sheharareeezly

India emerged as top outbound destination for Oman travellers

According to the latest report from Skyscanner ahead of the Oman national day long weekend it was revealed that India emerged as the top destination country, with Mumbai leading as the most popular city. This trend is driven by the strong cultural and familial ties between Oman and India, as well as the diverse attractions that Mumbai offers. Oman itself ranked second, with Muscat being a favored destination, reflecting the growing interest in domestic travel and the rich cultural heritage of the capital city. The UAE, particularly the city of Dubai, continues to attract travelers from Oman due to its proximity and the allure of its luxury shopping, entertainment, and modern architecture. Thailand, with Phuket as a key destination, appeals to travelers seeking exotic beaches and vibrant street life. Türkiye and Egypt, with Istanbul and Cairo respectively, are seeing increased interest for their historical sites and unique cultural experiences. Italy and the United Kingdom round out the top ten, being perennial favorites for their rich history and cultural offerings. Based on the orders of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Wednesday and Thursday, November 20-21, 2024, have been declared official holidays for public and private sector employees to commemorate the 54th National Day. The data, collected from January 1, 2024, to November 1, 2024, highlights the most popular destinations and significant year-over-year (YoY) increases in search and redirect volumes, providing valuable insights for travelers planning their holiday getaways. Emerging travel hotspots with remarkable YoY search increases include Giza (1241%), driven by its iconic pyramids and historical significance, and Mopa (369%), likely due to new travel routes and increased accessibility. Yangon (268%) and Pristina (220%) are gaining popularity for their unique …

Read More »

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts expands presence in KSA with new Ramada signing in the Holy City

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a new property, Ramada by Wyndham Mekkah Al Jumaizah, expanding its portfolio in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s key city. This new property will add to Wyndham’s growing presence in Mekkah and will be the brand’s third property in the Holy City, furthering its mission to offer accessible and welcoming hospitality in key locations. Revealed at the recent CityScape Global event in Riyadh, KSA, the Ramada by Wyndham Mekkah Al Jumaizah will be situated in the prominent Ma’abada neighborhood along Al-Masjid Al-Haram Street, a short two kilometers from the Masjid Al Haram, Islam’s holiest site. This strategic location will allow guests easy access to the Holy Mosque, making it an ideal choice for religious travellers. Expected to open by January 2026, the 4-star property will feature 347 well-appointed guest rooms created according to Ramada’s new design guidelines. Dining options will include an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, and a lobby café, providing guests with a range of culinary experiences. The hotel will also offer modern accommodations for travellers seeking comfort, convenience, and contemporary amenities. “Our expansion in Mekkah with the signing of Ramada by Wyndham Mekkah Al Jumaizah reflects Wyndham’s commitment to catering to the needs of travellers in the Holy City. This new hotel underscores our aim to enhance the midscale segment in the region, providing quality stays that balance comfort and accessibility.” – Panos Loupasis, Market Managing Director for Türkiye, Middle East & Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts “The addition of Ramada by Wyndham Mekkah Al Jumaizah marks a significant expansion of Wyndham’s presence in the Holy City of Mekkah. Developed in partnership with Al Mutmayzah Brothers Maintenance and …

Read More »

KSA ranks 12th globally in international tourism receipts according to UN tourism report

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector continues its impressive growth, advancing 15 positions in international tourism receipts and leading the Top 50 ranking in upward movement. According to the UN World Tourism Organization, Saudi Arabia ranked 12th in 2023, making a significant improvement from its 2019 ranking. Saudi Arabia has led G20 countries in growth on the UN Tourism Barometer, achieving a 73% increase in international tourist arrivals and a 207% rise in international tourism receipts based on the latest data from the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019. These impressive gains reflect the Kingdom’s success as a leading tourism destination. The steady increase in international tourist arrivals further underscores the trust visitors place in Saudi Arabia’s rich and diverse attractions. Globally, international tourist arrivals reached 96% of pre-pandemic levels in the first seven months of 2024, totaling an estimated 790 million tourists – an 11% increase over the same period in 2023. The Middle East maintained the lead as the strongest-growing region, with international arrivals rising 26% over 2019 levels.

Read More »

AROYA Cruises introduces exclusive Khuzama Experience for luxury-seeking travellers

AROYA Cruises unveiled details of its luxurious Khuzama Experience aboard its first ship, AROYA. AROYA Cruises chose the name “Khuzama” – the Arabic name for lavender – inspired by the lavender flower with its purple colour, which has become a Saudi national cultural icon and is considered a symbol of luxury. the lavender colour is used in the official reception ceremonies’ carpets, reflecting the generosity of the land and the richness of Saudi cultural heritage. The concept is designed to give luxury seekers an elevated and enriched experience on board from the moment they step foot on the ship. Combining comfort and relaxation with Arabian hospitality, Khuzama promises guests a luxury experience at sea. On-board AROYA, Khuzam guests can choose from 150+ VIP suites and 1 Royal villa, each featuring walk-in wardrobes, spacious balconies and luxurious bath amenities, as well as plenty of space. Passengers benefit from additional enhancements including complimentary Wi-Fi, priority embarkation and disembarkation, luggage delivery and a dedicated butler service. Beyond the accommodations, there is an exclusive Khuzama Restaurant and Khuzama Lounge for guests to enjoy. The elegant Khuzama Restaurant offers a rotating menu that blends Saudi and French cuisine, whilst the 24-hour Khuzama Lounge is a comfortable space for guests to enjoy drinks and light bites. Dr Jorg Rudolph, President of AROYA Cruises, commented: “We are proud to be launching the Khuzama experience for our premium AROYA guests. Our luxury travellers are seeking something a little extra; exclusive experiences and elevated facilities combined with a deeply personal and curated service. AROYA is already incredibly special, but the Khuzama concept goes one step further with the most luxurious way to explore the wonders of Saudi by sea.” …

Read More »

Emirates A380 welcomes over 7,000 visitors at Bahrain International Airshow

The Emirates A380 welcomed more than 7,000 visitors across two days at this year’s Bahrain International Airshow. The airline showcased its iconic flagship aircraft for trade and industry visitors, aviation aficionados, and the wider public for an up-close glimpse into the largest passenger aircraft in the world. The Emirates A380 on display featured four classes and was one of the latest aircraft to be retrofitted with the newest generation cabins including Premium Economy, alongside updates across First, Business, and Economy class cabins. The airline has embarked on a multi-billion dollar retrofit programme to elevate the travel experience for its customers for years to come. As part of the programme, the airline rolled out Premium Economy with more spacious seating and thoughtful touches that makes routine travel an unforgettable experience. Visitors to the aircraft were also able to tour the Onboard Lounge, and the iconic Shower Spa in First Class. Emirates has been serving Bahrain since 2000 and has carried close to 8 million passengers to and from Bahrain since the start of its operations. The airline currently operates 21 weekly flights on its Boeing 777 aircraft and connects travellers from the Kingdom to more than Emirates’ 140 global destinations via its hub in Dubai.

Read More »

SAUDIA partners with Choice Hotels to boost AlFursan loyalty program’s benefits reinforcing its commitment to expanding partnerships and offering greater rewards

SAUDIA announced a partnership between AlFursan loyalty program and Choice Hotels, enabling AlFursan members to join Choice Privileges, the loyalty program of Choice Hotels. The agreement was signed by Essam Akhonbay, Vice President of AlFursan Loyalty Program at SAUDIA, and Nour Ghanem, General Manager of Choice Hotels in Saudi Arabia. As part of the partnership, AlFursan members will earn 1,000 AlFursan reward miles for every 5,000 Choice Privileges points converted. Essam Akhonbay, the Vice President of AlFursan Loyalty Program at SAUDIA, commented: “This partnership reflects SAUDIA’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its global network of partnerships and offering more exclusive benefits to AlFursan members. With Choice Hotels’ extensive portfolio across the world, this collaboration opens a wealth of new opportunities for our members to enjoy exceptional travel experiences worldwide.” David Beers, CEO of Choice Hotels EMEA, said: “We continue to focus on adding redemption benefits that provide further value for our members so they can redeem the points they have earned by staying at nearly 7,500 Choice Hotels around the world. This new agreement is a great expansion of the rewards and opportunities that are available to the 65 million Choice Privileges members for their travels.” AlFursan members enjoy a wide range of benefits and exclusive offers through extensive local and global partnerships, allowing members to accelerate the earning of Miles to redeem for flights with SAUDIA and our SkyTeam partners.

Read More »

RwandAir and Euroairlines Group sign a strategic agreement for worldwide distribution of their routes

RwandAir has signed an agreement with Euroairlines Group to improve the distribution of its more than 30 domestic and international routes. They will benefit from the network of travel agencies, OTAs, aggregators and consolidators in more than 60 countries that the Spanish company will make available to them through its IATA Q4-291 plate. The Rwandan company, based in Kigali, offers regular flights to 22 countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, after 22 years of existence. RwandAir was born in December 2002 as a national airline under the name of Rwandair Express with a concession to provide airport ground services as an ancillary activity. In December 2009, the current RwandAir began operations with Kigali International Airport as its hub. Since then, it has been providing commercial and passenger services and has a fleet of 14 aircraft, including three Airbus aircraft with more than 250 seats, seven Boeing aircraft with more than 120 seats and four Bombardier aircraft with a capacity of more than 60 people. According to Euroairlines CEO, Antonio López-Lázaro, the agreement will intensify and consolidate the already significant growth experienced by the African airline in recent years. “For us, southern Africa is an area with a lot of potential, which is why it is strategic to have such an established partner in the region as RwandAir”, says López-Lázaro. “Between the two companies, we can bring great value to each other to drive our growth, and our presence in more than 50 markets supports our distribution network”, adds.

Read More »

TDF and Dusit International forge landmark partnership to elevate Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector

As Saudi Arabia continues to make tremendous strides towards becoming one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations, the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the industry. This was highlighted by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dusit International. The MoU will see TDF work closely with Dusit International to develop a range of world-class hospitality projects in the Kingdom. In line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Tourism Strategy, the partnership is fully geared towards setting Saudi Arabia apart as a must-visit destination — a go-to tourism hotspot — distinguished by a first-class array of luxury hotels and resorts. The MoU marks the latest step taken by TDF to transform the Kingdom into a global hub of immersive tourism experiences, reiterating the Fund’s focus on effective and truly aligned partnership-building to advance the Saudi tourism sector and fulfil the Kingdom’s potential as a leading player on the international tourism stage. Renowned for its rich traditions, stunning landscapes, proud heritage and diverse range of spiritual landmarks and historic sites, Saudi Arabia is home to some of the most engaging tourist attractions in the world. Together with Dusit International, TDF aims to call attention to these places of interest and attract more visitors and travelers to embark on rewarding journeys and tourist experiences across the Kingdom. Mr. Qusai Al-Fakhri, TDF’s CEO, said: “This MoU is a pivotal milestone in our strategy to attract world-class partners and create distinctive and sustainable tourism destinations in Saudi Arabia. We are pleased to be collaborating with Dusit International, whose expertise in hospitality aligns perfectly with our ambition to unlock the full potential of the Kingdom’s tourism sector. Together, we aim …

Read More »

Kuwait Airways strengthens its partnership with Amadeus to improve and develop the customer booking experience

Kuwait Airways announced the strengthening of its partnership with Amadeus, which specializes in providing technology, innovation services and solutions to airlines, to develop a streamlined booking process for passengers travelling on Kuwait Airways. Captain Abdulmohsen Salem Al-Fagaan, Chairman – Kuwait Airways stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to announce the strengthening of the partnership with Amadeus, one of the leading providers of technology and solutions for airlines in the global air transport sector. Through this partnership, Amadeus will enhance the booking mechanism to provide our valued customers with a simplified and streamlined process.” Al-Fagaan added, “Kuwait Airways customers can now book their flights in just three simple steps. This enhanced booking process has been designed to assist customers in the best possible way, providing them with essential information needed to make informed decisions quickly, while eliminating unnecessary complexities.” Al-Fagaan further stated, “Kuwait Airways is committed to providing its valued customers with an exceptional and comfortable travel experience and in facilitating the booking procedures for all our passengers. Through close collaboration with Amadeus, we can rely on their expertise and professionalism to significantly enhance the transformation of the digital experience for all our customers and Oasis Club members.” Maher Koubaa, EVP Travel unit and Managing Director, EMEA, Amadeus stated, “At Amadeus, we are proud to support Kuwait Airways on this transformative journey. Our ongoing dedication to enhancing the customer experience for Kuwait Airways passengers will continue to drive new innovations and improvements and providing them with diverse options.“

Read More »

flydubai and Batik Air announce strategic interline agreement

flydubai and Batik Air Malaysia announced an interline agreement that will offer flydubai passengers access to more than 40 destinations across Batik Air’s network via Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). The interline agreement will offer passengers seamless connectivity between the UAE, Malaysia and beyond as they explore new routes on the carriers’ combined networks, offering the convenience of a single booking and through-checked baggage. flydubai customers will have the opportunity to explore more than 40 destinations across Southeast Asia on the Batik Air network including Hanoi, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Osaka and Sydney. ​In addition, Batik Air passengers will have the opportunity to travel conveniently to 38 destinations on flydubai’s growing network across Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and Southeast Europe as well as the GCC and the Middle East. This includes unique destinations such as Entebbe, Istanbul, Milan-Bergamo, Prague and Zagreb. ​ Commenting on the interline agreement, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are pleased to add Batik Air to our growing list of partners, offering their passengers a smooth travel experience on a young and modern fleet, with our great service and enhanced cabin interior, as they explore our growing network. We look forward to offering our passengers more opportunities to explore Southeast Asia and beyond and we remain committed to creating free flows of trade and tourism and supporting Dubai’s position as a thriving aviation hub.” ​ ​ ​ Batik Air Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said that this agreement marks a significant step forward in expanding travel possibilities for valued passengers. “By bringing together the networks of Batik Air and flydubai, we’re not only making it easier for travellers to connect with …

Read More »