Dubai among global leaders in new hotel room openings for 2026
Sun, 25 Jan 2026
Among global hotel markets, Dubai, Shanghai, and London are set to open the most rooms in 2026, per CoStar data. The Middle East & Africa saw 18,273 rooms open in 2025, with 54,238 projected in 2026, led by Dubai (5,053) and Qatar (2,406).
Farnek opens new hospitality training centre in Dubai
Wed, 21 Jan 2026
UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek has opened a new hospitality training centre at Farnek Village in Jebel Ali, Dubai.
Grand Mercure Business Bay opens in Dubai following rebranding
Wed, 21 Jan 2026
Grand Mercure Business Bay has opened its doors in Dubai following the rebranding of Gulf Court Hotel Business Bay, owned and managed by Gulf Hotels Group (GHG), under a franchise agreement with Accor.
Mövenpick Dubai Creek opens in Historic Dubai after rebrand
Tue, 20 Jan 2026
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has strengthened its presence in the UAE with the opening of Mövenpick Dubai Creek, following the rebranding of the former Golden Sands Hotel Creek.
Arabian Adventures unveils Dubai’s desert dining experience
Mon, 19 Jan 2026
Arabian Adventures, part of the Emirates Group, is introducing The Nomad Garden, a new benchmark in luxury desert experiences, set within the pristine Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), one of the UAE’s largest protected nature reserves.
The Meydan Hotel in Dubai opens its doors
Thu, 15 Jan 2026
The Meydan Hotel, owned by Dubai Holding Hospitality, opens under Kerzner International’s Rare Finds brand on January 15, 2026. Located minutes from Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport, the hotel sits adjacent to the Meydan Racecourse and features a modern design with 284 rooms and suites.
Dubai hotels record strongest December in almost 20 years: CoStar
Wed, 14 Jan 2026
Dubai’s hotel industry posted its strongest December since 2007, driven by the holiday season. In December 2025, occupancy hit 84.3% (+3.4%), ADR reached AED 1,042.11 ($283.76) (+11.1%), and RevPAR rose to AED 878.19 (+15%), showing strong year-on-year growth, according to preliminary data from CoStar.
Arada launches fitness-led hospitality and residences project in Dubai
Wed, 14 Jan 2026
Arada, a leading regional developer, has unveiled Inaura, an urban fitness-led hospitality and residences concept in Dubai.
Dubai’s upcoming hotels, dining hotspots
Tue, 13 Jan 2026
Dubai is entering a new era of luxury with upcoming hotel and dining openings, from wellness-led beachfront resorts and boutique lifestyle stays to Michelin-starred restaurants and global dining favourites. Among the most anticipated hotel launches is Six Senses The Palm, opening in 2026 on Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent.
Singapore Airlines introduces A380 on Dubai–Singapore
Mon, 05 Jan 2026
Singapore Airlines will deploy the Airbus A380 on its daily Dubai–Singapore route from March 29, 2026, offering increased capacity and an enhanced onboard experience across all cabins.
Address Downtown debuts new digital check-in experience
Wed, 31 Dec 2025
Address Downtown, one of Dubai's flagship luxury destinations, has debuted its new digital check-in experience.
Gran Meliá Hotel Jumeirah project on track for 2026 completion
Wed, 24 Dec 2025
Carter Hones Associates said work is moving at a steady pace on its AED1 billion ($272 million) Gran Meliá Hotel project at the Port de La Mer, Jumeirah Dubai, and is on track for completion by the end of 2026. A five-star beachfront resort, it will feature 366 guest rooms and suites.
Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate hotel Dubai to launch new F&B outlets
Tue, 23 Dec 2025
The Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel Dubai, next to Ibn Battuta Mall and the metro, is launching three new dining experiences in early 2026.
SACRA wellness complex to open in Dubai March 2026
Mon, 22 Dec 2025
SACRA, the Middle East’s only World Spa Resort and the region’s largest bath and wellness complex, will open in March 2026 in Dubai. Opening at 17B Street in Jumeirah 1, SACRA stretches across 2,400 square meters, bringing a completely new standard of relaxation, recovery, and modern wellbeing to the city.
MICE in 2026: Smarter sourcing, stronger experiences
Wed, 17 Dec 2025
The Middle East has cemented its position as a place of choice for planners delivering world class in person experiences. 2025 Cvent’s Top Lists named Dubai the #1 meeting destination, with Istanbul at #2 and Abu Dhabi at #3, underscoring the region’s unmatched infrastructure, access, and service culture.
Delta by Marriott Jumeirah rebranded to Sheraton The Walk, Dubai
Tue, 16 Dec 2025
Delta Hotels by Marriott Jumeirah Beach has been rebranded to the Sheraton The Walk, Dubai. Nestled between Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), the prime property boasts 361 spacious rooms and apartment-style suites along with other amenities.
Kobe Tourism Bureau showcases Japan’s multicultural port city in Dubai
Sun, 14 Dec 2025
Kobe Tourism Bureau (KTB), supported by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) Dubai Office, hosted a luncheon for leading media and content creators at TOMO Dubai to showcase Kobe’s distinctive tourism appeal.
Dubai hotels roll out contactless check-in
Wed, 10 Dec 2025
Dubai has launched a citywide, one-time contactless hotel check-in system that lets guests complete all check-in steps on their phones before arriving, bypassing front-desk procedures entirely.
Naumi Soul launches Autism-Friendly collaboration in Dubai
Tue, 09 Dec 2025
Naumi Hotel Dubai, the Singapore-based group’s first Middle East property, is now Autism-Friendly Certified in partnership with the Dubai Autism Centre.
Dubai ranks 12th among top 100 city destinations for 2025
Thu, 04 Dec 2025
Dubai ranks 12th globally, boosted by strong visitor numbers, major events and high-value hotels. It leads the Middle East and Africa, with Abu Dhabi and Doha driving regional growth. A planned GCC visa will enhance connectivity. Paris remains the world’s top destination, followed by Madrid, Tokyo, Rome and Milan, revealed data analytics company Euromonitor International.
Dubai solidifies its status as MICE hub at IBTM World 2025
Sun, 30 Nov 2025
Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau and part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, has concluded its participation at IBTM World 2025 in Barcelona, further reinforcing Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic business events destinations.