AFRICAN & MIDDLE EAST NEWS

This marks the strongest December occupancy since 2006 and the year’s top ADR, fueled by global influxes during festive peaks.

For hospitality sectors, this injects momentum: Finnish tourists, 1.2 million outbound yearly, flock to Dubai’s resorts, boosting QSR demand in transit lounges and beachside grab-and-go spots.

Head of Cargo Michael Duggan highlighted surging regional demand, especially for fresh goods and specialized loads, noting the route’s role in expanding reach and cementing Muscat as a premier cargo nexus.

Middle Eastern airlines led with 9.6% demand growth, 9.2% capacity rise, and 81.4% load factor, up 0.3 points compared to the previous year.

This blitz cements Ennismore’s QSR synergies via dynamic F&B, eyeing hospitality investments amid 2026 tourism upticks.

The Gama’s smart design, sustainable features, tech-integrated rooms, aligns with millennial preferences, fostering loyalty in a market hungry for mid-upscale options.

Its strategic perch near industrial parks and lakes enhances logistics for exports like coffee, flowers, and leather, vital to AfCFTA’s US$3.4 trillion market.

Tourism Minister H.E. Mazen Al Salhani stressed that true growth hinges on experiential excellence, not just marketing.

A standout element involves crafting a southern landfill zone blending commerce and leisure: think dedicated berths, upscale hotels, dining venues, and lush green expanses to draw tourists and boost local economies.

Valued at around AED 900 million (roughly US$245 million), this venture expands Royal’s Abu Dhabi portfolio, fusing sharp development savvy with Rotana’s storied brand to match the emirate’s dynamic skyline evolution.