Saudi Arabia calls for ‘real commitment’ towards a Palestinian state
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia has called for a "real commitment to a two-state solution that is a credible, irreversible path to a Palestinian state". At the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development aimed at dialogues to tackle the most pressing geopolitical, social...
Jordan, Morocco to launch hospitality training facility
A Jordanian-Moroccan hospitality and tourism training project will be launched in the Hashemite Kingdom as part of the strategic partnership between the two countries, Moroccan Ambassador Sidi Muhammad Khaled Al-Nasiri announced on Saturday.Saudi Arabia allows holders of all types of visas to perform Umrah
The ministry stated that those who qualify to perform Umrah also include holders of US, UK and Schengen visasThree day Ajman Dates festival concludes, promotes palm plantation
The seventh edition of three-day Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival at the Emirates Hospitality Center in Ajman, concluded. Organized by the Ajman Department of Tourism Development, the event acted as a platform for promotion of palm plantation, and production of dates, honey and fruits.Over 7mn international visitors in Dubai in H1 2022
Dubai attracted 7.12 million international overnight visitors between January and June 2022, recording over 183 growth compared to the 2.52 million tourists who visited during the same period in 2021.Three-day Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival to begin Friday
The 7th edition of Liwa Ajman Dates and Honey Festival begins Friday at the Emirates Hospitality Centre in Ajman. Showcasing the finest dates produced in the UAE, the festival displays the best types of dates. Organized by Ajman Department of Tourism Development, the festival targets more than 400 participants. It...UAE maintains reputation as top tourist destination
The UAE continues to maintain its regional and international leadership as a distinguished travel destination and a preferred country for living and working.Crises put Gulf investments in Sri Lanka at stake
The region has invested billions of dollars across sectors in the South Asian nation as recent past witnessed an expansion in economic and trade relations between the two sides.France and UAE explore ways to enhance cultural cooperation
Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, UAE’s Minister of Culture and Youth, discussed cultural cooperation with Rima Abdul Malak, Minister of Culture of France on Wednesday. The meeting between the two was held at the ministry’s headquarters in Paris on the sidelines of UAE’s President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan...Global medical and recovery tourism worth $100bn annually: Official
The revenues of the medical and recovery tourism, globally, is around $100 billion annually, said Bandar Al Fihaid, President of the Arab Tourism Organization (ATO). He noted the revenue is expected to double over the next 10 years, while saying the Arab tourists expenditure amounts to nearly $30 billion. It indicates...59% more French tourists visited UAE in 2021
In 2021, the number of French tourists visiting the UAE rose to 311,570, an increase of 59 percent, compared to 2020.Jordan tourism sector rides high on back of 1.9m visitors to kingdom
The tourism sector of the Jordanian economy has seen a huge growth, with more than 1.9 million visitors arriving in the kingdom during the first six months of the current year Tourism Minister Nayef Al-Fayez described the situation as reassuring. He said the return of expatriates was an important component...Dubai retains spot as world’s top tourism FDI destination in 2021
Dubai has retained its top rank worldwide for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into tourism in 2021. With AED6.4 billion ($1.74 billion) in FDI across 30 FDI projects during the year, Dubai ranked number one in FDI capital, projects, and job creation in the tourism sector in 2021, according to...Saudi citizens’ US visitor visas validity raised to 10 years
The United States Mission to Saudi Arabia has announced that Saudi citizens visitor visas (B1/B2) validity has been increased from five to 10 years and it will be applicable from August 1, 2022.Algeria-Tunisia border crossings reopen after two years of closure
After two years of closure, nine border crossings between Tunisia and Algeria reopened at midnight on Thursday. The decision to reopen the crossings was announced by Algeria's President Abdelmajid Tebboune to his Tunisian counterpart Kais Saied, on July 5, during Algiers' independence day celebrations.Chairman, CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority appointed
Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, has appointed Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum as Chairman of Expo City Dubai Authority.Dubai to host World Corporate Summit in November
Dubai will host the first edition of the World Corporate Summit which will discuss sports and multi-sectoral business growth as core pillars. WCS will be held from November 21 to December 16 and will be attended by decision-makers from multinational corporations, UAE-based firms and government institutions.Kuwait asks its citizens to leave turmoil-hit Sri Lanka at the earliest
Kuwait's Foreign Ministry has called on nationals who are currently in Sri Lanka to keep away from protest areas, heed instructions of local authorities and leave the country as soon as possible. In a press statement on Saturday, the ministry also advised nationals who are planning to travel to Sri...Festivals, guesthouses breathe life into Old Tunis, boost tourism
The government has this month begun bailout negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, as its tourism and import-dependent economy has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic and elevated global food and energy prices.Dubai tourism achieves robust growth in 2022
The sector recovered fast in the emirate after the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, registering a 203 percent increase in the number of visitors in the first four months of 2022.Sri Lanka appeals Russia for fuel and resumption of tourist flights
Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic downturn since it gained independence from Britain in 1948.Shark kills 1 Austrian, 1 Romanian tourist in Egypt’s Red Sea
Two women, one Austrian and the other Romanian, were killed in a shark attack this week off the coast of Egypt, Egypt's environment ministry and the tourists' respective foreign ministries said Sunday. "Two women were attacked by a shark while swimming" in the Sahl Hasheesh area south of Hurghada on...Jeddah Season 2022 concludes, 6m visitors attend events
Jeddah Season 2022 lasted for 60 days and was full of exciting shows, programs, activities that took place in 13 locations in Jeddah, and was attended by over six million visitors from Saudi Arabia and tourists from 129 countries.Saudi Arabia and Italy to explore investment opportunities
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment will host a high-level Italian business delegation on Monday to explore mutually beneficial investment opportunities. The Italian delegation would be led by Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio. The forum will focus on finance, infrastructure and mobility, tourism and culture,...UAE strengthening exhibition sector: Al Midfa at CEO Summit
The Expo Center Sharjah participated in the “Global CEO Summit 2022” to improve international cooperation, and forecast the future of the exhibition and conference sector. The summit is organized by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) in Hamburg, Germany from June 22 to 24. The Center stressed that...Sharjah a vital tourist destination, says business body
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry organized a business meeting with the Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia in the UAE and the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA).Saudi Arabia lifts travel ban on Turkey, India, Ethiopia, Vietnam
The decision was based on the findings of the competent health authorities about the epidemiological situation in these countries.Qatar receives highest number of international visitors in May
The international arrivals in Qatar exceeded 166,000 people in May, making it the month with highest number of visitors in 2022. Qatar Tourism said that unique events in the previous months like ‘Eid in Qatar’ were also a reason for large influx of visitors in Qatar. The figures represent more...Services assist Saudi economy recover, diversify fast
The Kingdom's service sector is expected to grow rapidly once the major Vision 2030 tourism and entertainment projects - Qiddiya, the Red Sea project, NEOM, Al-Ula - are completed.Sharjah, Hungary discuss cooperation in cultural field
A high-level Sharjah's Department of Government Relations delegation was in Hungary to discuss mutual investment opportunities and outline ways to strengthen the role of culture and heritage in advancing sustainable developmentTurkish share of global exports reaches 1 percent: Erdogan
Turkish exports, Erdogan added, have now reached 217 countries and regions around the world.Visa-free travel to Saudi Arabia for GCC residents
Under the new visa scheme, all GCC residents with a valid resident and work visa issued by the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qataris immigration authorities will be allowed entry into Saudi Arabia for business, tourism, and Umrah purposes, with the exception of Hajj – the annual Islamic pilgrimage.Qatari, Swiss firms discuss investment prospects in medical tourism
The two countries will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2023, which includes organizing events like car exhibitions, and promoting investments in hospitality and real estate.Turkey looks to modern port to revive tourism
A state-of-the-art port in Istanbul with an underground terminal, a celebrity chef's restaurant and a shopping center, welcomes yet another 5,000-passenger cruise ship.2021 State of Country Report proposes fighting extremism, drug menace
The report recommended empowering youth politically by activating the role of the Political Institute of the Ministry of Youth.Qatari businessmen to explore investment opportunities in Egypt
The Qatari Businessmen Association discussed investment cooperation with Mohamed Abdel-Wahab, CEO of Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones. On a visit to Doha, Abdel-Wahab agreed on coordinating field visits to the Qatari business community to Egypt to discuss investment opportunities. Abdel-Wahab reviewed the investment opportunities for Qatari investors,...Commercial marinas to issue yacht sailing permits in KSA
Some commercial marinas in Saudi Arabia would be allowed to issue yacht sailing permits which would help develop cruises in the Kingdom’s territorial watersSaudi Arabia, Spain to strengthen partnerships in sustainable tourism
Spain’s experience and expertise in tourism has already helped Saudi Arabia and more Spanish businesses will hopefully join the leading tourism players already working with the kingdom, Saudi tourism minister Ahmed Al Khateeb has said. “I was very pleased to share our vision and plans with Spanish businesses in Riyadh...Saudi Arabia aims to triple foreign tourism in 2022: Minister
Saudi Arabia aims to triple foreign tourism this year as pandemic restrictions ease, hajj pilgrims return and the first elements of the crown prince's signature projects open, its tourism minister told AFP Sunday. The kingdom inaugurated tourist visas in September 2019, just months before the coronavirus pandemic decimated the industry...Interior Ministry launches Makkah Route Initiative in 5 countries
Makkah Route Initiative aims to complete procedures in pilgrims countries with ease including issuing visa electronically, taking biometrics, completion of passport procedures, health requirementsSaudi Arabia, Seychelles to expand cooperation in tourism sector
Saudi Arabia and Seychelles will form a partnership to boost cooperation and exchange expertize in tourism sector which includes planning, investment, and developing tourism sites and projects. Saudi’s tourism ministry signed an MoU with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Seychelles regarding the same. The MoU aims at...French companies show interest in Saudi entertainment market
Major French companies have expressed their interest in accessing the Saudi market and investing in the tourism and entertainment market at a time the kingdom’s focus on these sectors has become an important part of its transformative Vision 2030. These remarks were made at a meeting between the Federation of...Tourism helps Saudi economy diversify away from oil
The kingdom eyes over 70 million visitors this year as the country jumps from 43rd to 33rd spot on the global tourism ranking, says Saudi Arabia's assistant tourism minister.Sri Lanka inflation hit seventh consecutive record high in April
Hammered by a foreign exchange crisis, the country's 22 million people have been enduring acute shortages of essentials.Dubai: A Monaco in the making in the Gulf region
Dubai is among cities that woo huge FDIs and lead in technology transfer in startups, AI and robotics sectors. TRENDS analyzes how it has become Monaco of the region.UAE tourism sector set new record in Q1 2022 : Tourism Minister
Tourism is deemed one of the future sectors and a key focus area in the UAE’s development vision for the next 50 yearsMorocco ‘breathing again’ as tourists return after Covid curbs
Morocco this week reopened land borders with the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, two years after they were shut due to Covid and a major diplomatic rowNEOM will be subject to Saudi sovereignty and rules: Report
Saudi Arabia has rejected claims that its planned futuristic megacity known as NEOM will have different rules from the rest of the kingdom and function like a "country within a country". Media reports said that in an interview published last week by the UAE's The National newspaper, Andrew McEvoy, head...Dubai: Monaco of the region with a difference
The final quarter of 2021 provided a major boost to Dubai hotel results, with properties surpassing even 2019 figures across all major KPIs. Occupied room nights in the quarter hit 10.1 million, up 12 percent from 9 million in 2019. Length of stay increased from 3.5 nights to 4.5, a 20...Tourism recovering, but not back to pre-pandemic levels
Global tourism is roaring back to life despite Covid travel headaches and the effects of the war in Ukraine, but it has yet to return to its pre-pandemic health. International tourist arrivals worldwide have more than doubled, up 130 percent in January 2022 on the same period last year, according...US nears 1m Covid dead, as New York seeks to move on
America recorded its first coronavirus death, on the West Coast, in early February 2020. By the next month, the virus was ravaging New York and the White House was predicting up to 240,000 deaths nationwide. But those projections were way off.