Blending AI with a Human Touch: Al Rais Travel Eyes the Future of Tourism
Executive Director Mohamed Al Rais unveils a tech-human hybrid approach to personalize travel experiences — and announces a strategic India...
Business
Tech and sustainability drive Singapore’s smart tourism vision
To realize its vision for “smart tourism”, Singapore Tourism Board is leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and...
Interview
Business
flynas receives 50th jetliner out of 120 Airbus A320neo ordered
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – flynas, the Saudi air carrier and the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East and the...
- The deal with Airbus was a strategic step for flynas, consolidating its position as a leading low-cost airline in the Middle East.
- The company is moving forward in its plan to double the fleet size after getting approval to purchase 250 aircraft.
Economy
GCC tourism growth skyrockets as diversification drive gains momentum post-Covid
GCC countries collaborate on comprehensive tourism strategy, leading global recovery post-pandemic with remarkable growth rates and ambitious plans for sustainable...
- Four years on, the GCC has not just recovered faster than was expected, but it has also led the global tourism recovery with a 122% surge in arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019
- The region has assiduously worked for it with its two major economies, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, embarking on economic diversification with tourism one of the thrust areas
Business
New shipping service in Saudi Arabia launched
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced the addition of the new shipping service 'NRS' by...
- The NRS shipping service will link Jeddah Islamic Port to Yanbu Commercial Port, Neom Port, Aqaba Port in Jordan, and Sokhna Port in Egypt.
- This will further establish the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub that bridges three continents,
Business
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...
- This is in line with Rotana’s ambitious goal of launching eight properties in Saudi Arabia.
- Dar Rayhaan by Rotana offers 133 keys, including 113 rooms and 20 suites,
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...
- Among the football stars were Cristiano Ronaldo, Fabinho Tavares, Roger Ibanez and Roberto Firmino.
- They also engaged in various water sports and marine activities, making the most of their time.
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...
- Chairman of Qatar Tourism Saad bin Ali bin Saad Al Kharji said Qatari tourism sector has witnessed significant development in recent years
- Al Kharji said that it is one of the main pillars of the state's strategy for economic diversification under the Qatar National Vision 2030
Business
Middle East to receive millions of Chinese tourists lost in Covid pandemic
Dubai, UAE-- Outbound travel from China is estimated to almost double this year, compared with 2023 and will only be...
- The Middle East will be the first region globally to recover its Chinese inbound market with full recovery expected in 2025
- According to data from the Chinese travel site Trip.com, bookings for overseas travel during Chinese New Year, soared by 540%
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.
Blending AI with a Human Touch: Al Rais Travel Eyes the Future of Tourism
Executive Director Mohamed Al Rais unveils a tech-human hybrid approach to personalize travel experiences — and announces a strategic India...
Business
Company News
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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...
Jordan’s Umm al-Jimal added to UNESCO heritage list
Amman, Jordan - Jordan's Umm al-Jimal village has been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List, in a move hailed on Sunday...
Most Read
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