Travel Designer Group announced the relocation of its Technology Division to a brand-new, state-of-the-art office at Mondeal Heights, which also houses the company’s corporate headquarters. This strategic expansion comes as part of Travel Designer Group’s ongoing commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and delivering best-in-class solutions to its partners worldwide. The new tech office is designed to foster collaboration, boost productivity, and provide a modern, dynamic environment for the company’s expanding tech team. “As our business continues to scale across markets, this new office is a reflection of our commitment to investing in people, technology, and infrastructure. It marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we focus on developing cutting-edge travel solutions that power the future of our industry,” said Jaal Shah, Founder, RezLive.com & Group Managing Director, Travel Designer Group.  The new facility will support the Group’s mission to enhance its technological capabilities and drive transformative innovation in the B2B travel space.

Sabre Corporation has announced a partnership with SalamAir, aiming to strengthen SalamAir’s global footprint by leveraging Sabre’s marketplace and worldwide distribution capabilities. Under the new agreement, SalamAir’s full range of flights and services will be accessible to travel agencies across the globe through Sabre’s advanced global distribution system (GDS). The move is expected to significantly enhance the airline’s international visibility, attract new customer segments, and accelerate revenue growth. “Our partnership with Sabre marks a significant milestone in SalamAir’s growth journey,” said Steven Allen, Chief Commercial Officer at SalamAir. “By utilising Sabre’s robust global distribution platform, we aim to achieve greater global visibility, reach new markets, and offer our affordable travel options to a wider audience.” For Sabre, the collaboration highlights its ongoing commitment to supporting airline partners in the Middle East with cutting-edge travel technologies. Recently, SalamAir renewed its long-term agreement with Sabre for the Radixx Reservation System, further reinforcing Sabre’s credibility and reliability as a technology partner.

Travel spending in the Middle East is on course to surge by 50% by the end of the decade, reaching nearly USD 350 billion by 2030, according to the newly released ATM Travel Trends Report 2025. The report, developed by Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in partnership with Tourism Economics, highlights that the inbound travel to the Middle East is forecast to rise by 13% annually between 2025 and 2030, with Asia and Africa emerging as key source markets and outbound business travel forecast to surge at 9% per year. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The report’s findings confirm that travel growth in the Middle East is incredibly strong, with annual growth averaging more than 7% through 2030. Bold national visions, game-changing developments, and enhanced connectivity are some of the key factors driving this momentum.” Leisure travel from Europe continues to dominate, accounting for half of all visitors, with India and the UK leading as top international source markets. China is also a rising force, with Chinese leisure spending projected to increase by an impressive 130% by 2030.

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has strengthened its presence in East Asia with the launch of two new routes connecting Da Nang, Vietnam, and Siem Reap, Cambodia, via Bangkok. This expansion brings the airline’s East Asian network to 23 destinations, reinforcing its commitment to growing connectivity across the region. The inaugural flight to Da Nang took off on 2 June, followed by the first flight to Siem Reap on 3 June. Operated by the airline’s wide-body Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the new services provide passengers with Emirates’ signature in-flight experience and seamless connectivity through its global hub in Dubai. Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President, Passenger Sales and Country Management, said that these new services are a significant milestone in our strategy to support travel and trade in East Asia during a time of rapid regional development.  The move underscores Emirates’ ongoing investment in East Asia, reflecting a broader ambition to cater to increasing demand and deepen ties with emerging travel and economic hubs across the region. He added, “Launching two new routes via Bangkok marks a significant milestone in strengthening Emirates’ presence in Southeast Asia and reinforces our long-standing commitment to Thailand as a strategic gateway to the region.”

Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Ahmet Bolat, has been reelected to the Board of Directors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for a second term during the IATA’s 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in New Delhi. During his three-year tenure, Prof. Bolat will continue to contribute to the global aviation vision and represent the industry among other leading aviation executives. IATA is one of the most influential international organizations shaping the global air transport sector. It plays a pivotal role in advocating the strategic interests of its member airlines and guiding the industry on key issues such as sustainability, operational efficiency, and digital transformation. Engagements of the IATA Board of Directors is instrumental in driving progress across the global aviation landscape. Commenting on his reelection, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Ahmet Bolat stated “I am honored to be reelected to the IATA Board of Directors. This responsibility is not only a testament to the strength and vision of our airline, but also a significant opportunity to represent Türkiye’s growing influence in the global aviation arena. As Turkish Airlines, we remain committed to actively contributing to IATA’s strategic initiatives and the future of our industry.” Bolat’s reelection reaffirms to Turkish Airlines’ prominent role in global aviation and its unwavering commitment to fostering international collaboration. It also reinforces Türkiye’s influential voice in shaping the future of the industry at the highest levels of global governance.

Passenger traffic across the Middle East is expected to soar to 530 million by 2043, effectively doubling from current figures, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The 20-year forecast anticipates an average annual growth rate of 3.9% in passenger numbers from 2023 to 2043, slightly surpassing the global average of 3.8%.  Also, the region is set to achieve the highest net profit per passenger globally, expected to post a net profit of $6.2 billion, representing an 8.7% profit margin, well above the global average, driven by strong economic performance and demand for both business and leisure travel. As per the IATA Passenger reports, “Middle Eastern airlines saw a 14.2 per cent year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.9 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor increased by +3.0 percentage points to 79.3 per cent compared to April 2023.” With hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Riyadh leading the charge, the focus must now shift to ensuring all parts of the region are equipped to benefit from the coming wave of air traffic and infrastructure development.

Emirates and Air China have announced plans to establish a partnership for expanding their reciprocal interline cooperation. The collaboration will include the development of a framework for cargo operations and reciprocal benefits within their frequent flyer loyalty programmes. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said, “Our partnership with Air China commenced 26 years ago (July 1999) and since 2018, approximately 18,000 Emirates customers have benefited from the expanded connectivity offered through our interline agreement.” The airlines are also exploring the coordination of flight schedules and adjustments to minimum connecting times. Once implemented, this will offer customers streamlined booking processes, single-ticket itineraries, and expanded access to airport lounges, opening up a world of new destinations with greater ease and convenience. He added, “As we continue expanding our investments in the Chinese mainland, we look forward to deepening our partnership with Air China to meet growing travel demand in this strategic market and create new pathways for travel and trade between China and the global community.” The partnership will focus on knowledge exchange in strategic operational areas, such as revenue management, data analytics, digitalisation, brand development, and the advancement of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Baheej has announced the fourth component of its transformative Yanbu Waterfront Project: a 34-room boutique Wellness resort that brings together ancestral wellness wisdom and contemporary design inspired by the region’s seafaring heritage. Set along the serene shores of Yanbu, the 34-room resort will offer guests an immersive retreat anchored in wellness, culture, and tranquillity. The resort will feature private sea-view cabanas, curated wellness programs, and a signature spa architecturally inspired by the pearl—a historic emblem of Yanbu’s maritime past and a symbol of renewal and calm. Norah Al Tamimi, CEO of Baheej, added: “This project is a reflection of Baheej’s vision to enrich Saudi destinations with meaning, not just infrastructure. Our wellness resort is more than a place to stay — it’s an experience crafted around the values of balance, beauty, and belonging. We believe it will become a new symbol of Yanbu’s evolving identity as a serene coastal escape.” Through this addition, Baheej continues to offer guests opportunities to reconnect with curated experiences that include meditation at sunrise, movement rituals inspired by coastal rhythms, and wellness treatments rooted in Arabic healing traditions and native ingredients. The wellness resort joins a growing collection of destination-defining assets developed by Baheej in Yanbu, including Cloud 7Lifestyle hotel by Kerten Hospitality, Kaynuna Beach Escape and the upcoming Jaba Tour Centre and Diving Club.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Amadeus have announced the integration of IATA CO2 Connect’s flight-specific emissions data into the Amadeus Travel Platform, a move that enhances transparency and sustainability in air travel. Through this integration, airlines, travel agents, corporate travel managers, and online travel platforms can now access and display accurate CO2 emissions data at the point of booking. This new functionality allows travellers to make more environmentally informed decisions based on a trusted data source.  Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA, stated, “Our agreement with Amadeus will help fulfil traveller expectations for greater transparency as airlines progress towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050. IATA surveys reveal that close to 90% of passengers expect airlines or travel agents to provide carbon emission data for flights they have booked. Yet, 79% highlight that the carbon calculations provided are not always consistent. Making IATA CO2 Connect data available through the Amadeus platform will help users make more informed travel decisions using accurate emissions data.” IATA CO2 Connect leverages real-world operational data — including aircraft type-specific fuel consumption — directly provided by more than 70 global airlines. The data is calculated using a globally standardised methodology, ensuring reliability and comparability across different carriers and flight routes.

Abu Dhabi will host the M&I Expo from 14–16 April 2026, following a strategic partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Worldwide Events. Set to take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), the event will gather 1,000 top global decision-makers in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. The expoalso  aims to foster global collaboration and business development through immersive showcases and branded experiences. Mubarak Al Shamsi, Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau Director, DCT Abu Dhabi said: “Hosting the M&I Expo in Abu Dhabi reinforces the emirate’s strength and sustained growth as a premier destination for business events and incentive travel. Our latest achievement reflects our strategic commitment to building a world-class MICE ecosystem offering cutting-edge event venues and exceptional hospitality rooted in our core cultural values. With iconic venues such as Qasr Al Watan and Yas Marina Circuit, complemented by Abu Dhabi’s diverse leisure attractions such as the newly opened teamLab Phenomena, we are confident this event will showcase the very best of what our destination has to offer.”