Hospitality & Tourism

Plaza Premium Group: Transforming and elevating airport experiences

Premier airport hospitality player partners with gourmet brand Numero Uno

How global aircraft chartering is revolutionizing corporate travel 

Companies spend about $111.7 billion on business travel every year 

GCC’s aviation sector soars as a key economic driver 

Robust infrastructure, strategic location vital to the growth of the industry and the region’s economy

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways records 10.4 million passengers during Jan-Jul 2024

The airline transported 1.7 million passengers in July 2024, achieving an 89 percent load factor

Air Arabia reports $188.67 million net profit in H1 2024, continues network expansion and sustainability efforts

The airline achieved a turnover of $449.22 million, a 19 percent increase year-over-year

Emirates to launch retrofitted Boeing 777s to Zurich, Riyadh starting October 1

So far, 25 aircraft have been retrofitted, with 17 more to undergo the upgrade by December 2024

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways soars with $232 million profit in H1 2024, up 48 percent YoY

Total revenue increased 21 percent to $3.2 billion, from $2.6 billion in H1 2023

UAE’s flydubai adds Basel to its expansive 29-destination European network

The carrier’s European network already includes Budapest, Catania, Krakow, Milan-Bergamo, Prague, Salzburg, and Zagreb

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi launches world’s first Ferrari Esports Arena in Yas Island

The arena features 20 Grand Turismo simulators of which 17 are adult seats and three are for younger guests

Top trending travel destinations on TikTok in 2024

Dubai is the most popular city on TikTok, with over 29.7 million posts

8.6 million GCC tourists in Saudi Arabia spend over $4 billion in 2023

The total number of inbound tourists reached 27.4 million tourists in 2023, setting a new record high for Saudi Arabia

Qatar’s tourism sector booms with visitor numbers up 28 percent in H1 2024

Qatar’s travel and tourism sector is set to contribute $25 billion to the country’s economy this year

Türkiye welcomes 26.1 million visitors in H1 2024, tourism revenues hit $23.7 billion

Türkiye reaffirms commitment to its year-end target of 60 million visitors and $60 billion in revenues

VFS Global launches Japan visa services for UAE residents

Japan visa application centres operational in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from August 1, 2024

Emirates to operate second daily A380 service to Bali starting September 1

Emirates currently offers two daily flights to both Jakarta and Bali

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM awarded $27.7 million cement supply deal with Al Jouf, Webuild

The contract duration is 41 months from the date of signing and is subject to increased quantities

New luxury resort slated to debut in Saudi giga-project NEOM

The resort will include a long, bridge-like structure that spans 450 meters and is suspended 40 meters above a lagoon

UAE’s Emirates flight operations unaffected amid Microsoft and CloudStrike-related global major IT meltdown

A spokesperson noted that there could be delays to some Emirates flight timings later in the day

Sharjah Airport reports 8.3 million passengers in H1 2024, achieving 12.4 percent growth

The airport saw a 12.2 percent growth in aviation movements, totaling 52,702 flight operations