Rosewood Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the development of future hospitality professionals in the UAE. The partnership will provide students with internships, operational placements, mentorship programmes, guest lectures and applied learning opportunities within a luxury hospitality environment. It aims to bridge academic learning with practical industry experience while equipping students with leadership, commercial and service excellence skills. The collaboration will also include curriculum enrichment, live case studies, professional training programmes and industry events, supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism ambitions and strengthening the UAE’s hospitality talent pipeline. 

Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi hosted a C-level trade delegation from India to strengthen partnerships and drive future tourism growth. The visit brought together senior travel industry leaders to discuss connectivity, visitor experiences and commercial opportunities. Abu Dhabi highlighted strong tourism performance, including hotel occupancy of 64 per cent in May 2026, over 300 weekly flights between India and Abu Dhabi, and a 22 per cent increase in Indian hotel guests last year. The programme also showcased major cultural attractions, including the Zayed National Museum and Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.     

Etihad Airways and Condor have expanded their strategic partnership with a new frequent flyer agreement and the launch of Condor’s Bangkok - Abu Dhabi service. Bangkok becomes the third route in Condor’s Abu Dhabi operation alongside upcoming Frankfurt and Berlin services, including the UAE’s only direct connection to Berlin. Under the agreement, Etihad Guest members will be able to redeem miles across Condor’s network, which spans Europe, North America and the Caribbean. Building on an existing codeshare partnership, the collaboration enhances connectivity between Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australia while supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism growth. 

The Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF) 2026 highlighted the growing role of women in gaming through its flagship GameExpo event, which attracted thousands of visitors. Female gamers participated in tournaments, including the Valorant Championship featuring Emirati teams from the University of Wollongong and HCT College. The event also featured professional gamer Maryam Maher, the first GCC-based female gamer to sign with an international team after winning the Valorant Champions title with G2 Gozen in 2022. 

Minor Hotels has announced the development of Avani Kyoto, marking the Avani brand’s debut in Japan. Scheduled to open in 2030, the 240-room hotel is being developed with Taisei Corporation and Heiwa Real Estate Co., Ltd., with Minor Hotels acting as both investor and operator. Located in central Kyoto near Marutamachi Station, the property will be within walking distance of major attractions including the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle. The project forms part of Minor Hotels’ broader expansion strategy in Japan through its partnership with Royal Holdings Co., Ltd.

Jumeirah marked World Sea Turtle Day by releasing 23 rehabilitated sea turtles into the Arabian Gulf, including Foxy, a green turtle fitted with a satellite tracker after recovering from a severe flipper injury. The release brings the number of satellite-tracked turtles returned to the wild by the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) to more than 100. 

Final Rentals has expanded its Gulf operations through a strategic partnership with AUTORENT, gaining access to a fleet of more than 13,000 vehicles across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman. The agreement strengthens Final Rentals’ presence in a region central to its growth since launching in the UAE in 2021. The company’s annual bookings grew from 1,900 in 2021 to more than 139,000 in 2025, with 148,065 bookings recorded in the first five months of 2026 alone. 

Oman Air has won the 2026 APEX Best Award for Best Seat Comfort in the Middle East, marking its third victory in the category after previous wins in 2024 and 2022. The award was presented during the Future Travel Experience EMEA, Ancillary & Retailing event in Dublin.