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...
‘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...
Geostrategy
Saudi Arabia launches documentary Horizon on wildlife
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Konoz, an initiative of the Ministry of Media's Center for Government Communication (CGC), has released a...
- The documentary is currently being shown on the Netflix platform.
- The film gives a look at the ecological diversity of the Kingdom,
Business
NEOM announces Aquellum as futuristic lifestyle community
NEOM, SAUDI ARABIA - The Board of Directors of NEOM has announced Aquellum, a luxury and experiential space embedded within...
- Aquellum is hidden within a breathtaking 450-meter-high mountain range.
- The subterranean digitalized community creates vibrancy and interconnectivity.
Business
Dubai Duty Free achieves all-time record sales of over US$2.16bn in 2023
DUBAI, UAE - The New Year began on a high note for Dubai Duty Free with the announcement of an...
- December 2023 finished for Dubai Duty Free with record monthly sales of US$221 million, an 8.37 percent increase compared to 2022.
- It's 40th anniversary celebrations offered a 25 percent discount on December 20 which led to a shopping spree of $14.8 million in 24 hours.
Arts & Culture
Over 12m people visit Riyadh Season in 60 days
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Two months after their launch, on October 11, 2023, Riyadh Season events had already attracted 12...
- Riyadh Season attracts large number of visitors with different kinds of activities and experiences.
- It is one of the major Saudi events that establishes new concepts in the world of entertainment.
Arts & Culture
10m people attend Riyadh Season 2023 events in first 50 days, says report
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - According to the Riyadh Season, 10 million people took part in the activities organized in the...
- Riyadh Season 2023 started in late October, and since then, it has witnessed a large visitor turnout at all entertainment areas.
- At the Season, visitors can enjoy concerts, exhibitions, festivals and other events in which celebrities and prominent brands participate.
Saudi Arabia introduces unified platform for visas, including Hajj, Umrah
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia on Tuesday introduced 'KSA VISA,' a unified visa platform aimed at streamlining visa application...
- The platform aims to automate visa issuance procedures, thereby enhancing the overall visitor experience
- The initiative is a step in the kingdom's strategy to bolster tourism in the forthcoming years
Business
Red Sea Global, VAARST join hands for marine ecosystem mapping
TABUK, SAUDI ARABIA - Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the regenerative tourism destinations, is piloting SubSLAM, an...
- VAARST’s photogrammetry and real-time intelligent data collection system are transforming how underwater ecosystems are mapped and preserved.
- SubSLAM, developed by VAARST, enables precise quantification and identification of corals and underwater objects using advanced 4K sensors.
Business
NEOM unveils Utamo, a $500bn project to showcase world’s mega artists
NEOM, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia's $500 billion mega project, has introduced Utamo, a new art and entertainment destination set...
- Described by NEOM as "an innovative and multipurpose event and performance space," Utamo features VIP lounges and signature restaurants
- NEOM envisions Utamo as a venue where "reality and the digital realm converge," aiming to redefine entertainment benchmarks
Business
PIF sets up agri and ecotourism firm Dan Company
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - The Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced on Monday the establishment of Dan Company, specializing in agritourism...
- The company plans to develop unique tourism projects around cities across Saudi Arabia with attractive natural and farmed landscapes.
- Dan aims to involve local communities in imparting experience that enables visitors to fully interact with Saudi regional culture and traditions.
Economy
Siranna: NEOM’s premier destination for elite travelers revealed
NEOM, Saudi Arabia – NEOM, a futuristic city planned by Saudi Arabia in its northwestern Tabuk Province, has unveiled Siranna,...
- The destination offers uninterrupted views of the Red Sea, with its tiered design offering diverse views and perspectives
- Arriving via waterborne transportation to the secluded bay, guests will journey through the natural rock formations before reaching the entrance of the property
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...
Company News
Latest News
‘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...
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...
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...
Business
Most Read
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.