
Insights: General
Cultural awareness, expat life and practical guides for anyone building a life or career in the Middle East.
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SAUDI ARABIA | UAE Applicants for Visit Visas Required to Purchase Health Insurance
The VFS TasHeel visa application centers for Saudi Arabia located in the United Arab Emirates now require foreign nationals applying for Saudi visitor visas from within the UAE to obtain health insurance covering the duration of their stay in the Kingdom. The cost of the insurance is AED 200 to 400 depending on the level


Hospitality markets in UAE, Qatar to see fastest growth in next four years
The hospitality markets of the UAE and Qatar are expected to grow the fastest in the Gulf region over the coming four years, driven by tourism-related developments, according to the latest report by Alpen Capital, an investment banking advisory firm. Alpen Capital forecasts a growth of over 10 per cent annually until 2020 for these


MENA entertainment market booms
Key sectors are providing a big boost for the Middle East’s professional audio visual and entertainment market, with the world’s leading suppliers of event technology and related equipment lining up to take part in the region’s specialist industry trade show in Dubai this year. Research gathered by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organizer of Prolight
August 29, 2016
Read more about MENA entertainment market booms

Top 10 Arab countries earn $57 billion in tourism
Annual report of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reveals total earnings for top Arab countries in 2015. The top 10 Arab countries on the UNTWO annual report represent 3.8 % of the total international tourism revenue of US $1.5 trillion during 2015. The top Arab countries earned nearly $57.586 billion in international tourism revenue during


Report shows long-term growth of GCC Hospitality
A new report by Alpen Capital reveals ‘immense growth potential’ of the regional hospitality industry, despite a slowdown in 2016. A report by Alpen Capital, an investment banking advisory firm, indicates the GCC hospitality market is expected to grow at a 7.6% CAGR from an estimated US$25.4 billion (AED93.3 billion) in 2015 to US$36.7 billion


Musafir announces major new partnership with Singapore Tourism Board (Middle East) to benefit region’s travellers and tourism industry
Sharjah, UAE – Musafir.com, the UAE’s first premium-experience travel website, announces today a major new partnership with Singapore Tourism Board (Middle East), to raise awareness of Singapore as a compelling leisure destination in the Middle East and drive strong conversion of holiday packages to Singapore as well as introduce new benefits for travelers in the


Omran buys stake in eight tourism related projects
Omran, Oman’s tourism investment arm, has reportedly taken over or acquired stakes in eight companies in the Sultanate to drive development. The organisation revealed to the Times of Oman, through its chief executive James Wilson, that tourism projects being built in the country were amounting to US $779.6m (OMR 300) The eight firms include Marina


Abu Dhabi’s $101m funding kickstarts construction of Bahrain city
Construction of North City in Bahrain is set to start after AED374 million ($101 million) funding from Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the UAE’s international development arm. The latest funding agreement will enable the preparation for the land reclamation to get underway and the beginning of the island construction, a statement said. This will


Oman’s Omran said to buy stakes in 8 tourism projects
Omran, Oman’s tourism investment arm, has reportedly taken over or acquired stakes in eight companies in the sultanate to drive development. James Wilson, the company’s chief executive, told the Times of Oman, that tourism projects being built in the country amounted to $779.6 million. The eight firms include Marina Bander Rhowda, the taking over of
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