Visa-free access, seamless travel experiences and stronger connectivity could make the Asia-GCC corridor a major growth engine for the Middle East’s travel sector, industry leaders said at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai.
The GCC will host six tournaments on the DP World Tour’s 2027 global schedule, including four consecutive weeks of golf in the Middle East at the start of the season and the Race to Dubai finale in the UAE in November.
The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has raised the overnight deposit interest rate by 25 basis points from 4.25% to 4.50%, effective September 17. The move comes following the US Federal Reserve’s announcement to raise the Interest Rate on Reserve Balances (IORB) by 25 basis points.
Kerala is launching new tourism initiatives to boost Gulf arrivals, including Bahrain. Culture and Tourism Minister P C Vishnunath said roadshows and information kiosks will be set up with India’s embassy and Bahrain’s BKS. Kerala welcomed 100,000 Arab tourists last year, aiming for 300,000 in five years.
Gulf nations should highlight their individual tourism and business events offerings while presenting a more coordinated regional proposition to international visitors, regional industry leaders said at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026 in Dubai.
Seychelles Tourism Board is placing the GCC at the heart of its high-value, sustainable tourism strategy, as around 60% of international visitors transit Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi. At ATM 2026, it unveiled plans to deepen regional partnerships and broaden the destination’s appeal.
The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) is stepping up its efforts to attract visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market through its participation in Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, held in Dubai from September 14 to 17.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are becoming an important mechanism for infrastructure delivery across the Middle East and North Africa, with the Gulf region leading the shift as governments diversify their economies and expand private-sector participation, according to a report.
More than 1,400 construction, real estate and data infrastructure leaders gathered in Dubai for the ninth edition of Construction Technology ConFex (CTF) 2026, as artificial intelligence, automation and the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure emerge as key forces reshaping the GCC’s built environment.
Healthcare technology startups across the GCC attracted $148 million in disclosed investment between January 2025 and July 2026, according to PitchBook data
