The beachfront resort will be built on the island spanning 62 hectares in partnership with Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding, set to be the MENA region’s first ever gaming resort, here is an inside look
Travel & Hospitality
Burj Al Arab
Seven-star sleep: Dubai’s Burj Al Arab pillow menu, rare duck feather duvets for guests revealed
Guests can choose from pillows made with goose feathers, horsehair or traced with vitamins alongside an eiderduck duvet with quills harvested from rare duck nests in Iceland with a harvest limit of 2,000kg per year
Egypt
Saudi Arabia, Egypt remain top MENA travel destinations for 2024: Report
Egypt and Saudi Arabia have consistently held the top two positions since Wego began tracking travel trends in 2014
Ghost Flights
Australian airline Qantas to pay $66m fine, $13m compensation after ‘ghost flights’ scandal
People who bought tickets on non-existent domestic flights would get A$225 and people with international fares would get A$450, on top of a refund
Dubai real estate
Dubai set for summer real estate rental boom
Short-term rentals could prove a popular option for visitors to Dubai during summer months
Ajman
Ajman tourism up 7% in Q1
Ajman tourism sector has seen an increase in visitor numbers and occupancy rates
Global Village
Dubai’s Global Village announces extended season and later opening hours
Global Village in Dubai is staying open longer and later after extending Season 28
Business Class
First look: Emirates adds luxury Bulgari freebies for First and Business Class passengers
Emirates introduces new amenity kits for First and Business Class passengers
China
China tourism booming as visa-free travel for 15 countries climbs over 266%
China welcomes more foreign visitors after it expands visa-free travel for 15 countries
biometric
NEOM showcases automated contactless biometric passport eGates in Saudi Arabia
NEOM briefs Saudi passports boss on biometric technology
Real Estate
Arada creates new division to drive hospitality and entertainment growth
Hospitality veteran Amit Arora appointed as Arada’s new Chief Operating Officer
Musandam
Oman announces $100m Club Med Musandam development
Club Med to open first Middle East resort with $100m property in Oman
Future Hospitality Summit
Saudi tourism ministry aims for $11.3bn investment boost and 120,000 new jobs
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism looks to create 120,000 jobs and attract more than $11bn of investment with hospitality initiatives
Dubai
Revealed: Dubai among world’s priciest cities for fine dining in 2024
As Dubai continues to make a name for itself as a leading dining destination, it now ranks fifth globally as the most expensive city for a gourmet meal
Saudi Arabia
Visa-free travel for Saudis in Central American country
Honduras has announced visa exemptions for Saudis visiting the country
Abu Dhabi
Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds appointed as Yas Island’s Chief Island Officer
In a dramatic video released by Yas Island, Reynolds announced his new position and succeeds Jason Momoa as CIO
Binghatti
Dubai rain recovery plan; UAE petrol prices; real estate investment tips; Schengen visa changes; tax warning – 10 things you missed this week
Dubai rain recovery plans, UAE petrol prices set to change, real estate investment analysis and more of the biggest news stories this week