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 rolls back foreign travel curbs, but US tourists remain barred Beginning Jan. 9, foreign travelers from nearly 200 countries deemed medium risk can travel to Israel. Israel
Will Egypt manage to bring home all smuggled artifacts? As part of their continuous efforts to retrieve Egypt's stolen, prized antiquities, Egyptian authorities announced on Dec. 20 the recovery of 36 artifacts that had been smuggled to Madrid. Culture
Lebanon campaigns to revive tourism amid economic crisis Several campaigns such as the "Give Lebanon a Break" one launched by the Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar sparked widespread criticism from the Lebanese, who believe it has nothing to do with their reality and the economic collapse of the country. Lebanon
Egyptian travel companies profit on Turkey visits due to falling lira Egyptian tourism companies are seeking to take advantage of the low exchange rate of the Turkish lira to promote their programs in Turkey even after the summer season is over. Egypt
South Sudan angles for Egyptian tourism with first five-star hotel Egypt's many tourism projects in the country include building South Sudan's first five-star hotel. Egypt
UAE top destination for tourists from India The UAE is looking to enhance its trade ties with India and recently sent a delegation to the country. News Brief
Egypt reclaims land for new port city, but environmental concerns loom Egypt is constructing a new port city near Alexandria by reclaiming land from the Mediterranean Sea, but the project has sparked fears over negative environmental impacts. Egypt
Life returns to 1800s palace in Egypt The Egyptian authorities are preparing to reopen the palace of Mohammed Ali Pasha in the Shubra area, north of Cairo, after extensive restoration works. Culture
Israeli tourists return to Jericho Israeli tourists increasingly see affordable Jericho as desirable vacation option. Israel
Egypt reinvents Qubba Palace as history museum The Egyptian government has decided to transform Qubba Palace, one of the largest presidential palaces, into a museum housing several historical museums and gardens. Culture
UK's Prince Charles visits Egypt, discusses climate change with Sisi UK Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, arrived in Egypt on Thursday for a two-day visit as part of their first tour since the start of the COVID-19. Egypt
Japan opens tourism office in Dubai Both Japan and the United Arab Emirates see opportunity to expand tourism, trade and investment in one another. News Brief
