NEOM, Saudi Red Sea Authority to partner in marine tourism
NEOM, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NEOM to collaborate on developing legislation, regulations, and technology in marine tourism.The partnership will promote the sharing of expertise and enable the implementation and activation of joint initiatives. The aim is to enhance...
DEWA launches construction work of Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls project
DUBAI, UAE - MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer has launched the construction work for the Hatta Sustainable Waterfalls project. The US$12 million (AED 46 million) project was recently awarded to DEWA and is part of the company's social and investment responsibility...UAE, Morocco discuss ways to boost cooperation in energy, industry
Rabat, Morocco - UAE and Morocco discussed ways of boosting their cooperation and investment opportunities in industry, economy, investments, culture, and tourism. The discussion occurred between Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE's Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Aziz Akhannouch, Prime Minister of Morocco, in Morocco. The visit is a...CBUAE projects real GDP to grow by 7.6% in 2022
In its Q3 review, the apex bank attributed the upward review to the robust performance of some non-oil sectors, including tourism, hospitality, real estate and manufacturing.Sharjah records 68% increase in female entrepreneurs: Business Council director
Sharjah, UAE--- Sharjah has witnessed a 68 percent increase in female entrepreneurs recently and as the market grows and expands, it will continue cultivating an environment that is inclusive and supportive, said Maryam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of the Sharjah Business Women Council. She was speaking on the opening day...Dubai tourist arrivals vault 134% from Jan to Oct
Dubai’s hotel inventory in October 2022 comprised 144,737 rooms at 790 hotel establishments compared with 122,185 rooms available at the end of October 2019.GPSSA clarifies conditions of insured individuals
ABU DHABI, UAE - The General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) said that the registration of insured individuals in the private sector with the authority is the first step towards receiving benefits as part of GPSSA’s social insurance system. This is in addition to benefits provided by the NAFIS...Egypt dusts off pyramids for fashion and art shows
French fashion house Dior debuted its latest collection Saturday at the Giza pyramids, after Italian designer Stefano Ricci held a show at Luxor's Temple of Hatshepsut in Oct.Riyadh’s WTTC Summit to oversee signing of 50 deals
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - Fifty deals and agreements are expected to be signed in the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al Khateeb said. The minister evaluated the deals to be worth $50 billion, local media reports said. The agreements include...Third Saudi Cruise Season begins as MSC Splendida arrives in Yanbu Port
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia--- Yanbu Commercial Port has officially kickstarted the third edition of the Saudi cruise season by berthing MSC Splendida, which arrived from Jeddah Islamic Port, marking the maiden cruise call for the current season that will run until May 2023. To celebrate the start of the new season,...Mohammed bin Rashid approves Dubai rural area development master plan
DUBAI, UAE - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai has approved the Dubai Countryside and Rural Areas Development Master Plan, spanning an area of 2,216 square kilometers. The Plan seeks to preserve the nature of areas including Lehbab, Margham, Al Marmoom, Al...UNWTO says investments key to transform tourism
Marrakesh, Morocco—The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) convened its 117th Executive Council in Marrakesh, Morocco, as the sector’s recovery continues to gather pace. According to UNWTO data released this week, international arrivals are on track to reach 65% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year. However, building on...Tourism recovery reaches 65% of pre-pandemic levels
An estimated 340 million international arrivals were recorded in the third quarter of 2022 alone, almost 50% of the nine-month total.Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum to begin Nov 24
SHARJAH, UAE - The 9th edition of the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum (SITTF) is set to kick off at the Sharjah Expo Centre on November 24, 2022, under the theme 'Building a Resilient Future for Tourism'. The forum will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin...Several MoUs give a boost to Saudi-Thai relations
The two countries agree to set up Saudi-Thai Coordination Council, vow to enhance investments and cooperation in sectors such as energy and tourism and fight corruption.UAE Minister discusses economic ties with Caribbean countries
ABU DHABI, UAE - UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri visited the Havana International Fair 2022 in the Republic of Cuba, at the invitation of the Cuban government. The visit was aimed at exploring opportunities for cooperation and establishing new economic partnerships between the UAE and Caribbean...Qatar issues licenses to 3500 holiday homes to house World Cup visitors
Qatar faces the challenge to accommodate 1.2 million fans expected to attend the FIFA World Cup.‘Ambush marketing’ may spoil the game as businesses across GCC get ready to gain from Qatar World Cup
As the world gears up for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, the positive ripple effect is being felt in the business fraternity across the Gulf region, especially in the UAE.Travel-weary Saudi superfan awaits World Cup at ‘home’
Saudi officials are putting on 240 weekly flights linking the kingdom to Qatar, up from six normally, and easing overland travel during the tournament, Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb told AFP last month.GCC adopts tourism strategy, launches new platform
The Gulf ministers review projects aimed at strengthening joint Gulf action in tourism as well as strategic partnerships between the GCC and other countries and stakeholders.S&P says GCC economies to get a boost from Qatar World Cup
Dubai, UAE— The economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council will likely receive a boost from the FIFA 2022 World Cup, as more than 1.2 million fans are expected to attend the event. According to a survey conducted by S&P Ratings, the influx of football fans from around the world will...Residential properties in UAE remain key attraction for international real estate investors
Experts attribute the main reasons for the increase in the real estate demand to the UAE government's numerous initiatives and the high income level of investors.Emerging sectors are creating thousands of new jobs in the Kingdom, says Saudi Economy Minister
Saudi Arabia is focused on offering solutions that make global trade more predictable and reliable, says Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim at an event in Riyadh.UAE-Kazakhstan trade reached $907 million in 2021: Ambassador Menelikov
The Kazakhstan ambassador valued the UAE leadership's interest in strengthening relations between the two countries, pointing out that the 1st of October marks the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the UAE and Kazakhstan.Saudi expecting tens of thousands of World Cup fans: Minister
The efforts are intended to jumpstart the nascent tourism sector in the once closed-off kingdom, which only began issuing tourist visas in September 2019 -- just months before the coronavirus pandemic decimated the industry globally.Qatar market braces for football World Cup boom
Crowds are already growing as a World Cup buzz mounts. Fan zone attractions and temporary stores are being set up around Nama's camel enclosure and the hundreds of small stores selling incense, spices, carpets, gold and even falcons and other birds and animals. Press reports said stores will be allowed...Qatar throws open new hotels, resorts to host football fans
Doha, Qatar— Qatar Tourism has thrown open more than 20 hotels, resorts and new tourist destinations in the country ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The projects and tourist attractions will be ready to receive football fans from next month. In a statement on Sunday, Qatar Tourism stated...Global players steer towards UAE as Abu Dhabi sails well to become ‘best’ superyacht destination
The UAE capital -- which now boasts 5,325 registered vessels -- is well on its way to become a key hub for the international superyacht industry, says a reportQatar says over 1.5 million apply for compulsory World Cup pass
All travelers to Qatar will need the pass to enter from November 1, whether they intend to watch a game or not. The card acts as a visa, match ticket and transport ticket. Saad Al-Suwaidi, head of the Hayya pass service, said that 1.5m-1.7 million people have so far applied...Qatar lures the rich with luxury World Cup
Those with bottomless budgets in the resource-rich region have attractive accommodation options too, with one third-party site offering $4,000-a-night hotel rooms and $26,000 for a "head of state" suite -- with a 30-night minimum stay.Sports become money-spinning enterprise for GCC
From Formula One racing to the football World Cup, the top-notch global sporting events are coming to Middle East, bringing with it billions of dollars in sports tourism.Sharjah tourism body to highlight AI, technology in tourism
Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has confirmed its participation at the 42nd GITEX Technology Week, to be held from October 10- 14 2022 at the Dubai World Trade Center.Middle East plays well to become sports tourism hub
Major events such as Qatar World Cup 2022, Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, etc. will give Gulf tourism a boost in the last quarter of this year, according to a latest report.Saudi Arabia urges cooperation in tourism for sustainable future
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib said more cooperation is a must for sustainable future in tourism in G20 nations. It includes facing issues spawned by the Covid pandemic, taking collective action for renaissance of the tourism sector and partnerships between private and public...Air passengers number up, reveals global aviation meet in Dubai
Some of the greatest minds in the aviation industry took to the stage at this year’s Global Aviation Conference in Dubai, UAE.Innovations keep manufacturers going in Middle East
More organizations in the region are trying to turn their current challenges into advantages through innovations and by improving skills to collaborate with suppliers and allies.Egypt remittances drop 14.7% to US$2.38 billion in July
The drop comes as the exchange rate of the Egyptian pound is seeing a decline in light of the pressures the country is experiencing due to the Ukrainian war repercussions and the decline in foreign reserves at the Central Bank.Away game: Qatar World Cup looms as money-spinner for Dubai
With little investment the UAE, and in particular Dubai, stands to gain if, as expected, supporters opt to stay in the tourism hotspot instead of tiny Gulf neighbor Qatar during the November-December tournament. High accommodation prices in the Qatari capital Doha and Dubai's more permissive environment including a wider availability...High-level UAE economic delegation visits Georgia
A UAE economic delegation led by Minister of State Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh visited Tbilisi, Georgia.UAE earns $5bn from tourism in H1, expects more from World Cup
A strong performance is expected this winter when neighboring Qatar hosts football's World Cup. Hotel occupancy was up more than 40 percent in Covid-hit 2021, UAE prime minister and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said after a cabinet meeting.Qatar World Cup to kick up region’s economic growth
The FIFA World Cup, which is likely to boost tourism across GCC, is all set to increase revenues for Gulf airlines, hotel and restaurant industries and domestic transportation.ADNEC adopts new corporate identity to support economic diversification
A global hub for major events, ADNEC centre has infrastructure, flexible teams and facilities to provide key services through a number of companies.Saudi delegation visits Jordan’s Petra to enhance cooperation
A delegation from Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) visited Petra on Tuesday to advance cooperation between the two kingdoms in tourism.Saudi Arabia eases visa rules for GCC, US, UK, EU residents
The regulations came into effect after the minister of tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb signed on a ministerial decree, making it easier to visit the oil-rich kingdom.Beckham to promote Qatar attractions in tourism push ahead of FIFA World Cup
As part of the campaign, Beckham tours the country with several local personalities, exploring spice markets and street art in the Gulf nation.Top tourist destinations in Dubai
Dubai tourism recovered fast after the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, registering a 203 percent increase in the number of visitors in the first four months of 2022.Alhokair trims H1 loss by 49%
It cut down the loss to $18m from $35.39m posted last year.Saudi to provide multiple entry visas for tourists during world cup
The move comes as Qatar, which has a population of 2.8 million, tries to accommodate an expected 1.2 million visitors during the November 20-December 18 World Cup, and as Saudi Arabia ramps up efforts to attract tourists.German economy grows slightly in Q2, recession fears recede
Germany's economy grew slightly in the second quarter, an upgrade from a previous estimate of stagnation, revised official data showed Thursday, pushing back the specter of recession. Output expanded by 0.1 percent in the April to June period, according to the federal statistics agency, which had previously projected zero growth....Seera sees 43% slide in loss
The Saudi travel group saw its loss fall to $35m in H1.Airfares increase as demand soars for flights to UAE
Demand for air tickets to destinations outside the UAE also surged in June and July, even as the travel costs grew sharply due to the rising oil prices and global inflation.