Qatar’s tourism sector kicked off 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming more than 1.5 million international visitors from January to March, driven by an integrated tourism strategy that combines major events, strategic partnerships and diverse tourism experiences that meet the aspirations of different visitors. Visitors from the GCC (36 per cent), followed by visitors from Europe (28 per cent) and Asia and Oceania (20 per cent) led the way, reflecting Qatar’s growing position as an attractive tourist destination in regional and international markets. Visitor arrivals were distributed by air (51%), land (34%) and cruises (15%), highlighting the effectiveness of Qatar’s diverse reach strategy. Eid Al Fitr 2025 recorded the highest tourist arrivals during the festive period in the past three years, with 213,500 visitors arriving over an eight-day period, an increase of 26% compared to 2024, and visitors from the GCC constituting 49% of the total visitors, recording an annual increase of 18%, while hotel occupancy reached 77%, recording an annual growth of 10%. This growth was accompanied by strong performance across the hospitality sectors, with average hotel occupancy reaching 71% and 2.6 million hotel nights sold, reflecting a significant increase in demand driven by key events such as the Qatar Web Summit, Doha Jewellery & Watches and Qatar International Food Festival. H.E. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of Visit Qatar, said: “The achievements of the first quarter of 2025 reflect the strength of our long-term strategic approach to developing the tourism sector. By deepening collaboration locally, regionally and internationally, we continue to diversify target markets, enhance visitor experiences, and cement Qatar’s position as a vibrant year-round tourism destination. We are delighted to welcome 1.5 …

San Jeet – Director DDP Group moderated an insightful session titled ‘Big ticket events :global impact and learnings’ at the 32nd edition of the Arabian Travel Market 2025. The panel included HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa – Chairman – SCTDA, Sebastien Doussin – SVP – Global Travel Services and Destination Management – dnata, Noor Ahmed Hamid – CEO – PATA and Dev Karvat – Founder and CEO – Asego Global Assistance Pvt Ltd. Opening the session, San Jeet shared that the industry has seen a rise in terms of job creation, revenue and contribution to the economy of each destination. The speakers shared that staying constantly updated and aware of ones’ surroundings helps one identify what’s truly relevant and which tools are best suited to achieve ones’ goals when it comes to big ticket events. It’s essential to keep up with current events and developments, as they directly influence everyone’s choices and direction. In terms of today’s technologies, for instance—there are numerous new tools that resonate more with people. Even if we were successful using older systems, those methods may no longer be effective. We must recognize and accept that as the world is evolving rapidly, and we need to adapt by embracing and leveraging these technologies.

CG Hospitality Global announces its expansion with Marriott International through the conversion of The Farm at San Benito in the Philippines to The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection, set to open in Q3 2025. This marks the first Autograph Collection property in the Philippines, reinforcing CG Hospitality’s dedication to elevating luxury and wellness-driven hospitality across key global markets, from the UAE to Southeast Asia. “Our UAE operations have been the cornerstone of CG Developers’ strategic growth. From our pioneering projects in Dubai including the luxury Taj hotel at Jumeirah Lakes Towers, we have consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation and excellence. As we prepare to unveil our world-class development on Dubai Islands, we are once again reinforcing our deep commitment to shaping the future of this dynamic market,” said Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director & CEO, CG Corp Global & CG Hospitality Holdings. Aligned with H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision for a flourishing wellness economy, CG Hospitality takes the first step in making transformative wellness destinations accessible to the multicultural Middle East audience. Additionally, with over one million Filipinos residing in the UAE, the nation is already well acquainted with the warmth, hospitality and service-driven nature of the Filipino community. The Farm at San Benito builds on this legacy, offering a world-class wellness destination that seamlessly blends cultural heritage with holistic healing and global accessibility. Nestled in Lipa City, Batangas, just 90 minutes from Metro Manila, The Farm at San Benito, Autograph Collection will span 52 hectares and is expected to feature 70 villas — including one-bedroom sanctuaries and exclusive two- and four-bedroom pool villas. The resort will house five distinct dining destinations, a wellness-focused …

In a significant move set to bring Manhattan’s creative legacy to the Middle East, Clédor  has officially signed a partnership agreement with Arthouse Hotel, NYC. Coming to the iconic Al Marjan Islands in Ras Al Khaimah, Al Marjan Arthouse, valued at AED 400 Million, will be the brand’s first residences outside of the USA. With a project development pipeline valued at over AED 2.1 billion, Clédor continues to make bold strides in reshaping the region’s real estate landscape. These branded residences are part of Clédor’s vision to deliver high-yield, design-forward communities that offer 150%+ investor returns and average unit prices exceeding AED 14 million. The signing ceremony took place today, at the elegant Amelia Lounge in Downtown Dubai, in the presence of Omar Gull, Founder & Chairman of Clédor, Karim El Aqabi, from Arthouse, Arch. Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO, Marjan and Islam El Dafrawy, Co-founder, Prospect. “Today’s signing marks the beginning of a powerful collaboration rooted in excellence, heritage, and innovation. We are very excited to partner with Arthouse Hotel, NYC, to bring a legacy of refined and artistic living into the heart of the UAE’s most dynamic communities – Al Marjan Island. With Arthouse, we’re introducing a new style of luxury, one that brings a creative, cultural dimension to Ras Al Khaimah. “Al Marjan Island is already a powerhouse for leisure and entertainment, drawing visitors and investors from all over the world. Through this partnership with Arthouse, we hope to add a new layer to the island’s story, a place where art and culture live side by side with lifestyle and hospitality. We are truly grateful to Arthouse NYC, and Marjan leadership and our strategic partner Prospect for believing …

Air India and Air India Express have announced the appointment of dnata Representation Services as their General Sales Agent (GSA) and Representative Agency (RA), respectively, in the UAE. The agreement, formally signed at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai, reflects the Air India group’s continued focus on enhancing reach and customer engagement in the strategically important UAE market. Under this partnership, dnata Representation Services will provide comprehensive sales, marketing, and distribution support to both carriers across the UAE, excluding Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for Air India. This localised approach will improve accessibility for travellers and trade partners while supporting the Air India group’s broader growth plans in the region. Air India operates 82x weekly flights from the UAE to India, while Air India Express connects five cities—Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah—with over 240x weekly flights from the UAE. The UAE represents the single-largest international market for Air India Express and remains one of the most significant global markets, serving millions of Indian expatriates and other travellers. Kaizad Postwalla, Head of International Sales – GMEA & North America, Air India, said, “The UAE is a key market in our international network. We are pleased to partner with dnata Travel Group, whose deep understanding of the region and proven track record in travel services will help us better connect with customers, drive demand, and enhance service delivery in the market.” Dr. Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express, added, “Our collaboration with dnata Travel Group marks another step in expanding our commercial presence in the region. As our network and fleet grow, this partnership will help us stay closer to our customers and …

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and Accor announced the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) marking a strategic partnership that will build on Saudi’s emergence as a global tourism powerhouse. This collaboration aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals, aiming to enhance international demand, grow brand visibility, and drive hotel bookings and loyalty across the country’s expanding hospitality landscape. The agreement strengthens Accor’s commitment to Saudi, creating significant commercial opportunities, expanding its reach, and elevating guest experiences across its portfolio. With a network of over 45 operating hotels — representing more than 17,000 rooms across 15 brands — and 44 properties in the pipeline set to add a further 11,000 rooms, Accor is strongly positioned to contribute to Saudi’s bold tourism ambitions and rising global appeal. Under the MOU, Accor and STA will co-create targeted marketing campaigns across key international markets, promote Saudi through digital platforms — including the dedicated Makkah Madinah Portal — and deliver curated guest experiences that inspire loyalty and drive visitation. The partnership will also drive traffic to ALL.com, strengthen engagement with the ALL – Accor Live Limitless loyalty programme, and roll out exclusive new experiences tailored to Saudi‘s diverse destinations. Duncan O’Rourke, Accor’s Chief Executive Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy brands for Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific said, “Accor’s strategic partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority reinforces our long-standing presence in the country and our shared commitment to driving tourism growth. Together, we will co-create impactful guest experiences, elevate service offerings, and bring the beauty and diversity of Saudi to a global audience. The opportunity to help shape the Saudi’s tourism landscape from the ground up makes this the ideal time for strategic alignment …

Visit Qatar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with flynas Airways to boost travel between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Under the agreement, the two parties will cooperate to explore opportunities to operate additional flights between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, in conjunction with hosting major events and tournaments, including the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™. The partnership will also focus on launching joint marketing campaigns aimed at promoting Qatar as a destination for visitors from the Saudi Arabian market. This agreement reinforces the solid foundation of cooperation between Visit Qatar and flynas, especially in the areas of enhancing air connectivity and implementing joint promotional campaigns during peak travel seasons. Through this partnership, both parties will continue to provide seamless travel experiences and enhance tourism between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The signing ceremony was attended by Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, along with senior Visit Qatar officials, while flynas was represented by Mr. Stéphane Majer, Chief Commercial Officer, and Mr. Abdulelah Al Eidi, Vice President of Sales.

Minor Hotels  announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Soma Bay Hotel Company SAE to develop a hotel under its luxury Anantara brand in Egypt. The first project under this partnership is expected to be announced later this year. Located in Soma Bay, a coastal resort destination on the Red Sea in Egypt, this self-contained, 2,500-acre community is just 45 km south of Hurghada International Airport. Set on a picturesque peninsula, Soma Bay offers a wide range of leisure activities, including diving, windsurfing, and sailing, making it a premier destination. The emerging resort destination also features one of the largest naturally occurring spas and thalassotherapy offerings in the region, where guests can experience a range of seawater-based treatments designed to promote relaxation, rejuvenation, and wellness using the healing properties of the Red Sea’s mineral-rich waters. Anantara is set to bring its signature luxury experience to Soma Bay with a new resort and branded residence complex, details of which will be announced soon. Since 2001, Anantara has offered immersive, authentic travel experiences that connect guests to the unique culture, people, and stories of each destination. With over 50 properties across Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean, Anantara’s hotels and resorts are in vibrant cities, tranquil beaches, deserts, and jungles, providing warm, Thai-rooted hospitality and creating unforgettable memories for every traveller. Soma Bay Hotel Company, based in Egypt, operates in the hospitality sector and owns several luxury properties along the Red Sea. Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of parent company Minor International, commented, “We are thrilled to expand the global reach of Minor Hotels with our entry into the Egyptian market. …

SanJeet Director DDP Group moderated an insightful session titled, ‘Wellness and celebratory tourism’ with three industry experts at the Arabian Travel Market. Paul Stevens, COO, MEA and Turkiye for Accor Hotels and Resorts Management, Eddy Tannous – COO – Rotana Hotels and Kathryn Moore – Managing Director Spa Connectors joined in the panel discussion where it was shared the growth of the industry, the many revenue aspects surrounding this multi-billion dollar business which happens to still need a new interface in the age of discovery and to be relevant to the customers.

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, through its agency Tourism Malaysia announced that Malaysia welcomed 194,440 tourists from Middle East region in 2024. Tourism Malaysia also launched “Visit Malaysia”  (VM2026) latest video which highlights surreal experiences in Malaysia. The Malaysian delegation is led by The Honourable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, who is accompanied by Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia. The delegation consists of 82 different organizations, which include five (5) state tourism boards, 34 tour operators, 35 hotels and resorts, five Tourism Products, two tourism associations alongside one airline. The Honourable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said: “Our multipronged VM2026 strategy provides a comprehensive framework to boost Malaysia’s visibility, enhance destination accessibility and elevate our tourism offerings.” The VM2026 logo, a symbol of Malaysia’s vibrant culture, natural beauty, and global appeal, serves as a visual representation of the country’s readiness to welcome tourists from around the world. Adopted as the campaign’s official icon, the Malayan Sun Bear, a proud and endangered species, reflects Malaysia’s deep commitment to wildlife conservation. Designed in a lovable, animated style, the mascot is intended to resonate with audiences of all ages, evoking a sense of warmth and joy while enhancing Malaysia’s image as a welcoming and family-friendly destination. Official VM2026 theme song, titled “Surreal Experiences” captures the essence of Malaysia’s unique offerings. This song will be a key component of the campaign to attract global attention and engage visitors with the enchanting experiences Malaysia has to offer. Malaysia is eager to welcome 45 million international visitors and to achieve RM270 billion (USD60.8 billion) in tourism receipts by 2025. …