81 percent of Saudi population attends cultural events, activities in 2024: GASTAT
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Nearly 81.6 percent of Saudi individuals visited at least one cultural event or activity in 2024, according...
Arts & Culture
Qatar outpaces Saudi Arabia and UAE in tourism growth with 147% surge
Doha, Qatar - Qatar has emerged as the leading player in the Middle East tourism sector, boasting an impressive 147%...
Economy
Business
RSG, KHC set up joint venture
The JV will develop and own the Four Seasons Resort Red Sea.
- The anticipated luxury resort is situated on Shura Island, the main hub for Red Sea destinations.
- It will offer 149 rooms and suites, plus 31 residential properties, as well as six restaurants and lounge outlets.
Interview
Tech ticks: Metaverse, AI boost Jamaica’s tourism
From the metaverse allowing virtual experiences to the use of AI in training, Jamaica is at the forefront of integrating...
- 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, says minister.
- Jamaica is enhancing its tourism workforce with the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation, amid a rise in South-South tech-tourism collaborations, adds Edmund Bartlett.
Saudi Arabia re-elected president of UNWTO executive council
Samarkand, Uzbekistan - The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) approved the re-election of Saudi Arabia as president of its...
- During the first presidency of the Kingdom in 2023, plenty of initiatives that comprised partnership, innovation, and progress were launched
- In 2021, the kingdom launched the Sustainable Tourism Global Center during the Saudi Green Initiative in October 2021 to provide best practices to meet the sector needs
Business
Fourth edition of Riyadh Season unveils its promotional video
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Riyadh Season's fourth edition has unveiled a promotional video featuring a range of scenes highlighting its...
- The video includes the presence of the global boxing icon Mike Tyson, who is a partner in the first specialized boxing club in Boulevard City
- It highlights the rapid developments in the entertainment sector in the Kingdom, the global nature of Riyadh Season, and the diversity of the activities and events it hosts
Business
Red Sea Global launches Saudi’s first seaplane company
TABUK, SAUDI ARABIA - Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations -...
- Fly Red Sea aims to transport guests to various resorts scattered among the islands of Red Sea Destination.
- These resorts include St. Regis Red Sea Resort and Nujuma, Ritz Carlton Reserve, which would be inaugurated later in 2023
Geostrategy
Visa-free Russia travel on the horizon for Saudi, Oman, Bahrain, Malaysia, Kuwait
Sochi, Russia -.Starting in 2024, travelers from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Malaysia and Bahrain may no longer need tourist visas...
- Russia and China have been ready to receive groups of visa-free tourists on a reciprocal basis
- Visa-free group tourism was also launched between Russia and Iran on August 1
Business
Hotels in UAE generate revenues of US$7bn in first seven months, says minister
ABU DHABI, UAE - In the first seven months of the year, hotel establishments in the UAE generated revenues of...
- Hotel establishments in the country hosted 16 million guests in in the first seven months of 2023, said the UAE economy minister.
- Some 56 million hotel nights have been booked while the occupancy rate reached 75 percent from January to July.
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia to enhance air connectivity to over 250 destinations by 2030
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - A delegation led by President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Abdulaziz bin...
- The Kingdom plans on carrying 330 million passengers annually and raising freight capacity to 4.5 million tons by 2030.
- Saudi Arabia and the Dominican Republic also signed agreements on air transport services between the two countries.
Geostrategy
Russia plans visa-free travel with Latin American countries
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – A senior Russian official said that they intend to move towards visa-free travel with all countries of...
- The Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Latin American Department said that visa-free travel with all Latin American states is an achievable goal.
- The statement on visa-free travel was made by the senior diplomat on the sidelines of the "Russia - Latin America" conference.
Arts & Culture
Producer Baz Luhrmann to be head of jury at Red Sea International Film Festival 2023
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Red Sea International Film Festival has said that internationally renowned writer, director and producer Baz...
- The festival's third edition will take place from November 30 to December 9 in Jeddah.
- The event will showcase movies from filmmakers from the Arab region, Asia and Africa.
81 percent of Saudi population attends cultural events, activities in 2024: GASTAT
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Nearly 81.6 percent of Saudi individuals visited at least one cultural event or activity in 2024, according...
Arts & Culture
Company News
Latest News
Saudi to bring in more tourists from the Caribbean with expanded eVisa program
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, has announced the expansion of...
Business
ATM 2024 in Dubai to host 2,300 exhibitors from 165 countries
Dubai, UAE - The 31st edition of Arabian Travel Mart, 2024, taking place from May 6 to May 9, is...
Business
Ajman seeks strategic alliances at Arabian Travel Market 2024
Ajman, UAE - The Arabian Travel Market 2024 (ATM) kicks off in Ajman from May 6 to May 9, celebrating...
Business
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‘Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Bahrain have reinforced position as top GCC tourist spots’
GCC region is a hidden gem, offering a distinct blend of Arabic culture and history, Fahim Jalalli, CEO of Kanoo...
- What began with Emirates and Dubai has expanded to include Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, says Fahim Jalalli, CEO of Kanoo Travel
- The region hosts numerous trade shows, conferences, and exhibitions, and have so many hotels that are capable of accommodating tens of thousands of attendees, he adds
Business
Meet Middle East tourism’s power players
Tourism industry accounts for 9 percent of GCC region's GDP and it is expected to grow annually at 7.7 percent....
- The region’s largest economy, Saudi Arabia, won encomiums for the "remarkable achievement" of receiving over 100 million tourists in 2023.
- Motivated by this success, the Kingdom has now set a new ambitious target of welcoming 150 million tourists by 2030.
Geostrategy
Tehran, Baghdad to launch maritime passenger transport line
TEHRAN, IRAN – Iran and Iraq will launch the first maritime passenger transport line within the next two months, an...
- Given the readiness of Iran’s Abadan and Khorramshahr ports for the transportation of passengers to the destination of Wasliya and Basra ports in Iraq..
- the officials of the two sides have expressed their readiness for the initiation of the transportation of passengers via sea, Ali Akbar Safaei emphasized.