Morocco’s tourism sector setting a new record attracting 4 million visitors in Q1, the UAE strengthening its ties with China through the China Visitors Summit, and Saudi Arabia investing in its tourism infrastructure to create one million jobs by 2030. Notable developments include AlUla’s inclusion in the IMD World Smart Cities Index 2025 and Dubai hosting the largest peace summit, showcasing the region’s growing influence in tourism and cultural exchange.

AlUla Skies Festival, Dubai Marathon, Ride with Rixos, and DEF lineup: it’s all go with the region’s events

Running from 18-27 April, the AlUla Skies Festival will showcase high‑tech telescopes, interactive exhibits and immersive workshops, including the 360° projection dome of the House of Constellations and the hands‑on Celestial Sky Port at Jabal Ikmah. Daily hot‑air and tethered balloon rides, evening balloon‑glow shows, live concerts, wellness sessions, open‑air cinema and expert stargazing round out the experiences.

Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi will also be hosting the Ride with Rixos on 26 April 26, a 20 km charity cycling event along the Corniche to mark World Wish Day and support Make-A-Wish UAE, which has granted over 7,600 wishes to children with critical illnesses. The day kicks off at 6:45 AM with a briefing and warm‑up, departs at 7:15 AM, and finishes back at the hotel for refreshments, guided stretching, and a communal breakfast.

The Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF) 2025 with run from 25 April to 11 May and features premier esports tournaments, interactive showcases and industry summits. Organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, the fourth edition’s highlights include GameExpo (9-11 May at Dubai World Trade Centre), the GameExpo Summit, Dubai Cosplay Championship on 11 May.

Plus, for those looking ahead, registrations are now open for the prestigious 25th Dubai Marathon, set for 1 February, 2026. Celebrating its silver jubilee as the Middle East’s oldest international road race, the event offers a flat, fast course alongside smaller 10 km and 4 km races. 

Oman offers free Belarus visas amid tourism investment project

Oman’s Dhofar governorate is rolling out major tourism, renewable energy and infrastructure projects to diversify its economy and enhance quality of life. The RO 40 million Boulevard Razaz development in Salalah will feature waterways, gardens, a hotel and exhibition centre across 470,000 sqm, aiming to attract over one million visitors and create 1,500 jobs. Dhofar’s wind power capacity will grow from 50 MW today to over 280 MW by 2027, while new leisure sites and road upgrades, including dualising the Raysut-Mughsail highway, are also underway.

This comes as Oman’s National Tourism Agency announced that Belarusian citizens with ordinary passports can now obtain free visas on arrival in Oman for stays of up to 14 days. Visas are issued at airports as well as land and sea border checkpoints. 

Hot air balloon tourism breaks records in Turkey 

New statistics have been released showing Turkey’s hot‑air balloon sector carried a record 933,195 tourists in 2024, a 25% rise over 2023. 43,283 flights were operated across seven key sites such as Cappadocia and Pamukkale. As a result, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is vetting requests to open new regions for ballooning, conducting safety inspections amid challenging weather conditions. Currently, 71 licensed operators fly a total of 441 balloons. 

Sharjah’s $800,000 air taxi 

Sharjah’s Research, Technology and Innovation Park this week unveiled the PAL‑V Liberty, a road‑legal “fly‑drive” gyroplane capable of covering up to 500 km at 180 km/h and shortening commutes by taking off from local airstrips. Priced at around $800,000, the Dutch‑made vehicle requires both a driver’s licence and a gyroplane rating. PAL‑V, which has €150–200 million in orders (20–30% from the Middle East), plans UAE certification by 2027 and hopes to establish a regional assembly.

Morocco and Tunisia attracting Brazilian tourists

Tunisia saw a 30% rise in Brazilian arrivals in 2024, about 5,000 visitors versus 2019, and aims to triple that to 15,000 per year within ten years. Debuting at WTM Latin America, the Tunisian tourism office is organising familiarisation trips for Brazilian travel agents, pursuing airline partnerships and leveraging Mediterranean cruise stopovers (25% of arrivals) to boost visibility. Key target experiences include Sahara desert tours, cultural itineraries and Djerba.

Morocco is aiming for 30 million tourists by 2030 and is also boosting Brazilian arrivals by expanding direct flights and promoting tourism at WTM Latin America. After welcoming 40,000 Brazilians in 2024, Royal Air Maroc is expanding weekly services and exploring new routes and destinations.

Earlier this week…

Morocco breaks tourist records in Q1 2025

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy, Morocco’s tourism sector set a new record in Q1 2025 by attracting 4 million visitors, marking a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The quarter saw 2.1 million international tourists and 1.9 million Moroccan diaspora members. Notably, March, which coincided with Ramadan, recorded nearly 1.4 million visitors, a 17% increase over 2024. 

CVS summit returns to UAE

The China Visitors Summit (CVS) is returning to the UAE with two back-to-back events, held at the SO/Uptown Dubai Hotel (25-26 August) and in Abu Dhabi (28-29 August) at the Rotana Hotel in Al Ain. The summits mark a significant revival of Chinese inbound tourism to the UAE, which has now rebounded to pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Over 150 top-tier Chinese travel buyers, including luxury, corporate, and niche market planners, are expected to participate, with organisers projecting over 16,000 pre-scheduled face-to-face meetings. 

AlUla added to the smart cities index 2025

AlUla has been included in the IMD World Smart Cities Index 2025, joining five other Saudi cities; Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Makkah, and Al Khobar. AlUla’s inclusion is based on its development as a smart heritage, cultural, and tourism destination, where modern digital technologies and AI are used to preserve archaeological sites and enhance the quality of urban life.

Dubai hosts largest peace summit

The world’s largest peace summit opened at Expo City Dubai, featuring 12 Nobel Peace Prize laureates alongside royalty, heads of state, sports icons, business and faith leaders and celebrities. Under the theme “One Planet, One Voice,” the two-day Global Justice, Love & Peace Summit included a special session on 13 April where Nobel laureates outlined a vision for a global framework based on non-violence and universal justice. 

Fontana Water Circus proves to be a fan favourite

The Fontana Water Circus, a highlighted attraction in Jeddah for the 2025 season, is drawing large crowds at the Mall of Arabia. Recognised as the first travelling water circus in the Middle East, the show combines dynamic dancing fountains with exceptional acrobatic acts, including kinetic displays and a motorcycle segment. The event offers a diverse range of live performances that appeal to audiences of all ages.

New obstacle for Spartan Race Dawn ‘til Dusk

The Spartan Race Dawn ’til Dusk is set for Saturday 19 April, at the Bab Al Shams desert resort arena in Dubai. It will now feature a Helix, a new DNA-shaped obstacle that requires racers to climb without touching the top. Participants can choose between two race formats for the event: a 5km Sprint and a 10km Super, featuring standard obstacles such as the A-Frame Cargo, Sandbag Carry, and Barbed Wire Crawl. Additionally, three shorter races for children are available. Ticket prices start at Dhs295 for Sprint, Dhs365 for Super, and Dhs110 for kids.

Sharjah hosts the first UAE-Morocco business council

The first UAE-Morocco Business Council convened in Sharjah, with Abdallah Sultan Al Owais of the UAE Chambers and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcoming representatives from both nations. Attendees explored investment and business opportunities in sectors such as tourism, infrastructure, agri-food, renewable energy, finance, and advanced technologies.

Fashion designer reimagines AlUla tour guide uniforms 

Dallal Al-Juhani, a fashion design academic at Taibah University, has developed a new uniform concept for tour guides in AlUla that merges traditional Saudi heritage with modern design techniques. Inspired by local landmarks and featuring Nabataean motifs, the uniforms are crafted from natural leather using methods such as burning, leather threading, and blanket stitching. The initiative aims to enhance the professional image of tour guides and showcase Saudi heritage to a global audience. Her innovative work received the Gold Medal at the London International Exhibition of Inventions and Innovations 2024.

25% increase in Giza Pyramid visits

After an ongoing development drive, approximately 15,000 visitors, both Egyptian and international, toured the Giza Pyramids on 12 April marking a 25% increase from the previous day’s trial run and the highest daily turnout since the site’s development project began. The Pyramids’ upgrades and the revitalisation as a major tourist hub include a new visitor centre and electric shuttle buses, ahead of the Grand Egyptian Museum’s opening.

DCT – Abu dhabi signs three-year deal with Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal has signed a three-year agreement with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, committing two ships to call at Abu Dhabi three times a week during the winter season until March 2026. The refurbished Celestyal Discovery and its fleet mate will offer itineraries ranging from three-night to seven-night cruises, with stops including Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, Doha, Ras Al Khaimah, and Khasab in Oman. Additionally, Celestyal’s shore excursion program in Abu Dhabi features nine curated experiences.

Second major exhibition from DAF

The second major exhibition, entitled “Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World,” has been announced by Diriyah Art Futures (DAF). The exhibition features works by more than 40 artists from the MENA region, spanning decades and disciplines from early video art to generative and expanded media. A series of public talks, performances, screenings, and workshops will be available during the exhibition’s run dates of 21 April to 19 July.

AlUla supports beekeepers to introduce nature tourism

The Royal Commission for AlUla hosted the inaugural AlUla Honey event at Al-Manshiyah Farmers’ Market to showcase local honey and regional beekeepers. The event allowed visitors to sample a variety of honeys, including mountain, moringa, acacia, citrus, sidr, and valley types, while live demonstrations and interactive activities highlighted the unique qualities of AlUla’s honey. AlUla is home to over 3,000 beehives managed by 28 beekeepers, producing more than 12 tonnes of honey per year.

Jeddah’s Sea Night Festival begins amid OceanQuest launch

The Sea Nights festival, part of Jeddah Season, began on 13 April and will run until 27 May along Jeddah’s corniche. The event features a range of cultural programs, including traditional folkloric performances, children’s art displays, acrobatic acts, and immersive light shows set to Arabic rhythms. Additional activities include sports competitions such as football and beach volleyball, along with family-friendly facilities like on-site cafes and indoor lounges. 

Alongside the festival, the not-for-profit OceanQuest foundation officially launched in Jeddah on 14 April with the aim to drive innovation, and encourage public engagement with marine sciences in the region. It will be based at the KAUST campus in Thuwal, and the foundation will also focus on protecting 30% of Saudi marine habitats through sustainable projects.

Qiddiya gets new guest experience provider 

accesso Technology Group will by the guest experience technology provider for the Qiddiya giga-project in Saudi Arabia. The project, spanning over 300 sq km, will incorporate a state-of-the-art ticketing and visitor management solution (accesso Horizon) across its attractions. The platform’s scaleability and integration capabilities mean the long-term partnership will be able to deliver consistent guest experiences. 

Tunisia showcases at Brazil trade fair

The Tunisian National Tourism Office will showcase its tourism offerings at WTM Latin America in São Paulo from 14-16 April. Highlighting the country’s cultural, historical, wellness, and adventure tourism sectors. The booth will feature a sensory experience to illustrate the blend of tradition and modernity in Tunisia and aim to strengthen economic and cultural ties with Latin America. The initiative follows a 16% increase in Brazilian tourist arrivals in 2024.

First-ever Jais Ride is a success

The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) successfully launched Jais Ride on 12 April, marking the region’s first cycling race on the UAE’s highest peak, Jebel Jais. Over 100 cyclists participated in the 34 km ascent, with all riders meeting the 23.5 km cut-off time. The overall winners were Soulayman Minoual from Morocco (1:16:56) and Maddison Black from Australia (1:38:55), with a total prize pool of AED 10,000. 

Kuwait railway chooses its design partner 

Kuwait’s section of the planned GCC Railway corridor, a design contract worth, an estimated US$8.1 million has been awarded to Turkish engineering firm Proyapı Mühendislik ve Müşavirlik. The contract covers an 111 km electrified line, with the number of stations to be determined during the one-year design process. This project forms the northern segment of the long-planned railway linking Kuwait to Oman via Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE.

Qalhat archaeological tourism promoted in sports march

More than 350 participants came together for a sports march in Qalhat, Oman, to raise awareness of Qalhat’s cultural treasures and support the growth of the region’s tourism sector by combining sports and heritage tourism. Organised by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s South Al Sharqiyah branch in collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the event featured a guided trail through key archaeological landmarks of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Saudi Arabia to create one million tourism jobs 

Saudi Arabia is aiming to create one million jobs in tourism, culture, sports, and the creative industries by 2030, according to Minister of Commerce Majed Al-Qasabi. At a panel during the Human Capability Initiative Conference in Riyadh, he also projected that the digital economy’s contribution to GDP will rise from 4.4% to 19% by 2030 and stressed the importance of investing in future skills and lifelong education, noting that 65% of Saudis are under 35.