The Neom megacity initiative continues to expand its influence globally, with the latest addition being the ultra-modern Norlana community in northwest Saudi Arabia. Positioned along the Gulf of Aqaba, Norlana offers an exclusive experience to 3,000 elite members, combining contemporary luxury with advanced technology to set a new standard for sustainable living. Comprising 711 residential units, Norlana boasts a variety of housing options including luxurious mansions, spacious flats, and beachfront villas seamlessly integrated into the surrounding landscape for a serene ambiance. The communit ..read more

Qatar Airways has made waves by introducing the world's first AI cabin crew with human-like qualities. This innovative development will be showcased at the Dubai Arabian World Travel Mart, providing attendees with the opportunity to engage and interact with the second-generation AI-powered cabin crew. Among these AI crew members is Sama 2.0, a highly intelligent AI assistant employed by Qatar Airways. Sama 2.0 can offer real-time assistance to travelers, answering queries about flying with Qatar Airways and providing guidance on trip planning, FAQs, and destination tips. For those unable ..read more

An agreement signed between the US maritime company Regent and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office will pave the way for the construction of high-speed Seagliders in the UAE. These Seagliders, designed to travel swiftly over water, will integrate into the UAE's transportation network, particularly focusing on key routes such as those servicing Delma Island and Sir Bani Yas Island. Regent's innovative craft, the Viceroy, utilizes wing-in-ground effect technology to achieve speeds of up to 290kph, significantly reducing travel times between coastal cities. Currently in development, the Viceroy is u ..read more

Doha’s Hamad International Airport has been recognized as the top airport globally in the 2024 World Airport Awards, which took place at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Frankfurt on April 17th, 2024. This marks the third time that Hamad International Airport has secured this prestigious title. Additionally, the airport received accolades for having the best shopping experience among airports worldwide and for being the best airport in the Middle East. Qatar Airways Group CEO, Eng. Badr Al Meer, expressed gratitude for the recognition, particularly as the airport celebrates its tenth year of ope ..read more

Abu Dhabi has embarked on a journey of transformation with the approval of its new Tourism Strategy 2030, guided by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Led by the Department of Culture and Tourism, this strategy outlines a roadmap for the expansion and strategic development of the emirate's travel and tourism sector.   The tourism strategy aims to increase visitor numbers from nearly 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030, with a targeted 7 percent year-on-year growth. Additionally, it seeks to ..read more

Red Sea International Airport (RSI) has announced the launch of its inaugural international flights, marking a significant milestone in its development. Since September 2023, RSI has been servicing domestic flights operated by Saudia, establishing a regular schedule. The introduction of international flights, starting with flydubai's inaugural arrival on April 18, signifies a new phase for RSI, with a twice-weekly flight from Dubai. John Pagano, group CEO at Red Sea Global, emphasized RSI's strategic location, serving as a gateway accessible within three hours for 250 million people and aiming ..read more

Saudi Arabia boasts the world's largest hotel pipeline, with a projected addition of 250,000 rooms by 2030. As of the end of 2023, the country already had 250,000 operational rooms, with numerous hotels set to open in key developments such as NEOM, The Red Sea, and Amaala. This surge in hotel openings is expected to accelerate in the coming months. Here, we highlight 25 of the most significant hotel openings slated for the Kingdom: 25 hours TROJENA: Located in NEOM's mountaintop TROJENA development, this hotel will offer unique amenities such as an in-house cinema and a rooftop restaura ..read more

Imagine flying cars becoming a reality in the UAE by 2025! Archer, a top-notch US electric flying car company, is teaming up with Falcon Aviation, a local aviation services operator, to make it happen. They're planning to set up special vertiports (fancy word for vertical airports) in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These vertiports will be the launchpads for Archer's Midnight aircraft, which can carry four passengers and zip around for quick trips. The first vertiports will be at Falcon Heliport in Dubai and Marina Mall Heliport in Abu Dhabi, cutting down hours-long car rides to just minutes in th ..read more

In Sharjah, a new attraction is captivating locals and tourists alike: the "Hanging Gardens." Situated along the scenic Kalba-Sharjah road, this expansive green space officially opened its gates on Friday, March 8, marking a significant milestone in the emirate's efforts to boost tourism. The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, the esteemed Ruler of Sharjah, who unveiled the gardens to the public. Spanning a vast area of 1.6 million square feet, the Hanging Gardens soar to a height of 281 meters above sea level, offering panoramic views of the ..read more

A prestigious yacht manufacturer from Poland, Sunreef Yachts, has embarked on a venture to produce multimillion-dollar luxury boats in Ras Al Khaimah, with plans to ship out the first vessels by year's end. For over two decades, Sunreef Yachts has been crafting top-tier catamarans in its Gdansk facilities, with buyers including tennis players like Rafael Nadal and Fernando Alonso. Looking to expand beyond Europe, the company's founder, Francis Lapp, selected the UAE as the location for its inaugural overseas shipyard two years ago. The Ras Al Khaimah shipyard, recently inaugurated by Sh ..read more