#tourism

Qatar Airways starts flights to Alula Qatar Airways starts flights to Alula

Qatar Airways inaugurates flights from Doha to AlUla, Saudi Arabia

With the two new weekly flights to AlUla, Qatar Airways now services 10 destinations in Saudi Arabia

UAE Kosovo sign visa exemption agreement in January 2024 Image Kosovo Embassy

UAE, Kosovo approve visa-free entry for citizens

UAE citizens holding valid passports for at least six months are exempt from the visa requirement for entry into Kosovo and can stay there for up to 90 days per visit

UAE: Fourth edition of 'World's Coolest Winter Campaign' kicks off image DUbai Media Office

UAE: Fourth season of ‘World’s Coolest Winter Campaign’ kicks off

In its third season, the campaign saw tourists numbers reach 1.4 million, an increase of 8 per cent compared to the second edition

Football fever: Qatar gears up for AFC Asian Cup, other key events in Q1 2024 image Getty Imges

Football fever: Qatar gears up for AFC Asian Cup, other key events in Q1 2024

Qatar will welcome football fans from around the region for the AFC Asian Cup being held from January 12 – February 10 this year

Top travel trends for the Middle East GettyImages

Here are top 5 travel trends in the Middle East for 2024

Priority Pass operator Collinson shares that from backpacking to wellness retreats, the rise in holidays that enable travellers to get back to basics is undeniable

siranna new destination launched by NEOM Image NEOM

Saudi Arabia: What NEOM’s new destination, Siranna, has to offer

Situated on the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, this ultra-luxurious destination will be home to a 65-key hotel, as well as 35 exclusive residences

WATCH: Accor’s Philip Jones on winning GB Company of the Year

Accor walked away with two recognitions at this year’s Gulf Business Awards, which were held at Dubai’s Palazzo Versace hotel.

Miral_Yas Waterworld Expansion Image Supplied

Abu Dhabi: Yas Waterworld expansion to add thrilling new experiences

Yas Waterworld is a part of Yas Island that includes attractions such as Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, CLYMB Abu Dhabi and Yas Bay Waterfront

Saudi Arabia e visa

Saudi Arabia expands investor e-visa to all countries

The list includes individuals who have a valid tourist or commercial visa from the US, the UK or any Schengen country

Red Sea Global unveils Shebara its luxury hotel brand Image: Supplied

Red Sea Global unveils Shebara, its luxury hotel brand

Shebara will open in the summer of 2024 and is the first resort to be owned and operated by RSG at The Red Sea destination

Dubai Harbour welcomes Virgin Voyages 2_ Dubai Cruise Season Image Supplied

Dubai 2023-24 cruise season: Emirate welcomes Resilient Lady from Virgin Voyages

The call is one of a number of international cruise liners set to arrive at Dubai Harbour during this year’s cruise season, with 300,000 passengers and 49 ship calls

Red Sea Global unveils Thuwal Private Retreat – a new luxury private island destination Image RSG

Red Sea Global unveils new luxury private island destination in Saudi Arabia

The buy-out only island resort will offer travellers premium luxury and hyper-personalised private experiences from early 2024

Saudi Arabia launches Ardara and AlWadi Image Supplied

Saudi Arabia launches ARDARA and lifestyle destination AlWadi in Abha region

ARDARA aims to provide investment and partnership opportunities for investors in hospitality, arts, culture, food and agriculture, retail and entertainment

NEOM unveils Leyja Image NEOM

NEOM unveils Leyja, a new sustainable tourism destination

The destination will feature three hotels designed to complement the surrounding nature, operate sustainably, and provide unique experiences

China grants Saudi Arabia Approved Destination Status

China grants Saudi Arabia Approved Destination Status

Saudi Arabia aims to attract three million Chinese travellers by 2030

PIF launches Al Balad Development Company to develop Jeddha Historic District Image courtesy PIF X

Saudi’s PIF sets up Al Balad Development Company to transform Jeddah’s historic district

The company will follow leading urban planning and environmental sustainability standards to preserve the area’s unique heritage

UAE economy to grow 3% in 2023, says S&P Global

UAE economy to grow by 3% in 2023, says S&P Global

The government has implemented comprehensive economic and social initiatives that are designed to set the stage for sustained and long-term growth

DCT Abu Dhabi, Mubadala to invest Dhs50m in cultural industry

DCT Abu Dhabi, Mubadala to invest Dhs50m in cultural industry

The collaboration presents an important commitment to fostering cultural programmes and initiatives

Abu Dhabi to debut inaugural Travel and Tourism Week

Abu Dhabi’s debut Travel & Tourism Week set to drive growth

The platform is set to further enhance the city’s business and leisure tourism industries while advancing economic growth

Value of MENA’s hotel, residential projects top $1.9tn

Value of MENA’s hotel, residential projects top $1.9tn

The influx of new hospitality and tourism-related projects in the region is fostering new trends that add value and efficiency

Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi CEO of Miral announces the company's new CSR strategy 2023 image Miral

Miral to launch over 80 initiatives within 2 years under new CSR strategy

The company aims to create a transformational impact on the community through economic, social and environment initiatives that are aligned with UN SDGs

Oman puts 103 countries on visa-free list Image Getty Images

Oman visa-free entry: Check list to see countries that qualify

Nationals of 103 countries and regions are exempt from entry visas for stays up to 14 days

unwto and g20 launch dashboard-to support tourism Image courtesy UNWTO

UNWTO, G20 launch dashboard to support tourism, advance SDGs

In 2022, the G20 nations welcomed 74 per cent of international tourists and 73 per cent of tourism exports worldwide

Saudi Arabia economic outlook

Saudi Arabia receives 7.8 million tourists in Q1 2023

The kingdom’s incoming tourism revenue grew by about 225 per cent to reach SAR37bn in the first quarter of this year

ADNEC Group lauches charter flights to attract tourists to Abu Dhabi Image WAM

Abu Dhabi: ADNEC’s Tourism 365 launches charter flights to these countries

This new service is poised to increase visitor arrivals to the UAE

UAE allows visa free travel for more than 80 countries IMage Getty

UAE visa update: More than 80 nationalities can enter UAE without prior visa

Citizens from 115 countries still have to obtain a visa before entering the UAE

Saga group - Travel

Travel will represent a $15.5tn economy by 2033

The report by World Travel & Tourism Council reveals the top five most powerful travel and tourism economies as of 2022 in terms of GDP contribution

KBBO Group debt pile

Abu Dhabi revises hotel fees to boost hospitality sector

The change, which follows directives from the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, is set to take effect from September 1

Emaar Properties posts Dhs4.9bn in H1 profit, up 15%

Emaar Properties posts Dhs4.9bn in H1 2023 profit

The developer’s group property sales, rose by 14 per cent to Dhs20.2bn

Saudia inaugurates flights from Riyadh, Jeddah to Beijing

Saudia launches flights connecting Riyadh, Jeddah with Beijing

The new routes reinforce Saudi Arabia’s commitment to boost the growth of the tourism and aviation sectors