Riyadh Air and Artefact signed a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionising the aviation industry through AI applications. Utilising cutting edge cloud and AI technologies, the partnership will focus on building Riyadh Air’s data analytics platform and developing AI solutions across its main business and corporate functions. Through these AI solutions, Riyadh Air will be able to hyper-personalise its guest experience and elevate its guest service through intelligent channels, optimise its flight and ground operations through real-time data insights and predictions, and launch fit-for-purpose offerings of Air and non-Air products through highly efficient and targeted sales channels. Abe Dev, Vice President Digital & Innovation at Riyadh Air, added, “Our partnership with Artefact signifies Riyadh Air’s dedication to leveraging cutting edge technologies to enhance guest experiences at every stage and every moment of their journey. This partnership with Artefact builds upon our recent collaborations with leaders in the aviation industry. Through AI integration, we aim to redefine travel standards, offering personalised, seamless digital-first experience to our guests ahead of our maiden flight in 2025.” Commenting on the partnership, Rahul Arya, CEO and Managing Partner of Artefact MENA, said: “Our partnership with Riyadh Air marks a significant milestone in our commitment to pioneering AI solutions tailored to the unique needs of the aviation industry. By combining Riyadh Air’s forward-thinking approach with Artefact’s expertise in data and AI solutions, we’re poised to set new standards for innovation in the airline sector.” Riyadh Air, set to make its maiden flight in 2025, is poised to revolutionise the future of air travel and exceed guests’ expectations of their travel experience. With an unwavering dedication to cutting-edge thinking and innovation, Riyadh Air aims to set new standards …

Hamad International Airport (DOH) announced the commencement of daily operations by Japan Airlines, linking Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) in Japan with Hamad International Airport in Qatar. The inaugural flight, operated with a capacity of 203 seats, marks the first-ever flight to the Middle East by a Japanese airline – signifying a historic moment in the aviation industry. Commenting on this historic partnership, Sujata Suri, Senior Vice President of Finance and Procurement at Hamad International Airport, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Japan Airlines to the Middle East through its renowned hub in Doha. The launch of Japan Airlines’ daily flights from Tokyo Haneda to Hamad International Airport is a landmark achievement and a testament to the flourishing partnership between both Qatar and Japan. Combining Japan Airlines’ latest launch with Qatar Airways’ recent resumption to Osaka, is projected to result in a 50% increase in weekly flight frequency between Qatar and Japan, which underscores Hamad International Airport’s commitment to advancing global travel and enhancing passenger experiences”. “Our new Doha service is the first direct flight to the Middle East operated by a Japanese airline. It perfectly complements JAL’s global network and enables customers to seamlessly connect to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America through our partnership with Qatar Airways, a member of the same oneworld alliance as JAL,” said Ross Leggett, Japan Airlines Managing Executive Officer, Route Marketing Senior Vice President. “The demand for business and leisure travel from Doha to Asia continues to grow, and we are excited to offer JAL’s renowned five-star service and unique approach to hospitality to even more travellers,” Leggett added. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori said: “We are very pleased to …

Etihad Airways touched down for the first time in Boston marking the launch of regular services between Abu Dhabi and the US city, strengthening ties and enriching travel options for passengers. The inaugural flight, EY147, was celebrated at Abu Dhabi Airport before take-off, and on arrival in Massachusetts, Etihad’s captains waved UAE and US flags from the cockpit to celebrate the start of the carrier’s fourth non-stop service to America. The new service operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays using a state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring the airline’s acclaimed Business Studios and Economy Smart seats. With 28 seats in Business and 262 seats in Economy boasting entertainment systems, in-seat power, and in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity, passengers can expect a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience, complemented by world-class service and hospitality. “We are thrilled to inaugurate flights to Boston, further extending our reach across the United States and enhancing connectivity for travellers,” said Etihad’s Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves. “This new route not only brings the allure of Abu Dhabi and Dubai to the American Northeast but also signifies our commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences and fostering global connections. “The new route is timed to offer convenient links to our growing network for corporate business travellers and leisure guests connecting to destinations across the Middle East and our 11 routes across India.” “Massport is pleased to welcome Etihad Airways to Boston Logan International Airport with their new flight to Abu Dhabi,” said Massport Interim CEO and Aviation Director Ed Freni. “This route provides a key connection between Boston and the UAE, and New Englanders now have even more options when planning a trip to the Middle East and beyond.” As …

Saudi Arabia has made unprecedented strides in its tourism sector, setting a remarkable milestone with total spending by inbound visitors reaching 135 billion riyals in 2023. Inbound visitors spending in 2023 reached 135 billion SAR, marking the Kingdom’s highest ever spending by inbound visitors with a growth of 42.8% compared to inbound visitors spending in 2022. Furthermore, data from SAMA showed that in 2023, the Kingdom achieved a surplus of 48 billion riyals in travel account, reflecting a growth rate of nearly 38% compared to the surplus recorded in 2022. The notable surge in spending by inbound visitors is part of the successive achievements in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector. Particularly noteworthy is Saudi Arabia’s leadership position on the UN Tourism’s list of large tourist destinations, showcasing significant growth in the number of international visitors in 2023 compared to 2019. As highlighted in the UN Tourism Barometer report released in January 2024, the Kingdom witnessed a remarkable 56% increase in inbound visitors in 2023 compared to 2019. Furthermore, there was a noteworthy recovery of 156% in the number of inbound visitors in 2023 compared to 2019, indicating a robust resurgence in the Kingdom’s tourism industry. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has garnered widespread international recognition from the UN Tourism and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) for surpassing 100 million inbound and domestic tourists in 2023. Both organizations have praised the significant efforts undertaken in the Kingdom’s tourism sector.

Kuwait Airways announced the launch of its summer schedule for the 2024 season. They will launch numerous destinations during the summer, namely Antalya with two flights per week, Bodrum with three flights per week, Trabzon with three flights per week, Sharm El-Sheikh, with two flights per week, Malaga with three flights per week, and Nice with two flights per week, thus expanding its operations to 54 destinations during the summer season, in addition to its scheduled flights to permanent destinations. As part of its 2024 summer schedule, Kuwait Airways will focus on destinations that are witnessing a huge demand from customers travelling from within the State of Kuwait and will experience an extensive demand to travel, especially during the summer season, from June to September 2024. They had launched numerous diverse destinations and operated to new markets last year, to meet the requirements and preferences of its valued customers and to provide them with different options, in accordance with its efforts to expand its network of routes around the world. Moreover, the company has, in cooperation with the relevant authorities, and in close coordination with the operational departments are finalizing preparations for the summer operations, for providing its services and assisting the Blue Bird guests at Terminal 4 with distinguished, and exceptional facilities. This is in addition to the Kuwait Airways fleet being fully prepared to carry the esteemed passengers of the national carrier to various destinations around the world. Kuwait Airways Chairman, Captain Abdulmohsen Al-Fagaan stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to announce the new 2024 summer destinations to its valued customers, in view of the growth of passenger traffic during the summer period. Kuwait Airways has perceived the necessity to …

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council approved the Abu Dhabi Tourism Sector Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors, create 178,000 new jobs, and increase the sector’s contribution to non-oil GDP to AED90 billion annually by 2030 to further enhance Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the world’s fastest growing tourism destinations. His Highness praised the efforts of relevant entities in the tourism sector, which have resulted in an exceptional performance in 2023, including welcoming nearly 24 million visitors; a more than 30 per cent increase from 2022. In addition, the tourism industry significantly bolstered Abu Dhabi’s economy in 2023, contributing AED49 billion to GDP, a more than 22 per cent increase from 2022. The hotel sector alone contributed AED6.4 billion. This remarkable growth reflects the emirate’s rising profile in the global tourism sector and lays a solid foundation from which to achieve objectives of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030. The strategy reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision to transform the emirate’s social and economic landscape through sustainable development in line with the objectives of Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030. The strategy also aims to develop talent in the tourism sector and strengthen the sector’s role in supporting the emirate’s economic growth. The approved strategy will continue to support and encourage private sector investment in tourism development through a range of incentive initiatives and programmes, including facilitating and simplifying regulatory procedures. The strategy will also support sustainable tourism initiatives and drive innovation and technology integration to enhance tourism services and the development of unique attractions and experiences. These are among other strategy …

Rotana announced the soft opening of Dar Rayhaan by Rotana, Al Khobar, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The opening is in line with Rotana’s ambitious goal of launching eight properties in the Kingdom over the next four years, bringing the total key count to 4,400 across 16 properties. The new property also increases Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts’ key count to 2,080 keys currently in operation across six hotels – a significant milestone for Rotana’s modern-design hospitality brand. Commenting on the announcement, Philip Barnes, Rotana CEO, said: “The Kingdom’s emphasis on diversifying its economy and welcoming tourism has generated extensive opportunities for growth and development. The inauguration of Dar Rayhaan by Rotana in Al Khobar marks a significant milestone and holds a crucial role in supporting the Kingdom’s growth strategy. The four-star property caters to the evolving travel preferences of our guests within this important market segment, reinforcing our dedication to delivering ‘Treasured Time’ for all. As we continue with our expansion strategy, we are thrilled about the prospect of enhancing our array of offerings in the Kingdom and contributing to the development of this dynamic market.” Located only 30 minutes from King Fahd International Airport, Dar Rayhaan by Rotana offers 133 keys, including 113 rooms and 20 suites, each meticulously crafted for the utmost convenience. Equipped with modern fittings and furnishings, each room affords guests beautiful views of the city. The property offers a range of versatile recreational amenities, including a refreshing outdoor swimming pool, complimentary private parking, and a 24-hour gymnasium. The hotel also boasts three well-appointed meeting rooms, each equipped with cutting-edge audio-visual technology. Catering to business travellers, one meeting room also has a spacious pre-function area …

It has been announced that Oman is gearing up to open the country’s largest zoo, located in Ibra, north Sharqiyah on the second day of Eid Al Fitr. Safari World will showcase a diverse collection of over 300 animals across 120,000 square meters of the zoo’s total 286,000 square meter area. Apart from the animal exhibits, Safari World will also offer entertainment with its water park and family activity areas. It will also aim to raise awareness about wildlife conservation, especially among school children. In the second phase within the next few years, Safari World is set to expand its offerings to introduce more exotic species and enhance attractions with a key goal to solidify Oman’s position as a top tourism destination.

Sav announced a groundbreaking partnership with Desert Adventures. This alliance is set to redefine destination experiences, offering Sav users unparalleled access to a diverse array of leisure and adventure services. With over 75% of residents prioritizing spending on new and memorable experiences, Sav and Desert Adventures are well-positioned to capitalize on this expanding market. Through this partnership, Sav users can now explore the range of Desert Adventures’ offerings directly from the Sav app. This includes guided city tours in multiple languages, desert safaris, attraction and theme park tickets, sea cruises, aerial tours, dining experiences, and exciting sports and adventure activities. Additionally, users will benefit from exclusive discounts and offers when booking Desert Adventures experiences through the Sav app. “We are thrilled to join forces with Desert Adventures to redefine destination experiences for our users”, said Purvi Munot, Co-founder and CEO at Sav. “At Sav, we believe in empowering our users not just financially but also in every aspect of their lives. This collaboration is a significant stride towards enhancing our users’ leisure experiences, offering them unique opportunities to explore the destinations and save.” “As one of the most reputable Destination Management Companies in the region, we are very excited to combine our services with Sav’s innovative platform. ” said Samir Mehta, COO at Desert Adventures. ” This collaboration allows us to effectively distribute our wide range of destination services to the local UAE market, offering unique value propositions for ‘must-do’ experiences.” The integration of Desert Adventures’ offerings into the Sav app is now live, allowing users to explore a diverse range of experiences with ease. Both companies are committed to deepening their collaboration, promising users even more innovative features, broader …

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced it is preparing to welcome its first international flight to Red Sea International Airport (RSI). Operated by flydubai, the flight will arrive from Dubai International (DXB) on Thursday, 18 April, marking the start of a new twice-weekly route to The Red Sea destination. A regular schedule of domestic flights operated by Saudia have been servicing RSI since September 2023. With the launch of flydubai, there will now be eight flights per week to RSI. “Situated within three hours flying time of 250 million people, RSI will serve one million guests a year at full capacity. Our inaugural flight just six months ago was the start of our journey towards reaching that goal, and this first international flight is a further step in making Saudi Arabia one of the top tourism destinations globally. We are looking forward to truly opening up to the world and welcoming visitors from the UAE, wider Middle East region and beyond,” said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global. “RSI is also essential for providing connectivity for our employees, partners, and the wider local community,” added Pagano. RSI was built to provide an easy route for guests travelling to The Red Sea. Today, two luxury resorts are open at the destination: Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, and St. Regis Red Sea Resort, which recently welcomed legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and his family. Three more resorts are on track to open this year, including Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – one of only seven worldwide – in the coming weeks. This will be followed by Shebara, featuring a remarkable array of overwater, stainless steel villas, and Desert Rock, a spectacular resort …