The number of pre-qualified buyers attending this year’s World Travel Market London increased by 11 percent compared to 2023, with organisers of the world’s most influential travel and tourism event thrilled to confirm 5,049 world class buyers came through its doors, over three-days.

World Travel Market (WTM) London has recently announced that this year’s event will be the largest to date, with an expected seven percent growth and expansion into new halls at ExCeL London, reflecting the thriving international tourism sector.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has returned to London Heathrow’s Terminal 4 as of June 22.

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies, has added a new hotel to its portfolio: the DoubleTree By Hilton London ExCel.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is further expanding its Geneva, Switzerland-based network with new service to Hurghada, Egypt, to be introduced with the start of the 2018/19 winter timetables.

With jaw-dropping scenery, epic history and dazzling artistic and cultural diversity, it is no wonder that Europe attracts millions of visitors from June to September every year.

Gulf Air’s first Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner, delivered to Bahrain on May 11, is due to be operated on regional routes, before being deployed on the London Heathrow route on June 15.

In a bid to further strengthen the role of the Bahraini tourism sector as one of the main contributors to national economy, while also promoting the country’s differentiating features through its tourism marketing brand, BTEA has recently established representatives offices in strategic locations, such as Moscow, London, and Paris, to access and serve new source markets.

SIMON CASSON has been promoted to president of hotel operations in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

A positive outlook for arrivals from MENA is also highlighted in Birmingham, which is becoming ever more connected to the region.