Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, Amaala and The Red Sea, announced on Thursday the signing of a sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli Football Club. The agreement was signed in Jeddah in the presence of Eng. Ahmed Ghazi Darwish, Chief Administrative Officer and official spokesperson for Red Sea Global, and Mr. Tariq Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Al-Ahli FC Investment Company. A number of senior executives from Red Sea Global as well as members of the club’s board of directors were also in attendance. Red Sea Global becomes the Platinum Sponsor of the club’s first team. The agreement means Red Sea Global’s logo will be displayed on the players’ jerseys during all local and global competitions, in addition to other commercial and marketing advantages and privileges. “This sponsorship stems from the sense of social responsibility adopted by RSG, and our interest in promoting various initiatives in relation to sports. It runs in parallel with our commitment to people and planet, which directly and positively reflects on the quality of life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and contributes to creating and building a healthy society,” said Engineer Ahmed Darwish. Engineer Darwish noted that RSG will be an active partner in shaping the present and future of Saudi Arabia, by contributing to enhancing the sustainability of the sports sector. Al-Ahli Football Club represents a long history in Saudi sports and has a great fan base that will be a key element in the success of this partnership. Mr. Tariq Khalifa expressed his delight in associating the name of Saudi Al-Ahli FC with Red Sea Global, the company in charge of developing …

A new chapter in travel has arrived on the global stage with the world class, digitally-led airline Riyadh Air, making its international debut at the 54th bi-annual Paris Air Show. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner adorned with Riyadh Air’s unique livery touched down after a remarkable fly-over the city of Riyadh for its first official reveal on Monday 12th June. The disruptive new airline from Saudi Arabia will fly to more than 100 destinations, and reach 100 million visitors by 2030, making Riyadh City a hub for global travel and encouraging visits to the Kingdom for business and leisure. The airline will bring a new level of attention to detail to guest experience and has technology that will raise the bar for the industry. The brand identity captures the heritage of the Kingdom whilst being modern and forward thinking with the global campaign launched in early June was featured with the tagline of ‘The Future Takes Flight’. The aircraft is on static display at the air show, allowing visitors to view the unique indigo aircraft livery up close being one of two aircraft liveries that Riyadh Air will introduce to the world. The main brand lavender color is symbolic of the welcoming and hospitable nature of the people in the Kingdom, as well as being a natural plant that carpets Saudi Arabia during spring, while the rear of the aircraft design captures the movement of canopy tents in the desert. Riyadh City is rapidly becoming a major player in global business and the rapid Saudi economic growth, which is targeted to be in the top 10 globally by 2030, is outperforming other major economies. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has many developing tourist sites, such …

Dubai Festival City Mall, part of Al-Futtaim Malls, is proud to announce the upcoming opening of its latest entertainment attraction, a cutting-edge multiplex operated by VOX Cinemas, the dedicated cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim. Film enthusiasts can enjoy the latest blockbusters at VOX Cinemas at Dubai Festival City Mall, which boasts modern auditoriums with cutting-edge audio-visual technology. To complement the moviegoing experience, VOX Cinemas has a dedicated Candy Corner serving its delicious signature popcorn, which is available in seven unique flavours, a selection of candy bars, along with other mouth-watering treats like burgers, hot dogs, pizzas and nachos. VOX Cinemas at Dubai Festival City will introduce its signature concepts later in the year including GOLD, a luxury experience which seamlessly blends gourmet dining with film. Commenting on the announcement, Hayssam Hajjar, General Manager of Al-Futtaim Malls – UAE, said: “We are delighted to join forces with the Middle East’s top cinema exhibitor, VOX Cinemas, in launching this state-of-the-art multiplex at Dubai Festival City Mall. This achievement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to our visitors while reinforcing our position as a leading shopping, dining and entertainment destination in the region.” Mohamed Al Hashemi, Country Head – UAE and Oman, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment added, “The mall is no longer just a shopping destination. It is a social hub for family and friends, and today’s consumers expect a strong leisure and entertainment offering that they can’t get at home. VOX Cinemas is proud to partner with Al-Futtaim Malls to offer guests an innovative and customer-focused cinema experience, which features the latest cinematic technology and a range of signature concepts to appeal to our diverse audiences.” With over 600 …

The Ministry of Transport of The State of Qatar is the host and strategic partner of the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum. Under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Qatar’s Minister of Transport, The Ministry of Transport is hosting the first International Forum for Autonomous e-Mobility organized by Just us & Otto Marketing Services during the period of 10-12 October 2023. The event, which will be hosted in Doha over three days, will shed light on latest trends and innovations in sustainable transport solutions. It will also provide a leading platform for exchanging experiences, ideas and enriching discussions on developments in the field of electric transport and self-driving mobility, a topic of local and global importance. The Forum will bring together industry leaders, policy makers, senior officials, expert speakers, and representatives of ministries, government institutions, private sector companies, academic institutions, and the media, as well as hundreds of attendees. It thus establishes a suitable opportunity for concerned international parties to enhance knowledge, explore opportunities for cooperation and partnerships, and formulate recommendations on the future application of electric and autonomous vehicles in real-world settings. On this occasion, Eng. Hamad Issa Abdullah, in charge of the duties of the Assistant Undersecretary for Land Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Transport, said: “For many years, electric transport vehicles have been a main focus in the efforts of governments and the visions of manufacturing companies within the wider context of sustainability and diversification of energy sources. The State of Qatar seeks to bring about transformative movement in the transportation sector by investing in sustainable and smart mobility, and improving energy efficiency to achieve the goals of the Qatar National Vision in …

Emirates airline and Etoile Sportive du Sahel signed a new sponsorship deal, which will see Emirates become the official airline sponsor of the Club, starting from the 2023-24 season. The agreement underscores Emirates’ ongoing commitment to growing the sport of football and connecting to a new base of fans in North Africa. In addition to football, Emirates will also be supporting the main indoor sporting teams which includes basketball, volleyball and handball. Emirates branding will be prominently placed on the Etoile Sportive du Sahel Club’s first team jerseys, training kits, as well as all indoor sports kits from the start of the 2023-2024 season. Emirates will also enjoy a wide-range of other benefits including: advertising and branding rights in the club’s stadium and indoor sports facilities, digital and social media activation rights, hospitality, meet and greet access to the athletes; and prominent visibility across the Sousse Olympic Stadium and training ground and indoor sports arena. Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Badr Abbas, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Africa, Emirates, said, “We are pleased to partner with Etoile Sportive du Sahel, a football powerhouse in Africa, and a formidable force in international basketball. Amplifying our brand message on jerseys across their different sports divisions will help to create more meaningful connections with sports fan bases in Tunis and across Africa. Our partnership with Etoile du Sahel is also a testament of our support and long-standing involvement with football and we’re also keen to connect with fans of indoor sports including basketball, volleyball and handball that are fast gaining popularity in Tunisia. Etoile du Sahel has great local and regional appeal, and as a brand, we’re proud to bring together ardent fans …

His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Head of the Emirates Tourism Council, emphasised the UAE’s commitment, under the guidance and vision of its wise leadership, to actively support global endeavors in promoting sustainable tourism. HE further highlighted the UAE’s dedication to contributing to initiatives that foster the formulation of sustainable tourism policies, facilitating the growth of international tourism. HE Bin Touq made these remarks during his participation in the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting 2023, which was attended by over 20 decision-makers in the global tourism industry recently in Goa, India. HE asserted the significance of collaborative endeavors and proactive measures to propel the regional and global tourism sector in a way that supports achieving comprehensive economic and social development in line with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. The G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting discussed several tourism topics and agendas related to tourism. One significant focus was on promoting sustainability in the tourism industry and harnessing the possibilities presented by digital transformation and smart applications, especially in the realm of tourism services. Additionally, the meeting addressed strategies for enhancing the tourism sector and making it appealing to global talent, especially through the development of innovative tourism products. The participants emphasised the necessity of fostering a supportive environment that embraces small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the tourism sector. In his speech at the meeting, HE Bin Touq said: “In the present era, the development of the tourism sector heavily relies on sustainability, given the prevailing environmental and social circumstances. It has become crucial to raise awareness about the significance of sustainable tourism through the implementation of legislation and policies that safeguard natural resources, cultural heritage, and …

NEOM and Volocopter  announced the successful completion of a series of air taxi test flights. This marks the first time an eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft has received a special flight authorization and performed test flights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The flight test campaign lasted over a week and built on 18 months of collaboration between NEOM, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), and Volocopter, with the aim of implementing and scaling an electric UAM ecosystem and testbed in NEOM. The parties worked closely to ensure full regulatory compliance and safety ahead of the test campaign. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, said: “The successful test flight of a Volocopter eVTOL is not just another milestone towards the creation of NEOM’s innovative, sustainable, multimodal transportation system – it is a tangible example of NEOM as a global accelerator and incubator of solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. Driving the development of smart, sustainable, and safe mobility systems will improve livability and connectivity in cities around the world and reduce carbon emissions, creating a cleaner future for all.” His Excellency, Abdulaziz A. Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: “This safe and successful test flight represents an important milestone of the Saudi aviation sector and another steady step towards achieving the aviation sector’s strategy, through innovation and employing emerging technologies to create new industries that contribute to the output GDP and create more jobs. It also confirms GACA’s commitment to enabling the safe integration of innovative air transport patterns that improve the mobility experience of individuals in urban areas and the quality of life in the Kingdom …

With the Eid al-Adha break fast approaching, dnata Travel has revealed the most popular holiday hotspots over summer in 2023. In order of popularity, the ten most booked destinations are: Thailand, Turkey, Italy, UK, Greece, Maldives, Bali, Mauritius, Switzerland and Oman. dnata Travel’s experts have also revealed an 18% increase in international holiday bookings from June to September 2023 so far, compared to the same timings in 2022. As the most popular destination, Thailand is taking 23% of dnata Travel bookings across the summer. Within the country, the capital city Bangkok, alongside the islands of Phuket and Krabi are the top three locations for UAE travellers. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “A pent-up demand is driving travellers to explore more of the world, including lesser-known places and varied locations across popular hotspots. In addition to the ever-popular destinations of Thailand, Turkey, Italy and UK, we have seen a notable increase in travel to Greece in particular, compared to the same period last year. “Thailand is our top growth destination, with demand driven by a rise in availability of flights, the country’s incredible value-for-money proposition, world-class accommodation, and varied experiences.” A majority of summer bookings are for Eid al-Adha, where dnata Travel’s top ten international destinations remain consistent. Across the summer, 80% of bookings are for international travel, while the remaining 20% cover UAE staycations. Bookings to Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa, and Denmark are trending compared to 2022, with Austria, Spain, Singapore and Sri Lanka also growing in popularity. dnata Travel experts continuously monitor trends and work with long-standing international partners to offer exclusive rates and added extras for the local market, alongside …

For the fourth successive month this year, Dubai’s tourism sector delivered a stellar performance, welcoming 6.02 million international visitors from January-April, an 18% YoY increase, compared to 5.10 million visitors during the same four-month period in 2022. Dubai’s hotel sector has also demonstrated resilience and strength, with an average occupancy of 80% during the January-April period this year, among the highest in the world, exceeding the 76% level achieved by city hotels during the corresponding period in 2022 and nearly matching the pre-pandemic 83% occupancy in 2019. According to a STR Global Hotel Monitoring Update, Dubai ranked first in occupancy, with a rate of 79.9%, only 2.9 percentage points below the pre-pandemic levels of 82.7%, placing it ahead of other global destinations like London, New York, Los Angeles and Paris. The report also revealed that Dubai ranked first in Gross Operating Profit per Available Room (GOPAR), with a rate of USD145 (AED530), just 9% below pre-pandemic levels, followed by Paris (USD 113) and Singapore (USD 102) respectively. Hotel supply reached 148,949 rooms in 814 hotel establishments at the end of April 2023, a 26% growth over the pre-pandemic figures of 118,449 rooms in 722 hotel establishments at the end of April 2019. Moreover, the average length of stay by guests has increased by 13% to four nights compared to 3.5 nights in 2019, indicating Dubai’s appeal as a destination for longer-stay travellers. According to data from industry expert Amadeus, search and booking volumes for Dubai remained steady from September 2021 to April 2023, with searches and bookings to Dubai during January to April 2023 nearing pre-pandemic levels and especially close to the high numbers seen during the Expo and pre-World …

This weekend the GenZ across the region will be at the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF), organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE). Taking place on 24-25 June on the main stage in the Gaming Theatre in association with VOX Cinemas, this extraordinary tournament brings together top influencers from around the world, showcasing the exhilarating and entertaining world of esports. Play Beyond is not the average gaming competition; it is a clash of titans, where the best influencers will battle it out across multiple genres. Witness mind-blowing gameplay, awe-inspiring skills, and epic moments as these gaming legends go head-to-head for the coveted Play Beyond Trophy. The competition will feature both a Regional Team, composed of four influential gamers from the Middle East, and an International Team, consisting of four renowned influencers from different corners of the world. These gaming superstars have been battling it out across the globe while playing games including Fall Guys, Fortnite, Rocket League, FIFA 23, Overcooked, Street Fighter 6 and Call of Duty, and will come together for the final to engage in intense matches that will keep visitors on the edge of their seat. This two days tournament will be held on the main stage, and promises surprises, mid-game challenges, and stoppage time, ensuring a thrilling and unforgettable experience. On the International Team, the presence of MiniMinter (Instagram: @miniminter), a beloved influencer with a massive following, adds an extra layer of excitement to the event, and fans can look forward to a special Meet & Greet opportunity with him. Grant is also on board (Instagram: @granthinds), whose engaging content and expert analysis have captivated audiences worldwide. The pair will be joined by gaming …