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
Old meets Magic Kingdom: Disneyland-style park comes to Egypt After years of planning, Egypt is finally making progress toward establishing its own Disneyland-style theme park. Egypt
Turkey eyes Indian weddings to prop up tourism industry The Turkish tourism industry, scrambling to recover from its worst crisis in years, seeks to grab a share from India’s lucrative wedding market. Turkey
Can Brad Pitt save Turkey’s tourism industry? Turkey is looking to Hollywood for support as its tourism industry struggles to rebound from terrorism, last year's coup and a decline in tourist spending. Turkey
Israeli government may step back from new national trail Many oppose an Israeli government proposal to develop a new national trail that would pass through the West Bank and the Golan Heights; the government may now only develop local trails instead. Palestine
Gaza's dismal tourist sector sees hope in reconciliation Tourism officials in Palestine's national consensus government are planning to revive the Gaza Strip's ailing tourist sector — once they have permission to start work. Palestine
Turks explore Ottoman past in visits to Jerusalem Turkish pilgrims and visitors are increasingly heading to Jerusalem, following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's call on Muslims to visit the holy city. Palestine
Iran emerges as health tourism destination An increasing number of foreign visitors enter Iran to either undergo medical treatment at specialized hospitals or to make use of traditional medicine. Iran
'Gaza Tourist' journeys through heritage and lives A young Palestinian hikes and bikes around Gaza to explore its cultural and historical heritage and landscape and share its beauty and traditions with others. Palestine
Why are Turks flocking to Greece? A combination of economic, social and political factors has led to a significant increase in the number of Turks vacationing in Greece. Turkey
Egyptians make their way to Mecca by many means Many Egyptians resort to illegal methods to perform hajj in Mecca, and the government funds thousands of others, putting a strain on the country's already strapped economy. Saudi Arabia
Turkey, the new address for Brazilian butts, thick hair and shiny teeth At a time when many economic sectors in Turkey are struggling, the health tourism sector has boomed, attracting hundreds of thousands of foreigners eager to get medical treatment and plastic surgeries for cheap. Turkey
Egypt revamps cave museum devoted to Nazi general Egypt's Antiquities Ministry has renovated and reopened a museum in a cave used by Erwin Rommel, the Nazi general known as the "Desert Fox," during his campaign against the British in 1942. Egypt
