Tag Archives: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has set new records in tourism recording its highest surplus in the travel account of the balance of payments in 2024 estimated at SAR 49.8 billion—a growth of approximately 7.8% compared to 2023. This impressive performance was driven by a 13.8% increase in inbound visitor spending compared to 2023, with total inbound visitor spending reaching an estimated SAR 153.6 billion in 2024, according to balance of payments preliminary data issued by the Saudi Central Bank. The Ministry of Tourism explained that the significant growth in the travel account surplus in 2024 reflects the efforts of the Ministry and other entities of the Saudi Tourism Ecosystem to strengthen the tourism industry and its contribution to national economic growth. It also underlines the successful measures taken to elevate the sector to global leadership by implementing best practices in tourism development, enhancing tourism services and products, and promoting strong collaboration with all government entities to support the development of the tourism sector—while advancing the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

At a recent press briefing on the latest report to be published by WTTC, Julia Simpson – President WTTC shared that the Middle East will be a central focus in this upcoming analyses, with rapid advancements observed throughout the region. She shared, “Dubai, in particular, continues to outperform expectations. Saudi Arabia is a nation to watch, and I look forward to further engagements as we continue our global exploration. Given our recent collaborations there, and considering significant progress in employment, tourism, and infrastructure, the country’s future looks exceptionally promising. Saudi Arabia has launched an ambitious vision, with investments reportedly exceeding $100 billion and a number of pioneering initiatives underway. The country’s young, well-educated population is a driving force behind these transformative changes. I congratulate His Royal Highness the Prince and Minister of Tourism for their outstanding efforts, and commend Saudi Arabia for its strong support of the World Travel and Tourism Council. For instance, when comprehensive sustainability data was needed, the kingdom provided critical funding and expertise.”

Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism sector continues on an upward trajectory, with the Kingdom welcoming 30 million international visitors in 2024, representing a 9.5 percent increase from the previous year. This impressive growth will be under the spotlight at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM), where Saudi Arabia will present its latest tourism milestones, showcase new projects and highlight its vision to become a premier destination. ATM 2025 will feature several prominent exhibitors from the Kingdom. In addition to the Saudi Tourism Authority, returning exhibitors include SAUDIA, flynas, Qiddiya Investment Company, Sixth Gulf Travel Company, Taiba Investment, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, Fairmont Hotel, Cruise Saudi, and L’azure Hospitality. First-time exhibitors this year include flyadeal, Riyadh Air, Diriyah Company, Aseer, BAAN Holding Group, Makkah Hotel & Towers, Alhussam Tourism, and StayKSA. These exhibitors, along with many others, will be highlighted in a dedicated Saudi Land hall, an expanded version of last year’s ATM Saudi Village, which will be representative of the Saudi Arabian culture, heritage and tourism, while reflecting the upward trajectory of the Kingdom’s travel industry, which has seen Saudi Arabian exhibitor presence increase by 16% this year. Recent research conducted by VIDEC, on behalf of ATM, has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s remarkable status as the largest and fastest-growing economy within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached an impressive USD 1.1 trillion, translating to a per capita GDP of USD 32,500. This positions the nation as one of the most significant and influential markets in the region.

EaseMyTrip.ae has announced significant expansions that further solidify its presence in the Middle East. The company has launched Easy Trip Planners Limited in Saudi Arabia, establishing it as a fully owned subsidiary and marking its official entry into this pivotal market. This new venture enhances EaseMyTrip’s global footprint, underscoring its strategic commitment to growth in key international regions. As part of its expansion, EaseMyTrip’s UAE subsidiary is also poised to strengthen its Middle East presence through a strategic investment in two new Dubai-based entities: Ease My Trip Tours L.L.C. (EMT Tours) and Ease My Trip Holiday Homes L.L.C. (EMT Holiday). EMT Tours will focus on both inbound and outbound tour operations, while EMT Holiday will cater to the growing vacation home rental market. These new initiatives not only broaden EaseMyTrip’s service offerings but also enhance its regional diversification, positioning the company for continued success and growth in the Middle East. Mr. Nishant Pitti, Chairman and Founder of EaseMyTrip, said, “This is a significant milestone in our growth story as we expand our global presence and diversify our services. Our entry into Saudi Arabia and expansion in the Middle East, reflects our commitment to offering seamless travel experiences across the globe. We are confident that our technological expertise and customer-centric approach will help us grow rapidly in these regions and contribute to the growth of the global travel and aviation sectors.” He further added, “As we continue to scale, our focus remains on leveraging innovation to create unmatched value for our customers and stakeholders. We are determined to strengthen our position in the global travel ecosystem, foster economic growth, and enhance connectivity in both emerging and developed markets.” EaseMyTrip is set …

Emirates revealed the next seven cities to be served by its A350. The airline’s summer schedule will include A350 services to Tunis, Amman, Istanbul, Dammam, Ho Chi Minh City, Baghdad and Oslo as the new seven cities. With the latest tranche of planned Emirates A350 deployments, the airline is expanding the list of its short to medium haul destinations served in the Middle East/GCC and Europe. For the first time, the Emirates A350 will make its debut in Africa and Southeast Asia. Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline said: “Our strategic A350 expansion across diverse geographies in the Middle East/GCC, Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia leverages the aircraft’s operational flexibility and efficiency, while offering more customers expanded premium travel options and the opportunity to experience our latest generation interiors like Business Class and Premium Economy along with plenty of thoughtful touches throughout every cabin, now available in more cities than ever before.” He added: “The introduction of this aircraft and layering it on existing route schedules also enables Emirates to maintain a compelling competitive position as the airline of choice for discerning travellers looking for a unique slate of connectivity options and elevated onboard experiences they can’t have with any other carrier.” The airline’s latest A350 fleet additions will start scheduled operations to the following destinations: Emirates will operate the A350 six times weekly (all days except for Tuesday) to Tunis on EK 747/748 from 1 June.* Amman’s EK 905/906 will be served daily by the Emirates A350 from 1 June.* Emirates’ A350 featuring the latest cabins will land in Istanbul for the first time to commence daily operations on EK 117/118 from 1 July.* The …

The Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia, taking place in Riyadh, 11-13 May, will host the region’s first NextGen Investment Forum to address the challenges – and opportunities – surrounding education, training and talent retention in KSA’s growing hospitality sectors. Investing in the next generation of leaders in hospitality is fundamental to delivering KSA’s Vision 2030 goals, according to industry experts, who will come together at FHS to explore and discuss issues such as bridging skill gaps, creating new pathways to career growth, empowering Saudi nationals and encouraging more women to take up a career in hospitality. The event takes place on the first day of FHS Saudi Arabia, Sunday 11 May, from 3:00pm, with more than 30 speakers set to take part. Through a series of curated roundtable discussions, the forum will bring together key industry stakeholders to address the most pressing challenges in hospitality education and retention with a focus on solution-oriented conversations and actionable outcomes to help shape the future of hospitality education and workforce development. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of FHS organiser The Bench, said: “By 2030, KSA’s hospitality and tourism transformation will create more than a million new jobs, deliver 320,000 new hotel rooms, and inject around US$46 billion into the country’s economy. And with Saudi Arabia set to welcome 150 million annual tourists in the next five years, it goes without saying that the right investment today is key to creating the hospitality leaders of tomorrow. “We are proud to launch this first-of-its-kind initiative at FHS Saudi Arabia and look to drawing inspiration from highly respected industry experts during an afternoon of collaboration, insight and actionable solutions to shape the future of KSA’s hospitality industry.” The NextGen …

Mövenpick Hotel Wa’ad Al Shamal has officially opened its doors, marking a significant milestone as the first five-star hotel in Saudi Arabia’s Northern region. Mövenpick Wa’ad Al Shamal features 245 rooms and suites, including two Presidential Suites that offer an exceptional blend of comfort and modern design. The hotel also offers 18 state-of-the-art meeting rooms and expansive banqueting facilities, creating the ideal destination for conferences, corporate gatherings, and special celebrations. For relaxation and wellness, guests can enjoy dedicated male and female spa areas featuring indoor swimming pools, separate fitness centers, steam rooms, saunas, and rejuvenating massage services. Whether for business or leisure, Mövenpick Wa’ad Al Shamal delivers a seamless experience, offering comfort, convenience, and authentic Saudi hospitality in one of the Kingdom’s most promising emerging destinations. The grand opening was inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan Bin AbdulAziz, Governor of the Northern Borders Region, in the presence of His Excellency Minister of Industry and Minerals Bander Al Khorayef, and His Excellency Vice-Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs, Khaled Al Modaifir, alongside Moustafa Manoon, Vice President of Operations, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at Accor, and other distinguished guests. To mark the occasion, His Royal Highness, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony underscoring the hotel’s contribution to the region’s growing tourism sector and alignment with Vision 2030. Owners Abdullah Al Jaber and Abdulrahman Al Jaber presented a specially crafted key to Naseer Thodi, General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel Wa’ad Al Shamal, as a symbolic gift, celebrating the hotel’s debut. Guests were welcomed with a vibrant cultural experience, beginning with the traditional Arda dance, a symbol of Saudi heritage and unity. The celebrations continued into the evening …

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of The Venue, Vignette Collection Jeddah Corniche. This collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s dynamic Al Harithy Group marks a significant milestone in Jeddah’s hospitality sector, catering to the growing demand for authentic, curated hospitality experiences in the bustling city. Slated to be rebranded by late 2025, the 193-key property is situated on the vibrant Jeddah Corniche with views overlooking the Red Sea Coast. This strategic addition reinforces IHG’s commitment to aligning its growth with the tourism ambitions under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The property will undergo renovation and open as The Venue, Vignette Collection Jeddah Corniche next year, blending contemporary elegance with the property’s rich history, dating back to its establishment in 1997, ensuring a luxury upper-upscale experience. The hotel will feature a diverse range of amenities, including Jeddah’s first pillar-less wedding hall, ‘Duniaty,’ along with indoor and outdoor pools, three dining venues, a state-of-the-art business center, 13 meeting rooms, SPA fitness center, and beauty salon. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “The signing of The Venue, Vignette Collection Jeddah Corniche aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 led by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Jeddah, as a gateway to the holy cities and a thriving commercial hub, plays a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s tourism ecosystem. This partnership with Al Harithy Group demonstrates our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences tailored to this dynamic destination, while celebrating its history and culture.” The Vignette Collection is a family of one-of-a-kind, exclusive hotels curated for guests seeking rich and varied stay experiences. The brand allows owners of world-class independent hotels to retain their distinctive identity while …

Hotel Management Company “Adeera” signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Tourism to open new horizons for developing the hospitality and tourism sector in the Kingdom. This agreement aims to enhance national capabilities, creating new opportunities, exchange expertise and knowledge, and launch specialized training initiatives. These efforts align with the national tourism strategy and Adeera’s goals to strengthen the commitment of developing exceptional hospitality experiences and elevating Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector in line with the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030. Through this partnership, Adeera seeks to strengthen the Kingdom’s position on the global tourism map and transform Saudi Arabia into an exceptional tourist destination sought by the world, highlighting the Kingdom’s hospitable nature with national expertise capable of providing exceptional services and experiences. The memorandum includes key pillars to developing the tourism sector in the Kingdom, including: Workforce Planning: Building clear career paths and quality job opportunities, enhancing national capabilities and efficiency. Training, Development, and Localization: Designing specialized training programs to prepare Saudis for work in the hospitality sector, with incentives to promote employment through attractive support packages. Quality Improvement: Collaborating with leading educational institutions to provide innovative educational programs that ensure the highest standards in tourism education. Supporting Tourism Projects: Facilitating procedures and promoting the growth of tourism projects, enhancing the presence and visibility of Adeera in the sector. On this occasion, Mr. Stefan Leser, CEO of “Adeera,” expressed his affirmation of the importance of this strategic partnership in supporting and empowering the tourism infrastructure. He added: “At Adeera, we believe in the importance of developing qualified national talents equipped with the skills and expertise to compete on the global stage.” He further stated, “Our aim is not …

In a special interview with TravTalkME, Dr. Abdelrazzak Arrabiyat, Managing Director of Jordan Tourism Board shared that Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is their source market in the region and last year had seen 1.2million visitors, standing in its second position was Kuwait, followed by the United Arab Emirates. ” Last year, almost 60% of our tourists came from GCC. Number one market is Saudi Arabia. We received more than 1.2 million, because of the proximity and especially as Jordan is a family destination. Kuwait stands at number two with over 50,000 travellers and the United Arab Emirates at 25,000. Internationally United States of America is among the top markets where we received over 200,000 visitors and 100,000 from the Italy. In the summertime, the weather is very nice. People come to Jordan to enjoy the summertime where they can do outdoor activities. The temperature is about 19degrees in the night, which is very comfortable for people and most importantly there is no humidity. You must experience Jordan weather as its fresh and people love to go out and do activities, especially at night.”