Tourism

Secular Turks mock government’s appropriation of care-free lifestyles in Istanbul promo video

The negative responses highlight what secular members of Turkish society perceive as the government’s interference in their lifestyle choices.

Andrew Wilks | Turkey | Jul 29, 2021

A picture taken on April 24, 2020, shows the Blue Mosque square with the Hagia Sophia museum in the background on the first day of Ramadan during a 4-day lockdown as the country adopts measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19.

Turkey’s COVID-19 cases surge as restrictions relaxed during Eid

As holiday-makers flock to Turkey’s coastal areas and cast aside masks and social distancing, a surge in COVID-19 figures fans worries in the health sector of a fourth coronavirus wave, possibly as early as August.

Nazlan Ertan | Turkey | Jul 21, 2021

Saudi Arabia’s race for Gulf economic leadership takes to the sky

The kingdom diversification plan goes head-to-head with flag carriers Emirates and Qatar Airways, as intra-Gulf economic rivalries heat up on all fronts.

Sebastian Castelier | Gulf | Jul 13, 2021

This picture taken on July 8, 2020, shows an aerial view of Emirates aircraft parked on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport.

Jordan prices entice Israeli vacationers

High prices in Israeli hotels might drive locals to prefer trips to Jordan or Egypt as international travel cautiously resumes.

Danny Zaken | Israel | Jul 7, 2021

Israel records highest daily coronavirus cases in three months

The number of COVID-19 infections in Israel, which includes those of the delta variant, is still relatively low in the country.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Jul 1, 2021

A boy receives a dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the Clalit Healthcare Services in the Israeli city of Holon near Tel Aviv on June 21, 2021.

Saudi Arabia plans second national airline in tourism push

The additional airline would help position the Gulf state as a global logistics hub, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman said.

Al-Monitor Staff | Saudi Arabia | Jun 30, 2021

Abu Dhabi offers tourists free coronavirus vaccines

The capital of the United Arab Emirates is also set to remove quarantine requirements on travelers from certain countries deemed low-risk.

Al-Monitor Staff | United Arab Emirates | Jun 22, 2021

Emirates loses more than $5 billion in 2020

The Dubai-based airline's financial struggles amid the coronavirus pandemic has led to job cuts and a massive cash injection from the government.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Jun 15, 2021

Boxes of coronavirus vaccines are stacked on the tarmac after the first batch arrived at Khartoum airport on an Emirates flight, Sudan, March 3, 2121.

Iran and Russia sign visa waiver agreement

The deal focuses on making it easier for large tourist groups to travel to Iran and Russia.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Jun 8, 2021

Tourists visit the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque, also known as the Pink Mosque, in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz on Sept. 27, 2018.

Documentaries explore Cairo’s old neighborhoods, alleyways

An Egyptian archaeologist has launched an initiative to shed light on Cairo’s heritage by filming short documentaries about the various alleys and streets in the capital.

Hani Sameer | Culture | May 23, 2021

An image of the Cairo citadel, 1858-1890.

Turkish vaccinated tourism video provokes anger

Foreign tourists are exempt from Turkey's coronavirus lockdown, and hospitality workers were given priority in receiving the vaccine.

Al-Monitor Staff | Turkey | May 15, 2021

Egypt, Russia agree to resume flights to Red Sea resorts

Russia suspended flights to Egypt in 2015 after the Islamic State brought down a Russian airline over the Sinai peninsula.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Apr 23, 2021

Turkey’s tourism sector fears another disastrous year

Apprehension is growing in Turkey that its tourism sector, a vital hard-currency earner, might fail to recuperate in 2021 amid a new peak in the coronavirus pandemic.

Mustafa Sonmez | Turkey | Apr 21, 2021

A sign reads "Social distance 1.5m" next to the pool of a hotel on June 19, 2020, at Lara district in Antalya, a popular holiday resort in southern Turkey. The novel coronavirus pandemic has hit Turkey's tourism industry, the backbone of the country's economy.

Erdogan is MENA’s most popular leader, Arab Barometer finds

Turkey's promotion of cultural heritage, including through its tourism and entertainment sectors, is one reason for Erdogan's popularity. However, the perception of the Ottoman legacy is gradually shifting from one of praise to one of condemnation toward Turkish policies.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Apr 20, 2021

In this handout picture released by the Turkish presidential press office, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) and invited guests attend Friday prayers at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque during the building's first official prayers after being reconverted into a mosque on July 24, 2020, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Dubai restaurants to stop screening dining areas during Ramadan fast

Restaurants in the UAE's largest city previously had to screen off places where people ate during fasting hours during the Islamic holy month, as is customary throughout the region.

Al-Monitor Staff | United Arab Emirates | Apr 12, 2021

Tourism

Secular Turks mock government’s appropriation of care-free lifestyles in Istanbul promo video

The negative responses highlight what secular members of Turkish society perceive as the government’s interference in their lifestyle choices.

Turkey’s COVID-19 cases surge as restrictions relaxed during Eid

Saudi Arabia’s race for Gulf economic leadership takes to the sky

Jordan prices entice Israeli vacationers

Israel records highest daily coronavirus cases in three months

Saudi Arabia plans second national airline in tourism push

Abu Dhabi offers tourists free coronavirus vaccines

Emirates loses more than $5 billion in 2020

Iran and Russia sign visa waiver agreement

Documentaries explore Cairo’s old neighborhoods, alleyways

Turkish vaccinated tourism video provokes anger

Egypt, Russia agree to resume flights to Red Sea resorts

Turkey’s tourism sector fears another disastrous year

Erdogan is MENA’s most popular leader, Arab Barometer finds

Dubai restaurants to stop screening dining areas during Ramadan fast

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