The Haramain High-Speed Railway (HHR) is one of the top 10 fastest electric-rail trains worldwide, running at 300 Km/h and playing a key role in the development and expansion of Saudi Arabia’s railway network.  The HHR links the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, to meet the growing demand of domestic and foreign pilgrims, and helps relieve congestion on the roads between Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah. In 2018, the HHR was inaugurated under the aegis of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as the largest train project in the Middle East.  On a 449-km-long track and a 3.75-km sub-track to King Abdulaziz International Airport, the train is a safe means of transportation for Hajj and Umrah performers, and for travelers to the two holy cities and Jeddah.  The HHR covers the distance between Makkah and Madinah in a record time of two hours and twenty minutes, making it one of the world’s six fastest trains. The HHR has five stations; three are terminal stations — Makkah Railway Station in Ar Rusayfah District, Madinah Railway Station, and King Abdulaziz International Airport station in Jeddah. The two others are intermediate stations: Jeddah Railway station in Al-Sulimaniyah District and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) station. HHR’s King Abdulaziz International Airport station is the world’s largest train station at an airport, covering over 105,000 square meters across multiple floors and connected to six platforms for easy movement.  The station helps reduce traffic congestion on the roads leading to King Abdulaziz International Airport by providing direct transportation to the other stations without the need for exiting the airport to use other means of transportation.  The HHR operates 35 …

The UNWTO Women in Tech Startup Competition: Middle East, calls for women entrepreneurs from all over the world and based in the Arab region willing to grow their tech startup in the tourism industry, and provide sustainable solutions to the sector. Startups must be led, owned or managed by women in the Middle East, residing in any of the following countries: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen. Be an Idea Stage, Early Stage or Series A startups with a minimum viable product or idea that is ready to be developed and funded. Have a full-time team, a tested pilot and business plan. Be scalable with potential for international growth. According to the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), women make up most of the tourist workforce in major parts of the world. UNWTO is always committed to gender equality, as mandated in Sustainable Development Goal 5, referring to women empowerment by supporting women’s rights and improving their participation in the business realm. UNWTO’s global report on tourism found that more than 54% of people employed in the tourism are women, while in the Arab world, women represent 8% of the regional tourist workforce. UNWTO is continuously seizing opportunities to highlight the role of women in the tourism sector, and particularly Arab women. Technology has become a driven tool for all travelers and tourism businesses. In the Arab region, 34% of tech focused startups were founded by women, and 57% of science technology, engineering, and math (STEM) graduates are women. UNWTO is committed to support Arab entrepreneurs, boosting their tourism business careers. Hence, the industry is always searching for businesswomen with …

For the first time, the Spanish Tourism Office in the Middle East together with the Tourism Board of Andalusia came together to organize Middle East Meet in Andalusia with Lufthansa Airlines as the official airline partner. Andalusia Tourism has emerged as a captivating destination with a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes. Located in southern Spain, Andalusia offers a unique blend of history, art, and natural beauty that has attracted travelers from all over the world, including the Middle East market. From the vibrant city life of Seville and Malaga to the tranquil beaches of the Costa del Sol, Andalusia provides a variety of experiences that appeal to different travel interests. Additionally, the region’s cuisine, characterized by flavorful dishes such as paella and tapas, can also entice Middle Eastern visitors seeking culinary delights Andalusia’s accessibility and excellent transportation infrastructure have made it easier for Middle Eastern tourists to explore the region. The presence of direct flights and convenient connections from major Middle Eastern cities has contributed to the increasing number of visitors from the region. Lufthansa Group airlines have a strong network into Spain, with 17 cities .with the Premium Economy a very popular segment for family travel, 2 PC Free baggage allowance in both directions & with extremely competitive fares , it is a great option for those looking into flying into any of the 17 Spanish cities in their network. The event was conducted in 2 parts in Cordoba & Marbella , from June 11-15th , 2023 at the Eurostars Palace Hotel & El Fuerte Marbella hotel respectively. 15 buyers from across GCC – KSA, Qatar, Kuwait , Oman , UAE met with the representatives of local tourist …

As part of an ongoing effort to deepen ties between China and Arab partners, Riyadh and Beijing are stepping up efforts to improve air connectivity between these fast-developing economies. At the recently held Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, attendees from China and the Arab world explored new avenues for collaboration to unlock the potential of shared business between these exciting markets, particularly also in air connectivity. Celebrating its 10th year, the conference brought together leading government officials, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and investors. Establishing stronger air links to foster tourism growth and unlock new opportunities was a hot-button topic at the event, with ACP’s booth forming part of the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts to draw attraction to the high-potential travel and tourism industries in the Kingdom. “In line with Vision 2030 and the ambitions of the National Tourism Strategy, ACP is bridging the stakeholder ecosystem to establish Saudi Arabia as a leading global tourism destination. Chinese visitors will, indeed, play a key role in achieving this ambition,” said Ali Rajab CEO of ACP. He added, “By ensuring that our customer service and operational readiness meet the high standards that Chinese visitors expect, ACP is creating a seamless travel experience between China and the Kingdom. For these travelers, like all others to Saudi Arabia, we prioritize cultural understanding and the highest levels of quality assurance.” Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism leaders, including stakeholders such as ACP, are actively working to turn the Kingdom into a sought-after air connectivity destination. In the past year, the Kingdom saw 23 new routes connected to Saudi Arabia from three continents, resulting in an expansion of seat capacity by 700,000. Likewise, several partnerships have been established with government …

Speaking on Saudi Tourism Authority’s ever-strengthening collaboration with China, Fahd Hamidaddin, Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board, Saudi Tourism Authority said, “Saudi is the world’s biggest investor in tourism, committing $550bn to new destinations by 2030. This investment along with the leadership, the commitment and the total orchestration in government and business around the sector has paid out dividends.” He further reiterated about digitalisation, “We are the second fastest-growing destination in the world, and if you take out Qatar during the World Cup, we are the fastest-growing destination in the world. When Saudi first started tourism, we started with an E-Visa that got recognized as the best digital platform – that was the founding cornerstone of what we’re building in this sector. We’re taking everything through digital. Accessibility, connectivity and creating a seamless journey are paved through digital.”

At the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Fahd Hamidaddin, Saudi Tourism Authority CEO shared that the collaborative events to reinforce the strong bonds between China and Saudi, has unveiled untapped opportunities, propelling business growth. “We have multiple visa offerings for Chinese travelers, all offered online. Today we have a 50,000-seat capacity direct from Guangzhou, we are also expecting to operate from Beijing in August – another direct route – and SAUDIA has signed a digital transformation agreement with Accenture. Accenture is expecting to offer an additional 32 digital services on their system and today we have 26 agreements in place with online Chinese travel agencies. However, when you reach the destination, you want authenticity. That’s why we say digitize the expected and humanize the unexpected. While we are digitizing the services that provide seamless experiences and journeys, we need to remain true to Arabia, uniquely Saudi and authentically local in every destination visitors go to in Saudi.”  

Massar Solutions (Massar) based in the United Arab Emirates, opened its first office in Saudi Arabia. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in Massar’s ongoing expansion across the Middle East, as it aims to become the largest vehicle leasing and mobility group in the region. With its deep expertise in mobility solutions, Massar Solutions has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses and individuals seeking reliable and efficient automotive services. The decision to expand into Riyadh aligns perfectly with Massar’s vision of providing comprehensive vehicle leasing, rental, passenger transport, logistics, and automotive technologies to corporate, government, and consumer markets throughout the Middle East. Massar is thrilled to reveal that it has already secured its first strategic customer account for vehicle leasing in Saudi Arabia, partnering with a large well-known entity. This collaboration demonstrates the diverse range of industries that can benefit from Massar’s flexible and tailored mobility solutions. Richard Sikkel, CEO of Massar Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm for the company’s expansion strategy, saying, “We are extremely proud to establish our presence in Riyadh, a city known for its vibrant business environment and dynamic market. This step solidifies Massar’s commitment to providing cutting-edge mobility services to the Middle Eastern region. By leveraging our significant market experience, we are poised to introduce leading solutions that will revolutionize the way individuals and businesses approach mobility in the Kingdom.” Mr. Eric van Vliet, Managing Director of Saudi Arabia, commented, “The opening of our office in Saudi Arabia represents a significant milestone for Massar Solutions in the Middle East. We are excited to bring our extensive range of mobility solutions to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we look forward to partnering with …

Air Arabia announced the launch of their newest City Check-in facility in Muweilah, opposite Al Madinah Shopping Centre in Sharjah. Aiming at providing passengers with enhanced convenience and flexibility in their travel experience, the city check-in service will allow travellers to drop off their bags and collect their boarding pass at a location near them across the Emirates. This service is designed to simplify the pre-flight process, save time and avoid queues at the airport allowing passengers to proceed directly to their flight upon arrival at the airport. The Muweilah facility operates daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Passengers have the convenience of checking in and dropping off their luggage within 24 hours up until 8 hours prior to flight departure. Similar to airport amenities, passengers can also access services such as purchasing additional baggage allowance, selecting preferred seats, or making changes to their flight arrangements. Passengers flying from Sharjah International Airport can visit any of the 6 City Check-in facilities located in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Al Ain. Air Arabia remains dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and innovative solutions to its passengers. The launch of the new City Check-In facility aligns with the airline’s commitment to provide affordable and value-added offerings that cater to the evolving needs of its customers.

Minor Hotels announces the expansion of its luxury Anantara brand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its upcoming debut in Trojena, the unique year-round mountain destination in NEOM. Situated at the heart of NEOM, 50 kilometres from the Gulf of Aqaba coast, and with a high elevation up to 2,600 metres, Trojena will be home to the Gulf’s first outdoor ski resort, staging world-class sporting events, art exhibitions, concerts, and cultural festivals. With its central location, mountain landscape and surrounded by nature, Trojena will redefine luxury living and travel offerings as a global sanctuary of well-being. Like the rest of NEOM, Trojena will be powered by renewable energy while sustainably protecting the region’s rich cultural and environmental heritage. The new 270-key Anantara resort will offer a selection of guest rooms and suites, including some with private pools, and all with spectacular lake or mountain views. Dining options will include two specialty restaurants, an all-day dining restaurant with a show kitchen, a café and high tea lounge, in addition to a rooftop majlis café. Curating personal travel experiences for discerning travellers with a wide scope of interests, the property will be home to a multitude of facilities. These include an Anantara Spa with separate male and female wet areas and treatment rooms plus multiple hammams, a fitness centre, a spectacular infinity pool with mountain and lake views, a star gazing deck, an outdoor cinema, kids and teens clubs, and a sports and activity pavilion with a wide range of activities including padel tennis, camel and horse riding, and guided walks around the lake and mountain area. It will also be accessible via helicopter, with its own on-site helipad, while meeting …

Etihad Airways is increasing its flight frequency between Abu Dhabi and Rome from seven to 11 times per week. The four extra services will commence on 4 November 2023, providing business and leisure travellers with better access and convenience through double-daily connections between the Italian and UAE capitals on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. “We’re delighted to announce the expansion of our Rome service, which underscores our commitment to providing more flexibility and better travel options to our guests in Italy, the UAE and across our network,” said Arik De, Chief Revenue Officer at Etihad Airways. “Rome is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and with over two millennia of history and culture, and countless attractions from the Colosseum to the Vatican City and the Roman Forum, it’s easy to see why. “With Etihad Airways increasing its Rome flight frequency, visitors from the UAE will now have even more opportunities to get a taste of la dolce vita or connect onwards to one of 45 Italian, European or Americas destinations with our codeshare partner ITA Airways. “Our second Rome service has also been timed to provide optimised local flight times for those visiting Abu Dhabi, with an evening departure and a convenient morning arrival that allows for maximised time in the capital.” Travellers can enjoy world-class service and comfort onboard Etihad’s flights between Rome and Abu Dhabi, operated on a fleet of state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with 28 seats in Business and 262 seats in Economy. With this increase in frequency, Etihad Airways is creating more opportunities for Italian travellers to explore the Emirati capital and connect on to other exciting destinations in East Asia, …