Tag Archives: vision 2030

Cruise Saudi has awarded a contract with PC Marine Services to develop a Red Sea private island for cruise tourism. The development will turn the island into a new destination to explore in Saudi, exclusive to cruise passengers. Facilities will include a welcome centre, dining area, and beach club with private villas and sunbeds to accommodate initially up to 2,000 guests. PC Marine Services are leaders in the marine construction industry, having overseen projects including the Obhur Waterfront Jeddah development and cruise berth improvements in Jeddah, Dammam and Yanbu.  Authentically Saudi in both design and experiences, the private island will be a first of its kind offering in the Red Sea. Cruise lines will stop at the island for a day trip, where visitors can make the most of the facilities or book one of the many land and sea excursions. The development of the private island marks a strategic and innovative next step in Cruise Saudi’s vision to create a thriving cruise sector. In line with Vision 2030’s goals to diversify Saudi’s economy, the island will be an attractive proposition for international visitors, both frequent cruisers and those new to cruise. Barbara Buczek, Cruise Saudi’s Chief Destination Experiences Officer, commented: “The creation of this new cruise destination in the Red Sea marks an exciting step in the development of Saudi’s cruise industry. We look forward to welcoming cruise lines and their passengers to experience authentic Saudi hospitality, culture and activities in the heart of the Red Sea.” Adnan Alshareef, PC Marine services’ Chief Executive Officer & President, said: “We are proud to be selected as the main contractor for the Private Island project. At PC Marine, we recognise the …

Genesis announced the renewal of its partnership with the third edition of the Saudi Games 2024. This reinforces its commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s vibrant sports culture. The official signing ceremony was held at Matal Al-Bujairi in Diriyah to announce the renewal of cooperation between the brand and the organizing committee of the Saudi Games, in order to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 in supporting sports excellence and building a vital and stimulating sports sector for youth. Following the impressive success of the Genesis sponsorship of last year’s Saudi Games, this year it will also play a key role in this larger sporting event, which will take place from 3 October  to 17 October 2024, and will witness a distinctive presence for Genesis, providing a fleet of 250 luxury cars, in order to support the operational logistics of the event and ensure the smooth movement of participants, officials and VIPs between the host facilities. This is the largest multi-sport event held in Saudi Arabia, in which more than 9,000 athletes will compete in 52 different sports, and this partnership underscores the brand’s commitment to contribute with the Saudi Games in supporting the sports movement in the Kingdom. This edition is the largest national sporting event in Saudi Arabia, and as such, it will contribute to uncovering the talents of the elite athletes in Saudi Arabia in a variety of sports. It is expected to bring together thousands of participants from different regions, to compete with high sportsmanship and hearts eager to achieve excellence. Commenting on the partnership, Omar Al-Zubaidi, CEO of Genesis Middle East and Africa, said: “We are honored to continue our collaboration with the Saudi Games, …

New Murabba Development Company unveiled the design of New Murabba Stadium, an architectural marvel with a capacity of over 45,000. The stadium will be a central pillar of “New Murabba” the transformative downtown destination in Riyadh City. The stadium will feature cutting-edge sporting technology, creating an immersive and personalized fan experience. The stadium will be a vibrant community hub featuring illuminated entry points and shaded spaces for gathering and socializing. Inspired by the layered overlapping planes and peeling planar texture of the native Acacia tree, the New Murabba Stadium’s design is a testament to the fusion of tradition and innovation that defines New Murabba.  “The New Murabba Stadium embodies our commitment to transforming Riyadh into a global destination for sports and entertainment,” said Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba Development Company. “The stadium will not only be a world-class venue for sporting events but also a vibrant community hub that enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.” The New Murabba Stadium is strategically positioned to enhance community engagement. Its design maximizes long-term usability, allowing it to be adapted to host a wide range of events beyond sports, gaming competitions, and exhibitions. “The New Murabba Stadium is a symbol of Riyadh’s dynamic future. It demonstrates our commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure and experiences that will captivate both local communities and global audiences,” said Dyke. With completion anticipated by the end of 2032. This venue promises to become a symbol of Riyadh’s transformation, attracting tourists, fostering community spirit, and solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position as a leader in sports and entertainment.

Saudia Group, through Saudia and flyadeal, announced the addition of 8 new daily flights from Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam to Abha. This strategic move underscores the Group’s dedication to bolstering domestic tourism and aligning with the Saudi Tourism Authority’s efforts to promote Abha as a premier destination during “Aseer Season” and “Saudi Summer” campaigns. Saudia has increased its daily flights to Abha from 14 to 19, marking a notable 35.71% growth. Additionally, flyadeal has expanded its daily operations from 14 to 17 flights, reflecting a 21.42% increase. These enhancements are made possible through a modern and efficient fleet of 176 aircraft. This expansion is a key part of Saudia Group’s commitment to supporting Saudi Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s tourism offerings and attracting global visitors. By increasing flight frequencies and seat capacity, Saudia Group seeks to meet the rising demand for travel, further enriching the domestic tourism experience. Saudia Group remains dedicated to strengthening its role in national tourism programs and fostering partnerships that bring the world closer to the Kingdom.

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, …

Saudia Group and the Ministry of Investment have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to encourage global established companies to relocate their regional headquarters to the Kingdom as part of Saudi Arabia’s Regional Headquarters Program. Under the MoU, clients of the Ministry and investors will receive exclusive benefits and access to Saudia Group’s latest offerings on domestic and international flights. Additionally, the partnership includes logistics and shipping services facilitated by Saudia Cargo, as well as premium aviation and concierge services provided by Saudia Private. The collaboration will extend to joint efforts in local and international events organized by the ministry. The partnership reflects the commitment of both parties to contribute to the economic growth and diversification of the Kingdom. The MoU, signed by Khaled Tash, Saudia Group Chief Marketing Officer, and Mohammed Aba Hussain, Deputy of Integrated Investors Services at the Ministry of Investment, aims to provide a comprehensive package of benefits tailored for global companies seeking to establish regional hubs in the Kingdom. Khaled Tash, Saudia Group Chief Marketing Officer, said:”This strategic partnership between Saudia Group and the Ministry of Investment represents a significant leap forward. It promotes our position as a comprehensive aviation system dedicated to advancing and achieving the ambitious objectives of Vision 2030. By collaborating closely, we aim to optimize travel logistics for key national projects, facilitating seamless mobility both to and within the Kingdom while offering exclusive travel benefits.” Tash continued, “Saudia Group plays a crucial role in empowering cultural and tourism programs and activities, as well as Hajj and Umrah programs and services. We are committed to strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a logistics hub connecting the three continents, thereby promoting sustainable economic development and competitiveness.” …

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 …

The Ministry of Tourism launched it tourism investment enablers program as they participated in the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin as part of its ongoing efforts to showcase and introduce investors to the promising opportunities in the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality sector. The ministry has set up a pavilion at the IHIF’s accompanying exhibition to showcase opportunities in the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality sector. It has also participated in panel sessions and introductory meetings with international investors in the forum. Participating in the panel sessions, Deputy Minister for Investment Attraction at the Ministry of Tourism, Mahmoud Abdulhadi, showcased the promising opportunities that the Kingdom provides to international and local investors in the tourism sector, explaining that the TIEP is an integral component of the strategic objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030 and has been designed to enhance the Kingdom’s position as a global tourist destination, while providing excellent investment opportunities for local investors, indicating that the initiative aims to increase and diversify tourism offers and raise the occupancy capacity of tourist hospitality facilities. He stated that the value of private investments attracted through TIEP has reached around SAR 42 billion ($11 billion), with returns estimated at SAR16 billion ($4 billion) on the Kingdom’s gross domestic product by 2030. This indicates that the initiative will contribute to providing up to 120,000 additional job opportunities by 2030 and enhance tourism infrastructure and hospitality facilities in the Kingdom.

The Board of Directors of NEOM has announced Elanan, an exclusive guest retreat that redefines luxury and well-being experiences, set in the heart of nature. Its announcement marks the latest addition to NEOM – the evolving sustainable development taking shape in northwest Saudi Arabia. Situated on the pristine Gulf of Aqaba coastline where the mountains meet the sea, Elanan sensitively emerges from within its lush oasis surroundings, fed by ancient natural springs. Featuring 80 bespoke rooms and suites, the retreat is designed with well-being at its core, offering a unique nature resort that embraces all the senses. Elanan takes a modern approach to wellness, perfectly blending new technologies in a discreet luxurious setting that promotes relaxation and reflection. The signature facilities provide numerous options for guests to embrace themselves in tranquility, rest and recharge. Elanan’s architectural vision is underpinned by innovation and natural harmony. Utilizing ultra-modern design techniques, it creates intricate sculptures that delicately blend with the surrounding natural beauty. It boasts a contemporary aesthetic but retains a synergy with nature, creating a unique architectural experience for all to enjoy. Guests can explore the large plazas, enjoy specialty private dining, find relaxation in the sun garden, or soak up the spectacular views from the top of the observation tower. From the moment visitors arrive, they begin a rejuvenating journey within the calming embrace of nature. The revealing of Elanan follows the recent announcements of Leyja, Epicon, Siranna, Utamo, Norlana, Aquellum, Zardun, and Xaynor which are sustainable tourism destinations within the Gulf of Aqaba, all interlaced by NEOM’s commitment to sustainable development.

Saudia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the entity behind the world-first adventure tourism destination, THE RIG to  delve into new transportation methods, including eVTOL, and carbon reduction initiatives, aligning with the sustainability goals of both organizations. The agreement, which was signed in Riyadh by Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of Saudia, and Raed Bakhrji, CEO of Oil Park Development Company, sets the stage for Saudia and THE RIG. to jointly collaborate on initiatives designed to drive traffic to the Eastern province and elevate the overall guest experience. Captain Ibrahim Koshy said: “At Saudia, we are deeply committed to fulfilling our role as the ‘Wings of Vision 2030’ to accomplish our goals in line with the Kingdom’s tourism strategy, which is to bring around 150 million visitors to Saudi Arabia by 2030. This collaboration holds great promises for the travel and tourism industry. Along with our partners, we look forward to leveraging our combined expertise to drive innovation and sustainable growth in the sector.” Raed Bakhrji said: “THE RIG. draws inspiration from Vision 2030 and its initiatives to develop the tourism sector. It is expected to be one of the leading adventure tourism projects, offering visitors an unparalleled mix of adventure experiences. Our collaboration with Saudia is expected to enhance the quality and uniqueness of our offerings, providing visitors with a wide range of easy access options to this distinctive tourist destination.”