Oman Air cancels operations to Islamabad, Lahore, Colombo and Chittagong. Three destinations will be operated on a seasonal basis: Trabzon during the summer season, and Zurich and Malé during winter. New route of Sialkot will be added on. The airline will also be reducing frequencies to certain markets while increasing capacity to two current destinations (Lucknow and Thiruvananthapuram). In addition, three destinations will be operated on a seasonal basis: Trabzon during the summer season, and Zurich and Malé during winter. As part of its ongoing transformation, which aims to improve the company’s overall financial performance and fortify its position in an increasingly competitive market, Oman Air has announced several strategic changes to its network. Oman Air has also introduced measures to optimize its schedule, starting this summer. To better cater to the Omani market and serve key flows in and out of Oman, flight times have been revised for several of its destinations, with emphasis on more favourable slots to offer greater convenience for direct passengers and maximise connection windows. Meanwhile, the airline is continuously evaluating its strategy to adapt to changing market dynamics and identify additional opportunities. Maintaining alignment with government stakeholders including the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Oman Air remains committed to the economic and social objectives of Oman’s 2040 Vision.

The Ministry of Tourism in Saudi Arabia has signed a strategic partnership with Accor to nurture and develop Saudi talent within the hospitality industry. Through the “Tamayyaz by Accor” program, the collaboration seeks to offer fresh graduates and talented individuals a clear path for career advancement, expedite nationalization by identifying essential roles in each department, cultivate internal talent, implement onboarding programs, and design career growth plans. Upon completing the 6-month program, 256 trainees will be employed in their preferred departments within the hotels. To mark this partnership, the Ministry was represented during the signing ceremony by the Deputy Minister of Tourism for Human Capital Development, Engineer Mohammed Muin Bushnag, while Accor was represented by Jean-Jacques Morin the Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Premium, Midscale and Economy division, in the presence of several officials. Engineer Mohammed Muin Bushnag, Deputy Minister of Tourism for Human Capital Development stated, “This partnership with Accor marks a significant milestone in our efforts to grow Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector and create job opportunities for our citizens. With “Tamayyaz by Accor”, we are confident that Saudi talent will be well-equipped to succeed in the ever-evolving world of hospitality.” “Tamayyaz by Accor” encompasses three distinct tracks: Hospitality Specialist, Hospitality Operations, and Hospitality Leadership. The Hospitality Specialist track exposes local talent to the foundations of non-operating hotel departments such as Talent and Culture, Marketing, Finance, Business Development, and Guest Experiences. Meanwhile, the Hospitality Operations track targets departments like Food and Beverage, Front Office, Housekeeping, Culinary, and Engineering. The Hospitality Leadership track concentrates on fostering leadership skills by applying the Accor Leadership Framework. This track includes leadership shadowing, global leadership programs, and training initiatives funded by the Ministry of Tourism. Additionally, …

The third Qemam International Festival for Mountain Performance Arts, held in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region, presented a stunning array of performances from both local and international troupes. Featuring participants from 45 local and international groups and showcasing 40 distinct types of Saudis, Arab, and international mountainous performance arts, the festival’s goal was to foster international cultural exchange and celebrate the rich legacy of mountain performing arts. The Chinese group left a lasting impression with their mesmerizing performances. The first, a traditional Yao dance called “Long Drum” from the Han dynasty, showcased the group’s artistic prowess. Their second performance, “Bronze Drum,” seamlessly combined traditional art, music, and skilled group performance, providing a unique and enchanting experience. Japan contributed to the cultural tapestry with a performance group presenting three distinct arts: Kokiriko Bushi, Hanagasa Ondo, and Genroku Hanami Odori. The Spanish group, on the other hand, enraptured the audience with three performances set to Spanish music tunes, showcasing the authenticity and heritage of these arts. Sudan brought forth the ancient art of Sudanese Ardah, while Jordan presented the vibrant ‘Dabkah’ with about twenty variations. Lebanon’s performance group displayed the art of Dabkah at eight heritage sites, emphasizing its significance in the Levant. The Moroccan group exhibited the famous Ahidouss, Obidat Al-Rama, and captivating solo and group performances of Amazigh Mountains. An Iraqi group presented the art of ‘Gobi’ at eight heritage sites, and the Yemeni performances depicted the rich legacy and heritage through ‘Al-Samrah’ from Yafi and Al-Awd Mountain performance arts. Italy showcased three mountain arts – Mediterraneo Performance Arts, Old Ttarantella, and Ballad of SanCalogero. The Uzbekistani group delighted the audience with ‘Lyasgi,’ a performance that highlighted individual and group skills, …

The Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in Saudi Arabia initiative, developed by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), is an ambitious roadmap to make the Saudi air transport sector the safest and most developed in the Middle East region. This includes a wide range of innovative solutions ranging from small unmanned aircraft to aircraft with vertical take-off and landing. These technologies will be able to provide safe, sound, sustainable and faster means of transport for people and goods, characterized by high technical capabilities that contribute to alleviating congestion on the roads and facilitating easy access to remote areas in the country, and thus contributing to achieving overall economic and social development. Capt. Sulaiman Al-Muhaymedi, executive vice president of GACA for aviation safety and environmental sustainability, said the AAM initiative in Saudi Arabia includes the steps that must be taken to draw a comprehensive road map that places AAM at the forefront of the aviation industry. The AAM is transforming the future of the transportation sector, offering innovative solutions, from small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) to vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. He stated that these developments contribute to revolutionizing the movement of passengers, transportation of goods, emergency response, medical evacuation, and disaster relief. He drew attention to environmental sustainability, in addition to the initiative’s inclusion of the foundations for building a successful system for advanced air transport. Al-Muhaymedi indicated that tests were conducted in the Kingdom that included diverse terrain and multiple climatic conditions, which resulted in positive results that can be achieved in various transportation sectors thanks to reliance on advanced air transport, such as reducing traffic congestion and road accidents, as well as contributing to the Kingdom’s achievement of …

The 44th edition of the International Tourism Fair concludes its three days exclusively dedicated to professionals, surpassing its forecast of 150,000 attendees with a total of 153,000 visitors. This is reflected in the initial attendance data at the IFEMA MADRID Exhibition Center, indicating the complete recovery of the tourism sector. These figures represent a 12% increase compared to 2022. It is estimated that this influx of visitors to FITUR will generate approximately 430 million euros in revenue for the Madrid economy. FITUR receives institutional support with official visits from all five continents. As in every edition, in addition to the support of the tourism sector, FITUR has received strong institutional backing. After the official inauguration presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain on the first day, the Fair has had significant presences such as Daniel Noboa, President of Ecuador, which is this year’s Partner Country of the International Tourism Fair. Additionally, it has received the official visit of the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, representatives from the World Tourism Organization, the Ibero-American General Secretary, and more than ten regional presidents of Spain. In total, the 44th edition of FITUR has recorded the attendance of nearly 400 authorities, including State Secretaries, Tourism Ministers, ambassadors, business envoys, mayors from different regions, and other political and institutional representatives. Media coverage and social media impact of FITUR 2024 The fair’s growth and impact have been reflected in the extensive media coverage, with nearly 23,000 articles published in national and international media. In total, FITUR has accredited about 6,800 journalists (10% international from 53 countries). Moreover, in the social media sphere, during the first two …

Saudi’s national tourism brand ‘Saudi Welcome To Arabia’ has kicked off another global marketing campaign featuring football legend and Saudi Tourism Ambassador, Lionel Messi. Launching across key target markets in Europe, India and China, the “Go Beyond What You Think” campaign is anchored on consumer insights, which revealed there are still common misconceptions about the destination, and invites audiences to experience the incredible and vibrant cultural transformation taking place across Saudi. Those that know Saudi are encouraged to share positive experiences and memories on TikTok and social channels using the bi-lingual hashtags #ShareYourSaudi and in Arabic #السعودية_بعيونك,. The latest ‘Saudi Welcome to Arabia’ brand campaign is a combination of TV, Social, Digital, and OTA tactics activated over a three-month period. It is the latest in a series of initiatives by Saudi Tourism to foster broadening of perspectives, and bridging cultures through tourism. The campaign brings to life the UN Tourism, ‘Tourism Opens Minds’ Initiative that launched on World Tourism Day in Riyadh in September 2023, which extends a compelling invitation for travelers to broaden horizons and explore uncharted corners of the world. Governments and industry were presented with a special pledge, calling on them to promote new and under-appreciated destinations while consumers pledged to ‘be open-minded to new cultures and destinations, holding an open heart while travelling’ Lionel Messi is one of many leading international figures who took that pledge. Messi has a fond connection with Saudi being a frequent visitor to the country, including most recently with his wife, Antonella and their two children last Spring. Both Messi and his family have expressed delight in their Saudi experiences and a desire to continue visiting the country. Boldly addressing these …

Azizi Developments launched the construction of the second tallest tower, worth USD 1.5bn, located on prime plot of land on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road. Scheduled to be completed within 4 years, the tower will feature a vertical mall, luxury residences and opulent penthouses, a 7-star hotel, a one-of-its-kind observation deck, and numerous high-end F&B options, among other unique and exciting features and amenities. The date of the official ground-breaking ceremony will be announced later. Commenting on this milestone announcement, Mr. Mirwais Azizi, Founder and Chairman of Azizi Developments, said: “Today is a special day as we finally break ground on one of my dream projects in Dubai. While the formal ceremony will be held later, I am delighted to be marking this occasion with our own team at Azizi – a team that will be building this iconic tower.” “This tower will be our legacy. With Dubai having given my family and I so much – safety and abundance of opportunities – this tower, which will be the second tallest, is our way of giving back to this emirate and its remarkably hospitable and welcoming people.”, he continued.

Rotana announced plans to launch 8 new properties, double key count surpassing 4400 in Saudi Arabia across 16 properties in total. Saudi Arabia presents one of the fastest-growing markets in the region, and Rotana is on track to meet its ambitious goal to double the number of rooms it currently runs in the Kingdom over the upcoming years. Commenting on the expansion plans and participation in the Saudi Tourism Forum 2024, Rotana’s Chief Operating Officer, Eddy Tannous, said: “Participating in the second edition of the Saudi Tourism Forum was a truly enriching experience. With ambitious developments and plans at hand, Rotana’s continuous engagement showcases our commitment to shaping the future of tourism in the vibrant Saudi Arabia market.” The eight new properties include four “Edge by Rotana” and one “Rayhaan by Rotana” in Riyadh, “Dar Rayhaan by Rotana” in Al Khobar, “Al Manakha Rotana” in Madinah, and an “Edge by Rotana” in Al Baha. The forum is a key hub for stakeholders to discuss and showcase tourism advancements, emphasising Saudi Arabia’s rich history and unique hospitality. Rotana has made a commitment to participate in the forum since its inception in efforts to be in line with the tourism initiatives set in the Kingdom’s vision for 2030 and to take part in shaping the Saudi tourism sector. Across the wider GCC, Rotana’s strong regional pipeline for 2024 also includes Onyx Arjaan by Rotana in Manama, Bahrain, Bomonti Arjaan by Rotana in Istanbul, Türkiye, Riviera Rayhaan by Rotana in Doha, Qatar and Luxor Rotana Resort in Luxor, Egypt. Additionally, Rotana is also expected to make its debut into the Algerian market with the launch of Azure Rotana Resort & Spa in the …

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) announced a new partnership with Formula E to build the world’s first Formula E branded indoor karting attraction across multiple SEVEN entertainment destinations across the Kingdom. The announcement was made from the site of the Diriyah E-Prix where the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship double-header of races will take place on the spectacular illuminated race track this Friday and Saturday. Formula E was created to disrupt elite motorsport with a bold vision of using electric racing to accelerate sustainable human progress. What followed was the development of never-seen-before electric racing technology and pioneering race formats to create a sport unrestrained by tradition or expectation. Abdulla Nasser AlDawood, Chairman of SEVEN, commented: “Our strategic partnership with Formula E to bring never seen before Formula E branded racing tracks within our Entertainment destinations, strategically complements our mission of creating a Multiverse of entertainment offerings that cater to the different needs of our future guests that build and nurture their skills and evokes growth. We aspire to have the 1st Saudi car racing champion coming from our Formula E attraction. Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief Championship Officer, said: “We are thrilled to be working alongside SEVEN, the entertainment champion in KSA. Our objectives and goals align in bringing the excitement of Formula E to the kingdom and taking fans closer to real racing action through the Formula E Karting experience across the SEVEN destinations. I am confident this incredible initiative will accelerate the potential of Saudi Arabia’s promising young drivers and create a future world champion.” The license agreement was signed by Eng. Essam Othman Al Jubair, Chief Operating Officer at SEVEN and Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief …

Zardun in NEOM will comprise three distinct and luxurious boutique hotels, offering in total 100 rooms and suites, all of which are informed by a vision of a more sustainable future within this newly restored environment. Each hotel will have a different theme so that guests can enjoy an array of experiences that take in amazing views down a stunning valley and out over the sea. Zardun will offer trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing and a variety of other sports and leisure pursuits, including stargazing, meditation and yoga. In addition, guests will be invited to join in educational and field programs on nature protection, conservation and re-wilding. Luxury ecotourism in Saudi Arabia has taken a major step forward with the announcement of Zardun, an exclusive sanctuary resort developed by NEOM, the sustainable region taking shape in the northwest of the Kingdom. Announced by the NEOM Board of Directors, Zardun has been designed to seamlessly blend contemporary luxury with nature. The unique destination is the latest in a series of coastal assets that form part of the ongoing development taking place across the NEOM region. Overlooking the crystalline waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, Zardun is a nature-based resort that will host four ultra-luxury signature buildings, all of which will merge harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. Intended to redefine luxury within an environmental context, Zardun aims to offer the ultimate premium ecotourism experience for discerning guests. Covering an impressive four square kilometers, Zardun will be a carefully restored haven filled with native plants and animals. Stretching down from the mountains to the seashore, its breathtaking beauty will be experienced on arrival by visitors at its state-of-the-art experience center, which includes a …