Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid airport sets record with 3.9M passengers in July Air travel is a part of the Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy, though challenges remain in attracting tourists and catching up to other Gulf airports. Saudi Arabia
Mideast airlines see 0.4% dip amid Iran, Gaza wars, as global demand up 2.6% Conflict-related airspace closures and regional tensions disrupted airlines based in the Middle East. Iran
Wildfires spread across Turkey’s tourism hub Izmir amid regionwide heat wave Wildfires rage in Turkey’s tourist heartland, forcing airport closures and evacuations amid fierce winds. Turkey
From Lebanon to Qatar, Israel-Iran war disrupts flights, airport traffic: What to know Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines canceled all flights to Iraq through Thursday as the ongoing Israel-Iran war forces widespread disruptions across Middle East aviation. Israel
Israel, Jordan to restore Jordan River Israel and Jordan are creating a plan to rehabilitate and protect the Jordan River, making it a year-round water source with a healthy ecosystem. Israel
International fashion shows land in Egypt Luxury fashion houses Stefano Ricci, Elie Saab and Dior have chosen different iconic places in Egypt to host major events, in line with the authorities’ new branding strategy aimed at attracting new visitors by leveraging the country’s cultural and artistic side. Egypt
UAE and Japan agree to visa-free travel The two countries also recently pledged to boost economic, industrial and energy cooperation. United Arab Emirates
Egypt to push tourism at Qatar World Cup Egypt is offering direct flights from Doha to Egyptian cities during the 2022 FIFA World Cup to lure fans and boost tourism. Egypt
From homes to guesthouses: some Lebanese find ways to survive economic meltdown Despite Lebanon's worst financial crisis since its civil war, guesthouse investment is growing as rural tourism soars, generating much-needed revenue for its cash-strapped citizens and empowering local communities and talents. Lebanon
Gendarmerie operation sparks controversy in Petra, Jordan Petra’s tribal entrepreneurs react to a security operation carried out inside Jordan’s most-visited UNESCO World Heritage Site with criticism and concern for their livelihoods. Jordan
With warming of diplomatic ties, Israel, Turkey expect bilateral trade boom Now that diplomatic relations have improved, Israel hopes to increase and expand its exportations to Turkey in fields such as water treatment, smart agriculture and energy. Israel
Egypt to adopt Russian Mir payment system to encourage tourism, trade exchange Russian tourists and companies will be allowed to pay through the Russian Mir system in Egypt ahead of the winter season, which Cairo is hoping will boost its tourism sector. Egypt
Egypt restores massive statue of King Thutmose II Within the scope of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ efforts to restore monuments and paintings at the Karnak Temple complex in Luxor, the Supreme Council of Antiquities completed the restoration work of the statue of King Thutmose II on the southern facade of Karnak. Egypt
Cairo evicts Nile island residents for development project Egyptian security forces and residents of the Nile River's Warraq Island are clashing as the government tries to evict them as part of a development plan. Egypt
New evidence emerges of looting of King Tut's tomb in Egypt While Egypt celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb, new evidence emerged that the discoverer, Howard Carter, stole objects from it. Egypt
On lightning vacations, Ultra-Orthodox pour onto segregated Israeli beaches Israel's ultra-Orthodox have only three weeks of yeshiva break, and they take their brief summer vacation very seriously. Israel
