AGP Executive Report

Flight Disruptions: IndiGo extended suspensions to Jeddah and Madinah until Nov. 21, and Riyadh and Dammam until Nov. 30, citing regional security risks. The UAE has eased entry rules for Ugandans, allowing travel after 21 days outside Uganda and making exceptions for some students and their families. Sport & Safety: Formula One says Qatar’s Nov. 29 Grand Prix and the Dec. 6 Abu Dhabi finale will go ahead, while officials continue to monitor security and travel conditions. Tourism Growth: Armenia recorded 2.04 million visitor trips from January to October, up 5% year on year. Oman travel companies promoted the country at a Taipei tourism fair, aiming to attract more visitors from East Asia. New Attractions & Hotels: The UAE plans to open the Middle East’s first hot-air-balloon museum in partnership with Japan, while new hotel agreements signal further expansion along Egypt’s Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts.

Air Travel: IndiGo extended its suspension of flights to Jeddah and Madinah through Nov. 21, and to Riyadh and Dammam through Nov. 30, citing security concerns. Syrian Airlines has also launched twice-weekly Berlin–Damascus service. Sport and Travel: Formula 1 says the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix will go ahead as scheduled on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, dropping Imola as a backup while keeping safety under review. Tourism Investment: Egypt has secured hotel deals with Titanic Hotels and Hilton to expand accommodation capacity, as the country pushes to grow its tourism sector.

F1 in the Gulf: Formula 1 has dropped its backup plan in Italy and is pressing ahead with season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, while reserving the right to cancel if regional security worsens. Egypt Tourism: Egypt won Wanderlust’s culture and heritage award as visitor numbers climb: 14.4 million arrived in the first nine months of 2026, up 4% year on year. Travel Safety: Egypt has restored Cairo–Aswan train services after a collision killed seven and injured 125; an investigation is underway. Meanwhile, airlines have extended some Middle East flight suspensions, and the US lists Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen among its “Do Not Travel” destinations. Regional Travel: Türkiye’s airports handled 216.8 million passengers in the first 10 months of the year, while Saudi Arabia says 18 million Umrah pilgrims have arrived from abroad.

Flight Disruptions: Air France and ITA Airways have extended some Gulf suspensions, with Riyadh services paused into December or January and Dubai routes also affected. British Airways has resumed London–Dubai flights, but its Abu Dhabi service remains suspended. Saudi Entry: Saudi Arabia has added Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and North Macedonia to its tourist e-visa programme, allowing visits for tourism, events and Umrah. Pilgrim Travel: India and Saudi Arabia set a 2027 Hajj quota of 175,025 Indian pilgrims; Saudi Arabia also says 4,000 accommodation buildings in Mecca and Medina are available for next year’s pilgrimage. Regional Routes: Lebanon and Syria have reopened a key border crossing, aiming to boost trade and travel. Egypt Travel Safety: A train collision near Cairo killed seven people and injured more than 100; authorities have opened an investigation.

Saudi Tourism Growth: Registrations for tourist accommodation businesses rose 52% year on year to 18,115 by the end of September, signalling continued investment in the Kingdom’s visitor economy. Hajj Preparations: Saudi Arabia opened its sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah, showcasing new technologies and services for pilgrims. Travel Disruptions: Sixty-one Filipino workers affected by unrest in Saudi Arabia returned home on a government-chartered flight, highlighting the impact of regional tensions on travel and workers. Gulf Connectivity: GCC states signed an agreement to advance a rail network linking all six members, with operations targeted for 2030 and passenger demand forecast to grow. Tourism Under Pressure: Yazd’s hotels and guesthouses are struggling as foreign visitors stay away amid conflict, while Egypt earned a top cultural and heritage destination award.

Flight Disruptions: Airlines continue to cancel Saudi routes amid regional attacks. Flynas and Riyadh Air flights to and from Riyadh were among those affected; Etihad has resumed Jeddah service but suspended Riyadh and Dammam flights through November 19. Check with your airline before travelling. Egypt Rail Safety: A collision near Cairo killed seven people and injured more than 100. The crash disrupted the Cairo–Upper Egypt line as crews cleared derailed carriages; an investigation is under way. Tourism Outlook: Egypt was named the world’s most desirable cultural destination at the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, while Saudi Arabia expanded tourist e-visa access to four more countries. A new Gulf railway agreement also sets plans to link six states, promising better regional connections in the years ahead.

Regional Travel Disruption: Three tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz, while Dubai and Doha airports remained open and some Saudi flights were cancelled or suspended amid regional tensions. Egypt Rail Crash: A collision south of Cairo killed four people and injured 88; several carriages derailed, and crews worked to clear the Cairo–Upper Egypt line as authorities launched an investigation. Gulf Connectivity: Qatar signed an agreement to coordinate a future GCC-wide railway, setting shared operating and safety standards for cross-border services. Saudi Visitor Access: Saudi Arabia added Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and North Macedonia to its tourist e-visa programme, bringing eligibility to 72 nationalities. Golf Tourism: Egypt and the UAE took top honors at the World Golf Awards, with Abu Dhabi named the Middle East’s best golf destination and Egypt hosting the ceremony for the first time in Africa.

Travel Disruptions: Rising regional tensions are putting Middle East travel on alert. The US warned of possible flight cancellations and airspace closures, while UAE-Iran flights remain suspended. Travelers should check airline updates before departure. Airport Growth: Despite the uncertainty, Türkiye’s airports handled 216.8 million passengers in the first 10 months of 2026, while Egyptian airports recorded 6% passenger growth in October. Tourism Trends: Armenia welcomed more than 1.75 million visitors in the first nine months, up 1.3% year on year. UAE residents facing European visa delays are also looking to destinations with easier e-visa access for winter trips. Saudi Visas: Saudi Arabia has expanded tourist e-visa and visa-on-arrival access to four countries, widening options for visitors.

Travel Security: The US has urged Americans across the Middle East to stay alert and prepare for possible flight cancellations and airspace closures amid threats of attacks. Air Links: flyadeal has launched twice-weekly direct flights between Madinah and Damascus, adding a route for religious travellers. Syria also plans to reopen the Dabousieh crossing with Lebanon on Monday, restoring a land route for passengers and goods. Passenger Growth: Türkiye’s airports handled 216.8 million passengers in the first 10 months of 2026, up 2.5% year on year. Egyptian airports recorded 2.87 million passengers in October, a 6% increase, led by Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Tourism Outlook: Global arrivals are forecast to reach a record 1.57 billion this year; Middle East arrivals are projected to rebound by 43% in 2027 after this year’s downturn.

Travel Alerts: The US State Department urged Americans across the Middle East to stay vigilant, warning of possible attacks, flight cancellations and airspace closures. Reports of strikes near Iran’s Qeshm Island add to uncertainty. Events at Risk: Formula 1 is preparing Imola as a backup for the Qatar and Abu Dhabi season finales, with a decision expected next week. Jordan cancelled a friendly with Indonesia over security concerns, and the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has been postponed to late next year. Visa Access: Saudi Arabia has expanded tourist visa eligibility to four more countries, with citizens of those nations also eligible for visas on arrival. Tourism Demand: Türkiye reported record tourism revenue of $51.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026; eastern Türkiye’s Akdamar Island has drawn 250,000 visitors. Hotel News: Wyndham has opened its first Vienna House hotel in Türkiye, while Mondrian is planning a debut on the Turkish Riviera.

Saudi Arabia Opens Up: Citizens of four more countries can access tourist visas, including on arrival, as the kingdom works to attract more visitors. Türkiye’s Tourism Momentum: Akdamar Island drew nearly 250,000 visitors in nine months, while the country reported record quarterly tourism revenue of $25.5 billion and plans a tourism corridor across seven southeastern provinces. Heritage Travel: A restoration project has revived 40 ruins in Side, adding to the region’s growing offer for history-focused trips. Flights and Disruptions: Air India has resumed direct Mumbai and Delhi flights to New York and Newark via Iraqi airspace, cutting journey times by about four hours. Gulf schedules remain unsettled, with travellers advised to check airline updates as regional tensions continue to affect routes.

Saudi Visa Access: Saudi Arabia has opened its tourist visa programme to citizens of Mexico, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia, with e-visas and visa-on-arrival options available to eligible travellers. Dubai Tourism: Dubai has launched an invitation-only tourism membership programme, positioning the city to build stronger ties with selected visitors and industry partners. Tourism Growth: Türkiye reported record quarterly tourism revenue of $25.5 billion, while Chinese independent travellers are exploring more of the country beyond peak season. Egypt is adding luxury Nile cruises and another Somabay resort as it targets 22 million visitors in 2027. Travel Disruptions: Bomb threats triggered searches and delays across European flights for a second day, while heavy rain is expected to cause flooding and transport disruption in Israel. Emirates’ first-half profit fell 66% amid the regional conflict and higher fuel costs.

Aviation: Emirates’ first-half profit fell 66% to $903 million as regional conflict, airspace disruption and soaring fuel costs hit operations. Passenger traffic was down 22% year on year, though the airline said demand held firm. Saudi Arabia: Bookings have opened for Dream of the Desert, the Kingdom’s luxury train journeys, while the Grand Hyatt The Red Sea has opened on Shura Island. Egypt: The country’s WTM London pavilion won awards for design and visitor experience as Egypt targets 22 million tourist arrivals in 2027. Türkiye: Tourism revenue reached a record $51.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 5% year on year. Dubai: Private members’ club 67 Pall Mall plans a 2027 opening, while Capella has announced a 2030 debut—fresh additions to the city’s luxury hospitality pipeline.

Azerbaijan’s Tourism Push: The country is courting Middle Eastern visitors, with new talks in Jordan focused on air links, visas and travel partnerships. Regional arrivals rose 13.1% in 2025 even as overall foreign visits fell. Saudi Arabia’s Visitor Offer: Saudi Arabia promoted its destinations at World Travel Market in London and opened bookings for its luxury Dream of the Desert train. The country is also joining the US Global Entry programme. Egypt’s Growth Plans: Egypt aims to attract 22 million tourists next year, as Abercrombie & Kent’s new Nile Seray begins cruises between Luxor and Aswan. Gulf Recovery: Bahrain is leading efforts to revive regional tourism after months of conflict and falling visitor numbers; Oman also showcased its tourism experiences in London. Heritage Travel: Baghdad’s Iraq Museum is scheduled to reopen on December 1 after nearly two years of renovations. Travel Disruptions: Türkiye reported record tourism revenue of $51.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026, while conflict-related security concerns have pushed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia to December.

Dubai Hotels: Capella plans to open a 115-room hotel at Dubai Peninsula in 2030, with private-pool suites, five dining venues and a major wellness offering. Red Sea Resorts: Boreas Cruises is building on a family legacy in Egypt’s dive tourism, while Saudi Arabia’s Shura Island adds the 430-room Grand Hyatt The Red Sea. Tourism Outlook: A World Travel Market report forecasts global visitor spending up 9% to $7.8 trillion in 2026, despite conflict and higher fuel costs; long-haul travel is already feeling the pressure. Egypt is targeting 22 million visitors and more than $20 billion in tourism revenue next year, assuming stable fuel prices and regional conditions. Gulf Travel: Bahrain says Gulf countries are preparing a joint campaign to promote multi-country holidays and rebuild visitor confidence. Saudi Arabia’s Asian Cup, meanwhile, has been postponed to December 2027 over security concerns. Oman at WTM: Twenty-nine tourism businesses are promoting the country’s heritage, nature and adventure experiences in London. Visitor numbers were less than 1% lower year on year through August, and Oman has launched online training to help travel sellers market the destination.

Regional Travel Disruptions: The AFC has pushed Saudi Arabia’s Asian Cup from January 2027 to December, citing security concerns, logistical challenges and travel disruptions. The change puts a major event on hold as Saudi Arabia courts global visitors at World Travel Market in London, where 37 tourism partners are promoting destinations including AlUla and the Red Sea. Türkiye Tourism: Tourism revenue hit a record $51.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 2.4% year on year, despite regional conflict and higher travel costs. Egypt on the Global Stage: Egypt is WTM London’s Premier Partner for the first time, using the event to raise its profile and help shape the global tourism agenda. Dubai Events: The city hosts its first FIBA 3x3 World Tour on November 6–7, adding another international sporting event to its calendar.