Tag Archives: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Emirates announced that on the directives by the governments of the State of Kuwait and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, temporary restrictions are in place as follows: for State of Kuwait – Emirates will not accept non‑Kuwaiti national passengers on flights from Dubai to Kuwait, from 7 to 20 February 2021. Customers holding tickets with Kuwait as a final destination will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin. Exemptions are first‑degree relatives of Kuwaitis, domestic workers travelling with Kuwaiti sponsors, and domestic workers registered on Belsalamah platform. For Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Emirates will not accept non‑Saudi national passengers on flights from Dubai to Saudi Arabia, until further notice. Customers holding tickets with final destinations in Saudi Arabia will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin. Exemptions are Diplomatic passport holders and Health Practitioners and their families. They regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking options. To receive update notifications, customers are requested to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking.

Saudi Arabia is set to reopen its borders to international travellers, although the relaxation across the kingdom comes with strict coronavirus safety guidelines, according to a report by Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s government also decided lifting the precautionary measures related to the spread of a new variant of coronavirus (Covid-19) in a number of countries, regarding the suspension of all international flights for travellers, entry to the Kingdom through its land and sea ports. Taking into consideration the following: Entry into the Kingdom for non-citizens coming from the United Kingdom and South Africa, as well as from any other country being specified by the Ministry of Health, in which the new variant of the novel coronavirus (B. 1, 1, 7) is spread, shall be provided that whoever wishes to enter shall spend a period of no less than (14) days outside the country in which the new coronavirus variant (B. 1, 1, 7) is spread before entering the Kingdom, with a (PCR) examination after the expiration of this period, proving that he/she is COVID-19 infection-free. Citizens who are allowed to enter into the Kingdom for humanitarian and urgent cases coming from countries where the new coronavirus variant (B. 1, 1, 7) is spread, shall be quarantined, pursuant to paragraph (1 ) above, in their homes under observance for a period of (14) days, with two (PCR) examinations of the first shall be carried out after arrival within no more than (48) hours and the second before ending the quarantine on the 13th day. As for the countries in which cases of the strain (B. 1, 1, 7) were registered, those coming from them shall be quarantined …

Due to the wake of another mutation of the Covid 19 virus Middle East nations have decided to close their borders with immediate effect. All international flights are cancelled, due to the closure of Saudi Arabian, Kuwaiti and Omani borders. Customers connecting on flights bound for these destinations will not be accepted at origin. We regret any inconvenience caused. Affected customers should contact their travel agent or contact centre for rebooking options. To receive update notifications, customers are requested to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking.

To ease the passport renewal process for Indian citizens residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the Embassy/ Consulate of India in KSA has unified efforts with VFS Global, to organise scattered tours to collect passport renewal applications from Indian communities residing in the remote locations of the eastern and western regions of the Kingdom.

General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued the traveller’s guide during the resumption of domestic flights within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The roadmap represents a guiding framework for travellers that includes a set of precautionary measures that the traveller will have to go through during his flights. This in addition to the obligations that passengers must follow to ensure a safe travel journey that starts from home until reaching the intended destination. According to the traveller’s guide, passengers must be committed to several responsibilities during the domestic flights resumption phase within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was meant to ensure a safe travel flight and to avoid a travel ban for passengers violating the preventive measures established by GACA and the Ministry of Health and the rules followed within the airports. These responsibilities begin once completing of the purchase of airline tickets by electronic means only. Also arriving at the airport two hours before departure and going through the thermal check area at the airport. Furthermore, passengers must sterilise their hands when entering the terminal and wear a cloth mask, or any similar masks when entering the airport. Wearing masks and gloves during the entirety of the flight and during the disembarkation process, and committing to medical disclosure during the reservation and notification stage in the event of any symptoms of COVID. Each passenger is allowed one piece of carry-on luggage inside the plane’s cabin, encourage the use of electronic payment methods and reduce the use of banknotes. This in addition to avoiding close line-up in the boarding stages and inside shuttle buses and passenger bridges, and maintaining a safe distance between travellers at all stages of travel …

The Ministry of Tourism, in coordination with relevant health authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has announced the following regulations: Temporary suspension on issuing tourism visas to tourists from countries with significant coronavirus risk areas: China, Italy, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Kazakhstan; Temporary suspension on processing tourism visas previously issued to the citizens from the above-mentioned countries; Temporary suspension on issuing or processing tourism visas for anyone who have visited high risk areas within the past 14 days; Continued issuing of electronic and on arrival tourist visas for citizens from other permitted countries; Tourism visa holders will not be permitted to visit Makkah and Al Madina. The Ministry of Tourism stated that such measures are taken to provide the utmost protection to citizens, residents and tourists visiting Saudi Arabia. This is in line with the recommendations of relevant health authorities concerned with applying the highest precautionary standards, and taking proactive preventive measures to avoid the entrance and spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Tourism announced that these measures are temporary and are being constantly monitored by relevant authorities.

Marriott International signed an agreement with Assila Investments to bring its Luxury Collection brand for the first time to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Situated in the heart of Jeddah, Assila Hotel is anticipated to join the Luxury Collection’s portfolio of more than 100 world-renowned hotels and resorts in 2020. “We are thrilled to have Marriott International manage the beautiful Assila Hotel, under the Luxury Collection brand,” said Bader Alissa, CEO, Assila Investments. “This only affirms Assila Hotel’s position as a premier luxury hotel in Jeddah.” “We are delighted to announce plans for the first Luxury Collection property in Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Assila Investments,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.  “This deal signing supports our plans to further diversify our footprint in the Kingdom while enhancing our overall luxury portfolio in the region.”   Assila Hotel features 210 guestrooms, including a 590 sqm Royal Suite, and 94 apartments.  It comprises multiple food and beverage venues, including a Café Lounge and Argentinian and Mediterranean specialty restaurants.  The hotel also includes a 348 sqm ballroom and nine meeting rooms, as well as full-service recreational facilities such as a spa, fitness centre and squash courts.

VFS Global is welcoming Saudi talent to consider a future in the tourism sector as the country accelerates its efforts towards becoming a world-class tourist hub. Building on its Saudisation initiative, which has achieved 51 per cent and a Platinum status under the Saudi Nitaqat programme since being launched across Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar in 2018, VFS Global is encouraging Saudi students to opt for career paths within the organisation as it eyes exceeding 60 per cent Saudisation by 2020. To date, the company’s efforts have been devoted to hiring over 60 qualified Saudi national interns. Since 2018, VFS Global has partnered with the King Saud University, King Abdulaziz University and Jeddah University. The company is currently working on internship agreements with Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Dr. Adeeb A. Al-Khaliel, Vice – Rector Assistant for Industrial and Business Relation, King Saud University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said, “The tourism industry shows promising potential for the leadership’s vision and we are pleased with the Saudisation initiative VFS Global has incorporated in its organisational framework.” Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group COO, VFS Global, said, “ As a company with strong foundations in the tourism sector, VFS Global is pleased to welcome more Saudi nationals into this innovative space in order to highlight potential employment opportunities and make progress towards KSA’s Vision 2030 directives for launching promising sectors.” In addition to the internship programme, VFS Global has also launched a management trainee programme for existing Saudi nationals to build on mid-level manager capabilities and provide rapid development career pathways.

Millennium and Copthorne Makkah Al Naseem hotels situated in Makkah City Center at Al Naseem district opened their doors to meet the rapidly increasing demand of rooms and luxury stays within the holy city of Makkah. The two properties add 1307 keys to the 4067 keys currently operated by Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and supporting the 2030 vision. The two properties are part of Al Rajhi complex in Al Naseem district in the holy city of Makkah and at a walking distance from Al-Rajhi Mosque that is part of the complex. Millennium and Copthorne Makkah Al Naseem provide a convenient location for pilgrims close to the holy sites including Arafat, Mina and Mozdalifa and a relaxing atmosphere to Umrah performers and business travellers. A 24/ 7 free shuttle service to and from the haram, on-site recreational activities, entertainment, restaurants and business facilities are available within Al Rajhi complex for the guests to enjoy while staying in the hotels. Kevork Deldelian, Chief Operating Officer at Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA, stated, “We are pleased to introduce these new properties to Millennium Hotels & Resorts portfolio in the Kingdom, as the fruitful outcome of our partnership with Sulaiman A.Al-Rajhi Real Estate Investments Company.  We look forward to seeing these properties among top hotels within the Makkah province.” Khalid Saud Abuhaimed, CEO at Sulaiman A.Al-Rajhi Real Estate Investments Company, commented, “We are witnessing a huge leap in the development of Al Rajhi complex and these new openings represent an essential part of the complex complementing its comprehensive facilities.  As one of the leading Saudi holding groups, we are keen to keep up with the strong growth …

Emirates will be expanding its services to Jeddah and Medina with an additional 46 flights to help facilitate travel for Hajj pilgrims heading to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The flights will be operated between July 27 and August 22 to support the Hajj journey to the Holy City of Mecca. The services will run in parallel with Emirates’ regularly scheduled services to Jeddah and Medina, and will be available to travellers holding a valid Hajj visa. This year, Emirates expects thousands of pilgrims to travel on its services for Hajj, coming from top inbound destinations such as Pakistan, the United States, Senegal, the UK, Nigeria, Indonesia, South Africa and Ivory Coast. Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran, Emirates, said, “Hajj is one of the most significant events in the Muslim faith, and every year, Emirates’ primary focus is to help facilitate seamless travel for our Hajj passengers as they converge on the Holy City of Mecca for this once in a lifetime journey.” On the ground in Dubai, Emirates has commissioned a dedicated team to manage check-in and transfers for the seamless movement of Hajj passengers leaving from and transiting in Dubai. In the air, Emirates has planned several initiatives that uphold the values and traditions of pilgrims when travelling for Hajj. Extra provisions will be made to accommodate Hajj traveller needs such as performing ablutions and other cleansing rituals as well as advising passengers when they have entered Al Miqat zones to ensure readiness for Ihram (the point when pilgrims enter a state of sanctity) through dedicated passenger announcements.