The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) says $12.5 trillion in travel and tourism investment across major economies will shape competitiveness and growth through 2035, with capital investment expected to grow 4.6% annually, stressing the need to align spending with demand.
Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the Gulf have disrupted some business activity in one of the world’s most trade-dependent regions, forcing temporary airport closures, interrupting port operations and unsettling financial markets , while the private sector remains resilient according to authorities.
Riyadh Air and Mastercard have announced a strategic partnership aimed at transforming global travel through the integration of payments, technology, and travel experiences. The collaboration introduces innovations across consumer payments, premium airport experiences, and next-generation B2B travel payments.
The German National Tourist Office (GNTO) and visitBerlin have outlined a forward-looking vision for 2026, setting the direction for a year that celebrates Germany’s vibrant urban culture, rich culinary landscape and a growing emphasis on wellbeing.
Wego reports a 4.8% increase in Kuwait travel bookings for February 2026, driven by Hala February celebrations, National and Liberation Day holidays, and early Ramadan preparations, marking one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Wego reports that UAE residents are favouring staycations, cultural experiences and spiritually focused city breaks during Ramadan 2026. As the holy month approaches, travellers are planning shorter, experience-led trips, with increased domestic travel and selective short-haul journeys to culturally resonant destinations.
Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will officially activate the first phase of a long-planned one-stop air travel system today (February 17), launching a significant step towards seamless mobility within the GCC.
Dida Holdings, an AI-first travel distribution platform, has announced a seven-year strategic partnership with HBX Group, a B2B TravelTech marketplace. The agreement establishes HBX as a core partner within Dida’s global distribution network, supporting international travel demand from China, Asia, and beyond.
Based on its corporate travel data and booking trends, musafir.com reports that business travel spending in the Middle East rose nearly 20% in 2025, driven by increased MICE activity, major industry events, and cross-border leadership meetings, reinforcing the region’s growing role as a global hub for corporate engagement ahead of 2026.
flyadeal has introduced a raft of customer experience enhancements focused on convenience and flexibility with highlights including 7kg free carry-on baggage on its most basic fare bundle, ‘fly’. In addition, flyadeal is relaunching other ancillary products to enhance customer awareness of its three tier fare bundle products – ‘fly, fly+ and flyMax.
