Culture Saqqara’s next chapter: How Egypt is modernizing its oldest necropolis Egypt has launched a major project to develop access to the Saqqara archaeological sites, which — according to archeologists — hold some of Egypt’s most important ancient sites spanning across multiple civilizations. Egypt
Explainer Saudi airlines outbuy Gulf rivals at Farnborough air show: What to know Saudi airlines emerged as the Middle East's biggest buyers at the international event, while the Gulf's three largest carriers browsed. United Arab Emirates
Syria arrivals surge 111% as government bets on tourism revival The country welcomed 3.52 million visitors during the first half of 2026, more than double the figure recorded a year earlier, as the government pushes to reconnect to the world and promote tourism as a pillar of economic recovery. Syria
Interview Saudi labor localization will take ‘generation or two': Armada CEO Around 70% of Saudi Arabia's population is 35 years old or younger, according to the kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics, providing ample opportunity for an educated and technology-savvy national workforce in the coming decades. Olivier Badard CEO of Armada Holding
Visiting Egypt, Israelis thrilled by warm welcome Egyptian intellectuals and politicians are disappointed over the refusal of the Israeli leadership to advance Palestinian statehood as promised in the peace treaty, but the people in the streets of Cairo welcome Israeli tourists. Egypt
Egypt eyes Asian tourists Almost four years after the Russian plane crash over Egypt’s Sinai, the country’s recovering tourism sector is moving to expand the Asian markets. Egypt
Iraq's ancient city of Ur: source of law, site of wonder Tourists are slowly beginning to return to the ancient Sumerian city of Ur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, raising hopes among some locals. Iraq
Egypt's Red Sea Mountain Trail creates jobs for local Bedouin community The success of the Sinai Trail, a popular route for hikers, has spurred the development of another, more ambitious project along the Red Sea. Egypt
History graduate shows West Bank off the beaten track Mohammed Abu Hashhash's trekking guide of 144 routes aims to combine information on natural and cultural landscape with local stories. Palestine
Is Egyptian parliament encouraging alcohol consumption? The Egyptian parliament's approval to lift the prohibition of the sale of alcohol in the law on shops has stirred a wide controversy in a country where Sharia is the source of legislation. Egypt
Turkish town gets a splash of color with local black rose Turkey's southeastern town of Halfeti claims to be the home of a rare black rose grown only on the riverbeds of the Euphrates River. Turkey
Saudi Arabia seeks to entice visitors with pre-Islamic sites Following last year's $20 billion French-Saudi deal to accelerate al-Ula’s development, there are more international archaeologists on the ground than ever before. Saudi Arabia
Can Egypt’s new airport revive country’s ailing tourism sector? Egypt opened a new international airport in Giza governorate as part of the government’s efforts to boost the tourism sector that suffered a major setback following the January 25 Revolution. Egypt
When will Egypt open its Grand Museum? The Grand Egyptian Museum, expected to be the world's largest archaeological museum, will have its great opening early 2020. Egypt
Can St. John’s bread feed St. Paul’s hometown? Tourism managers from Tarsus, known for being St. Paul’s hometown, wonder whether they can boost tourism further through gastronomic delights — including St. John’s bread, also known as carob. Turkey
What brings the end of tulip era in Turkey's tourism campaign? Turkey has used a tulip logo in its national branding for nearly two decades, but it signaled that a new symbol may be needed next year. Turkey
