At the recent webinar conducted by Dave Goodger, Managing Director, Tourism Economics EMEA shared that the Middle East travel remains resilient, supported by strong domestic and regional demand. Domestic and intra-regional travel accounts for 68% of movements, providing a solid base while longer-haul international arrivals gradually return. He further reiterated that the region’s tourism infrastructure, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is well-positioned to welcome travellers safely and seamlessly. Local residents may also choose regional stays instead of outbound trips, further supporting the sector. Middle East airport hubs continue to serve as critical global transit points, ensuring connectivity and helping restore international travel flows. With careful management and focus on safe, attractive experiences, tourism is expected to regain momentum over the year. Despite short-term challenges, the fundamentals remain strong, and the sector is poised to continue its growth trajectory in the latter part of 2026. The special webinar was facilitated by the Bench, organisers of Future Hospitality Summit.

Slated to open in 2028, Hilton Antalya City Centre will offer the signature world-class hospitality of the flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand in one of Türkiye’s most visited destinations. Offering 254 rooms and suites, the newbuild hotel will boast standout amenities ideal for hosting iconic gatherings of every size and a variety of occasions, including a grand ballroom, multiple meeting rooms, an expansive spa and wellness centre, indoor and rooftop pools, and diverse dining venues.

In a strategic move reflecting Air Cairo’s continuous growth and the expansion of its scheduled and charter flight network, the airline has announced that all international arrivals and departures will transition to the Seasonal Terminal at Cairo International Airport.  Additionally, all domestic operations will be handled through Terminal 3. This decision underscores Air Cairo’s operational and marketing excellence as a leading regional and international carrier, strengthening its competitive position among top-tier airlines.

SalamAir announced a strategic collaboration with Arcube, a UK-based travel-technology company, to launch eSIM and e-Visa services, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to enhancing passengers experience beyond the flight. The newly launched services are integrated into SalamAir’s digital booking platforms, enabling passengers to manage essential travel needs in one place, from connectivity to travel documentation, before, during and after their journey. The new ancillary partnership between SalamAir and Arcube will support SalamAir’s delivery of timely and personalized modern retailing for its passengers. The new eSIM service will enable SalamAir passengers to activate mobile data instantly upon arrival without the need for a physical SIM card, providing access to 5,000+ data packages across more than 213 countries and territories. This will help SalamAir passengers avoid roaming charges and installing physical SIM cards upon arrival, when travelling to SalamAir’s destinations. With a choice of flexible data packages, travelers can connect within minutes of landing, providing certainty of local connectivity while abroad. The service is designed to support both leisure and business travelers, ensuring reliable coverage across a wide range of destinations. Additionally, the e-Visa service provided by Arcube supports application and processing for up to 198 nationalities, including all major destinations on the SalamAir network. The platform offers an AI-enabled guided application process with real-time status tracking, providing travelers with greater visibility and confidence throughout the visa journey. A dynamic rules engine maps visa requirements by nationality and destination, giving transparency on eligibility and clear guidance to enhance convenience, affordability, documentation, and pricing at every stage*. Underpinning both services is Arcube’s technology platform, which is specifically designed to optimise reliability, accuracy and passenger experience. Smart network eSIM selection ensures connectivity is matched to …

RX has confirmed that the 2026 edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, originally scheduled to take place from 4–7 May 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre, will now take place from 17-20 August 2026, with the venue remaining unchanged. The decision to reschedule the event has been made to prioritise the safety and well-being of customers, partners and colleagues, and to give the global travel and tourism community greater confidence and flexibility to attend. Now in its 33rd edition, Arabian Travel Market serves as a key global platform connecting destinations, travel suppliers, hospitality brands, airlines, technology providers and industry professionals from across the travel ecosystem. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Arabian Travel Market has long served as a vital platform for bringing the global travel and tourism community together in Dubai, enabling destinations, suppliers and industry leaders to connect, collaborate and shape the future of the sector. “The safety and well-being of our customers, partners and colleagues remains our highest priority, and the decision to reschedule ATM 2026 to August reflects our commitment to ensuring that everyone can participate at this important industry gathering. We look forward to welcoming the international travel community back to Dubai later this year.” The RX team remains committed to supporting all participants and will work closely with exhibitors, partners and stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the new dates.

Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh wins ‘Best 5 Star Hotel’ at the inaugural edition of the Arabian Travel Awards Saudi Arabia 2025. Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh was originally opened in May 2000 as Al Faisaliah Hotel, a landmark in Riyadh’s Olaya district and part of the famous Al Faisaliah Centre. In 2021, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group took over its management and led major renovations. In January 2024, the hotel was officially rebranded as Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, marking the brand’s first hotel in Saudi Arabia with refreshed design and luxury facilities.

Marriott International is set to strengthen its footprint along Egypt’s Red Sea coast through its involvement in the $1.1 billion Monte Galala Towers & Marina project in Ain Sokhna. The development will feature a portfolio of hotels and serviced apartments under Marriott’s management, integrated within a masterplan comprising 10 towers, a 150-yacht marina and a 28,000 sqm conference centre. The project underscores growing investor confidence in the Red Sea as a year-round destination, positioning the destination to attract both high-end leisure travellers and business events, further diversifying Egypt’s tourism offering.

Jazeera Airways has commenced operating flights between Kuwait and Istanbul via Qaisumah Airport (AQI) in Hafar Al Batin, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Following the temporary suspension of operations at Kuwait International Airport for safety reasons, Jazeera Airways is currently the only airline operating from Kuwait. Passengers are transported safely between Kuwait and Qaisumah by bus for both departures and arrivals. In addition, they are operating connections to Alexandria, Assiut, Cairo, Luxor, and Amman, with their opening flights to Colombo fully booked. Since launching these operations on 11 March, they have safely transported more than 6,000 passengers through Qaisumah. Over their LinkedIn they shared, “We will continue to gradually add more frequencies and new destinations, including India, the UAE, and others. As Kuwait’s national carrier, maintaining connectivity for the country during this period remains a priority. We continue to work closely with the Kuwait DGCA, Saudi GACA, and operational partners across both countries to ensure safe, coordinated, and efficient operations.”

The Ministry of Tourism has authorized tourism entities to utilize the “Ajeer” platform for securing temporary staffing during peak periods. Managed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, “Ajeer” facilitates the high volume of hospitality and travel services required during busy seasons. To maintain legal compliance and contract integrity, the Ministry mandates that all seasonal or temporary workforce be formally registered through the platform. The “Ajeer” platform offers integrated and flexible solutions for entities to contract temporary workforce both during and outside peak seasons. It effectively connects tourism activities and facilities with local talent ready for short-term engagement through regulated and reliable contracts. Tourism accommodation facilities and other tourism entities can leverage the “Ajeer” platform to advertise seasonal or temporary vacancies. By utilizing specialized features like the “Tourism Seasons” service, businesses can efficiently scale their workforce during peak periods. This structured framework ensures that seasonal contracting is both flexible and streamlined to meet immediate human resource demands. On the other hand, the platform allows job seekers to explore and apply for openings online. By registering, users can obtain regulated temporary work permits, which strengthen contractual trust, ensure operational compliance, and safeguard the rights of both employers and employees. In this regard, the Ministry of Tourism has underscored that all tourism entities must refrain from contracting temporary or seasonal labor outside the “Ajeer” platform. To ensure full compliance with current regulations and avoid legal penalties, all temporary vacancies must be posted exclusively through this channel. Additionally, the Ministry advises job seekers to decline any temporary employment offers or contracts made outside “Ajeer” to protect their legal rights and remain in alignment with regulatory standards. The Ministry’s advisory comes as …

Fursan Travel wins ‘Best Business and Government Travel Management Company’ at the inaugural Arabian Travel Awards Saudi Arabia 2025. “Winning the Arabian Travel Awards validates our commitment to excellence, strengthens market credibility, and elevates brand trust. It accelerates growth by enhancing partnerships, attracting top clients, motivating teams, and supporting strategic expansion plans across Saudi Arabia and the wider region”- Hani Attia, CEO Fursan Travel & Tourism