The inaugural WTM Spotlight Riyadh, which will take place from September 8 to 10 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Convention Center (RFECC), will focus on the large-scale hotel development, and the increasing influence of Saudi travellers at home and abroad.
In 2025, the UAE aviation sector hit record milestones, with DXB handling 95.2 million passengers, Abu Dhabi Airports over 33 million, and Sharjah 19.48 million. Ras Al Khaimah surpassed one million passengers. Expanded connectivity, cargo growth, and technological upgrades reinforced the UAE’s global aviation and logistics leadership.
Saudi Tourism Development Fund (TDF) signed a MoU with Palladium Hotel Group to explore development opportunities across several regions of Saudi Arabia. The agreement focuses on strengthening cooperation, assessing potential projects, conducting feasibility studies, identifying suitable investment structures, and reviewing technical and operational frameworks.
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 4-7 May, is projecting a significant increase in exhibitors from Asia-Pacific countries, underpinned by a strong 13.95% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in participation from Asian exhibitors over the 2024–2026 period.
Vietnam’s tourism sector recorded a monthly high for international arrivals in January, welcoming nearly 2.5 million visitors, official data showed, signalling strong momentum at the start of 2026. International arrivals rose 21.4% month on month and 18.5% year on year. Asian visitors accounted for more than 73% of arrivals, or about 1.8 million.
Strategic partnerships, global marketing campaigns and major events contributed to Dubai welcoming 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, marking a 5% increase compared to 18.72 million arrivals in 2024, according to data published by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and a third successive year of record-setting figures.
The UAE has welcomed 16 senior tourism leaders from nine countries as part of its Global Tourism Leadership Programme, organised by the Government Knowledge Exchange Office at the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs in collaboration with the Dubai College of Tourism.
Dar Global has partnered with Art District Real Estate for the development of its new coastal destination - Muscat Marine, Art & Digital District (MAD) - being set up in Oman. The RO1.6 billion ($4.2 billion) project integrates oceanfront living, luxury hospitality and future-focused digital industries.
Vice Minister Princess Haifa Bint Mohammed Al Saud said Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is rapidly growing through coordinated national efforts. Tourism spending hit SAR275 billion ($73 billion) and visitor numbers exceeded 116 million, with the Kingdom now aiming to reach 150 million tourists by the end of the decade.
Global City Dammam, a major tourism, entertainment, and cultural investment, was inaugurated by Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region Governor, Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz. Featuring international pavilions across 650,000 sqm, it supports private-sector growth, boosts competitiveness, attracts global investors, creates jobs, and is expected to welcome 25,000 visitors daily.
