The phase one launch includes three hotels – SLS, EDITION, and InterContinental – alongside Shura Links, Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course
Travel & Hospitality
Dubai
Dubai International Airport completes world’s largest hearing loop installation
The Hearing Loops rollout forms part of Dubai Airports’ accessibility strategy aimed at improving access across DXB through infrastructure enhancements and employee training
UAE
UAE hotels welcome 16.1 million guests in first half of 2025
Members discussed national initiatives and programmes designed to develop the hospitality industry in the UAE and enhance investment opportunities
billionaires
Next UAE holiday dates, Emirates ID update, Dubai tourism boom and real estate tax analysis – 10 things you missed this week
Catch up on the UAE’s biggest news this week — from new holidays and Emirates ID updates to Dubai tourism growth, real estate tax analysis and more
Etihad
Etihad Airways hits record 2m passengers in August 2025
Etihad Airways carried 2 million passengers in August 2025, a historic record as traffic rose 22% year-on-year with a 91% load factor
Dubai Fashion Week
UAE travellers drive 35% surge in Fashion Week destination searches: Report
Expedia’s annual Summer Travel Outlook confirmed that Dubai, Paris, London and Milan remain within the top 10 destinations for UAE travellers
Saudi Tourism
Saudi Summer draws 32m visitors with $14.2bn spend, up 26% on 2024
Saudi Summer 2025 welcomed 32m visitors and $14.2bn in spending, up 26 per cent year-on-year, as Aseer led GCC tourism growth
Ciel Dubai Marina
World’s tallest Ciel Dubai Marina hotel announces November opening
Ciel Dubai Marina is an 82-storey tower with 377 metres in height and offers 1,004 rooms and suites.
UAE hotels
UAE tourism surges as hotels generate $7.1bn in first half of 2025
UAE hotel revenues hit AED26bn ($7.1bn) in H1 2025 with occupancy at 80.5 per cent, boosting the nation’s Tourism Strategy 2031 goals
Dubai tourism
Dubai announces new rules to boost tourist transport
Dubai RTA has issued a new regulation for tourist transport, enhancing service quality, safety and visitor experience to support the emirate’s tourism growth
Dubai
Dubai hotel occupancy climbs above 81% as international visitors reach 10mn
Dubai’s hotel inventory has risen from 670 establishments in 2021 to around 730 today, the report said
dubai malls
New UAE tax rules; Dubai real estate record; 100 best places to work; Oman launches Golden Visa – 10 things you missed this week
From record Dubai real estate sales to new UAE tax rules, Oman’s Golden Residency and Saudi retail growth—this week’s must-read headlines
Abu Dhabi Airports
Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways to relaunch Abu Dhabi and Al Ain flights with fares from $29
Jazeera Airways relaunches direct Kuwait flights to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain from Oct 2, with fares from $29
Aviation
Qatar Airways to launch direct Doha–Red Sea International Airport flights in October 2025
Qatar Airways to start direct Doha–Red Sea flights from Oct 21, 2025, linking Saudi’s Vision 2030 destination with Hamad International Airport
Hayya Platform
Qatar to launch Hayya 2.0 after platform passes 2 million e-visa milestone
Qatar’s Hayya platform has processed over 2m e-visas since the World Cup, with Hayya 2.0 set to boost travel, tourism and business access
Amali properties
Dubai’s World Islands show signs of revival as new capital pours in, projects advance
UNHWIs from Europe, Asia and the Gulf are driving activity on Dubai’s artificial archipelago after a 15-year hiatus
Majid Al Futtaim
Majid Al Futtaim reports $4.7bn H1 2025 revenue as profit jumps 23%
Majid Al Futtaim posted $4.7bn in H1 2025 revenue, with profit up 23 per cent as digital growth, real estate demand, and new investments drive momentum