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
Economy
Tourists, cruises, flights to Aqaba on the rise in December
AQABA, JORDAN - The southern city of Aqaba is welcoming an increasing number of local visitors and foreign tourists of...
- The ports of Aqaba are expected to receive eight giant cruise ships carrying about 2,700 tourists each.
- King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba has received 18 flights from abroad in since the beginning of December.
Business
Riyadh’s WTTC Summit to oversee signing of 50 deals
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Fifty deals and agreements are expected to be signed in the World Travel and Tourism Council...
- The minister evaluated the deals to be worth $50 billion, local media reports said.
- Also, the event comprises over 3,000 participants, 57 ministers of tourism and travel
Business
Third Saudi Cruise Season begins as MSC Splendida arrives in Yanbu Port
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--- Yanbu Commercial Port has officially kickstarted the third edition of the Saudi cruise season by berthing MSC...
- MSC Splendida, which arrived from Jeddah Islamic Port, marked the maiden cruise call for the current season that will run until May 2023.
- Cruise Saudi, a PIF-owned business that oversees the development of the local cruise ecosystem, is trying to position the Kingdom as a premier global cruise destination.
Economy
Mohammed bin Rashid approves Dubai rural area development master plan
DUBAI, UAE - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai has approved the...
- The Plan seeks to preserve the nature of areas including Lehbab, Margham, Al Marmoom, Al Lisaili, Al Faqaa and Al Aweer.
- It also aims to offer a unique touristic experience and transform each area into a key tourist destination in the emirate.
Economy
Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum to begin Nov 24
SHARJAH, UAE - The 9th edition of the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum (SITTF) is set to kick off...
- The forum will convene a host of government officials, local and international decision-makers, experts in global travel, tourism and aviation sector.
- Organized by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, the forum complements SCTDA's efforts to bolster Sharjah's position in global tourism.
Economy
Qatar issues licenses to 3500 holiday homes to house World Cup visitors
Qatar faces the challenge to accommodate 1.2 million fans expected to attend the FIFA World Cup.
- Qatar faces the challenge to accommodate 1.2 million fans expected to attend the FIFA World Cup
- More than 160 round-trip flights are scheduled daily from neighbouring Gulf countries to allow them to accommodate supporters
Economy
GCC adopts tourism strategy, launches new platform
The Gulf ministers review projects aimed at strengthening joint Gulf action in tourism as well as strategic partnerships between the...
- The Gulf ministers review projects aimed at strengthening joint Gulf action in tourism, as well as strategic partnerships between the GCC and other countries and parties
- The development comes a couple of days after the launch of the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031 that comes under the ‘Projects of the 50'
Videos
Middle East’s sports path to boosting tourism
The Arabian Gulf countries have hosted some of the biggest sporting events during the past decade. The World Cup is...
- Doha and Riyadh have been selected to host the upcoming editions of the Asian Games---Doha in 2030 and Riyadh in 2034.
- The mountain resort of Trojene, which is being developed in Saudi Arabia's futuristic Neom city, will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
Tanzanian aircraft with 49 people on board plunges into a lake
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania— A domestic passenger plane plunged into Lake Victoria in Tanzania early on Sunday due to bad weather...
- No information was immediately available on the number of passengers aboard the plane, but local media reports said around 49 people were on the flight
- The accident comes five years after 11 people died when a plane belonging to a safari company crashed in northern Tanzania
Geostrategy
Qatar says over 1.5 million apply for compulsory World Cup pass
All travelers to Qatar will need the pass to enter from November 1, whether they intend to watch a game...
- Qatar has said it expects more than one million foreign visitors, as well as hundreds of thousands of domestic fans.
- The two international airports in Qatari capital will handle 150,000 entries a day during the football tournament that begins on November 20
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
RSG, Hyundai Motor ink pact
Business
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Rotana announces the soft opening of Dar Rayhaan in Saudi Arabia
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with over 100 properties in...
Business
Global football stars choose Red Sea destination for holiday
TABUK, SAUDI ARABIA – A few days ago, the Red Sea destination hosted several international football stars from Saudi Pro...
Business
Qatar looks to boost tourism sector by streamlining regulations
Doha, Qatar-- Qatar is looking to develop "plans and strategies" to streamline procedures and regulations in order to solve solve...
Business
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Economy
Visa-free policies make Middle East preferred destination for Chinese travelers
Dubai, UAE - As China's outbound tourism steadily rebounds from the pandemic's impact, the Middle East is emerging as a...
- Data from online travel agencies including Ctrip, Tongcheng, Tuniu, Mafengwo, and Zuzuche indicates a significant rise in Chinese tourists flocking to the UAE
- Destinations like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Morocco have witnessed increasing demand from Chinese travelers, partly due to their visa-free policies
Arts & Culture
SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi wins Guinness World Records
ABU DHABI, UAE – SeaWorld Yas Island - the region’s first Marine Life Theme Park here -, has won a...
- SeaWorld Yas Island has won the Guinness World Records for being the “Largest Indoor Marine-Life Theme Park” in the world.
- The certificate was presented to Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, and the SeaWorld Abu Dhabi leadership.
Arts & Culture
Saudi RCU begins rock excavation for Sharaan Resort in AlUla
ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA – The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has marked a significant milestone in the development of the...
- The initial excavation symbolizes the start of a mission that combines Jean Nouvel’s architectural innovation with Bouygues' engineering expertise.
- This milestone is an important step forward in AlUla's evolution into a premier destination for sustainable luxury tourism.