Ancient tombs unearthed in Iraq due to drought
Khanke, Iraq - Archaeologists in drought-hit Iraq have discovered 40 ancient tombs after water levels in the country's largest reservoir...
Science
The New Travel Mindset: Local Living and Smarter Tech
From immersive local experiences to AI-powered personalization, Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Almosafer, shares key trends shaping the future of travel.
Interview
Paris prepares warm Olympics welcome — except for rats
While the Paris Olympics is set to be a festival of socializing and intermingling, city authorities are keen for visitors...
- Boulevards and squares have been thoroughly spruced up, with many historic buildings given a makeover
- "Where there were areas with lots of rats, we put traps in place ahead of the Games" - French Deputy Mayor
Moonlit scramble across the sand for Turkey’s booming baby turtle population
Manavgat, Turkey - The baby loggerhead sea turtles emerged from their eggshells and began their first challenge in life: a wobbly...
- It is a perilous journey into the unknown for the sea turtles as only about one in 1,000 hatchlings will survive to adulthood
- Despite grave threats from humans and predators such as birds, crabs and ants, protection measures are bearing fruit on Turkey's southern coast
Business
Saudi Arabia’s tourist spending reaches $40bn: minister
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb highlights the upcoming launch of a tourist visa aimed at drawing more international...
- Passenger air traffic in Saudi Arabia rose by 17 percent in the first half of 2024, reaching 62 million compared to 53 million in the same period last year
- This growth was aided by a 12 percent increase in flights, with 446,000 recorded compared to 399,000 in the first half of 2023
Al-Hada and Muhammadya Al-Shafa in Taif: A tapestry of tourism, nature
Taif, Saudi Arabia - Taif and its serene towering mountains, nestled deep within the majestic Sarawat Mountains, serve as a...
- The paved roads of Al-Hada and Al-Shafa mountains, such as Akabat Al-Kar and Akabat Al-Muhammadya, provide easy access to biodiversity
- Visitors can spend their days under the shade of abundant juniper trees and beside cool freshwater streams, allowing them to appreciate Taif's unique and pristine natural diversity
Business
Chinese company to build Saudi Arabia’s first ocean park
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Haichang Ocean Park Holdings, China's largest ocean theme park operator, announced plans on Thursday to build...
- Haichang, which has a history of marine-themed tourism spanning over two decades, has previously collaborated on tourism projects in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia
- Currently operating parks in cities such as Shanghai, Dalian, Zhengzhou, and Sanya, Haichang attracts more than 20 million visitors annually
Economy
Oregon leverages coastal adventures and diverse landscapes to expand its tourism market
Oregon's tourism strategy focuses on year-round visitation, sustainability, and regenerative travel, aiming to optimize economic impact while preserving natural beauty...
- Oregon is a destination where you can wander along stunning shorelines, trek volcanic peaks, and paddle serene lakes
- But it is not just natural beauty, the coastal gem also boasts some of the nation's finest breweries and restaurants
GCC tourism’s contribution to GDP expected to surge by 2030: Fitch
GCC tourism's GDP contribution will rise from $130 billion in 2023 to over $340 billion by 2030, driven by aviation...
- The GCC countries have set ambitious targets for their tourism sectors to diversify their economies away from oil dependence
- The aviation industry is anticipated to play a critical role in this expansion, with air passenger traffic projected to grow substantially
Arts & Culture
Qatar to witness GCC’s highest growth in hospitality industry revenue until 2028
Hospitality industry revenue in Qatar is expected to witness the highest growth rate in GCC until 2028, Alpen Capital has...
- Qatar’s hospitality sector projected to rise 11% annually from $0.9bn in 2023 to $1.5bn in 2028
- In 2024 alone, Qatar is slated to host over 80 events scheduled throughout the year
Economy
Killer heat wave sweeps the globe, hundreds perish
A punishing heat dome continues to intensify over the northeastern United States, scores of record-high temperatures were matched or broken...
- About 75 million Americans live in a location under an excessive heat warning or advisory
- Latest reports say some 900 people died in Saudi Arabia, where temperatures reached 51°C
Arts & Culture
Oman aviation sector sees 16.4% passenger growth in first 4 months of 2024
Oman witnesses a 16.4% growth in passenger traffic in early 2024 The Sultanate of Oman’s aviation sector has experienced remarkable...
- Oman's four airports collectively handled over 4.9 million passengers
- Country planning to build six new airports and increase their number in Oman to 13 by 2028-29
Ancient tombs unearthed in Iraq due to drought
Khanke, Iraq - Archaeologists in drought-hit Iraq have discovered 40 ancient tombs after water levels in the country's largest reservoir...
Science
Company News
The Transformative Power of Travel
Geostrategy
Latest News
Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2025 kicks off Friday with over 800 competitors
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- The Dakar Rally 2025, the largest and longest race in the world of motorsports, is set...
Is AI front and center in the future of Aviation?
AI will play a key role in aviation but aircraft manufacturing troubles are casting darker shadows over profitability post-COVID-19. The...
Pre-Covid travel industry arrival figures are back but venture capital is experiencing delays
The global tourism industry has turned the clock back to 2019 before COVID created a massive hole in worldwide passenger...
Most Read
Economy
Saudi Arabia achieves 73 percent increase in international tourist arrivals: UN report
The kingdom welcomed 17.5 million international tourists in the first seven months of 2024, leading G20 nations in tourism growth...
- According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the Kingdom continued to top the list of G20 countries in the indicators of the growth rate of the number of international tourists
- The Kingdom's various tourist destinations have witnessed a significant rise in international tourist numbers this year, with the number of tourist arrivals reaching 17.5 million
Business
GACA report: Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport ranked best for 15M+ passengers
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh secured the top spot in the category of airports with...
- Airports are assessed based on 11 operational performance standards, which align with strategic objectives to enhance services and ensure a seamless traveller experience
- GACA categorizes airports for performance evaluation based on annual passenger numbers, ensuring a transparent approach
‘Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector to achieve 150 million visitors by 2030’
Saudi Arabia isn't aiming to be the next Dubai but is forging its own unique path in tourism," Aradhana Khowala...
- In recent years, Saudi Arabia has invested $800 billion in tourism, and just in the first 6 months of 2024, the country welcomed 60 million tourists, Aradhana Khowala tells TRENDS
- Nearly 50% of those involved with Red Sea Global are locals, which highlights an important shift from the old model of relying on imported, inexpensive labor, she notes