Top 3 Headlines
Wego and Turkiye Tourism partner to inspire MENA travel demand
Wego has teamed up with the Turkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) to enhance travel discovery and trip planning for MENA travellers heading to Turkiye. The collaboration focuses on delivering richer destination content, deeper insights, and more intuitive planning tools on the Wego platform, helping users explore Turkiye’s diverse mix of culture, history, cuisine, and nature with greater ease.
The partnership aims to boost year-round travel by showcasing experiences across multiple regions including coastal escapes and historic cities while leveraging Wego’s strong regional reach to connect with a wider audience and drive increased visitor interest.
Al-Urumah season surpasses 1.7M visitors, boosting eco-tourism
Al-Urumah Season has emerged as a leading eco-tourism destination in Saudi Arabia, attracting more than 1.7 million visitors since its launch. Held across Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve and King Khalid Royal Reserve, the event brings together nature, adventure, and heritage, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich biodiversity.
Over five editions, authorities have built an integrated eco-tourism ecosystem through infrastructure upgrades, expanded services, and community engagement. The sixth edition, which is set for November, will introduce new sustainability-focused programmes to further strengthen local participation and highlight the cultural and environmental value of the reserves.
Saudi Arabia powers Middle East tourism surge as sector hits $385bn
Saudi Arabia is driving strong Travel & Tourism growth across the Middle East, with the sector expanding by 5.3% in 2025, outpacing the global average (4.1%), according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The region’s tourism economy reached $385.8 billion, supporting 7.1 million jobs with Saudi leading the charge and contributing $178 billion (46% of the regional total) with sector growth of 7.4% and international visitor spending up 8.2%.
Continued investment and connectivity are expected to sustain this long-term growth across the Middle East, and business travel is a key driver, rising 55% in the Kingdom and 23% region-wide.
Noteworthy
- Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority has introduced a fee deferral initiative for Q1, supporting hotels, serviced apartments and tourism restaurants. The move aims to strengthen business continuity and resilience across the sector.
- Visit Oman has expanded its global reach, connecting with over 390 trade partners across 55+ countries, alongside 250 local providers and 140+ hotels. The platform plays a central role in digitising Oman’s tourism distribution across destinations like Muscat and Salalah.
- Jordan’s tourism minister has engaged industry leaders to address challenges linked to regional instability. Proposed measures include cost relief, targeted marketing campaigns and support for affected tourism sites.
- Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has introduced a new Executive Regulation for the Tourism Law, reinforcing governance, service quality and investment appeal. The framework supports sustainable growth, job creation and a more competitive tourism sector.
- Dubai Safari Park has launched end-of-season family promotions ahead of its 31 May closure, including “kids go free” and “buy two get two” offers. The park continues to combine wildlife experiences with conservation initiatives across its themed zones.
- Saudi Red Sea Authority has issued three new yacht charter licences, bringing the total to eight in Q1 2026. The move supports the growth of maritime tourism while ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards.
- Samla International Race will return on 23 January 2027, featuring a 100 km multi-discipline endurance challenge. Supported by Visit Qatar, the event continues to boost Qatar’s positioning in global sports tourism.
- Qatar Toy Festival will return to Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre from 1-31 July 2026, marking its largest edition yet. Spanning 22,000 sqm, the festival will feature themed zones, live shows, influencer activations and retail experiences, reinforcing Visit Qatar’s push to position the country as a leading family entertainment destination.
