The long-anticipated single tourist visa for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has been officially approved and is set to be rolled out in the near future, UAE Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri confirmed on Monday.

Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the UAE Hospitality Summer Camp press conference, Al Marri announced that the unified visa plan has cleared major hurdles and is now under review by the UAE Ministry of Interior and other key stakeholders for final implementation.

“The single (GCC) tourist visa has been approved and is now waiting to be implemented, hopefully soon,” Al Marri stated.

Modeled after the Schengen visa used in Europe, the GCC Grand Tours Visa will allow foreign visitors to travel across all six GCC member states — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait — with a single entry permit. The move is widely seen as a strategic step to enhance regional integration and streamline cross-border tourism.

Tourism and hospitality executives have hailed the unified visa as a potential game-changer for the Gulf’s tourism industry, with expectations that it will significantly stimulate both leisure and business travel — especially the growing trend of "bleisure" tourism, where professionals blend work and vacation into extended trips across neighboring countries.

Industry analysts forecast that the initiative will contribute to economic diversification and job creation, giving a substantial lift to the region’s GDP. These expectations are supported by robust data from the GCC Statistical Centre, which recorded 68.1 million tourist arrivals across the Gulf in 2023 — a 42.8% increase from pre-pandemic levels — and $110.4 billion in tourism revenue.

The UAE, a major player in regional tourism, continues to see steady growth in its travel sector. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) reported that the industry supported 833,000 jobs in the country in 2023. That number is expected to rise to one million by 2030, outpacing earlier WTTC forecasts of 928,000 jobs by 2034.

Dubai, in particular, continues to cement its status as a global tourism magnet. The emirate attracted 7.15 million international visitors in the first four months of 2025, marking a 7% year-on-year increase, according to figures from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.

As implementation of the unified GCC visa nears, stakeholders across the Gulf are optimistic that the new policy will usher in a transformative era for tourism, making the region more accessible, connected, and economically dynamic than ever before.

September 3, 2025 – Football fans around the globe can now start planning their journey to the world’s biggest sporting spectacle. FIFA has officially announced that exclusive travel packages for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, are now on sale.

The packages, designed to make the tournament experience seamless, include round-trip flights, premium accommodation options ranging from luxury hotels to high-end business stays, ground transportation, and guaranteed match tickets in Category 1 or Category 2 seating.

This early offering allows supporters to secure their seats well in advance, avoiding the uncertainty of the regular ticketing process. Organizers say this initiative is aimed at giving fans peace of mind while ensuring an unforgettable travel and match-day experience.

FIFA notes that Privilege Club members will also enjoy added perks, including earning Avios points on every package purchased. With the tournament expected to attract millions of visitors across three host nations, securing a travel package early could be the key to avoiding soaring prices and limited availability as the event draws nearer.

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and an expanded format that promises more matches, more destinations, and more global excitement than ever before. Cities including New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Mexico City are preparing to host matches in some of the world’s most iconic stadiums.

FIFA and its partners emphasize that availability is limited and demand is expected to surge rapidly. Fans are encouraged to review all terms and conditions before booking.

With less than a year to go, the countdown has started—and for many supporters, these packages could be the golden ticket to football’s ultimate festival.

UAE’s low-cost carrier Air Arabia has launched a special promotion, offering one-way fares starting from as low as Dh149, just in time for the upcoming long weekend.

The discounted tickets cover a wide range of destinations, including Muscat, Salalah, Dammam, Riyadh, and Kuwait across the GCC, as well as popular routes to India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The offer is valid for travel between September 15 and November 30, 2025, giving budget-conscious passengers ample flexibility for short getaways or longer trips.

To secure these low fares, passengers must book their tickets between August 28 and September 5, 2025. Air Arabia has urged travellers to act quickly, as the special fares are available only for a limited time and subject to seat availability.

This promotion comes as a boost for residents planning last-minute travel during the holiday break, further cementing Air Arabia’s reputation for offering affordable travel options in the region.

Oman’s low-cost airline SalamAir has launched a series of major fare discounts this August, giving customers the chance to fly to domestic and international destinations at the most affordable prices in recent memory.

Breaking Fares Campaign

SalamAir’s latest “Breaking Fares” campaign runs from August 24 to August 28, 2025, with fares starting at just OMR 19.99 (about Dh191). This limited-time offer allows travelers to book flights for journeys between October 1 and November 30, 2025, across SalamAir’s regional and international network.

Destinations include major cities like Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, Alexandria, Dammam, and several in South Asia such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Islamabad, Karachi, and Sialkot.

Domestic Discounts for Cardholders

In addition to international deals, SalamAir is offering exclusive domestic flight discounts in partnership with Sohar International and Sohar Islamic banks. Customers booking from June 21 to August 10, 2025, for travel within Oman between July 1 and August 31, receive 15% off for debit card holders and 40% off for credit card holders (Gold, Platinum, Signature, Infinite)

The domestic deal covers routes between Muscat and locations like Salalah, Duqm, Masirah, and Sohar, and requires a promotional code from the issuing bank.

Click here to Book Now!

Terms and Availability

All discounts are available exclusively through SalamAir’s website or authorized sales channels. Seats are limited, so early booking is highly encouraged. Add-on options like seat selection and additional baggage remain available, allowing passengers to customize their travel.

Industry Impact

Marketing head Khadija Al Kindi highlights the initiative as part of SalamAir’s goal to make travel accessible despite rising global airfares. The campaign also coincides with the airline’s fleet expansion, positioning SalamAir as a key driver of affordable air travel in Oman and the wider region.

Travelers in Oman are now presented with a unique window to explore more for less, whether for business, leisure, or student travel.

In a festive gesture to celebrate India's Independence Day, Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, has launched an exclusive discount campaign for passengers booking from India. Operating from its hub at Zayed International Airport, Etihad is offering a generous 30 percent discount on Economy class tickets to a wide array of popular destinations across Europe and the United States.

Travellers booking now can secure flights at significantly reduced rates to iconic cities such as Chicago (Dh3,273), Toronto (Dh3,599), Washington DC (Dh3,149), Barcelona (Dh2,036), and Dublin (Dh2,149). The offer also extends to flights headed to Brussels, Prague, Warsaw, Sochi, New York, Rome, Atlanta, Madrid, Boston, Paris, Munich, and Frankfurt, making it easier than ever for Indian passengers to explore these global hubs.

The special fares are available for booking up until August 15, with a travel window stretching from September 2025 through March 2026. This promotion follows on the heels of Etihad’s recent start-of-summer campaign, which included discounts of up to 25% on both business and economy class tickets.
As the 2025 summer travel season approaches its end, airlines based in the UAE, neighboring regions, and India have launched a series of competitive fare offers, heating up the market for travelers seeking value deals.

In other exciting news, Etihad recently inaugurated commercial operations of its new Airbus A321LR, with Flight EY414 marking the first journey from Zayed International Airport to the beautiful island destination of Phuket. The addition of the A321LR to its fleet underscores Etihad’s commitment to delivering premium cabin experiences on short and medium-haul flights, mirroring the attention to detail and service excellence featured on its acclaimed widebody aircraft.

With these strategic offers and fleet enhancements, Etihad Airways continues to strengthen its position as a preferred carrier for Indian travelers seeking quality and affordability on international flights.

In celebration of India’s 79th Independence Day, Air India Express has unveiled an exciting “Freedom Sale,” offering attractive discounted airfares for both domestic and international travelers. Starting as low as Rs 1,279 (Dh 53.50) for domestic routes and Rs 4,279 (Dh 179) for international flights, this special promotion aims to make travel more accessible for millions.

The budget airline is putting five million seats on sale, covering a wide network that includes key UAE destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah, connecting them seamlessly to cities across India. This initiative is perfectly timed for the over 3.7 million Indian expatriates residing in the UAE, as well as tourists traveling between the UAE and India.

With an impressive fleet of 116 aircraft, Air India Express operates over 500 flights daily and offers service to 38 domestic and 17 international destinations, strengthening its position as a preferred carrier in the region.
The exclusive sale opened on the airline’s website and app on August 10 and will remain available through all major booking channels until August 15, 2025.

Travelers can plan their trips between August 19, 2025, and March 31, 2026—covering major festive seasons such as Onam, Durga Puja, Deepawali, and Christmas.

The airline’s “Xpress Value” fare class, which includes a standard check-in baggage allowance, is priced from Rs 1,379 for domestic and Rs 4,479 for international flights. Special concessions are also being extended to students, senior citizens, armed forces personnel, and their dependents.

This “Freedom Sale” presents an ideal opportunity for travelers looking to explore India and beyond while enjoying substantial savings.