News NEWS DESK Travel UAE

Dubai Hotel Rates Surge as Tourism Demand Grows

News Desk 08/09/2025

Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sector continues to show remarkable strength, with average daily room rates (ADR) reaching AED 745 in the first half of 2025. This marks a 5.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year, reflecting the city’s growing appeal as a global destination.

Lifestyle Travel

10 tourist scams in Europe that Middle East travellers must watch out for

News Desk 24/08/2025

From pickpockets to fake guides Travellers from the Middle East and North Africa heading to Europe for their summer vacation should be alert to a growing range of tourist scams. At least 10 typical schemes are widespread across major destinations and pose a serious risk to both safety and savings. Middle Eastern travellers are particularly […]

Aviation Travel

Lufthansa resumes its Munich to Riyadh route

Arnold Pinto 14/08/2025

From October 25, 2025 Lufthansa will restart non-stop flights between Munich and Riyadh from October 26, 2025, marking a renewed push by the German carrier to expand its network in the Arabian Gulf region amid rising travel demand. The airline will operate the route three times a week, departing Munich at 21:45 and landing in […]

Aviation Travel

Emirates bans use of power banks in-flight amid growing lithium battery safety fears

Arnold Pinto 10/08/2025

From October 1, 2025 Dubai-based Emirates airline has announced a new safety policy prohibiting the use of power banks during flights, with the measure set to take effect on October 1, 2025. The decision follows a global increase in incidents involving lithium batteries onboard aircraft. Passengers on Emirates flights will be allowed to carry one […]

Travel

Italy tourism set to register record €60.4 billion in 2025

Arnold Pinto 08/08/2025

Amid global sector recovery International visitor spending in Italy is expected to reach a record €60.4 billion in 2025, according to new research from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), highlighting a substantial recovery for the country’s tourism sector after the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest WTTC Economic Impact Research projects that the overall travel […]

Cybersecurity Travel

Dark web trade in stolen travel documents is surging to new heights

News Desk 07/08/2025

As global tourism recovers Cybercriminals are profiting from a booming black market for stolen travel documents, with a new investigation revealing that personal information from millions of travellers across the globe is being sold on the dark web for as little as $10. Joint research by cybersecurity firms NordVPN and Saily has uncovered a growing […]

Business Travel UAE

UAE tourism set to hit record $62 billion in 2025

Arnold Pinto 29/07/2025

As regional growth accelerates The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to see international visitor spending reach an all-time high of $62.22 billion (AED228.5 billion) in 2025, according to new figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The forecast represents a 37% increase over the previous peak, which was last recorded in 2019. […]

Aviation Cybersecurity Travel

Massive cyberattack forces mass flight cancellations at Aeroflot

Arnold Pinto 28/07/2025

Pro-Ukrainian hackers claim responsibility Russia’s flagship airline, Aeroflot, cancelled over 50 flights on June 28, 2025, following what authorities have confirmed was a cyberattack, allegedly carried out by a pro-Ukrainian hacking group. The disruption hit Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. The Kremlin has described the

Aviation Business Travel

Wizz Air pulls out of Abu Dhabi amid geopolitical strains and mounting losses

Arnold Pinto 16/07/2025

From September 1, 2025 Budget airline Wizz Air will shut down its Abu Dhabi operations from September 1, 2025, ending a five-year venture that struggled to gain ground amid growing regional tensions and financial headwinds. The Hungarian carrier confirmed the closure of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a joint venture with the UAE’s ADQ, after persistent […]

Aviation Lifestyle Travel

This airline cabin bag guide will save you from fees in the Middle East

News Desk 13/07/2025

How 10 major carriers compare A new wave of strict cabin baggage rules is catching travellers by surprise. Airlines around the world enforce varying limits on size and weight. This story breaks down what 10 leading carriers allow, with special focus on flights connected to the Arabian Gulf and the broader Middle East. Emirates caps […]

Automotive Lifestyle Travel UAE

UAE adventurers embark on 12,600km-long overland trip through 26 countries

Arnold Pinto 12/07/2025

From Dubai to Scotland A group of intrepid adventurers from the United Arab Emirates has launched an ambitious overland journey spanning 26 countries, setting off from Dubai and concluding in Scotland. The 12,600km-long expedition aims to promote cultural exchange and foster a spirit of adventure, while documenting stories that connect diverse communities across the globe.

Aviation Defence & Security Travel

US drops ‘shoes-off’ airport rule in major security policy shift

Arnold Pinto 10/07/2025

For domestic flights within the US The United States will no longer require domestic air travellers to remove their shoes during security screening, following a policy change announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The move is expected to reduce passenger wait times and ease congestion at airport security checkpoints. The change applies only to […]

Aviation Cybersecurity Travel

You may be affected as Qantas confirms unprecedented data breach

Arnold Pinto 03/07/2025

Impacting 6 million customer records Qantas Airways has confirmed that a cyberattack on one of its third-party contact centres has compromised customer data, affecting up to six million service records. The Australian airline has not specified which vendor operates the compromised platform or whether that provider also services other airlines in the Asia-Pacific or Middle

Business Travel UAE

These are the top 3 travel insurance providers in the UAE  

News Desk 27/06/2025

10 things to consider beforehand Travel insurance is a growing priority for residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially as international movement increases across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Whether for leisure, business, or religious travel, choosing the right policy requires careful evaluation of coverage, reliability, and service. Union Insurance is

BREAKING NEWS Business Travel

Dubai Airports extends AED495m contract with Serco to 2030

Arnold Pinto 19/06/2025

For passenger services at 2 airports Dubai Airports has signed a five-year contract extension with Britain’s Serco, valued at AED495 million, to continue providing passenger services at the Dubai emirate’s two main airports through December 2030. The contract follows the completion of an initial five-year term and a one-year extension. According to a Sero statement, […]

BREAKING NEWS Travel

Iceland is the most expensive tourist destination for Americans in 2025

News Desk 09/06/2025

Global inflation a key reason Iceland has been ranked the most expensive travel destination for American tourists in 2025, with the average visitor spending more than $400 per day, according to a new report by The Forex Complex. The ranking reflects a broader trend: while domestic travel in the United States is becoming more affordable, […]

Aviation BREAKING NEWS Travel

Lufthansa rolls out free in-flight messaging service on long-haul flights

Arnold Pinto 04/06/2025

Reopens First Class Lounge in Munich Lufthansa has introduced a new complimentary messaging service for passengers on all its intercontinental flights, as the global airline intensifies efforts to improve in-flight connectivity and enhance the overall passenger experience. This includes WhatsApp and other popular social messaging platforms. As of June 3, 2025, travellers

Travel

IATA reports robust global air travel demand in April 2025

Arnold Pinto 02/06/2025

All regions register growth The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its April 2025 global passenger demand report, revealing a strong upward trajectory in air travel. The data indicates a significant rebound from previous years, with notable growth across both international and domestic markets. In April 2025, total global passenger demand, measured

Appointments Travel

Shaikha Al Nowais named first woman Secretary-General of UN Tourism

News Editor 2 01/06/2025

From January 2026 The UN Tourism Executive Council has nominated Shaikha Al Nowais of the UAE as the next Secretary-General of the global tourism body, in a landmark move that would see her become the first woman to hold the post in the organisation’s 50-year history. Her nomination was announced during the Council’s 123rd session, […]

Aviation Tech Travel

No more removing laptops or liquids from carry-on bags during security check at Dubai Airport

Arnold Pinto 24/05/2025

Thanks to AI-powered CT scanners Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the world’s busiest and most influential travel hubs, is stepping into the future with a major overhaul of its security screening systems. In a bold move to enhance security and passenger convenience, DXB is deploying next-generation CT scanners across all its terminals. These scanners […]