Middle East Travel Destination Industry News by Skift

European Airlines Among Biggest Losers of U.S. Iran Nuclear Deal Nix

Chiara Remondini, Bloomberg

Investors aren't predicting a doomsday scenario for airlines from the U.S. decision. But like some other decisions made by President Trump, the travel industry stands to lose the most.

2 weeks ago

How to Make Abu Dhabi a Real Destination and Not Just a Stopover

Colin Nagy, Skift

Abu Dhabi has a long way to go to become a destination and not just a stopover. Here are some ideas.

1 month ago

Historic Ocean Liner Queen Elizabeth 2 Is Finding New Life as a Dubai Hotel

Zainab Fattah, Bloomberg

Dubai bit off a massive project at a precarious time when it bought the QE2 for $100 million more than 10 years ago. Will the investment finally start to pay off?

1 month ago

A New Saudi City Wants to Attract Tourists Although Its Strategy Is Undefined

Sarah Algethami, Bloomberg

Like past leisure tourism efforts in Saudi Arabia, this new city will have to compensate hard for the barriers to reaching the country in the first place, and letting loose in a religiously conservative environment.

2 months ago

Six Flags Chases Global Growth With Saudi Arabia Theme Park Deal

Hannah Sampson, Skift

This development might be the worst-kept secret in theme park history. We're not sure what took Six Flags so long to seal the deal, but we do know the arrangement fits squarely into the operator's strategic goals — as long as everything goes according to plan.

2 months ago

Dubai Theme Park Operator’s Ambitions Are Scaling Back Amid Debt Reshuffle

Archana Narayanan and Matthew Martin, Bloomberg

Not enough people are visiting the theme parks that DXB Entertainments operates and the company isn't holding out hope for a profitable year. But plans remain in place to move forward with a hotel and a Six Flags park at the site. If they build those, will people finally come?

2 months ago

Iranians’ Vacations Are Surging During Holiday Break

Arsalan Shahla, Ladane Nasseri, and Anthony DiPaola, Bloomberg

Like the Lunar New Year in China, Iran's holiday could increasingly strain its infrastructure. Anyone who can offer a smoother, quicker travel experience for these families could make some money.

2 months ago

Top Jerusalem Christian Attraction Remains Closed to Protest Taxes

Josef Federman, Associated Press

When a church owns many different types of property, the line between religious space and commercial interest — encompassing hotels — becomes blurred.

3 months ago

Holy Sepulchre Church Closes in Tax Dispute With Israeli Authorities

David Wainer, Bloomberg

Christian tourism is a big deal to Israel, and this tax dispute, if it isn't resolved soon, won't help.

3 months ago

Dubai Theme Park Sees Business Slump as Tourists Stay Away

Filipe Pacheco, Bloomberg

Dubai Parks & Resorts had high hopes for its theme park complex last year, but reality turned out to be a disappointment. As losses mount and debt piles up, will the operator be able to turn the business around?

3 months ago

Saudi Arabia Announces Plans to Become a Global Arts Hub

James Tarmy, Bloomberg

A shiny new arts complex could be a strong driver of tourism, in some other country. Saudi Arabia presents so many obstacles to leisure travelers that it's hard to imagine this boosting visitation.

4 months ago

Travel Megatrends 2018: European Travelers Return to Once-Disrupted Destinations

Patrick Whyte, Skift

Things can change very quickly in travel. Geopolitics plays a big part in deciding a destination’s popularity. With Spain undergoing its own problems, and fewer terrorist incidents taking place in North Africa and the Middle East, the tourist spread is starting to rebalance itself.

4 months ago