Saudi Arabia is gearing up to host World Expo 2030 in Riyadh, while the UAE’s tourism sector is getting a boost from major events like the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, countries like Qatar, Jordan, and Oman are strengthening their tourism offerings, with a focus on new experiences, cultural heritage, and sustainability.
World’s largest drone show to illuminate Abu Dhabi’s sky
Abu Dhabi is set to host the worldβs largest drone show as part of the Liwa Festival 2025. The event will feature over 5,000 drones, delivering an elaborate light display that highlights Emirati culture and heritage. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism β Abu Dhabi, the show aims to attract international visitors and showcase the cityβs technological innovation.
Dubai DET partners with Premier Inn to diversify tourism offerings
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Premier Inn Middle East. The collaboration aims to enhance Dubaiβs tourism sector by focusing on joint marketing, product development, and training initiatives. This partnership supports the D33 Agenda to further strengthen Dubaiβs position as a global destination for both business and leisure.
RAK partners with Huawei to enhance visitor experience
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) and Huawei have partnered to promote the emirate as a tourist destination. The collaboration leverages Huaweiβs technology, including the Petal Maps and AppGallery platforms, to offer enhanced digital experiences for visitors. The initiative aims to increase Ras Al Khaimahβs visibility among Chinese tourists by integrating key tourist information and services. This partnership aligns with RAKTDAβs strategy to attract 3 million visitors by 2030.
Saudi Red Sea Authority boosts yacht tourism with new regulations and global partnerships
The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has introduced comprehensive regulations and licensing to enhance yacht tourism as part of Vision 2030. It has issued 29 tourism licences, developed marine infrastructure, and formed partnerships with global organisations such as the Yacht Club de Monaco. SRSA aims to attract 250,000 visitors for yacht activities by 2030, generating $2.9 billion in tourism spending and 28,000 jobs.
Earlier this week…
Jeddah’s historic district sees 1M visitors in first week of Ramadan
The Saudi Press Agency has reported over one million visitors have participated in Ramadan celebrations hosted in the Jeddah historic district during the first week of the Holy Month. This unprecedented visitation has been enjoyed by both local residents and visitors all eager to experience customs, cuisine and moments unique to the month of Ramadan season. A variety of Ramadan-themed activities including markets, lantern displays, and food trucks are some of the most popular activations this year.
ChodΕΊmy – Let’s go Abu Dhabi – ITAKA heading to Al Ain
ITAKA, Poland’s largest tour operator will host its Top Sellers Conference in Al Ain, UAE during April 2025. More than 2000 travel trade professionals from Poland will attend the conference in the emirateβs βliving oasisβ, home to the UAEβs only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Attendees will also be treated to a two-day immersive itinerary experiencing the best of Abu Dhabi. The conference that will deepen ties with travel trade professionals and increase awareness of the emirate of Abu Dhabi in the Polish market. The selection of Al Ain to host the event aligns with recent efforts by Abu Dhabi Tourism (DCT) to stimulate tourism in the the second city.
Shop till you drop – Saudi takes steps to stimulate home-grown duty free retail
PIF (the Public Investment Fund) a major player behind the development of many of Saudi’s large travel and tourism related projects has just announced the establishment of Al Waha, (PIF)the first Saudi-owned duty-free retail operator. It’s backers have been clear on the project’s ambition and objectives – i.e. to be a leader in travel retail whilst securing a greater share of passenger spending for the Saudi economy. The creation of Al Waha seems only fitting giving the scale of airport and airline expansion plans already underway across the Kingdom. With YOY growth figures through the roof, the number of tourists (and locals) seeking high quality Duty Free options are only set to grow over coming years.
Salalah New City Waterfront Development unveiled
A masterplan for redevelopment of Salalahβs New City waterfront has been unveiled this week. Salalah is Oman’s second city, and a two-hour flight from Dubai and 1.5 hour drive from Muscat. Salalah is home to Omanβs largest logistics port and is a popular tourist destination due to its access to nature and temperate climate, attracting over one million tourists in 2024. This redevelopment is a key project in Omanβs RO33bn development pipeline under Oman Vision 2040. Covering 7.3sqkm, the project will feature over 12,000 residential units, housing 60,000 residents in four walking distance neighbourhoods. Development is set to commence later this year.
Salalah is increasingly popular as a destination particulalry during the warmer summer months with the destination benefiting from a more temperate climate. The destination is currently serviced by Salam Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, and Fly Dubai. Seasonal flights are operated by carriers including flyadeal and Etihad Airways and a variety of charter airlines.
Dubai World Trade Centre and Informa Group announced a strategic joint venture – Informa International
The announcement aims to create a global powerhouse in Exhibitions and Event Management. Informa International, the new venture’s name, will be headquarterd in Dubai and aims to be fully operational by Q4 2025. The move anchors DWTCβs commitment to tripling Dubaiβs MICE Sector GDP contribution to AED 54 billion annually by 2033, in line with targets in the D33 Dubai Economic Agenda.
Jordan looks to regain market share following strong showing at ITB
Jordan’s key tourism entities combined efforts in Berlin this year, jointly exhibiting at ITB. The grouping consisting of tourism offices, hotels, Royal Jordanian Airlines, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and the Jordan Heritage Revival Company, put their best foot forward, reassuring ITB attendees on the breadth and safety of Jordan’s tourism offering. Following a dip in visitor numbers over the past year, the Kingdom has looked to focus on particular markets to rebuild visitor numbers. Attracting Germans, low cost carriers, and European charter business are key planks in this strategy.
Jordan is also leaning into a number of popular travel trends to stimulate demand, including:
- Authentic historical and cultural heritage
- Eco-friendly, nature-based experiences and sustainability
- Inclusive tourism, in line with a ten-year plan launched in 2019 to improve accessibility in 60 per cent of tourism facilities.
Qatar, Ajman and Saudi sign new partnerships at ITB Berlin
At the recent ITB Berlin, Visit Qatar signed MoUs with TUI Group and Lufthansa City Centre International to boost marketing efforts and further highlight Qatar as a top destination. Meanwhile, Ajman Department of Tourism Development (ADTD) signed a partnership agreement with Pure Touristik to establish a representative office in Europe, aiming to attract more visitors from the region.
The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) also had a strong showing at ITB, welcoming over 30,000 visitors to their “Saudi Land” stand β a 100% increase from last year. The stand showcased Saudi Arabia’s growing sports and entertainment scene, including upcoming events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Italian and Spanish Super Cups, and the inaugural 2024 Esports World Cup. With major international events on the horizon, including the AFC Asian Cup in 2027 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034, Saudi Arabia is no doubt strengthening its position in sports tourism.
SATTE – South Asiaβs Travel & Tourism Exchange
Regional players from the Middle East, including Dubai and Visit Saudi were on the ground at the 32nd edition of SATTE, the leading travel and tourism event in South Asia. With International travel from India alone forecast to grow significantly, Middle Eastern operators were busy signing deals, eagerly competing to win a larger slice of this lucrative market.
The Saudi delegation focused on MICE and group tours. Unsurprisingly, the opportunity to promote the Kingdom as an ideal location for Indian weddings was similarly high on the agenda. The notoriously lavish celebrations are highly coveted by all GCC destinations who eagerly compete to attract love-birds (and their well heeled entourages) with idealic landscapes and the finest hospitality experiences money can buy.
Expo 2030 – another pillar of Saudi’s Tourism vision
With memories of Expo 2020 Dubai still lingering, and the count down to the next Expo opening in Osaka in it’s final stages, attention is already turning to questions of just how Saudi intends to top their predecessors when hosting World Expo 2030 Riyadh. The Registration Dossier, including formal plans of the 2030 Expo have been formally presented this week to Dimitri Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) by the Saudi ambassador to France HE Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili. Themed Foresight for Tomorrow, Expo 2030 Riyadh aims to welcome over 200 countries and international organisations between 1 October 2030 and 31 March 2031.
Culture Summit Abu Dhabi: 27 β 29 April 2025
It’s back! DCT Abu Dhabi have confirmed the dates for the seventh edition of Culture Summit Abu Dhabi to be held at Manarat Al Saadiyat, within the Saadiyat Cultural District. This year’s theme is Culture for Humanity and Beyond, and will feature a range of panels, keynotes, case studies and workshops. The Summit will tackle a range of topics including the digital revolution, economic inequality, geopolitical volatility, cultural identities and societal values. And importantly how these are being remoulded during these transformational times.
The event’s key global partners include UNESCO, The Economist Impact, the Design Museum, Google, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, and Recording Academy. Additional partners include notably Image Nation Abu Dhabi, International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, Cultural Foundation, The National, the Club de Madrid, the Abrahamic Family House, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, and Institut FranΓ§ais.
