The agreement for the 737 MAX order was finalized in the presence of His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye.

 The order comprises 100 firm Boeing 737-8 aircraft and options for an additional 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The agreement also includes substitution rights for the Boeing 737-10, the largest member of the 737 MAX family, providing Turkish Airlines with greater flexibility to align capacity with growing passenger demand across its network.

 Commenting on the agreement, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee Prof Murat Şeker stated: “This agreement marks another significant step in the continued expansion of our fleet. The new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will bring greater efficiency and flexibility to our operations, supporting the extensive network we serve from our hub in Istanbul. We are pleased to build on our longstanding cooperation with Boeing through an agreement that also supports Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem.”

President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes Stephanie Pope stated: “This order reflects the trust and shared vision that have defined our long-standing partnership with Turkish Airlines. We’re proud to continue our support of Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem and Turkish Airlines as it grows its Istanbul-based network, connecting more people and destinations worldwide.”

  The new aircraft will strengthen the flag carrier’s short- and medium-haul operations, particularly on high-demand domestic and international routes. The Boeing 737-8’s range, payload flexibility along with 20% reduced emissions and fuel consumption will support the flag carrier’s evolving operational requirements as it continues to expand its fleet and network.

 Turkish Airlines (including AJet) currently operates more than 200 Boeing aircraft, consisting of the 737 MAX, 737 Next-Generation, 787 Dreamliner, 777 and 777 Freighter. The latest order further strengthens the longstanding cooperation between the flag carrier and Boeing, building on the 75 787 Dreamliner order from 2025.

 In addition to this milestone agreement, this year Turkish Airlines and Boeing also signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Industrial Participation, establishing a framework for long term cooperation structured around three key pillars: Skill Development, Value Creation and Business Awards. Through these pillars, the framework aims to support capability development, technology and know-how transfer, human skill development, enhance sustainability journey and generate new business and industrial cooperation opportunities.             Together with the industrial participation framework, the agreement reflects Boeing’s long-term commitment to supporting Türkiye’s aviation ecosystem, broadening the scope of the partnership beyond fleet expansion

In 2024, tourism generated 10.9 trillion dollars, nearly 10 percent of global GDP, and is projected to reach 16.5 trillion dollars by 2035. AI in the tourism market is expected to grow from 3.4 billion dollars in 2024 to 13.9 billion dollars by 2030; destinations face a clear choice, evolve with coordinated AI adoption or risk fragmentation, inefficiency, and diminished traveler satisfaction.

Released ahead of the inaugural TOURISE Summit in Riyadh this November 11 to 13, 2025, the white paper offers a roadmap for public and private sector leaders to apply AI across five key dimensions: experience, operations, sustainability, wellbeing, and economic opportunity. The goal is to help destinations across the entire tourism ecosystem to act now, scale responsibly, and remain human-centered.

A Coordinated Model for the Future of Travel

Agentic Tourism introduces a system of autonomous AI agents governed by people and shared standards. These agents are designed to deliver measurable impact. They aim to reduce wait times, boost satisfaction scores, increase eco-friendly bookings, and unlock new economic value. The model includes five agent archetypes:

• Experience Maximizer curates and adapts itineraries in real time, managing disruptions and enhancing personalization.
• Operations Optimizer balances staff, assets, and services to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks.
• Regeneration Guardian surfaces environmental and social impacts to promote responsible travel choices.
• Wellness Agent uses contextual data to support traveler health, comfort, and safety.
• Opportunity Connector matches visitors’ interests to local networks, events, and collaborators to create economic value.

The white paper serves as a strategic playbook, helping tourism destinations, governments, operators, platforms, and communities, implement these innovations without losing the human touch that defines meaningful travel.

“Agentic Tourism is not just a model. It is a movement and those who adopt it first will shape the trajectory of future sector disruption,” said His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of TOURISE, “AI empowers every country to embrace an era that uplifts both established and emerging destinations, ensuring inclusive access for all. To accelerate innovation across tourism and its converging sectors, TOURISE will continue to collaborate with industry experts on a series of white papers presenting actionable data and high-impact research to address the sector’s most pressing challenges.”

“Tourism’s next chapter will be championed by destinations that orchestrate technology around people, not the other way around,” said Martín Migoya, CEO and Co Founder at Globant. “Agentic Tourism provides a blueprint to digitize end-to-end digital experiences so hosts, travel operators, and destinations can transform isolated innovations into interconnected, adaptive and meaningful interactions at every journey.”

1. Growth in GCC Tourism to Moscow

Q: How has Moscow experienced growth in tourist inflow from the UAE and GCC in recent years?
Over the past few years, Moscow has seen consistent growth in inbound tourism from the Gulf region. In fact, in 2024 alone, the city welcomed 337,400 visitors from the Middle East — a 1.4-fold increase compared to the previous year. Notably, the UAE is among our fastest-growing markets, with arrivals rising from 18,200 in 2019 to over 62,100 in 2024.

This upward trend is no coincidence. It is supported by improved air connectivity, simplified entry procedures, and tailored travel experiences. Moreover, satisfaction levels are high, with Middle Eastern visitors giving Moscow an average rating of 8.2 out of 10, according to our research. Clearly, we are moving in the right direction when it comes to accessibility, comfort, and hospitality.

2. Why GCC Travelers Should Visit Moscow

Q: Why should travellers from the UAE and GCC consider Moscow as their next holiday destination?
Moscow offers a compelling mix of centuries-old landmarks and modern flair. For example, Red Square, the Kremlin, the Bolshoi Theatre, and the Tretyakov Gallery are iconic sites that continue to attract Emirati and GCC visitors.

In addition, families enjoy attractions such as Dream Island Park, the Moscow Zoo, and the Central Children’s Store. Meanwhile, art lovers are increasingly drawn to the GES-2 House of Culture and the Museum of Russian Impressionism. Furthermore, Moscow City, with its skyscrapers and luxury shopping, provides a distinctly contemporary experience. Additionally, green urban spaces like Zaryadye Park and VDNH showcase ecological design and interactive museums.

Ultimately, the diversity of experiences — whether it’s exploring historic estates, cruising along the Moskva River, or enjoying panoramic views from Europe’s tallest Ferris wheel — makes Moscow a destination that appeals to all ages and travel styles.

3. Initiatives for Middle Eastern Tourists

Q: What initiatives has Moscow introduced to cater to Middle Eastern tourists?
To better serve Middle Eastern visitors, we’ve launched several targeted initiatives. These include regional marketing campaigns, strategic partnerships with tour operators, and active participation in key travel industry events.

For instance, in 2024, we hosted UAE Culture Days in Moscow, which welcomed more than 300,000 attendees and celebrated cultural exchange. Additionally, we developed the Muslim-Friendly Guide to Moscow, offering information on halal restaurants, prayer facilities, and cultural points of interest.

Moreover, five major tourist centres across the city now assist in Arabic and English. Over 100 certified guides are available in multiple languages. We also introduced a Welcome Pack for Middle Eastern guests, featuring discounts on accommodation, wellness, restaurants, and local experiences.

Thanks to the Discover Moscow portal and our official Snapchat account, visitors can easily access up-to-date tips and recommendations in both English and Arabic. As a result, planning a trip to Moscow has never been more convenient for GCC travelers.

4. Family-Friendly Experiences in Moscow

Q: How does Moscow cater to family experiences?
Moscow is increasingly recognized as a family-oriented destination. The city offers a wide variety of experiences for all ages — from nature-filled eco-parks and green boulevards to aquaparks, interactive museums, and amusement parks like Dream Island.

One of the highlights is the ‘Summer in Moscow’ festival. Designed with families in mind, it includes open-air theatre, live music, creative workshops, and cultural markets. These events are held in parks, estates, and central boulevards, encouraging families to explore the city together in a festive atmosphere. Best of all, most events are free and open to everyone — from Muscovites to international guests.

Consequently, with its safe infrastructure, welcoming hospitality, and child-friendly programming, Moscow continues to position itself as a top choice for families from the UAE and the broader GCC.

5. New Attractions in Moscow This Summe

Q: What are the newest attractions or experiences that Moscow is offering this summer season?
Summer is the perfect time to visit Moscow. From June to August, the city hosts the annual ‘Summer in Moscow’ festival, featuring over 1,000 outdoor events across parks, cultural venues, and heritage sites. Key highlights include:

• Moscow Estates Festival – Over 40 historic estates host theatrical performances and immersive heritage activities.
• Theatre Boulevard – A 92-day cultural season with more than 600 live shows across 14 open-air stages and over 3,000 performers.
• Gardens and Flowers Festival – Rare botanical installations and vibrant floral displays transform city parks and public spaces.
• Music in the Parks – Live jazz, rock, electronic, and acoustic music in iconic venues like Gorky Park and VDNH.
• Forum Moscow 2030 – A citywide forum-festival designed to immerse youth and families in the technologies, culture, and lifestyles of tomorrow’s world.

In conclusion, these seasonal events allow visitors to enjoy Moscow’s artistic and cultural energy in a refreshing and engaging environment. For those looking beyond the summer months, Moscow in winter is equally enchanting — with snow-covered streets, sparkling decorations, festive markets, and traditional seasonal events. Therefore, whether in summer or winter, Moscow is a year-round destination offering unforgettable experiences.

Speak about the key benefits that the ExploreTECH platform will provide to technology providers and buyers

The platform will provide users with a unified source of information for multiple technology providers. They can access the latest tech solutions that complement or further develop their strategic goals. Through the platform, they also have access to verified user reviews and can conduct a comprehensive vendor comparison for informed decision-making. Buyers on the platform have access to a global network with established vendor relationships, and ExploreTECH can deliver turnkey implementation and on-demand project support based on the requirements through our Voice of the Expert consultancy model.

The subscriptions are divided into four tiers so that every tech provider can find a subscription that meets their needs, whatever their current market penetration level.This is beneficial to all solution providers, regardless of their current level of market penetration.

Ralph Melis Co-Founder & Managing Partner

How does the platform stand out from its competitors if any? 

ExploreTECH is the only platform of its kind to use both English and Arabic comprehensively throughout, and so reaches a wider audience than any other. Simultaneously, ExploreTECH positions itself as a trustworthy and objective source of key technology insights. Using our subject matter expertise, we also enable buyers to more comprehensively understand how technology solutions can assist them in the formation of long-term strategies to improve business processes and profitability.

Tell us about what sorts of consultancy services ExploreTECH offers its customers

On the ExploreTECH platform, you can receive genuine subject matter advice on a variety of subjects, enabling a new kind of digital strategy development for users and technology providers alike. In addition, by lending the voice of the expert that ExploreTECH has developed with subject matter specialists, tech providers will be able to use our advice and expertise to enhance their go-to-market strategy, benefit from increased brand awareness and grow their target audience.

Here are some of the topics that enterprises can select from to receive advisory services from our experts:

• Travel distribution contracts and growing direct channels
• Benchmarking and comparing corporate booking tools in travel
• Strategies on how to work with metasearch in travel
• Better retailing for travel agencies and travel management companies
• Infrastructure technology design
• Hotel pre-opening and re-flagging,
• Hospitality distribution and technology, and more

Discuss the growing reliance of hospitality and travel industries on technology in the coming years 

Technology adoption had been important for many years, but the global pandemic only accelerated the inevitable and pushed it to the forefront of business management. Suddenly, businesses were being forced to adapt new touchless technologies, add new revenue streams and monitoring systems. Remote working and distributed teams used to be the exception but they are now almost business as usual for many.

Even when businesses do embrace new technology, they still face several challenges which a difficult to overcome without expert insight. In terms of adopting new technology, or enhancing the existing technology stack of a business, there is a different skill set required between initiators and operators, and this is often neglected. This leads to underutilization of the investment made or simply a wrong deployment

We want to see technology adoption and digital transformation improve significantly in a region that until today has proven to be resilient to the impact of the pandemic.