THE RIG. project has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Helicopter Company (THC), the Kingdom’s leading commercial helicopter operator. This collaboration aims to provide a premium helicopter transport service for visitors traveling to and from THE RIG., the world’s first offshore adventure tourism destination situated in the Arabian Gulf. The agreement signifies a joint commitment to enhancing Saudi Arabia’s tourism and entertainment offerings in line with Saudi Vision 2030, particularly focusing on improving transportation infrastructure and elevating the hospitality sector in the country. Raed Bakhrji, CEO of OPDC, and Captain Arnaud Martinez, CEO of THC, officially signed the MoU, marking the commencement of a strategic partnership centered on operational excellence and innovative visitor transportation. Under this partnership, THC will leverage its expertise to provide specialized helicopter services characterized by high standards of safety, comfort, and efficiency, thereby significantly enhancing the overall visitor experience. Raed Bakhrji highlighted the importance of the agreement, expressing, “Our strategic partnership with THC underscores our dedication to providing an exceptional visitor experience. Through the seamless incorporation of premium helicopter transport into THE RIG.’s services, we are not only improving accessibility but also enriching the Kingdom’s vibrant tourism sector in alignment with Vision 2030.” Captain Arnaud Martinez added, “We are thrilled to collaborate with OPDC on this groundbreaking project. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to delivering top-tier helicopter services that meet the highest standards of safety and quality. By integrating our helicopter services with THE RIG, we aim to contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitious vision for the future. THC is determined to prove that everything is possible in aviation with the right partner.”

Sabre Hospitality announced the renewal of its long-term agreement with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchisor with more hotels than any other company in the world. Under this renewed agreement, Wyndham will continue to utilize Sabre’s cloud-based SynXis Central Reservation System (CRS) to manage its operations, reaffirming Sabre Hospitality as their exclusive global central reservation system provider for nearly two decades. SynXis CRS is the leading global hospitality commerce and distribution platform, enabling hoteliers to achieve their strategic goals with streamlined distribution, centralized control, and greater flexibility. With this renewal, Wyndham will continue to benefit from efficient pricing and inventory management, extensive global distribution connectivity, robust bulk upload tools, and a fully integrated guest profile linked to its Wyndham Rewards® program. The platform will also help Wyndham to maintain its competitive advantage while continuing to deliver memorable experiences to guests. “We are thrilled to continue our long-standing relationship with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts,” said Gene Guhne, senior vice president, global managing director, enterprise sales for Sabre Hospitality. “This agreement is a testament to the strength and reliability of the SynXis platform. We are dedicated to supporting Wyndham’s strategy by delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of their global portfolio.” Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, renowned for its extensive global footprint, operates 25 brands comprising over 9,100 hotels across 95 countries. With nearly 70 million transactions annually, Wyndham remains committed to providing industry-leading technology to its global portfolio of franchisees and hotel operators. This extended partnership underscores the enduring power of the SynXis platform, known for its stability, security, and scalability. “Our collaboration with Sabre Hospitality has been instrumental in our ability to offer superior technology solutions …

ITA Airways is expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia launching its second destination in the country with the direct Rome- Jeddah roundtrip flight, operating with three weekly frequencies. “We are delighted to inaugurate our first nonstop flight between Jeddah and Rome, strengthening our presence in Saudi Arabia, a rapidly growing market”, said Emiliana Limosani, Chief Commercial Officer of ITA Airways and CEO of Volare. “This new opening follows the launch of the nonstop connection to Riyadh in June and is part of our ongoing summer network expansion, which boasts excellent booking results. Operated with the state-of-the-art A321neo, this new flight will expand the medium-haul network and enhance commercial and cultural exchanges between the Arabian Peninsula and Italy, while also providing connections with our array of destinations accessible via our Rome Fiumicino hub”. “We are delighted to see ITA Airways commencing the route between Rome and our coastal and historical city of Jeddah, which will further enhance our air connectivity to KSA. Travelers from ITA Airways’ network in Italy, Europe, and the Americas will enjoy a more seamless journey to explore the untapped potential of Jeddah. We look forward to further strengthening our collaboration with a great partner, ITA Airways”, said Mazin Johar, CEO of Jeddah Airports (JEDCO) and Majid Khan, CEO of Air Connectivity Program (ACP). “As a representative of the Italian Consulate, I am thrilled to be part of the strengthening partnership between Italy and Saudi Arabia through the launch of the new roundtrip Rome-Jeddah flight. It truly is a testimony of the friendship between the two countries, which not only is rooted in a deep historic relationship, but is further developing the commercial friendship with expanding opportunities”, said …

According to the Ministry of Tourism 2023 annual tourism statistics report, over 8.6 million tourists from GCC countries visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2023, spending over SAR 15 billion. Bahrain ranked first among GCC countries with 3.4 million tourists, followed by Kuwait with over 2.3 million, UAE with nearly 1.4 million, Qatar with around 1.1 million, and Oman with 455,000. Saudi Arabia welcomed over 27 million international tourists in 2023, with spending surpassing SAR 141 billion. Additionally, the total number of both domestic and international tourists in the same year exceeded 109 million.

Crystal cruise experiences launched its state-of-the-art booking engine, designed to streamline and enhance the booking experience for travel advisors. This groundbreaking platform went live on 1st August 2024, offering unparalleled ease of use, advanced features and robust support tailored to meet the needs of today’s travel professionals. With the launch of this sophisticated tool, Crystal aims to set a new standard in the cruise industry, making it simpler and more efficient for travel advisors to manage cruise bookings. The booking engine, seamlessly integrated into crystalcruises.com, offers a suite of resources designed to provide travel advisors with the flexibility, speed and reliability they need to serve their clients effectively. Key Features: • Intuitive User Interface: The new booking engine boasts a clean, easy-to-navigate design that simplifies the search and booking process. • Real-Time Availability: Advisors can access up-to-date information on cruise availability, suite categories and pricing. • Personalized Recommendations: The platform leverages advanced algorithms to provide cruise recommendations based on clients’ preferences and optional back-to-back voyage combinations. • Enhanced Support: A dedicated support team and comprehensive training resources ensure travel advisors can make the most of the new system. • Exclusive Promotions: Travel advisors can access special deals and promotions through the new booking engine. “Travel advisors are at the heart of our business, and we are committed to providing them with the best tools and resources available,” said Marett Taylor, Chief Sales Officer of A&K Travel Group. “Our new booking engine is a testament to our dedication to innovation and excellence. We believe it will significantly enhance the efficiency of our valued travel partners, enabling them to deliver exceptional service to their clients.” Training and Support To ensure a smooth transition, …

Emirates has become the airline of choice for thousands of Korean passengers seeking to explore new and exciting destinations. Last summer season Emirates carried over 35,000 passengers between Incheon and Dubai, as well as beyond. The airline provides a seamless travel experience for Koreans between Incheon and top travel destinations in its worldwide network via Dubai. Emirates unveiled the top five summer travel destinations that have been gaining popularity among Korean travellers – Zurich, Barcelona, Rome, Venice, and Prague. With its extensive global network and world-class products and services, Emirates continues to be the airline of choice for thousands of Korean passengers seeking to explore new and exciting destinations, having carried over 35,000 passengers last summer season alone between Incheon and Dubai, as well as beyond. 1. Zurich, Switzerland Zurich is known for its unique mixture of metropolitan charm with the vibrant beauty of nature. Visitors can soak up the sunshine while exploring the scenic Old Town, take a refreshing Lake Zurich cruise, or indulge in shopping along the Bahnhofstrasse, one of the world’s most exclusive shopping streets. For those seeking summer adventures, the city provides easy access to thrilling alpine activities like Mt. Titlis and Jungfraujoch, providing a perfect escape from the heat. Emirates operates double daily flights between Dubai and Zurich, using a mix of A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. 2. Barcelona, Spain Barcelona bursts with energy and charm during the summer. While in the city, people can enjoy the lively Barceloneta Beach with its surf-friendly waves and beachfront restaurants. Visitors can also dive into the city’s buzzing nightlife at Chiringuitos, which is always full of live music and festive atmosphere. Don’t forget to explore Central Barcelona at …

Philippine Airlines announced the successful conclusion of its inaugural regional sales conference in the Middle East, held in Dubai. This landmark event brought together dynamic sales teams from Riyadh, Dammam, and Doha for a productive session of idea-sharing and brainstorming. Under the theme “Unite to Soar: Driving Success Through Teamwork and Collaboration,” the conference focused on strategies to achieve sales objectives and foster greater collaboration among the teams. The event underscored Philippine Airlines’ commitment to excellence and growth in the Middle East market. By uniting their strengths and insights, the sales teams are poised to drive remarkable success and elevate the airline’s presence in the region.

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) announced a record-breaking financial and operational performance in 2023, achieving a net profit of OMR 31.6 million and a 44.6% revenue growth reaching OMR 70.4 million. This record growth underscores the continued support from the Group’s Board of Directors and Executive Management, as well as the strategic partnership with the stakeholders and partners in the tourism sector, amidst the steady and comprehensive economic growth the country is experiencing, resulting in positive outcomes in the sector. The Group witnessed an 8% growth in the occupancy rate of its resorts and hotels compared to 2022. This rise was reflected in the number of guests, with a total of 774,881 guests, representing an 11.5% increase compared to 2022. These achievements were highlighted during the recent Board of Directors meeting. The board reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to strengthening its role in driving economic diversification and significantly increasing its impact as a leading catalyst for development and investment in the tourism sector. This record performance translates the success of the efforts made and the efficiency of the implemented plans, driven by outstanding operational performance across the board. The high revenue rates from resorts, hotels, existing projects, and new tourism experiences and products contributed significantly, alongside continued efforts to improve spending efficiency and operational performance in its subsidiaries and assets. The total book value of the Group’s assets amounted to approximately 671 million Omani Riyals, and equity exceeded half a billion Omani Riyals, reaching 539 million Omani Riyals, a substantial increase from 379 million Omani Riyals in 2020. The Group continues to develop and enhance financial and operational performance, improve operating expenses, boost the competitive capabilities of all owned assets, …

The travel industry is undergoing a seismic shift, according to leading authority on travel research and events, Phocuswright. A new age of technologies, empowered consumers, and emerging players are redefining how we travel, book trips, and interact with the industry. Phocuswright will tackle these disruptive forces head-on at The Phocuswright Conference, themed “The New Age(nts),” taking place November 19-21 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Arizona. ‘The New Age(nts)’ has been designed to be more than a theme – a call to action for the travel industry to adapt and evolve. Through a programme of keynotes, panels and thought leadership sessions, the conference will examine four key areas of transformation: 1. A New Age: The dominance of Google at the top of the funnel is challenged by social platforms like TikTok and Instagram, while AI-powered conversational search offers personalized travel recommendations. Airlines are leveraging NDC to regain control over distribution, potentially setting a precedent for hotels to follow suit. Non-traditional players like big-box retailers and financial institutions are also entering the fray, redefining the online travel agency landscape. 2. Customers in Control: Self-sovereign identity, personal data vaults, and secure digital wallets empower consumers to own their data and decide who to share it with. Travel businesses must adapt to this new reality and build trust with consumers to access their profiles and wallets. 3. Emerging Agents: Intelligent agents are already augmenting trip planning and personalization, streamlining tasks for travelers and offering efficiencies to businesses. These tools are not a distant future; they are reshaping the travel industry now. 4. Enduring Agents?: As travelers become more empowered and new tools automate tasks, traditional travel agents must …

SAUDIA announced the addition of Medan to its scheduled and regular flight network, making it the second destination in the Republic of Indonesia after the capital, Jakarta. The airline has allocated four weekly flights in both directions between Medan and both Jeddah and Medina, with operations starting on August 31. This step is part of its expansion efforts to connect the world with the Kingdom and to serve diverse guest segments. A meeting was recently held between Saudia and officials from Kualanamu International Airport in Medan to arrange for the operations and ensure readiness of services. The goal is to provide the best solutions to ensure smooth airport traffic and procedures. By adding Medina as a second destination in the Kingdom after Jeddah for the new Medan route, Saudia seeks to capitalize on the increasing demand. This move follows a recent agreement with Tibah Airports to increase operations and enhance the transport and service of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, as well as visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque and Islamic historical sites. Saudia is committed to increasing its market share in the Hajj and Umrah sector, recognizing Indonesia as one of the largest Islamic markets for travel. These efforts also contribute to achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to host 30 million Umrah pilgrims by 2030. The expansion of Saudia’s destinations aligns with its largest fleet modernization and growth program. The fleet currently includes 144 aircraft, with plans to add 103 more in the coming years. This is complemented by numerous other initiatives aimed at enhancing the guest travel experience using the latest advancements in aviation.