Citing lack of security, UAE billionaire abandons Lebanon investments Emirati businessman had previously said he received threats leading to the cancellation of a planned TV channel launch in Lebanon in 2024 Lebanon
Turkey: Death toll from ski resort blaze rises to 79 As officials continue to play the blame game, the number of people detained as part of the investigation into the disaster has increased to 11. Turkey
Turkey declares national day of mourning after ski resort fire kills at least 76 The blaze struck a popular ski resort hotel, leaving dozens dead. Turkey
Saudi's PIF downsizes foreign investment, turns to AI, domestic priorities Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund is looking to invest in tourism, real estate and sustainability as its Vision 2030 deadline draws closer. Saudi Arabia
Sri Lanka arrests 3 men in plot to attack Israeli-run Jewish center: What we know By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Can Saudi Arabia afford giga-projects with oil prices under $75 per barrel? By Jennifer Gnana , Samuel Wendel
Greece to allow tourists from Israel, Lebanon The European country will open up for tourists from Israel, Lebanon and several other European countries in June. Israel
Intel: Turkey's tourism sector sets hopes on June kick start President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's announcement that the government aims to relax COVID-19 restrictions and start returning to normal life at the end of Ramadan has raised the hopes of the country’s ailing tourism sector. Turkey
Virtual tours bring Egypt's museums, archaeological sites online Cairo had hoped that 2020 would be a golden year for Egyptian tourism, but the COVID-19 pandemic has upended the industry. Egypt
Foreign Ministry rescues Israelis stranded abroad during pandemic The Israeli Foreign Ministry, after being sidelined for years by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sees its vital role recognized as diplomats bring back young Israelis stranded abroad during the coronavirus crisis. Israel
Coronavirus robs Bethlehem of Easter festivities Easter, along with Chrismas, has been a high point for tourism in Bethlehem, the birthpace of Jesus, but alas, not this year. Palestine
Coronavirus cripples Egypt’s tourism industry Some analysts fear long-term effects on Egypt’s tourism sector from the coronavirus outbreak. Egypt
Egypt suspending all flights amid coronavirus spread As the number of Egypt's COVID-19 cases rise to 150, Cairo says that all flights will be suspended for nearly two weeks and that tourism sites will be thoroughly sanitized. Egypt
Tourists stay away as Egypt reopens oldest pyramid Egypt has finally reopened its oldest pyramid after 14 years of restoration work, but the timing could have been better. Egypt
Intel: Suicide bombing strikes near US Embassy in Tunisia Two suicide bombers on a motorcycle blow themselves up near the US Embassy in Tunis, killing a police officer. Tunisia
Saudi travel ban slams Egypt's religious tourism industry Seeking to curb the rapidly spreading novel coronavirus, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended tourism to its holy sites to the detriment of Egypt's travel industry as the pilgrimage season approaches. Saudi Arabia
Coronavirus gives kiss of death to Iran’s tourism industry before Nowruz A coronavirus outbreak in Iran is hitting the country’s already battered tourism industry, and the timing couldn’t be worse as many would normally travel for the Persian New Year. Iran
Socks for tourists, jobs for refugees in Jordan Two young entrepreneurs in Jordan get women in refugee camps to knit socks for tourists. Jordan
