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Middle East

Qatar (Pictured: capital Doha) is looking to use the World Cup to establish its tourism offering (Credit: Florian Wehde / Unsplash)
'Tradition meets modernity': Assessing Qatar's tourism pitch
World Cup 2022 will be a springboard for the Gulf nation’s tourism aspirations – but is Doha ready to face up to all the challenges courting visitors will present?
BA will start retiring its iconic 747s on Tuesday
BA resumes daily Dubai flights and ups India services
Heathrow-Dubai link back on for first time since January, while BA’s London-India schedule doubled from 10 flights a week to 20
Qatar reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travellers on 12 July
Qatar bids to boost cruise profile with Clia partnership
Qatar Tourism will be one of the main headline sponsors of the Clia Selling Cruise Day on 4 November
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Emerald adds Saudi Arabia sailings to Azzura portfolio
The move comes as the line prepares for the launch of the new 100-guest superyacht
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Emirates steps up UK expansion after amber list move
Airline unveils plans to build up flights from four UK airports in coming months
Etihad Airways launches wellness programme for traveller safety, hygiene and confidence
Etihad slims first-half losses after cost reduction programme
Etihad reports passenger loads of just 25%
Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup (Credit: iStock)
Fantasy football? Will the Qatar World Cup create opportunities for the trade?
Qatar 2022 is just over a year away, but will five-star prices deny fans the chance to attend – and make it difficult for travel to leverage? Gary Noakes reports
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Video: Emirates cabin crew member scales Burj Khalifa for TV ad
She joins a handful of people who have stood at the pinnacle of the world’s tallest building - including Tom Cruise and the Crown Prince of Dubai
Raffles The Palm Dubai is due to open in the final few months of 2021
Raffles plans major expansion with new hotel openings
Four properties are due to open this year followed by brand’s first UK hotel in 2022
Irene Hays will name P&O's new ship Iona and serve as its godmother
Irene Hays hails move to reopen UAE to UK travellers
Dame Irene took to Sky News to urge consumers to book their holidays this summer with a ’reputable travel agent’ following the latest traffic light update
Emirates has returned to its Midlands gateway
Emirates to restart Glasgow flights from 11 August
Airline’s decision to restore services to Dubai is a major boost to Scotland’s travel sector
Six Senses Shaharut features 60 suites and villas in the Negev desert
Six Senses debuts new property in Israeli desert
Luxury brand’s new resort features 60 suites and villas in desert setting
Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas currently sails out of Dubai
Middle East amber boost 'a long time coming'
The UAE is set to see its Covid risk downgraded later this week alongside Qatar and Bahrain
Advantage: Agents can thrive as world begins to reopen
'Summer is lost, and any attempt to save it is over'
Industry blasts government’s latest traffic light update for ‘lack of ambition’ and failure to capitalise on UK’s Covid-19 vaccination programme
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Middle East hubs UAE and Qatar set for amber list
Dubai and Doha to benefit from latest changes to the government’s traffic light regime
SLS Dubai is the first for the brand in the region
Blue Bay Travel expands portfolio with twin-centre holidays
Consumers can experience two different styles of holiday in one trip and benefit from "highly competitive" pricing
Boat in Doha harbour, Qatar
Qatar to boost cruise arrivals with new terminal from 2022
Qatar hopes ships will homeport in Doha with opening of new facility
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MSC Cruises to hold Virtuosa naming ceremony in Dubai
Line’s new flagship is already operating cruises around the UK this summer
Israel welcomed its first group of British tourists at the weekend since reopening (Credit: GoIsrael.com)
Israel welcomes first British post-Covid tour group
It comes as part of the country’s process to gradually reopen its borders to vaccinated visitors
Jazeera Airways will fly between Heathrow and Kuwait from 18 June
Jazeera Airways to launch Heathrow flights
Middle Eastern carrier to fly from UK hub to Kuwait from later this month
The majority of destinations are currently classed as amber in the traffic lights system (Credit: benn-mcguinness-34oZS8nstfI-unsplash)
Portugal and UAE blast 'illogical' traffic light update
Chief of Portugal’s national health council said the decision by the UK government to remove Portugal from its green list was ’an over-reaction’
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MSC reveals more details and opens sales for World Europa ship
Launching in 2022, the line says vessel will be its “most innovative and environmentally advanced” ship
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Happiness retreats and long-stay wellcations: wellbeing trends you need to know
In a post-pandemic era, a whole new world of wellbeing is emerging, with a host of specialist programmes and philosophies now available
The FCDO is now advising against all but essential travel to Israel (Credit: Benjamin Rascoe / Unsplash)
Foreign Office strengthens Israel travel advice
Deadly clashes between Israeli and Palestinian forces have left hundreds dead and thousands injured over the past week