Browsing: Travel

Travelers to and from Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg can anticipate new seasonal flights starting in December

Etihad Airways is set to introduce seasonal nonstop flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Gothenburg beginning December 17, 2026. The airline will operate this route four times weekly until March 21, 2027, providing a winter connection between the UAE capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets for the new route between Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg are already on sale. The flights will link Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport.

Why Travelers and Industry Experts Should Watch South Korea’s Growing Tourism Surplus

South Korea tourism posted its strongest monthly surplus since the COVID-19 pandemic. The tourism balance had been in deficit for 72 straight months from March 2020 through February 2026. January 2026 alone saw a shortfall of $1.4034 billion, followed by a $1.0993 billion deficit in February. The situation shifted in March when the balance turned positive with a $263.8 million surplus. This upward trend continued into April, with a $159.9 million surplus, and May at $220.5 million, leading into the positive momentum carried through June. In June, tourism revenue reached $2.784 billion, while total tourism expenditures were $2.1874 billion. Foreign visitors spent an average of $1,397 per individual during the month, whereas outbound South Korean travelers spent an average of $1,091 each. This difference between receipts and expenditures resulted in the fourth consecutive month of a surplus, a notable turnaround from the deficits seen earlier in 2026. Increase in International Arrivals Contributes to June Growth In June, South Korea welcomed 1,993,128 international visitors, representing a 23.1% rise from the same month last year, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. China remained the leading source market with 649,582 visitors, which is a 36.2% increase over June 2025. Japan followed with 348,216 arrivals, up 21.3%. Other notable

Travelers from Italy to Spain face new border checks amid ongoing restrictions

Spain has initiated temporary border inspections for travelers arriving from Italy by air and sea. The new controls went into effect at midnight on Aug. 8 and are expected to remain active until Sept. 7. This measure was introduced after Italy implemented its own temporary border checks on arrivals from Spain. The procedure involves additional document verification on routes that usually operate under the European Union’s Schengen agreement for internal travel.

Travelers to Italy Benefit from flydubai’s Expanded Flight Schedules to Milan Bergamo and Naples

Dubai-based airline flydubai unveiled a significant enhancement of its European route network on Wednesday, boosting flight frequencies to major Italian hubs to meet the rising global demand for international travel. As reported by Emirates News Agency, flydubai is expanding its services to Italy with additional flights to Milan-Bergamo and Naples, strengthening direct transportation links between the United Arab Emirates and Southern Europe. Starting from July 31, 2026, the airline will operate a double-daily service connecting Dubai International Airport with Milan-Bergamo Airport, along with an increase in flights to Naples International Airport to a daily operation.

Travelers and Digital Asset Enthusiasts Benefit from Emirates and Crypto.com’s New Payment Method

Emirates, the airline industry leader, announced the launch of a new cryptocurrency payment feature that allows eligible passengers to purchase flight tickets using digital assets via its website and mobile application. An official statement from Emirates News Agency confirmed that Emirates and Crypto.com have partnered to introduce this payment option, following a strategic memorandum of understanding initially signed in July 2025. This digital currency checkout system is currently available to residents of the United Arab Emirates for both domestic and international flights, with fares and settlements conducted in Emirati Dirhams (AED). Payments are processed through Crypto.com’s checkout platform, giving travelers immediate access to their digital wallet balances during the ticketing process.

Visitors and Art Enthusiasts Await the Grand Opening of Frank Gehry’s Iconic Museum in Abu Dhabi

Visitors and art enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the grand opening of Frank Gehry’s iconic Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museum on December 11, 2026. Situated on Saadiyat Island, the 80,000-square-metre complex features 30 interior galleries, 11,600 square metres of exhibition space, and 23,000 square metres of outdoor display areas. The architectural design includes ten sculptural cones that harness natural breezes and provide shading, while the museum’s collection aims to bridge local, regional, and international artistic trends through thematic exhibitions. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will connect global modern and contemporary art through a unique curatorial vision, joining other cultural landmarks in the Saadiyat Cultural District.

Travel Industry Stakeholders in South Korea See Record Foreign Visitor Arrivals in First Half of the Year

The Republic of Korea experienced a significant influx of nearly 2 million international tourists in June, propelling the total number of foreign visitors entering the country during the initial six months of 2025 past a notable threshold. Data officially issued by the government and reported by Emirates News Agency confirmed that Korea’s foreign tourist numbers surpassed 10 million in H1, driven by consistent double-digit growth from major regional source markets. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s statistics reveal that June alone saw 1.99 million foreign arrivals, a 23.1 percent rise compared to the same month in the previous year. This robust monthly increase pushed the cumulative total for the first half of the year to 10.71 million visitors, reflecting a 21.3 percent growth from the 8.8 million recorded during the same period in 2025, and surpassing pre-pandemic 2019 figures by 26.9 percent.