The “Via Riyadh” area, the latest luxury destination for visitors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia achieved a huge number of visitors in less than a month, reaching one million visitors since its opening on the 11th of May. Visitors in the region experience new and integrated destination with luxury hotels, shopping times in terms of luxury brands in the world of fashion, watches and jewellery with elegance experts and personal assistants, in addition to distinguished services such as valet parking and carrying purchases and delivering them to the place the visitor desires, which enhances the feeling of luxury and makes it easier for him to roam and enjoy. in the area. Via Riyadh provides, through luxury and private cinemas, a unique viewing of the best international shows, as it transports the visitor to another life full of creativity and art in the prepared seats, unique locations, visual and audio systems, and all the minute details that make the experience unprecedented. An elegant package of luxurious activities and places, with the presence of the most distinguished international and local brands, many restaurants and cafes, one of the most famous 5-star hotels “The St. Regis Riyadh”, and 7 high-end cinemas, to contribute to creating a wonderful experience for visitors. Via Riyadh is an ideal entertainment area that provides the best hospitality and shopping methods in a sophisticated location with its design, corridors, artistic sculptures and elegant spaces, as well as enjoying the most delicious food and the latest dishes in Michelin-starred restaurants and elaborate cafes with their indoor and outdoor sessions that overlook the Salmani style and an authentic urban style.

Jordan will serve as the Chair of the Commission for the Middle East for the period 2023 to 2025. Egypt and Kuwait will serve as the Vice Chairs. Tourism leaders from across the Middle East met to guide the sector’s development across the region, including as a driver of inclusive employment and rural development. The 49th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Middle East brought high-level delegations from 12 countries together at the Dead Sea, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, to assess the current state of tourism in the region and advance shared plans for its future. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism has shown its resilience in the face of crisis. And now, recovery is well underway – with all the challenges and opportunities this brings. For the Middle East, tourism represents an unrivalled driver of employment and opportunity, as well as economic diversification and resilience.”  

Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment celebrated the opening of Snow Abu Dhabi, the capital’s first indoor snow park, which underscores its commitment to deliver innovative family-friendly experiences for guests across MENA and comes just six months after the opening of Snow Oman as it continues to expand its footprint across the region. “Abu Dhabi is fast becoming a global destination for family entertainment and leisure, and we are excited to introduce a new experience unlike anything else the Capital has to offer”, said Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment. He added, “Entertainment has an incredible ability to bring people together and enhance quality of life, and the opening of Snow Abu Dhabi underpins Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment’s commitment to bring innovative and immersive experiences to families across the MENA region. We look forward to welcoming the local community and tourists to our latest Global Snow attraction, which enables guests of all ages to spend quality time together and create lifelong memories.” The inauguration ceremony was attended by His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General of Tourism, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi; Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment; and Mohammad El Etri, Vice President, Global Snow, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment. Located in the heart of Reem Mall, Abu Dhabi’s signature retail, leisure, dining and entertainment destination, Snow Abu Dhabi covers a sprawling area of 9,732 sqm. Storytelling is integrated into the design with an Enchanted Forest theme, which resembles a playful frost-covered world. The highly anticipated destination features more than 20 rides and attractions such as the Crystal Carousel, Polar Express Train, Flight of the Snowy Owl, Snowflake Garden and Enchanted Tree, so …

Dhows were ditched and abras abandoned this morning as the Dubai Creek skyline was dominated by an enigmatic, eye-catching, emoji. Visitors to the heart of Old Dubai today found themselves gaping in curiosity as a 15-metre floating emoji with winking eye could be spotted sailing down the emirate’s historic waterway, sparking mystery and leaving sightseers’ tongues wagging. Emblazoned with a bold message to #UnleashTheExtraInYou, the ball was launched from 8 June at 6am, watched on by wondering wanderers. But only now can we reveal what the supersized sphere signifies: The winking emoji with protruding tongue is the signature trademark of GLITCH, the Emirates’ newest family entertainment centre. GLITCH will open its doors on June 19, promising non-stop excitement and endless fun for the whole family. Spanning 40,000 square-metres, it is situated on Level Two of Deira’s Al Ghurair Centre and features more than 30 attractions, all carefully curated to cater to ages 3 and up. From engaging in friendly competition at a state-of-the-art 10-pin bowling alley to conquering a Ninja warrior assault course, diving into a variety of mind-bending virtual reality experiences to zipping around the ceiling on an indoor roller glider, GLITCH is set to become the ultimate destination for seekers of adrenaline-fuelled fun. GLITCH will be open Sunday to Thursday from 10am-10pm and Friday and Saturday from 10am-midnight. For ticket prices and further information, follow GLITCH on social media @glitcharabia or visit www.glitcharabia.com. Get ready to dive into the GLITCH universe at Al Ghurair Centre and #UnleashTheExtraInYou.

It was shared by Bahrain News Agency that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia has signed a memorandum of understanding between the two countries to boost tourism in both destinations. This landmark agreement not only signifies a milestone in their bilateral relations but also sets the stage for an exponential surge in their respective tourism sectors. Fatima Bint Jaffar Al Sairifi, Tourism Minister Bahrain has affirmed that the signed agreement with Saudi Arabia in the field of tourism will confirm the status of both nations as a joint regional and global tourism destination. According to Minister Al Sairifi, this agreement is the first cooperation agreement between the tourism sectors of the two countries, where they also prepared a comprehensive marketing plan in this area that consists of engaging the private sector in promoting the two countries as one tourism destination. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister, underlined the importance of the agreement between the two countries, pointing out that the MoU signing is the culmination of the long-standing historic relations, in line with the directives of their leaderships. He emphasised the importance of staying on top of the latest developments in the Gulf region’s tourism sector, especially in the two kingdoms, which boast a rich culture, civilization, and heritage, in order to strengthen tourism cooperation. Minister Al Khateeb said that the agreement addressed important issues, including training and developing human resources, investing in technology in the tourism industry, and establishing joint marketing programmes to promote the cultures of the two countries and the region to tourists from around the world. He affirmed that the agreement will also develop the tourism investment in both countries, as well as improve and enrich the …

Rydezilla has joined forces with Udrive Bahrain in order to revolutionize the car rental industry in Bahrain. Customers can now access Udrive’s extensive fleet of vehicles, through the seamless online booking feature on the Rydezilla app. Whether you seek an everyday ride or a luxurious vehicle, this convenient process will allow customers to effortlessly browse, reserve, and select their preferred rental, setting a new standard of convenience and choice. Building on its success in the UAE, where Rydezilla has been providing cutting-edge car rental solutions for over a year, the company is excited to extend its services to Bahrain. This expansion brings unparalleled online experiences, unmatched convenience, and exceptional deals to customers in Bahrain. By integrating Udrive Bahrain’s fleet into the Rydezilla app, customers enjoy a user-friendly interface that simplifies the car rental experience. The app’s intuitive design and advanced search features enable customers to find the perfect vehicle for their specific needs, whether it’s a short business trip or a memorable family vacation. “We are proud to partner with U Drive Bahrain to revolutionize the car rental landscape in Bahrain,” said Maabad Said, Co-Founder & COO of Rydezilla. “By combining our expertise and resources, we are committed to setting new industry standards and driving positive change. Through digital innovation and a steadfast focus on customer satisfaction, both Rydezilla and Udrive Bahrain are poised to transform the car rental experience.” This collaboration expands Rydezilla’s market presence in Bahrain and solidifies its position as the leading provider of convenient and dependable automobile rental services. By tapping into Rydezilla’s user base and web presence, Udrive Bahrain can reach new markets and customers, unlocking exciting opportunities. “We are thrilled to join forces with …

IGY Marinas announced that it is partnering with NEOM, the global development taking shape in northwest Saudi Arabia, to develop and operate the prestigious marina at Sindalah, the giga-project’s luxury island destination. Perfectly positioned as a glamorous gateway to the Red Sea, Sindalah will be the closest ultra-prime superyacht marina to Europe and the Mediterranean. Expected to become an iconic destination for the world’s yachting community, the maritime facility will offer 86 berths for yachts up to 50 meters and additional serviced offshore buoys for superyachts up to 180 meters. Antoni Vives, Head of Urban Development at NEOM, said: “Sindalah will be one of the most alluring and vibrant yachting destinations in the world, thanks to its strategic location, outstanding amenities and stunning natural landscapes. This partnership with IGY is one of many steps we are taking to achieve our vision of reshaping the global yachting calendar, with NEOM located one day’s cruising distance from the Mediterranean Sea.” IGY’s unique position and expertise will help Sindalah realize this goal and set a benchmark for premium customer experience. Once established, the marina will join IGY’s international superyacht marina network of 23 marinas across 12 countries – the only network of its kind in the world – as well as their exclusive superyacht membership program IGY Trident. Tom Mukamal, CEO of IGY Marinas said: “Sindalah perfectly integrates with IGY’s global vision to connect the world’s most incredible yachting destinations across our growing marina network. The addition of NEOM to the IGY platform provides superyacht owners, captains and charter guests unrivaled destinations, service and convenience. IGY is tremendously excited about the opportunity to promote this amazing new destination to the international yachting community.” …

The Ascott Limited welcomes guests to escape, explore and experience the Sultanate’s capital city with Citadines Al Ghubrah, Muscat. Situated close to Muscat’s central business district and leisure attractions, the exquisite property offers a range of elegantly designed serviced apartments for the perfect recluse for business and leisure travelers. The impeccably designed 7-story, 96-unit property offers four apartment types – Studio Deluxe, Studio Premier, One-Bedroom Executive and One-Bedroom Premier. With graceful designs and optimal use of living spaces, each apartment is furnished with opulent decor catering to the essential requirements of each resident in house. Guests staying at Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat can head into the conference or meeting room to address any business needs or indulge in a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, or enjoy a massage at Rosabell SPA, recently opened on 7th floor. Residents can end their day with a reviving workout in the fully equipped fitness corner, followed by a relaxing read in the residence lounge or enjoy a thirst-quenching beverage at the in-house Kaldi café. Family and friends can also enjoy some much-needed quality time with mouth-watering delectables and unique culinary experiences at the restaurant located on the ground floor at Citadines Al Ghubrah Muscat. Visitors can explore Muscat’s local culture, and stunning natural landscapes, or partake in exciting outdoor activities such as snorkeling, camel rides and dune bashing. With the ‘ASR Member Special Rate’ guests can avail of up to 20% off when booking directly via the Ascott website: discoverasr.com/offers.

IHG® Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a Management Agreement with Akam Al Rajhi, a joint venture between AkamAlRajhi and Al Rajhi Saudi groups to bring in voco resort to the Middle East region. Set to open in December 2026, the 300-key voco North Coast will include low-rise buildings, chalets and townhouses in a prime location, directly on the beachfront. As part of the DOSE Village North Coast secure gated community, the resort will be located on the front row of the development, offering 360 degrees of uninterrupted beach views. With this signing, IHG continues to expand their footprint across the MEA region and diversify their portfolio, as part of the company’s ambitious growth strategy. With the voco hotel brand already well established in MEA, including locations in the UAE and KSA, the new signing marks the first voco resort in the region, and will cater to the growing leisure demand on Egypt’s North Coast. Stretching 1,050km across the Mediterranean Sea, the area is one of Egypt’s most attractive leisure destinations and is home to a number of arts, sports and entertainment events. voco North Coast will also cater to the growing wellbeing-focused travel market, with natural landscapes, artificial lakes, a swimming pool, spa, health club, running and biking tracks, a shopping mall, a waterpark (DOSE Aqua Park) and diverse dining options. For travelers seeking blended travel, the resort will also offer meeting and events spaces, totaling approximately 1,375 sqm. Offering a coastal escape, but just minutes from bustling and dynamic Alexandria Matrouh, the new voco will be located 23km from Egypt’s new Al Alamein Airport. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “We are excited …

Nationals from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Jordan will soon only be required to pay £10 to apply for an ETA, which will allow them to visit the UK multiple times over a two-year period. This is compared to Gulf nationals currently paying £30 per visit to the UK under the current Electronic Visa Wavier (EVW) scheme and Jordanian nationals £100 for a visit visa. The scheme is set to launch for Qatari nationals in October 2023, and for the rest of the Gulf Cooperation Council states and Jordan in February 2024 ahead of a worldwide expansion throughout 2024. Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said: “Visitors from the Gulf states and Jordan make a huge contribution to the UK’s tourism industry and the new ETA scheme will make it easier and cheaper for them to travel to the UK. The cost of an ETA will be one of the best value in the world compared to similar international schemes. This small additional cost to visitors will enable us to bolster the security of the UK border and keep our communities safe.” Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia Lord Ahmad said: “I’m delighted that our partners across the Gulf and Jordan will be the first to benefit from the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme. This scheme is further proof of the strong partnership between the UK and countries across the region. By cutting costs and visa requirements, the ETA scheme will ensure visitors from the Gulf states and Jordan can enjoy travelling with ease to the UK, boosting business and tourism links between our countries.” These details were disclosed by the Home Office, …