capital of arab tourism

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Doha Arab Tourism Capital 2023

In a significant milestone, Doha was honored as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 by the esteemed Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism. This prestigious designation solidified Qatar's preeminent status in the global tourism landscape, showcasing the capital city's unique appeal and supreme offerings to travellers worldwide.

Offering exceptional hospitality and exemplary treatment to its guests, Qatar showed the world the country's majestic beauty, tolerance and exquisite management in large-scale organisations such as the World Cup. 

Moving forward to the future, Doha's designation as Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 comes as a reward of Qatar's enormous efforts as well as a recognition of the hard work being done by the nation and its people.

Official Monument Installed on Doha Corniche in Recognition of Arab Tourism Capital 2023 Title

The monument, which reflects the official Doha Arab Tourism Capital 2023 logo, is positioned in a photogenic location on the Corniche. The design of the monument was inspired by the slogan of Doha Capital of Arab Tourism 2023, which reflects the city of Doha as a modern centre for tourism rooted in its rich cultural heritage.

Discover wonders of Qatar

The Corniche

The Pearl-Qatar

Museum of Islamic Art

Khor Al Adaid Beach

Msheireb Downtown Doha

Heenat Salma Farm

Discover exciting upcoming events in qatar.

The Lion King Live in Concert

Join us for an exceptional experience as we present a live musical performance of the timeless classic film, 'The Lion King' in Arabic - Egyptian.

Throwback Food Festival

Celebrate Ramadan at Throwback Food Festival, embracing local traditions and creating cherished memories.

Ramadan Fair at Souq Al Wakra Hotel 2024

Celebrate Ramadan at Souq Al Wakra Hotel's Fair, embracing local traditions and creating cherished memories.

Ramadan Msheireb

Celebrate Ramadan in Msheireb, where every setting tells a story, and every moment becomes a cherished memory.

Arab Design Now Exhibition

Arab Design Now presents a survey of local and regional design talent across disciplines, from architectural and material innovations to contemporary crafts, furniture, fashion, graphic, and object design.

Fiqh and Beauty: Values in Surat Al-Hujurat

Islam has given special attention to women, elevating their status, and endowing them with purity and modesty.

Spring Camp

Join us at a blooming weeks with fun filled activities.

Eid Celebrations with National Cruise

Make your Eid celebration special with National Cruise.

LEGO® Shows

Experience the exciting LEGO® adventure for the first time in Qatar! Mark your calendars, you and your families, to embark on this thrilling adventure.

Angry Birds World: Flock Fest

Eid Celebration at Angry Birds World.

Eid Al Fitr at Mall of Qatar

Get ready for the best Eid ever at Mall of Qatar with Candy Fest show and fun activities!

Qatar Economic Forum 2024

The Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg, is the Middle East's premier event for global business and investment, offering fresh insights on top economic issues for CEOs and world leaders in Doha.

Project Qatar 2024

Join us in the 20th International Construction Technology & Building Materials Exhibition & Conference at DECC

Aghani Al Mosalsalat

A journey in the midst of Gulf and Arab artistic memory that takes us back to the seventies.

Mangrove Kayaking Adventure

It's a favourite vacation spot for who enjoys kayaking and discovering different bird species.

Plan an unforgettable visit to Qatar

Visit Qatar hassle free with Hayya, your e-visa

Our relaunched Hayya website works as a e-visa platform, making it easier for even more travellers to discover magical Qatar. Register your details and get your e-visa in just a few days. With Hayya, visiting loved ones or attending our  exciting events  just got easier.

Find out how Hayya helps you skip the queues at Hamad International Airport and the Abu Samra border from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Book your flight ticket

Fly to Doha with our award-winning airline Qatar Airways.

Book your hotel

Qatar introduces a wide range of resorts that accommodate all needs.

HOTEL OFFERINGS

Exclusive offers and packages that cover all interests.

Ramadan Package at Hilton Salwa Beach Resort

From Ramadan Staycation offer including Iftar, Suhoor and Water Park access starting QR 999.</p>\n","summary":"<p>Celebrate the Holy Month of Ramadan with our rooms and villas offer including Iftar, Suhoor and Water Park access.<br>\n</p>\n","offerType":"travelPackage","offerCategory":"visitqatar:offer-category/main-category/hotels","offerCategories":["visitqatar:offer-category/package-(iftar-+-suhoor-+-staycation)","visitqatar:offer-category/staycation"],"image":"/content/dam/visitqatar/img/ramadan-page/ramadan-offers-2024/package-deal-hilton-salwa.jpg","imageSrcset":"/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--3a95814d-1318-49c6-86d2-4a187cc5a96e/package-deal-hilton-salwa.jpg?quality=75&width=180&preferwebp=true 180w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--3a95814d-1318-49c6-86d2-4a187cc5a96e/package-deal-hilton-salwa.jpg?quality=75&width=360&preferwebp=true 360w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--3a95814d-1318-49c6-86d2-4a187cc5a96e/package-deal-hilton-salwa.jpg?quality=75&width=480&preferwebp=true 480w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--3a95814d-1318-49c6-86d2-4a187cc5a96e/package-deal-hilton-salwa.jpg?quality=75&width=800&preferwebp=true 800w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--3a95814d-1318-49c6-86d2-4a187cc5a96e/package-deal-hilton-salwa.jpg?quality=75&width=1280&preferwebp=true 1280w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--3a95814d-1318-49c6-86d2-4a187cc5a96e/package-deal-hilton-salwa.jpg?quality=75&width=1814&preferwebp=true 1814w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--3a95814d-1318-49c6-86d2-4a187cc5a96e/package-deal-hilton-salwa.jpg?quality=75&width=1814&preferwebp=true 1814w","imagePlaceholder":"/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--3a95814d-1318-49c6-86d2-4a187cc5a96e/package-deal-hilton-salwa.jpg?quality=75&width=180&preferwebp=true","images":["/content/dam/visitqatar/img/ramadan-page/ramadan-offers-2024/package-deal-hilton-salwa.jpg"],"pricePer":"night","interests":["visitqatar:offer-category/package-(iftar-+-suhoor-+-staycation)","visitqatar:offer-category/staycation"],"offerPartner":{"metaData":{"path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/partners/hotel-partners-unpublish/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-summer-sale","name":"hilton-salwa-beach-resort-summer-sale","title":"Hilton Salwa Beach Resort Summer Sale","uuid":"f1c0a97d-a113-411d-a6ce-36a7aa831f04","description":"Hilton Salwa Beach Resort Summer Sale","lastModified":1667235388363},"associatedContent":[],"partnerType":"agent","id":"111112","companyName":"Hilton Salwa Beach Resort Summer Sale","contactName":"Hilton Salwa Beach Resort Summer Sale","country":["visitqatar:country/qa"],"city":"Doha","phone":"+974 4423 6666","email":"loremipsum","logo":"/content/dam/visitqatar/img/hotels/salwa-left.svg","image":"/content/dam/visitqatar/img/hotels/salwa-left.svg","positionx":"50","positiony":"50","imageSrcset":"","imagePlaceholder":"","logoSrcset":"","logoPlaceholder":"","tagKeys":["visitqatar:country/qa"],"linkToDirections":"","type":"PARTNER","locale":"en","title":"Hilton Salwa Beach Resort Summer Sale","uuid":"f1c0a97d-a113-411d-a6ce-36a7aa831f04","name":"hilton-salwa-beach-resort-summer-sale","path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/partners/hotel-partners-unpublish/hilton-salwa-beach-resort-summer-sale"},"premiumOffer":false,"showPartnerLogo":true,"startingPrice":999.0,"currencyCode":"QAR","offerBookingLink":"https://bit.ly/RamadanHS","promotionRanking":"6","prices":{"QAR":999,"KZT":122386,"SAR":1029,"IRR":11544214,"ZAR":5139,"INR":22854,"CNY":1985,"AUD":417,"KRW":370750,"JPY":41596,"PLN":1084,"GBP":217,"HUF":98795,"KWD":84,"TRY":8800,"RUB":25401,"AED":1008,"HKD":2148,"EUR":253,"DKK":1888,"USD":274,"NOK":2944,"MOP":2209,"RON":1258,"OMR":106,"CZK":6409,"PKR":76149,"SEK":2929,"BRL":1390,"UAH":10641},"formattedPromoCodePeriodFrom":"","formattedPromoCodePeriodTo":"","formattedOfferValidTo":"2024-04-08","tagKeys":["visitqatar:offer-category/staycation","visitqatar:offer-category/main-category/hotels","visitqatar:offer-category/package-(iftar-+-suhoor-+-staycation)"],"location":{"linkToDirections":""},"type":"OFFER","locale":"en","title":"Ramadan Package at Hilton Salwa Beach Resort","uuid":"cb993720-7213-4dad-a5cc-5ab359de04df","name":"ramadan-package-at-hilton-salwa-beach-resort","path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/offers/travel-package/ramadan-offers/ramadan-package-at-hilton-salwa-beach-resort"}">

Discover Doha

From Discover the unique heritage of Downtown Doha.</p>\n","offerType":"experienceOffer","offerCategory":"visitqatar:offer-category/main-category/experiences","offerCategories":["visitqatar:offer-category/art-&-culture","visitqatar:offer-category/family-fun"],"offerDurationHours":"4","image":"/content/dam/things-to-do/explorest-2022/antti/_J4A9410.jpg","imageSrcset":"/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--86d51823-ebf5-4537-b700-b3f5dda919bd/-j4a9410.jpg?quality=75&width=180&preferwebp=true 180w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--86d51823-ebf5-4537-b700-b3f5dda919bd/-j4a9410.jpg?quality=75&width=360&preferwebp=true 360w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--86d51823-ebf5-4537-b700-b3f5dda919bd/-j4a9410.jpg?quality=75&width=480&preferwebp=true 480w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--86d51823-ebf5-4537-b700-b3f5dda919bd/-j4a9410.jpg?quality=75&width=800&preferwebp=true 800w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--86d51823-ebf5-4537-b700-b3f5dda919bd/-j4a9410.jpg?quality=75&width=1280&preferwebp=true 1280w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--86d51823-ebf5-4537-b700-b3f5dda919bd/-j4a9410.jpg?quality=75&width=1920&preferwebp=true 1920w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--86d51823-ebf5-4537-b700-b3f5dda919bd/-j4a9410.jpg?quality=75&width=2560&preferwebp=true 2560w","imagePlaceholder":"/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--86d51823-ebf5-4537-b700-b3f5dda919bd/-j4a9410.jpg?quality=75&width=180&preferwebp=true","images":["/content/dam/things-to-do/explorest-2022/antti/_J4A9410.jpg"],"pricePer":"person","interests":["visitqatar:keyword/land"],"offerPartner":{"metaData":{"path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/partners/local/discover-qatar","name":"discover-qatar","title":"Discover Qatar","uuid":"21b8b9c1-9a00-4824-b1ad-07f965e49825","description":"Through our well established partnerships and our contacts with other outstanding individuals and organisations, our goal is to continue to advance Qatar as a premium tourist destination. With an outstanding and comprehensive selection of hotels, excursions, transfers and activities, Discover Qatar is perfectly placed to create your ideal stopover or vacation programmes in our remarkable country.","lastModified":1701444914218},"associatedContent":[],"partnerType":"operator","id":"0010","companyName":"Discover Qatar","contactName":"Alix Charlotte Malaj","country":["visitqatar:country/qa"],"city":"Doha","phone":"+974 4144 5150","email":"[email protected]","website":"https://www.discoverqatar.qa/?utm_source=Qatar Tourism&utm_medium=Website&utm_campaign=Home Page&utm_content=intlenCONTACTviewdetailsDQ","logo":"/content/dam/visitqatar/img/tour-operator/dmc/discoverqatar.svg","image":"/content/dam/visitqatar/img/tour-operator/dmc/discover-qatar-logo-round.png","positionx":"50","positiony":"50","street":"Qatar Airways, Tower 3","postalCode":" ","latitude":"25.2669158","longitude":"51.5482125","spokenLanguages":["EN","DE","FR","IT","ES"],"description":"<p>Enjoy an outstanding selection of tours, excursions, hotel packages, airport services &amp; more</p>\n","imageSrcset":"","imagePlaceholder":"","logoSrcset":"","logoPlaceholder":"","tagKeys":["visitqatar:country/qa"],"linkToDirections":"https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=25.2669158,51.5482125","type":"PARTNER","locale":"en","title":"Discover Qatar","uuid":"21b8b9c1-9a00-4824-b1ad-07f965e49825","name":"discover-qatar","path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/partners/local/discover-qatar"},"premiumOffer":true,"showPartnerLogo":true,"startingPrice":134.0,"currencyCode":"QAR","offerBookingLink":"https://www.discoverqatar.qa/discover-doha/overview?utm_source=QT&utm_medium=Website&utm_campaign=Offers&utm_content=<discover-doha>","promotionRanking":"5","prices":{"QAR":134,"KZT":16416,"SAR":138,"IRR":1548473,"ZAR":689,"INR":3066,"CNY":266,"AUD":56,"KRW":49730,"JPY":5579,"PLN":145,"GBP":29,"HUF":13252,"KWD":11,"TRY":1180,"RUB":3407,"AED":135,"HKD":288,"EUR":34,"DKK":253,"USD":37,"NOK":395,"MOP":296,"RON":169,"OMR":14,"CZK":860,"PKR":10214,"SEK":393,"BRL":186,"UAH":1427},"formattedPromoCodePeriodFrom":"","formattedPromoCodePeriodTo":"","formattedOfferValidTo":"2025-06-28","tagKeys":["visitqatar:offer-category/family-fun","visitqatar:offer-category/main-category/experiences","visitqatar:keyword/land","visitqatar:offer-category/art-&-culture"],"location":{"linkToDirections":""},"type":"OFFER","locale":"en","title":"Discover Doha","uuid":"74b45cd5-151d-4c00-a3a2-230c794a796f","name":"discover-doha","path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/offers/experience-offer/discover-doha"}">

A day at Heenat Salma Farm

From Visit Heenat Salma Farm and rediscover down-to-earth living and organic produce.</p>\n","offerType":"experienceOffer","offerCategory":"visitqatar:offer-category/main-category/experiences","offerCategories":["visitqatar:offer-category/art-&-culture","visitqatar:offer-category/family-fun","visitqatar:offer-category/food-&-drink","visitqatar:offer-category/relax-&-rejuvenate"],"image":"/content/dam/things-to-do/connor-poi/farms/heenat-salma-farm/Heenat-Salma-Farm-24.jpg","imageSrcset":"/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--a383968c-57fe-4910-ab2e-40816cc6f7ef/heenat-salma-farm-24.jpg?quality=75&width=180&preferwebp=true 180w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--a383968c-57fe-4910-ab2e-40816cc6f7ef/heenat-salma-farm-24.jpg?quality=75&width=360&preferwebp=true 360w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--a383968c-57fe-4910-ab2e-40816cc6f7ef/heenat-salma-farm-24.jpg?quality=75&width=480&preferwebp=true 480w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--a383968c-57fe-4910-ab2e-40816cc6f7ef/heenat-salma-farm-24.jpg?quality=75&width=800&preferwebp=true 800w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--a383968c-57fe-4910-ab2e-40816cc6f7ef/heenat-salma-farm-24.jpg?quality=75&width=1280&preferwebp=true 1280w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--a383968c-57fe-4910-ab2e-40816cc6f7ef/heenat-salma-farm-24.jpg?quality=75&width=1920&preferwebp=true 1920w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--a383968c-57fe-4910-ab2e-40816cc6f7ef/heenat-salma-farm-24.jpg?quality=75&width=2048&preferwebp=true 2048w","imagePlaceholder":"/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--a383968c-57fe-4910-ab2e-40816cc6f7ef/heenat-salma-farm-24.jpg?quality=75&width=180&preferwebp=true","images":["/content/dam/things-to-do/connor-poi/farms/heenat-salma-farm/Heenat-Salma-Farm-24.jpg"],"pricePer":"person","offerPartner":{"metaData":{"path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/partners/hotel-partners-unpublish/heenat-salma","name":"heenat-salma","title":"Heenat Salma","uuid":"d9f8be8e-0584-4998-a596-4786425243f5","description":"","lastModified":1676019917176},"associatedContent":[],"partnerType":"agent","id":"8475834578","companyName":"Heenat Salma","contactName":"Heenat Salma","country":["visitqatar:country/qa"],"city":"Doha","phone":"+974 5096 0007","email":" ","website":"https://heenatsalma.earth/","logo":"/content/dam/visitqatar/img/offers/HSF-logo-01-min.png","image":"/content/dam/visitqatar/img/offers/HSF-logo-01-min.png","positionx":"50","positiony":"38","latitude":"25.3985962","longitude":"51.2622909","imageSrcset":"","imagePlaceholder":"","logoSrcset":"","logoPlaceholder":"","tagKeys":["visitqatar:country/qa"],"linkToDirections":"https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=25.3985962,51.2622909","type":"PARTNER","locale":"en","title":"Heenat Salma","uuid":"d9f8be8e-0584-4998-a596-4786425243f5","name":"heenat-salma","path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/partners/hotel-partners-unpublish/heenat-salma"},"premiumOffer":false,"showPartnerLogo":true,"startingPrice":570.0,"currencyCode":"QAR","offerBookingLink":"https://visitqatar.com/intl-en/plan-your-trip/travel-deals-offers/experiences/a-day-at-heenat-salma-farm","address":"Zone 39, Villa 44, 251 Al Amir St, Doha, Qatar","promotionRanking":"5","prices":{"QAR":570,"KZT":69830,"SAR":587,"IRR":6586789,"ZAR":2932,"INR":13040,"CNY":1132,"AUD":238,"KRW":211539,"JPY":23734,"PLN":618,"GBP":124,"HUF":56370,"KWD":48,"TRY":5021,"RUB":14493,"AED":575,"HKD":1226,"EUR":144,"DKK":1077,"USD":157,"NOK":1680,"MOP":1261,"RON":718,"OMR":60,"CZK":3657,"PKR":43449,"SEK":1671,"BRL":793,"UAH":6071},"formattedPromoCodePeriodFrom":"2022-09-19","formattedPromoCodePeriodTo":"2022-11-18","formattedOfferValidTo":"2024-07-19","tagKeys":["visitqatar:offer-category/family-fun","visitqatar:offer-category/main-category/experiences","visitqatar:offer-category/food-&-drink","visitqatar:offer-category/relax-&-rejuvenate","visitqatar:offer-category/art-&-culture"],"location":{"latitude":"25.2679874","longitude":"51.4948467","linkToDirections":"https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=25.2679874,51.4948467"},"type":"OFFER","locale":"en","title":"A day at Heenat Salma Farm","uuid":"549bd720-7286-4b42-aca6-6fb468f86d1b","name":"a-day-at-heenat-salma-farm","path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/offers/experience-offer/a-day-at-heenat-salma-farm"}">

Stay 7, pay 5 at Zulal Wellness Resort

From Book a wellness retreat for less. Staycation includes wellness activities, meals &amp; much more.</p>\n","offerType":"travelPackage","offerCategory":"visitqatar:offer-category/main-category/hotels","offerCategories":["visitqatar:offer-category/summer-offer","visitqatar:offer-category/stay-7-pay-less","visitqatar:offer-category/5-stars","visitqatar:offer-category/night-off"],"image":"/content/dam/visitqatar/img/images-for-attractions/zulal-wellness-plus.jpg","imageSrcset":"/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--d2bdaa5e-45eb-45b5-9fdd-7490a1bcdc27/zulal-wellness-plus.jpg?quality=75&width=180&preferwebp=true 180w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--d2bdaa5e-45eb-45b5-9fdd-7490a1bcdc27/zulal-wellness-plus.jpg?quality=75&width=360&preferwebp=true 360w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--d2bdaa5e-45eb-45b5-9fdd-7490a1bcdc27/zulal-wellness-plus.jpg?quality=75&width=480&preferwebp=true 480w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--d2bdaa5e-45eb-45b5-9fdd-7490a1bcdc27/zulal-wellness-plus.jpg?quality=75&width=800&preferwebp=true 800w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--d2bdaa5e-45eb-45b5-9fdd-7490a1bcdc27/zulal-wellness-plus.jpg?quality=75&width=1280&preferwebp=true 1280w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--d2bdaa5e-45eb-45b5-9fdd-7490a1bcdc27/zulal-wellness-plus.jpg?quality=75&width=1652&preferwebp=true 1652w, /adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--d2bdaa5e-45eb-45b5-9fdd-7490a1bcdc27/zulal-wellness-plus.jpg?quality=75&width=1652&preferwebp=true 1652w","imagePlaceholder":"/adobe/dynamicmedia/deliver/dm-aid--d2bdaa5e-45eb-45b5-9fdd-7490a1bcdc27/zulal-wellness-plus.jpg?quality=75&width=180&preferwebp=true","images":["/content/dam/visitqatar/img/images-for-attractions/zulal-wellness-plus.jpg"],"pricePer":"booking","interests":["visitqatar:offer-category/summer-offer","visitqatar:offer-category/stay-7-pay-less"],"offerPartner":{"metaData":{"path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/partners/hotel-partners-unpublish/zulal-wellness-resort","name":"zulal-wellness-resort","title":"Zulal Wellness Resort","uuid":"1b048e96-9179-4da3-921d-9ce5fe4bc0f9","description":"Zulal Wellness Resort","lastModified":1667234006995},"associatedContent":[],"partnerType":"agent","id":"111119","companyName":"Zulal Wellness Resort","contactName":"Zulal Wellness Resort","country":["visitqatar:country/qa"],"city":"Doha","phone":"+974 4477 6500","email":"loremipsum","logo":"/content/dam/visitqatar/img/hotels/zulal-logo.png","image":"/content/dam/visitqatar/img/hotels/zulal-logo.jpg","imageSrcset":"","imagePlaceholder":"","logoSrcset":"","logoPlaceholder":"","tagKeys":["visitqatar:country/qa"],"linkToDirections":"","type":"PARTNER","locale":"en","title":"Zulal Wellness Resort","uuid":"1b048e96-9179-4da3-921d-9ce5fe4bc0f9","name":"zulal-wellness-resort","path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/partners/hotel-partners-unpublish/zulal-wellness-resort"},"premiumOffer":false,"showPartnerLogo":true,"offerBookingLink":"https://www.zulal.com/wellness-plus/","promotionRanking":"6","formattedPromoCodePeriodFrom":"","formattedPromoCodePeriodTo":"","formattedOfferValidTo":"2024-12-30","tagKeys":["visitqatar:offer-category/night-off","visitqatar:offer-category/5-stars","visitqatar:offer-category/stay-7-pay-less","visitqatar:offer-category/main-category/hotels","visitqatar:offer-category/summer-offer"],"location":{"linkToDirections":""},"type":"OFFER","locale":"en","title":"Stay 7, pay 5 at Zulal Wellness Resort","uuid":"856f2931-b4d5-4214-af3f-1f3d8c0d9530","name":"zulal-wellness-resort-wellness-plus-staycation-offer","path":"/content/dam/visitqatar/content-fragments/en/offers/travel-package/zulal-wellness-resort-wellness-plus-staycation-offer"}">

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Sur Named the Arab Tourism Capital for 2024

W ith its rich maritime history and magnificent landscapes, Sur in Oman was selected as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2024 on Thursday, Dec. 14 during the meeting of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism in Doha, Qatar.

Read More: Singapore Names an Orchid Flower After HM Sultan Haitham

How Sur Became the Arab Tourism Capital of 2024?

The Arab Tourism Capital is selected based on several criteria including:

Read More: The SAF Museum is Closed for Maintenance Until This Date

The selection of Sur as the Arab Tourism Capital of 2024 has come about because of the relentless efforts made by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and other relevant parties. 

Background of Sur 

Sur has a long and rich maritime history because of its well-known shipbuilding industry in the 16th century. 

The city's ideal location made it a trade center for other civilizations like Mesopotamia in ancient times.

Read More: Oman Breaks Guinness World Records for Largest Plastic Bottle Sentence

The nearby ancient city of Sumhuram is considered an important frankincense trading center during the third century BC. 

The city also played a significant part in Oman's naval expansion.

In the present day, Sur remains an important boat-building center in the Sultanate. 

Iconic Landmarks in Sur

Here are the must-visit locations in the beautiful city by the sea:

Read More: Oman Unearths a Rare Iron Age Cemetery in Al Sulaili

Sur is the perfect getaway by the sea for tourists visiting Oman!

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Doha Named Arab Tourism Capital for 2023

posted on: Jan 4, 2023

By: Arab America Contributing Writer / Carrie Stewart

The Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism had its 25th session on Tuesday 12/13 and they named Doha (the city that hosted the world cup and the capital of Qatar) as the Arab Tourism capital for 2023.

“HE Permanent Representative of Qatar to the Arab League Salem Mubarak Al Shafi, who chaired Qatar’s delegation to the meeting said,” “The State of Qatar proves its potentials for good organization, management and hospitality, he said, stressing that billions of people who watched the World Cup worldwide closely saw the tolerance, good treatment and hospitality, of the country’s leadership, government and people with hundreds of thousands of World Cup fans. This contributed to refuting the allegations and lies promoted by some parties with special agendas, that Qatar is unable to organize the World Cup, His Excellency added. His Excellency affirmed that the State of Qatar’s successful World Cup hosting is a success for all Arabs, adding that naming Doha as Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 bolsters this success, and represents an appreciation for the country’s tremendous efforts to reach this widely acknowledged prestigious position.”

He also “emphasized the tolerance, good treatment, and hospitality of the country’s leadership, government, and people, adding that Qatar has proven its potential for good organization, management, and hospitality after receiving hundreds of thousands of football fans during the World Cup tournament.” 

“This helped to refute the charges and lies peddled by some parties with specific agendas that Qatar is incapable to conduct the World Cup,” he said, in reference to allegations by Western media against Qatar.

Doha’s designation as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 strengthens this success and shows appreciation for the nation’s enormous efforts to achieve this widely regarded prestigious position, he added.”

Travel to Qatar has been drastically increasing in past years. In fact, it’s up by about a third from before the pandemic. Something interesting is that non-GCC tourists made up 66% of the visitors in October this year.

Doha as a City

Doha is on the Persian golf and most of Qatar’s population lives there. It’s on the come up as a financial center in the Middle East. The city is about the size of Connecticut.

There are a variety of things to do in the city such as shopping at markets, walking along the waterfront, visiting mosques and museums, beaches, ice rinks, villages, malls, and much more!

One special thing in Doha is the Pearl. According to travel awaits , “One of the Middle East’s largest real-estate developments,  The Pearl-Qatar  is situated on an artificial island in Doha’s West Bay Lagoon district. Its name refers to Qatar’s past as a pearl exporter; the area rests on a former pearl-diving hot spot.

With a mix of residential and commercial properties, the Pearl is very pedestrian-friendly and boasts an extensive system of canals. Publicly accessible spaces like squares and plazas make it an ideal gathering area.”

If you are looking to travel in 2023, you should certainly check out Doha as a potential option!

Check out Arab America’s Blog!

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Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

Doha named arab tourism capital for 2023.

Cairo / Media & Communication Dept./ December 13

The Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, in its 25th session at the Arab League General Secretariat HQ on Tuesday, named Doha as Arab Tourism Capital for 2023. Addressing the meeting, HE Permanent Representative of Qatar to the Arab League Salem Mubarak Al Shafi, who chaired Qatar's delegation to the meeting, extended thanks to the Council and to the Arab Tourism Organization and its president Bandar bin Fahd Al Fuhaid for their efforts exerted in this regard. Naming Doha as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 sincerely reflects and proves its prestige as a destination for peoples from around the world while hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which kicked off on Nov. 20 and slated to run through Dec. 18, His Excellency said. The State of Qatar proves its potentials for good organization, management and hospitality, he said, stressing that billions of people who watched the World Cup worldwide closely saw the tolerance, good treatment and hospitality, of the country's leadership, government and people with hundreds of thousands of World Cup fans. This contributed to refuting the allegations and lies promoted by some parties with special agendas, that Qatar is unable to organize the World Cup, His Excellency added. His Excellency affirmed that the State of Qatar's successful World Cup hosting is a success for all Arabs, adding that naming Doha as Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 bolsters this success, and represents an appreciation for the country's tremendous efforts to reach this widely acknowledged prestigious position.

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Bahrain's Manama is named as Capital of Arab Tourism for 2020

The kingdom's capital city last held the title in 2013.

Bahrain's Manama is the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2020. Getty

Manama, the capital city of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has been named Capital of Arab Tourism for 2020.

The announcement was made during the 22nd session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, which was held last week in Saudi Arabia's Al Ahsa.

Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, the minister of industry, commerce and tourism and chairman of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, said the move was a recognition of the island's efforts to bolster bilateral ties within the tourism industry in the Gulf and wider Arab world.

"BTEA's strategy focuses on developing unique tourism products through hosting a series of events and activities that target all segments of the society, including families from the GCC and other Arab countries, further contributing to the development of the tourism sector," he said.

Manama was also chosen as Capital of Arab Tourism in 2013, reiterating the Arab Council of Tourism Ministers' bid to promote Bahrain as a leading tourism destination in the world.

To celebrate the new designation, BTEA has announced it will launch a new identity and logo by displaying them on the side of the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay during the New Year's Eve celebrations being held tonight.

In the first nine months of 2019, tourists spent 10.7 million nights on the island, Al Zayani confirmed, which is an increase of 8.8 per cent compared to the same period of 2018. The average length of stay was 3.4 nights per tourists, up by 20.5 per cent.

Bahrain is home to a bevy of tourist attractions and museums, as well as a rich history and three Unesco World Heritage Sites, including Qal'at Al Bahrain.

The kingdom's Dilmun burial mounds were given world heritage site status earlier this year.

The landmark comprises 21 archaeological sites, in the western part of the island, that were built between 2050 BC and 1750 BC. These offer evidence of the Early Dilmun civilisation, around the second millennium BC, when Bahrain became a trade hub.

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Madaba named arab tourism capital for 2022.

By JT - Sep 13,2021 - Last updated at Sep 13,2021

Madaba, 30km southwest of Amman, was named the Arab Tourism Capital for 2022 (Petra photo)

AMMAN — Madaba was named the Arab Tourism Capital for 2022 after meeting the criteria and terms of reference as stipulated by the Arab Tourism Organisation (ATO), the Tourism Ministry announced on Monday.

In a statement cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Tourism Minister Nayef Fayez said that naming Madaba as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2022 will boost tourism movement in the city and in Jordan.

Fayez added that the announcement will play a role in attracting “pioneering investment projects”, investing the city’s unique natural, cultural and religious resources in increasing job opportunities.

The ministry seeks to turn Madaba into a centre for cultural and religious heritage and a home to mosaics and handicrafts in the Kingdom, the minister noted. 

He stressed that the city is rich in heritage and archaeological and religious monuments, and is famous for its “picturesque natural landmarks of distinctive valleys and unique mountain views”.

The ATO extended its congratulations to the ministry, pointing out that the organisation is working hard, in cooperation with the ministry, to develop tourism in Jordan and turn it into “a special tourist destination for the Arab world”.

The organisation said that the selection criteria focused on each city’s tourism management, infrastructure and resources, the diversity of tourism patterns and activities, the preservation and protection of the environment, as well as the city’s safety and security.

The ATO noted that the aim of this initiative is to support the inter-Arab tourism movement and highlight the uniqueness, customs and traditions of each city.

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Qatar Tourism Celebrates Doha: Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 Title, Installing Monument on Corniche

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Qatar wins bid to host 50th iosco annual meeting, chairperson of supreme committee organizing qatar economic forum to qna: over 50 countries participate in qef fourth edition, qatar tourism to host concerts, musicals for eid al fitr 2024, rra chairperson reveals intention to review real estate companies services fees.

Doha – as Arab tourism capital 2023

One can find a wide variety of ways to have fun in this region of the world, from the best adventure sports and activities to some of the sites to visit in Qatar. In actuality, art, culture, and a variety of sightseeing delights are among Qatar’s most well-known attractions. This is a nation that has no bounds and consistently offers its guests the best services all year long.

Winning the title

Doha was named the Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism, which held its 25th session at the General Secretariat of the Arab League in Cairo, Egypt. Nayef Fayez, the minister of tourism and antiquities for Jordan, presided over the meeting together with other well-known Arab dignitaries. The administration of tourism, infrastructure and resources, safety and security, the variety of tourism activities, and the preservation and protection of the environment were some of the factors used to evaluate cities.

Increase in tourism due to World Cup 2022

The Arab Tourism Organization (ATO) stated in a statement that during November and December 2022, the hospitality industry in Qatar reached record results, with hotel occupancy rates ranging from 90% to 100%. The organization claimed that Qatar’s tourism industry experienced an unprecedented boom as a result of hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 TM . It noted that the World Cup represented the largest promotional campaign because it was watched by more than five billion people worldwide and attracted more than one million tourists while it was taking place. West Bay Beach, Al Maha Island, and Lusail Boulevard are just a handful of the most recent tourist attractions that have opened in Qatar as the country due to the World Cup tournament. The goal of Qatar Tourism’s plan is to bring in six million tourists annually by 2030, concentrating on target markets and developing unique possibilities for a stopover and point-to-point travel. By the end of 2022, the number of tourist nights in the State of Qatar had increased by 243%, and the number of foreign visitors had increased by 251.1%. Due to convenient land transportation, the GCC nations were a part of the 38 percent rise in arrivals.

Visitors to Qatar above pre-pandemic levels last year

Approximately 180,000 people arrived in Qatar in October 2022, setting a six-year high, according to data analysis from Qatar Tourism. The expansion is primarily due to the abundance of events, new goods, and football passion. Over the course of last year, the number of visitors has steadily increased; according to the most current numbers for October, they are already about a third more than they were prior to the epidemic. More than a third of all international visitors to Qatar in October 2022 were from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), attracted by the destination’s attractions and kid-friendly activities. In October 2022, 66% of all visits were from outside the GCC, an increase of 10% over September. India, which contributed 13% of all arrivals from outside the GCC, the United Kingdom, 4%, and the United States made up the remaining countries. The majority of visitors flew, followed by 29% who traveled by land, and 1% who traveled by sea.

Role of Qatar Tourism

The goal of Qatar Tourism is to position Qatar as a destination where cultural authenticity and modernity coexist and where visitors from across the globe can come together to take advantage of the country’s distinctive offers in the fields of business, sports, family entertainment, and culture. Qatar Tourism will oversee and advance the travel and tourism sector while promoting private-sector investment. In order to expand the country’s tourist offers and boost visitor spending, it will establish the national plan for the tourism industry, evaluate it on a regular basis, and monitor its execution. Qatar Tourism is boosting the travel and tourism industry by establishing a global presence for Qatar through a network of offices in key markets and cutting-edge digital platforms.

ATO working with Qatar Tourism

The organization stated that it will collaborate with Qatar Tourism to promote Doha as the top regional and worldwide travel destination, particularly for Arab families, and that a schedule of year-round events and activities would be created. According to the organization, the availability of marine, desert, cultural, family-friendly entertainment, exposition and conference travel, and sports tourism distinguish Qatar from other countries. The organization added that naming Qatar the tourism capital will come as support to the inter-Arab tourism movement while highlighting the unique identity, traditions, cultures, and tourism destinations value of each chosen city and its role in assisting the Arab tourism industry.

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Sur selected as the capital of Arab Tourism 2024

Sur has been crowned the coveted title of arab tourism capital for the year 2024..

TAS News Service

[email protected], thursday, december 14, 2023.

QATAR : The enchanting city of Sur has been appointed as the esteemed capital of Arab tourism for 2024. This distinguished recognition was conferred during the 26th session of the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism in the vibrant Qatari capital, Doha.

The selection of Sur as the pinnacle of Arab tourism for 2024 marks a significant honour, signifying the city’s rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and compelling attractions.

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Abu Dhabi’s $10 Billion Plan For Tourism

Josh Corder , Skift

April 5th, 2024 at 8:17 AM EDT

The capital of the UAE wants to supercharge its tourism sector.

Josh Corder

The capital of the United Arab Emirates has unveiled a new grand plan for tourism, with $10 billion worth of investment into the sector, almost 200,000 new jobs, and the promise of new streamlined visa processes.

Abu Dhabi serves as the administrative center of the UAE and holds most of the nation’s oil reserves. Nearby emirate Dubai is much better known for its tourism sector and brought in more than 17 million international visitors last year.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 has the following goals by the end of the decade:

• Create 178,000 new tourism-related jobs.
• Double international overnight visitors from 3.8 million in 2023 to 7.2 million.
• Increase the number of hotel rooms from hotel room 34,000 in 2023 to 52,000.
• Increase countrywide GDP contribution from $13.3 billion in 2023 to $24.5 billion.

How Will Abu Dhabi Achieve This?

As is the way in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi is throwing money at the situation. DCT – Abu Dhabi chairman Mohamed Al Mubarak estimates the capital will spend $10 billion between now and 2030 on new tourism infrastructure.

He told local newspaper The National : “[When it comes to] infrastructure, in terms of museums, theme parks and hospitality, [with] the private sector playing a significant role, we are hovering at over $10 billion of investment from now to 2030.”

The chairman said another $1 billion is to go to marketing efforts between now and 2030.

Beyond the massive investment, the department hasn’t laid out timelines for its 2030 plan. Rather, it shared 26 “key initiatives” it needs to focus on. These initiatives aren’t named but are grouped into four pillars:

Offerings and City Activation

Promotion and marketing, infrastructure and mobility, visa, licensing, and regulations.

The first pillar surrounds the building of additional cultural sites, theme parks, retails offerings and new hotel chains.

DCT – Abu Dhabi will also more than double its promotion and marketing efforts, expanding its international reach from 11 to 26 markets. It will also establish global partnerships with media outlets and well-known brands for collaborations.

The strategy’s infrastructure and mobility pillar will increase hotel room availability, including accessible and luxury options, glamping, and farm stays. This pillar also stipulates boosting airlift and the aviation sector.

In November 2023, Abu Dhabi’s new Terminal A opened.

Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal A  brings a major increase in capacity for the emirate’s commercial aviation sector, more than doubling the current passenger capacity, with the new facilities being able to process up to 45 million travelers annually. 

At triple the size of the previous terminals, Terminal A will handle 79 planes simultaneously and 11,000 passengers per hour.

Lastly, both visitor experience and tourism business operations will be enhanced with new visa, licensing and regulation processes.

What Does Abu Dhabi Currently Have?

Abu Dhabi has built itself up as a cultural alternative to Dubai, investing heavily in museums and religious sites. It is home to its own Louvre museum (affiliated with the famed Paris institution); Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque; and is building its own Guggenheim Museum as well.

The city is also big on sporting events, similar to Saudi Arabia’s recent focus on boxing, football and wrestling. Abu Dhabi has its own Formula 1 track which wraps around a five-star hotel operated by Marriott. It also has a Ferrari-themed amusement park and continuously hosts UFC events on Yas Island.

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Tags: abu dhabi , Tourism news , travel news , uae

Photo credit: The lobby at Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, a luxury, All-inclusive resort on the Arabian Gulf in Abu Dhabi. Source: Ennismore.

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Sur to mark Arab Tourism Capital 2024 title from tomorrow

SUR: From Monday, January 1, 2024 onward, the Wilayat of Sur in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate begins its preparations to celebrate the Arab Tourism Capital 2024. Meanwhile, the office of the Governor of South Al Sharqiyah, in coordination with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, partners and relevant authorities, is preparing a package of events, activities, programmes. In addition, a number of projects will be implemented to enhance tourism, aesthetic and development structure of the Wilayat of Sur.

Salim Mohammed al Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, said: “The Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism in its 26th session held in Doha this month (December) selected Sur as Capital of Arab Tourism 2024. This constitutes a unique experience for this ancient wilayat and would contribute to enhancing tourist attraction through organizing varied activities. We will make sure that the Wilayat of Sur will make the most of this event by highlighting its tourism potentials and creating tourism activities.”

The Wilayat of Sur is rich in historical, tourism, heritage and cultural components as well as an excellent infrastructure which enhances tourist attractions and encourages local, regional and international tourism, the minister said adding: “We seek to add positive successes to upgrade the status of Sur. There is a trend to develop the areas adjoining the city that will be announced in the near future after the issuance of the ministerial decision to designate the Wadi Shab area in the Niyabat of Tiwi in the Wilayat of Sur as a tourist area based on the approval of the Council of Ministers. Consultancy work is currently underway to develop many tourist facilities.”

The minister of heritage and tourism added: “Over the next two months, in coincidence with the celebrations of the Wilayat of Sur as the Capital of Arab Tourism 2024, consultancy services will be awarded to develop the Maritime History Museum in Sur, and we hope that it will be completed within two years. A project will also be awarded to set up the visitors’ centre at the Qalhat archaeological site, a world heritage site, and develop. Archaeological surveys and excavations continue at the site in addition to surveys to recover submerged antiquities. The archaeological surveying programme continues at the archaeological sites in the Wilayat of Sur including in Ras Al Hadd and Ras AL Jinz sites.”

Dr Yahya bin Badr al Maawali, Governor of South Al Sharqiyah, said that nomination of the Wilayat of Sur as the Arab Tourism Capital 2024 came from the basis that this wilayat has enormous capabilities that placed it on the map of Arab tourism. The Wilayat of Sur boasts rich historical, cultural and social heritage as well as diverse components whether on the maritime aspect or in other areas. Sur is already one of the key tourist destinations in the Sultanate of Oman and its designation as the Arab Tourism Capital 2024 provides further opportunity for this ancient city to deepen its presence on the Arab tourism map. Coordination has begun with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, partners and relevant authorities to prepare a good package of events and activities that reflect the historical and cultural heritage that characterizes the Wilayat of Sur. He pointed out that the office of the Governor of South Al Sharqiyah will hold a press conference in the coming days to reveal details about the celebration. — ONA

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Kfardebian: New Capital of Arab Winter Tourism

Kfardebian has been officially crowned as the capital of Arab winter tourism. We reveal more about the special celebrations held in the village to mark the recognition and what makes Kfardebian so special.

It’s official: Kfardebian is the new capital of Arab tourism! The event, which kicked off at the municipality of Kfardebian, welcomed special guests, including Lebanese Minister of Tourism, H.E. Walid Nassar, Secretary General of the Arab Tourism Council, Sharif Fathi Attia, and distinguished MPs and ambassadors, marked a significant milestone for the region’s tourism industry.  Guests were taken on a tour, showcasing the region’s iconic landmarks.

The coronation ceremony commenced with a vibrant parade of skaters bearing the flags of Arab nations and the Arab League. Indeed, H.E. Nassar emphasized the event’s significance in unlocking Lebanon and Kfardebian’s tourism potential, highlighting the opportunities it presents.

Entertainment was provided by the dynamic dance troupe and international artist and DJ Rodge .

Guests were treated to a tour of Faqra Kfardebian Club, a premier destination in Lebanon and the Middle East.

The tour continued to the enchanting natural stone bridge and the Faqra archaeological site, where guests appreciated the rich tapestry of Kfardebian’s past.

What makes Kfardebian special?

Home to the renowned Mzaar Kfardebian ski resort, Kfardebian draws in winter sports enthusiasts from across the region. Its landscape boasts picturesque valleys, ancient ruins and traditional villages, providing a glimpse into Lebanon’s rich heritage.

Those who enjoy outdoor adventures can go hiking. Other activities include mountain biking and paragliding opportunities.

Furthermore, it is ideal for foodies wanting to taste local cuisine and enjoy true Lebanese hospitality.

In essence, Kfardebian is a haven, where nature’s grandeur, adventure and cultural authenticity converge, leaving an indelible mark on all who venture there.

Visit lebanontraveler.com for more articles like this.

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Home Economics, Policy & Regulation United Arab Emirates: Trade, Finance, And Tourism Drive Economic Growth

Economics, Policy & Regulation

United Arab Emirates: Trade, Finance, And Tourism Drive Economic Growth

April 4, 2024

Author: Valentina Pasquali

Dubai and the other emirates have made globalization work in the Gulf by leveraging oil revenue to create a more open, diversified economy.

Good governance, political foresight, and fortuitous geostrategic developments have produced extraordinary growth in Dubai and the other states of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since the Covid-19 pandemic. But does this federation has what it takes to sustain its newfound role as a global trade, finance and tourism hub amid increasing regional competition, the looming energy transition and the push-and-pull of global politics?

Close observers are optimistic that, with the right doses of wisdom and luck, Dubai and the rest of the UAE can continue riding the crest of the current wave.

“Dubai has done an extremely good job at marketing itself,” says Oliver Cornock, editor-in-chief at consultancy Oxford Business Group (OBG). “It has complemented that with a very clear open-for-business set of policies,” including free zones enjoying significant tax and foreign ownership advantages, ease of getting in and out and “increasingly, an environment where people want to live, work and play.”

Riding High

According to government data obtained by Bloomberg, nearly 412,000 business licenses were active in Dubai last year, 30% more than during the previous year and a whopping 75% rise from 2021. Last year also saw the largest volume of new company registrations in the UAE’s preeminent special economic zone, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC): 1,451 more, for a 34% year-on-year (YoY) increase, according to the DIFC.

Overall, Dubai welcomed more than 100,000 new residents in 2023, following an influx of some 71,600 in 2022, according to figures from Dubai Statistics Center. The arrivals are propelling a dramatic rise in real estate prices, which have soared to an all-time high.

Dubai’s numbers stand out, but positive trend lines are visible in the other six UAE emirates, in particular Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development reported in January that active business licenses increased nearly 11% from 2022 to 2023, for a new total of more than 143,600. This helped drive 8.6% non-oil economic growth during the first nine months of last year, according to the Statistics Centre–Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority reported the sector’s best year ever in 2023, with a 24% jump in international arrivals over 2022 and a record 1.2 million overnight visitors, up 8% on an annual basis.

According to the UN Conference on Trade and Development, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows across the UAE rose 10% YoY in 2022, reaching nearly $23 billion, while global FDI fell 12%.

“The pandemic was a very important stress test for many economies,” says Bernardo Bortolotti, executive director of the Transition Investment Lab at New York University in Abu Dhabi. “The UAE has really proven an amazing degree of resilience.”

Over some five decades, forward-looking leadership has managed to steer the federation from its formation in 1971 to oil juggernaut to regional financial center. Oil-related revenue filled public coffers and propelled the rise of a sophisticated financial management industry.

According to Global SWF, as of March 2024, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is among the top 10 largest sovereign wealth funds in the world by AUM. The Investment Corporation of Dubai, Mubadala, and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company are in the top 50, followed by Emirates Investment Authority. An abundance of foreign players rounds up the UAE’s highly developed financial landscape.

Pandemic And Recovery

The Covid-19 pandemic hit the UAE hard. Outward-facing, trade-oriented Dubai saw its GDP shrink nearly 11% in 2020 while the federation’s national economy contracted by some 5%.

Still, there were silver linings. “Dubai was quite aggressive in the vaccination program,” says James Swanston, an economist specializing in the Middle East and North Africa at Capital Economics. “It very quickly approved the big vaccines … and kept up very stringent lockdown measures.”

Once they relaxed social-distancing measures and opened the economy, the authorities solved two problems at once by making Dubai an international vaccination destination. New visa options targeting wealthy investors, digital nomads, and even affluent retirees are adding new, longer-term residents to the mix.

As the world emerged from the pandemic, the UAE also found itself benefiting from geopolitical developments, chiefly Russia’s war in Ukraine and mounting tensions between the US and China. “The UAE has been able to keep good relationships with most parties,” says Bortolotti.

The Road Ahead

Questions remain whether Dubai, with nearly 3.7 million people, can keep on such a successful path. Its desert climate requires enormous resources to make life comfortable. Climate change, combined with plans in Dubai to increase the number of residents by 2.1 million in the next 16 years, could put the environment at risk of serious degradation.

But Bortolotti expects the UAE’s tight oversight of immigration to provide some comfort.

“What worries me is overly rapid urbanization, absent the right institutions and regulations in place,” he says. “But I’m not sure [this] could ever take place in such a closely regulated country as the UAE, where every single immigrant comes with a job.”

Global efforts to reduce carbon emissions—strengthened by an agreement by nearly 200 nations at the latest UN Climate Change Conference, held in Dubai in December—also loom over the local economy. A collapse in the price of oil amid the energy transition would impact Abu Dhabi and other emirates more directly than Dubai, which is less dependent on energy. But the whole federation would struggle with declining government revenue and the resulting strain on the largesse it shows its citizens.

Nevertheless, Swanston argues that the UAE’s low energy production costs, strong public finances and rapid diversification away from the energy industry put it in a relatively good position to sustain reduced oil prices, even in the long term.

A Complex World

More and more neighboring countries, meanwhile, are pushing to emulate the UAE’s, and particularly Dubai’s, economic model. Saudi Arabia has been directing enormous firepower toward establishing itself as a global business destination, including its effort to poach global firms’ regional headquarters.

“Ten to 15 years ago, people would often set up business in Dubai in a free zone to do business with Saudi Arabia, because at the time, the environment was not quite conducive,” says the OBG’s Cornock. Although that’s changing, he says, Dubai still “has that first-mover advantage.”

A resolution of the war between Russia and Ukraine, however distant, could see many of the estimated tens of thousands of Russians who have flocked to the emirates return home. Real estate prices would likely take a hit, threatening the health of heavily indebted property and hospitality companies and their government-linked sponsors. “It’s a much lower risk than even three years ago, but a looming risk within Dubai,” Swanston cautions.

Taking the long view, Bertolotti suggests that the global landscape now taking shape, with the rise of Asia an indisputable fact and that of Africa just around the corner, will only buttress the position of Dubai and the UAE at the center of global politics and the world economy.

“I see at the very global level an incredible reallocation of economic and political power in the next decade,” he says. “New economic and financial realities will come to the fore, and the location advantage that the UAE has, especially in terms of its exposure to the so-called global south, is unique.”

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Official Monument Installed on Doha Corniche in Recognition of Arab Tourism Capital 2023 Title

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Qatar Tourism has installed an official monument on the Doha Corniche, in recognition of Doha’s landmark Arab Tourism Capital for 2023 title, which was awarded by the Arab Ministerial Council earlier this year.

The monument, which reflects the official Doha Arab Tourism Capital 2023 logo, is positioned in a photogenic location on the Corniche. The design of the monument was inspired by the slogan of Doha Capital of Arab Tourism 2023, which reflects the city of Doha as a modern centre for tourism rooted in its rich cultural heritage.

Since Doha received the prestigious award, Qatar’s tourism sector has welcomed an incredible start to the year. With over a million visitors in the first quarter of 2023, Qatar registered its highest ever first quarter of international arrivals. In April, Qatar Tourism announced the re-launch of the Hayya platform in its new form, inviting tourists who currently need a visa to Qatar to enjoy the country’s famously warm Arabian hospitality and diverse touristic offering. The Hayya platform unifies all visa process for tourists and business visas to Qatar. 

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Why Time Is Running Out Across the Maldives’ Lovely Little Islands

Global tourism brought a modern economy to the country’s thousand islands. For many Maldivians, the teeming capital beckons.

Teenagers gathering to watch the sun set in Nolhivaranfaru, a remote island in the Maldives. Credit...

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By Alex Travelli and Maahil Mohamed

Photographs by Elke Scholiers

Reporting from Malé, its nearby islands and Nolhivaranfaru in the Maldives

• April 6, 2024

To live in the Maldives is to live in one of two worlds. Either you belong to the capital — Malé, a micro-Manhattan in the Indian Ocean — or you are out in “the islands,” among the quietest and most remote villages this side of the Arctic tundra.

It is in these places — far from the archipelago’s walled-garden resort atolls, where no Maldivians actually dwell — that the country is picking between two visions of its future, like much of the rest of Asia, but more so.

The outer islands are steadily depopulating, as the appeal of making a life through tuna fishing and coconut farming along their crushed-coral seashores shrinks. The splendid isolation may be what attracts visitors, but it seems incompatible with islanders’ aspirations in a nation modernized by global tourism.

As Maldivians give up on island life, the government feels compelled to keep building up Malé, the country’s one real city. But Malé is already pressed up hard against the limits of human habitation. By some measures, it is the most densely populated island on earth, with over a third of the country’s 520,000 people on a landmass that can be crossed by foot in about 20 minutes.

If more Maldivians are going to move there, its physical structure will need to be radically reworked. In the meantime, it is sprawling outward wherever it can: The government is surrounding Malé with sea bridges to artificial islands packed with housing projects financed by China and India .

On Jan. 22, President Mohamed Muizzu announced his otherworldly vision for an undersea tunnel between Malé proper and a land-reclamation project where Chinese investors will help build 65,000 housing units on what is now barely a sandbar.

Mr. Muizzu, a civil engineer by training, said the tunnel would “provide beautiful views of the sea” as commuters passed through it. (Feasibility to be determined.)

Humay Ghafoor, a researcher who campaigns against environmental degradation, said that “nobody does any assessments” before commissioning “massive infrastructure” projects. This allows an airport, for instance, to be built over a mangrove, destroying a whole island’s freshwater supply.

The Maldives consists of a thousand islands stretched along a 550-mile axis, each one a bit of exposed coral that grew from the rims of a prehistoric range of undersea volcanoes. These form rings called atolls — a word that comes to English from the native Dhivehi language. Most of the 188 inhabited islands have fewer than 1,000 residents.

The resorts — those airy villas floating over turquoise seas — are all on technically “uninhabited” islands. The guests are foreign, and most of the staff is, too, mainly from India and Bangladesh. In some ways, the resorts are like offshore oil rigs, pumping out nearly all of the country’s income. By design, they are divorced from Maldivian culture and abstracted from their South Asian location.

Bay of Bengal

Nolhivaranfaru

The typical inhabited island is likewise rich in sunshine and warmth and has access to a shallow lagoon, palm trees and maybe a mangrove forest. The inhabitants are highly literate, many are English-speaking and they are connected to the rest of the world by the internet, mobile data and long ferry routes.

Their traditions survive, still. Perhaps every island except Malé has a holhuashi, a covered seating platform at its harbor, sometimes circled by hanging woven chairs. Men gather to rest at midday and exchange gossip.

There is little doubt that climate change will eventually bring doom to this country, most of which is just a meter or two above sea level. But that catastrophe is thought to be a century or more away.

Instead, Maldivians are leaving the islands for the sake of their children, looking to Malé and the world beyond. When it comes to education and health care, there is no substitute for city life.

Nolhivaranfaru, a fishhook-shaped bit of powdery white sand, with a green and fertile core between its beaches, is like many of the Maldives’ inhabited islands. Flowering frangipani stand over an Islamic cemetery near its piers, centered around a centuries-old shrine to an Arab pilgrim. It takes 25 minutes by speedboat to reach the nearest landmass and two airplanes from there to get to neighboring India.

That is a journey that Maryam Asima, a 30-year-old mother of twins, made at great cost and personal hardship. She and her husband, the captain of a tourist yacht that docks 175 miles away, near Malé, had been unable to conceive. Two years ago, Ms. Asima and her sister, who was in a similar position, traveled to Kochi, India, a city of 2.1 million, where they made do on their own during 11 months of IVF treatment.

Health care remains rudimentary even on the better connected of the outer islands. Staff at the local clinic scoff at the idea of someday providing IVF. They say quietly that even most emergency care is beyond them: Any patient who needs a ventilator must be flown hundreds of miles away.

Ms. Asima, now back on the island with her 6-month-old twins, says she is satisfied with the results of her ordeal. Her sister has given her a nephew, too. With her encouragement, two other women from the island have become pregnant in the same way. The government has started offering $500 subsidies and the possibility of free air travel for families that need to go abroad for IVF.

She likes the “home feeling” of her island and hopes to send her children to school there, even if they need to travel to a nearby island to see a pediatrician. But this is not her first home: Ms. Asima was born on an even smaller island, Maavaidhoo, which was abandoned after being swamped by the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004.

Many Maldivians have been on the move for a generation or more, leaving smaller communities for larger ones. More than anywhere else, those who can afford it go to Malé.

Thirty years ago, it was not unusual for families to send unaccompanied minors on long ferry journeys, of 20 hours or more, to live in Malé. They would stay with distant relatives or even strangers and work as pint-size housekeepers to pay for their room and board as they attended one of the country’s better schools.

Island families still send their children to study in Malé, but usually now they travel as teenagers; better primary schooling is available even in remote places.

The cramped conditions of the capital are the first challenge they face. A compact grid of streets jams pedestrians, motorbikes, workshops and luxury perfumers together like a miniature version of central Hong Kong. One-bedroom apartments rent for five times the starting salary of a government office worker.

Ajuvad, a nervous, soft-spoken 23-year-old, came to Malé at 16 to join his older siblings, six people crammed into three bedrooms. They are all professionals, with jobs as teachers and technicians. But they were raised in another world, a 36-hour ferry ride away. There, the beach was a five-minute walk away with no roads and no motorbikes, and their home was a four-bedroom house that their father, a fisherman, built himself. Their mother made fish paste and sold it to neighbors.

Ajuvad, who asked that his last name be withheld to protect his privacy, remembers the transition as being “quite a challenge.” Having to live without his parents, and without an inch of space to study alone in quiet, he said, “I thought my world had collapsed.”

Ahmed Abbas, a 39-year-old hardware salesman, had an easier time moving into Malé’s urban sprawl from a distant southern island 12 years ago. His family of six shares a two-bedroom apartment in a complex built by Chinese developers, across a sea bridge from the city proper. They spend only half of their income on rent, and he drives to the city, 25 minutes each way, twice a day.

Mr. Abbas studied and worked around South India for many years before settling down. He has seen enough of the world to appreciate his family’s perch, which they share with two love birds: Small, exotic pets are a big business in little Malé.

But he still misses the island life. Back home, it was “nice because the people are nice,” he said, “normal country people, all smiling.”

Alex Travelli is a correspondent for The Times based in New Delhi, covering business and economic matters in India and the rest of South Asia. He previously worked as an editor and correspondent for The Economist. More about Alex Travelli

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Israel’s war on Gaza live: Intense fighting in Khan Younis ahead of talks

Hamas negotiators head to Cairo seeking a ceasefire as Israeli war cabinet weighs sending its own delegation.

• Six months into Israel’s war on Gaza, there is no end in sight to hostilities with Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters engaged in intense combat around the city of Khan Younis. Hamas claimed it killed 14 Israeli soldiers during ambushes there.
• Mediators are expected to resume ceasefire talks in Egypt’s capital, Cairo. Hamas sent a delegation and the Israeli war cabinet is expected to meet to decide if it will also participate.
• Tens of thousands of Israeli protesters rallied in Tel Aviv calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation and a deal to secure the release of Israeli captives held by Hamas in Gaza.
• At least 33,137 Palestinians have been killed and 75,815 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attack stands at 1,139, with dozens still held captive.

UK sends Royal Navy ship to set up new maritime aid corridor

The multinational effort, involving the US, Cyprus and other partners, will develop a temporary pier off the coast of Gaza, British Foreign Minister David Cameron says.

Cameron also pledged 9.7 million pounds ($12.26m) for equipment and logistical expertise to help set up the maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza, his office said.

The initiative will see aid pre-screened in Cyprus and delivered directly to Gaza, through the new US-built pier being constructed off the coast, or via Ashdod Port after Israel agreed to open it.

Critics say air-and-sea deliveries will not make up for a shortage of supply routes on land that Israeli continues to block.

Netanyahu working to diffuse pressure to continue war

Ceasefire talks are expected to resume in Egypt’s capital but both sides are unlikely to make more concessions, according to Mahjoob Zweiri, director of the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University.

“Hamas believe they have done a lot of flexibility and the people killed in Gaza and the casualties should not just be forgotten,” Zweiri told Al Jazeera, explaining why the Palestinian group will unlikely cede to more Israeli demands.

Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, is relying on his ally US President Joe Biden to continue to turn a blind eye on Israel’s bloody war, despite the international outcry after an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers last week in Gaza, he said.

“Netanyahu, as a prime minister, he has the ability to go around the promises he’s made for more aid and will try to diffuse the pressure on himself,” Zweiri said.

“The Israelis tried to put more pressure on Biden to change the tone against Netanyahu.

Intense fighting under way in southern Khan Younis city

Reporting from Rafah, southern Gaza

A statement released by Hamas’s military wing says its fighters ambushed three Israeli tanks in az-Zanna area, in the east of Khan Younis city.

The district has been under heavy bombardment and artillery shelling for the past month. People who managed to get there and inspect it report about 95 percent of residential buildings, infrastructure, and public facilities have been – not partially or severely – but completely destroyed.

The Qassam Brigades says it killed nine soldiers there and four more in a separate attack. The Israeli army issued a statement saying four of its soldiers were killed in Gaza on Saturday.

The Israeli military is operating in the western part of Khan Younis, specifically in al-Amal neighbourhood and within al-Amal Hospital where extreme fighting is ongoing.

Civil defence crews and witnesses say civilians are trapped in the area.

Anger against Israel government intensifies with 100,000 in protests

Tens of thousands of Israelis, including opposition leader Yair Lapid, protested against the Netanyahu government in Tel Aviv and other cities demanding “elections now”.

“They will not deter us, nor will they force us to stop protests until all the kidnapped people return and this terrible government falls,” said Lapid.

People chanted “Police, police who exactly are you guarding?” and “ Ben-Gvir is a terrorist”, referring to Israel’s minister of national security, the Haaretz newspaper reported.

Organisers of the antigovernment protests in Tel Aviv say that 100,000 people participated in the demonstrations, according to the Israeli media.

New missile strike near vessel off Yemen’s Aden, no damage

A missile landed near a vessel in the Gulf of Aden but there was no damage to the ship or injuries to crew. The attack occurred 110km (59 nautical miles) southwest of the Yemeni port of Aden, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency says.

“The master of the vessel reports a missile impacted the water in close proximity to the vessel’s port quarter,” UKMTO said in an advisory note.

It didn’t say who fired the missile or give further details. The Houthi militia has staged months of attacks in the Red Sea region in support of Palestinians during Israel’s war on Gaza.

The attacks have disrupted global shipping, forcing firms to reroute to longer and more expensive journeys around Southern Africa. In response, the US and the UK have launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.

Scrounging for leaves in Gaza to keep children alive

In Jabalia, a refugee camp near Gaza City, families scour the rubble for mallow leaves to make a thin broth to break the daily Ramadan fast.

Wael Attar, a father of young girls, says his children constantly ask for real food, but there’s none to be found.

“Life has become miserable. They tell me, ‘Father, you are feeding us mallow, mallow, mallow every day. We want to eat fish, chicken, canned food. We are craving eggs, or anything,'” said Attar.

The family shelters in a school as part of the 1.7 million people displaced in Gaza. The UN and aid partners warn of “imminent famine” for 1.1 million people or half the population.

Reusing scalpels, operating with no anaesthesia: A doctor’s diary

In Gaza today, scalpels have to be reused in surgeries, but they’ve become too blunt to do what they are supposed to do.

Medics often carry out surgical procedures without painkillers. Nearly all patients suffer from malnutrition so their wounds don’t heal.

Read here the testimony of Riyadh Almasharqah, a doctor who spent two weeks in the strip’s European Hospital.

Israeli army says 604 soldiers killed since October 7

The Israeli army has published new data related to operations in Gaza and Lebanon since October 7. Here are some of the figures:

• 604 Israeli soldiers, including 204 inside Gaza, killed
• 41 Israeli soldiers killed by friendly fire
• 12,000 Hamas fighters and members of other armed groups killed
• 4,700 Hezbollah positions in Lebanon hit
• 330 “operatives” in Lebanon, including 30 commanders, killed

‘Unfathomable suffering’: UN outlines Israel’s new Gaza ‘commitments’

The UN’s humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory, Jamie McGoldrick, has issued a statement marking six months of Israel’s devastating war on Gaza.

“In recent days, Israel has acknowledged the immense scale of suffering in Gaza and its ability to facilitate the increase of humanitarian assistance to people in need. This is a welcome development,” said McGoldrick, adding Israel has committed to:

• A better functioning coordination cell will be established that links humanitarians directly with the Israeli military’s southern command.
• Plans to open Erez Crossing (Beit Hanoon) temporarily to move much-needed food, water and sanitation items, shelter and health materials from Ashdod port.
• Plans to increase the number of trucks entering through the Allenby Bridge crossing towards Gaza from 25 to at least 50 per day.
• Intent to expand operating hours of Kerem Shalom (Karem Abu Salem) and Nitsana crossings, while anticipating an increase in the number of trucks scanned by an additional 100 trucks per day.
• Deployment of additional scanner and staff capacity at Kerem Shalom crossing to accelerate the transfer of aid into Gaza.
• Assurance for approvals to activate 20 bakeries in north Gaza.

“Over the past six months, the people of #Gaza have endured unfathomable suffering,” said Humanitarian Coordinator, Jamie McGoldrick. “The situation is simply catastrophic,” he added. Full statement: https://t.co/Hn8D2grwlu — OCHA oPt (Palestine) (@ochaopt) April 6, 2024

Israel’s war on Gaza – six relentless months of death and destruction

It’s been six months since Israel launched its brutal assault on the Gaza Strip on October 7.

Israel shows no sign of stopping as its allies continue to provide it with more weapons to use on Palestinians along with political support, and mediated talks have not led to a ceasefire.

The war on Gaza, Israel says, is in retaliation for attacks on Israeli territory by armed groups, led by Hamas’s Qassam Brigades, from Gaza which killed 1,139 people and took about 250 people captive.

Here’s a look at the toll the Israeli attacks have taken on Gaza.

Israel bombs eastern Lebanon after Hezbollah downs drone

Israel has launched air raids on eastern Lebanon, hitting what it says are Hezbollah sites after the armed group downed an Israeli drone over the country.

Fighter jets struck a military complex and three other sites belonging to Hezbollah in the eastern city of Baalbek, the Israeli army said in a statement. Two security sources said there were no casualties.

Hezbollah has traded fire with Israel across Lebanon’s southern border since October. Israeli shelling has killed about 270 Hezbollah fighters and 50 civilians. In southern Lebanon, some 90,000 people have been displaced, while more than 96,000 Israelis have been forced to flee the northern border area.

British support for Israel ‘not unconditional’: Cameron

British support for Israel is “not unconditional”, UK’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron writes in The Sunday Times, a week after it killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, including three Britons, in Gaza.

“There is no doubt where the blame lies: Israel’s inquiry has already enumerated the inadequate processes and the unacceptable conduct of the IDF [Israeli forces] personnel involved. This must never happen again,” Cameron wrote.

“Our backing is not unconditional: we expect such a proud and successful democracy to abide by international humanitarian law.”

The attack on the aid convoy has drawn worldwide criticism, pushing Netanyahu to allow the opening of an additional crossing to allow desperately needed aid into Gaza.

LISTEN: Killing aid workers and Israel’s international standing

The sharpest criticism yet of Israel’s actions in Gaza among its allies with even the US joining the global chorus of condemnation.

After more than 33,000 Palestinian deaths, Israel’s killing of seven international aid workers triggered the West’s most furious response to date. So how have events this week affected Israel’s international standing?

WATCH: Al-Shifa Hospital ‘an empty shell with human graves’ – WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) staff who inspected al-Shifa Hospital have described the medical complex – once Gaza’s largest – as “an empty shell with human graves”, following Israel’s deadly two-week siege .

“The health situation is disastrous,” said Dr Marwan Abu Saadah, acting director of al-Shifa Medical Complex. “We call on everyone to help support the health sector in all of the Gaza Strip.”

You can watch more here:

If you’re just joining us

It’s almost 05:00 GMT in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel.

Here are the main developments overnight:

• Hamas is sending negotiators to Cairo today, while Israel is also reportedly considering sending a delegation.
• The Israeli army announced the death of four soldiers in the southern Gaza Strip, hours after the military wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades , said it had killed 14 Israeli soldiers in Khan Younis.
• A young Palestinian man died after being shot in the head by Israeli forces during a raid on Ramallah in the occupied West Bank tonight, Wafa reports.
• Former political prisoner and graduate student Layan Kayed was also reportedly arrested as Israeli forces raided several neighbourhoods in Ramallah overnight.
• Israeli President Isaac Herzog said “violence is a red line” after a car rammed into a large antigovernment protest calling for the release of captives held in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, injuring five people.

Palestinians and the world must not lose hope

If I were to describe the past 26 weeks, it would be one hour after another of just barely pulling through. I have asked myself, what is the point of writing another piece about Israel’s remorseless sadism?

Between pitching this article and finding the strength to actually write it, more than 3,000 Palestinian children, women and men were killed. Al-Shifa Medical Complex was completely destroyed and the extrajudicial killings in the West Bank have only intensified.

The feeling of numbness, of paralysis among Palestinians is one of the aims of the Israeli “attrition” strategy. A war of attrition is meant to create the conditions to drain, exhaust and weaken an opponent. It is meant to diminish the capacity to fight back.

You can read more here .

What we know about truce talks in Cairo

Truce talks mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States are set to continue in Cairo today.

Hamas has confirmed it is sending negotiators to the talks where they continue to ask for a ceasefire, the return of displaced Palestinians to the northern Gaza Strip and for Israeli troops to withdraw from the besieged enclave, as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners in an exchange deal, Hamas official Basem Naim told Al Jazeera.

Israel is yet to officially confirm it is sending its own delegation, but the Israeli war cabinet is expected to meet this morning to discuss expanding the negotiating team’s mandate, Axios reported, after protesters in Tel Aviv last night again decried the lack of progress on releasing captives held in Gaza.

In Pictures: Six months of war for Gaza’s babies born on October 7

Israeli forces detain Palestinian graduate student for third time in Ramallah raid: Report

We’re hearing reports that Israeli forces have detained graduate student Layan Kayed after storming her home during a raid on Ramallah in the occupied West Bank tonight.

The Ramallah-based Addameer prisoners’ rights group last year described Kayed as a former political prisoner who was imprisoned for 16 months after being arrested in 2020 and charged over student and union activities.

Kayed, the coordinator of the Palestinian Coalition for Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights – Adala, and a graduate student in social development at Birzeit University, was also arrested and interrogated in June 2023, said Addameer.

Israeli army says 4 soldiers killed in southern Gaza fighting

The Israeli army has announced the death of four more soldiers during fighting in the southern Gaza Strip last night, including a squad commander from an elite infantry unit.

The deaths bring the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since October 7 to 604, including 268 killed since the start of ground operations on October 26.

Earlier, the military wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades , claimed nine Israeli soldiers were killed in az-Zanna district in eastern Khan Younis and five in the city’s al-Amal neighbourhood.

Australia to appoint special adviser on probe into aid workers’ deaths

The Australian government is looking to appoint a special adviser to work with Israel to ensure “transparency” in an investigation into an air attack that killed seven international aid workers, according to the country’s foreign minister.

Penny Wong told reporters that information about the attack provided so far by Israel was not sufficient and that the Australian government wants its own “suitably qualified person” to monitor the investigation.

“The government will appoint a special adviser who we have requested the Israelis work with so we can be advised about the appropriateness of the process,” Wong said.

“We want to have full confidence in the transparency and accountability of any investigation.”

The seven aid workers killed included 43-year-old Australian national Lalzawmi “Zomi” Frankcom, as well as British, Palestinian, Polish and US-Canadian employees.

Palestinian man dies after being shot during Ramallah raid: Report

A young Palestinian man has died after being shot in the head by Israeli forces during a raid on Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, the Wafa news agency reported.

Israeli forces fired live rounds, rubber-coated bullets, stun grenades, and tear gas as they stormed the city, according to Wafa.

It added that the raid involved some 15 Israeli military vehicles and tanks.

Here’s a look at the war on Gaza in numbers, 6 months in

The war has stretched on for half a year and has become one of the most destructive, deadly and intractable conflicts of the 21st century. Since October 7, Israel has pummelled the Gaza Strip, displacing the vast majority of the population and causing many to flee to Gaza’s southernmost city, Rafah.

Here’s a look at the war in numbers:

• Palestinians killed in Gaza: 33,137
• Children killed in Gaza: more than 13,000
• Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank: 456
• Palestinians currently displaced in Gaza: 1.7 million ( 70 percent of the population )
• Percentage of buildings likely damaged/destroyed: 55.9 percent
• Percentage of homes likely damaged: more than 60 percent
• Percentage of school buildings damaged: 90 percent
• Hospitals that are functioning: 10/36
• Palestinian civilians facing “catastrophic” food insecurity, according to the UN: 1.1 million
• Percentage of northern Gaza children under the age of two who are acutely malnourished: 31 percent
• Percentage of students out of school: 100 percent
• Mosques damaged: 227
• Churches damaged: 3

‘Mission impossible’ – Families slam Canada’s Gaza visa scheme as a failure

“Unlivable.” That’s how Canada’s immigration minister, Marc Miller, described the situation in the Gaza Strip in late December.

As conditions continued to deteriorate, Miller announced that the Canadian government was launching a special visa programme to allow citizens and permanent residents to bring extended family members from Gaza to Canada.

But more than three months later, not a single Palestinian applicant has left the Gaza Strip as a result of the visa programme.

Israel yet to comment on claims of casualties in Khan Younis

Reporting from Rafah in Gaza

Khan Younis is considered to be one of the hardest areas that the Israeli military has operated in since the beginning of this conflict in October. The Israeli military has been operating there for months and they have not taken full control of what is a very densely populated area.

The Qassam Brigades said in a statement that they have killed nine Israeli soldiers in az-Zanna neighbourhood, an area that is adjacent to Israel. There were more confrontations in other parts of the city, with the Qassam Brigades claiming the killing of at least five Israeli soldiers.

However, the Israeli military is yet to provide any information on casualties from this operation.

Witnesses in Khan Younis say at least three Israeli helicopters have landed in the eastern part of the city to evacuate victims.

Want to turn a layover into a trip? These 8 stopover programs can help.

Airline stopover programs offer free hotels and other discounts to incentivize longer layovers.

When you’re traveling great distances, you often take connecting flights to intriguing destinations without getting a real chance to experience the culture. You drop in, scope out the airport gift shop and leave.

A few airlines have been working to change that by running “stopover programs.” These initiatives allow travelers to tack more time on their layover at no extra charge, and sometimes even include a free or discounted hotel stay.

“They’re a good way for people to — at no extra cost — see a destination,” said Matthew Kepnes, the travel writer behind the blog Nomadic Matt .

Should travelers be wary of these offers? There’s no such thing as a free lunch, after all, but experts say you can think of it as a form of advertising.

“Usually they exist because they’re sponsored by the home country as a means of promoting tourism,” said Scott Keyes, founder of the flight booking site Going .

Keyes says countries and airlines have a number of reasons for offering free or discounted trips to tourists. No. 1, it’s good advertising. You may be more likely to choose an airline if they have this perk, and you may be more likely to visit a country if you can do it at a discount. Then there’s the influx of tourism dollars from stopover visitors.

Here’s a brief list of places you can go without paying any additional airfare.

Hot springs, wild horses and otherworldly natural beauty await travelers in Iceland, and two airlines offer stopover programs to go see them.

The first is Icelandair , which has offered the program since the ’50s . The program allows travelers — usually on their way to Europe — to spend up to seven days in Iceland before moving on to their final destination.

Second is the new Icelandic airline on the block, Play . The airline offers a “ stayover booking ” option allowing customers on transatlantic flights the option to stay up to 10 days in Iceland on the outbound trip, the return or both.

Stopover in Istanbul , Turkish Airlines’ program, includes a free hotel stay. It’s open to travelers with connections in Istanbul of at least 20 hours. If you’re flying coach, you’re eligible for a night at a four-star hotel. Business class customers can get up to two nights in a five-star hotel. Travelers must book arrangements for their stopover at least 72 hours before their flight, and will need to be approved for a hotel voucher through an application process.

Pause your journey to Central or South America with an interlude of up to seven days in Panama City with the Panama Stopover program from CopaAirlines. On the airline’s flight booking page, customers can select the option to add a stopover in Panama to flights to or from any destination in its network. If you want more time exploring beaches, nightlife and Panamanian cuisine, the airline also offers a second stopover, but it’s not free. According to the website, there “may be an additional cost” of $250 plus taxes and fees.

Unlock a mini trip to one of Europe’s most popular tourist countries with Tap Air Portugal’s Portugal Stopover Program. Unlike most stopover programs, this gives customers two layover destinations to pick: the beachside metropolis Lisbon , or Porto, the gateway to wine country. It also offers customers a 25 percent discount (excluding taxes) on additional domestic flights if you’d like to add a second stopover city to your trip. The program is valid on certain one-way and round-trip itineraries during the flight over or return, and can be accessed on the website’s “ book a flight ” tab. Click on “add a free TAP Stopover” to see whether your trip is eligible.

Qatar Airways stopover packages , in partnership with tourism organization Discover Qatar , include heavily discounted hotel reservations to sweeten the deal. Packages range from the standard option, offering travelers four-star hotel stays starting at $14 a night per person (based on double room share), to a luxury beachside option that includes a five-star hotel stay, breakfast and all-inclusive Doha Sands Beach access from $144. Travelers can book on the Qatar Airways website, and add stays up to four nights. The program is subject to availability and is only eligible for Qatar Airways passengers with at least 12 hours transit time in Doha.

Iberia, the flag carrier of Spain, advertises the chance to explore the country’s capital city with the Stopover Hola Madrid program. First, select a route that stops in Madrid ; next, you can select up to six nights to stay; then book and browse discounted offers available to stopover customers, including tours, food and transportation. The stopover can be selected for the outbound or return flight. While the airline website says the program is available on most routes, you may need to play with dates to find flights with stopover availability.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE is home to two lauded airlines, each with programs to entice stopover travelers.

Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover markets itself as a chance to explore the country’s capital city with discounted hotel stays. The more budget-friendly “amazing stopover” offers stays up to two nights at four-star hotels, while the premium version offers up to 40 percent off luxury four or five-star hotels for two to four nights.

Emirates has “Dubai Connect,” a program advertised to customers with layovers of at least eight hours (or six if you’re flying business class) and includes a complimentary hotel stay, some meals and transportation to and from the airport. There are a number of stipulations for qualifying for the program; for example, you must have a connection flight with the shortest layover available (so if there’s one with a four-hour layover to your final destination available, you won’t qualify for the freebies). Make sure to read the fine print before booking online. Already booked an eligible Emirates flight? You can add the stopover to existing reservations.

Choose your own adventure

You don’t actually need an airline to offer a stopover program to take advantage of a layover. Kepnes says you may be able to build your own stopover program for cheaper. All you have to do is search for flights with really long layovers in places you’d like to visit that don’t require too many hurdles to get out of the airport.

Last year, instead of finding the fastest or cheapest flight from Thailand to the United States, I booked one with a nine-hour layover in Tokyo ; I took the train into the city, ate delicious ramen, went shopping and even hit up a hot spring spa before heading back to the airport for my flight home. The year before that, I did something similar in Istanbul and highly recommend such side quests to anyone up for an adventure.

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: These 12 destinations are at the top of our wish list for where to go this year, without crowds. In 2023, we explored an Alaskan bear paradise, Brooklyn’s famous pizzerias and a hidden gem in Italy, among other highlights ..

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: This comprehensive guide has details on all 63 U.S. national parks. For a deep dive into five of the most well-known, you can listen to the Field Trip podcast . Then explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Dolly Parton has opened a new resort at her theme park complex in Tennessee, while “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new hotel in Waco . Road-trippers may be just as excited to see the cartoon beaver at Buc-ee’s , and bargain-hunters should consider a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Ala.

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Aggregate capital, reserves of UAE-based banks increase to Dh500 billion by end of January 2024

Business banking & insurance.

• Travel & Tourism

National banks accounted for 86.5% of the aggregate capital, reserves of UAE-based banks

Abu Dhabi: The aggregate capital and reserves of banks operating in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reached Dh500 billion at the end of January 2024, according to the latest statistics from the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE).

This represents an annual increase of Dh58.2 billion, or 13.3 per cent, from Dh438.6 billion in January 2023.

On a monthly basis, capital and reserves increased by 1.7 per cent from Dh488.7 billion in December 2023, an increase of Dh8.1 billion.

National banks accounted for 86.5 per cent of the aggregate capital and reserves of the UAE-based banks, with a value of Dh429.4 billion at the end of January 2024. This represents an annual increase of 13.2 per cent, compared to Dh379.3 billion in January 2023.

Foreign banks accounted for 14 per cent of the aggregate capital and reserves of banks operating in the UAE, with a value of Dh67.4 billion at the end of January 2024. This represents an annual increase of 13.7 per cent, compared to Dh59.3 billion in January 2023.

The CBUAE also noted that the capital and reserves of banks in the Emirate of Dubai reached Dh243.6 billion at the end of January 2024, an annual growth of 15.4 per cent. The capital and reserves of banks in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi reached Dh215.2 billion, an annual increase of 10.4 per cent. The capital and reserves of banks in the other emirates reached Dh38 billion, an annual increase of 16.2 per cent.

The capital and reserves of conventional banks in the UAE reached Dh417.2 billion at the end of January 2024, an annual increase of 13.8 per cent. The capital and reserves of Islamic banks reached Dh79.6 billion, an annual increase of 10.4 per cent.

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