UAE becomes first Mideast country with one of world's strongest passports Emirati citizens have access to 184 destinations without a visa or with a visa on arrival. United Arab Emirates
World Bank ups Middle East 2025 economic outlook as oil, tourism rebound The lender expects gross domestic product growth in the region to average 2.8% this year, up from its April forecast of 2.6%. Iran
Culture Miss Lebanon 2025 crowned in ceremony highlighting culture, heritage Lebanon crowned Perla Harb as the country’s new beauty queen in a grand ceremony highlighting Lebanese culture. Lebanon
Culture Damascus hotel to get revamp in Syria-Saudi partnership: What we know The rebranding and rehabilitation of the Seven Gates Hotel comes as part of an agreement between the Syrian government and the Saudi-owned Le Park Concord hospitality group. Syria
Dubai Expo hopes to mark post-COVID transition for UAE Dubai Expo 2020 is expected to be the most attended international event since the coronavirus pandemic. Legacy: Gulf
The Takeaway: Iran nuclear diplomacy shows faint pulse at UN Signs of life at an extraordinary meeting of senior Middle East officials; also, updates from our correspondents on Israel, West Bank, UAE, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq … and more … all in about 1,400 words! Iran
Iran to lift visa restrictions to revive pandemic-hit tourism sector Iran’s new tourism chief said the government will soon scrap visa restrictions, a plan that the struggling tourism sector has been desperately waiting for to get back on its feet amid the coronavirus pandemic. Iran
Egypt promotes medical tourism within Africa A cross-agency recruitment campaign seeks to encourage citizens of other countries to visit Egypt for treatment Egypt
Bahrain's Gulf Air to start flights to Israel The airline previously said it would begin flights to Tel Aviv in June. Bahrain's new ambassador to Israel wants Israeli tourists to visit. Legacy: Gulf
Controversial Egyptian slum removal mars Giza Plateau upgrade The Nazlet al-Saman slum blemished the Giza Plateau for many decades, but its ongoing removal is bringing criticism of the government. Egypt
Egypt to announce opening of world’s largest open museum in Luxor governorate As part of Egypt’s efforts to boost tourism, the Ministry of Antiquities bets on the restoration of El-Kebash Road in Luxor, which is one of the biggest open-air archaeological sites in the world. Culture
Turkey’s record growth rate belies murky economic prospects Eager to woo back disgruntled voters, Erdogan appears bent on stimulating economic growth at the risk of stoking Turkey’s currency troubles. Turkey
Egypt to make oldest Islamic capital in Africa into open museum Egypt is planning to turn the city of Fustat, the oldest Islamic capital in Egypt and Africa, into an open museum that offers tourists a distinctive experience. Egypt
Gaza creates tourism police force The Interior Ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip is establishing a police force to protect tourist and hotel facilities after threats and attacks against some of those facilities by militants against the backdrop of holding mixed-gender concerts. Palestine
Egypt promotes yacht tourism after dip from COVID-pandemic Egypt is promoting yacht tourism due to the economic returns it brings to the state, as the Delta variant picks up. Culture
Russian observers set up at Egypt's airports Russia officially resumed flights to Egyptian resorts after a six-year hiatus, sparking controversy amid accusations that the government ceded too much authority to Moscow. Egypt
