Revenues of Oman’s 3- to 5-star hotels fell 11% to approximately RO156.5 million ($407.02 million) by the end of August 2026, compared with RO175.8 million ($457 million) during the same period in 2025, according to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
Tourism’s economic value in the Gulf Cooperation Council reached $254.7 billion in 2025, supporting 4.5 million jobs, as the sector strengthens its contribution to regional economies and expands its presence in the global tourism market, according to GCC-Stat.
WTE Miami 2026 will bring together more than 7,000 travel professionals from over 70 countries, connecting the US market with global travel businesses. In an exclusive TTN interview, Fairfest Media’s Simon Press outlined the event’s focus on AI, partnerships and the Travel Advisor of the Future.
Resilience, operational stability and collaboration are supporting continued growth in Middle East business aviation amid rising demand and a complex operating environment. MedAire said activity is expanding across key markets including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, driving greater focus on risk management and preparedness.
The GCC’s tourism sector is showing signs of recovery following significant disruption from the regional conflict, according to Richard Stolz, Partner – Tourism at Roland Berger Middle East.
Saudi Arabia will host the second TOURISE Summit in Riyadh from March 23-25, 2027, under the theme “Alliances That Move the World,” Tourism Minister and TOURISE Chairman Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced, under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Oman is set to deliver 700 new hotel rooms between now and the end of 2026, taking its total inventory to 40,800 keys, according to a property expert. A further 1,500 rooms are in the pipeline for handover next year followed by another 1,600 in 2028, thus taking the sultanate's room inventory to 43,900.
Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches has reported nearly 10% year-on-year growth in student enrolment, with UAE nationals accounting for almost half of its student body, as demand grows for industry-focused hospitality education in the region.
New data from The Tour Guy shows 85.4% of travellers choose day trips, with bookings up 110.7% in 2026. Travellers are increasingly seeking fresh experiences beyond Europe’s major cities while exploring familiar destinations in new ways.
As World Tourism Day is marked today, Belvera Partners has brought travel technology leaders together to examine how AI is accelerating changes across tourism. The speakers highlighted its growing impact on destination discovery, direct bookings, customer experiences and the wider travel value chain.
