Tourism and Travel

Forty-five motorcyclists arrived in Damascus as part of the 2026 Saudi-Syrian Motorcycle Rally, after travelling 1,700 kilometres over three days from Jeddah via Saudi cities and Jordan. The rally, which continues until 12 October, includes tours introducing participants to Syria’s natural, cultural and historical sites.

The Kom el Shoqafa Catacombs in Alexandria extend across three rock-cut levels reached by a spiral staircase more than 10 metres deep. The site dates to the second century AD and is distinguished by its blend of Egyptian and Roman architecture and art. A groundwater-lowering project opened its lowest level to visitors in 2019.

Doner kebab evolved from an ancient method of roasting meat into a recipe developed by Ottoman cooks before spreading across Europe, the Middle East and the Americas under different names and with varied methods of serving. Its history reveals links with shawarma, trompo and tacos árabes, as well as its transformation from street food into a dish served by major restaurants.

Seventy Russian tourists visited Panjshir province in a 13-vehicle convoy, while another 22 travelled to the Wakhan Corridor in Badakhshan, amid growing interest in Afghanistan’s mountain landscapes and adventure tourism, despite continuing challenges involving roads, accommodation and tourism services in some areas.

A Lufthansa aircraft diverted to the French city of Lyon after a portable power bank caught fire during a flight from Frankfurt to Lisbon carrying 198 passengers. The incident comes as reports of lithium battery incidents on aircraft rose by 15% in a year, alongside tighter rules governing their carriage and use in the cabin.

Births to tourist mothers on the US island of Saipan fell from 581 in 2018 to 47 in 2025 after entry requirements for Chinese travellers were tightened. The decline coincides with a US debate over birthright citizenship and security concerns that the entry route could be exploited, but there is no evidence linking the children to a Chinese intelligence programme.

Chinese restaurants in Cairo’s Abbassia district have become spaces bringing together recipes from eastern China, hospitality customs and the stories of their owners, including former Al-Azhar students and others who chose to settle and work in Egypt, benefiting from the district’s proximity to Islamic Missions City and the diversity of its customers.

Simple rules about seating, luggage, noise, food and cleanliness can make shared journeys more comfortable. Travel etiquette includes allowing passengers to get off before boarding, not reserving seats with bags, using headphones, respecting personal space and handling awkward situations calmly.

Visitors have flocked to the Kurtdere Plateau in Turkey’s Trabzon province to take photographs on a rock where Mohamed Salah, a Trabzonspor player, was pictured, and to imitate his sitting pose. Users have named it “Salah Taşı”, while a sign has been installed to make it easier to reach, prompting reactions from local residents and nearby traders.

Al-Badu Street, one of the oldest markets in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, continues to sell herding supplies, goat-hair tents, coffee implements and traditional clothing, but its commercial activity has declined as lifestyles have changed. The street, whose origins date back more than 70 years, retains its value as a witness to the history of the Badia and the city’s transformations.

Hawaii’s Stairway to Heaven spans 3,922 metal steps in the mountains of Oahu, but remains closed to the public because of safety concerns and legal liability. Those who enter the trail risk fines of up to $1,000, while the island offers legal alternative routes for enjoying its mountain scenery.

Palmyra has seen a gradual return of local and foreign visitors since December 2024, but tourism remains limited compared with pre-2011 levels. Workers and experts attribute this to damaged infrastructure, a shortage of hotels and services, and weak flows of European tourists, calling for rehabilitation plans and overseas promotion.

In Oran, paella has become a local dish combining seafood and Algerian cooking methods with a tradition brought from Spain. In the town of Ain El Turk, artisan Djamel Eddine Abassi serves his own version, cooking the rice in broth so it absorbs the flavors and attracting residents, tourists and Algerians living abroad.

The 27th Hama Spring Festival is continuing around the historic citadel, with hundreds of commercial, economic, educational, cultural and health-related participants covering more than 25,000 square metres. The programme runs for 15 days, with organisers expecting to attract large numbers of visitors and support tourism and economic activity in the governorate.

The global average air temperature reached 16.96°C in August 2026, making it the warmest August in Copernicus records dating back to 1940 and effectively tying July 2023 because of the tiny difference. Western Europe also recorded its warmest summer since records began.

The Eiffel Tower resumed operations in Paris on Tuesday morning after a strike protesting instructions that excluded female staff during a visit by a Hindu religious delegation. The operating company acknowledged that the request to limit interaction with women should not have been accepted, while the Hindu organization apologized for any harm or inconvenience caused by the incident.

Qatar Airways has launched a partnership with Uber for Business allowing members of the Beyond Business programme to exchange rewards points for Uber ride vouchers. The airline said the agreement helps companies combine air travel and ground transportation while managing employee travel expenses within a single system.