A shadowy tourism deal puts one of Egypt’s last wild shores at risk
Thousands signed a petition to "Save Hankorab" after discovering a contract between an unnamed government entity and an investment company...
Economy
Future-proofing hospitality asset value needs financial rigor with emotional intelligence
The GCC’s luxury hospitality sector has become a global benchmark, yet behind every polished facade lies an increasingly complex financial...
Opinion
Tunisian Jewish pilgrimage sees low turnout amid security fears
Djerba, Tunisia - Only a dozen pilgrims turned up Friday at this year's Jewish pilgrimage on Tunisia's island of Djerba...
- The pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa's oldest, usually draws thousands of pilgrims from Europe, Israel and beyond, attracting international and local tourists as well
- But on the first day of the pilgrimage event this year, only about a dozen worshippers were present - almost none of them foreigners
Alberta seeks to charm the world with a solid tourism growth plan, says Minister Joseph Schow
Alberta's tourism sector, with attractions resonating with GCC travelers, aims for a $25 billion visitor economy by 2035, says Joseph...
- 'We possess attractions that resonate with international travelers, including those from regions like Saudi Arabia or the UAE'
- 'Alberta's tourism sector aims to attract visitors from GCC countries, fostering relationships and expanding its global marketing efforts'
Business
‘Over 91 percent of travel bookings are now online’
Digitalization is revolutionizing travel, and data analytics is hyper-personalizing the sector, notably in GCC's growing business tourism, says Pallav Singhvi...
- Our omni-channel approach offers seamless and personalized experiences across multiple touchpoints that aim to redefine customers’ travel booking journey, says Singhvi
- as become even more important to create hyper-customized and context-sensitive, targeted measures to reach and engage with the right kind of audience, he adds
Business
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...
- Nationals of Caribbean can now apply for a visitor visa to Saudi either electronically or at the country’s international ports of entry
- The program constitutes a key pillar in delivering the revised Vision 2030 target of attracting 150 million tourists
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...
- ATM 2024 has seen a 21% year-on-year increase in participating hotel brands, alongside a notable 58% rise in new Travel Technology products on display
- New destinations will be introduced at ATM 2024, including China, Macao, Kenya, Guatemala, and Columbia, while returning countries include Spain and France, among many others
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...
- Ajman has witnessed a significant surge in tourism, reflecting its growing appeal and popularity among domestic and international travelers
- International arrivals have seen a remarkable 29% increase in 2023 compared to 2022, with international visitors constituting 60% of Ajman's total arrivals
Business
Business and leisure combo drives GCC tourism boom
Business travelers worldwide are drawn to the GCC countries due to their rapidly growing economies, strategic geographic locations, and ambitious...
- The region has positioned itself as a hub for a diverse range of travelers, including job seekers, investors, artists, and even those merely passing through
- The GCC is becoming a hub for major cultural and entertainment events, from art exhibitions and live concerts to sports events
‘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.
A shadowy tourism deal puts one of Egypt’s last wild shores at risk
Thousands signed a petition to "Save Hankorab" after discovering a contract between an unnamed government entity and an investment company...
Economy
Company News
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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
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...
Economy
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...
Business
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Business
Qantas scraps non-stop UK flight due to Middle East unrest
Sydney, Australia - Australian airline Qantas scrapped its non-stop Perth to London flight Thursday, saying the decision was taken as a...
- The flight, usually a non-stop 17-and-a-half hour journey, will now refuel in Singapore, allowing it to carry a full load of passengers on a route that avoids contested air space
- The region is bracing for a military retaliation from Iran against Israel, following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Palestinian group Hamas
Saudi Arabia leads GCC travel growth to India with a 40% rise in flight searches: report
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Wego, the leading travel app and largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North...
Saudi bid to host 2034 World Cup positions Kingdom as global center for top sports events
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the Kingdom’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. He said this...
- Saudi topped the UNs’ list for highest growth in international tourist numbers in 2023
- FIFA is set to confirm Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 event in December