences, retail, and hospitality offerings. Located on North 90 Street, one of New Cairo’s most prominent neighbourhoods, the hotel will be situated close to the New Administrative Capital and the American University in Cairo, as well as emerging business and leisure destinations. As one of IHG’s lifestyle brands, Hotel Indigo properties offer a gateway to some of the world’s most inspiring locations. Just as no two neighbourhoods are alike, no two Hotel Indigo properties are the same, taking inspiration from the area around each hotel to inform all aspects of the guest experience, from the hotel’s boutique design approach to locally inspired restaurants. True to the brand’s ethos, Hotel Indigo New Cairo will reflect the uniqueness of its neighbourhood, weaving the city’s rich heritage and contemporary spirit into every guest experience. Located in one of the capital’s most dynamic districts, the hotel’s design will celebrate its surroundings and embody Hotel Indigo’s promise of making travel inspiring through authentic, culturally rich experiences. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Egypt is a priority market for IHG, and we are excited to partner with Jadeer Group for a new Hotel Indigo in New Cairo. The area is rapidly emerging as a hub for business, education, and lifestyle, making it an ideal …

Visit Qatar, in collaboration with Qatar Airways and under the auspices of Go Beyond, successfully hosted the Kuwait Roadshow at the Four Seasons Hotel in Kuwait City. The tour served as a platform to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders in Kuwait, promote upcoming tourism events, and provide opportunities for direct communication between hotels, destination management companies in Qatar and Kuwaiti travel agencies. It also encouraged tour operators to include Qatar in their tourism packages and regional programs. The event brought together more than 100 leading travel and tourism professionals and tour operators to discover the diverse tourism offerings Qatar has to offer, from short trips and winter holidays to stopover experiences. By highlighting the growth of leisure tourism offerings, the initiative has strengthened Qatar’s position as a leading regional tourism destination and supported the objectives of the Qatar National Tourism Strategy 2030, which seeks to promote destination awareness, promote seasonal travel, and contribute to economic diversification through tourism.

Red Sea Global (RSG) officially opened Shura Links, Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course, on Shura Island at The Red Sea. Designed by renowned golf course architect Brian Curley and managed by Golf Saudi, the par-72, 7,400-yard course offers a distinct coastal links experience that celebrates the island’s natural topography. Eighteen holes wind through native mangroves and sweeping dunes before drifting along the Red Sea shoreline in typical links fashion. The course was designed for minimal environmental interference, reflecting RSG’s regenerative tourism values. “The opening of Shura Links is a landmark achievement in the Kingdom’s pursuit of global leadership in sports and tourism. It reflects the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and underscores PIF’s commitment to unlocking new sectors that diversify our economy and elevate the quality of life. Situated at the heart of The Red Sea, Shura Links is more than a world-class golf course — it is a powerful realization of how this unique destination can be transformed into an engine for investment, luxury tourism, and sustainable opportunities for future generations,” said H.E. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of Golf Saudi. A Social Hub Anchored by a Beachfront Clubhouse A vibrant focal point for golfers and visitors alike, the beachfront clubhouse serves as the heart of social life at Shura Links. Inspired by native flora and fauna, the clubhouse offers panoramic views across the eighteenth green and features elevated dining, retail, and relaxation areas designed to enhance the visitor experience. “Shura Links sets a new benchmark for the game of golf in the region. It’s more than just a course – it’s a place to connect, challenge yourself, and experience the full beauty of The Red Sea. This is another …