Business

Ramadan 2026 in Dubai will be business

Dubai’s tourism chief has set out how the city plans to observe Ramadan next year, saying the Holy Month will be treated as an integral part of daily life rather than a period of slowdown.

Issam Kazim, the CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) – a subsidiary of Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai, told industry partners that Dubai is “not just a destination to visit, but the best city to live in”, and that Ramadan must reflect that mix of home, community and hospitality. He was speaking at a city briefing event hosted by DET.

Kazim said the strategy for Ramadan is to keep pushing the message that it is “business as usual” in Dubai. The Holy Month is expected to fall between February – March 2026.

Over the past few years, the perception of Ramadan as a quiet month has been gradually changed, with more business events now held during the Holy Month, showing there is room “to do a lot more”. The official said there are still “tactical opportunities” that the city and its partners need to keep targeting together.

He also said that that Ramadan has been a “key topic” in talks with the trade, and that concrete changes have already been made to how the Holy Month is approached. He said the aim now is to align messaging and products so that hotels, attractions and travel partners can “do a lot more” during this period.

Who will travel and why

Based on historic trends, the travel patterns during Ramadan differ from the rest of the year. Couples are expected to form a bigger share of travelling parties, while the main purpose of visit will shift more towards leisure than business.

He noted that booking lead times are shorter in Ramadan, but the month is stretching into a “bigger period of time” within peak tourism quarters, making it even more important to keep campaigns and offers live in source markets. The tourism body wants partners to tailor packages, experiences and promotions to these specific segments and behaviours.

There is room for growth

Dubai welcomed 15.7 million international visitors between January and October 2025, a 5 per cent rise on the same period last year.

“We still have the last stretch of the month of this year ahead of us, which is usually the peak time. With the behaviour nowadays of last-minute booking, we still have the potential opportunity to still push that number up,” he added.

Kazim said Dubai had a strong start in 2025, “but of course, there were some turbulence within the market which impacted that growth,” he said, possibly referring to escalation of geopolitical tensions in the region. However, having a diverse portfolio gave Dubai the opportunity to focus on other markets that had not seen a decline,”

Dubai’s tourism chief has reported solid growth from major source markets and hinted at a new phase of infrastructure and mobility projects that will keep the city “one step ahead” in global tourism.

Story by Gulf news

Business

Two major parks planned in Riyadh

Authorities in the Saudi capital have unveiled plans to develop two expansive public parks covering more than 310,000 square metres as part of a broader push to increase green spaces across the city.

The Riyadh Region Municipality confirmed on Wednesday that the new developments will be situated in the eastern and southern districts of the capital. The project is designed to transform the city’s urban landscape, shifting away from traditional park layouts toward integrated “urban destinations” that cater to both recreation and environmental sustainability.

Central to the design is a scenic valley that will serve as a functional and visual anchor for both sites. According to municipal officials, the parks are intended to bolster the city’s “urban fabric” by providing high-quality public areas that align with the quality-of-life goals set out in the Saudi Vision 2030 framework.

The facilities planned for the 317,200-square-metre footprint are extensive. Beyond standard greenery, the sites will feature a golf course, multi-purpose sports fields, and dedicated jogging tracks. Families will have access to children’s play areas and water features, while the inclusion of a theatre and designated event spaces suggests the parks will double as cultural hubs for the local community.

“These parks represent high-quality developments aimed at expanding public spaces across the capital,” the municipality said in a statement. The announcement noted that the projects would also include a range of commercial amenities, including restaurants and cafés, to ensure the parks remain active throughout the day.

This latest initiative follows a series of large-scale environmental projects in the Kingdom, where officials are increasingly prioritising “livability” as Riyadh undergoes population and infrastructure expansion. The municipality highlighted that the design focuses on “environmental sensitivity,” incorporating innovative greening techniques to manage the arid climate while maintaining sustainable water use.

Business

Prince William to Official Visit Saudi Arabia in February

Britain’s Prince William is set to visit Saudi Arabia for the first time in an official capacity, Kensington Palace announced on Wednesday. The trip is scheduled from February 9 to 11, 2026.

Strengthening Ties Between the UK and Saudi Arabia

According to Kensington Palace, the visit comes as the UK and Saudi Arabia mark growing trade, energy, and investment partnerships. It also coincides with celebrations of nearly a century of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

A First for the Duke

This will be Prince William’s first official trip to Saudi Arabia, highlighting the importance of the country in the UK’s international relations and economic strategy.

What to Expect

While details of the itinerary haven’t been fully released, the visit is expected to include meetings with Saudi officials and discussions on trade, investment, and energy collaboration.

The visit signals a continued focus on strengthening ties between London and Riyadh, while marking a historic moment in Prince William’s international engagements.

Business

Japan tourist arrivals hit record 42.7 million in 2025

Tourists to Japan hit a record 42.7 million in 2025, exceeding 40 million for the first time, Japan’s Tourism Minister, Yasushi Kaneko, told a press conference.

Total spending by inbound tourists reached 9.5 trillion yen ($60 billion) over the year, also ‌a record high.

WAM