Dubai is always upping the ante when it comes to mind-blowing attractions, and the city has once again outdone itself with a slew of incredible new openings. From thrilling entertainment hubs to immersive art experiences, here are the hottest new additions that belong on every visitor's Dubai itinerary.

Marsa Boulevard: A Waterfront Wonderland

The city's new Marsa Boulevard in Dubai Creek embodies quintessential Dubai charm. This laidback seasonal destination comes alive with food pop-ups, fashion showcases, live performances and engaging workshops. Foodies can savor creative dishes from homegrown concepts like Reif Japanese Kushiyaki, Chef Nouel Catis, SLAB and Lost in Tokyo, while those looking for a cultural experience will find plenty to keep them entertained.

• Location: Dubai Festival City, Marsa Al Khor, Dubai

Dubai On & Off Bus: Explore the City with Ease

Discover Dubai's top attractions with the new Dubai On & Off Bus by RTA. This sightseeing bus connects you to eight must-visit spots, including the Museum of the Future, Dubai Frame and the iconic Gold Souk. Enjoy the flexibility to hop on and off as you please, all while taking in the city's stunning landmarks from the comfort of the bus.

• Price: AED35
• Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
• Location: Dubai Mall Bus Station, Downtown Dubai, Dubai

House of Hype: An Epic Entertainment Hub

Blending entertainment, gaming, fashion and food, House of Hype in Dubai Mall Chinatown promises over 100 immersive experiences. Explore 50 gaming stations, 18 interactive worlds, 55 content creator stages, 14 shopping destinations and six dining venues - all under one roof. Uncover hidden rooms, catch spontaneous shows and get ready for nonstop excitement.

• Price: From AED149
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10am to midnight
• Location: Level One, Chinatown, Dubai Mall

Marsa Al Arab Walk: A Waterfront Promenade with a View

The new Marsa Al Arab Walk in Jumeirah offers exceptional vistas of the iconic Burj Al Arab and a marina lined with upscale restaurants like Public, SALT and Meat The Fish. Stroll along this picturesque promenade and soak up the luxury yachting lifestyle.

• Location: Al Darmeet Street - Umm Suqeim - Jumeirah 3 - Dubai

Swingers Crazy Golf: A Hole-in-One Experience

Tee off on one of three intricate nine-hole mini golf courses at Swingers Crazy Golf on Bluewaters Island. This 22,000 sq ft venue features loops, bumps and even moving obstacles, ensuring an unforgettable round of golf every time.

• Price: From AED80
• Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday 3pm-1am, Thursday and Friday: 3pm-2am, Saturday 12noon-2am and Sunday 12noon-1am.
• Location: Bluewaters Island - Dubai

Ain Dubai: The World's Tallest Observation Wheel

No Dubai visit is complete without a ride on the iconic Ain Dubai. Standing at an impressive 250m, this bucket-list experience offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the city's coastline, Dubai Marina and famous landmarks.

• Price: From AED145 per person
• Opening hours: Ain Dubai operates between 12 to 8:30pm from Tuesday to Friday and 11am to 8:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. It is closed on Mondays.
• Location: Bluewaters Island, Dubai

Activate: Unleash Your Inner Athlete

Put your mental and physical agility to the test at Activate in City Centre Mirdif. This high-tech gaming experience features over 50 challenges across 10 levels, from easy to extreme. Collaborate with friends or compete against them to climb the scoreboard.

• Price: From AED95
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm and Saturday to Sunday 10am to 12 midnight
• Location: City Centre Mirdif, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Rd, Mirdif, Dubai

The Smash Room City: Unleash Your Stress

Channel your inner rage at The Smash Room City's themed rooms in Sports Society Mirdif. From an office to a supermarket, you can choose your setting and start smashing electronics, glassware and more to your heart's content.

Five Iron Golf Dubai: Tee Off Indoors

Master your swing at Five Iron Golf Dubai, the world's largest indoor golf venue. With 17 state-of-the-art simulators, a mini golf course, putting green and more, this arena offers entertainment for all levels, from beginners to pros.

• Price: From AED149
• Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday - 7am to midnight, Friday and Saturday 7am to 2am.
• Location: Beach Resort & Marina - The Westin - Dubai Marina - Dubai

Boo Boo Laand: An Enchanting Play Haven

Spanning 25,000 sq ft in Dubai Mall, Boo Boo Laand is a whimsical wonderland for children. Little ones can explore princess-themed areas, sports zones, a snow park, trampolines and much more, while parents indulge in the onsite nail spa and café.

• Ticket prices: From AED150 for two hours (for ages one to two) and AED190 (for ages three to 15). Infants under one year old can enter for free
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 10am to 11pm and Friday to Sunday: 10am to 12 midnight
• Location: Dubai Mall - Shop 321, 1st Floor, Chinatown, Downtown Dubai, Dubai

Chaos Karts: Adrenaline-Fueled Go-Karting

Strap on your helmet and get ready to zip around Chaos Karts' state-of-the-art circuits, which use digital projections and augmented reality to transport you to thrilling destinations like the Arabian desert and an out-of-this-world cosmos course.

• Price: From AED104
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 1pm to 11pm and Friday to Sunday 11am to 11pm
• Location: Chaos Karts UAE, 6A Street, Al Quoz, Dubai

Museum of Candy: A Sweet Dreamland

Dive into a vibrant, Instagrammable world of confectionery at the world's first Museum of Candy. Explore eight zones filled with interactive exhibits and create your own sugary treats in the Candy Lab.

• Price: From AED119
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10am to 10pm and Friday to Sunday 10am to 12am
• Location: Umm Hurair Road, Oud Metha, Dubai

Loco Bear: An Indoor Playground for All

Embrace the chaos at Loco Bear in Al Quoz, an indoor entertainment paradise packed with trampolines, laser tag arenas, a bowling alley, virtual reality experiences and more. Burn off energy, test your skills and make unforgettable memories.

• Price: The cost varies according to activity.
• Opening Hours: Loco Bear opens at 12pm (Monday to Friday) and 11am (Saturday and Sunday), and closes at 10pm (Sunday to Thursday) and 11pm (Friday and Saturday)
• Location: Al Quoz 2, Dubai

Real Madrid World: Football Fanatics' Dream

Become a Real Madrid super-fan at the world's first football theme park, Real Madrid World. Conquer thrilling rides like the region's first wooden roller coaster, Hala Madrid, and feel the rush of the Stars Flyer, the world's tallest amusement ride.

• Price: Tickets start from AED295 online.
• Opening Hours: 12-9pm (Sunday to Thursday) and 12-10pm (Friday and Saturday)
• Location: Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai

ARTE MUSEUM Dubai: An Immersive Art Journey

Step into a mesmerizing digital art experience at ARTE MUSEUM Dubai. Spanning 2,800 sq m in Dubai Mall, this immersive gallery uses cutting-edge technology to showcase captivating exhibits under the theme of 'Eternal Nature'.

• Price:  Tickets start from AED69
• Opening Hours: 10am-11pm (Monday to Thursday) and 10am-12am (Friday to Sunday)
• Location: Dubai Mall - Level 2 Financial Center Rd - opposite Galerie Lafayette - Downtown Dubai - Dubai

GLITCH: Gaming and Gravity-Defying Fun

Challenge your friends and family to a round of bowling, SkySurf (the city's first roller glider experience) or a ninja warrior-style course at GLITCH in Al Ghurair Centre.

• Price: From AED25
• Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, 10am - 11pm, extended to midnight on weekends
• Location: Level 2, Al Ghurair Centre - Deira - Dubai

Market Island: Dubai's Premier Food Hall

Embark on a global culinary adventure at Market Island, the largest food hall in the Middle East, located in Dubai Festival City Mall. Discover a mouthwatering selection of over 50 international and local food outlets.

• Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 10am to 11pm and Friday to Sunday 10am to midnight
• Location: Dubai Festival City Mall - Crescent Drive - Dubai Festival City - Dubai

SuperPark Dubai: An Indoor Wonderland

Unleash your inner child at SuperPark Dubai in City Centre Mirdif. This 40,000 sq ft indoor playground features sliding mountains, climbing structures, pedal car tracks, ziplines and sports courts to keep you entertained for hours.

• Price: A one-hour session at SuperPark Dubai costs AED90.
• Opening Hours: 10am to midnight
• Location: Level 1, City Centre Mirdif

Dubai Crocodile Park: A Reptilian Retreat

Marvel at over 250 Nile crocodiles in their natural habitat at Dubai Crocodile Park, adjacent to Mushrif Park. Get up close with these fascinating creatures at various feeding stations and learn more about them in the onsite museum.

• Price: AED75 (Ages three to 12) and AED95 (Ages 13 and up)
• Opening Hours: 10am-10pm
• Location: Mushrif - Dubai

These attractions promise to elevate your Dubai experience, offering something for everyone from adventure seekers to food lovers. Don’t miss out on these exciting new additions!

Kuwait has officially approved the issuance of seven-day transit visas for select travelers entering the country via land, particularly through the Abdali border crossing, as part of its strategy to streamline border procedures and enhance regional mobility. The new visa policy, directed by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef, specifically targets Gulf citizens, expatriates residing in GCC countries, European nationals, and diplomatic personnel, especially those arriving from Iraq or transiting through Iran.

Colonel Waleed Al-Azmi, Director of the Abdali Border Crossing Administration, announced that the transit visa allows eligible non-residents to stay in Kuwait for up to seven days, enabling travel between Abdali Port and Kuwait International Airport, or vice versa, to organize onward journeys or complete necessary travel arrangements. The visa is not extendable and does not permit holders to work or study in Kuwait.

To apply, travelers must present a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed onward ticket, and proof of transit, such as accommodation details or supporting documents for their next destination. The visa application can be submitted through the Kuwait Port Authority, Kuwaiti consulates, or, for some nationalities, via an online portal. The processing fee is KWD 2 (about USD 6.50).

Diplomatic personnel and embassy representatives are also permitted to be present at the border to assist their nationals during the entry and exit process, ensuring smoother procedures and additional support. This move is coordinated between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with certain exceptions and special exemptions available for select nationalities.

The introduction of the 7-day transit visa reflects Kuwait’s broader efforts to facilitate cross-border movement, support regional connectivity, and maintain robust security and compliance at its borders

Thailand’s tourism sector is facing significant challenges as the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict disrupts travel from key Middle Eastern markets. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) warns that arrivals from five countries Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria could drop by as much as 50%, with early signs of decline already evident in popular destinations like Phuket due to airspace closures.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor of the TAT, explained that several major airlines flying to Thailand including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Oman Air, and SalamAir have rerouted flights to avoid conflict zones. Tehran-based Mahan Air has temporarily suspended its Bangkok and Phuket routes, causing the Iranian market to effectively vanish during this period.

These five countries represent about 7% of Middle Eastern visitors to Thailand, with the region (excluding Israel) accounting for 100,781 travelers in June 2024. The timing of the conflict coincides with the Eid al-Adha festival, a peak travel period that last year brought 7,165 tourists from these markets. This year, arrivals are expected to fall sharply to between 3,500 and 5,000 as tourists and airlines postpone trips amid uncertainty.

The TAT is also monitoring potential longer-term impacts on larger Middle Eastern markets such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, which together contribute 80% of Thailand’s Middle East tourism. Concerns over air travel safety could further dampen demand, affecting hotels in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, which are popular with Middle Eastern visitors.

If the conflict is resolved soon, arrivals may begin to recover in July. Some airlines, including Royal Jordanian Airlines, plan to launch new routes, such as the Amman-Bangkok service starting in August. However, a full recovery depends on how long and severe the conflict’s effects prove to be.

The TAT aims to attract 1.06 million visitors from the Middle East in 2025, an 11% increase over last year, and generate approximately 86 billion baht in revenue. As the situation evolves, Thailand’s tourism industry remains cautiously optimistic but vigilant about the challenges ahead.

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has reiterated that fees paid for exit and re-entry visas are strictly non-refundable, even if the visa is canceled—a policy that has been reconfirmed as thousands of expatriates plan their summer travel. This clarification was issued following a public inquiry from a resident, to which Jawazat responded unequivocally: “If the exit and re-entry visa is cancelled, the fees are non-refundable”.

Under current regulations, a single exit and re-entry visa costs 200 Saudi riyals and is valid for up to two months, with an additional 100 riyals for each extra month, provided the resident’s permit (iqama) remains valid. For multiple exit and re-entry visas, the fee is 500 riyals for up to three months, and 200 riyals for each additional month.

Notably, for residents who are already outside the Kingdom and need to extend their visas, the extension fees are doubled—200 riyals per month for a single visa and 400 riyals per month for a multiple visa.

The process for issuing, canceling, or extending these visas is managed digitally through the Absher platform. To cancel a visa, users must log in, access “Services for Sponsors,” select the relevant individual, and confirm the cancellation; however, the fee remains non-refundable regardless of the reason for cancellation.

Recent regulatory updates have also introduced higher fees for expatriates outside Saudi Arabia, including doubled extension charges and increased costs for renewing residency permits (Iqama) abroad. Penalties for not using or canceling a visa within the allowed time can be steep, starting at 1,000 riyals for the first offense and rising to 3,000 riyals for repeated violations. Overstaying outside Saudi Arabia after a visa expires incurs a fine of 100 USD per month.

These rules apply to all visa holders, including professionals, domestic workers, and dependents, and are part of broader changes to residency and travel regulations aimed at streamlining processes and ensuring compliance. Authorities urge residents to carefully plan their travel and visa applications, as changes or cancellations will not result in a refund of paid fees.

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is showing promising signs of recovery, with a 33% year-on-year (YoY) increase in tourist arrivals during the first 10 days of June 2025. The island welcomed 43,962 visitors compared to 33,017 in the same period last year.

The daily average number of tourists also rose significantly, reaching 4,396 visitors per day, up from 3,302 during the first 10 days of June 2024. This uptick is encouraging, especially given that June is traditionally an off-season month for travel to Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) projects 177,257 arrivals for the entire month of June. However, industry stakeholders remain cautious due to a shortfall in arrivals during the first five months of 2025. From January to May, tourist arrivals missed projections by a cumulative 279,452 visitors, underscoring ongoing challenges in converting interest into actual visits despite improving macroeconomic conditions.

Between January 1 and June 10, 2025, Sri Lanka welcomed over 1.07 million tourists, marking a 16% increase compared to 927,196 visitors during the same period in 2024. Notably, arrivals in January, February, and May 2025 exceeded pre-pandemic levels seen in 2018, highlighting Sri Lanka’s renewed appeal as a travel destination.

Despite these positive trends, consistent growth remains elusive. A key hurdle has been the delay in launching a global tourism campaign, which has not been updated in 16 years. The much-anticipated ‘Nation Branding’ campaign, set to launch on June 26, is expected to boost Sri Lanka’s visibility in key markets and drive higher arrivals during the lucrative winter season.

In June 2025, India, the UK, and Bangladesh emerged as the top source markets, contributing 12,362, 3,740, and 2,717 tourists respectively. Year-to-date, India leads with 216,422 arrivals, followed by Russia (111,285) and the UK (100,014). These markets remain central to Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery strategy.

Sri Lanka aims to attract 3 million tourists and generate $5 billion in tourism revenue by the end of 2025. To meet this target, the industry needs to draw approximately 1.93 million visitors 64.2% of the annual goal during the remaining months of the year. So far, the sector has generated over $1.54 billion in revenue in the first five months, with $3.46 billion still needed to reach the target.

In 2024, Sri Lanka’s tourism revenue reached $3.16 billion, a substantial 53.2% increase from $2.07 billion in 2023, reflecting the sector’s strong recovery momentum.

Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming Nation Branding campaign and further developments in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry.

Starting July 1, 2025, residents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) holding valid residency permits will be able to enter Armenia without a visa, marking a significant expansion of Armenia’s visa-free travel policy. Previously, only UAE nationals enjoyed visa-free access, while expatriate residents had to obtain visas on arrival.

The new policy applies to residents with residency permits valid for at least six months and allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period for tourism, leisure, or business purposes.

This change is part of a broader Armenian government initiative to enhance tourism, investment, and economic ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. The policy also aligns with Armenia’s visa-free arrangements for residents of the European Union, the Schengen Area, and the United States.

The Armenian cabinet approved this reform in May 2025 to facilitate easier travel for expatriates living in these economically significant regions and to boost Armenia’s attractiveness as a destination for short-term visitors and business travelers.

Armenia’s strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, combined with its rich cultural heritage—including UNESCO World Heritage monasteries like Geghard and Khor Virap—and natural attractions such as Lake Sevan and Dilijan National Park, makes it an appealing destination for UAE residents, particularly expatriates.

The country is accessible via direct flights from Dubai and other UAE cities through airlines such as flydubai, Air Arabia, and Wizz Air. Armenian tourism officials expect the visa-free entry for UAE residents to increase tourist arrivals, strengthen economic relations, and promote business engagements between Armenia and the GCC.

Lusine Gevorgyan, Chairperson of Armenia’s Tourism Committee, emphasized that this milestone reflects Armenia’s commitment to making the country more accessible to regional travelers seeking meaningful cultural and leisure experiences. The visa waiver is also expected to encourage more frequent travel and investment flows, with officials optimistic about a rise in direct flights and business cooperation.

In summary, from July 1, 2025, UAE residents with valid residency permits will benefit from visa-free entry to Armenia for up to 90 days, a move designed to enhance tourism, business, and bilateral relations between Armenia and the GCC region.