Tag Archives: travellers

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.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC shared with TravTalkME that the priority of the organisation is to ensure the safety and support travellers during the current situation in the Middle East. “WTTC is closely following the impact that the current tensions in the Middle East are having on travellers, businesses and communities across the region and beyond. The safety and wellbeing of travellers and those working across the Travel & Tourism sector must always remain the highest priority. “At times such as these, close cooperation between governments and the private sector is essential. WTTC’s Members and partners are working together to prioritise safety, share information and support travellers and communities affected by disruption. “Travel & Tourism plays a vital role in connecting people, sustaining livelihoods and fostering mutual understanding. WTTC stands alongside the global sector in supporting safe and responsible travel, while encouraging stability that enables the industry to continue contributing positively to economies and communities worldwide.”

In response to ongoing flight disruptions, Palazzo Versace Dubai is supporting travellers who may experience unexpected delays in the city. To assist affected guests, the hotel is offering a complimentary stay including breakfast, subject to availability and confirmation of travel status. The team remains in close contact with the relevant UAE authorities and continues to follow official guidance to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both guests and colleagues. Palazzo Versace Dubai is fully operational and ready to provide comfort and assistance during this time. Travellers needing support are encouraged to contact the hotel directly on +971 4 556 8888 or via email at reservations@palazzoversace.ae.

flydubai announced the launch of double-daily flights to Bangkok, bringing its operations to Thailand to 28 weekly flights. The new service will commence on 15 September 2026, operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International (DXB) to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) in Bangkok. The addition of double-daily flights to Bangkok marks flydubai’s second destination in Thailand, complementing its existing operations to Krabi and reinforcing the carrier’s commitment to expanding connectivity between Dubai and Southeast Asia. Don Mueang Airport is one of two international airports serving Bangkok. Located just north of the city centre, Don Mueang Airport is a key gateway for business and leisure travellers, offering convenient access to the vibrant Thai capital and its surrounding regions. Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: “Thailand remains a very popular destination for both leisure and business travel. The launch of our double-daily service to Bangkok reflects continued demand across our network and underscores our commitment to providing our customers with more convenient and flexible travel options. With our flights operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International and in codeshare with Emirates, passengers can enjoy seamless connectivity through Dubai’s world-class aviation hub from destinations across the GCC, Europe and beyond.” With the launch of this service, flydubai continues to expand its network, now spanning more than 135 destinations. The carrier’s growing footprint underscores Dubai’s position as a global aviation hub, providing passengers from the GCC, Europe and beyond with convenient one-stop connections via Dubai. Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at flydubai, said: “We are pleased to strengthen our presence in Thailand with the launch of double-daily flights to Bangkok and ​ look forward to welcoming passengers on board to enjoy …

Balloon Flights LLC, one of the region’s leading hot air balloon operators, successfully presented the UAE’s first-ever LED hot air balloon show in Margham as part of the New Year celebrations held on 1 January. Guests experienced a breathtaking fusion of aviation, innovation, and desert beauty as the balloon illuminated the night sky with dynamic LED visuals displayed inside the balloon envelope. While LED lighting has previously been used in helium balloons around the world, this marked the first time in the UAE that a full LED show was showcased inside a traditional hot air balloon — setting a new benchmark for aerial entertainment and experiential tourism. The guests arrived at the take-off location at 5:30 AM, where they were welcomed with refreshments and given a comprehensive safety briefing. A 15-minute LED show followed, captivating attendees with vivid, animated visuals projected inside the balloon envelope. At 6:30 AM, the balloons — carrying a mix of tourists and UAE residents — ascended into the early morning sky, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the desert at sunrise. The flights concluded at 7:30 AM. Balloon Flights LLC continues to be recognised for offering exclusive, high-end desert balloon experiences, including the region’s only “Breakfast in the Sky” — a luxurious in-flight dining experience served onboard a specially manufactured private basket, setting a new standard in desert tourism. Above all, Balloon Flights LLC prioritises safety, operating under strict aviation regulations with trained and certified pilots, robust safety systems, and continuous operational oversight to ensure each guest enjoys a secure and unforgettable journey. Commenting on the launch, Manoj Tulsani, Chairman of Balloon Flights LLC, said “This was a great opportunity to enrich the tourism sector and …

Dubai Airports has entered the winter travel season with one of its strongest networks in history, as Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) welcome new airlines and expanded connectivity to meet rising seasonal travel demand. Direct traffic remains a defining feature of DXB’s winter season, now accounting for 55% of passenger demand. This uplift is part of a regular annual cycle influenced by the cooler climate, a packed calendar of international business, sports and entertainment events, residents travelling abroad for holidays or family gatherings, and the continuous flow of people choosing to live in Dubai for the long or medium term. Europe and Central Asia are driving considerable uplift this winter. FlyArystan joined the network on 29 November with twice-weekly flights from the Kazakh city of Aktau, while Austrian Airlines returned on 2 December with five weekly services from Vienna. Capacity from European carriers is also rising. Virgin Atlantic has deployed the A350-1000 on its Dubai route, lifting seat capacity by 52%, and British Airways has restored A380 services from London Heathrow. Together, these moves signal robust confidence from European markets heading into the festive season. Seasonal demand from South Asia and the wider Middle East is also deepening DXB’s connectivity. Varesh Airline introduced twice-weekly flights from Sari in Iran on 30 October, and Fly Jinnah added twice-weekly services from Lahore on 2 November, reinforcing strong point-to-point traffic from regional hubs where winter travel to and from Dubai typically intensifies. One of the sharpest rises this season is coming from Saudi Arabia. which is already DXB’s second-largest country market at 7.8% of total passengers as of October year-to-date. Combined traffic from Saudi Arabia reached 6.3 …

Over 80% of travellers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia (KSA) intend to go on more or the same amount of holidays in 2026 compared to 2025 (84% in UAE and 83% in KSA). This includes 54% who plan to go on an increased number (56% in UAE and 52% in KSA), according to new industry research amongst 4,017 adults in UAE and KSA. Figures from Marriott Bonvoy’s 2026 Ticket to Travel Report suggest continued overall growth in the industry. In 2026, the average traveller is planning 3 domestic holidays within their own country, 2 short-haul breaks (four-hour flight or less) and 2 long-haul trips. The report also shows that on average people book their holiday 2.1 months in advance (2.5 in UAE and 1.6 in KSA). Visiting multiple countries (not just destinations) within one trip – will continue to be common for travellers in 2026. 75% say they ‘probably or definitely’ plan to do this next year. Popular international travel destinations for travellers in the UAE and KSA include Italy, Switzerland, France and Turkiye. Nearly three quarters of travellers (72%) say they have used AI to plan or research a holiday (77% in UAE and 68% in KSA). Over a fifth (23%) say they use it ‘all the time’ (24% in UAE and 22% in KSA). ChatGPT is the favoured AI platform for travel planning – used by three quarters (76%) of those who have previously used AI for this purpose (81% in UAE and 70% in KSA). It is followed by Gemini at 38% (41% in UAE and 35% in KSA) and Copilot at 21% (23% in UAE and 19% in KSA). Reinforcing the increased familiarity and trust travellers …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) hosted an exclusive Europe (Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Romania) Marketplace in Al Ain Region, connecting over 200 travel trade partners from each country with more than 50 Abu Dhabi-based stakeholders, including hotels, attractions, and destination management companies. It forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships with industry partners from key markets and boost visitor numbers to the emirate. Abu Dhabi has experienced a robust increase in visitors from Europe, with overnight guests increasing by 8% year-to-date compared to last year. This positive trend is further bolstered by enhanced accessibility, as flight connectivity from Europe has seen an 18.4% year-on-year increase in total seat capacity to over 3.24 million seats in 2025. These figures, coupled with high visitor satisfaction rates, paint a clear picture of European travellers eager for more of what Abu Dhabi has to offer. The event featured a range of discussions, networking opportunities, and familiarisation activities designed to ignite collaboration and educate Europe travel partners on Abu Dhabi’s extensive offering. From the vibrant capital city to the historic sites of Al Ain Region, the array of diverse experiences makes Abu Dhabi a destination with endless travel possibilities. Attendees also experienced traditional Emirati performances and engaged in cultural workshops. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Europe represents a dynamic and rapidly growing market for Abu Dhabi, and our commitment to fostering robust partnerships within this region is paramount. This marketplace is designed to be an invaluable platform for direct engagement, allowing us to not only showcase the breadth of Abu Dhabi’s unique offerings but to also listen, collaborate …

flydubai has expanded its presence in Romania with the launch of direct flights to Iasi, becoming the first UAE carrier to offer nonstop service from Dubai. This marks the airline’s second destination in Romania, alongside Bucharest, further strengthening its European footprint. The new twice-weekly service landed at Iasi International Airport to a warm welcome, including a traditional water cannon salute and reception by airport officials and media. With this launch, flydubai now operates 21 weekly flights to Romania, including a planned ramp-up to three daily flights to Bucharest from late October, a move driven by a consistent 16% annual growth in passenger demand since 2012. Iasi, known as Romania’s cultural capital, offers rich heritage and historical landmarks, making it an attractive destination for both leisure and business travellers. The new route opens access to an underserved region, connecting the Moldova area of Romania to the UAE and beyond. This expansion follows flydubai’s recent entry into Chisinau (Moldova) and comes ahead of upcoming launches to Vilnius (Lithuania) and Riga (Latvia), reinforcing the airline’s strategy to connect Dubai with emerging European markets.