In 2023, Dubai hotels occupied room nights soared to a record high of 41.70 million, marking a 11% increase compared to 2022 (37.43 million). This growth also represents a substantial 30% rise from the pre-pandemic figures of 2019, which saw 32.11 million occupied room nights. Reflecting the commitment of the city and hospitality sector to offer competitive pricing, the 2023 ADR of AED536 matched the ADR in 2022. The hotel sector’s robust performance is also evident in its RevPAR growth – an increase of 6% compared to 2022 (AED415 vs. AED391) and a growth of 33% over the pre-pandemic period of 2019 (RevPAR of AED312). Guests’ Length of Stay was 3.8 nights in 2023, a 10% increase from 3.4 nights in 2019. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “As Dubai continues its exponential growth in alignment with the D33 Agenda set forth by our forward-thinking leadership, we remain committed to further elevating our standards and to advancing with innovative and distinctive world-class infrastructure, experiences and attractions. The extensive range of offerings and Dubai’s reputation as a secure, inclusive and accessible destination have been consistently recognised across multiple global indices, culminating in the city being crowned the No.1 global destination for an unprecedented third year in a row in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2024.   Hotels outperform pre-pandemic levels across all metrics Dubai’s hospitality sector, which is integral to the emirate’s destination promise and overall growth of the tourism industry, continued to perform strongly, surpassing pre-pandemic levels across all hospitality metrics – Occupancy, Occupied Room Nights, Guests’ Length of Stay, Average Daily Rate (ADR), and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR). Occupancy remains …

Etihad Airways published its preliminary traffic statistics for January 2024 where the carrier welcomed more than 1.4 million guests onboard and saw its load factor average out at 86.04 per cent across the month. “In January 2024 we saw a 35 per cent year-on-year growth in customer numbers and were flying to five more destinations than the same period in 2023, making us one of the fastest growing airlines in the world,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. “We are meeting customer demand by adding more flights to key destinations, and Etihad is now offering almost 27% per cent more weekly departures for Summer 24 compared to last summer. “We began the year by launching daily flights from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Kozhikode (CCJ) and Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) in the Kerala region of India taking our total number of Indian gateways to 10. “We are proud to have welcomed 1.4 million guests to our new home, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport, and we eagerly anticipate introducing more of the world to both the new airport and the onboard Etihad experience throughout 2024, as our network and frequencies continue to expand.”

It was revealed that Spain recorded 56% increase of GCC travellers in 2023 compared to 2019 with a 33% increase compared to 2022. Saudi Arabia can be presented as the prime example of this growth, with more than 100% increase 19-23 and with a 92% increase in 23-22, the total number of Saudi tourists has surged up to 182 thousand, surpassing UAE as the main GCC market for Spain, and consolidating its status and the country’s vision for 2030. United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait follow after with this trend. The total number of GCC residents visiting Spain in 2023 reached 434 thousand, with an average stay of 8.6 days and a notable increase in expenditure. Factors such as good weather, family-friendly environments, and cultural resonance including the great arab legacy attract GCC travelers to Spain. Looking ahead to 2024, Spain aims to further consolidate its position as a top destination for Middle Eastern travelers through marketing campaigns, strategic alliances and multiple events. In line with this, Spain Tourism recently concluded a successful roadshow across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE, showcasing various regions and offerings of Spain to travel trade partners. The event facilitated networking and collaboration opportunities, emphasizing Spain’s commitment to providing unforgettable experiences for Middle Eastern travelers. Commenting on the success of the roadshow,Daniel Rosado, Director/Tourism Counsellor at Spain Tourism, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted with the positive response and engagement we received during our roadshow in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE. These regions hold immense potential for Spanish tourism, and our collaboration with travel trade partners has strengthened our commitment to providing unforgettable experiences for Middle Eastern travelers.” The roadshow aligns with Spain Tourism’s broader …

Qatar Airways and gategroup announced a new catering partnership to elevate inflight dining, structured through a Business Management Agreement that will see collaboration on passenger dining experiences, sourcing and procurement, healthy eating, as well as sustainability. Qatar Airways’ commitment to global aviation excellence will be reinforced by gategroup’s expertise in menu design, culinary concepts and operational excellence. This partnership with gategroup will amplify the Qatar Airways brand by delivering refined culinary experiences for our guests, inflight and on the ground in our world class lounges at Hamad International Airport. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “This partnership with gategroup will amplify the Qatar Airways brand by delivering refined culinary experiences for our guests, inflight and on the ground in our world class lounges at Hamad International Airport.” Chief Executive Officer of gategroup Mr. Christoph Schmitz said: “We are genuinely honoured to walk this path alongside Qatar Airways. It is a journey of discovery, growth, and immense potential, and we firmly believe in the transformative power of collaboration, where two companies come together with shared visions and values to craft something truly outstanding.” gategroup’s culinary team will be based in Doha and will contribute to the development of a dedicated culinary studio for Qatar Airways, which will facilitate innovation, co-creation and efficient menu design. The new culinary creations will focus on high quality ingredients, health and nutrition, incorporating local produce with a view to sustainable sourcing, authenticity and supporting local businesses. The elevation of culinary quality will be underpinned by robust processes around menu development, efficiency in production and systematic monitoring of food quality, taste and appearance. Through this collaboration, the airline will explore additional revenue …

In order to strengthen its position as an emirate dedicated to promote sports tourism, the Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD) announced that it will be hosting the 57th International Fitness and Bodybuilding – IFBB ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS in 2026, a move aimed at fortifying its standing as a premier sports tourism destination. The announcement was made today at a press conference held at the Ajman Police Sports and Shooting Club. His Highness Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD), presided over the press conference alongside key figures such as His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Saif al-Sharqi, President of the UAE Federation for Body Building and Physical Strength, Dr. Rafael Santoga, President of the International Federation of Bodybuilding, and Dr. Eng. Adel Fahim, President of the Arab and African Bodybuilding Federation, among others. The Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship, organized and sponsored by the Ajman Department of Tourism Development, will serve as a unique opportunity for Ajman to showcase its diversity and appeal as a sports tourism hub. The tournament is scheduled to take place in May 2026, further solidifying Ajman’s reputation as a host of prominent international sporting events. In addition to the main competition, the event will feature side activities that offer visitors a chance to experience the local culture and heritage of Ajman. These include folk arts, traditional cuisine, and artistic performances, enriching the overall visitor experience. Ajman also plans to enhance its tourism services in preparation for the 2026 Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship. A range of offerings, from accommodation facilities to shopping and entertainment experiences, will be tailored to meet the expectations of guests. Through these …

Qatar Tourism led a delegation of 13 hospitality partners to the Mumbai 2024 Outbound Travel Show, one of Asia’s leading travel exhibitions. The exhibition is a platform for Qatar Tourism to present its latest offerings in the Indian markets and meet more than 35,000 travel and tourism professionals. The three-day exhibition schedule, from February 8 to 10, will be held at the Geo World Convention Centre in Mumbai. For the third consecutive year, Qatar Tourism won the ‘Best Design and Decoration’ award for its pavilion at the awards ceremony at the exhibition, where Qatar Tourism recorded its largest participation in the exhibition, opening a two-storey pavilion spread over a large area of 200 square meters. The pavilion showcased unique activities, through which visitors were able to experience visual simulations of Qatar’s wildlife, interact closely with it on the LED screen, and take souvenir photos. The exhibition was a great opportunity for Qatar Tourism to participate in the leading markets identified by the 2030 Strategy. In 2023, Qatar welcomed around 420,000 visitors from India, accounting for 10% of the total international visitors for that year, making it the second most visited after Saudi Arabia. The Qatar Tourism Pavilion featured a number of travel and tourism partners, including Qatar Airways, Discover Qatar, Qatar Calendar and Hilton Beach Resort.Salwa, Rixos Hotel at Qetaifan Island North, Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort, Resort Marsa Malaz Kempinski, Rixos Gulf Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, Q Moments such as Destination Management Companies (DMC), company Conciliation Travel & Tourism, Regency Travel & Tourism, Ali Bin Ali Travel & Tourism.

Dubai welcomed more tourists than ever before in 2023, attracting 17.15 million international overnight visitors over the course of the year, according to the latest data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Representing a 19.4% YoY growth over the 14.36 million tourist arrivals in 2022, last year’s figure also exceeded the previous record of 16.73 million visitors registered in 2019. The growth aligns with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 launched just over a year ago by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as one of the top three global cities for business and leisure, and the best city to visit, live and work in. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said: “The best ever performance of Dubai’s tourism sector in 2023 is a testament to the foresight of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. His Highness’s commitment to fostering resilience, excellence and innovation across economic sectors and encouraging meaningful public-private partnerships that deliver value has had a transformative impact on tourism development in the emirate. Dubai’s ability to constantly generate diverse and refreshingly novel travel and tourism experiences catering to a wide range of visitors has been a key factor behind this exceptional performance. With several indicators outperforming pre-pandemic levels, this year’s results mark Dubai out as a vibrant focal point of growth in the global tourism landscape.” Celebrating a record-breaking year in 2023, Dubai further …

Sabre Corporation announced a new alliance with Red Sparrow Tourism Consultancy. The deal will give travel agents across Egypt increased opportunities to grow their businesses with Sabre’s intuitive technology. Through the agreement, Red Sparrow will be licensed to represent and distribute the Sabre brand to travel agencies across Egypt. This will further amplify Sabre’s growing presence in Africa while giving agents enhanced access to Sabre solutions, including Sabre Red 360, which provides a full spectrum of bookable content through a customizable interface. Through Red Sparrow, Sabre-connected agents will also have access to a localized helpdesk in Egypt. “We’re excited and proud to be combining Sabre’s advanced technology with our deep market support and expertise,” said Tarek Hefny, Country Manager, Red Sparrow. “With continued focus on further, significant growth for the Egyptian tourist sector, it’s more important than ever that travel agents here have access to the industry-leading solutions they need to enhance offers and experiences for travellers while growing their own revenue.” This latest agreement further expands Sabre’s geographic footprint in Africa, following a recent distributor deal with SABRON Tech Ltd for key markets in East Africa. “Working collaboratively with our travel partners across the globe is incredibly important to Sabre, and for the growth of the wider travel ecosystem,” said Sean McDonald, Managing Director, EMEA, Agency Solutions. “So, we’re delighted to come together with Red Sparrow to provide travel agents in Egypt with the technology they need to make compelling recommendations and create personalized experiences for their travellers through Sabre’s smart workflows.”

Visit Qatar and Qatar Airways have announced the launch of Doha stopover packages as part of their efforts to promote Qatar as a leading tourist destination to be added to final passenger journeys, at a press conference held by His Excellency Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism, and Eng. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Group Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways, in the presence of a group of international media representatives on an extensive familiarization trip to Doha, at Msheireb, Downtown Doha. Visit Qatar plays a key role in strengthening partnerships with government entities and encouraging investments, as well as supporting private sector engagement to ensure the growth of the hospitality and tourism sectors. It works to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading tourism destination while preserving its rich cultural heritage. Visit Qatar’s efforts are focused on strengthening the country’s tourism infrastructure, promoting sustainable development and promoting cultural exchange, in line with Qatar ‘s vision.National 2030 Commenting on the press conference, His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism, said: “The launch of the Qatar Stopover packages is a testament to the continued fruitful cooperation between Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways, which gives passengers a great opportunity to expand their travel experience by visiting Qatar. Recognising the richness and diversity of Qatar’s tourism experiences, we believe that Qatar’s ‘Stopover’ packages will resonate with visitors.” “It is essential that 2023 saw more than double the number of passengers and hotel nights associated with stopovers in Qatar compared to 2022, thanks to Qatar Airways’ growing network of more than 177 international destinations. January 2024 also saw another remarkable achievement, with the number of incoming visitors exceeding 700,000. …

The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) is extending a warm invitation to travellers from GCC, encouraging them to immerse themselves in the country’s rich cultural tapestry. In 2024, visitors exploring Germany will encounter a rich mosaic of experiences, each unique to different parts of the country. Germany’s event calendar is brimming with a variety of engagements, ensuring that every visit is both memorable and distinct. This diverse range of events showcases the country’s cultural richness and promises an enriching journey for all who travel there. GNTO has shared a lineup of events across Germany for the year 2024 as a guide for travellers from GCC to some of the most anticipated happenings that will inspire their next journey to the heart of Europe. Each of these events reflects Germany’s commitment to celebrating its rich heritage and contemporary vibrancy. From the serene beauty of historic art to the roaring excitement of football matches, from the enchanting routes of fairy tales to the reflective significance of historical anniversaries, Germany in 2024 offers a spectrum of experiences. Hamburg will be in the spotlight as it hosts the biggest port festival in the world. The Hamburg Port Anniversary, from May 9 to 12, will feature an extended range of events, including maritime presentations on the Elbe, the Grand Arrival Parade, the Tugboat Ballet, and spectacular fireworks show. The festival atmosphere will extend along the docks, with over 420 stand operators and performers, ensuring a lively and diverse experience for all visitors. Football fans will have a reason to cheer as Germany hosts the European Championship 2024 from 14 June to 14 July across ten host cities. Berlin, Munich, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Cologne, Düsseldorf, …