Manama, Bahrain--The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BETA) began a roadshow in Shanghai and Guangzhou, China, involving prominent travel, tourism, aviation, and hotel sectors.  The roadshow aims to promote Bahrain as a prominent tourist destination in regional and global markets, enhancing the sector's contribution to the gross domestic product in...

New Delhi, India - Larsen & Toubro (L&T) secured a major Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for the Amaala project in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea region. The project, covering 4,155 sq km within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Natural Reserve, is a high-end tourism destination. The contract, awarded by...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - According to the Riyadh Season, 10 million people took part in the activities organized in the first 50 days after its launch. The season started in late October, and since then, it has witnessed a large visitor turnout at all areas, with expectations that the coming...

Dubai, UAE -- Consumer spending in the UAE is expected to increase by 5 percent in 2024, while consumers and businesses will face crucial decisions about spending and investing, where price differentials and interest rates have burrowed into budgets, informing the resources available with less wiggle room, according to the...

Sharjah, UAE - The Islamic World Heritage Committee of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) added the Mleiha archaeological site and Al Dhaid Fort and Falaj to the List of the Islamic World Heritage. The Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) has completed the nomination dossier of the Mleiha...

Doha, Qatar-- Qatar received more than three million tourists from around the world during the ongoing year, making the oil-rich country a great tourist destination. According to chairman of Qatar Tourism, Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Qatar has become a distinctive tourist destination, which is particularly evident as Qatar holds...

Beijing, China - China and Saudi Arabia signed over 60 MoUs and agreements worth over $25 billion at the investment conference in Beijing. The conference was attended by more than 1,000 government and business leaders. Agreements were signed in key sectors including energy, agriculture, tourism, mining, financial services, logistics, infrastructure,...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Monday the establishment of Dan Company, specializing in agritourism and ecotourism, according to a PIF press release. The company plans to develop unique tourism projects around cities across Saudi Arabia with attractive natural and farmed landscapes, the release said....

Dubai, UAE--The IMF announced Friday that it will revise its economic outlook for the Middle East and North Africa region due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The conflict will have wide-ranging consequences for "both people and economies" in the region, although the extent of the impact remains "highly uncertain," the...

NEOM, Saudi Arabia – NEOM, a futuristic city planned by Saudi Arabia in its northwestern Tabuk Province, has unveiled Siranna, an exclusive tourism escape. Situated on the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, this ultra-luxurious destination will be home to a 65-key hotel, as well as 35 exclusive residences. The destination offers...

The Kingdom's selection as the host for World Expo 2030 marks a pivotal moment in its journey towards innovation, openness, and global connectivity.

ABHA, SAUDI ARABIA - Extending over 34 kilometers, the Abha Valley Basin enjoys a variety of wildlife aspects, civilizational features and variety of terrain that makes it ideal for tourism. Situated at an altitude of 2,983 meters and having steep slopes, the basin, with a dense vegetation cover, is terraced...

The Kingdom's selection as the host for World Expo 2030 marks a pivotal moment in its journey towards innovation, openness, and global connectivity.

Saudi Arabia -- competing against Busan, Korea, and Rome, Italy -- bids for Expo 2030 with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and global unity.

"Once we've reached about 120 million (passengers a year), which is what we think our total capacity at DXB (Dubai International) is at the absolute maximum with everything optimized, we are going to need a new airport," Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said.

Vienna, Austria--The UAE's non-oil economic activities continued to see robust performance and are expected to extend healthy development into 2024, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said. In its OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report for November 2023, the organisation anticipated the upward trend in non-oil activities to continue...

This is the toll operator's highest Q3 revenue since 2007.

The future of travel is expected to see greater use of renewable energy in transportation and advancements in technology, driving sustainable practices. The voluntary carbon offset market, meanwhile, is projected to grow significantly, reflecting the industry's commitment to sustainability.

Madrid, Spain - The number of destinations offering Digital Nomad Visas (DNVs) has risen significantly over recent years, with almost half now offering visas for at least one year. According to a new analysis by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) covering 54 destinations, the rise in DNVs has gone...

Bahrain's expulsion of Israel's ambassador and halted trade may foreshadow a broader economic realignment in the Middle East, threatening key regional trade pacts.

Dubai's transformation from a humble fishing village to a global tourist powerhouse is nothing short of remarkable. Just decades ago, it was a budding coastal town with limited allure. However, the discovery of oil in the 1960s ignited a metamorphosis, with the government astutely channeling wealth into infrastructure, iconic landmarks,...

Israeli strikes have now killed more than 6,500 people in Gaza, a rise of over 700 since Tuesday, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. One doctor said he was forced to perform emergency surgery on the wounded without anesthetic. Israel has cut off impoverished Gaza's usual water, food and other supplies,...

From the metaverse allowing virtual experiences to the use of AI in training, Jamaica is at the forefront of integrating technology into its tourism sector, the minister tells TRENDS.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – A total of 52 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed at the Saudi-Korean Investment Forum here. The MoUs were signed by both government and private entities. Government agencies signed four MoUs with the private sector in areas such as real estate development, automotive, and water. President...

Dubai, UAE -- Emaar, The Economic City, the master-developer of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), has signed a strategic agreement with Orascom Development and Managment and Alkholi Holding Company to develop a waterfront mix-use destination in KAEC. This initiative aims to enhance the city's position as a family gateway to...

Dubai, UAE -- The Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Microsoft have signed an MoU that enables innovation in key areas such as generative artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing and brings together both organizations’ capabilities and resources to enhance the tourist and cultural...

As Riyadh vies to host 2030 World Expo, the city offers a perfect blend of historical charm and modernity, spotlighting its rich heritage, architecture and cuisine.

In its bid to boost tourism, the Saudi capital blends historical charm with modernity, spotlighting its rich heritage, architecture, cuisine, and transportation evolution.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-- Saudi Arabia announced Tuesday that it will grant e-visa to visitors from six new countries -- Turkiye, Thailand, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles and Mauritius -- for leisure, business and religious (Umrah only) travel, bringing the total number of such countries to 63. A visitor e-visa...

Vienna, Austria--The UAE’s economy remains robust, with constant contributions from the non-oil sector, especially from tourism, leisure, and real estate, according to the OPEC’s Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR) for October 2023. MOMR noted the UAE’s tourism sector, which accounts for more than 16% of the country’s GDP, continued to...

TABUK, SAUDI ARABIA - Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations - The Red Sea and Amaala - celebrated the take-off of its first seaplane flight operated by its subsidiary company, Fly Red Sea. Established as the first seaplane company in Saudi...

Sochi, Russia -.Starting in 2024, travelers from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Malaysia  and Bahrain may no longer need tourist visas to visit Russia,  Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dmitry Vakhrukov said on the sidelines of the FTT-2023 Forum of Tourism Territories, Tass reported. "I reckon this could happen next year....

Dubai's iconic skyline and architectural marvels have garnered global attention, offering stunning views for visitors and residents alike. This allure has attracted many to work, live, and invest in the emirate, solidifying Dubai's reputation as a thriving, futuristic metropolis where visionary projects come to life.

Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Oxford Economics, an independent economic advisory firm, has predicted that the UAE economy will grow by 4.4 percent in 2024, driven by, among other things, government initiatives to support economic diversification. Scott Livermore, Chief Economist, Oxford Economics Middle East, and Managing Director, told WAM that the...

"Qatar Tourism takes pride in organizing and hosting successful exhibitions across diverse sectors. These events underscore Qatar's capacity to harness its state-of-the-art infrastructure, fostering a secure, efficient, and vibrant community while delivering a captivating experience for travelers," he adds.

Despite many cultural treasures, there were only 32,535 hotel guests in the Jericho area in the first half of this year.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – A senior Russian official said that they intend to move towards visa-free travel with all countries of Latin America. Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Latin American Department Alexander Shchetinin said that this is an achievable goal. Shchetinin told TASS about the to move towards visa-free travel...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--Iran has proposed to Saudi Arabia to set up a working group to look into the idea of cancelling visas between the two countries. In this regard, the Iranian deputy tourism minister traveled to Saudi Arabia to proposed the to Saudi Arabia the idea of visa cancellation. A...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia has announced its intention to revise its tourism goals, increasing the target number of visitors from the previous 100 million by 2030 to a new goal of 150 million, Mahmoud Abdulhadi, the Deputy Minister of Destination Enablement at the Ministry of Tourism, said  during...

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – China on Tuesday granted Approved Destination Status (ADS) to the Gulf Kingdom. The bilateral agreement, signed on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia allows Chinese citizens to travel to the Kingdom in group tours in addition to facilitating greater ease of access. ADS...

S&P analysts anticipate continued growth within the UAE's robust tourism sector. The country's ability to host major international events is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving the UAE's ambitious goal of attracting 40 million visitors by 2030, accompanied by plans to expand the number of hotel rooms to...

Israel's Tourism Minister Haim Katz is the first Israeli minister to head an official delegation in Saudi Arabia, where he would attend a United Nations World Tourism Organization event in Riyadh.

Under the deal, two luxury hotels will be built in Trojena.

Malaysia is attracting Arab students and travelers with its top-notch education facilities, affordable living, and a reputation as a leading Muslim travel destination.

Around 310,000 people have crossed from Sudan into Egypt since war broke out on April 15 between the forces of army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The response to the influx of Sudanese refugees has been mixed....

In recent years, the Middle East and China have fortified economic ties, with the former supplying half of latter's oil and sealing a landmark 27-year LNG deal with Qatar.

Tehran, Iran -- Russia’s largest lender, SBERBANK, is presenting a new service that allows its clients to transfer money to Iran. The service is available to both individuals and businesses using their Sber accounts, Tasnim reported. “The money transfer service to Iran is new to us and the demand for...

Doha, Qatar -- More than 2.56 million people visited Qatar from January to August 25, which is more than the full-year arrivals in 2022 and marking a 157 percent increase over the same period last year, according to Qatar Tourism. Qatar Tourism said in statement that the latest achievement bears...

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia achieved a surplus of SAR 22.8 billion ($6.07 billion) in the balance of payments for travel items in the first quarter of 2023, compared to a deficit of SAR 1.6 billion in Q1 2022, the Kingdom's Ministry of Tourism said. The ministry added that...

Muscat, Oman -- The revenues of 3-5-star hotels in Oman reached RO 122.5 million ($318 million) at the end of July 2023, up by 27.8 percent over the corresponding period in 2022. Statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) show that the total number of hotel...