Top 3 Headlines
Ras Al Khaimah breaks tourism records and launches ‘Summer Sunset’ popsicle campaign
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) reported a record-breaking first half of 2025, with 654,000 visitor arrivals, a 6% YoYincrease, and a 9% boost in tourism revenues. Growth was fuelled by expanded air connectivity, high-profile hotel announcements, and strong performance across source markets including India, China, and Central and Eastern Europe. MICE and wedding tourism also soared, with revenues up 36%.
To mark the summer, RAKTDA partnered has also announced a partnership with House of Pops to launch a limited-edition ‘RAK Summer Sunset’ popsicle, a mango-strawberry blend available until 31 August. Each pop offers a chance to win luxury staycations and prizes, supporting the ‘RAK Summer Unscripted’ campaign that celebrates relaxed, spontaneous travel moments.
Tourise unveils powerhouse advisory board ahead of Riyadh Summit
Tourise, the new global tourism platform, has announced a 14-member cross-sector Advisory Board ahead of its first summit in Riyadh, from 11-13 November. Chaired by Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the board features leaders from tourism, technology, aviation, entertainment, education, and sustainability, including:
- Julia Simpson, President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council
- Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Heathrow Airport
- Randy Durband, CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council
- Blake Chandlee, former President of Global Business Solutions, TikTok
- Jean-Philippe Cossé, International Events Specialist
- Neil Jacobs, Founder of Wild Origins and former CEO of Six Senses
- Stephane Lefebvre, President, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
- Jordi Carnes, President of Leitat Technological Center and CTECNO and former Director General of Turismede Barcelona
- Luis Maroto, CEO, Amadeus
- Fabien Fresnel, CEO, Riyadh School of Tourism and Hospitality
- Mario Enzesberger, Founder and CEO, Liberty International Tourism Group
- Patrick Andersen, CEO, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
- Mo Gawdat, Founder, One Billion Happy
- Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority and Vice Chair, Tourise
The board will guide Tourise’s strategic direction and ensure diverse, high-impact global issues like equity, innovation, and sustainability take centre stage.
11 nations to compete in Special Olympics Equestrian event in Al Ain
The Special Olympics MENA Regional Equestrian Competition will take place in Al Ain from 24 – 28 August 2025, and has confirmed it will feature athletes with intellectual disabilities from 11 countries: UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Tunisia, Bahrain, and Iran. Organised by Special Olympics UAE with support from Special Olympics MENA, the event is backed by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Police, and the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation. The competition highlights equestrian sport’s role in advancing inclusivity across the region.
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Noteworthy:
- Dubai’s Museum of the Future has welcomed over 4 million visitors since its launch, cementing its place as one of the city’s most popular and innovative cultural attractions.
- Etihad Rail continues progress on the key Dubai-Fujairah corridor with a major development involving an inspection from Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
- Tunisia has surpassed 5.2 million visitors as of 20 July, a 9.8% increase YoY, and is positioning itself for a record-breaking year in international tourism.
- The 2025 Qatar Goodwood Festival, presented by Visit Qatar, saw a 10% YoY increase in public enclosure attendance, highlighting the success of strategic partnerships and global appeal of the event.
- Saudi Arabia has launched the fourth season of the Otaiqah Dates Festival, aimed at boosting domestic tourism and supporting the dates industry through cultural programming and local produce promotion.
- Oman’s Ras al-Hadd Reserve has become a global hotspot for green turtle nesting, drawing increasing numbers of eco-tourists eager to witness the natural spectacle in one of the world’s key conservation zones.
- Türkiye is showing sustained growth in tourism numbers for the first half of 2025 seeing 26.38 million visitors from January to June 2025. It also saw a notable increase in visitors from Ireland (98,131) in the first six months, up 1% on last year after successful targeted promotions.
- Oman has unveiled a 66,000 sqm (first phase), $207 million tourism development in Dhofar as part of its recently announced national goal of attracting 11 million tourists annually by 2040.
