#SecureLandCommunications #CritComms #F1Jeddah Jeddah, KSA - 20 March 2023 – Airbus rolled out its mission-critical solutions in the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as the motorsport spectacle’s official secure communication technology provider. Deployed in the vital points of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit were Airbus TMR880i, THR880i, TH1N, and TH9 Tetra radios and RCS9500 Radio Dispatch Console. Providing secure collaboration and connectivity between organisers and security teams, the technologies were pivotal to safeguarding the people and the venue whilst guaranteeing seamless on-site race activities and operations. Selim Bouri, Vice-president for Airbus Secure Land Communications in Africa, Asia and the Middle East said: “Clear, concise and secure communication is an important ......read more
08 March 2023: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for January 2023 global air cargo markets showing that air cargo demand declined as economic headwinds persist. • Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), fell 14.9% compared to January 2022 (-16.2% for international operations). • Capacity (measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, ACTK) was up 3.9% compared to January 2022. This was the first year-on-year growth in capacity since October 2022. International cargo capacity increased 1.4% compared to January 2022. The uptick in ACTKs reflects the strong recovery of belly capacity in passenger airline markets offsetting a decline international capacity offered by dedicated freighters. • Several factors in the operating environment ......read more
• The Dubai-based carrier adds two new destinations to its network with the launch of flights to Al Qaisumah and Neom and resumes flights to Jizan and Najran Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 03 March 2023: flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, has announced today the launch of four destinations in Saudi Arabia. This includes the start of flights to Neom from 16 March, Najran from 18 March, Al Qaisumah from 21 March and Jizan from 26 April. Earlier this year, the airline also resumed its operations to AlUla with a twice-weekly service from 12 January. Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: “flydubai remains committed to opening up underserved markets and so we are pleased to offer our customers more options for travel with the launch of these four destinations. As Saudi Arabia continues on its ......read more
Launches New Premium Experience Campaign featuring the actor DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways has launched a new brand campaign in collaboration with world-renowned Indian actor, Deepika Padukone. The campaign launch is the culmination of the airline's endeavour to redefine Qatar Airways Premium experience, particularly through showcasing the world-class Qsuite along with the unparalleled surroundings of The Orchard, which are core to Hamad International Airport’s expansion. The timeless acoustic track ‘Ain’t Nobody’ accompanies the campaign that connects Padukone’s journey with Qatar Airways to a new level of luxury and elegance. She encapsulates the premium experience available to customers of Qatar Airways, transiting through the best airport in the world, Hamad International Airport. Qatar ......read more
Riyadh, KSA - 28 Feb 2023: Riyadh Airports Company (RAC), which operates and manages King Khalid International Airport (KKIA), has announced the successful trial of Smart Path, a facial recognition technology, at International Terminal 2 in partnership with the air transport technology company, SITA. The technology, which was tested at check-in counters and boarding gates recognizes the passengers’ digital identity when stepping up to the camera. The facial image is directly linked to the passengers’ physical passport and travel documents at check-in. This allows them to be identified at security or boarding by simply taking a picture. This trial is part of RAC’s effort towards digitally transforming King Khalid International Airport into a smart airport in the future in compliance with the standards of ......read more
26, February 2023: Creating a new milestone in its network expansion strategy, Oman’s value-for-money airline SalamAir has announced direct flights to two new destinations Mashhad in Iran and Almaty in Kazakhstan. Mashhad is the third destination in Iran for the airline, with flights to Shiraz and Tehran already in its network, and Almaty is the airline's first entry into Kazakhstan. Weekly flights from Muscat to Mashhad and Almaty are scheduled for starting from February 21 and 1st July 2023 respectively. These two routes serve a high demand for medical, business, and leisure tourism. The new flights will also offer convenient connections to the SalamAir network. Speaking of the two new routes, Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir, said, “Iran has been one of the key focus markets for us, and we are pleased ......read more
The national airline celebrates its first flight to Medina, expanding affordable, hassle-free travel for tourists and residents in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia 16, February 2023, Abu Dhabi, UAE: Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the ultra-low-fare national airline of the UAE, has commenced operations on the new route of Medina, a centre of Islamic culture. The new destinations further strengthen regional connectivity with high quality point-to-point travel on WIZZ’s convenient flight schedule. Tickets are on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app with fares starting as low as AED 219 *. Medina, a historical city of religious significance, boasts breath-taking views and architecture. Known as ‘The Enlightened City’, Medina is home to Al Masjid an Nabawi, the Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace Be Upon Him) ......read more
• ADU is the first academic institution in the world to take this initiative • Trained GPT-3 will revolutionize the way ADU-related inquiries and services are delivered Abu Dhabi, UAE, 16 February 2023: In a continues bid to integrate breakthrough solutions and tap into the potential of the groundbreaking GPT-3 technology, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) to become the first educational institution in the world to train GPT-3 on its data and services. The integration of the technology seeks to better support students, faculty and staff through providing enhanced and efficient services while setting a new standard for education technology. By leveraging the power of GPT-3, ADU will support data-driven decision-making, enhance learning outcomes and promote the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) ......read more
7 February 2023: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing that 2022 full-year demand for air cargo took a significant step back from 2021 levels but was close to 2019 performance. • Global full-year demand in 2022, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), was down 8.0% compared to 2021 (-8.2% for international operations). Compared to 2019, it was down 1.6% (both global and international). • Capacity in 2022, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), was 3.0% above 2021 (+4.5% for international operations). Compared to 2019 (pre-COVID) levels, capacity declined by 8.2% (-9.0% for international operations). • December saw a softening in performance: global demand was 15.3% below 2021 levels (-15.8% for international ......read more
7 February 2023: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the recovery in air travel continued in December 2022 and for the full year. • Total traffic in 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 64.4% compared to 2021. Globally, full year 2022 traffic was at 68.5% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels. December 2022 total traffic rose 39.7% compared to December 2021 and reached 76.9% of the December 2019 level. • International traffic in 2022 climbed 152.7% versus 2021 and reached 62.2% of 2019 levels. December 2022 international traffic climbed 80.2% over December 2021, reaching 75.1% of the level in December 2019. • Domestic traffic for 2022 rose 10.9% compared to the prior year. 2022 domestic traffic was at 79.6% of the full year 2019 level. December 2022 ......read more
The new routes from Budapest, Bucharest and Rome will provide affordable point-to-point travel opportunities and enhance global connectivity Jeddah, 12 January 2023: On 9, 10 and 11 of January 2023, Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest growing and globally most environmentally sustainable* airline, officially inaugurated three new connections between Bucharest and Jeddah, Budapest and Jeddah and Rome and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The new routes will be served twice a week. Tickets can be purchased on Wizz Air's website and via the WIZZ app from as low as 29.99 EUR*. Wizz Air kicked off 2023 further strengthening its presence in Saudi Arabia by launching five new routes from Hungary, Romania and Italy to Riyadh and Jeddah. The new routes to Jeddah from Bucharest, Budapest and Rome will boost the growing Saudi Arabian tourism ......read more
10, January 2023: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the air travel recovery continued through November 2022. • Total traffic in November 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 41.3% compared to November 2021. Globally, traffic is now at 75.3% of November 2019 levels. • International traffic rose 85.2% versus November 2021. The Asia-Pacific continued to report the strongest year-over-year results with all regions showing improvement compared to the prior year. November 2022 international RPKs reached 73.7% of November 2019 levels. • Domestic traffic for November 2022 was up 3.4% compared to November 2021 with travel restrictions in China continuing to dampen the global result. Total November 2022 domestic traffic was at 77.7% of ......read more
The Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah is no ordinary airport terminal. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and a winner of the 1983 Aga Khan Award, it became a port of entry and junction point for hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims from around the world on their way to Awwal Bait – the First House of Allah, the Holy Kaaba in Mecca, a building at the centre of Islam’s most famous mosque. When the terminal opened, it had the world’s largest cable-stayed, fabric-roofed construction; as it was made on an unprecedented scale, the tensile structure made use of newly developed fabric as a permanent structural element instead of the cable-supported in two directions technique, making it a first-of-sorts in airport design. Today, the Islamic Arts Biennale re-imagines this ......read more
04 January 2023: “Several countries are introducing COVID-19 testing and other measures for travellers from China, even though the virus is already circulating widely within their borders. It is extremely disappointing to see this knee-jerk reinstatement of measures that have proven ineffective over the last three years. Research undertaken around the arrival of the Omicron variant concluded that putting barriers in the way of travel made no difference to the peak spread of infections. At most, restrictions delayed that peak by a few days. If a new variant emerges in any part of the world, the same situation would be expected. That’s why governments should listen to the advice of experts, including the WHO, that advise against travel restrictions. We have the tools to manage COVID-19 without ......read more
Saudi Arabia has a unique opportunity to create the most advanced water parks in the world. - Jeremy Gray, VP of Business Development at WhiteWater Riyadh: Not wanting to be left out in the era of digitization when intelligent automation rules the roost, the water parks sector has been exploring new technologies to improve its operations. Organizations all over the world are looking to create touchless experiences to streamline operations to reduce costs and pain points, which makes countries like Saudi Arabia double the size of its economy to $1.6 trillion, adding an additional $293 billion by 2030, according to a new study by Automation Anywhere. WhiteWater, the world’s largest supplier of water parks and services, has expanded beyond the world of attractions with a software arm called Vantage, which was ......read more
The national airline enhances connectivity from the UAE and meets commitment for more convenient, high quality and affordable travel for the region 15 December 2022, Abu Dhabi, UAE: Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the ultra-low-fare national airline of the UAE, is launching an exciting new route from Abu Dhabi to Medina in Saudi Arabia. Launching in February 2023, the new route will provide affordable, hassle-free travel for tourists and residents in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia with daily flights providing unique travel opportunities on a convenient WIZZ flight schedule. Tickets are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, with fares starting from AED 179 *. Medina, one of Islam’s two holiest cities, is a key destination for millions of pilgrims travelling for Hajj or Umrah, and boasts breath-taking views ......read more
• Kingdom’s growth strategy wins ringing endorsement from WTTC Chiefs on Day 1 of 22nd Annual Summit • Tourism from nature generates $600 bn, WTTC CEO Julia Simpson tells delegates • Saudi Ministry of Tourism signed MoUs with Oman, Indonesia and Barbados Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 29 November 2022: The leaders of the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC) have described Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become one of the top 5 destinations in the world in the next decade as “unparalleled” in the history of tourism and travel. Opening the 22nd edition of the Summit, Arnold Donald, Chair, WTTC & Vice Chair of the Board, Carnival Corporation, welcomed the nearly 3000 participants to what will be the biggest ever meeting of global tourism and travel industry ......read more
• HRH Crown Prince Announces King Salman International Airport Masterplan • King Salman International Airport will boost Riyadh’s position as a global logistics hub and stimulate transport, trade and tourism • The airport is expected to accommodate up to 185 million passengers and process 3.5 million tons of cargo by 2050 • It will cover an area of approximately 57 km2, allowing for six parallel runways and airport support facilities, residential and recreational facilities, and retail outlets • With sustainability at its core, King Salman International Airport will be powered by renewable energy As the 22nd WTTC Global Summit began in Riyadh today, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of ......read more
- A 1450 piece drone show with especially composed music and a live orchestra wowed guests at a stunning opening event to Khaybar, North West Saudi Arabia. AlUla, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 25 November 2022: The ancient oasis town of Khaybar, known for ancient burial structures and striking geology is offering a sneak peek, limited season of day-trip and overnight experiences for visitors. The event forms part of the inaugural Ancient Kingdoms Festival, which comes under the banner of AlUla Moments – the annual calendar of events for the ancient desert city of the AlUla region. The unique sound and light show took place at the AlRawan look out point which has epic views of the Khaybar old town and oasis. The drone show was conceived by HQWS, the same company ......read more
• Children in Saudi Arabia spend an average of 2 hours and 42 minutes on mobile devices — the third highest duration of the 10 countries surveyed. • WhiteWater aims to help accomplish the Vision 2030 goal of establishing more than 600 entertainment attractions in the Kingdom by 2030. • Waterparks offer family members the opportunity to engage with children in a more constructive way. Riyadh: Playing and outdoor fun have undergone a huge transformation over the past 20 years, as new technology-based games and fun activities have turned kids homeward, where they spend most of their time in isolation, glued to their personal devices such as mobile phones, tearing the family bond apart and making it a matter of concern for both parents and social scientists. According to ......read more
CzechTourism brings delegation of 14 Czech tourism partners to discuss business and drive tourists from Saudi Arabia to the Czech Republic Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Czech Tourist Authority – CzechTourism in cooperation with the Embassy of the Czech Republic and in association with Flynas successfully concluded its exclusive Saudi Arabia Roadshow from the 31st October 2022 – November 2nd 2022 covering Riyadh, Jeddah and Al-Khobar cities respectively. The aim of the roadshow was to highlight the multifaceted attractions of the country with a focus on its spa and wellness products, visa seminar by the Embassy of the Czech Republic and airline connectivity by Flynas, the airline partner for the roadshow. The presentations were followed by B2B meetings and networking dinner with travel agents and lucky prize ......read more
25, October 2022: Recognized for revolutionizing the travel experience for religious travelers and facilitating Umrah online booking services in the Middle East, Zamzam.com, is excited to announce its first-ever award from the prestigious “World Travel Awards” for ‘Middle East’s Leading Umrah Online Travel Agency’. This year, the Middle East Gala Ceremony of the World Travel Awards (WTA), was held in the capital of Jordan, Amman on October 23rd, marking the first ceremony in Jordan among the most influential figures and decision-makers in the region’s travel industry. Zamzam.com is the first-ever online travel agency of its kind to win a WTA award and defy the pandemic’s impact and the ongoing global challenges to make it in this highly competitive category. “It is with great ......read more
‘Travel for a Better Future’ revealed as event theme Travel & Tourism business leaders and government officials to take to the stage in Riyadh October 24, 2022: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) unveils its first round of confirmed speakers for its upcoming Global Summit to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, which includes leaders from some of the world’s largest Travel & Tourism businesses, Saudi officials, and tourism ministers from around the world. Taking place at the magnificent King Abdul Aziz International Conference Centre in Riyadh from 28 November to 1 December, the global tourism body's highly anticipated 22nd Global Summit is set to be the most influential Travel & Tourism of the year. Under the theme “Travel for a Better Future” the event ......read more
Cathay Pacific welcomes the Hong Kong SAR Government’s latest measures to facilitate travel to Hong Kong, especially the decision to remove the hotel quarantine arrangement for passengers arriving in Hong Kong effective 26 September 2022. These adjustments will help boost sentiment for travel, thereby facilitating the gradual resumption of travel activities and strengthening of network connectivity to, from and through the Hong Kong aviation hub. We intend to add more than 200 pairs of passenger flights in October to both regional and long-haul destinations. In view of Japan’s relaxation of travel restrictions for inbound visitors, Cathay Pacific will resume daily flights to Tokyo (Haneda) from 1 November and four-times-weekly flights to Sapporo from 1 December. We will also increase flight frequencies to Tokyo ......read more
Dubai, UAE, 25 August 2022: Zamzam.com, the online platform facilitating Umrah booking services in the region, enters a strategic partnership with Merit Incentives to deliver on its brand promise ‘Umrah Simplified’. As part of this collaboration, Merit Incentives’ clients in the banking sector and its marketplace will equip their customers to redeem their loyalty points for Zamzam gift cards, providing all customers with the opportunity to gift their loved ones an Umrah experience. Registered users can redeem their loyalty points for a Zamzam gift card to plan their travel to Umrah and Hajj effortlessly and conveniently. In addition, customers can redeem their loyalty points on Zamzam.com to plan their pilgrimage to Mecca or visit Madina. Commenting on the partnership, CEO of Zamzam.com, Omar Seraj Akbar, said: ......read more
7 September 2022 (Geneva) - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced passenger data for July 2022 showing that the recovery in air travel continues to be strong. Note: We have returned to year-on-year traffic comparisons, instead of comparisons with the 2019 period, unless otherwise noted. Owing to the low traffic base in 2021, some markets will show very high year-on-year growth rates, even if the size of these markets is still significantly smaller than they were in 2019. • Total traffic in July 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) was up 58.8% compared to July 2021. Globally, traffic is now at 74.6% of pre-crisis levels. • Domestic traffic for July 2022 was up 4.1% compared to the year-ago period and is now driving the recovery. Total July 2022 ......read more
Saudi Airport Exhibition to be held in Riyadh from November 7 Global airport industry leaders heading to the Kingdom Future Airport Development Summit to host international experts on the sidelines Debate on passenger-centric ‘airports of tomorrow’ Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, August 30, 2022: The global aviation industry will be heading to Riyadh in the first week of November to explore the untapped growth potential of the airport industry in the Kingdom, which is in the midst of massive expansion in line with the Saudi 2030 Vision, a unique transformative economic and social reform blueprint unveiled in April 2016. As the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula pushes massively to expand and upgrade airport facilities to serve 330 million air travelers by 2030, the year when 60 per cent ......read more
• Grand prize winner Sarah Raouf from Family Tours, Egypt, walks away with brand new BMW X2 • Over 1,500 winners and 6,000 rewards distributed during 120 days August 19, 2022: TBO Holidays, one-stop shop booking platform for all travel agents across MEA, which is owned by Tek Travels DMCC– announced the grand prize winner of BMW x2 car following the final raffle draw of its ‘Book n Win Bonanza’ mega promotional campaign for travel agents in the region. Launched in April earlier this year, the ‘Book n Win Bonanza’ campaign gave away over 1229 prizes across 387 bookers during the first 60 days of the promotion, with a total of over 1,500 winners and 6,000 rewards distributed during the 120 days of the campaign period, with lucky agent Sarah Raouf from Family Tours, ......read more
• New research finds that airport lounges remain extremely popular in the region • Loyalty rewards are considered the top payment card travel benefit • There is a correlation between travel benefits and increased use of payment cards 17, AUGUST 2022: The travel ecosystem is already making a comeback after a disruptive event that has impacted every industry. Travellers are again taking to the skies for business, leisure, and even bleisure. UNWTO World Tourism Barometer shows a 182% year-on-year rise in international tourism for the first quarter of 2022, with destinations worldwide welcoming an estimated 117 million international arrivals compared to 41 million in the first quarter of 2021. Collinson, a global leader in traveller experiences, recently performed a ......read more
Sustainability In The Air Lab’ saw us asking people who experienced our operations first hand, staff and guests, for their opinions and ideas. Airline a finalist in five categories in the SkyTeam Sustainable Flight ChallengeSAUDIA, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was announced as the winner of the customer engagement category in the SkyTeam Sustainable Flight Challenge.E This follows SAUDIA running the world’s first in-flight sustainability lab on a Jeddah to Madrid flight to crowd-source ideas from guests. The sustainability lab was staged on May 12th on SV 227 from Jeddah to Madrid onboard a SAUDIA 787-9 Dreamliner, which was also the world’s longest carbon net-positive flight. The lab was run in partnership with SimpliFlying, global leaders in helping airlines build brand ......read more
June 24, 2022 - Riyadh, KSA: Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road recently welcomed tour operators from East Europe as part of the Saudi Tourism Authority’s first familiarization trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In an aim to establish further business ventures and attract international travelers, the familiarization trip allowed participants from ten tourism agencies from across Eastern Europe. Participants experienced Riyadh’s rich culture and hospitality firsthand while discovering the city's diverse landscape and unique offerings. The two-day itinerary included an in-depth personal hotel tour and sight inspection of the facilities and amenities by Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road’s General Manager, Mahmood Omar, and Director of Sales, Bashar Naji, followed by a trip ......read more
Enhanced global connectivity brings our incredible Low Fares to Saudi Arabia in support of KSA’s Vision 2030, supporting rapidly expanding tourism and aviation sectors within the Kingdom 22 June 2022, Budapest, Hungary: Wizz Air, Europe’s fastest growing and most sustainable airline, is launching exciting new routes from Dammam, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to Rome, Vienna and Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi route will be operated by Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, Wizz Air’s joint venture airline with ADQ. Launching in September 2022, the new destinations are the first step towards a growing presence in KSA which will provide for the first time truly affordable, hassle-free, point to point travel for tourists and residents in the Kingdom, Europe and the UAE, strengthening global connectivity. The new routes by Wizz Air introduce a ......read more
• Travellers to the UK from The Kingdoms of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia can now apply for the Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) • VFS Global now offers EVW assistance for applicants in six countries in the Middle East Nationals of The Kingdoms of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia can now apply for an Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW) when travelling to the UK. Travellers can apply in advance from the comfort of their home, anywhere between three months and 48 hours prior to their intended date of travel, for the purposes of tourism, business, study or medical treatment. Having extended to the two new locations, VFS Global now offers EVW assistance in six countries in the GCC - Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. With an EVW, travellers visiting the UK for up to six months need ......read more
20 June 2022: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Pegasus Airlines Vice-Chairperson of the Board (Managing Director) Mehmet Tevfik Nane has assumed his duties as Chair of the IATA Board of Governors (BoG) for a one-year term, effective from the conclusion of the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Doha, Qatar on 21 June. Nane is the 80th chair of the IATA BoG. He has served on the BoG since 2019. He succeeds JetBlue Airways CEO Robin Hayes, who will continue to serve on the BoG. “I’m honored to take on this position at a time when the industry is emerging from our worst downturn. In addition to maintaining momentum toward re-opening the globe to travel and commerce, we have a very full agenda over the next 12 months. This includes achieving agreement at the ICAO Assembly on a Long ......read more
20 June 2022: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced an upgrade to its outlook for the airline industry’s 2022 financial performance as the pace of recovery from the COVID-19 crisis quickens. Forecast highlights include: • Industry losses are expected to reduce to -$9.7 billion (improved from the October 2021 forecast for an $11.6 billion loss) for a net loss margin of -1.2%. That is a huge improvement from losses of $137.7 billion (-36.0% net margin) in 2020 and $42.1 billion (-8.3% net margin) in 2021. • Industry-wide profitability in 2023 appears within reach with North America already expected to deliver an $8.8 billion profit in 2022. • Efficiency gains and improving yields are helping airlines to reduce losses even with rising labor and fuel costs (the latter ......read more
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), announced that leaders of the global aviation industry are gathering in Doha, Qatar, for the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS), with Qatar Airways as the host airline. The event (19-21 June) attracts the industry’s most senior leaders from among IATA’s 290 member airlines, as well as leading government officials, strategic partners, equipment suppliers, and media. “In a few days, Doha will become the aviation capital of the world. The last time we met in Doha, in 2014, we were celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first airline flight. This year’s AGM is another momentous occasion: Airlines are simultaneously recovering from the COVID-19 crisis, setting the path to achieving net zero carbon emissions by ......read more
The agreement will see the online portal provide IT development services to the charitable association Riyadh, KSA, 19 April 2022: Zamzam.com, the online portal facilitating Umrah booking services in the region, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AlBirr Charitable Society in Makkah Al Mukarramah. The MoU aims to help develop the Information Technology Unit at the association and was signed by the CEO of Zamzam.com, Mr. Omar Siraj Akbar, and Mr. Hisham Abderrahman Shilly, Vice Chairman of the Board of the AlBirr Charitable Society in Makkah Al Mukarramah. As part of its commitment to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to provide support to the society, and within the framework of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, Zamzam.com joins hands with the first charitable association in ......read more
Zamzam.com launches B2C options to its portal A seamless booking experience with exclusive packages and services available directly to travelers Riyadh, KSA, 12 April 2022: Planning an Umrah trip could quickly turn into a daunting task given the many aspects that are involved. From booking flights and accommodations to ground transfers, the entire process could prove to be more than one person can handle. With this in mind, Zamzam.com, an online platform for Umrah travels, in joint venture with TBO.COM, one of the leading global travel distributions platforms in the world, is proud to announce that Zamzam.com is now the first OTA platform that offers B2C visa services directly to consumers. Curated and carefully designed packages that meet the needs of pilgrims coming from all over the country the wider GCC ......read more
Airline Shares Universal Greeting from SAUDIA to the World Celebrates EID With Special Flight Offers Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has released a special Eid Al Fitr campaign, marking the conclusion of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Eid is a period of celebration with family and friends to mark the end of Ramadan in which Muslims around the world fast for a month. The newly released campaign from SAUDIA conveys a heartwarming greeting to all guests. A video with the meaning and message of Eid featuring international award-winning music artist, Akon, can be viewed on both the airline’s and Akon’s social media channels. Akon was selected to represent the brand due to his international appeal, which resonates with SAUDIA’s vision of ......read more
This summer SAUDIA airlines resumes their international operations and direct flights to this magnificent island destination Dubai, UAE - April 22, 2022: SAUDIA Airlines resumes direct flights to Mauritius 3 times a week. With the resumption of flights Saudis are now able to travel again into this magnificent destination, and enjoy what this paradise island has to offer. From the start Saudis visiting Mauritius will instantly feel welcome, they are treated to a warm attitude by locals, the Mauritian hospitality, rooting from an extraordinary mix of cultures, religion and ethnicities. All the communities live in harmony by nurturing their own culture and heritage, and sharing them with visiting guests. Mauritius has plenty to offer to the Saudi travelers be it families, couples, adventure travelers, or Saudis who ......read more
Abu Dhabi, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, January 10, 2017: Etihad Airways is introducing a third daily flight on the Abu Dhabi – Riyadh route, effective 1 February 2017. The extra services underscore the airline’s commitment to offer guests greater choice and more travel options between the capital cities of the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The new daily ......read more
January 05, 2017 - Elaf Group, a SEDCO holding company, and a leading provider of travel, tourism and hospitality services, has recently seen growth spikes in the tourism sector of Saudi Arabia during the Umrah season and the recent celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) birthday. This was evident in the increase of occupancy rate in hotel rooms across the country, signifying marked ......read more
December 21, 2016 – In support of the Saudi government’s efforts to boost the domestic travel and tourism sector in line with the country’s economic diversification scheme, Elaf Group, a SEDCO Holding Group company, has recently entered into a strategic lease partnership agreement with Al Aqeeq Real Estate Development to rent the Al Majeedi Residential Center situated in front ......read more
December 12, 2016 - Rail Europe, the worldwide leader in train tickets and rail passes' distribution, has expanded its strong sales network across the region by appointing One of the largest & leading Travel & Hospitality conglomerate in Saudi Arabia, Elaf Travel Tourism Company, as their GSA partner. Elaf Group is a leader in travel and tour operations in the kingdom with a history ......read more
Saudi Arabian VVIP largest private aviation operator in the Middle East selects Honeywell’s and Amac Aerospace for fleet Cabin Connectivity services Largest private aviation operator in the Middle East selects Honeywell’s JetWave hardware and Go Direct Cabin Connectivity services for its New A319 and A330 Sky Prime selects AMAC Aerospace to install KA, KU Satellite ......read more
November 7, 2016- The Elaf Group, a SEDCO holding company, and a leading provider of travel, tourism and hospitality services, recently concluded its strategic series of marketing tours in key countries across the continents to promote the rich culture and most popular tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia. The marketing tour had designated stop overs in Istanbul, Turkey, Cairo, Egypt. Casablanca, ......read more
New additions to the brand’s LVX collection include three properties across Bahrain and Saudi Arabia; brings total Middle East portfolio to 22 hotels Dubai, UAE, October 23, 2016: Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest global provider of sales, marketing and distribution services to independent luxury hotels, continues to expand its Middle East portfolio ......read more
Five-star Mövenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech features 503 rooms and Morocco’s largest congress centre – Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is very proud to open this landmark hotel. Dubai, UAE, 22 October 2016: Morocco welcomes the arrival of a significant new hotel with the opening of Mövenpick Hotel Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech, following a US$100 ......read more
RAKTDA and Emirates Airline organized joint travel trade roadshow in Jeddah and Riyadh Saudi visitors to Ras Al Khaimah during September increased 39 per cent, compared to September 2015 Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, 12th October 2016: Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), which develops the emirate’s tourism infrastructure and plans, initiates and drives ......read more
Dubai, UAE, October 6, 2016: As the wedding industry continues to grow in the Middle East, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has announced a new initiative to establish the hospitality company as a premium choice for both weddings and honeymoons. For every USD 5,000 spent on a wedding at participating hotels in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, ......read more
Rehlat goes foodie way for this annual survey of airline’s with best in-flight food service for both domestic and international airlines. Our experts took opinion from our esteemed clients on what exactly is served on their flight and how much they actually like it. It was obvious but Emirates topped the list for best food and beverages. It was given huge thumps up for both domestic and ......read more
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 26 September 2016 – Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts today opened the doors to the Mövenpick Hotel City Star Jeddah, a unique European-style property in one of Saudi Arabia’s fastest-growing cities. The 228-room property, which marks the Swiss hospitality firm’s third hotel in Jeddah and 11th in the Kingdom, seamlessly blends a classical ......read more
September 26, 2016 - The Elaf Group, a SEDCO holding company, and a leading provider of travel, tourism and hospitality services, will be showcasing Saudi Arabia’s tourism opportunities through strategic marketing tours across different countries in the month of October 2016. The Group will be visiting Istanbul, Turkey; Cairo, Egypt; Casablanca, Morocco; and Jakarta, Indonesia to highlight ......read more
Dubai, UAE, September 22, 2016: Have just 48 hours to get the most out of London and the surrounding region? Don’t fear, we’re here to help. From the best tea shops and art-deco hotels London has to offer to the perfect spots for enjoying some of the best countryside scenery in the whole of England, our guide will ensure that you don’t miss out. Within easy ......read more
Dubai, UAE, 19 September 2016: The Fibre to the Home (FTTH) Council MENA is pleased to announce the launch of the 8th Edition of FTTH Council MENA Conference taking place from 7th to 9th November at The Regency hotel, Kuwait, under the patronage of HE Salim Al-Ozainah, Chairman and CEO of Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) of Kuwait. Prysmian Group, ......read more
Dubai, UAE, August 16, 2016: Families come together from far and near to celebrate the joyous festival of Eid Al Adha in their own special way. Whether you have your heart set on a relaxed beach holiday, a quick getaway within the UAE or a staycation in one of Dubai’s top family resorts, JA Resorts & Hotels has exactly what you’re looking for. Experience a fun filled holiday ......read more
August 14, 2016- Saudi Arabia’s new ‘post-oil’ economy plan as outlined in ‘Vision 2030,’ which was announced recently, is receiving a huge boost from the tourism sector with the influx of tourists visiting the Kingdom for their Hajj pilgrimage, starting this week. According to the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, more than 600,000 pilgrims are expected to arrive in ......read more
International Terminal D delivers a high-end, convenient shopping experience Dubai, UAE, July 26, 2016: Aveda, Jo Malone London and MAC Cosmetics are bringing new luxury beauty options to customers traveling through International Terminal D at Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) Airport. The three stores—all of which are part of the Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. brand ......read more
With two million travellers forecasted to go through Dubai International Airport this summer, Emirates Leisure Retail (ELR) and Maritime & Mercantile International (MMI) is encouraging travellers to arrive early for a relaxed travel experience and to ensure the time to visit their brand new venues including giraffe, The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, The Draft House, Pret A Manger, The Noodle ......read more
June 26, 2016 - With the number of Umrah visas issued by embassies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this year reaching 5.67 million with more than 5 million already having entered the Kingdom, hospitality experts and local travel operators are seeing a surge in travel bookings to Makkah and Madinah in 2016 and are expecting a further increase over the coming weeks towards the end of ......read more
June 15, 2016 - The Ministry of Tourism for the Republic of Bulgaria has recently signed an Agreement of Cooperation with ID Global Company, a diversified commercial conglomerate with direct investments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Middle East, Asia and Europe, to represent Bulgaria's Ministry of Tourism and promote its tourism industry and policies in the Kingdom. The company ......read more
Sharjah, UAE, May 28, 2016: The recently held Rotana Annual Conference at Park Rotana Abu Dabhi for the company executives served great news for Centro Sharjah. Mr Michael Kasch, General Manager was awarded ‘Manager of the Year’ in the company wide award ceremony. Mr. Michael Kasch, is a veteran in hospitality services and has been in the hospitality arena for over 2 ......read more
Dubai, UAE, May 23, 2016: The Saudi-based national airline, flynas, is increasing capacity between their home country and the UAE with new flights linking Abu Dhabi with Riyadh and Jeddah. Effective on 23 June, flynas will add a second daily service between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, increasing its combined offer with Etihad Airways to four daily services. Also on 23 June, flynas will ......read more
Employees of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ graduated from the in-house programme, which helps them prepare for the rapidly growing tourism sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), 19 May, 2016: Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is delighted to announce that 200 of the company’s Saudi employees successfully graduated ......read more
Saudi Arabia, May 18, 2016: The 4th annual Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2016 opened Tuesday (17th May 2016) Under the Patronage of His Highness Prince Abdullah bin Saud bin Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Chairman of the Tourism Committee in Jeddah, who was accompanied by Mohammad A. Al-Amri, General Manager, Jeddah and Makkah Province at the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage ......read more
Saudi Arabia, 12th May 2016: Details of the inaugural Saudi Arabia Hospitality Awards (2017) will be announced by organisers’ dmg events at The Hotel Show in Jeddah this month. The launch will take place during the second day of the annual The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia (18th May 2016), where representatives from hotels and restaurants throughout Saudi Arabia will have the chance to ......read more
Saudi Arabia, May 11, 2016: Ramzi R. Solh, CEO of Commercial Development at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), is the latest addition to the line-up for the 2nd annual Vision Conference, Saudi Arabia. The conference is a key feature of The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, from 17-19th May 2016 featuring a range of industry experts exploring the Kingdom’s booming hospitality ......read more
Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair have introduced a new Self Service Bag Drop facility at Hong Kong International Airport that will further enhance the airport experience for passengers of the two airlines. Self Service Bag Drop allows passengers to check in baggage by themselves. The self-service process includes printing the baggage tag, tagging the luggage and dispatching the luggage. ......read more
Dubai, UAE, April 27, 2016: Independent five-star luxury hotel operator, Shaza Hotels unveiled their forthcoming projects and plans at this year’s editions of the Arabian Travel Market ( ATM; 25th-28thApril) and the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC; 26th – 28th April). The first hotel chain to infuse Arabian cultures and values in a contemporary and luxurious ......read more
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, inaugurates ATM 2016; the Middle East’s largest travel and tourism event celebrates 23 years of industry milestones Dubai, UAE, April 26, 2016: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, officially inaugurated Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2016 today, ......read more
March 15, 2016- Elaf Group, a SEDCO Holding Group company, has organized the Moroccan Food Festival at the Elaf Jeddah Hotel (Red Sea Mall) in Saudi Arabia. Launched under the theme ‘Food Festival that Brings You the Best & Diverse Moroccan Cuisine,’ the event was inaugurated by Abdullah Bakri VP Hotels, Elaf Group in the presence of Elaf’s senior officials like Mohammed Bin ......read more
Saudi Arabia, February 18, 2016: A record 47,431 rooms and 124 hotel projects are currently under development in Saudi Arabia, according to a new report. The majority of projects are in the final construction and pre-opening stages with 52 projects and almost 20,000 rooms set to open to the public throughout the Kingdom this year, says the new report by TOPHOTELPROJECTS commissioned ......read more
Saudi Arabia 2 February 2016: One&Only, the award-winning collection of ultra-luxury resorts, is delighted to announce a Middle East Roadshow starting next week hosted by a selection of Senior Executives from the brand. The roadshow will give One&Only Senior Executives the opportunity to meet with key agents, operators and trade partners in Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi ......read more
Welcome to Vienna! The city of the most enthralling history and lifestyle that will make you fall in love over and over again Over the years, Vienna has maintained a high-quality of living and is named as one of the most liveable cities in the world (ranked no. 2 in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2015 Global Liveability Ranking) not only for its efficient and stable political ......read more
Sharjah, UAE, January 18, 2016: Having previous held key managerial positions with world renowned hospitality brands, Mr Michael Kasch has been with Rotana since 2011. The most integral driving force behind hotel operations at Centro Sharjah for the last two years, he gives us here extensive insight into current trends transforming the tourism & hospitality sector of Sharjah. As we ......read more
Sharjah, UAE, December 21, 2015: Take a step back into true holiday enchantment and get entertained by Centro Sharjah’s Christmastide and meet Father Christmas himself. Join us for a lovely time of merry making and experience the magic of Christmas festivities and relive these priceless moments! We’ve got fantastic plans to keep you entertained with lots of seasonal ......read more
Sharjah, UAE, December 10, 2015: Colleagues from Centro Sharjah Hotel joined the Clean Up UAE campaign organised by Emirates Environmental Group as part of the Hotel’s social responsibility initiative. The Clean Up UAE campaign brings together people from all walks of life and creates awareness as well as advocates the cause of sustainable living. The Sharjah version of the ......read more
‘1001 Nights to Transform Air Transport in the Middle East’ 30 November 2015 (Jeddah) – Speaking at the AACO Annual General Meeting today, Tony Tyler, Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) outlined some key short-term objectives for aviation in the Middle East. Full speech can be read here. “As a region, the Middle ......read more
4th OIC Halal Middle East to be held from 8 to 10 December at Expo Centre Sharjah Sharjah, 29 November 2015 : The 4th OIC Halal Middle East exhibition, which will be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from December 8 to 10, is launching a new vertical targeting the halal tourism segment – Halal Tourism Middle East 2015. To be held as part of Halal Middle East, the Halal Tourism Middle East ......read more
Share seasonal moments to treasure and feast on delicious gourmet treats for the whole family Dubai UAE, November 16, 2015: Soneva Resorts and Residences, the world-leading luxury resort operator, has unveiled its Christmas and New Year’s Eve Programmes 2015/2016 for its two properties; Soneva Fushi (Maldives) and Soneva Kiri (Thailand). Soneva’s ‘Ever So ......read more
Dubai Air Show, Dubai, November 12, 2015 – Philippine Airlines (PAL), the Philippine flag carrier, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pratt & Whitney to power its order of 15 firm plus 15 purchase right A321neo aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company. “We pride ourselves on ......read more
Dubai, October 31, 2015: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is expanding its Saudi Arabian network through a new five-times-per-week service between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi operated by its codeshare partner flynas. Commencing on 16 December 2015, the new flynas service will complement Etihad Airways’ existing 13 weekly flights between Abu ......read more
October 20, 2015 - The Elaf Group of Companies, a leading provider of travel, tourism and hospitality services, will launch its series of strategic marketing tours to select countries across continents in a bid to further boost Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism industry. During its stopovers in Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Indonesia, Tunis in Tunisia, and the United Kingdom starting October of this ......read more
Dubai, UAE, October 17, 2015: If your travels have been weighing heavily on your budget recently, you may not be travelling smart. You don’t always have to pay with cash for your flights; you can also pay with your miles. This method of buying a flight ticket in the UAE was also the topic of one of our previous articles, but the primary goal of this article is to show you how to earn ......read more
Incredibly, Dubai is still classified as part of an emerging economy, as are most cities and nations in the Middle East. This does a huge disservice to these countries, both in terms of the natural resources at their disposal and the regeneration that has engulfed the Middle East as a whole during the course of the last decade in particular. This particularly applies to Dubai, ......read more
Every year the hospitality industry sees $8.6 billion worth of non-refundable hotel room cancellations. The numbers are astounding, and if you have ever made such a cancellation you know how they eat into your wallet. When you are planning a holiday or even a business trip, like most people, you too may be looking for the best deal. Often this means that you end up booking cheaper, ......read more
Bharat Book Bureau provides the report, on “Saudi Arabia Tyre Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2020”. In 2014, the country’s central region accounted for the largest share in the tyre market, followed by western, eastern, southern and northern region of Saudi Arabia. ......read more
Whether summer or winter is your favourite time of year to travel, make sure you keep in mind something that is often overlooked: how to protect yourself from fraud or theft when travelling abroad. With the upcoming Eid holidays, traveling without cash is by far the safest way to travel, so don’t forget these five pointers to protect yourself: • Check that your ......read more
UAE mega-projects in development include Dubai-I (2017) world’s largest Ferris wheel to rival the London Eye, the new Louvre (Paris) and Guggenheim (New York) museums in Abu Dhabi (2017), Dubai Pearl (2018) featuring MGM Grand and Bellagio made famous by the Las Vegas strip, Dream Island (2018) in Ras Al Khaimah promoted as a ‘mini Ibiza’ and 10 major new theme parks ......read more
Ascott Sari, Ascott Tahlia and Citadines al Salamah in Jeddah open for bookings today Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 14th July 2015 – CapitaLand’s wholly-owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), officially announces today that Ascott Sari, Ascott Tahlia and Citadines Al Salamah, all located in Jeddah, are open for bookings today. Mr Vincent ......read more
RSS Feed 
