Saudi Arabia signs first visa-free travel agreement with Russia: What to know The deal will allow citizens of either country to enter visa-free for 90 days for tourism, business and family visits. Saudi Arabia
Israel's El Al posts record $203M Q3 profit as foreign airlines trickle back Many international airlines have now resumed flights to Israel following a truce to end the Gaza war. Israel
Culture From Hollywood set to heritage hub: Morocco’s $75M bet on Ouarzazate Once the Hollywood of the Sahara, Morocco’s desert city is betting on sustainable tourism to reclaim its place on the map. Morocco
Malaysia's AirAsia bets Bahrain can fuel Mideast growth, challenging Gulf hubs The Malaysian carrier signed a preliminary pact with Bahrain to explore establishing the kingdom as its Middle East hub, with plans for dozens of daily flights by 2030. Bahrain
Israel announces plan to admit vaccinated tourists Under the plan, which requires approval from the Cabinet, tourists who received their second vaccine dose or booster shot in the last six months are eligible for entry into Israel. Israel
Little by little, tourists from Emirates, Bahrain arrive to Israel Contrary to the wave of more than 200,000 Israelis who have already visited the Emirates, tourists from the Gulf are just starting to arrive to Israel. Israel
Egypt wins international award for restoring historic synagogue Egypt is using an international award it recently won for restoring the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in Alexandria to promote tourism. Egypt
Egypt’s first ticking clock ticks again Egypt gets ready to announce the return of its oldest ticking clock, which French King Louis Phillippe gifted to Muhammed Ali Pasha, then-ruler of Egypt, in 1846. Culture
Egypt sends display of artifacts to Dubai's Expo 2020 Egypt is betting on its participation at Expo 2020 Dubai, one of the biggest cultural events in the world, to promote its tourism sector. Egypt
Dubai Expo hopes to mark post-COVID transition for UAE Dubai Expo 2020 is expected to be the most attended international event since the coronavirus pandemic. Legacy: Gulf
The Takeaway: Iran nuclear diplomacy shows faint pulse at UN Signs of life at an extraordinary meeting of senior Middle East officials; also, updates from our correspondents on Israel, West Bank, UAE, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq … and more … all in about 1,400 words! Iran
Iran to lift visa restrictions to revive pandemic-hit tourism sector Iran’s new tourism chief said the government will soon scrap visa restrictions, a plan that the struggling tourism sector has been desperately waiting for to get back on its feet amid the coronavirus pandemic. Iran
Egypt promotes medical tourism within Africa A cross-agency recruitment campaign seeks to encourage citizens of other countries to visit Egypt for treatment Egypt
Bahrain's Gulf Air to start flights to Israel The airline previously said it would begin flights to Tel Aviv in June. Bahrain's new ambassador to Israel wants Israeli tourists to visit. Legacy: Gulf
Controversial Egyptian slum removal mars Giza Plateau upgrade The Nazlet al-Saman slum blemished the Giza Plateau for many decades, but its ongoing removal is bringing criticism of the government. Egypt
Egypt to announce opening of world’s largest open museum in Luxor governorate As part of Egypt’s efforts to boost tourism, the Ministry of Antiquities bets on the restoration of El-Kebash Road in Luxor, which is one of the biggest open-air archaeological sites in the world. Culture
