Saudi Summer 2025 welcomed 32m visitors and $14.2bn in spending, up 26 per cent year-on-year, as Aseer led GCC tourism growth
Travel & Hospitality
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
Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways rules out near-term IPO, says $20bn growth plans can be self-funded
The decision to go public rests with Abu Dhabi’s ADQ, CEO Antonoaldo Neves says
Abu Dhabi
EXCLUSIVE: Tashas Group bets on suburban UAE dining in $27 million Arada joint venture
The deal marks Tashas Group’s biggest push into suburban UAE markets, as developers push into lifestyle-first communities amid rapid population growth
Department of Economy and Tourism
Dubai launches Dock & Dine initiative across 20 Marinas for yacht tourism
The programme allows yacht owners, crews and guests to access restaurants, hotels, cultural attractions and entertainment directly from Dubai’s marinas
Al Marjan Island
RRS International Development breaks ground on $100m NH Collection Ras Al Khaimah Al Marjan Island
The mixed-use development, created in partnership with Minor Hotels, follows the brand’s debut in Dubai with a Palm Jumeirah property and reflects growing demand for branded residences in Ras Al Khaimah
India
India announces major new passport rules from September 1
Indian expats in Dubai and across the UAE will face new rules when applying for passports
Branded residences
UAE holiday, petrol price changes, tax update, Saudi property reforms, new Kuwait laws – 10 things you missed this week
From a new UAE holiday and petrol price changes to a significant tax update, Saudi property reforms and new Kuwait laws — here are 10 big Gulf business stories you may have missed this week
