Travel Unpacked: Saudi Arabia unveils luxury desert train designs and Emirates opens new lounge

Emirates has opened a new lounge and the UAE has been named a top global destination for winter tourism. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has unveiled the final designs for its anticipated Dream of the Desert rail project, and Osaka, Japan has clamped down on public smoking ahead of hosting Expo 2025 . Here is a round-up of recent travel and tourism news – in case you missed it. Saudi Arabia Railways and Italian luxury hospital group Arsenale have revealed the final designs for the Dream of the Desert rail project, which aims to be the first five-star luxury train in the Middle East. It consists of 14 carriages that house 34 luxury suites and one restaurant, with a menu that will be curated by local and international chefs. Departing from Riyadh , the train will cross the Northern Railway network, allowing travellers to explore some of the kingdom’s heritage and natural sites. It will travel will travel approximately 1,250 kilometres from the Saudi capital to Al Qurayyat in the north of the country, close to the Jordanian border. Reservations have not opened but the first journey is currently slated to take place in the third quarter of 2026. Inspired by the desert landscape and traditional Saudi architecture, the interiors are sandy, with golds, beiges and darker tones, coupled with intricate Art Deco-inspired decorative details. Architectural elements and motifs from famous Saudi landmarks – including AlUla, Hegra and Hail – are also elegantly incorporated into the train’s design. The World Travel and Tourism Council has reported that the UAE received 29.2 million international tourists in 2024, ranking it first in the region and 18th in the world (up seven places from 2023) during the winter tourism season. The report further projects that the number of international visitors will reach 45.5 million by 2033. As part of its Tourism Strategy 2031, the UAE aims to attract Dh100 billion worth of investment in tourism and welcome 40 million hotel guests. With mild winter weather and diverse attractions, the UAE remains a popular destination. It recently launched its fifth “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign, highlighting the country’s cultural and natural experiences. Emirates has opened its new lounge at Bangkok ’s Suvarnabhumi Airport in the SAT-1 Terminal, offering an upgraded experience for premium travellers. The $5 million refurbishment has transformed the space into the airline’s largest international lounge outside Dubai. Spanning 1,454 square metres, it can accommodate up to 250 guests. First and business-class passengers, along with eligible Skywards members, can relax in the new lounge, which features shower spas, complimentary Wi-Fi and a diverse menu of local and international dishes as well as Thai desserts. As part of its mission to enhance the travel experience, Emirates operates six daily flights from Bangkok and now has 41 airport lounges worldwide, including seven in Dubai and 34 across its global network. Hilton has opened its highly anticipated Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi, offering impressive views of the Nile. Located in Cairo’s Maadi district near the Museum of Civilisation, the hotel features 255 rooms and suites. The hotel has four food and drink outlets that have local and international flavours. It also features a spa, fitness centre with views of the Nile, an outdoor swimming pool and a children's pool. "We take a lot of pride in our newest hotel and look forward to welcoming visitors to experience everything the city has to offer," said hotel general manager Haitham Nassar. The Japanese city of Osaka has banned public smoking ahead of hosting this year’s Expo. Around 160 countries and regions will take part in Expo 2025, which is held in different countries every five years. It will run from April to October and is projected to welcome 28.2 million visitors. The ban on public smoking began on January 27 and includes parks, plazas, roads and other public places. Vapes are also banned. Smoking was previously banned in six zones, including the area around Osaka station. This has been expanded to the whole city and now violators face a fine of 1,000 yen ($6.45).

Travel Unpacked: Saudi Arabia unveils luxury desert train designs and Emirates opens new lounge

The National rounds up the most interesting tourism news you might have missed