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
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
Israel announces plan to admit vaccinated tourists Under the plan, which requires approval from the Cabinet, tourists who received their second vaccine dose or booster shot in the last six months are eligible for entry into Israel. Israel
Little by little, tourists from Emirates, Bahrain arrive to Israel Contrary to the wave of more than 200,000 Israelis who have already visited the Emirates, tourists from the Gulf are just starting to arrive to Israel. Israel
Egypt wins international award for restoring historic synagogue Egypt is using an international award it recently won for restoring the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in Alexandria to promote tourism. Egypt
Egypt’s first ticking clock ticks again Egypt gets ready to announce the return of its oldest ticking clock, which French King Louis Phillippe gifted to Muhammed Ali Pasha, then-ruler of Egypt, in 1846. Culture
Egypt sends display of artifacts to Dubai's Expo 2020 Egypt is betting on its participation at Expo 2020 Dubai, one of the biggest cultural events in the world, to promote its tourism sector. Egypt
