Arab Tourist Forum 2026.. From organizing trips to creating “travel experiences” | Tourism and travel

LONDON – The British capital hosted the first edition of the Arab Tourist Forum, with the participation of content makers, media figures, influencers, representatives of Arab communities, and figures from the tourism and business sectors, with the aim of reshaping the concept of tourism and travel for the Arab traveler.

Content creator Nabil Al-Sufi, who presented the forum’s activities, said that Arab tourists are looking for meaningful experiences that respect their cultural privacy and give them a sense of belonging wherever they travel, noting that the choice of London came about because it is a global model of diversity and cultural coexistence.

Privacy of the Arab traveler

For his part, Dr. Muhammad Haider, an academic and economic expert specializing in the tourism sector, stressed that the global tourism market still lacks sufficient understanding of the privacy of the Arab traveler, which represents a great opportunity to develop products and services more suitable for this segment.

He added that the Arab tourist “travels to tell a story, not to buy a memory,” calling on Arab tourism companies to invest in building tourism experiences and narratives that take into account the cultural and human dimension of the traveler.

During his speech, Anas Al-Qadi, CEO of Sawa Travel, reviewed the company’s new vision based on moving from the concept of “tourist trips” to “tourist experiences,” transforming the company’s role from a traditional intermediary to a partner in the travel experience industry.

Al-Qadi stressed that the real value does not lie in providing tickets and reservations only, but rather in providing integrated experiences that enable the Arab traveler to discover new cultures and experience distinctive human experiences, which make the trip more impactful and memorable.

He said that the launch of this forum in London carries a clear message that Arab communities in the diaspora now have the ability to create qualitative initiatives and create spaces for serious dialogue about their presence, influence and role in the world.

The forum witnessed the launch of two new projects that embody the vision of moving from “tourist trips” to “tourist experiences.”

Renewal of married life

The first project is (Restart Camp), presented by the influencer Ghazal Al-Baghdadi, which is scheduled to be held in the Maldives starting next August 21 at the Anantara Resort, and targets couples who want to renew their marital life and enhance communication between them.

She stressed that human relations need constant renewal, noting that the initiative provides couples with an opportunity to move away from the pressures of daily life and rebuild dialogue and understanding in an exceptional environment that combines comfort and contemplation.

The second project is (London Talks), in cooperation with trainer and influencer Nancy Al-Arabi, which is scheduled to be organized next September 9 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, and provides an integrated linguistic experience for the Arab audience in the British capital.

Nancy Al-Arabi explained that learning the English language is not limited to studying grammar and vocabulary, but rather depends on daily practice within its natural environment, stressing that the initiative allows participants to have a realistic experience that combines language learning and direct interaction through coexistence with society and culture in London, which enhances confidence and linguistic fluency faster and more effectively.

Fatima Anida, Director of The Mayfair Hotels Group, also spoke, stressing that what distinguishes the Arab Tourist Forum is its focus on creating tourist experiences at a time when traditional trips have begun to lose many of the elements of innovation and fascination. She explained that this vision was one of the most prominent reasons for the group’s cooperation with Sawa Travel and supporting its new projects directed at the Arab traveler.

At the conclusion of the forum, Nabil Al-Sufi stressed that the first edition represents the beginning of a project that aspires to become an annual forum that brings together those interested in tourism, travel, and content creation from various parts of the Arab world.

The event concluded amid great interaction from the attendees, who praised the ideas and projects presented, stressing the importance of developing Arab tourism from the concept of organizing trips to creating deeper and more impactful human experiences.

The Arab Tourist Forum is a first step towards establishing a periodic initiative to launch innovative tourism projects and experiences that meet the aspirations of the Arab traveler and keep pace with modern transformations in the global tourism industry.