This week’s highlights include Aqaba hosting the Destination Wedding Planners Congress, Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge’s 34th edition, Qatar’s record-breaking cruise season, Saudi Arabia’s rising popularity among Pakistani travellers, Egypt’s soaring tourism revenues, Muscat Nights festival’s record-breaking attendance,
Bahrain’s new world-class golf course, and more.
Aqaba to host prestigious destination Wedding Planners Congress
Aqaba, Jordan, has been selected to host the 11th Annual Destination Wedding Planners (DWP) Congress from 7-9 October 2025. The event, expected to attract over 500 attendees from 70 countries, will showcase Aqaba as a prime wedding destination, offering exceptional hospitality, rich cultural heritage, and stunning landscapes. The congress, previously held in destinations like Athens and Dubai, will bring together luxury wedding planners, suppliers, and experts, highlighting Jordan’s potential to capture a significant share of the growing destination wedding market, projected to reach $320.3 billion by 2033.
Miral’s Yas Island and Saadiyat Island receive 190+ awards
Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, part of Miral, have collectively received more than 190 regional and international awards in 2024. Yas Island secured 175 accolades, including recognition as the World’s Leading Theme Park Destination, while Saadiyat Island received over 20 awards, including Best Luxury Beachfront Destination in the UAE. These achievements highlight Miral’s commitment to excellence and innovation, driving Abu Dhabi’s economic growth and tourism sector.
Hatta Winter initiative draws record visitors
The Hatta Winter initiative has concluded successfully, attracting over 870,000 visitors to the mountainous region. The initiative, held under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, featured five festivals, including the Hatta Winter Festival, Hatta Cultural Nights, and Hatta Honey Festival. The events showcased Hatta’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and unique attractions, positioning it as a leading winter destination. The initiative’s success was underscored by its extensive digital reach, with more than 60 million video views and 2.4 million engagements on social media.
Dubai Unveils Plans for Therme Dubai, a AED2 Billion Wellbeing Resort
Dubai has announced plans to develop Therme Dubai, a first-of-its-kind wellbeing resort and interactive park, spanning 500,000 sq ft and standing 100m tall. The AED2 billion ($544 million) project, set to be completed by 2028, will feature a Michelin-star restaurant, waterfalls, pools, and experiential art installations. Designed by renowned architectural firm DS+R, Therme Dubai will integrate elements of relaxation, leisure, and healthcare, aiming to attract 1.7 million visitors annually and establish Dubai as a global wellness tourism destination.
Dubai DET partners with Dubai Basketball to boost sporting tourism
Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has partnered with Dubai Basketball to enhance the emirate’s position as a global sporting destination. The collaboration aims to promote Dubai as a premier location for international basketball events, attracting top players, teams, and fans from around the world. By hosting high-profile basketball tournaments and events, Dubai seeks to boost its sporting tourism sector, capitalising on the growing popularity of basketball globally.
O Beach Dubai project completed
Arco Turnkey Solutions has announced the successful completion of O Beach Dubai, a luxurious beach club located at the Habtoor Grand Resort in Dubai Marina. Spanning 3,800 sq m, the venue features an expansive swimming pool, stylish beach beds, and state-of-the-art amenities. Arco delivered the project within a tight nine-month timeline, showcasing its expertise in design and construction of high-end beach clubs and reinforcing its position as a leading provider of integrated construction services in the UAE.
Abu Dhabi to host 13th MALT Congress, and Ai Everything Global Summit & Expo
The 13th Meetings Arabia & Luxury Travel (MALT) Congress will return to Abu Dhabi on 19-20 February 2025, building on the success of last year’s event, which welcomed more than 250 delegates and 1,800+ one-to-one meetings. Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB), the congress promises a vibrant B2B marketplace, uniting leading MICE and luxury travel professionals to explore emerging trends, forge connections, and unlock collaborative opportunities.
The 2026 Ai Everything Global Summit & Expo will also be hosted in Abu Dhabi. The event, which will be held at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, aims to converge international influencers from the private and public sectors to catalyse the development of a future economy powered by AI. The UAE is already a leading global hub for AI talent, and the event is expected to accelerate new tech infrastructure projects and sector-wide AI applications, aligning with the UAE National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 and the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027.
Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge set for 34th Edition
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is gearing up for its 34th edition, with a new-look route that promises to test the world’s top rally-raid drivers and riders. The event, which runs from March 2025, will feature a revised Prologue and a marathon stage that will push competitors to their limits. The rally will start from Al Ain for the first time, before heading into the Liwa oasis and the daunting Rub’ Al Khali desert. With the support of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the event is expected to attract a strong international field.
Al Ain zoo offers free entry to senior citizens
Al Ain Zoo has announced that it will provide free entry to senior citizens and residents aged 60 and above, in line with the “Year of the Community” initiative. This move lowers the previous age threshold of 70 and demonstrates the zoo’s commitment to inclusivity and community care. The zoo has also ensured that its facilities, including pathways, buildings, and transport vehicles, are easily accessible for senior visitors, with wheelchairs available upon request.
Qatar welcomes record number of cruise passengers in 2024/2025 season
Qatar has seen a significant surge in cruise tourism, welcoming more than 53 cruise ships with 191,944 passengers to the country’s shores during the first half of the 2024/2025 cruise season. This includes 20,951 turnaround passengers who used Doha as a starting point for their cruise journeys. Germany, Russia, and Italy top the list of nationalities, accounting for 69.2% of total passengers. The season has also seen the arrival of four new cruise ships, including Resorts World One, MSC Euribia, Celestyal Journey, and Costa Smeralda. Racked the 8th largest cruise ship in the world, Costa Smeralda is expected to bring an estimated 82,000 passengers across its 10 calls this season. The country is expecting to welcome more than than 30 cruise ships by the end of the season.
Saudi Arabia is top destination for Pakistani travellers
Saudi Arabia has emerged as the leading destination for Pakistani travellers, with a 100% annual increase in visitors from Pakistan, according to travel service app Wego. The Kingdom’s rapidly expanding tourism industry, driven by mega-projects like NEOM and The Red Sea Project, is attracting thousands of Pakistanis who travel for religious duties, tourism, and business. Wego’s data shows that Saudi Arabia is a top choice among Pakistani travellers, with domestic flight searches increasing by over 120% year-on-year.
Egypt’s tourism revenues soar to $15.3B in 2024
Egypt’s tourism revenues have more than doubled to $15.3 billion in 2024, up from $7.2 billion in 2014, driven by a major overhaul of the industry. Inbound tourist numbers rose by 60% to 15.8 million in 2024, with the government aiming to attract 30 million annual tourists by 2032. To support this goal, Egypt has launched initiatives such as investment incentives, a five-year tourist visa, and a tourism investment map offering 156 opportunities, with the industry now accounting for over 8% of the country’s GDP. The country aims to attract 30 million tourists by 2032, driven by its National Tourism Development Strategy, which focuses on enhancing global competitiveness, showcasing unique heritage, and expanding promotional efforts. Egypt has also advanced 22 places in the Travel and Tourism Development Index, ranking 61st in 2024.
Muscat Nights festival smashes records with 1.7 M visitors
The Muscat Nights festival has shattered all previous records, attracting a staggering 1.7M visitors over 41 days, cementing its position as a premier event in Oman’s cultural and tourism landscape. Held across seven venues in Muscat, the festival offered a diverse range of activities, from sports and cultural exhibitions to entertainment shows, supporting over 1,000 local businesses and providing jobs for 1,300 personnel. Despite the festival’s conclusion, activities will continue at Wadi al Khoud until 16 February, leaving a lasting impact on the local community and economy
World-class golf course coming to Bahrain
The Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) has signed an agreement with Bareeq Al Retaj Real Estate Company to establish a world-class golf course at its Raffa facility in Bahrain. The course, designed by Spanish golf star Sergio Garcia, is part of REHC’s efforts to enhance Bahrain’s position as a leading sports tourism destination. The project aims to transform the club into a premier destination, supporting the sports and tourism sectors, and attracting investment to advance Bahrain’s economic growth.
