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Middle East

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Why Aqaba is a Jordanian gem
The Jordanian port city has a mix of adventure, culture and friendly faces that sees Edward Robertson arriving as an outsider but soon feeling like a local.
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New FCO advice puts Middle East’s ‘best kept secret’ back on tourism map
Middle East specialist operator Corinthian Travel has welcomed the FCO’s decision to lift Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley out of ‘no-go’ territory
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IHG to debut upscale hotel brand voco in UAE
Hotel giant signs management agreement to rebrand Nassima Royal Hotel in Dubai
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Thomas Cook to take measures to stem UK losses
Thomas Cook reports huge loss for 2017/18
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Dnata snaps up AI technology firm
Dubai-based group takes majority stake in bd4travel
Balkan Holidays has cancelled all its May departures to Bulgaria
Summer bookings looking promising, says Abta
Latest Travel Trends report reveals hot 2019 destinations
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Aito Conf 18: 'Changing perceptions of Middle East vital to tourism'
Haitham Mattar, chief executive of the Ras al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, detailed some of the developments ongoing in RAK to grow its tourism offering
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Emirates Group sees profit tumble on higher costs
Increase in fuel bill hits earnings at airline and travel group
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Foreign Office blamed for losing agent £6K booking
The FCO was slammed for issuing “misleading and frustrating” advice on medication when travelling to the UAE
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Turkish Airlines to launch Gatwick-Ankara route next year
The twice-weekly service to the Turkish capital will get under way on January 9
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🎥 WTM 2018: How Banksy has helped Palestine raise its profile at WTM London
The minister said "Palestine knows Banksy" after he opened the Walled Off hotel in Bethlehem last year
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WTM 2018: Dubai focuses on adventure and eco-tourism
Dubai is looking to tap the popularity of adventure and eco-tourism with a newly development in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains
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WTM 2018: Abu Dhabi reopens historical landmark
Visitors can explore the culture of Abu Dhabi when its historical Qasr Al Hosn landmark reopens next month after a decade
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WTM 2018: Ras Al Khaimah visitors set to triple
Ras Al Khaimah plans to triple annual visitor numbers to three million by 2025 with a programme of hotel building
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WTM 2018: Jordan back on the map
With Jordan’s Aqaba seeing a significant percentage of tourists returning to the destination, Edward Robertson looks into into the leading source markets, available airlift and a major airline launch designed to boost numbers
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WTM 2018: UAE continues to break records
Not only are the United Arab Emirates breaking their own records this year, they’re topping global charts and giving each other a run for their money
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El Al Israel to launch direct Manchester-Tel Aviv service next year
The three-times weekly route will get under way on May 26 next year
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WTM 2018: Jordan reveals positive impact of embracing social media influencers
The country welcomed around 700 influencers last year and another 500 this year to help portray a ’natural, authentic and unique’ picture of its tourism offering
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WTM 2018: Sharm return 'a matter for the British authorities' says Egyptian tourism minister
Dr Rania al-Mashat, Egyptian minister for tourism, said the country’s decision to more widely market its range of Red Sea resorts was starting to show results
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WTM 2018: Israel courts hotel investment as arrivals rise
Israel is seeking more investment in accommodation as international arrivals grow and in the advent of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
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Thomas Cook firms up plans for own-brand hotel expansion
Cook will open 20 new Casa Cook and Cook’s Club own-brand hotels by the end of 2019
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Fred Olsen passengers ‘killed deliberately’ during Oman excursion
Eric Lindley, whose wife Audrey was killed when she was struck by a car on a shore excursion, believes the group were targeted deliberately
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Top five experiences for daredevils
When it comes to bucket-list experiences, daredevils often have an adrenaline fix on the roster. Abigail Healy rounds up five exhilarating activities to suggest
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Ajman appoints UK rep firm to introduce it to trade
Scott Marketing will work with both travel agents and tour operators to showcase the emirate