While two destinations are listed as must-visits for 2025, others around the MENA region are celebrating their local talent, launching their own exclusive hot-spot for the elite, setting themselves up for more international visitors and prepping for upcoming festivities.
Abu Dhabi and Tunisia listed among best places to visit in 2025
National Geogrpahic has listed Abu Dhabi and Tunisia as two of the 25 best places in the world to travel to in 2025. In the publication’s ‘Best of the World‘ Readers’ Choice series, Abu Dhabi was listed for its museums as a key reason to visit, also pointing out that as “An opulent dream years in the making, Abu Dhabi’s cultural playground of Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island is scheduled to be completed in 2025.” Tunisia was listed for its “treasure trove of Roman ruins” with “a wealth of remarkably intact archaeological ruins, and more continue to be found.”
Dubai’s November calendar is out
Dubai’s event calendar for November 2024 has been released and is packed with exciting activities for all interests. Sports enthusiasts can look forward to the Dubai Fitness Challenge, Dubai Premier Padel P1 tournament, DP World Tour Championship, and Emirates Dubai 7s. Meanwhile, beauty enthusiasts can head to SEPHORiA; art and fashion lovers can markt Dubai Design Week in their calendars; and music fans will enjoy live performances by Wiz Khalifa, Martin Garrix, Billy Ocean, B*Witched, and Vishal Mishra, among others. The Dubai Opera will also host Grammy-nominated trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, Lebanese-Armenian musician Guy Manoukian, and legendary British act The Streets. Other notable events include the Dubai Racing Carnival, T100 Triathlon, AutoMadness 2024, and Icons of Porsche. See here for more information.
Winners of Qatar Tourism Awards 2024 announced
Qatar Tourism has announced the winners of the 2024 Qatar Tourism Awards at the Raffles Doha Ballroom. With more than 1,200 applicants this year, the awards have expanded to seven categories, including Service Excellence, Gastronomic Experiences, Iconic Attractions, World-Class Events, Digital Footprint, Smart and Sustainable Tourism, and Community Leadership. Notably, a new Tourism Influencer Award was introduced to recognise content creators showcasing Qatar’s vibrant culture and unique experiences. For the full list of winners, head here.
Prior to the awards, Qatar Tourism’s top leaders, including His Excellency Mr. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji and Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, hosted a lunch at Belhambar Restaurant to honour the judges of the second edition of Qatar Tourism Awards. The event was also attended by senior leadership and the UN Tourism executive team, who expressed gratitude for the judges’ hard work and commitment to the program’s success.
NEOM’s luxury Red Sea getaway makes its debut
Sindalah, NEOM’s luxury island destination in the Red Sea, has officially opened its doors. Located off the northwest coast of Saudi Arabia, Sindalah is a 840,000 sqm resort is where natural beauty meets cutting-edge design and architecture. The island features world-class restaurants, hotels, venues, and experiences, including a 86-berth marina, yacht club, golf course, beach club, and luxury retail outlets.
The island offers 440 rooms, 88 villas, and 218 luxury serviced apartments, with booking information to be announced soon. With a capacity to welcome up to 2,400 guests per day by 2028, Sindalah is expected to generate around 3,500 jobs, supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s tourism ambitions. With sustainability and conservation at the forefront of the development, its natural marine habitat, which is home to 1,100 fish species and 300 coral species is well preserved and guests will be encouraged to explore the island’s wonders through diving and snorkeling experiences.
The Red Sea’s AMAALA to host The Ocean Race 2027’s grand finale
AMAALA, a luxury sport and wellness destination on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, will host the finish of the 15th edition of The Ocean Race in summer 2027. The prestigious sailing event, considered the toughest test of teamwork in sports, will conclude with a thrilling final leg from Egypt to AMAALA, showcasing the region’s healthy coral reefs and marine biodiversity. The partnership between The Ocean Race and Red Sea Global (RSG), AMAALA’s developer, will also focus on ocean science, health initiatives, education, and conservation programs, aligning with the UN Ocean Decade Challenge.
The Ocean Race 2027 will start in Alicante, Spain, and cover over 30,000 miles before finishing at AMAALA. The event will feature additional stopovers and promote ocean health awareness, particularly in the Red Sea region. AMAALA’s hosting of the event supports Saudi Arabia’s maritime heritage and sailing legacy, while promoting sustainable tourism and conservation. Red Sea Global aims to achieve a 30% net conservation benefit at AMAALA by 2040, with initiatives like coral reef restoration and mangrove forest creation. The partnership extends the successful Regenerative Project Partnership between The Ocean Race and RSG, activated during the 2022-23 event.
Oman’s MHT issues tender for four tourism developments
The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) in Oman has announced four investment opportunities to enhance the country’s tourism offerings. One tender involves developing a restaurant or café within the Oman Botanic Garden, specifically in the Hajar Mountains Biome section, with a dedicated kitchen area and outdoor seating options. The garden, spanning 500 hectares, aims to become one of the largest and most iconic globally, attracting 800,000 visitors annually. The other three investment opportunities are in Muscat: a multi-use project at Azaiba Beach featuring a luxury hotel, dining options, and a health centre; a specialized tourist restaurant in Al Sarooj area targeted at small and medium enterprises; and an integrated tourism project in Hail al Awamer, Seeb, including hotels, seafront, shops, dining options, and entertainment facilities. The contracts range from 10 to 50 years, with rent exemptions offered for up to five years. Interested parties can contact the ministry at [email protected] for details. Bids for the Oman Botanic Garden project are due by 10 November 2024.
Meanwhile, The MHT had also announced a tender for the management and operations of Al Awabi Fort, a 13th-century historical site in South Batinah, 156km from Muscat. The fort holds great significance as the former governor’s headquarters and a landmark overlooking Wadi Bani Kharous. The ministry is seeking private sector collaborations to enhance the site, with proposals (including marketing strategies, cultural workshops, artistic events, and community engagement plans) due by 18 December.
Egypt seeks tourism tie-up with Turkiye
Egypt’s International Tourism chief, Mohamed Atta Elsherbeiny, emphasised the country’s desire to partner with Turkiye in tourism, rather than compete – according to a report by Anadolu Agency. Speaking at a tourism fair in Antalya, Elsherbeiny noted that the two nations previously competed for tourists but now cooperate, particularly after the pandemic. Airlines operating 100 weekly flights between Turkiye and Egypt facilitate this cooperation.
Elsherbeiny highlighted the benefits of collaboration, citing Turkish tourism investors in Egypt, including a prominent company with seven hotels and three more underway. Egypt hosted 180,000 Turkish visitors last year. With Turkiye attracting summer tourists and Egypt drawing winter visitors, Elsherbeiny sees no overlapping seasons and ample opportunity for continued cooperation. He urged further collaboration to mutual benefit, rather than competition.
Al Ain’s 10th annual Traditional Handicrafts festival has kicked off
The Traditional Handicrafts Festival has kicked off its 10th anniversary edition at Souq Al Qattara in Al Ain. The opening ceremony was attended by top dignitaries, including H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, H.E. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, and Rita Aoun. Running until 17 November, the festival will showcase the work of skilled Emirati artisans through various cultural activities and workshops for all ages, under the theme ‘Ancestors’ Crafts, Descendants’ Pride’. This family-friendly event aims to promote Emirati craftsmanship and cultural heritage, bringing together traditional artisans, educational institutions, and organizations dedicated to preserving Emirati heritage. Visitors can expect live demonstrations of traditional crafts like palm frond weaving, pottery, and Sadu and Talli weaving, as well as musical concerts and folk arts performances.
DCT Abu Dhabi announces Public Art Biennial and Liwa Festival
The inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial will kick off on 15 November 2024, and run until 30 April 2025. Under the theme of “Public Matter,” more than 70 international and UAE-based artists will create site-specific installations and performances across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, exploring the concept of “public” within the emirate’s cultural context. Participating artists include Allora & Calzadilla, Oscar Murillo, Farah Al Qasimi, and Zeinab Alhashemi, among others. Organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial is part of a larger initiative to commission public art, nurture creative talent, and establish the emirate as a premier cultural destination.
Meanwhile, the Liwa International Festival 2025 will take place from 13 December 2024 to 4 January 2025, in the Al Dhafra region, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Visitors can look forward to the 23-day festival that promises a host of activities, including sports competitions such as falconry, camel racing, and horse racing, as well as international competitions such as the Hill Climbing Championship; live music performances; and desert activities. Liwa Village will showcase the rich Emirati heritage, including cuisine, crafts and family-friendly activities.
Michelin Guide brings world-class chefs to Abu Dhabi
The countdown to the Michelin Guide Food Festival at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental from 22-24 November has begun! Featuring local and international chefs from 20 Michelin-recommended restaurants, the festival promises a culinary extravaganza with exclusive dishes, masterclasses, a marketplace, and a six-hands collaboration, showcasing Abu Dhabi’s evolving food scene where heritage meets modern gastronomy.
Some of the renowned chefs participating include Prin Polsuk from Samrub Samrub Thai, Allen Hyunmin Suh from Restaurant Allen, Michihiro Haruta from Crony, Hans Neuner from Ocean, Ozan Kumbasar from Vino Locale, Debi Prasad Rath from Erth, Lee Kok Hua from Hakkasan, Thinus van der Westhuizen from 99 Sushi Bar, Navaneeth from LPM, and Delfino Chiarello from Café Milano. Additional participating chefs include Aurora Storari from Hémicycle, Luiz Filipe of Evvai, Jesús Sánchez Sáinz from Cenador de Amós, Ivan Azar of Casa Vigil, Ana Dolores González from ESQUINA COMÚN, Luigi Stinga of Talea by Antonio Guida, Hemant Oberoi from Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi, Kenan Harmoush of Tean, Akmal Anuar of Otoro, and Mardiros Barsoum from Almayass.
