Emirates is encouraging Kenyan travellers to make the most of their summer holidays with a range of exclusive benefits for passengers travelling to or through Dubai.

The airline's latest summer campaign offers added value through complimentary hotel stays, citywide discounts and customised travel itineraries, making Dubai an even more attractive destination for both short stopovers and extended vacations.

Known for its year-round appeal, Dubai offers visitors a diverse mix of attractions, from world-famous landmarks and theme parks to museums, art galleries, shopping destinations and family-friendly experiences. Travellers can explore iconic attractions such as the Burj Khalifa or enjoy indoor activities designed to beat the summer heat.

Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates said, "Whether visitors are seeking relaxation, adventure, entertainment or a combination of all three, Dubai is the ideal start to any summer vacation. We're inviting passengers to enjoy even more of the city with a complimentary hotel stay to take advantage of the exceptional range of shopping, entertainment, dining and family-friendly experiences that define the Dubai summer experience, when stopping over as part of your journey or visiting Dubai as your final destination."

As part of the offer, Emirates passengers can enjoy a complimentary stay at the five-star JW Marriott Marquis, located in the heart of Dubai. Guests can experience the hotel's award-winning dining venues, wellness facilities, fitness centre, BodyBase studio and outdoor pool overlooking the city's skyline.

Travellers who purchase Emirates return tickets in First Class or Business Class between 22 June and 12 July will receive a complimentary two-night stay, while those travelling in Premium Economy Class or Economy Class can enjoy a one-night complimentary stay. The offer applies to return journeys to or through Dubai with a stopover exceeding 24 hours and is valid for travel between 25 June and 30 September.

To help visitors maximise their time in the city, Emirates is also promoting its Dubai Experience platform, which offers personalised 24-hour and 48-hour itineraries tailored to different travel preferences and interests.

The airline's popular My Emirates Pass has also returned for Summer 2026. Available with every Emirates boarding pass, the programme provides access to more than 600 offers across Dubai, including discounts at restaurants, spas, retail outlets and entertainment venues.

Visitors can also enjoy Dubai Summer Surprises 2026, which will run from 2 July to 30 August. The annual citywide festival will feature live entertainment, cultural programmes, wellness activities, shopping promotions and exclusive seasonal experiences.

Emirates currently operates two daily flights between Nairobi and Dubai, offering connections to more than 138 destinations worldwide, including London, Paris, Mumbai, Bangkok and New York.

The airline has also highlighted its flexible booking policy. Customers booking tickets after 2 April 2026 are eligible for one complimentary date change across all cabin classes, while the Hold My Fare option allows travellers to secure fares while finalising their travel plans.

FIFA World Cup 2026 continued to deliver excitement on and off the pitch as Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Austria in their Group J encounter, powered by a brilliant performance from Lionel Messi.

Despite missing an early penalty, Messi bounced back in style, scoring both goals to guide Argentina into the Round of 32 with a game to spare. His opening goal came in the 38th minute after he connected with a cross and found the net past Austria goalkeeper Schlager. The second goal sealed the victory and sent Argentine fans into celebration.

The win marked another milestone in Messi’s remarkable World Cup career. With 18 World Cup victories, he moved ahead of Miroslav Klose's record of 17 wins by a player. Messi also became only the third footballer in World Cup history to score in six consecutive matches, joining France's Just Fontaine and Brazil's Jairzinho. The Austrian defence, led by David Alaba, worked hard to contain him, but the Argentine captain once again proved decisive when it mattered most.

Argentina entered the match with confidence after a 3-0 win over Algeria, where Messi had scored a hat-trick. His latest brace takes his tally to four goals in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.

Elsewhere in Group I, France registered a dominant 3-0 victory over Iraq, while Norway produced another convincing performance to defeat Senegal by the same margin. The results further intensified the competition as teams battle for qualification to the knockout stages.

Beyond the football action, the tournament is also driving significant activity in the hospitality sector. New York has emerged as a major destination for luxury football tourism during the World Cup.

The Peninsula New York has introduced its World Soccer Championships Final Package, a five-night experience priced at up to $500,000. The package includes luxury suite accommodation, private airport transfers, premium access to the tournament final and a personalised concierge programme tailored to guests attending the closing weekend of the competition.

At the other end of the spectrum, Houston is proving to be one of the more affordable host cities. Resale tickets for the Saudi Arabia versus Cape Verde match have been available from around £96, while the city's hotel market, supported by an inventory of more than 100,000 rooms, has kept average nightly rates at approximately $173.

Canada is also attracting football fans looking for value. Group-stage matches involving Belgium have averaged around £233 on verified resale platforms. Many supporters are choosing to stay in nearby locations such as Mississauga and Etobicoke and commute into Toronto using GO Transit, helping reduce overall travel costs.

As FIFA World Cup 2026 progresses, the tournament continues to influence not only the sporting landscape but also travel, tourism and hospitality markets across North America.

The FIFA 2026 group stage continued to deliver exciting results as Egypt registered a commanding three-goal win over New Zealand in their Group G encounter, strengthening their position in the tournament standings.

In another closely contested fixture, Uruguay and Cabo Verde played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Group H, with both teams sharing the points after a competitive contest.

Alongside the action on the pitch, hospitality experts are closely analysing the business impact of the tournament and how it compares with previous editions of the FIFA World Cup.

Industry observers note that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, remains an unusual benchmark when evaluating potential hospitality gains. While overall sales during the tournament period increased by 18.6 per cent, the timing of the competition played a major role in those figures. Held during November and December, the tournament coincided with the festive season, traditionally one of the busiest periods for restaurants, pubs, and hospitality businesses.

Interestingly, days without football matches recorded a stronger sales increase of 27.0 per cent, outperforming match days. The highest trading day during the tournament delivered a 50.8 per cent rise in sales and occurred on a December Thursday that was not directly linked to football activity.

Data also showed that home nation match days generated an average increase of 12.7 per cent, lower than the overall tournament average. Factors such as colder weather and daytime kick-off schedules may have encouraged fans to stay at home rather than visit hospitality venues.

The outlook for FIFA 2026 is significantly different. The tournament is taking place during the summer months in UK, with evening kick-offs expected to align with prime-time viewing hours in key markets. Industry experts believe these conditions are more comparable to Euro 2024 than the Qatar World Cup.

As a result, hospitality businesses across the United Kingdom are viewing a projected group-stage uplift of 10 to 15 per cent as a more realistic benchmark for performance during the tournament. With favourable weather, stronger social viewing opportunities, and increased outdoor dining activity, many operators are optimistic about the commercial opportunities that FIFA 2026 could generate.

As the competition progresses, both football fans and hospitality businesses will be watching closely to see how the tournament influences consumer behaviour and venue performance across key markets.