This year’s Jeddah Season drew in over 1.7 million visitors from within and outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over 52 days. It featured a wide array of entertainment activities, solidifying Jeddah’s status as a top tourist destination, offering a plethora of interactive experiences and action-packed games. The Warner Bros. Discovery: Celebrate Every Story area was especially popular among families. The season featured diverse, unique attractions, with the City Walk area standing out as a top highlight.  It offered an immersive experience that brought beloved stories and iconic characters to life. Furthermore, the interactive Imagine Monet exhibition allowed visitors to explore 200 of the most renowned paintings by the French artist Claude Monet. Prince Majid Park added a new dimension to the season by offering various events, live shows, shopping experiences and workshops, enriching the visitors’ overall experience. In a unique historical and cultural experience, the season offered visitors the chance to delve into the Jeddah Historic District, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has preserved elements of ancient social life spanning over 400 years, enriching their understanding of the city’s rich heritage. The season’s events extended beyond cultural and entertainment offerings, incorporating thrilling sports tournaments like the Motosurf International Cup and the Summer Speed Festival at the Jeddah Corniche. Attendees were treated to thrilling sports encounters and spectacular shows, creating unforgettable moments for all. The season’s success reflects a forward-looking vision to elevate Jeddah’s status as a global cultural and tourism destination. It also aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, which aim to cultivate a sustainable entertainment sector that enhances the quality of life for citizens and residents and serves as an economic driver for economic diversification and …

SAUDIA announced the addition of Phuket to its seasonal destinations, making it the second city in Thailand to join its network, following the capital, Bangkok. This expansion aligns with SAUDIA’s strategic objective to broaden its international flight network and bring the world to Saudi Arabia, leveraging its young fleet and enhancing its global competitive advantage. SAUDIA will commence flights to Phuket on 2 December 2024, offering 12 weekly round trips from Riyadh and Jeddah combined. Bookings will be available through SAUDIA’s website and mobile app. Operational preparations are currently underway at Phuket International Airport to ensure an exceptional service and seamless experience for all guests. The airline will deploy its state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the routes between the Kingdom and Phuket. These Dreamliners are equipped with spacious seating, advanced inflight entertainment systems catering to diverse guest preferences, and other premium onboard services designed to enhance the travel experience.

DubaiDestinations 2024 summer campaign wrapped up with 20 million video views across social media platforms and drew impressive engagement among both local and global audiences. This year saw many new visitors from Eastern European destinations visit Dubai over the summer. Launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the year-round campaign highlights the exceptional activities and experiences that make Dubai a one-of-a-kind destination across all seasons. The vibrant finale of the collaborative campaign, implemented by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), utilised the power of storytelling to enhance the city’s profile as a top global summer destination. Shaima Al Suwaidi, Director of Brand Dubai, said: “The summer phase of the 2024 #DubaiDestinations campaign brilliantly captured the essence of Dubai’s diverse and exciting experiences, further cementing its status as a leading global destination. This year’s campaign achieved impressive engagement from both local and global audiences, with captivating content shared across various platforms that inspired millions to discover Dubai’s diverse summer destination offerings. The overwhelming response, with tremendous public engagement and more than 20 million video views across social media platforms, including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and X, underscores the campaign’s success in showcasing Dubai’s multifaceted appeal. More than 3,000 pieces of content were also shared across digital channels, reflecting the campaign’s widespread impact.” Featuring interactive storytelling and visually engaging content, this phase of the campaign highlighted beach destinations, waterparks, indoor activities, and hotel pools, showcasing the city’s wide array of attractions that appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds. Some of the emirate’s most …

Oman Air received delivery of its latest Boeing B787-9 aircraft, the first of three scheduled for this year. Part of an existing order, which includes eight more aircraft by 2027, the newest marks the tenth Dreamliner in the airline’s fleet. As one of the world’s most modern and advanced passenger aircraft, the B787-9 is known for its innovative design and exceptional fuel efficiency, while its wide cabins and large windows offer unparalleled on-board comfort for guests. The aircraft touched down in Muscat on Friday afternoon, arriving from the Boeing facility in Seattle. “We’re excited to welcome our new Boeing B787-9 to our aircraft line-up, which aligns with our strategy to fly a modern and common Oman Air fleet. It allows us to maintain efficiency in operations, optimise maintenance costs and ensure a seamless and consistent experience for our guests,” said Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer. “Our latest addition to the fleet is also consistent with our focus on transforming our airline towards financial sustainability, while upholding our reputation as a world-class carrier and supporting Oman’s ambitions to increase tourism and connectivity in the years to come.” The newest aircraft features a two-class configuration with 30 Business Class seats and 258 Economy Class seats and will serve across the airline’s network of destinations. Oman Air’s spacious, elegant cabin design, and exceptional service and hospitality, has garnered it a string of international awards, including most recently Best Seat Comfort in the Middle East at the APEX 2024 Awards and Best Airline Staff Middle East at the Skytrax 2024 Awards.

The European Commission outlined guidelines for cabin luggage, effective 1 September 2024, allowance of one cabin bag and one personal item will be allowed. Cabin bag dimensions (including handles and wheels) must not exceed 55 x 40 x 20cm, while personal items should be no larger than 40 x 30 x 15cm. The personal item, such as a handbag, backpack, or laptop bag, must fit under the seat in front of the passenger. Effective from 1 September 2024, the maximum allowed size for individual liquid containers will revert to the standard 100 ml for airports. Airports that already limit liquids to 100 ml or that have not deployed EDSCB equipment will not be affected by this change. This precautionary measure is not in response to any new threat but addresses a temporary technical issue, undertaken in alignment with the EU’s international partners. The Commission is collaborating closely with Member States and the European Civil Aviation Conference to develop swift technical solutions, ensuring the highest standards of safety and security in air travel.  

In keeping with its target to attract more visitors from the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, Sri Lanka announced the launch of its newest carrier Air Ceilao. The airline is currently working with Sri Lanka’s civil aviation authority to secure the necessary regulatory approvals. They plan to operate a mixed fleet of narrow and wide-bodied aircraft to serve the initial routes and wish to expand to long haul routes across Europe and Australia. This will be the second privately owned international airline in Sri Lanka. They stated that their aim is to revolutionize air travel by blending full-service luxury with low-cost affordability. The carrier aims to target both discerning and budget-conscious travelers. Subsequently offering them a unique experience that combines luxury and value.

Dubai’s American Hospital promotes UAE’s medical tourism goals by opening three medical tourism offices in Nigeria endorsed by Dubai Health Authority as part of 30-office expansion in Africa and Eastern Europe. The initiative promotes UAE’s medical tourism goals, attracting patients from Nigeria, Africa, and Eastern Europe to avail of the hospital’s world-class medical services. American Hospital Dubai announced the opening of its three medical tourism representative offices in Nigeria in 2024 as part of an expansion plan of 30 offices across crucial African and Eastern European locations. The initiative supports the UAE’s efforts to be the global medical tourism hub. At the signing ceremony were present Mr Buti Al Mulla, Chairman of the Boards of Directors of Mohamed & Obaid AlMulla Group, Sherif Beshara, Group CEO of Mohamed & Obaid AlMulla Group and American Hospital Dubai, Dr Marwan AlMulla, CEO of Health Regulation Sector at Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Tonye Princewill, Chairman of RivExel and Tayyibat Mohammed, Nigerian Consul General. The new offices in Nigeria will facilitate patient access to American Hospital Dubai’s world-class medical services and innovative healthcare excellence in oncology, cardiac care, and orthopedic surgery. American Hospital Dubai’s consistent commitment to UAE’s medical tourism goals is exemplified in its dedicated, tailored and round-the-clock international patient services. The hospital’s International Patient Team plays a crucial role in this initiative. Its staff are fully trained to assist and advise patients and their families on consultations, schedule appointments with the right doctor, and coordinate patient referrals. The International Patient Team also provides visa assistance, air travel arrangements, and hotel accommodations with access to the hospital’s specialist doctors for comprehensive virtual consultations and addressing inquiries before patients arrive in the UAE. With …

900 unaccompanied minors are expected to fly onboard Emirates as currently operating one of the busiest time periods for its Unaccompanied Minors Service, as many children return to Dubai from summers spent abroad to start the new school year. In the coming week alone, Emirates will welcome more than 900 children, who are flying alone using the acclaimed family-friendly service. Over the past 5 years, more than 120,000 children have availed of Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passenger services. The majority of children who have travelled alone in Emirates care are aged 11 years or younger. The families who currently use the service the most are British, then Indian, followed by American, Filipino and French. When children are flying without their family, Emirates is there every step of the way. For those aged between 5 and 11 years old, Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors Service ensures young people enjoy a supervised and safe trip from check‑in to destination, with plenty of fun and memorable moments along the way. What does Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors Service include? A safe place to chill out and play – Emirates Unaccompanied Minors Lounge When parents and guardians bring their young flyer to Dubai International Airport (DXB), they can go straight to the Unaccompanied Minors Lounge near the check‑in area. Proof of identification must be provided to Emirates by the person dropping off the child and the guardian will need to sign a permission form. Children will be swiftly checked in and can then relax with video games, free Wi‑Fi, and comfortable sofas. In the dedicated and private space supervised by the Emirates team, kids can enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks while they wait for their flight and use …

To cater to shifting demand and in line with global consumer trends, Oman Air has announced its new Business Studio. The new cabin, which will replace the airline’s First Class product, will retain its spacious cabin layout, classic lie-flat seats, and Wi-Fi connectivity, but with more affordable fares and a redefined service approach that is tailored to the needs of modern travellers. Featuring predominantly on its London and Bangkok services, the new higher-tier Business experience offers all the features of premium flying along with Oman Air’s award-winning service and hospitality, giving guests the room to work, connect and rest like never before, whether traveling for business or premium leisure. “Inspired by valuable guest feedback and to adapt and evolve in line with global market trends, we have strategically refined our premium offering to deliver greater value and appeal. The traditional First Class experience has seen diminished demand, and after careful analysis and benchmarking against industry standards, we decided to retire the product. This decision allows us to focus on delivering an exceptional Business Class experience that better meets modern traveller expectations and is more closely aligned with the demographics targeted by the national tourism objectives, such as such as wellness, adventure and MICE. Moreover, we’re offering it all at a more competitive price point,” said Con Korfiatis, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air. Oman Air’s new Business Studio offers the best Business Class available anywhere in the region with one of the world’s most generous pitches at 82”, privacy walls for every seat, 23-inch personal screen, free Wi-Fi connectivity, and à la carte dining to stay nourished on-the-go. Guests will be able to book Business Studio from 9 September 2024 at …

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Advisor Turki Alalshikh has announced the much-anticipated fight at the fifth edition of Riyadh Season 2024 opening ceremony. This time, the season is to kick off with sports events. Boxing fans from around the world are eagerly awaiting the major event titled “IV Crown Showdown,” which will take place in Riyadh on 12 October . This event will serve as the launching point for a season filled with activities and entertainment that will put Riyadh at the forefront of the global event scene. The IV Crown Showdown will be a special occasion for boxing fans. It will feature a clash between two light heavyweight titans: Russia’s Artur Beterbiev, known for his overwhelming power and a record filled with knockout victories, and his fellow Russian Dmitry Bivol, regarded as one of the most tactical and intelligent boxers in this weight class. This confrontation is not just a title fight; it is a battle to prove supremacy in the light heavyweight division at the global level. In addition to this main event, the audience will witness a series of thrilling matches featuring top international champions across various weight classes. US Shakur Stevenson will face Welshman Joe Cordina in the super featherweight category. In the middleweight division, British fighter Chris Eubank Jr., who has 18 knockouts, will challenge Polish boxer Kamil Szeremeta in what promises to be an exciting round. In the heavyweight category, the audience will enjoy a British showdown between Fabio Wardley and Frazer Clarke, both aiming to prove their worth in the Riyadh ring. In the cruiserweight division, Australian Jai Opetaia, who previously won by knockout in the “Ring of Fire” clash last December, …