Gulf

Doha's Hamad International Airport has completed Phase A of its expansion programme, increasing annual passenger capacity to 70 million and adding a landmark central zone with new lounges, retail and a tropical indoor garden — as Qatar Airways' network growth drives HIA toward becoming the Middle East's largest airport hub by 2030.

Kuwait's Al Zour Refinery has reached its full designed production capacity of 615,000 barrels per day in 2026, making it the Gulf's largest refinery and one of the world's ten most productive, with output primarily targeting export markets in Asia and Europe and reducing Kuwait's dependence on imported petroleum products.

The Red Sea Project has opened five luxury resort properties on Saudi Arabia's virgin Red Sea coastline in 2026, marking the transition of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's signature tourism development from construction to commercial operation and bringing AMAALA and Shura Island's world-class dive sites within reach of international visitors.

Dubai welcomed over 5.5 million international overnight visitors in Q1 2026 — a record for the quarter — placing the city firmly on track to exceed 10 million for the full year, with hotel revenues, average daily rates and occupancy all at historic highs driven by MICE, luxury and sports tourism.

Oman's Muscat property market recorded 18% price growth in 2025 and is maintaining momentum in 2026, driven by Gulf investors diversifying beyond Dubai, Asian buyers attracted by Oman's residency-by-investment programme, and a growing expatriate professional community drawn by Oman's rising business environment rankings.