The Transformative Power of Travel
The framework for future-proofing tourism revolves around three core pillars: People, Planet, and Purpose. This vision is particularly evident in...
Geostrategy
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...
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.
Arts & Culture
Hotel Dar Tantora is inspired by Saudi’s AlUla ancient mudbrick buildings
ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA – Situated in the heart of Old Town here, Dar Tantora Hotel offers guests a chance to...
- AlUla’s Old Town, with its origins going back over 700 years, prospered along the renowned incense trade route.
- With over 900 traditional mudbrick homes, the Old Town stands as a testament to the Kingdom’s enduring cultural heritage.
Ten years from home World Cup, Saudi sizes up ‘huge challenge’
As the only bidder, Saudi Arabia was anointed host of the 2034 World Cup last October by FIFA. Infrastructure is...
- To host the 48-team World Cup, the country needs 14 all-seater stadiums capable of holding at least 40,000 people, according to the bid document
- Saudi sports ministry is preparing to issue tenders worth 10 billion riyals ($2.69 billion) to build and expand football venues, according to domestic media
Business
RSG, Hyundai Motor ink pact
The two firms will explore opportunities in various areas.
- The two parties will focus on validating and deploying Hyundai Motor Group's eco-friendly mobility solutions.
- They will explore future mobility solutions, such as autonomous vehicles, Advanced Air Mobility and maritime vessels.
Arts & Culture
World’s only Dragon Ball theme park launched in Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) revealed on Sunday the launch of...
- Nestled within Qiddiya City, just 40 minutes from Riyadh, this never-seen-before anime theme park is set to become a spectacle.
- Inspired by the seven legendary Dragon Balls, visitors can navigate seven distinctively themed zones within the park.
Economy
Saudi Arabia set to leap into space tourism by 2026
Madrid-based Halo Space Company has selected Saudi Arabia as its launch site for space tourism, offering tours at $164,000 per...
- Madrid-based Halo Space Company selects Saudi Arabia as its launch site for space tourism, offering tours at $164,000 per person for a stratospheric Earth view.
- In June, a trial flight will take passengers 32 kilometers above Earth, using a helium balloon for an accessible adventure without the need for special training.
Business
Bahrain and France sign MoU to boost tourism education
Lyon, France--Vatel Hotel and Tourism Business School Bahrain signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with EKLYA School of Business in...
- The MoU will strengthen educational ties, foster mutual understanding, and enhance bilateral relations in the realms of academia, culture, and knowledge exchange
- The curriculum for the EKLYA students will encompass a variety of subjects, including cross-cultural studies, project management, event management, and geopolitics
The Transformative Power of Travel
The framework for future-proofing tourism revolves around three core pillars: People, Planet, and Purpose. This vision is particularly evident in...
Geostrategy
Company News
Latest News
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...
Business
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...
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...
Business
Most Read
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