Saudi Arabia sees quick tourism rebound after domestic boom

Ten sites where the government chose to promote summer travel generated $2.3bn from June 25 to August 31

sharjah airport

Sharjah issues new guidelines for travellers, residents can now return without prior approval

Travellers must present negative Covid-19 results prior to boarding and take another test upon arrival in Sharjah

Wine glasses

Abu Dhabi scraps need for individual alcohol licence

Residents and tourists will be permitted to buy and possess alcohol from licenced retail shops

Dubai safari lion

Video: Dubai Safari Park set to reopen in October

The park features a group of new animals, including African elephants and giraffes

Maldives

Flydubai to resume flights to the Maldives next month

The service expands flydubai’s network to 40 destinations

Jumeirah Living Marina Gate

Jumeirah Group opens new serviced apartments property in Dubai Marina

Jumeirah Living Marina Gate is the fourth serviced-residences property from the luxury hospitality group

How is Dubai’s holiday homes sector faring?

With Dubai open to welcoming tourists again, holiday homes are set to gain further traction

Bahrain

Bahrain reopens border to tourists and non-residents following Covid-19 closure

All incoming passengers must undergo a PCR test at their own expense after landing at the airport as well as on the tenth day of their stay in the kingdom

The Nine Emperor Gods Temple in Penang

Travel review: Rediscover Singapore, Penang and Kuala Lumpur

A heady mix of cultures has influenced most facets of Malaysia and Singapore, from diverse foodie scenes to inspiring historical sites

UAE DUBAI

Dubai introduces five-year renewable Retirement Visa for those aged 55 and over

Applicants will need to meet certain financial requirements in order to be eligible for the new visa

Emirates

Dubai’s Emirates to resume passenger services to additional cities

The flights to Accra and Abidjan will be linked services, operated thrice a week

Atlantis The Palm Dubai

Dubai’s Atlantis The Palm to offer international guests free in-resort Covid-19 tests

Guests need to book a minimum stay of five nights in order to avail of the free testing service

State of the global Islamic economy: Eyeing new frontiers

With Muslim consumers across the world seeking out faith-based products and services, the Islamic economy is seeing robust growth among all its different verticals

Airbnb readies $2bn buyback on surge in travel demand

Airbnb bans parties in home rentals worldwide, caps occupancy at 16

The company has filed confidentially for an initial public offering

Dubai airport

Tourists flying to Dubai do not need GDRFA/ICA approvals – Air India Express

Dubai reopened to tourists last month

Emirates-airport-Dubai

UAE residents no longer require government approvals to return to the country

Residents who wish to return to the country are automatically approved to do so

Dubai-madinat-burj-al-arab-buj-khalifa-pic

Dubai Tourism extends deadline for hotels to comply with sustainability measures

Hotel establishments have been offered a 12-month extension to ensure they implement the new measures

Six Senses Zighy Bay

What will the future travel industry look and feel like?

It’s time to ask ourselves how our trips – whether for pleasure or work – impact the world around us

UAE Dubai Airport

UAE grants one-month grace period for those with expired visit visas to exit the country

The grace period commences from Tuesday, August 11

Message from regional hospitality leaders: Dubai is open

Dubai officially reopened its doors to international tourists from July 7, even as the local economy has gradually returned to some level of normalcy. Covid-19 preventative measures remain, but the move will hopefully bolster the entire tourism ecosystem and aid its economic recovery. Have hospitality and leisure businesses in Dubai started to feel the impact?

Dubai Tourism taps Microsoft Azure for information sharing platforms

Dubai Tourism College runs online learning Microsoft Teams

Mubadala, affiliates disclose stakes in Virgin Galactic

The shares were bought for investment purposes

Emirates Dubai Seychelles

Dubai’s Emirates becomes first international airline to resume services to Seychelles

Emirates will fly five times a week to the popular tourist destination from Dubai

Louvre Abu Dhabi

Mandatory regular Covid-19 testing for all tourism sector employees in Abu Dhabi

The directive was issued by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) on Monday

Global Village

Global Village announces opening dates for 2020 season in Dubai

Season 25 will commence on October 25 and will run for 25 weeks

dubai-international-airport-runway

Prior Covid-19 tests mandatory for all passengers arriving or transiting through UAE airports

Children under the age of 12 and those with severe or moderate disabilities will be exempted from the mandatory tests

Dubai skyline

Intelak Hub set up to support travel, tourism startups in Dubai

Intelak Hub merges Intelak Incubator, Idea Lab with the Futurism Accelerator programme

New ‘DUBAI ASSURED’ stamp to confirm health protocols at hotels, restaurants and tourist establishments

The stamp is issued free of charge and is valid for 15 days

Saudi mountains, Crimean beaches beckon for staycations in Covid-times

As the Covid-19 pandemic dented international travel and tourism, companies look to capture domestic spending that normally goes abroad

Private Aviation

How the private aviation sector in the Middle East is responding to the Covid-19 crisis

Pre-pandemic estimates suggested that there are approximately 800 private jets registered in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region