Top 3 Headlines
Qatar posts record tourism year as culture and events drive growth
Qatar has closed 2025 with a tourism milestone, recording 5.1 million international arrivals, its strongest performance to date. The momentum has continued into 2026, with the Qatar International Food Festival attracting a record 490,493 visitors, highlighting the growing pull of culinary tourism. Looking ahead, Art Basel Qatar 2026 has been officially announced, marking a major cultural moment for the country and positioning Doha firmly on the global arts calendar, as Qatar continues to blend major events, culture and lifestyle tourism into its long-term visitor strategy.
Yas Plaza Hotels adds theme park access to every stay
Yas Plaza Hotels, Abu Dhabi has announced that complimentary access to Yas Island’s award-winning theme parks will be included with every stay across its six-hotel portfolio. From 27 January 2026, guests booking any room type will receive entry to Ferrari World Yas Island, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island and SeaWorld® Yas Island as part of the overall stay experience. The move strengthens Yas Island’s appeal as an integrated leisure destination and adds tangible value for families and leisure travellers.
Gulfood 2026 set to become the world’s largest food show across two Dubai venues
Dubai’s flagship food and beverage event Gulfood 2026 is gearing up for its biggest edition yet, expanding across two venues and welcoming more than 8,500 exhibitors from around the world. The move cements Gulfood’s position as the largest global food and beverage trade show, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a critical international hub for food trade, innovation and hospitality-led tourism.
Noteworthy
- Plans for Disneyland Abu Dhabi have taken a major step forward, with the theme park’s Yas Island location revealed for the first time, where images show indicate that the park is likely to be developed in the northern section of the island, a stone’s throw from the water.
- The highly anticipted Sharjah Light Festival will return from 3 – 15 Feb. Themed Reflections of Belonging, it’ll feature large-scale light projections, interactive installations, and music at 13 iconic locations. The festival’s Light Village will open from 29 Jan to 22 Feb.
- The Chairman of Qatar Tourism has underscored the sector’s growing role in international cooperation, positioning tourism as a key driver of cultural exchange, economic growth and global partnerships.
- Morocco’s successful hosting of a major international football tournament has been widely viewed as a strong rehearsal ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, showcasing the country’s infrastructure, hospitality capacity and event-readiness.
- The UAE continues to promote a balanced tourism offering, highlighting modern attractions alongside protected nature reserves and heritage sites, reinforcing its appeal across leisure, culture and eco-tourism segments.
- The NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have announced a long-term renewal of their partnership, ensuring more NBA games, fan events and community initiatives in the UAE, further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s global sports tourism profile.
