Tag Archives: Sports & Tourism

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments, a sports investment company that aims to accelerate the growth of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia and MENA. SRJ Sports Investments will invest in acquiring and creating new sports events IP, commercial rights of popular and prominent sports competitions and hosting major global events in Saudi Arabia. These investments are expected to deliver financial returns and localize partnerships domestically and in the MENA region. The new company will target businesses specialized in offering unique fan engagement activities and transformative sports technology across the industry, bolstering Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment destinations. Raid Ismail, Head of MENA Direct Investments at PIF said, “We are thrilled to announce the establishment of SRJ Sports Investments Company to accelerate the growth of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region, by creating and investing in international sports IP, enhancing the fan experience through hosting major global events and investing in transformative technologies. The company will complement other PIF investments in the sports sector, all of which are contributing to a more vibrant society, in line with PIF’s strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.” As a long-term investor, the entertainment, leisure, and sports sector is one of PIF’s 13 priority sectors for investment.

Qatar Airways announced its title sponsorship of the highly anticipated Formula 1® Qatar Airways Grand Prix 2023 which will be held from 6-8 October at Lusail International Circuit. To rev up the excitement and reflect its commitment to motorsport enthusiasts worldwide, the airline unveiled its new Formula 1® livery painted on a specially branded Boeing 777 aircraft. Qatar Airways’ leisure arm, Qatar Airways Holidays, is offering enthusiasts a unique experience at F1® races throughout the season, as well as the FORMULA 1® QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX 2023 through its exclusive Ultimate F1® Fan Package. The travel packages are designed to provide a seamless motorsport experience, with the inclusion of return flights, hotel accommodation, a wide range of passes including F1® Paddock Club and Grandstand race tickets, and much more. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive and Chairman of Qatar Tourism, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “The months of October and November will deliver a collection of world-class automotive activities dedicated to fans around the world. As the Official Global Airline Partner of Formula 1, we are honoured to host international visitors to Qatar; once again delivering our unparalleled hospitality and bringing the world closer together through sport.”

Oman Air applauded the efforts of Oman Golf Association, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and the Ministry of Commence, Industry and Investment Promotion for a first-of-its-kind golf diplomacy initiative between Oman and Italy, which concluded this week. As the event’s official airline sponsor, the national carrier brought in the qualifying players, who included some of Italy’s most prominent investors, into Oman for the final, held at Al Mouj Golf, Muscat. The event raised awareness about Oman’s tourism and investment potential in Italy and other key European target markets. Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said, “In line with our commitment to Oman’s 2040 Vision, Oman Air is a strong supporter of sports tourism, which is a key vehicle for promoting the country’s natural beauty and rich culture to visitors from all over the world. The Oman Golf Trophy was a huge success, leveraging golf as an ambassador to highlight Oman’s rich investment potential and strengthen diplomatic ties between Oman and Italy. We look forward to seeing more events like it in the future that showcase Oman to the world and provide opportunities for economic growth and job creation.” Oman Air’s efforts to promote investment and sports tourism in Oman are in line with the country’s vision to diversify its economy and create new opportunities for growth. The airline has been a major sponsor of numerous sporting events in Oman and internationally, including most recently the 44Cup, Oman Desert Marathon and Ironman 70.3.

Jordan is proud to announce that it will be hosting the first-ever UCI GRAN FONDO cycling race in the Dead Sea region. This historic event is part of the UCI GRAN FONDO world series and offers riders the opportunity to qualify for the Gran Fondo World Championship in Glasgow, Scotland in 2023. The race will feature three qualifying stages, where 20% of each age group will have the chance to qualify for the world championship. The race includes an individual time trial and two road stages, with opportunities to compete in the general classification, king/queen of the mountain, and team classifications. The first ITT stage will start north of the Dead Sea from Prince Hussien Park on the service road, covering 20km out and back. The second road stage will begin at the Mövenpick Dead Sea hotel, taking riders through beautiful local climbs to Madaba before heading down the breathtaking Panorama Dead Sea road back to the hotel. The third stage will take riders up the Panorama Dead Sea Road to the historical Mount Nebo and then riders will be served with a stunning downhill road to the Dead Sea. This race is organized by the Jordan Tourism Board, Discovery Circle Tours, Stage2 Bike Shop, and Tareef Cycling Club. Riders from all over the world are expected to participate, making this an exciting and competitive event for both participants and spectators alike. Don’t miss the chance to witness history in the making as Jordan hosts this world-class cycling race for the first time.  

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) is organizing the first official football tournament in the region, which is witnessing competition between 140 players from more than 20 different nationalities compete for the title and total prize of USD $40,000. Footgolf is a hybrid sport that combines the rules and principles of golf with the skill and athleticism of soccer. It is played on a golf course, but instead of using clubs and balls, players kick a soccer ball towards a hole in the ground or a barrel. The objective is to complete each hole in the fewest number of kicks possible, and is a fun and exciting sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. Commenting on the upcoming event, HE. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the SCTDA said, “In the Emirate of Sharjah, the government is committed to organizing and hosting events that align with the overall development goals of the region, address the needs of the community, and promote healthy and enjoyable lifestyles through sports. This is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, who emphasizes the importance of improving individuals’ health and quality of life. The SCTDA is dedicated to implementing this vision in all of its initiatives, programs, and projects. One example of this is the recent Sharjah International Footgolf Tournament and Padel Tennis tournament, which were held in partnership with Air Arabia and the Sharjah Sports Council.” He added: “Through the tournament, the Emirate of Sharjah will host ex-football stars with their fan base and supporters, and bring together local …

The highly anticipated Emirates Dubai 7s, part of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, is set to take place over the 51st UAE National Day weekend from Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd December. The first day of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will take place on Friday, and will be celebrated by a breath-taking Emirates Airline A380 flypast at 4pm. Tickets for Friday’s event are available at https://dubairugby7s.com The 2022 edition of the rugby festival will deliver an amplified experience for all in attendance with additional entertainment stands and activations for children and young adults, including a new Hops & Food Market, the invitational team party tent, as well as a new stage called ‘The House’. With over 100,000 fans expected to attend this year’s festival, fans and visitors can look forward to an exciting weekend of music alongside the rugby action on Pitch 1 and 2. Children of all ages are in for a treat with a series of fun activities across three Kids Zones that will be available throughout the festival from 9am – 7pm, including arts and crafts, meet and greets with cartoon characters, bumper cars, face-painting, go-karting car racing, inflatable parks, and more. Kids under 12 even get complimentary access to the Emirates Dubai 7’s. From entertainment crews roaming around the venue to interactive setups and different genres of music playing from popular DJs across all zones at the festival, the entertainment options are endless for each member of the family. Fans and ticketholders visiting on Friday can enjoy thrilling rugby matches across two pitches kicking off at 9am with Ireland competing against Spain in women’s Pool C as well as an exclusive concert by …

Musafir.com revealed in its bi-annual travel trend report that sporting events will augment the tourism and hospitality economy up to 30 % in the region. The Middle East is becoming the world’s fastest-growing sports tourism destination valued at an estimated $600bn, according to the World Trade Organisation. Major events such as FIFA World Cup Qatar, Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, etc. will give Gulf tourism a boost in the last quarter of the year. Amongst the GCC countries, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar will see the majority arrival of travellers mainly from Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the UK. The UAE topped the list as the preferred destination by travellers due to its proximity to major sporting events as well as family-oriented activities, personal safety and societal security, room availability, varied retail experiences, adventure sports and leisure, and seamless connectivity. Due to seamless connectivity, the UAE can expect inbound flights to soar up to 20% as compared to same time last year. Apart from attending sporting events, fans will want to explore ‘thrill-seeking’ activities as an add-on for a comprehensive travel experience encapsulating all that the country has to offer. Camping and outdoor activities will also see an increase in Q4 of 2022 due to the pleasant weather. Sachin Gadoya, CEO and Co-founder, Musafir.com and Musafir Business said, “Sports events act as a catalyst and can have a tremendous impact on the economy – as we will see millions of fans gather to not only watch their favourite sport but also to have an unforgettable experience during their stay in the region. We are anticipating an exponential growth in the tourism sector, due to the increasing number …

The International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC), the Greater Mekong subregion’s international travel event, concluded its 13th annual event in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A total of 5,282 meetings were conducted between the buyers and sellers during the three-day event, a 45 per cent increase from last year, reaffirming the importance of the event as the key bridge in the tourism industry for both inbound and outbound markets in Vietnam and the region. Endorsed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Vietnam, and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, the event was organised by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, Informa Exhibitions, and the Vietnam Trade Fair & Advertising Joint Stock. ITE HCMC 2017 continued to be the leading travel trade event for the international and local travel businesses, creating unparalleled networking opportunities for them to keep up with the travel trends and establish connections with new business partners, further boosting the tourism potential of the country and the ASEAN region. ITE HCMC 2017 showcased the strong participation of 300 international and local travel companies, including international promotion agencies from Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey.