Middle east tips

MSC Cruises announced it was forced to cancel the full winter program of sailings aboard MSC Orchestra scheduled for the Red Sea due to the ongoing conflict in Israel and the surrounding regions.

The U.S. State Department has issued updated information for Americans traveling in the Middle East amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, including information on charter flights out of Tel Aviv this week. The latest guidance comes just four days after officials issued a worldwide caution for U.S. citizens traveling abroad."Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution," the U.S. State Department said on October 19.Americans are encouraged to avoid travel to Gaza, Lebanon and Iraq and reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank as of Monday. U.S. citizens who wish to depart Israel and the West Bank with U.S. government assistance need to complete a crisis intake form.Additionally, Monday's update includes details regarding upcoming charter flights out of Israel via Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport."Commercial availability remains limited out of Ben Gurion Airport. The U.S. government is facilitating charter flight transportation for U.S. citizens; we urge those wishing to leave to take advantage of these charters while they are available. There will be flight departures from Ben Gurion International Airport on Tuesday, October 24 and Thursday, October 26," the State Department confirmed."Please go to Ben Gurion International Airport, Terminal 3 if you wish to depart Israel. U.S. Embassy personnel will be present to direct you and provide specific flight information. Be prepared to wait," officials added.Regardless of where they're traveling abroad, U.S. citizens are being asked to stay alert in locations frequented by tourists, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts that make it easier to be located in an emergency and follow the State Department on Facebook and Twitter for the most up-to-date information.

Qatar Airways announced that longtime chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker would resign after nearly three decades leading the state-owned airline.

The U.S. Department of State has issued a travel alert to all Americans traveling abroad on Thursday, urging them to exercise caution due to heightened tensions in various locations and potential terrorist attacks and violent actions against U.S. citizens. The alert is in response to the global consequences of ongoing the war between Israel and Hamas.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, October 17. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

The September 8 earthquake did not halt Morocco’s post-pandemic tourism boom. The country welcomed 960,000 international travelers in September, up 8.5% from the same month in 2019, according to the the Morocco Tourism Office’s latest data. Between January and September, international travel to Morocco rose 44% compared to the same period in 2019.

Israel’s tourism ministry is working to assist travelers seeking to depart the country amid its ongoing war with Hamas. The country is in a state of emergency.

Tel Aviv-headquartered Brown Hotels saw evacuees and stranded travelers pour into many of its rooms at its 24 hotels in Israel in the aftermath of brutal attacks on Saturday.

Israeli-based tour guides are facing a wave of cancellations as the country unites in response to the fatal missile attacks on Saturday. As of Monday, more than 1,000 people had lost their lives.

Marriott International on Wednesday debuted Four Points Express by Sheraton, a midscale hotel brand aimed at Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

International tourism reached 84% of its pre-pandemic level between January and July 2023, according to the UN World Tourism Organization. Around 700 million tourists traveled internationally.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has named a new regional president: Adrian Messerli is now president of hotel operations for the EMEA region. He succeeds Simon Casson, who held the role since 2016 and announced his departure from the group earlier in the year for a to-be-confirmed new opportunity.

The United Arab Emirates has established the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, known as the GCGRA, a federal-level entity to regulate and establish “strict guidelines” for the country’s commercial gaming industry. The GCGRA sets the scene for future casinos where Ras Al Khaimah already has the confirmed Wynn resort; a potential “Arabian Strip;” and gaming in other emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Middle East-based online travel marketplace Wego has acquired corporate travel platform Travelstop as part of its expansion into business travel and expense management.

Luxury hospitality juggernaut Aman is entering an unprecedented period of growth. After amassing 34 luxury hotels in 35 years, it now plans to open 11 hotels and resorts for its off-shoot brand Janu over the next four years, Skift has learned.

One of the most debated questions in airline boardrooms is how to use real estate on aircraft to generate the most money. 

Skift is gathering travel leaders from across the globe in Dubai this December to look at the larger context of travel in the Middle East and what lies ahead for this important region. We’re putting the latest trends and strategies for lodging, destinations, online travel, and consumers under a microscope with some of the best and brightest minds in the industry. 

Silkhaus, a United Arab Emirates-based platform for short-term rentals, announced on Tuesday that it has raised $7.75 million in a seed funding round.

Qatar will allow visitors without football World Cup tickets to enter the country from December 2 after the group stage matches end.

Marketers beware: Prior ways of marketing to Chinese consumers, including travelers, won’t work as well today because their preferences changed during the pandemic.

Airbnb Posts Best Quarter Yet on Relentless Travel Demand: Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky says his company can thrive in boom and bust cycles if it keeps innovating. To meet that promise, his company will have to boost its pricing competitiveness and makes it easier for individuals to list properties. And make the case to Wall Street on unfair comparisons to 2021.