The Skyscanner Travel Trends report for 2026 has unveiled the seven biggest trends in travel, showing that the year will become "personal" for travellers in the UAE. From literature escapes to supermarket tourism and skincare-fuelled itineraries, travellers are planning to curate trips based on their hobbies and passions for 2026, according to Skyscanner data and global consumer research.
In 2026, travellers prioritise purpose-driven trips, focusing on emotional motivations over destinations, according to Hilton's report. Gulf residents, particularly from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, value cultural immersion, with many learning local languages and seeking authentic experiences, emphasising genuine connections over traditional sightseeing.
Etihad Airways will increase its Abu Dhabi-Damascus service to daily flights from November 14, 2026, expanding the route from four to seven flights a week as demand grows between the UAE and Syria.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on electricity grid interconnection, power trading and rail connectivity, while exploring technical, economic and environmental studies and expanding regional energy links.
Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) achieved exceptional financial and operational performance across all its activities during the first nine months of 2025, with a net profit after tax of AED1.1 billion ($299.5 million), representing a 24% increase compared to AED891.3 million for the same period in 2024.
Dana Gas and British advanced materials company Levidian have commissioned the first LOOP 20 unit at the Sharjah Graphene Park, marking the start of commercial graphene production in the UAE emirate.
The UAE is laying the foundations for the Middle East’s next phase of biopharma growth, with national investment in genomics, artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced manufacturing.
The Trade in Services and Investment Agreement (TISIA) between the UAE and Belarus has officially come into force, marking a significant new phase in bilateral economic relations.
Gulf Business Machines (GBM), a leading end-to-end digital solutions provider, has launched the UAE’s first AI Lab built on the Cisco Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has appointed Dr. Souraya Noujaim as Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, as the museum prepares to mark its 10th anniversary in 2027.
