Tag Archives: KSA

Visitors to the Visa Application Centre submitting their applications can now learn more about the tourism offerings and highlights of India, guided by trained professionals from VFS Global, by visiting the kiosk at the time of their appointment. Mr. N. Ram Prasad, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of India in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia formally inaugurated the new India Tourism kiosk at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Riyadh recently. Mr. N. Ram Prasad, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of India in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia said, “I am pleased to launch the first India Tourism kiosk in association with VFS Global, who have been our partners in KSA for the last 14 years. In addition to best-in-class visa services, applicants will now also be able to learn about all the wondrous tourism offerings of India when they visit this centre.” Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer, VFS Global said, “We are excited to further strengthen our relationship with the Government of India with the launch of our India Tourism kiosk. I thank the Ministry of External Affairs for their constant and unwavering support and faith in our organisation and its services. As the service providers of visa and passport solutions here in Saudi Arabia, it is only fitting that we also provide informational services on all there is to offer in this bountiful country.” VFS Global caters to over 7 million Indians across 9 countries – Saudi Arabia, UK, US, Thailand, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, France, and Australia, offering passport and consular services on behalf of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The organisation has a long-standing association with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, offering visa application …

Adding to its lists of giga projects in keeping with the Saudi Vision 2030, is Trojena which will offer year-round outdoor skiing and adventure sports to be completed in 2026, an unrivalled experience and a global landmark for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Highlights include a stunning man-made freshwater lake and ‘The Vault’. It is a folded village fusing technology, entertainment and hospitality – as the main gateway into Trojena. On completion, the development will also contain a broad range of homes. Including apartments, chalets and mansions plus hotels ranging from the ultra-luxury and experiential to wellness and family resorts. In addition, there will be a wide range of retail, leisure and dining options. Activities including year-round skiing, water sports, hiking and mountain biking will sit side by side with an interactive nature reserve. Trojena will become one of the most dazzling destinations in NEOM and across the world. Infused with the ethos of NEOM with its bold ambition, built around technology and innovation. It will follow the principles of sustainability, state-of-the-art technology and astonishing design. It will provide extraordinary opportunities for residents and visitors looking for luxury, adventure, entertainment, livability and escape from the everyday. “Trojena will redefine mountain tourism for the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and enhance the community’s quality of life, which is aligned with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. It also confirms our commitment to be part of the global effort to protect the environment. Trojena will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and …

NEOM, the smart and sustainable regional development in northwest Saudi Arabia, has announced a USD 175 million Series E investment in Volocopter, the pioneer of Urban Air Mobility. The land of the future giga-project will take a significant equity stake in the company as part of its strategic engagement with the global eVTOL industry, positioning it as a leader in future mobility solutions. This deal will expand NEOM’s strategic partnership with Volocopter to progress an advanced air mobility industry in Saudi Arabia, in line with NEOM’s cutting-edge strategy for its mobility sector. It builds on the NEOM-Volocopter joint venture launched in December 2021, which will operate electric air taxi services in NEOM to connect various regions including THE LINE, OXAGON and TROJENA. Nadhmi Al-Nasr, Chief Executive Officer at NEOM, said: “This crucial investment aligns with the ambitious plans announced by HRH the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Chairman of NEOM’s Board of Directors, for the Kingdom to achieve sustainability and to develop NEOM into an accelerator of human progress. It will contribute to taking humanity closer to a new era of mobility – an era defined by zero-emission, electrically-powered vertical take-off and landing vehicles. Together with the Kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, NEOM and Volocopter will make concepts like air taxis an everyday reality for its residents and visitors. Powerful partnerships such as the one that NEOM is cultivating with pioneering companies like Volocopter will fuel giant leaps forward – not just for the benefit of NEOM and the Kingdom – but for all.” Dirk Hoke, CEO at Volocopter, added: “This is the first time in history that eVTOLs, with their unique characteristics, are being factored into the …

NEOM, the global development taking shape in northwest Saudi Arabia, has successfully wrapped up the NEOM Beach Games 2022 after hosting over 500 athletes from 25 countries. Between October 19 and December 9, NEOM witnessed thrilling competitions that received wide international media coverage. The series of dynamic sport events commenced with freestyle kitesurfing on October 19, followed by an Olympic-level competition of short-course triathlon. Other events included 3×3 basketball and 5×5 beach soccer, the latter of which saw world champions Brazil secure both the men’s and women’s trophies. NEOM Beach Games concluded on December 9 with a desert mountain bike race that saw 220 male and females from around the world take part in the four-stage event, each athlete cycling 80-120 kilometers per day. To ensure maximum global exposure, each sport federation participating at NEOM Beach Games had its own global live feed to broadcast the action. BBC screened the Super League Triathlon NEOM event, while Sport TV ­– the biggest sports channel in Brazil – broadcast the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup to a potential audience of over 200 million. Jan Paterson, Managing Director of Sport at NEOM, said: “NEOM Beach Games has been a milestone for NEOM and its success will help to further position the region as a natural hub for sport. Additionally, the Games saw Saudi athletes compete alongside fellow participants from 25 countries in triathlon, 3×3 basketball, beach soccer and mountain biking , reflecting NEOM’s role in providing opportunity for local talent to compete on the global stage.” “We believe the ongoing collaboration between NEOM, the national federations and the rights holders of each sport will positively impact the national sporting ecosystem and we look forward …

On the sidelines of the recently concluded WTTC summit, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as part of their participation in this prestigious international forum. This agreement aims to develop the tourism sector of both countries through the exchange of experience, active participation in various tourism-related events, and mutual cooperation in several areas and initiatives related to the tourism sector. As part of the MoU, the OMRAN Group and the Godoba platform, and the Saudi Arabia-based Al Matar Group for Travel and Tourism, signed a strategic partnership agreement as one of the first initiatives under the new MoU, further strengthening the role of the private sector in supporting the tourism development efforts of the two brotherly nations. The agreement aims to drive digital transformation in the tourism sector through the partnership between the Al Matar App, known to be one of the fastest-growing apps in the region over the last three years, and the Godoba platform, which received the Best Arab OTA Award in 2019. The agreement is expected to pave the way for both parties to expand regionally and internationally. The signing of the agreement was overseen by His Excellency Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, the Minister of Heritage and Culture for the Sultanate of Oman, and His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia. For over 30 years, WTTC has conducted research on the economic impact of Travel & Tourism in 185 countries and issues such as overcrowding, taxation, policy-making, and many others to raise awareness of the importance of the Travel & Tourism sector as one of the world’s largest economic sectors. The …

His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Prime Minister and Chairman of the NEOM Company Board of Directors, announced the development of Sindalah, the first luxury island destination in NEOM and one of the most important projects supporting Saudi Arabia’s national tourism strategy. A main gateway to the Red Sea offering bespoke nautical experiences, Sindalah is expected to start welcoming guests to enjoy its exquisite facilities and exclusive offerings from early 2024. It is anticipated that the development will create 3,500 jobs for the tourism sector and hospitality and leisure services. Extending over an area of approximately 840,000 square meters, Sindalah, is one of a group of islands that will be developed in NEOM, each according to its unique vision and design. His Royal Highness said: “This is another significant moment for NEOM and a major step in the Kingdom realizing its tourism ambitions under Vision 2030. Sindalah will be NEOM’s first luxury island and yacht club destination in the Red Sea, providing a scenic gateway to the Red Sea that will become the region’s most exciting and attractive tourism location. It will be a destination where travelers can experience the true beauty of NEOM and Saudi Arabia, above and below the water, making Sindalah the future of luxury travel.” Adding to NEOM’s growing tourism offerings, Sindalah will reshape the luxury international yachting calendar offering a new season for visitors and guests to enjoy. It will feature a prestigious 86-berth marina, an ideal destination for accommodating luxury vessels, while offshore buoys will house superyachts. Providing one-of-a-kind nautical experiences, Sindalah will offer 413 ultra-premium hotel rooms, in addition to 333 top-end serviced apartments. A luxe beach club, glamorous yacht club, …

As part of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in Riyadh, Hilton has announced a strategic partnership with the Saudi Tourism Development Fund (TDF) – as well as agreements with several public and private developers for new hotels in destinations across Saudi Arabia. In the coming years, Hilton expects to grow its portfolio to more than 75 hotels in the Kingdom across multiple award-winning brands. H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, said: “Saudi Vision 2030 has set the bar high for the Kingdom’s travel and tourism industry and we are committed to making Saudi Arabia one of the world’s top tourist destinations in the years to come. We are leaving no stone unturned to work on innovative projects with globally leading industry partners and look forward to achieving milestones through our collaboration with Hilton.” Chris Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton, said, “It was incredible to be back in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the WTTC Global Summit and to meet with important partners. Hilton has operated in the Kingdom for more than 25 years, providing world-renowned hospitality and helping to shape an exciting future for tourism with new hotels in exciting destinations. The strength of Hilton’s partnerships in Saudi Arabia is testament to the government’s strategic vision and the incredible progress being made to develop the country’s tourism infrastructure, paving the way for a new golden age of travel.” During WTTC, Hilton and TDF signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop family-friendly leisure destinations across several Saudi locations in alignment with the National Tourism Strategy. These destinations will have one or more of Hilton’s brands, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by …

IHG® Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a management agreement with the Owners of Carlton Al Moaibed Hotel in Al Khobar, that was founded by the late ‘Abdulrahman Al Moaibed and the late George N. Frem back in 1977, in order to transform the hotel into Saudi Arabia’s first Vignette Collection Hotel. The new property will be refurbished and is scheduled to be rebranded by 2024. The Vignette Collection is a family of one-of-a-kind, exclusive hotels curated for guests seeking rich and varied stay experiences. Promising luxury with purpose, Vignette Collection hotels weave responsibility, community, and locality together, and exist to make a positive impact in every way possible. The brand also gives owners of world-class independent hotels the opportunity to retain their distinctive identity, while benefitting from IHG’s global scale and luxury and lifestyle expertise. The rebranded Vignette Collections Hotel in Khobar will join existing Vignette properties across countries including Portugal, Austria, Thailand and Australia. The signing of the 150-key hotel in the Eastern Province capital also marks another milestone in IHG’s over 40-year presence in the Kingdom and brings a fresh and compelling luxury experience to the most discerning of guests. The rebranded Vignette Collection Hotel will be a part of a luxury community village with entertainment facilities, 5 food and beverage outlets, sophisticated experimental spa and health club. The community village will offer an Olympic-sized outdoor pool among other premium sporting facilities. Business guests will be able to take advantage of the hotel’s five multi-purpose meeting rooms and convention spaces, as well as other MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) facilities that will accommodate up to 1,500 guests. The hotel is also strategically located just a …

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA), Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced the masterplan for King Salman International Airport which will boost Riyadh’s position as a global logistics hub, stimulate transport, trade and tourism, and act as a bridge linking the East with the West. The airport project is in line with Saudi Arabia’s vision to transform Riyadh to be among the top ten city economies in the world and to support the growth of Riyadh’s population to 15–20 million people by 2030. King Salman International Airport is expected to be one of the world’s largest airports covering an area of approximately 57 km2, allowing for six parallel runways and including the existing terminals named after King Khalid. It will also include 12km2 of airport support facilities, residential and recreational facilities, retail outlets, and other logistics real estate. The airport aims to accommodate up to 120 million travelers by 2030 and 185 million travelers, with the capacity to process 3.5 million tons of cargo, by 2050. It will become an aerotropolis centered around a seamless customer journey, world-class efficient operations, and innovation. Riyadh’s identity and the Saudi culture will be taken into consideration in the airport’s design to ensure a unique travel experience for visitors and transit travelers. With sustainability at its core, the new airport will achieve LEED Platinum certification by incorporating cutting edge green initiatives into its design and will be powered by renewable energy. The announcement comes as part of PIF’s strategy which focuses on unlocking the capabilities of promising sectors to enhance Saudi Arabia’s efforts in diversifying …

Elaf Travel and Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Sabre Corporation cemented a long-standing relationship,  signing an exclusive agreement to drive the agency’s growth through advanced technology.  The agreement was signed at a ceremony attended by management and executives from both companies to celebrate a decade of successful collaboration. The agreement provides Elaf Travel and Tourism continued access to Sabre’s portfolio of innovative technology across the region, including its industry-leading workflow Sabre Red 360 and the latest mobile, data analytics, personalization and automation capabilities. “We are excited to confirm our relationship with Sabre, which will continue support our growth and technology plans,” said Dr. Adel Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Elaf Group. “We are working together to deploy the latest solutions and capabilities, transform our business, and advance our offerings to enrich our customers’ experiences – particularly online.” Using SR360, the agency will have access to Sabre’s marketplace of more than 420 airlines, 750,000 hotel properties, and hundreds of tour operators, rail, car and cruise providers, enabling it to sell personalized travel packages from suppliers all around the world. “We are happy the Elaf Travel and Tourism recognizes the value of our technology and trusts the dedication and expertise of our local team,” said Abdul-Razzaq Iyer, vice president, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “Elaf Travel and Tourism has a wide range of services catering to the online, offline, and corporate travel sectors and we are committed to deliver products and solutions that meet their diverse customer needs and help the company to scale and expand its business to meet the high expectations of the tech-savvy Saudi travelers.”