Category Archives: Agents

The UAE’s MICE market is forecast to grow to US$9.26 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 8.96%. The Saudi Arabian market is projected to reach US$5.33 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.93%. Together, these markets are expected to drive the Gulf’s emergence as one of the world’s most dynamic business event regions, supported by major tourism development programmes, strong air connectivity and the growing appeal of the Middle East as a platform for global trade and innovation. According to Mordor Intelligence, the region’s meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions (MICE) industry continues to expand at pace as investment in large-scale venues, infrastructure, and international partnerships accelerates. Building on the success of its inaugural edition, IBTM @ ATM will return to Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in 2026, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 4–7 May, with a dedicated business events hub in Hall 3. This expanded space emphasises the show’s strategic focus on the global business events sector and highlights the Middle East’s position as one of the fastest-growing regions for meetings and events worldwide. The ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, produced in partnership with Tourism Economics, also indicates a continued rise in business travel across the Middle East, with the region’s share of global corporate travel spending forecast to increase from 2.5% in 2024 to more than 3% by 2030. This is being supported by the steady recovery of international demand, improved air connectivity and the continued development of business tourism infrastructure. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The expansion of IBTM @ ATM reflects the strength and ambition of the Middle East’s business events sector. By …

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.

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.

The Middle East has become one of the most active regions in reaffirming its stance on tourism and sustainable transformation. It is quite ironic that we celebrate World Tourism Day today 27th September under a theme so relevant in this region. Over the past few years the Middle East has emerged as one of the fastest growing tourism hubs driven by national visions, megaprojects and its expanding hospitality sector. This year’s celebration is a reminder that tourism is more than just about destinations and experiences, it is stewardship of cultural heritage, preservation of natural landscapes and most importantly empowerment of local communities. We have witnessed over the years how the Middle East has been setting new benchmarks by aligning tourism with green mobility, renewable energy, eco-conscious hospitality and digital innovation whilst it remains deeply rooted in heritage and traditions. The Middle East has set a great example as it has become a catalyst for sustainable transformations, balancing growth with responsibility to create a more inclusive and environmentally conscious future for global travel. TTME spoke with the leaders in the industry about their plans for this year. Julia Simpson, President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC): World Tourism Day is a celebration of Travel & Tourism’s power to inspire, connect and create lasting prosperity. This year’s host, India, embodies the spirit of “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”, showing how investment in sustainable infrastructure, digital innovation and resilient communities can drive growth that endures. By uniting vision and action, we can protect cultural and natural treasures, empower communities and drive prosperity. Together, we can ensure Travel & Tourism remains a force for good for generations to come. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi …

Amadeus Gulf  announced a strategic partnership with SATA, one of the leading travel agencies in the Northern Emirates. This collaboration aims to enhance travel solutions and contribute significantly to the growth of the travel industry across the UAE. By combining Amadeus Gulf’s advanced technology and distribution capabilities with SATA’s strong market presence and expertise, the partnership is set to deliver innovative services and seamless experiences to travelers and industry stakeholders alike. Both companies are committed to supporting the evolving needs of the UAE’s dynamic travel market, strengthening industry infrastructure, and fostering greater connectivity within the region. This alliance reflects Amadeus Gulf’s ongoing dedication to building strong local partnerships that drive growth, improve efficiency, and elevate service standards in the travel sector across the Gulf region.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced a new strategic partnership with Freetour.com, aimed at promoting Abu Dhabi as a top cultural destination through accessible, engaging guided tours. As part of the collaboration, licensed tour guides in Abu Dhabi will gain special benefits and support from Freetour.com to list and promote their tours online, reaching a global audience. The move supports Abu Dhabi’s goal of offering more immersive cultural experiences while empowering local guides. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “This partnership supports our tour guides and helps visitors experience Emirati culture in a meaningful way.” Freetour.com operates in over 1,100 destinations across 140 countries, offering free and affordable tours, and giving local guides cost-effective tools to grow their business. Ignacio Merino, Head of Business Development at Freetour.com, added: “We’re excited to highlight Abu Dhabi’s rich heritage and support local storytellers.” The partnership supports Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which targets 39.3 million visitors by 2030, and enhances the emirate’s status as the world’s safest city and a hub for cultural exploration.

Cvent Accelerate Dubai 2025 concluded with record-breaking success at Atlantis – The Palm, drawing nearly 500 event planners, marketers, and hospitality professionals. The event marked its third edition with a powerful showcase of innovation, strategy, and sustainability shaping the future of the MICE industry. Industry leaders highlighted the transformative power of AI and event technology in delivering immersive, data-driven, and sustainable experiences. Gokul Bajaj, Country Head, UAE at Cvent, emphasised the shift from logistics to experience-driven events, with the UAE emerging as a pioneer in adopting cutting-edge solutions. Sessions explored Event-Led Growth (ELG), multi-sensory event design, and strategic alignment with business goals, equipping attendees with actionable insights to drive growth and engagement. Underscoring its commitment to sustainability, Cvent partnered with ZEERO Events to plant 287 mangrove trees in Mozambique and offset over 64 tons of CO2e, replacing traditional giveaways with eco-friendly tree swag. The growing turnout reflects the event’s impact as a vital platform for collaboration, innovation, and future-forward thinking in the events and hospitality landscape.

Wego reported a 15% year-on-year (YoY) surge in flight searches from the UAE, signalling strong outbound travel demand as residents adjust to the new school term. The data reveals a dual-track travel pattern: essential diaspora trips and short-haul, school-friendly getaways. Core diaspora destinations such as Cairo, Kathmandu, and Damascus dominate the search charts. Cairo leads with a 24.9% YoY increase, while Kathmandu shows impressive 50.8% growth, despite a 31% rise in fares. Searches to Damascus have surged 194.6% YoY, fuelled by the resumption of direct flights and easing of travel restrictions. In Europe, short-haul escapes remain popular. Yerevan leads growth with a 137.9% YoY jump in searches, driven by Armenia’s recent visa-free access for UAE residents. Tbilisi and Baku also posted gains of 11.4% and 3.8% YoY, respectively. Wego also noted a 9% YoY rise in average airfare, suggesting continued travel appetite despite increased costs. With both reunions and quick escapes shaping travel plans, Wego’s insights reflect the evolving preferences of UAE residents balancing family, school schedules, and rising travel demand.

Jamaica has officially launched a new era in tourism, welcoming 160 global buyers from regions including the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Europe to JAPEX 2025. The event signals a fresh path forward for the island’s tourism sector, centered on innovation, inclusivity, and a powerful new “local first” approach.  Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett praised Nicola Madden-Greig, Chair of JAPEX Planning Committee for her leadership in helping the Caribbean achieve the fastest tourism recovery post-COVID. He also emphasised the role of tourism as a key driver of the economy, powering growth and opportunity across Jamaica.  “This is the year of new thinking in tourism,” said Minister Bartlett. “We want to make the next five years a time of serious growth, development, and inclusive tourism. We aim to deepen local involvement in the rich and lucrative tourism value chain, so that tourism works even more for the people of Jamaica.”  He added that new policies and legislation will support this “local first” approach, with global partners playing a key role in making tourism more beneficial for Jamaicans than ever before. With global tourism expected to reach 3 billion travellers by 2035, Jamaica is preparing to redefine its role on the world tourism stage.

Jamaica has officially launched a new era in tourism, welcoming 160 global buyers from regions including the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Europe to JAPEX 2025. The event signals a fresh path forward for the island’s tourism sector, centered on innovation, inclusivity, and a powerful new “local first” approach. Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Hon.Edmund Bartlett praised Nicola Madden-Greig for her leadership in helping the Caribbean achieve the fastest tourism recovery post-COVID. He also emphasised the role of tourism as a key driver of the economy, powering growth and opportunity across Jamaica. “This is the year of new thinking in tourism,” said Minister Bartlett. “We want to make the next five years a time of serious growth, development, and inclusive tourism. We aim to deepen local involvement in the rich and lucrative tourism value chain, so that tourism works even more for the people of Jamaica.”  He reiterated that new policies and legislation will support this “local first” vision, with global partners playing a key role in making tourism more beneficial for Jamaicans than ever before. With tourism expected to reach 3 billion travellers by 2035, Jamaica is preparing to rewrite tourism.