Josh Corder

In this Skift Middle East Report, we also look at the changing face of Saudia Arabia, looking to become a leader in sustainability, culture and yacht parties.

Not everybody had nice things to say about last year's World Cup in Qatar. Saudi Arabia wants to do a better job, planning to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, amid stricter guidelines on human rights and sustainability.

A summer in Capri or Sicily? What drugery! As European spots burst at the seams in peak seasons, local residents are opting to escape as fast as they can.

Omer Acar runs some of the most old-school luxury hotel brands in the world, in Raffles and Orient Express, but looking ahead, he's thinking about how to move with the times. The answer: Services over goods.

Israel's tourism minister hopes that his industry could pave the way for normalization with Saudi Arabia. Looking at neighboring Gulf states, it will take more than air routes and visas to shift sentiment.

Always keen to outdo itself, Saudi Arabia raises its visitor targets before it has even hit them.

Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian is finally seeing his valuable corporate guests returning. He says bookings everywhere but Asia are "booming."

Chinese travelers are gradually returning to Dubai. Numbers are good, but if the tourism authority wants them be great, it needs to shift away from 'one-hit wonder' strategies.

"Back to basics". That's the new focus of Chris Nassetta, as he launches a self-described 'unsexy' growth strategy. Spark and Project H3 are all part of a new vision to turbo-charge Hilton's development.

Marriott International is the latest operator to show confidence in Trojena, an upcoming development where Saudi Arabia says it will be able to host winter sports and open top ski chalets.