Leading global hospitality group Hilton and RMKA Private Company have announced the signing of Sandblu Santorini, marking the highly anticipated debut of LXR Hotels & Resorts in Greece.
Leisure travel across all sectors remained strong in 2025, particularly among luxury and ultra luxury travelers, said a report. This trend should carry over into 2026, accompanied by increased demand for the services of travel advisors, it added.
Travel Counsellors, one of UK’s top technology platforms for travel entrepreneurs, said it has inked a deal for the strategic acquisition of Canadian group - The Travel Agent Next Door - thus creating a transatlantic leader in the travel operator market.
Air Arabia, a leading low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa has announced the official launch of its daily non-stop flights to Munich from its hub in Sharjah, thus marking the airline’s first German destination served directly from UAE.
The Desert's Grand Stage', the Liwa International Festival, has returned (from December 12, 2025 to January 3, 2026), bringing 23 days of culture, adventure, motorsports, music, and family fun to the golden dunes of the Al Dhafra region.
Accor has signed an agreement with Arbah Taiba to develop Novotel Madinah North, scheduled to open in 2028 near Al Masjid an-Nabawi. The 200-room hotel will cater to pilgrims, business, and leisure travelers, supporting Madinah’s growing visitor demand and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 tourism goals.
Leading Japanese urban design firm Nikken Sekkei is set to reshape the city’s skyline with Trump Tower Dubai, redefining expectations for branded luxury in the region. The concept draws on the confident forms of Manhattan and the architectural discipline of Japan.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) hosted its third annual City Tourism Briefing at Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain, with 400 industry leaders. The event celebrated tourism growth, fostered collaborations, and advanced the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030 goals.
Arada has announced that booking has now begun at Nest Hotel, the first property in its new lifestyle hospitality brand, ahead of the hotel’s formal opening in late December at Aljada, Sharjah. The 395-room hotel caters to diverse guests, including business and leisure travellers, long-stay visitors, sports groups, and students.
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) is set to develop a hospitality-inspired residential community adjacent to the East Network station in Riyadh. Designed to cater to short- and long-term stays, it comprises more than 450 residential units and over 1,600 beds.
