Travel in county Gulf

United Arab Emirates-based Silkhaus, a tech-based short-term rental platform, has announced raising a “multi-million” pre-series A financing from San Francisco headquartered-Partners for Growth.

From southeast Florida to northwest Washington to Hawaii, Lonely Planet editors have picked the top 12 beaches in the USA.

The Board of Directors of NEOM has announced Aquellum, a luxury and experiential space embedded within the mountains, and the latest striking addition to the ongoing regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia. With its foundations steeped in cutting-edge technology, avant-garde architecture and forward-thinking concepts, Aquellum will offer guests a taste of futuristic living through its array of pioneering experiences.

Japan, Singapore, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain have the world’s most powerful passports, allowing visa-free entry to 194 countries out of 227. That’s according to the 2024 Henley Passport Index rankings released on Wednesday. 

Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates capital, is scattered across a sequence of islands. Beyond the mega malls and golden beaches, the chief emirate will keep you busy with kayaking in the mangroves, ogling art at the Louvre, and marveling at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. In between sights, you can sip 24-carat gold cappuccinos and collect trinkets in souks. The slower pace makes Abu Dhabi a choice destination for families, honeymooners, and remote workers. Make a date to stay at one of these deluxe Airbnbs in Abu Dhabi’s coolest neighborhoods.

The outbound travel recovery in China is stuck at just over half of 2019 levels, but there’s at least one promising sign of future demand: Domestic tourism is 90% above 2019 levels.

The upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council unified visa, which would ease crossing borders like in the Schengen Zone, is forecast to supercharge inter-regional travel in the Gulf states, according to Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism boss.

Saudi Arabia is truly leaving no stone unturned in its pursuit to become a tourism superpower. The kingdom’s latest move is to create the “Dan Company”, an organization under the sovereign wealth fund designed to promote and develop agritourism and eco-tourism.

Iran and Saudi Arabia will start formal talks next week to resume direct‮ ‬scheduled flights between Tehran and Riyadh and other cities, an Iranian official told the state-affiliated news agency ILNA on Sunday.

It appears American Express' pilot program of a luxury vacation home rental platform is doing well enough to expand to new destinations and invite more members into the mix.

Dubai’s home-grown hotel group FIVE is looking at potentially expanding beyond the emirate into the world’s largest hospitality markets. This includes a potential resort in party haven Las Vegas and in the conservative Gulf kingdom Saudi Arabia.

The $1,500-a-night Vakkaru Maldives resort in the Baa Atoll will launch a sister resort in the UAE’s relatively quiet emirate of Fujairah. The project is called Naama Beach Villas and Spa, vying to become the most luxurious property in the emirate.

Margaritaville at Sea’s newest flagship vessel will offer longer, 4- and 5-night cruises with stops to Key West, Cozumel, and Progreso beginning in June 2024.

Aligned with NEOM’s commitment to conservation, Siranna will complement its coastal location and be delivered sustainably.

Hyatt’s first upper-midscale extended-stay brand experiencing growing pipeline with strong interest from developers

The Board of Directors of NEOM has unveiled Siranna, an exclusive tourism escape, and the latest destination to be announced by the sustainable regional development evolving in northwest Saudi Arabia.

When The Ritz-Carlton, Naples renovated its beachfront property along Florida’s Gulf Coast, it added the new 14-floor Vanderbilt Tower. The space has 70 club-level rooms, including two-story suites, plus a celebratory lobby bar with a menu starring more than 50 champagnes and sparkling wines, as well as a trio of new restaurants.

Intrepid travelers come to Jordan to experience the ancient ruins of Petra, the wide open spaces of Wadi Rum, heart-pumping hikes, Arab hospitality, and (of course) the kunafeh.

In a high-profile showdown, Rome, Busan and Riyadh are the top contenders to become the host city of the 2030 World Expo, with the organizing body choosing the winner on Tuesday.

Doha’s bustling century-old souk and the Msheireb Downtown Doha, a new environmentally friendly development just a 10-minute walk away, are an old-meets-new contrast — and a real reprieve from the sprawling malls that have come to define the colossal boom that has transformed the Persian Gulf region since the 1950s.

Thailand may not sound like the obvious choice for a festive getaway. But if skipping out on the snow and the endless caroling sounds your idea of holiday bliss, then look no further than this chic beachfront hideaway.