Middle East Tourism News
Travelport signs new Bin Ham Travel Group partnership
Travelport has signed a new, multi-year agreement with Bin Ham Travel Group. Established in 1979, the group comprises three leading travel management companies: Al Amaan Travel & Holidays; Al Ain Express Travel; and Bin Ham Travel.
GCC seeks unified tourism offering as unrest continues
Despite ongoing unrest across the Middle East, the Gulf Cooperation Council has experienced strong growth in outbound tourism, with further intentions to implement a common tourism strategy to strengthen cooperation among its member states. According to a new report by Travel & Tourism Intelligence Centre, GCC nationals made over 37 million outbound trips in 2013, with Saudi Arabia making the most trips with an increase from 18 million in 2012 to 21 million, and is forecast to reach over 33 million by 2018.
Middle East air travel leads global aviation
The Middle East aviation sector is leading a global revival of air travel growth, recording a year-on-year double digit increase of international passengers, according to the latest report released by the International Air Transport Association. The Air Passenger Market Analysis report said that Middle East carriers continue to experience the strongest rates of international passenger growth, with year-to-date Revenue Passenger Kilometres growing by 12.2 per cent from August 2012 to August 2013.
$4 trillion Caspian challenges Mid East offshore operators
Seatrade Middle East Work Boats & Offshore Marine 2013, the region’s leading event for workboat operators, builders and equipment suppliers marks its return to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 30th September to 2nd October 2013, with a ‘Regional Power Hour’ on the opening afternoon of the show.
US State Department issues global travel alert
A global travel alert has been issued by The US State Department after it intercepted communications between senior al-Qaeda figures indicating a threat. Dozens of embassies and consulates in the Middle East and North Africa will close on Sunday, where the potential for an attack is thought to be particularly strong, according to reports.
Middle East on track for business travel boom in 2013
New survey reveals a rebound in market confidence while GIBTM exhibitors report strong 12-month prospects for key regional meetings destinations Corporate and meetings business in the Middle East has bounced back from the global economic crisis and looks set to achieve strong growth in 2013, new market data has revealed.
Caution urged to travellers as Middle East demonstrations continue
Travel and tourism could be impacted as violent protests look set to continue in the Middle East, following the release of a US film deemed to be offensive to Muslims. Several people were killed and injured in a number of attacks on US embassies over the release of the online clip.
Middle East protests against US impacts on tourism
Tourism in the Middle East is being hit by ongoing protests against the United States following the release of an anti-Islamic video. As many as seven people were killed yesterday, as rallies broke out at US embassies in Sudan, Egypt, Tunisia and Lebanon.
Middle East leads growth in long-haul airline seats in September, says OAG
The Middle East will see the strongest growth of any global region in available long-haul airline seats in September, adding 22,000 extra seats per day, according to the latest statistics from OAG, the market leader in flight schedule data.
Tourism leaders of Middle East reiterate confidence in the sector
Ministers of Tourism and leading tourism companies from the Middle East and North Africa reiterated their confidence in the growth of tourism in the region.
Seychelles strengthens its positioning to certain holiday segments in Middle East
The Seychelles Tourism Board, Middle East, in partnership with Emirates Holidays, have joined forces at this year’s Dive Middle East Exhibition, which is held alongside the Dubai International Boat Show, to increase awareness of the impressive diving opportunities the Seychelles offers.
Middle East poised for economic recovery
The Middle East is “on track” for recovery from the global financial crisis despite the concerns around the euro, according to a leading economist. Speaking in Dubai on the current global economy and outlook for the Middle East, Andrew Scott, professor of economics at London Business School, said 2012 will be a year of slow growth but the region is doing well in re-balancing its economies and is beginning to gain momentum.