The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has signed three usufruct contracts valued at over RO 56 million to develop major tourism projects aimed at boosting Oman’s hospitality and adventure tourism sectors. The contracts cover the development of integrated tourism complexes in the Wilayats of Khasab and Nakhl, and the transformation of Wadi Al Shab in Sur into a premier adventure tourism destination. The agreements were signed under the patronage of H.E. Salim Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism. The first project focuses on the enhancement of Wadi Al Shab, a prominent natural attraction in the Wilayat of Sur, South Al Sharqiyah Governorate. The initiative includes the construction of an adventure park featuring zip lines, mountain climbing trails, suspension bridges, swimming areas for both adults and children, as well as restaurants and cafés. The project is designed to attract both local and international tourists year-round while promoting environmental sustainability. The second contract was signed with Khasab Development and Investment Company for the establishment of the “Sandan – Khasab Pearl” integrated tourism complex. Spanning 43,658 square meters in the Wilayat of Khasab, the project will feature a 4-star hotel with 200 rooms and 450 residential units available for ownership by Omanis and foreign nationals. The third project, “Hamyan Village,” will be developed by Hamyan Investment and Project Development Company on a 201,031 square meter plot in Halban, Wilayat of Nakhl, South Al Batinah Governorate. Represented by Saud Hamad Al Ta’ei, the company will build a 4-star hotel with 156 rooms, 535 residential units including apartments and villas, and a variety of amenities such as a market, restaurants, water park, and other recreational services.

ITB China officially opened last evening withTravTalk ME as media partner and Malaysia tourism as the destination partner. Speaking at the opening dinner last evening, David Ruetz, Senior Vice President Messe Berlin shared that they anticipate over 700 exhibitors from around 90 countries and regions, while the number of buyers is set to increase by 30%, reflecting the growing global interest in the event. The Honourable Dato Sri Tiong King Sing – Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia shared the importance of ITB China as they become destination partner promoting 2026 as Visit Malaysia year. Ruetz addressing the audience reiterated, ” We are truly honored to be celebrating this evening with over 700 esteemed representatives from across the travel industry – all united under one roof. The global travel industry is on an exciting trajectory, full of dynamism and renewed energy. The momentum is especially felt and vibrant here in China. We are witnessing not just a mere recovery, but a reimagining of the sector. Chinese travelers are maturing, seeking deeper, more meaningful journeys. And destinations respond by offering more immersive and personalized experiences. Travel is evolving, and China is at the forefront of these new and exciting trends. The 6th edition of ITB China is a clear reflection of that momentum. We are thrilled to announce that ITB China has expanded by an impressive 30% compared to last year, underscoring the growing relevance and confidence in this market. Over the next three days, we will bring together more than 700 exhibitors from 85 countries, and 1,400 hosted buyers from every province in China and across the globe. This is a powerful signal of trust in the market, in the …

SalamAir announced its partnership with Booking.com. This collaboration aims to offer SalamAir passengers an enhanced travel experience by providing seamless access to a variety of accommodation and car rental options through SalamAir`s website. With the wide variety of hotels, resorts, car rental services, and more offered by Booking.com, SalamAir now offers a trustworthy one-stop channel to book an entire holiday experience, all in one place. Passengers can seamlessly plan their trip, from flights to accommodation and transportation, via the “Book a Hotel and Rent a Car” widgets on the SalamAir website. This initiative reinforces SalamAir’s commitment to providing greater convenience, flexibility, and value while delivering a fully integrated travel experience tailored to the diverse needs of its passengers. Steve Allen, Chief Commercial Officer at SalamAir, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: “At SalamAir, we continuously seek innovative ways to improve the travel experience for our passengers. Our partnership with Booking.com marks an additional step in providing a seamless and more enjoyable journey by offering a wide range of accommodation and transportation solutions alongside our various travel options. We believe this collaboration will add substantial value to our passengers and further enhance our commitment to affordability and convenience.” Mark van der Linden, VP Partnerships, at Booking.com said of the collaboration: “We are delighted to partner with SalamAir in bringing more travel solutions to its passengers. Our mission at Booking.com is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, and by working with SalamAir, we can ensure that more passengers will have access to diverse accommodation and car rental options that suit their travel needs.” Through this partnership, SalamAir passengers can conveniently book hotels and car rentals alongside their …

Minor Hotels signed a strategic hotel management agreement for a prominent beachfront property on Dubai’s iconic Palm West Beach in collaboration with valued partners, Seven Tides. Effective by 1st August 2025, the addition of this new resort and serviced residences—currently operating as Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel—to Minor Hotels’ managed portfolio further strengthens the group’s growing footprint in the United Arab Emirates and establishes it as the largest operator on the Trunk of the Palm. The resort, which includes 273 hotel keys and 287 serviced apartments, boasts a premier beachfront location adjacent to NH Collection Dubai The Palm, which launched in February 2023. This agreement will see Minor Hotels’ total key count on Palm Jumeirah increase to 1,524 keys across three properties including Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort and NH Collection Dubai The Palm under three distinctive brands, reinforcing the group’s long-term commitment to the region. Located on the vibrant Palm West Beach, one of Dubai’s most desirable lifestyle destinations, the property offers direct access to a lively beachfront promenade featuring upscale restaurants, beach clubs, and entertainment venues. Its prime location also places guests within easy reach of major and is a convenient 30-minute drive from Dubai International Airport, making it an ideal choice for both leisure and business travellers. The property comprises a range of room and suite options, and the 287 serviced apartments include studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts. Guests can enjoy six dining venues, from a specialty restaurant and pool bar, along with a private beach, infinity pool, lazy river, and extensive wellness and family-friendly facilities. Minor Hotels will also implement a soft refurbishment of the guest rooms and public spaces prior to a rebranding of …

Barceló Hotel Group announces the expansion of its presence in the Middle East with the opening of Barceló Hotel & Residences, Bahrain, adding 195 keys to its robust portfolio. This marks the group’s debut property in Bahrain, with the contemporary hotel located in the bustling heart of the capital, the historical district of Seef. This new addition is ideally suited for both business and leisure travellers seeking a sophisticated stay in one of Manama’s most prominent neighbourhoods. The new Barceló Hotel & Residences, Bahrain rises in a 20-story building topped by a rooftop with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and an exciting culinary offering. The property boasts 195 spacious and modern designed rooms equipped to guarantee maximum comfort. The hotel also features interconnected rooms, ideal for families and groups travelling together. Each accommodation offers amazing views of the city centre and is meticulously furnished, making it an ideal destination for an urban getaway with family, or a vacation with friends. At Barceló Hotel & Residences, Bahrain, guests can unwind at the hotel’s state-of-the-art spa, take a refreshing dip in the rooftop pool, or maintain their fitness routine at the fully equipped gym. The wellness area offers a range of rejuvenating treatments, while the kids club provides a fun environment where parents can drop their children to enjoy engaging activities. In addition, the club lounge offers a private space for relaxation and refreshments for guests throughout the day. The hotel also features two extensive meeting and business centres, making it an ideal choice for business conferences and social gatherings. Moreover, the property features four exceptional dining venues that blend traditional Middle Eastern flavours with modern international cuisine. The A la Carte …

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb officially launched TOURISE , a bold new global platform designed to shape a new horizon and plot a shared roadmap for the next 50 years of tourism. Built for ambition and backed by vision, TOURISE will convene a dynamic cross-section of public and private sector industry giants for the first time. Visionary leaders with tourism, technology, investment, sustainability, and cultural expertise will be connected to tackle critical challenges, unlock transformative opportunities and set the agenda for a sector that is sustainable, equitable and future-focused. Along with global partners from multilateral institutions to private sector leaders, TOURISE is designed to unlock major, unprecedented deal flow, with high-value investment opportunities and access to breakthrough technologies set to be announced and activated through the platform. TOURISE is no ordinary event; it is a global platform structured for year-round impact at scale through digital collaboration, thematic working groups, and cross-sector partnerships focused on long-term sector transformation. This will include authoring a series of white papers and global indices focused on tourism, sustainability and global economy, co-developed with leading international organizations, setting new benchmarks for the tourism sector. The inaugural TOURISE Summit will take place in Riyadh from November 11 to 13, 2025. The program, which will also be livestreamed, will focus on four core themes: The Future of AI-Powered Tourism – Innovate or Fade; The Great Tourism Reset – Disruptive Business Models and Investment; Rebooting the Travel Experience – Upgrade in Progress; and Tourism that Works – for People, Planet, and Progress. A dedicated Innovation Zone will showcase breakthrough technologies and solutions from SMEs and mid to large corporations spanning AI, mobility, sustainability, and more …

An agreement was signed between Qatar Tourism, the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with the aim of coordinating joint efforts to implement the waterfront project in West Bay and Al Safliya Island. This strategic project marks a key milestone in the tender process for the development and operation of five distinct beach plots along Doha’s iconic waterfront in West Bay, as well as Al Safliya Island. The project is a significant step in Qatar’s efforts to develop its tourism infrastructure and expand leisure options. Expressions of interest were opened to regional and international developers and operators with experience in the implementation of major hospitality and leisure projects. The scope of the project includes the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of 5 dedicated beachfront plotsin the West Bay area, as well as Al Saflia Island. The project will include accommodation facilities, F&B outlets, and leisure facilities, contributing to the creation of an integrated beach destination accessible to all. Qatar Tourism, in collaboration with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar (IPA), has announced the opening of Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the West Bay Waterfront Project and Al Safliya Island. The announcement was made on May 22, during the Qatar Economic Forum, in the presence of high-level representatives from the participating entities. The agreement was signed on behalf of Qatar Tourism by Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Head of Tourism Development Sector, Mr. Saleh Al Khulaifi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industry and Business Development Affairs, and Eng. Mohammed Masoud Al Marri, Projects Consultant on behalf of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal). H.E. Saad bin Ali …

Available on both iOS and Android wearable devices, the flynas smartwatch app provides guests with all their travel details in one place on a comprehensive details screen, where users can quickly navigate to any booking to check details or prepare for future journeys. The app also provides alerts and keeps travelers informed of trip updates. flynas operates 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations in 30 countries with more than 1500 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, with the aim to reach 165 domestic and international destinations within its growth and expansion plan, and in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.flynas launched its smartwatch app further consolidating its leadership in providing innovative digital solutions to its guests, ensuring a seamless travel experience across its flights.  Passengers traveling with flynas can book their flights through all flynas booking channels: www.flynas.com, the flynas app, the call centre (920001234), or travel agents.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Greenview have launched a Global ESG Policy Tracker that enables Travel & Tourism businesses to stay ahead of rapidly evolving ESG-related regulation and policy around the world. Developed in collaboration with Greenview, a global leader in sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data solutions for the hospitality and Travel & Tourism industries, the WTTC-Greenview Global ESG Policy Tracker offers an online interactive dashboard, alongside comprehensive coverage of regional, national-level and state-level ESG policies. Users also benefit from clear regional and thematic policy summaries, quarterly updates to ensure the latest information is always at hand, and access to a dedicated advisory group to shape future developments of the Policy Tracker. The tracker is designed to support Travel & Tourism businesses to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and integrate sustainability considerations into core business decisions. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “ESG requirements are becoming more complex and more urgent by the day, and this partnership provides an essential tool to help companies not only comply with policy, but also lead the way in responsible, future-focused Travel & Tourism. The ESG Tracker offers timely, clear and actionable insights – helping them benchmark progress, anticipate change, and deliver on their commitments.” Eric Ricaurte, Founder & CEO of Greenview, added: “We are proud to partner with WTTC on this important initiative. Our expertise in ESG policy research and content management allows us to bring high-value, practical intelligence to hospitality leaders across the globe. “Together, we’re building a resource that will drive meaningful change and support long-term resilience across the sector.” The tracker marks a major milestone in the sector’s journey towards more sustainable and transparent operations and builds on …

Michelin celebrated the city’s culinary excellence like never before at Dubai’s fourth MICHELIN Guide Ceremony, held at Address Sky View. The event revealed 119 establishments, covering over 35 cuisine types, which made it into this year’s selection, showcasing the city’s booming gastronomic scene. For this fourth edition, The MICHELIN Guide Dubai recognizes two new One MICHELIN Star restaurants, and two new Three MICHELIN Star restaurants, as well as five new Bib Gourmand establishments. “Dubai’s rapid transformation into a global culinary hub is testament to its diversity and excellence,” says Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide.” As demonstrated by Trèsind Studio’s historic achievement of earning Three MICHELIN Stars in its fourth appearance—making it the first Indian restaurant worldwide to earn the Guide’s highest accolade—Dubai embraces a rich tapestry of flavors that reflect the world’s gastronomic passions. With the city now home to 119 MICHELIN-recommended establishments, it stands as a beacon for food lovers, drawing them to experience the very best of the world’s culinary traditions, all within one dynamic destination.” Whatever a restaurant’s cuisine style, concept or location, whether they are luxury fine dining restaurants or street food eateries, the MICHELIN Guide Inspectors use the same five criteria all around the world: the quality of the ingredients; mastery of cooking techniques; the harmony of the flavors; expression of the chef’s personality in the cuisine; and consistency, both over time and across the entire menu. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “The launch of the fourth edition of the MICHELIN Guide Dubai, including the naming of the city’s first Three MICHELIN …