Middle East Tourism Surpassed Pre-Pandemic Level Before War

It was a year that was to mark the post-pandemic recovery of travel, bringing economic relief to local communities that had been hit hard by the prolonged loss of tourism revenue. Borders fully reopened, pandemic restrictions were lifted and traveler bookings surged, sparking a social media trend called “revenge travel.” But even as demand in 2023 reached near 2019 levels — with an estimated 975 million tourists traveling internationally between January and September, according to the World Tourism Organization — a series of disasters, upheavals and unparalleled weather events devastated destinations across the globe.

If your passport's expiration date is coming up in the next year, there's a bit of good news. For the first time, passport processing times are back down to what they were before the pandemic, the U.S. State Department said Tuesday.

Poland’s landlocked capital has a complex history that has seen the “Phoenix City” bounce back from conflict over multiple conflicts. Modern Warsaw is a mishmash of restored medieval structures and cutting-edge skyscrapers among which stands Varso Tower – the tallest building in the European Union.

Good news for Bilt Rewards members: The program has added a new airline transfer partner. Starting Dec. 15, 2023, Bilt Rewards members can transfer points to Avianca LifeMiles at a 1:1 ratio.

Enjoy the holiday season in the heart of the capital, Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi, the “Middle East’s Leading Beach Destination” honoured for the 12th consecutive year by the World Travel Awards. Indulge in celebrations that reflect the destination’s unparalleled charm, crafting an experience that is truly unmatched.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, December 8. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

The Middle East lost its tourism growth momentum once the Israel-Gaza War started in October. Before the conflict, the region was a star performer in the global tourism industry. Here are seven facts about Middle East tourism:

As 2023 rolls to a close, don’t let your mileage and points balances wane. These December travel deals will come in handy, whether you’re traveling for the holidays or staying cozy at home. Now is the time to add to your accounts, use them for maximum travel benefits—for now or later—or simply keep them alive with extra activity. (Remember: A lot of mileage programs have it set up where your miles expire if you don’t earn any new miles, so be sure to keep track.)

The forum is expected to draw attention to Bahrain’s unique position as a destination that offers a multifaceted and all-encompassing travel experience.

ICAO Secretary General Juan Carlos Salazar expressed his profound appreciation to the Government of Egypt for hosting ICAO’s MID Regional Office for the past seven decades. 

Germany and the United States spent 13% and 11% more respectively on outbound travel than in the same nine months of 2019, while Italy spent 16% more through August.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, on the weekend received two major awards for Jamaica from the prestigious World Travel Awards, which is in its 30th year, at the landmark Burj Al Arab in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  Minister Bartlett also as Founder and Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), a thinktank based in Jamaica, handed out five Global Tourism Resilience Awards to two major Middle East corporations and three countries.