As winter sets in, Riyadh transforms into a sweeping festival city, where headline sport, mega-music, design-led nightlife, and immersive zones converge. From late November through early 2026, Saudi’s capital invites visitors to dive into nights that sparkle, zones that thrill, and evenings that linger long after midnight. Here are the essential experiences to lock into your calendar.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, and the German carrier Condor announced a strategic partnership alongside the launch of new daily flights connecting Frankfurt and Berlin to Abu Dhabi starting Summer 2026 and an extensive codeshare agreement. From 1 May 2026, Condor will operate daily services between Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi using its Airbus A330 aircraft, followed by the launch of daily Berlin-Abu Dhabi flights from 15 June 2026 operated by Airbus A320 aircraft. The new services will significantly broaden direct access to Abu Dhabi for German travellers, with seamless onward connections to Etihad’s extensive network across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Under the dazzling lights of the Arabian Gulf, the 2025 World Cruise Awards unfolded last weekend in a glittering gala at Exhibition World Bahrain — a venue transformed into a celebration of ocean-going journeys, luxury voyages, and the dream of exploration at sea. On Saturday evening, cruise-industry leaders, travel editors, seafarers, and luxury-travel enthusiasts gathered in black tie and national dress for pre-dinner cocktails, a sumptuous gala dinner, and the crowning of the world’s most outstanding cruise ships, cruise lines, and maritime experiences.

Under the glittering chandeliers and beneath the vaulted ceilings of Exhibition World Bahrain, global travel-tech visionaries gathered last weekend for what may become the defining moment of 2025 in travel innovation: the fifth annual World Travel Tech Awards. The evening promised more than trophies — it was a vivid showcase of where travel is going next, blending cutting-edge technology, global ambition, and the timeless allure of wanderlust.

This past weekend, the glimmering halls of Exhibition World Bahrain (EWB) were transformed into a centre stage for global achievement as the 2025 World MICE Awards took place under a grand black-tie gala. The event marked the 6th annual edition of the Awards and served not only as a celebration of excellence in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions, but also as a vivid showcase of why Bahrain is fast emerging as a world-class destination for business travel and international events.

Leading luxury hospitality company Four Seasons and prominent European hotel developer Gruppo Statuto announce plans to transform Berlin’s historic Hotel de Rome into a Four Seasons experience, opening in late 2027. This opening marks the return of Four Seasons to Berlin after 20 years.

Oceania Cruises®, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused luxury cruise line, has unveiled two brand-new culinary concepts aboard Oceania Sonata, the first vessel in its next generation Sonata Class launching in August 2027, during a press conference at ILTM Cannes.

Holland America Line broke its Black Friday weekend sales record in the United States, with 19% more bookings than its previous high watermark, set in 2023 for the same period from Black Friday to Cyber Monday. Bookings were especially strong among guests planning summer Alaska vacations in 2026, choosing cruise options as well as Alaska Cruisetours, which combine a voyage with an immersive overland journey to Denali National Park. Guests also booked cruises as close in as Caribbean for later this month and as far out as South American cruises in 2028

Gymkhana, the acclaimed Two Michelin-starred London restaurant, is now open at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas—marking its first location in the United States. Created by JKS Restaurants co-founders Jyotin, Karam and Sunaina Sethi, in partnership with MGM Resorts International, Gymkhana is the first Indian restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip, further strengthening ARIA’s reputation as a premier dining destination.

Seabourn, the leader in luxury cruises and expedition travel, unveiled its exclusive annual “Explore More Event,” featuring exceptional savings and offers on most 2026 through 2028 worldwide ocean voyages and expeditions to Alaska, Antarctica, Japan, the Mediterranean, and more. Available now until February 17, 2026, Seabourn’s “Explore More Event” includes the following exclusive benefits:

Rising 39 stories above Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling heart, The Reverie Saigon announces itself as a landmark of unrivalled luxury. Positioned between Nguyen Hue Boulevard and Dong Khoi Street, the hotel not only offers world‑class accommodation but also unveils an extraordinary showcase of Italian design mastery woven into every detail of its space.

The Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or “Forum”), an international platform dedicated to promoting the sustainable development of the global tourism economy, will hold its 2025 edition from December 15 to 17 in Harbin, Heilongjiang province. Under the theme “New Quality Productive Forces: Powering the Global Tourism Economy”, the Forum will gather over 1,000 guests from five continents and more than 30 countries and regions, including the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, heads of international organizations, government officials, ministers of culture and tourism, executives from Fortune Global 500 companies, renowned entrepreneurs, and experts. Together, they will forge a new stage for open cooperation and jointly chart a […]

The Middle East’s largest general aviation event, Sand & Fun Airshow 2025, recently held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, welcomed a new exhibitor from the U.S., Oregon-based Samson Sky, makers of the Switchblade Flying Car.

Sandals Resorts International (SRI), the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive resort company, reopened five of their Jamaica properties over the weekend, marking a major step forward for tourism on the island. The returning resorts include Sandals Dunn’s River, Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Ochi, Sandals Negril and Beaches Negril, each welcoming guests back to Jamaica’s famed north coast.

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum today — on December 7th, 84 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor — launched an ambitious “Remember Pearl Harbor” National Campaign to raise $51 million to restore America’s World War II aviation battlefield, preserve our nation’s aviation heritage, and honor the heroes of Pearl Harbor.

At IBM Think Riyadh 2025, IBM and Riyadh Air announced a major milestone in their collaboration, unveiling Riyadh Air as the world’s first AI-native airline. Designed from the ground up without legacy patch work, these AI-driven operations provide the foundation to transform guest and employee experiences and set a new benchmark for innovation in the aviation industry.

Last night in Bahrain, American Cruise Lines made waves at the World Travel Awards Grand Final, walking away with three prestigious awards: World’s Leading River Cruise Company 2025, World’s Leading Small Ships Cruise Line 2025, and North America’s Leading River Cruise Company 2025. These remarkable accolades reflect the cruise line’s unmatched dedication to delivering authentic, intimate, and immersive river cruising experiences across the United States. For travellers seeking to explore America’s great rivers in comfort, style, and elegance, American Cruise Lines proves there is no better way to experience the heart of the nation.

Last night, at the World MICE Awards in Bahrain, Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu was proudly crowned Philippines’ Best MICE Hotel 2025. For business travellers, event planners, and corporate groups, this recognition confirms what many have long experienced: the resort seamlessly blends luxury, functionality, and versatility, making every meeting, incentive trip, or conference a flawless success. Shangri-La Mactan isn’t just a hotel — it’s a destination where work, relaxation, and celebration converge.

Last night in Bahrain, at the World Travel Tech Awards, AirAsia MOVE was proudly named Asia’s Best Travel Booking App 2025. For travellers across the region and beyond, this accolade cements AirAsia MOVE’s reputation as the go-to platform for planning, booking, and managing journeys with ease, speed, and style. With AirAsia MOVE, exploring the world has never been simpler — or more rewarding. From flights to hotels, rides to experiences, it brings the world into your pocket, empowering travellers to go all the way.

Last night, amid the glittering celebrations at the World Travel Awards Grand Final in Bahrain, Tanzania was proudly crowned World’s Leading Safari Destination 2025. For travellers seeking the ultimate encounter with nature, wildlife, and unspoiled landscapes, this recognition confirms what adventurers have long known: Tanzania is a place where the safari dream becomes reality. Here, vast savannahs, majestic mountains, and teeming wildlife come together to create a journey that is as thrilling as it is unforgettable.