Why tourism must be for all and not the few
Accessible tourism is not just a luxury, it’s a right. Michael Donald, co-founder of Halo Business Consulting, takes us through the groundbreaking innovations that are helping to create a more inclusive and equitable travel and tourism industry.
Wellness in travel and tourism with Amanda Schmiege of The Pearl Spa and Wellness
Amanda Schmiege, senior director of spa and wellness at The Pearl Spa and Wellness UAE Collection (Four Seasons Dubai and Abu Dhabi), discusses the pivotal role of wellness in the tourism industry.
Midscale and economy: the new kids on the block
Firmly established as a hospitality investment hotspot, the GCC is now witnessing new industry trends, including growth beyond the luxury segment. These efforts to boost visitor numbers by broadening the tourism offering are already paying dividends in key regional destinations, as Kostas Nikolaidis, Middle East and Africa executive for STR, explains.
Bright outlook for GCC hotel industry
Having cemented its status as a global tourist destination, the region is well placed to attract new investment for the industry, following a swift post-pandemic rebound marked by impressive visitor numbers, huge project pipelines and the introduction of business-friendly initiatives, as Kostas Nikolaidis, Middle East and Africa executive for STR, explains.
Dubai breaks the record of international visitation in H1 2023
Dubai’s resurgent tourism industry is celebrating a successful first half of 2023, after welcoming a record 8.55 million international overnight visitors, compared to 8.36 million tourists in H1 2019.
Navigating the Middle East’s skies with Kashif Khalid
We caught up with Kashif Khalid, IATA’s regional director for the Middle East and Africa, to discuss everything related to travel.
A bright new era for regional tourism
The Middle East’s hospitality sector is currently witnessing a remarkable upsurge, with significant growth and extensive development under way in travel, tourism and hotel construction. This expansion has been propelled by several factors, including ambitious infrastructure projects, strategic investments and a sharpened focus among key players on developing the sector.
Leveraging AI to reach travelers
With leisure travel returning to pre-pandemic levels, travel and hospitality companies are looking for ways to reach travelers through personalized summer campaigns using AI-powered programmatic advertising. Tech, marketing and digital strategy expert Terry Kane, managing director ME and Africa of Trade Desk, tells us more.
Sustainability defines Middle East’s luxury travel sector
Sustainability is becoming an important consideration within the Middle East’s luxury travel sector, especially in the UAE, where 61 percent of residents are willing to pay a premium for more responsible, eco-friendly and sustainable tourism experiences.
Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning hospitality scene ranks first among Arab nations for inbound visitors in 2022
Saudi Arabia registered more international arrivals than any other Arab nation during the first nine months of 2022, as government officials aim to attract 100 million annual visitors by the end of this decade.