SAUDIA announced the expansion of its fleet with the addition of new aircraft type, Airbus A321neo under the slogan “A neo-way of flying.” This feeds into SAUDIA’s expansion plans as the airline aims to add 20 more A321neo aircrafts to its fleet by 2026. The A321neo aircraft is a narrow-body airliner part of the A320 family, the world’s most popular single-aisle aircraft family and airlines’ preferred choice with airlines around the world due to its reputation for high performance and superior comfort. The aircraft offers new levels of performance, seating 180 to 220 passengers in a typical two-class interior layout. The main reason behind the purchase of the aircraft is its ability to run on much less fuel. The A320 family of aircraft have saved 20 million tons of Co2 since the A320neo came into service globally in 2016. By incorporating Sharklets, new fuel-efficient engines and latest cabin innovations, the A320neo has also seen a 20 per cent decrease in fuel burning and Co2 emissions, a 50 per cent reduction in noise footprint, a 5 per cent lower airframe maintenance costs and a 14 per cent lower cash operating costs per seat versus previous generation aircraft. Captain Ibrahim Koshy SAUDIA CEO said: “We are excited to expand our fleet with the new Airbus A321neo aircraft. Our priority is to offer the best guest experience possible and to bring the world to Saudi Arabia, and we will continue to purchase state-of-the-art aircraft from the world’s top manufacturers to deliver on that promise.” Koshy added: “We commend Airbus for continuously looking to improve the performance of their aircraft, which goes in line with SAUDIA’s ambition to provide the best guests experience possible …

Red Sea Global (RSG) has released a comprehensive update on construction progress across phase one of The Red Sea destination. This month marks six years since The Red Sea was first announced by His Royal Highness the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman as an international tourist destination as part of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision. Now, with The Red Sea’s first three hotels and phase one of the international airport on track to open later this year, its latest construction update reveals the remarkable progress achieved across the destination, including at a further 13 hotels and on the supporting infrastructure. “We stand at the brink of an extraordinary moment as we prepare to unveil The Red Sea destination to the world. In six years, we have made exceptional progress, creating exquisite resorts and best-in-class, sustainable infrastructure in a remote location, demonstrating innovation in line with our regenerative approach and commitment to responsible development,” said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global. “While the anticipation builds for the opening of our first hotels and the initial phase of our solar powered airport, we are busy working on the rest of phase one. We are ready to deliver countless more extraordinary moments on our journey to positioning Saudi Arabia proudly on the world stage as a must-visit destination,” he added. Desert Rock, a unique mountain resort being built into the rockface, is more than 50 per cent complete overall. RSG has fully excavated and formed the 10 rooms integrated into the mountainside, as well as all 195m of tunnelling. Major structural and infrastructure works are well advanced, including the construction of the wadi villas, guest hubs, back of house, and other …

Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) has obtained a Welcome Chinese Certification, the first in the Kingdom and the MENA region. The accreditation reflects how Riyadh Airports Company (RAC) is meeting Chinese passengers’ needs in KKIA’s terminals and facilities, offering a seamless travel experience, and strengthens its relationship with the Chinese market, one of the biggest markets in Asia and the world. The certificate was obtained as RAC achieved standards and requirements issued by the China Tourism Academy (CTA) and Select Holding Ltd. It affirms Riyadh Airports’ competency in studying and assessing passengers’ needs and providing an exceptional experience. The Welcome Chinese Certification positively reflects on Riyadh Airport as KKIA is already reaping the benefits of marketing and promotional services in the Chinese travel industry. It contributes to enhancing the national economy through business partnerships in the Saudi-Chinese market and attracting tourists and businesses, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom Vision 2030 in the business, tourism, and industrial sectors. Mr. Musad bin Abdulaziz Al-Daood, CEO of Riyadh Airports said: “This unprecedented achievement cements Saudi-Chinese relations and represents a connection to one of the most important tourism markets in Asia. It will also reflect on Saudi tourism, which is a national economic mainstay, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom Vision 2030.” The Chairman of the China Tourism Academy, Mr. Bin Dai commented: “Congratulations to King Khalid International Airport for becoming a new member of Welcome Chinese! This signifies greater recognition from Chinese tourists and an increased influence on international tourism. We look forward to an enhanced experience at Riyadh Airport and to higher-quality tourism in Saudi Arabia!” RAC, which manages and operates KKIA, had started to work …

Since opening its doors one year ago, The Ritz-Carlton, Amman has become one of the premier hospitality and leisure destinations in Jordan’s bustling capital city, providing impeccable service to guests from around the world and garnering a wealth of international attention and acclaim. Now celebrating its one-year anniversary—on the sidelines of Jordan’s 77th Independence Day and the highly anticipated wedding of HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II—The Ritz-Carlton, Amman is eagerly setting its sights on its many years of exceptional hospitality to come. The Ritz-Carlton, Amman commenced its operations with an opening ceremony inaugurated by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein, demonstrating the significance of the property as a new national landmark. Marking the official arrival of the globally renowned Ritz-Carlton brand to the Kingdom, the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Amman quickly attracted the attention of Ladies and Gentlemen the world over and was even featured as one of the ‘Most Anticipated Hotel Openings of 2022’  by Forbes Travel Guide. Commenting on its achievements, Tareq Derbas, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Amman, said, “The Ritz-Carlton has achieved incredible success in the hospitality industry through its dedication to service excellence and unparalleled guest experiences. We are proud of the accomplishments that have been made so far and are committed to continue raising the bar for our guests and the luxury hospitality scene here in Jordan.” Situated in the heart of Jordan’s vibrant capital, The Ritz-Carlton, Amman has proven to be a stunning addition to the city skyline, soaring 20 stories high and evoking a style that is at once timelessly elegant and effortlessly modern. Hosting 194 exquisite guest rooms and 34 suites—all of which provide guests with a …

Amsaan Accessible Tours, the first company specialising in organising unique tours for Deaf people in the MENA region, has emerged as a leading company in the tourism sector for People of Determination in the UAE. The company’s flagship feature is the “Deaf for the Deaf” principle, where 80% of the staff are Deaf or hard of hearing. Leveraging a comprehensive ecosystem of modern IT solutions, Amsaan Accessible Tours offers tours with all information provided in sign language. The team caters to the psychology and needs of Deaf tourists, addressing the problems and barriers they encounter during their travels. International signs serve as a valuable tool to bridge the communication gap and foster understanding among Deaf individuals from various linguistic backgrounds. However, each country has its own sign language, such as Emirati Sign Language in the UAE and British Sign Language in the UK. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide live with partial or complete hearing loss. This highlights an untapped market potential and the pressing need to address the challenges faced by this significant population within the realm of travel and tourism. The UAE is among the top 10 global tourist destinations, and the National Tourism Strategy 2031 targets a GDP of $122.6 billion by 2031. Amsaan Accessible Tours is dedicated to playing a part in this economy by ensuring most facilities are Deaf-friendly, creating a comprehensible and safe travel infrastructure that mutually benefits the business ecosystem and deaf travellers. This ambition extends beyond the tourism sector, as the company endeavours to implement inclusive principles across critical domains such as transportation, healthcare, HoReCa, entertainment and numerous others. Benny Ngo, who visited the UAE, shared his …

TURESPAÑA revealed that the number of tourists from the GCC market has increased by 15% year over year in the first quarter of 2023. The tourism authority aims to attract even more GCC travellers this summer and across the year, as it highlights a diversified offering of lesser-known locations across the country, to appeal to visitors seeking new and unique travel experiences. dnata travel has partnered with TURESPAÑA to deliver unparalleled opportunities for travellers across the GCC countries. The collaboration will provide customers with access to an extensive portfolio of travel products and services across Spain at a time of high demand. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “We have seen a significant increase in bookings to Spain by GCC travellers across and beyond the UAE. The Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza are trending, offering travellers world-class resorts alongside beautiful beaches. The Canary Islands have also become increasingly popular, providing ideal destinations for nature lovers with hiking trails that wind through ancient forests and volcanic landscapes. The north of Spain, also known as ‘Green Spain’ where incredible nature meets unforgettable gastronomy, is also gaining traction and curiosity from this region.” Daniel Rosado, Director at TURESPAÑA, added: “The UAE has always been one of the top tourism markets for Spain, and we expect 2023 to be the best year ever for tourism from across the GCC. There has been a significant increase in air connectivity in recent years, while our countries have been fostering cultural exchanges and collaborations. These initiatives include art exhibitions, music festivals, and educational programs, which help promote tourism and mutual understanding.” TURESPAÑA and dnata Travel’s recommended itinerary for one week …

Dubai Airports welcomed Air Canada’s first inbound flight at Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3 on July 26, making it the fourth international airline to operate out of the terminal. Air Canada flight AC056 from Toronto, arrived at its new base, one of the largest airport terminals in the world, at 18:56 UAE time on Wednesday. Air Canada flights previously operated from DXB Terminal 1. The move to DXB Terminal 3 strengthens the long-standing partnership between Dubai Airports and Air Canada, Canada’s largest airline and the country’s flag carrier. At Terminal 3, passengers will experience seamless connectivity and world-class services, underpinned by DXB’s dedication to enhance guest experience and satisfaction. Canada is an important destination for DXB, with 14 weekly flights to Toronto and 7 weekly flights to Montréal, serving over 345,000 passengers in 2022.

Globally renowned Red Bull athlete Jaan Roose has completed the world’s longest LED-lit, single-building slackline to cross one of Qatar’s newest and most iconic architectural landmarks. The Estonian national and three-time Slackline World Champion defied the odds by achieving the walk, titled “Sparkline,” at the first attempt, walking the distance between the scimitar-shaped, Iconic Towers that are owned by Katara Hospitality and that are home to Raffles and Fairmont Doha in Lusail City. Covering a distance of over 150 meters, the Sparkline walk is not only the longest on a single building, but also Jaan’s highest urban walk to date at an elevation of more than 185 meters on a line just 2.5cm wide. Speaking on the new world record set, Roose commented: “When I first saw the Iconic Towers, I knew this was a building that I had to walk. Anything worth achieving comes with its fair share of challenges, and I’m proud to complete this one. Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever. As an athlete, I’m always looking to push myself further and defy the odds. In this case the heat and wind conditions added a different element that I needed to react to and manage spontaneously while I was on the slackline.  The warm LED lights and their extra weight also changed how the line interacted with me and my bodyweight. It’s like skateboarding on a big heavy tree trunk rather than a light board.” “The Iconic Towers are an incredible place to be completing this feat and mark a very special visit for my first time in Qatar,” Roose added. The Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha are two luxury hotels that face each …

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) announces its participation in the 2023 Hankook London ePrix, the final race of season 9 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Champion-ship, taking place on July 29th-30th at ExCel London, UK. Guests will have the chance to enjoy SAUDIA’s innovative and digital ‘DISCOVER E-Zone’ located in the Allianz Fan Village. As the Official Airline Partner of the all-electric series, SAUDIA has already proudly welcomed close to 10,000 visitors to its activation booths in Jakarta and Rome, where the two previous races took place. SAUDIA’s presence at the London E-Prix further emphasizes the airline’s partnership with Formula E, with innovation and sustainability at its heart. SAUDIA’s ‘DISCOVER E-Zone’ is in line with the airline’s and Formula E’s common efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Designed using AirClad technology, the stand boasts a reusable main structure and employs lightweight, sustainable materials to minimize its environment impact. This innovative design allows for the stand to be easily disassembled, and can easily be transported from one city to another. Formula E champion and SAUDIA ambassador for the 2023 season Stoffel Vandoorne, will be present at the stand to meet the fans, delivering an unforgettable experience at part of SAU-DIA’s ‘Take your Seat’ campaign. SAUDIA Chief Marketing Officer, Khaled Tash said: “We are excited to be part of the thrilling Hankook London E-Prix and to welcome guests to the ‘DISCOVER E-Zone’. We look forward to engaging with fans, showcasing our dedication to the sport, and offering them an unforget-table journey as they enjoy the final race of this incredible championship season. ” SAUDIA and Formula E’s partnership come as part of a series of sustainability and innovation -focused investments, such …

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is set to resume the operation of the marine transportation line via Dubai Ferry between Dubai and Sharjah starting Friday, August 4th, 2023. The marine transport service will be running 8 journeys a day from Monday-Thursday (weekdays), and 6 journeys from Friday-Sunday (weekends). This marine service, the first of its kind connecting Dubai with other emirates, shuttles between Al Ghubaiba Marine Station in Dubai and Aquarium Marine Station in Sharjah, collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority in Sharjah. The introduction of the Dubai Ferry service is part of the cooperative efforts between Dubai and Sharjah to offer additional mobility choices between the two emirates, ease traffic intensity, and use safe maritime transport given the extended coastal area of the two emirates. The journey between Al Ghubaiba Station and the Sharjah Aquarium Station takes about 35 minutes. On weekdays, there will be two morning journeys from Sharjah at 7:00 and 8:30 along with one morning journey from Dubai at 7:45. In the evening, there will be two journeys from Sharjah at 16:45 and 18:15, and three journeys from Dubai at 16:00, 17:30 and 19:00. From Friday to Sunday, there will be six journeys, three journeys from each side starting from noon. Departure times from Sharjah will be at 14:00, 16:00, and 18:00, whereas the journeys from Dubai will start at 15:00, 17:00 and 20:00. Ticket fares for a single journey are offered at 15 AED for the Silver Class and 25 AED for the Gold Class but will be free of charge for People of Determination and children under five. Clients can pay the fare at the Customers Services Desk at the Station, use …