Tag Archives: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has received international recognition and applause from UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council for its remarkable achievement of welcoming over 100 million tourists in 2023. This accomplishment significantly surpassed the previous target set for 2030, positioning Saudi Arabia as an emerging global tourism powerhouse. The Ministry of Tourism announced that the Kingdom has achieved this milestone seven years ahead of the initial goal according to the latest data. Motivated by this success, the Kingdom has now set a new ambitious target of welcoming 150 million tourists by 2030. Tourism has proven to be a significant contributor to the nation’s economy, with domestic and international tourists spending over 250 billion riyals in 2023. This expenditure represents over 4% of GDP and 7% of the non-oil GDP reflecting the crucial role of tourism in diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy. H.E. Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb, commented: “This announcement demonstrates the scale of our transformation since the National Tourism Strategy was launched five years ago. Tourism is a key pillar in the nation’s economic transformation under Vision 2030, creating jobs and revenue for the Kingdom. We thank both UN Tourism and WTTC as valued partners in our journey for their shared commitment to a sustainable and prosperous tourism sector.” “The tourism ecosystem continues to operate in line with the national tourism strategy by developing diverse tourist destinations. Our aim is to enrich the experiences of tourists, diversify options for both local and international visitors, and enhance hospitality facilities along with other services provided. We are committed to aligning with top-tier international experiences and practices. This approach contributes to shaping a prosperous future for our tourism industry, improving the quality of …

The Hotel Galleria Jeddah, Curio Collection by Hilton was opened by Hilton President & CEO Chris Nassetta. Two-thirds of Hilton’s Saudi pipeline is under construction across the Kingdom, with plans to exceed 100 properties in the coming years. Hilton’s President & CEO Chris Nassetta visited the Ministry of Tourism to further discuss Hilton’s growth plans across the Kingdom. Hilton is re-affirming its commitment to growth in Saudi Arabia during a visit led by President & CEO Chris Nassetta as the global hospitality company plans to quadruple its presence and open more than 60 new hotels across the Kingdom in the coming years. Hilton will be introducing more of its award-winning brands in new tourism destinations and large-scale developments, as well as major cities and regional locations across the country. H.E. Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, stated: This significant expansion underscores our dedication to enhancing Saudi Arabia’s tourism infrastructure, positioning the Kingdom as a prime opportunity for global investors. In line with our Vision 2030 objectives, we are aiming to increase hotel rooms to 550,000 by 2030, showcasing the vast opportunities for private sector investment in our tourism recovery efforts. Our collaborative efforts with leading international brands, including Hilton, highlight our commitment to developing a world-class tourism sector. By focusing on enriching our hospitality offerings, as well as activities and entertainment options, we are catering to the growing number of visitors attracted by our sporting events, giga-projects, and cultural and religious sites. Our goal is to welcome 150 million tourists by 2030 and increase tourism’s contribution to our GDP by 10%.” Chris Nassetta, President & CEO, Hilton said: “It’s great to be back in Saudi Arabia and experience the incredible progress made …

Riyadh Air and Adobe announced a strategic technology partnership. Riyadh Air will integrate with a broad range of travel partners, both in the Kingdom and globally, allowing guests to manage their entire travel experience through its digital properties. As the lead systems integrator, IBM Consulting will employ Adobe’s Experience Cloud technologies to create a cohesive and tailored travel journey for Riyadh Air guests. With plans to carry its first passengers in 2025, Riyadh Air aims to connect the Kingdom to more than 100 destinations around the world, supporting both the National Aviation Strategy’s and National Tourism Strategy ambitions to bring 330 million annual visitors to the Kingdom by 2030. “We’re on a mission to shape the future of travel and meet guest’s expectations of their travel experience,” said Adam Boukadida, chief financial officer at Riyadh Air. “Through our strategic partnership with Adobe, we will be able to create incredible, personalized experiences for our guests at every stage and every moment of their journey, from planning their trips towards booking and boarding their flight and towards the arrival destination across the world.” “As a new digitally native airline, Riyadh Air has an opportunity to push the boundaries of what’s possible when it comes to delivering personalized, real-time digital experiences for air travelers,” said Anil Chakravarthy, president, Digital Experience Business at Adobe. “The airline’s vision, combined with the power of Experience Cloud and generative AI, holds the promise of setting entirely new standards for digital experiences in the travel industry and beyond.” Adobe technology will be used by Riyadh Air to offer a seamless, end-to-end travel experience to the guests traveling globally to and from Saudi Arabia, as well as those traveling …

The inaugural B2B edition of Saudi Travel Mart with TravTalkME as media partner kicked off in Riyadh yesterday with over 135 companies from 20 countries. It will provide a platform for key exhibitors from Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world to showcase their many offerings within a period of three days from 25th to 27th February 2024. Opening the event Naif A. Alrajhi – Vice Chairman of Board of Directors Riyadh Chamber of Commerce shared, “Today is an important event to have this first ever B2B event in Saudi Arabia, having 135 companies from 20 countries which shows the importance of being in Saudi  Arabia and this is very good for later stages as Saudi Arabia aims to achieve a high number of tourists from across the globe. Saudi Arabia has a lot of opportunities with thew commitment of the government as they have set a target with the vision 2030 aimed at attracting the highest number of  tourists by 2030 and with all the foreign investments happening in the Kingdom this will give rise to the tourism sector in the Kingdom.” Mohammed Al Harbi, Chief Executive Officer Saudi Travel Mart in his opening remarks shared, “we consider the Saudi Travel Market to be one of the important exhibitions through which we intend to place the Kingdom on the list of major tourist destinations in the coming years. As the first B2B exhibition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we aim to attract the largest international companies to the Kingdom and make it the first and best choice for everyone.”  

Raffles Hotels & Resorts and NEOM unveiled plans to debut a new resort in Trojena, the year-round mountain destination located in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Slated to open in 2027, Raffles Trojena will reimagine mountainside hospitality, offering guests unprecedented access to discover and explore the region’s incomparable beauty. “We are thrilled to collaborate with NEOM on the creation of Raffles Trojena, an architecturally significant resort that will showcase the very best in modern luxury hospitality and underscores Raffles’ commitment to growing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Trojena is set to be a destination unlike any other, and this mountainside retreat continues the Raffles legacy of growing in the world’s most compelling locales, providing our guests with an opportunity to ignite their passions through highly personalized service and experiences.” – Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles Hotels & Resorts Positioned among the majestic mountains in Trojena, Raffles features a unique and striking ring-shaped design, offering stunning scenic views of the surrounding destination from every vantage point. The resort is set to include 105 guestrooms, which are arranged around the perimeter of the ring, offering guests the highest level of comfort in addition to unobstructed vistas and privacy. Circular zones and meticulously landscaped gardens on the ground level will encourage exploration and discovery, while the roof, comprised of a variety of circular apertures, allows for ample natural light. The Raffles resort will also feature the signature hallmarks for which the globally renowned hospitality brand is known, including its legendary butler service, exceptional culinary offerings, and an emphasis on destination arts and culture. “Trojena is set to redefine the understanding of luxury hospitality and mountain tourism. We are thrilled to work with Raffles to …

It was revealed that Spain recorded 56% increase of GCC travellers in 2023 compared to 2019 with a 33% increase compared to 2022. Saudi Arabia can be presented as the prime example of this growth, with more than 100% increase 19-23 and with a 92% increase in 23-22, the total number of Saudi tourists has surged up to 182 thousand, surpassing UAE as the main GCC market for Spain, and consolidating its status and the country’s vision for 2030. United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait follow after with this trend. The total number of GCC residents visiting Spain in 2023 reached 434 thousand, with an average stay of 8.6 days and a notable increase in expenditure. Factors such as good weather, family-friendly environments, and cultural resonance including the great arab legacy attract GCC travelers to Spain. Looking ahead to 2024, Spain aims to further consolidate its position as a top destination for Middle Eastern travelers through marketing campaigns, strategic alliances and multiple events. In line with this, Spain Tourism recently concluded a successful roadshow across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE, showcasing various regions and offerings of Spain to travel trade partners. The event facilitated networking and collaboration opportunities, emphasizing Spain’s commitment to providing unforgettable experiences for Middle Eastern travelers. Commenting on the success of the roadshow,Daniel Rosado, Director/Tourism Counsellor at Spain Tourism, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted with the positive response and engagement we received during our roadshow in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE. These regions hold immense potential for Spanish tourism, and our collaboration with travel trade partners has strengthened our commitment to providing unforgettable experiences for Middle Eastern travelers.” The roadshow aligns with Spain Tourism’s broader …

Riyadh Air has selected Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite to efficiently manage its core business operations after a competitive bidding process. The services include digitalizing finance, supply chain, and human capital management. The implementation will help Riyadh Air develop a modern, scalable, and secure business platform to enable data driven decision making, reduce costs, enhance employee engagement, and streamline procurement processes. Riyadh Air has chosen Tech Mahindra as the implementation partner for this initiative, which will help Riyadh Air evolve as the world’s first digitally native airline. Tech Mahindra, is a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting, and business re-engineering services and solutions. Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer at Riyadh Air, said, “Riyadh Air aims to disrupt the future of air travel and as part of our vision we need to be at the forefront of innovation and technology. A key part of this approach is to partner with world-class experts as we build technical capabilities that enable us to deliver a seamless digital-first experience to our guests”. Since it launched in March 2023, Riyadh Air has signed several technology and engineering partnerships to enhance Riyadh Air’s offerings, services, and operational models, and set new standards in aviation sustainability and innovation. The airline now has major agreements with Lufthansa Systems, IBM Consulting, Accenture, Swiss AS, CAE, and Microsoft respectively. “Riyadh Air represents the true ambition, capability, and global outlook of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom’s aviation sector is rapidly expanding, and Riyadh Air will play a vital role in helping Saudi Arabia achieve its 2030 aviation goals that aim to outpace global growth”, said Reham AlMusa, Vice President – Cloud Applications, Saudi Arabia, and Managing Director at Oracle Saudi Arabia. “Riyadh …

Located in Jabal Omar and a short walk from the Great Mosque of Makkah, the hotel offers world-class, luxurious amenities, including 1,121 keys of spacious and elegantly designed rooms, suites, and residences that provide a comfortable and peaceful sanctuary for guests. Jumeirah Group continues its regional and international expansion with the opening of its first hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jumeirah Jabal Omar Makkah. The hotel has commenced operations as part of the second phase of the city’s flagship Jabal Omar project, designed by Fosters + Partners architects. Jumeirah Jabal Omar Makkah is designed to reinforce a sense of serenity through thoughtful service that allows guests to reconnect and reflect as they experience a deeply significant life event visiting the holy city of Makkah. Eight dining destinations, including Mediterranean restaurant Patras, and a lobby lounge serving specialty teas and baked goods, are currently open at the property. Soon, guests will have access to six more unique dining options at the East and West towers, featuring a signature regional Arabesque restaurant alongside Persian, Middle Eastern, South-east Asian, and Indo-Pakistani restaurants, and a café offering the finest teas and French baked goods. The property will also host three meeting rooms and event spaces accommodating between 10-70 people. Katerina Giannouka, Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group, said: “We are proud to have opened the first Jumeirah hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in such a significant location, in partnership with Jabal Omar Development Company. Jumeirah Jabal Omar Makkah will deliver the exceptional service that Jumeirah is known for, enabling an enhanced experience for all who are visiting Makkah.” Bringing its signature hospitality and service to the Kingdom, Jumeirah aims to …

Kerten Hospitality and Hwadi, has announced a pioneering new venture: the Cloud 7 Hotel Al Ahsa, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As part of Kerten Hospitality’s ambitious expansion in Saudi Arabia, the Cloud 7 Hotel Al Ahsa project is a key highlight under ‘The Collective by Kerten Hospitality’ initiative. This initiative represents a visionary approach to integrating over 20 lifestyle and mixed-use projects across the Kingdom, with a strategic allocation of SAR 1.5 billion already achieved in 2023. This new venture is poised to seamlessly integrate with Al Ahsa’s vibrant landscape, positioning itself as a central hub for events and a focal point for community engagement. The project will have the capacity to host significant-scale events, supported by the addition of lifestyle-oriented rooms. The inclusion of local and GCC-based retail and dining concepts aims to create a diverse environment that transforms the hotel into a communal space where the local community can come together, enjoy the facilities, and connect at the event space—all in one convenient destination. Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality, said, “The Cloud 7 Hotel Al Ahsa is an embodiment of Kerten Hospitality’s core values – innovation, community engagement, and a forward-thinking approach to hospitality. The project’s scope extends beyond traditional hotel services, focusing on enriching the Al Ahsa community through a socially resonant offering and experience that transcends the conventional hotel room.” Hwadi: A Symbol of Creativity and Excellence Hwadi’s collaboration in this venture is pivotal, bringing their extensive experience and a track record of over 200 successful projects. Their expertise in creative design, construction, and efficient project execution aligns perfectly with the ambitious scope of the Cloud 7 Hotel Al Ahsa project. Saif Albluwi, Hwadi …

Abeer Al Akel has been appointed acting CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla, local media reported. She has been assigned the duties of CEO, replacing Eng. Amr Al-Madani following his arrest over corruption charges. Abeer Al Akel joined the Royal Commission for AlUla in 2017, and served as head of the Private Initiatives and Partnerships Sector. She also held several leadership positions, most notably director of the Strategic Delivery Department at the Commission; director of the Information System Department; director of the Productivity Department at SABB, and senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PWC). Al Akel is holder of a bachelor’s degree in computer science from King Saud University and completed the leadership development program from Harvard University. It is noteworthy that the Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) announced on Sunday the arrest of Amr Al-Madani for his alleged involvement in crimes of abuse of power and money laundering to the tune of SR206 million. The partners of Al-Madani in a company were also arrested after the Nazaha discovered that they managed, along with Al-Madani, to obtain contracts for the National Talents Company, owned by them, from King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy in an illegal manner.