Tag Archives: Saudi Arabia

Diriyah announced over SAR7.8 billion ($2 billion) mixed -use development in northern region. It involves the construction of advanced educational institutions, cultural venues, modern offices, and a luxury hotel. Diriyah Company announced the signing of a contract with El Seif Engineering Contracting Co. Ltd (ESEC), in partnership with China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited (CSCEC), for a large-scale construction project in the northern part of Diriyah. The project will be executed by some of the most prominent real-estate developers from Saudi Arabia and around the world, contributing to the realization of the Diriyah Company, which represents one of the most important historical and cultural destinations in the Kingdom and a key project of Saudi Vision 2030. The agreement was signed by Diriyah Company Group chief executive Jerry Inzerillo, ESEC chief executive Eng. Ahmed Al Bassam, and CSCEC’s KSA Branch chief executive Chuanhai Wei. Construction work is set to commence in the third quarter of this year. “This represents a major step in our accelerating development strategy and commitment to making Diriyah one of the most important and prominent tourist, humanitarian, and cultural destinations in the world,” Inzerillo said. “This contract is one of the largest in terms of size, scope, and significance within the development plan for the Diriyah project. This agreement also represents another example of the close economic relations and strong commercial partnerships being established between Saudi Arabia and China,” the chief executive said. The agreement is a testament to the local and global stature of the Diriyah project and its ability to attract more economic opportunities to the Kingdom. The project offers tremendous investment opportunities and an attractive business environment characterized by the highest standards of governance, …

Delta and Riyadh Air sign strategic agreement to expand connectivity and premium travel options across North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond. New partnership will include a range of benefits for consumers traveling between North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond. Delta, Riyadh Air to strengthen connectivity and harness future growth opportunities for both carriers. Agreement will enhance competition with an array of new travel choices for consumers, including future Delta service between the U.S. and Riyadh. Delta will serve as Riyadh Air’s exclusive partner in North America, while Riyadh Air will be Delta’s exclusive partner in Riyadh and beyond. Delta Air Lines, the world’s leading premium airline, and Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s innovative new full-service global carrier, have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with the goal of introducing a broad range of benefits for customers traveling between North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and destinations beyond. The agreement, signed today at a ceremony at Delta’s World Headquarters in Atlanta, serves as the foundation for a strategic partnership that will enable both airlines to strengthen connectivity, expand their networks and drive future growth. This partnership with Riyadh Air will further Delta’s mission of connecting the world and open an array of new choices, benefits and destinations for our customers traveling to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. Most importantly, Riyadh Air shares Delta’s commitment to providing an elevated customer experience, which is why we’re looking forward to building and expanding this partnership in the months and years ahead. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Riyadh Air team and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia as …

Saudi Arabia announced granting the official Approved Destination Status (ADS) to China effective from July 1, 2024.  The ADS designation marks a significant milestone for group travel to Saudi Arabia. As the Kingdom aims to make China its third largest source market for international arrivals by 2030, Saudi Arabia has proactively prepared to be China-ready. This includes significantly increasing direct flights since 2023, introducing tailored products, and forming strategic partnerships to enhance group and Flexible Independent Travel (FIT) experiences. This follows the Kingdom’s participation in the second China roadshow and ITB China in Shanghai. This move underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to becoming a strategic economic partner with China, unlocking new opportunities across the tourism sector and fostering mutual understanding, friendship, and economic development for both nations. Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said that the official ADS status demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s readiness for Chinese visitors and the Saudi progress toward making China its third largest tourism market by 2030. “The Saudi Tourism Authority has played a crucial role in visa facilitation, reduced fees, improving air connectivity, and ensuring destination readiness with Mandarin-language information available on www.visitsaudi.cn, Mandarin signage at airports, and Mandarin-speaking tour guides and hotel staff,” he said. Abdulrahman Ahmad Al-Harbi, Saudi ambassador to China, emphasized: “By strengthening bilateral ties with China, the ADS agreement opens doors for economic development across sectors, benefiting both nations.” CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority Fahd Hamidaddin said: “Saudi’s approval as a tourist destination for Chinese visitors reflects our continuous efforts and participation in trade shows and conferences, leading to agreements with Chinese organizations. We strive to provide a seamless, enjoyable, and safe experience for Chinese tourists, including streamlined visa procedures, increased flight capacity, …

The vibrant city of Rajkot recently witnessed an extraordinary roadshow, hosted by RezLive.com in collaboration with the Saudi Tourism Authority, at Fortune Park JPS Grand, a distinguished member of the ITC hotel group. This event brought the enchanting wonders of Saudi Arabia to life for an engaged and interactive audience of local travel agents, showcasing the myriad benefits they can enjoy through RezLive.com. The roadshow was an overwhelming success, creating an electrifying atmosphere filled with curiosity and excitement. Travel agents from Rajkot and neighbouring areas attended with great enthusiasm, eager to explore the dynamic and rapidly evolving attractions of Saudi Arabia. Their palpable passion for the destination’s rich cultural and historical offerings was both inspiring and contagious. Mr. Hussain Dalal, Market Manager Leisure – West & South, Saudi Tourism Authority, delivered a captivating presentation, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s hidden gems and unforgettable experiences. His insights brought the destination’s unique travel opportunities to life, leaving attendees eager to share these experiences with their clients. RezLive.com seized this opportunity to emphasize the extensive benefits and exceptional support they offer to travel agents through their platform. They showcased their advanced booking system, a diverse range of travel services, and dedicated customer service, underscoring their commitment to enhancing travel experiences and driving innovation in the industry. This roadshow exemplified RezLive’s dedication to empowering travel agents with the tools and knowledge necessary to craft unforgettable journeys for their clients. “We are thrilled to have ignited a passion for exploring Saudi Arabia among the travel agents in Rajkot,” said Jaal Shah, Group Managing Director at Travel Designer Group. “We are confident that this newfound enthusiasm will translate into unforgettable journeys for their clients.” RezLive continues to lead …

This Hajj season, Emirates is geared up to serve the large volume of pilgrims making their way from the airline’s global network through Dubai, to Jeddah and Medina to perform the once in a lifetime Muslim pilgrimage. Emirates has deployed 10 additional flights between 7 Jun and 10 June, and between 21 June and 26 June to carry pilgrims to Jeddah and Medina. These flights have been carefully timed to meet the flight schedules from key markets for Hajj, including Indonesia, Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritius, South Africa, Senegal and Pakistan. Emirates has been working hard throughout every travel touchpoint of the journey to ensure comfortable experience, both in the air and on the ground for pilgrims heading to Makkah for this significant trip. The additional flights are operated alongside Emirates’ scheduled services to the two Saudi gateways, and provide increased choice and options for thousands of travellers from across the airline’s global network to carry out one of the key pillars of Islam. The airline has further deployed 19 flights to cities including Amman, Dammam, Kuwait Beirut among others to meet high demand during Eid Al-Adha in mid-June. From arriving to Dubai International, to stopping over in the city and connecting onwards to Jeddah and Medina, Emirates has extended its onboard hospitality to the ground through a carefully planned airport experience. Emirates’ dedicated teams will guide pilgrims during their airport journey to ensure a seamless process of connecting to their onwards flights. Airport Service teams have been tasked with meeting, greeting and escorting all pilgrims from arrival to departure. Travellers are welcomed at the arrival gate by dedicated Emirates Airport Service personnel, holding signs with special greetings for pilgrims, where they are escorted …

Hilton Al Khobar King Fahd Causeway has opened its doors to guests, marking the arrival of the latest Hilton property in Al Khobar. The hotel comprises 344 rooms and suites, ranging from standard and deluxe guest rooms to executive suites, spacious one-bedroom suites, presidential suites, a royal suite and hotel apartments, each with a panoramic sea view. Hilton Al Khobar King Fahd Causeway is situated along the beautiful Corniche, offering stunning views of the Arabian Gulf while guests get to enjoy a harmonious blend of Saudi Arabia’s rich cultural heritage and Hilton’s world-class hospitality. Discover the vibrant energy of Al Khobar Corniche, located just steps away from the Hotel, or immerse yourself in a world of retail therapy at Al Dharan Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in the eastern region. Hilton Al Khobar King Fahd Causeway Hotel is part of Hamad Bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Mousa Holding Company for Hotel Investments, which is committed to offering the finest hotel and tourism establishments. Mr. Hamad Bin Abdul-Aziz Almousa, Chairman of Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Almousa Group and owner of Hilton Al Khobar King Fahad Causeway, said: “We are pleased to announce the opening of Hilton Al Khobar King Fahd Causeway, as a hotel that aspires to become the main destination in Al Khobar City, offering Hilton’s globally recognized hospitality and high-quality amenities as part of our commitment to boosting the local economy and tourist attractions in the Kingdom.” Emad Mahmoud, General manager of Hilton Al Khobar King Fahd Causeway, said: “We are delighted to bring Hilton’s award-winning hospitality to Al Khobar. We aim to provide an unparalleled experience for guests by providing modern facilities complemented with world-class service, all amidst a breathtaking backdrop of the …

Last year, the travel and tourism sector in Saudi Arabia grew over 32% to contribute a record-breaking SAR 444.3BN to Saudi’s GDP, representing 11.5% of the entire economy. This exceeded the previous record by almost 30% and underscores the sector’s pivotal new role in the nation’s economic framework. The World Travel & Tourism Council’s 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed a record-breaking year for travel & tourism in Saudi Arabia, with new records in GDP contribution, sector jobs and visitor spend. Saudi Arabia’s travel & tourism sector is now soaring past all previous records, testament to the country’s commitment to becoming a global tourism hot spot. Jobs supported by the sector grew by 436,000 to reach more than 2.5MN, representing almost one in five jobs in the country. Although the jobs lost during the pandemic were fully recovered in 2022, today’s announcement shows sector employment in Travel & Tourism has increased almost 24% since the previous peak. International visitor spending surged by almost 57% to reach SAR 227.4BN, breaking the previous record by SAR 93.6BN, while domestic visitor spending grew by 21.5% to reach SAR 142.5BN. Seven years ahead of its target, Saudi Arabia welcomed 100MN tourists in 2023. Today, the country is surging toward even greater heights and has set a more ambitious aim of attracting 150MN tourists by 2030. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said; “Saudi Arabia’s Travel & Tourism sector’s extraordinary achievements last year mark a pivotal moment in its journey towards becoming a global tourism leader. “This success is a direct result of the Kingdom’s visionary commitment to the sector, showcasing an impressive fusion of cultural heritage and innovative tourism initiatives. As the sector continues …

SAUDIA and Virgin Atlantic have signed a codeshare agreement effective June 2024 to provide a range of benefits to SAUDIA’s guests and Virgin Atlantic’s passengers, enriching their travel experience and expanding route networks for both airlines to serve the tourism and business sectors. The codeshare agreement offers a range of benefits for travelers on both airlines. Guests will enjoy a smooth and hassle-free travel experience with the ability to book connecting flights on both SAUDIA and Virgin Atlantic under a single ticket. This simplifies the booking process and ensures seamless baggage handling to their destination. Additionally, frequent flyers can leverage their existing membership benefits and accrue mileage towards status upgrades on both airlines. Notably, SAUDIA’s AlFursan members can specifically earn and redeem miles on Virgin Atlantic flights. Under this new codeshare agreement, SAUDIA guests will be able to seamlessly travel from Jeddah and Riyadh to ten destinations across the United States and the Caribbean Islands via Heathrow and Manchester airports in the United Kingdom utilizing Virgin Atlantic’s extensive flight network. Furthermore, the Virgin Atlantic passengers traveling from the United States will be able to conveniently book flights via London Heathrow and Manchester airports, connecting them to SAUDIA’s services in Jeddah and Riyadh.

The China i2i Group announced the launch of  CVS Saudi Arabia, to be hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with The Saudi Tourism Authority and Taiba Investments Company. The CVS Saudi Arabia will attract 120+ Chinese travel buyers, including travel agencies, tour operators, wholesalers, luxury travel agents, corporate travel planners, business travel agencies, MICE agents, online travel agencies, as well as specialty firms for adventure, culinary, historical tours, and more. Additionally, a contingent of Chinese media representatives will be in attendance. The CVS Saudi Arabia will span two days, offering travel suppliers from across Saudi Arabia the opportunity for face-to-face meetings with these Chinese buyers and media. Saudi Arabian travel suppliers will have the flexibility to select the buyers they wish to meet with, customizing their meeting experience to align with their product and profit goals. In addition to the one-on-one meetings, the CVS Saudi Arabia will provide ample networking opportunities during group breakfasts, refreshment breaks, lunches, afternoon teas, and dinner receptions. During the event, Chinese buyers will be invited to participate in various city and regional tours, hotel and attraction site inspections, meetings with MICE venues and partnerships, as well as engagements with local Saudi Arabian government and tourism dignitaries and officials. Alexander Glos, CEO of China i2i and producer of the CVS, commented, “The extension and expansion of the CVS to Saudi Arabia present an exciting opportunity for everyone. As Saudi Arabia emerges as one of the most intriguing and dynamic travel destinations globally, Chinese travelers will be eager to explore, learn, and embark on great adventures throughout the country.” Underlining the significance of the Chinese market, Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of APAC Markets, Saudi Tourism Authority, emphasized, “China, …

Explora Journeys announced a strategic partnership in Saudi Arabia with ITL World aimed to bring bespoke luxury travel experiences to discerning Saudi travelers, combining Explora Journeys’ sophisticated cruise offerings with ITL World’s regional expertise. Travellers have the chance to immerse themselves in cosmopolitan, European luxury at sea. On every journey, guests can enjoy elegant suites with a private ocean-front terrace, nine unforgettable inclusive culinary experiences, high-speed Wi-Fi via Starlink connectivity, vibrant entertainment & ocean-inspired wellness. With this partnership, ITL World will leverage its extensive network and expertise in travel management to introduce Explora Journeys’ unique offerings to a broader audience in Saudi Arabia enhancing the luxury ocean travel options available to discerning travelers. Speaking on the backdrop of the Saudi Aramco Travel Show 2024, Angelo Capurro, Executive Director, Explora Journeys, said, “We are delighted to partner with ITL World, a company that shares our vision of providing truly transformative travel experiences. This collaboration will allow us to bring our unique journeys to a wider audience in the Middle East, offering them the chance to explore the world in unparalleled luxury.” Dr. Siddeek Ahmed, Chairman & Managing, ITL World, added, “Our partnership with Explora Journeys underscores our commitment to offering the best in luxury travel to our guests in Saudi Arabia. We are excited to combine our local expertise with Explora Journeys’ exceptional offerings to create unique and memorable travel experiences.” Setting a new standard in luxury ocean travel, Explora Journeys, offers discerning travellers the perfect blend of discovery and sophistication, combining celebrated destinations with off-the-beaten-path ports, inviting travellers to immerse themselves in the essence of exploration. With overnights and longer stays at destinations, guests can delve deep into local cultures …