With an aim to maintain strong visibility in India, Saudi has announced an exciting lineup of trade engagements, including roadshows in major Indian cities and participation in prominent trade events. The strategy follows Saudi Tourism Authority’s (STA) ongoing efforts to increase awareness about Saudi as a unique, diverse, authentic tourism destination and ultimately, drive visits, as one of the key priority source markets for the country. Saudi is gearing up to take part in One World Travel Market (OTM) from 2nd -4th February 2023 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. This will be followed by two roadshows in Mumbai and Ahmedabad on 6th and 7th February, respectively. Saudi will also mark its presence at the 30th edition of South Asian Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE), which will be held from 9th -11th February 2023 at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR. “India is a key source market for Saudi and over the past 18 months, we have both established and deepened relationships with key trade partners, to inspire them about the breadth and depth of the country’s offering and to reinforce our commitment to helping them grow their businesses,” said Alhasan Aldabbagh, President – APAC, Saudi Tourism Authority. “The Saudi destination offering is unparalleled. Authentic Arabian culture, rich heritage, unique landscapes and a rapidly expanding entertainment and lifestyle scene is at the heart of what Saudi offers the Indian traveler and our role is to support our partners, to showcase the new, undiscovered experiences and unlock the wealth of opportunity the destination presents.” “These engagements are critical in helping us achieve our ambitious goals, to drive volume and growth. The roadshow and trade events will provide a platform …

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism (MT), Ministry of Interior (MOI), the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MOHU), Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), SAUDIA and flynas, has announced the launch of a new Stopover Visa.  The free-of-charge Stopover Visa is open to a wider number of countries than the historic tourism eVisa and is Saudi’s latest move to make the destination more accessible. In Q1 this year airline capacity into Saudi Arabia is expected to grow by over 65% compared to the same period in 2022 when four of the Top Ten busiest international routes were to or from Saudi. The Stopover Visa will allow passengers to stay in the country for up to 96 hours, enabling more visitors than ever to explore Saudi’s incomparable historical, cultural, and spiritual sites. Travelers will also be able to use the Stopover Visa to perform the spiritual Umrah ritual. Spiritual travelers can book flights through SAUDIA and flynas, but must also register for Umrah through the Nusuk platform. Even more exciting for visitors, Stopover Visa holders will be eligible for a complimentary one-night hotel stay during the stopover when booking through SAUDIA. To help visitors make the most of their stopover, custom 24, 48, 72 and 96-hour itineraries have been developed to inspire visitors to stroll through Jeddah’s Al-Balad, or visit the Al-Turaif district in Diriyah, one of Saudi’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visitors can also use the Stopover Visa to break up long-haul flights or book a bonus trip to experience Saudi’s burgeoning entertainment and seasonal events calendar or even extend a business trip on the way to their final destination. The Stopover Visa application will …

flynas, the Saudi air carrier and the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East celebrated the opening of its office in Doha on January 30, 2023, after operating daily flights between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to be the first low-cost operator linking the two brotherly countries. flynas held a press conference and a dinner party in Doha, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Qatar, HH Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan Al-Saud, and the officials of the Qatar Tourism, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Qatar. flynas is the first low-cost carrier linking the Kingdom and Qatar with daily flights to Doha from Riyadh and Jeddah, within the expansion strategy it launched early last year under the slogan “We Connect the World to the Kingdom”, and in line with the objectives of the Saudi civil aviation strategy to reach 330 million passengers and increase the international destinations connected with the Kingdom to more than 250 destinations by 2030. The Saudi carrier started last November operating up to 6 daily flights from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to Doha, providing its guests with multiple options with the launch of the FIFA World Cup 2022 hosted by Qatar. It is noteworthy that Flynas has reported double annual growth in operation and performance in 2022, with increasing passengers by 91% to 8.7 million, flights by 45% to 66,000, and seat capacity by 46%, in addition to launching 16 destinations and 30 routes as fleet upscaled to 43 aircraft. The success of flynas was recognised with many international awards, including Skytrax International Award as the …

Jubail Island has announced the launch of its fully-fledged, innovative mobile phone application – the latest addition to Jubail Island’s touch points. The mobile application will further elevate customers’ satisfaction by providing a simplified user experience and an optimised journey. The launch of the new application will bring more visibility to all type of users by providing them with seamless access to an extensive range of services and essential key features. It will allow users to explore a comprehensive portfolio of leisure activities and property services on Jubail Island through a user-friendly interface. Engineer Abdulla Saeed Al Shamsi, Operations Corporate Director for Jubail Island, said: “At Jubail Island, the goal is to continuously offer our community of visitors and residents a unique and fully integrated experience. The aim of launching this mobile application is to create a defined central platform, through which all related parties will gain clearer visibility and easy access to different features and offerings in the island. Bringing together the real estate and destination aspects under one umbrella, the platforms will serve as a one-stop-shop for an integrated experience at Jubail Island.” Users on mobile application and the website can create their own accounts, access community insights and latest updates on the island. Furthermore, the platforms will also enable users to book their preferred activities, track bookings and transactions history, and proceed with online payments in just a few clicks. The user-centric platforms also offer a wide range of services through which they can book appointments and request a call-back from sales relationship managers, and raise queries and concerns. In addition, property owners will be provided with convenient access to their property data,  documents, and process and …

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the capital’s first low-cost carrier, has announced the launch of its new route from Abu Dhabi to Amman, Jordan. The new direct flights will connect Abu Dhabi International Airport to Queen Alia International Airport with a frequency of three flights weekly, starting from March 12, 2023. Schedule to Amman, effective March 12, 2023 (all times local): Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency 3L 032 Abu Dhabi 13:20 Amman 15:55 Airbus 320 Tuesday/Friday/Sunday 3L 033 Amman 16:45 Abu Dhabi 20:25 Airbus 320 Tuesday/Friday/Sunday   Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: “We are very excited to announce the launch of our new route to the capital city, Amman as a gateway to explore the historic country of Jordan. We remain confident that the new route will provide access to a beautiful city which will best serve business and leisure travellers. We are constantly working on expanding our network from UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi to further meet our customers’ travel needs through offering reliable, affordable, and value-driven air travel”. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi continues to add more connectivity to and from the capital city. The new route to Amman is considered the 27th destination after Tashkent, Alexandria, Sohag, Cairo, Dhaka, Khartoum, Chittagong, Kathmandu, Muscat, Salalah, Trabzon, Tbilisi, Faisalabad, Multan, Cochin, Calicut, Trivandrum, Istanbul Sabiha, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bahrain, Beirut, Kuwait, Moscow, and Kazan. Air Arabia operates a fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 neo-LR aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. The cabin configuration across Air Arabia’s fleet provides added comfort with one of the most generous seat-pitch of any economy cabin. The aircraft is also equipped with ‘SkyTime’, …

Registration is now open for the Future Hospitality Investment Summit Saudi Arabia, taking place at Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh from 7-9 May 2023. The Future Hospitality Investment Summit (FHIS) is an international platform by event organisers The Bench where some of the world’s most influential hospitality investment decision-makers connect, exchange knowledge, explore new partnerships and shape the future of the hospitality sector. This will be the sixth industry conference organised by The Bench for the Saudi market with the 2022 event drawing over 500 attendees from more than 20 countries, featuring 110 speakers and 46 sponsors and partners. The 2023 conference programme will include tracks from the Saudi Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC) and Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF), with a continued focus on sustainability, innovation, start-ups and human capital development, as well as the event’s signature culinary tours that offer a glimpse into exquisite restaurant concepts that are all the buzz in the Saudi market which start with a lunch hosted by LPM Riyadh on May 7th. This year’s conference theme, ‘Invest in Change’, highlights the importance of the positive change that can be brought forward through the investment in time, intellect and expertise in the hospitality industry to keep up with changing times and trends to better shape the future of the industry. The newly established Advisory Board for FHIS Saudi Arabia, featuring 37 senior industry leaders from across the Kingdom and wider region, came together in November to discuss the theme and help shape the agenda for this year’s conference. “Following our sold-out edition of FHIS in Riyadh last year, we are very excited to be back in the Kingdom this year with our host sponsors …

Grand Mercure Hotel Dubai, part of Accor – a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,300 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues across 110 countries, has been awarded a five-star rating by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The hotel celebrated the achievement with an experiential event showcasing its brand-new facilities. Making the evening extra special was a unique atmosphere. Guests were treated to an exciting line up of live entertainment featuring soulful melodies of a saxophonist, a breathtaking acrobat show, and an enchanting performance by a violinist. “We are proud to welcome guests to experience Grand Mercure Hotel Dubai which is ‘locally exquisite and exquisitely local’, something that the brand is renowned for around the world,” said Tyrone Lodder, Cluster General Manager of Grand Mercure Hotel Dubai. “The hotel is centrally located only 10 minutes’ drive to Dubai’s key business hubs and leisure destinations such as Dubai Festival City, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and Dubai World Trade Centre. Elevating the guest experience is an array of exquisite facilities and beautifully redesigned spaces enriched by traditional UAE rituals, customs, and culture. “What sets Grand Mercure Hotel Dubai, apart from other upscale hotels is its holistic approach to design and hospitality which is infused with a deep cultural sensitivity of the rich heritage of the UAE,” added Tyrone. “From the moment guests enter the property, they are taken on a multi-sensory journey that immerses and awakens all five senses. From aesthetics to scents, every detail has been carefully crafted to provide an unparalleled 360-degree experience that is truly one-of-a-kind.” Grand Mercure Hotel Dubai, boasts 257 premium guest rooms designed with Emirati touches in the layout and décor. …

SAUDIA, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has announced the launch of “Your Ticket Your Visa”. The first-of-its-kind service provides guests with even easier access to the Kingdom through a digital integration system that links transit visas with flight tickets. “Your Ticket Your Visa” service is introduced in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Pilgrims Service Program, and the Saudi Tourism Authority. The new service, which covers all international airports in the Kingdom, will allow guests to stay in the Kingdom for up to 96 hours, during which they can travel around the Kingdom and perform Umrah. The digital integration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs facilitates the issuing of the transit visa and links it to the flight ticket within three minutes. Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of SAUDIA, said: “The launch of this innovative and seamless Stopover Visa is the first of its kind in the aviation industry and a significant milestone in our digital transformation program. It is a testament to SAUDIA’s commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s strategic goal of reaching 100 million visits by 2030 and we are confident it will positively impact the growing number of transit passengers while enhancing our position as a hub that connects East and West. The new service will also encourage passengers to perform Umrah, visit key destinations and attend events and Saudi seasons.” The launch of the new service comes in line with SAUDIA’s commitment to promote King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and strengthen its role in the region by configuring SAUDIA’s flights coming from the east and departing to the west, facilitating travel procedures by …

Hospitality Management Holding (HMH) is delighted to announce the signing of the Hotel Management Agreement of its newest hotel property ‘Corp Yanbu Hotel and Residence’ in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in the beautiful western port city of Yanbu and facing the red sea, the hotel boasts of 112 keys with a combination of spacious guest rooms and hotel apartments and state-of-the-art amenities with unparalleled service. It would incorporate cutting-edge design, while offering exceptional comfort, convenience, superior service, and excellent value, all underpinned with the latest technology. With truly breathtaking views from our outlets on the rooftop terrace, Corp Yanbu Hotel and Residence is designed to cater the needs of families and modern travellers in mind, this urban oasis seamlessly blends the convenience of city living with the comfort of a home away from home. The signing ceremony of the Hotel Management Agreement was supported by Royal Commission of Jubail & Yanbu and was attended by the Director General of the Investment Development Division, ENGR. Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Shanqiti, and marks a significant step in the commission’s efforts to enhance the hospitality industry in the region. This agreement will bring a new level of excellence to the hotels and resorts in Yanbu, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the local economy. ‘Whether your stay is for family leisure or business, ‘Corp Yanbu Hotel and Residence’ will offer the perfect blend of style, service, and value that will make your stay truly unforgettable. With popular amenities and a prime location, Corp Yanbu Hotel and Residence, will be the ultimate destination for the savvy traveller looking for a memorable experience’ said Ahmed Al Shagdali, …

Zahara Travel, the leading travel management company in Oman, reaffirms its strategic partnership with Sabre Corporation , a leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry. Furthermore, Zahara Travel signed a multiyear agreement to expand its technology scope with Sabre and recruit the latest technology solutions to enable its strategic goals. Under this renewed and expanded agreement, Zahara Travel will continue to use Sabre Red 360, to deliver intelligent and consultative services to travellers, respond to evolving traveller demands and create compelling shopping experiences. The travel company will continue to access Sabre’s marketplace of more than 400 airlines, 750,000 hotel properties, and hundreds of tour operators, rail, car and cruise providers, giving Zahara Travel the opportunity to sell personalized travel packages from suppliers all over the world. “In such a competitive landscape, technology is important to maximize our efficiency and deliver our promise of providing a seamless and exceptional travel experiences,” said Gautam Broota, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Zahara Travel.  “For more than two decades, Sabre has been the backbone of our operations, thus we are expanding our relationship to deploy further technology solutions to support our strategy, advance our operations and enable our digital transformation to better compete in this complex landscape.” Zahara Travel will deploy a set of Sabre technology and solutions to drive growth, boost revenue and transform its business – including as Sabre Virtual Payment to manage the agency’s payment and reporting capabilities; Content Services for Lodging to provide access to richer hotel and aggregator content; Automation Hub- to maximize efficiency and utilize resources; and Automated Exchange and Refunds to simplify the complexity of the day-to-day operations and drive operational excellence. “As a …