Browsing Category: Tourism

ANTALYA – In an extraordinary blend of archaeology and history, researchers have uncovered 1,100-year-old olive seeds from a sunken ship that had set sail from Gaza’s coast before meeting its fate near Antalya, Turkey. The discovery, led by Associate Professor Hakan Öniz and his team, marks the first time such well-preserved olive seeds have been found in underwater excavations along Turkey’s shores. These ancient seeds, retrieved from an amphora, will soon be displayed at the Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology Museum. A Deep-Sea Discovery Öniz, head…

ANTALYA – In an extraordinary blend of archaeology and history, researchers have uncovered 1,100-year-old olive seeds from a sunken ship that had set sail from Gaza’s coast before meeting its fate near Antalya, Turkey. The discovery, led by Associate Professor Hakan Öniz and his team, marks the first time such well-preserved olive seeds have been found in underwater excavations along Turkey’s shores. These ancient seeds, retrieved from an amphora, will soon be displayed at the Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology Museum. A Deep-Sea Discovery Öniz, head…

MUĞLA – Nestled between the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, the Datça Peninsula stands as one of Muğla’s most captivating destinations, offering visitors a harmonious mix of history, natural beauty, and cultural charm. A Paradise of Hidden Coves and Scenic Routes With its rich biodiversity and the legendary ancient city of Knidos, Datça is home to 52 pristine bays and inlets. On the Aegean side, sailing enthusiasts and blue cruise travelers often visit Gökçeler Bükü, Küçük Çatı, Büyük Çatı, Kızılağaç, Alavara, Çakal, Damlacık, Mersincik,…

Turkey’s cruise industry, valued at $3 billion in 2023, is poised for significant growth in 2025, fueled by new winter cruises and the ongoing geopolitical instability affecting other eastern Mediterranean destinations. Cruise ship traffic plays a crucial role in the revenue of Turkish port operators, such as Global Ports Holding, and the wider tourism sector. Global Ports Holding anticipates a 25% increase in cruise ship arrivals this year, with the number of…

Restaurant and café owners in Jordan are urging the government to lift the ban on shisha, the popular waterpipe smoking device, after a noticeable decline in demand, particularly in tourist restaurants. The call comes as Jordan’s tourism sector struggles, with figures showing a 4% drop in tourism revenue and a 7% fall in tourist numbers in 2024, largely due to regional conflicts in the Middle East. Shisha was banned in public spaces…

Dubai Taxi Company has declared a total dividend payout of AED282 million ($77 million) for 2024, reflecting a strong financial performance and a nearly 50% increase in its share price since its listing on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) in December 2023. For 2024, the company’s revenue rose by 12% year-on-year, reaching AED2.2 billion. In line with its policy to distribute at least 85% of annual net profit, the taxi operator’s board…

Saudi Arabia is focusing heavily on high-end tourism to establish itself as a premier global destination, with plans to invest $800 billion in expanding its tourism sector. The country has partnered with Arsenale Group, known for Italy’s La Dolce Vita Orient Express project, to introduce the Middle East’s first luxury train cruise. The luxury train, dubbed Dream of the Desert, will offer guests a lavish experience, traveling 1,300 kilometers from Riyadh to Al…

Emaar Properties, Dubai’s largest publicly listed developer by market capitalization, plans to increase its investments in Egypt to $25 billion over the next three years, up from its current commitment of $18 billion. This expansion reflects the company’s growing confidence in the Egyptian real estate market, according to Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar. The company, through its subsidiary Emaar Misr Development, has already invested more than $3 billion in a partnership with…

The cost of dining out in Dubai is increasing, particularly when it comes to alcoholic beverages, with the city now ranked as the third-most expensive globally for a half-litre of draught beer, averaging $10.89, according to a survey by Numbeo. Qatar and Oman top the list, and this ranking was established before the reintroduction of a 30% alcohol tax at the start of 2025. Dubai’s alcohol market is controlled by a duopoly,…