Tourism Direct Shanghai flights reinforce Saudi air links scheme China Eastern Airlines is to launch direct flights to Riyadh as part of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) and the ‘Air Silk Road’ initiative to improve trade and tourism links between the two countries. Commencing on April 8, 2024, the three weekly flights will operate directly from Shanghai Pudong Airport and Riyadh’s King Khalid […] March 12, 2024
Aviation Hotels and airports profit from Oman’s rise in visitors Revenues for hotel operators in Oman rose by 17 percent to OR25 million ($64 million) in January as passenger numbers through the sultanate’s airports increased by more than one-fifth. Oman welcomed more than 1.4 million people through its main airports in Muscat, Salalah, Sohar and Duqm, according to data from the National Centre for Statistics […] March 12, 2024
Economy Dubai’s non-oil economic growth at five-year high Dubai’s non-oil economy has recorded its highest growth since before the pandemic, according to the latest business sentiment survey for the emirate. At 58.5 in February, the S&P Global Dubai Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) increased from January’s 56.6 to the highest seen since May 2019. The number is well above the 50.0 mark which separates […] March 11, 2024
Leisure & Hospitality New cruise alliance launched to promote Gulf ports Cruise Arabia, a new alliance formed by Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman’s maritime and tourism authorities, is to position the Arabian Gulf as a global cruise destination. The alliance solidified its commitment through a memorandum of understanding signed at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin industry event in Germany. The alliance will foster partnerships to enhance the cruise […] March 11, 2024
Economy Jordan’s economic growth to slow on lower tourist arrivals Jordan’s economic growth will ease to 2.1 percent in 2024 from 2.6 percent in 2023, as tourism arrivals are likely to be lower than record-breaking levels seen last year, S&P Global Ratings said in a report. “Our GDP growth forecast reflects fiscal drag and an expected increase in precautionary savings amid rising regional tensions,” it […] March 11, 2024
Analysis Food & Drink UAE businesses dispute predicted Ramadan downturn UAE businesses are optimistic about Ramadan’s prospects in spite of a projected 10 percent decline in spending over the holy month. The anticipated dip is partly linked to considerable consumer expenditure after the pandemic and during recent festive sales, according to a study by Redseer Strategy Consultants. “The last two years were a period of […] March 10, 2024
Giga-projects Neom plans golf community on Gulf of Aqaba Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion giga-city Neom has revealed plans for Gidori, a residential golf community on the coastal hills of the Gulf of Aqaba. Gidori will house luxury hospitality, premium residences and a range of sports and leisure amenities designed using the area’s natural landscape. The centrepiece will be a cantilevered beachfront complex. The tower […] March 7, 2024
EXCLUSIVE Health For those who want ‘IVF and a holiday’ … Dubai’s next hotel A fertility clinic-resort is opening soon, thanks to changes in UAE law on assisted reproduction March 6, 2024
Analysis Economy Volatility of crude markets masks Saudi non-oil momentum Volatility in global oil markets, which led to Saudi Arabia’s GDP shrinking last year, is masking the strength of the kingdom’s non-oil economy, analysts have said. Its non-oil revenue is forecast to rise by more than 5 percent in each of the next two years, according to Jadwa Investment. The 2023 contraction was driven by […] March 5, 2024
Tourism PIF and Seera fail to reach agreement on investment Saudi travel major Seera Group Holding has terminated plans for the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, to invest in its subsidiary, Almosafer Travel and Tourism Company. The termination comes after the two companies failed to reach an agreement, Seera said in a statement to the Saudi bourse. The statement clarified that […] March 4, 2024
Tourism Saudi Arabia starts issuing free stopover visa to Indians Saudi Arabia has started offering a 96-hour free visa to Indian citizens to help reach its newly set target of 150 million tourists by 2030. The stopover programme provides a four-day free visa to individuals traveling through Saudia or Flynas airlines. Additionally, travellers holding a US, UK or Schengen visa are eligible for an e-visa […] March 4, 2024
Economy Lebanon pushed to the brink by the war next door Three years of deep recession and a full-scale war with Israel could halve Lebanon's economy February 28, 2024
Tourism Saudi Arabia hits tourism target seven years early More than 106 million tourists visited Saudi Arabia last year, surpassing the kingdom’s 2030 target and prompting it to set a new goal of welcoming 150 million annual visitors by the end of the decade, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Achieving the milestone target of the Vision 2030 economic roadmap seven years early cements […] February 28, 2024
Analysis Economy Abu Dhabi’s $35bn throws Egypt a liquidity lifeline A $35 billion investment by Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ to develop a resort on Egypt’s north coast could cover the country’s liquidity needs for the next three to four years, analysts have said. Mostafa Madbouly, the Egyptian prime minister, said on Saturday he had signed an agreement with ADQ to develop a site […] February 27, 2024
Tourism Saudi and Qatari funds bid for new Egyptian project Consortiums backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Qatar Investment Authority are among several Gulf bidders seeking to develop land in the Ras Ghamila area in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, a local Egyptian media outlet reported. The winning consortium will be announced within two months after evaluating the submitted offers, Daily News Egypt reported, citing […] February 27, 2024
Tourism Egypt tourism up 5% in early 2024 despite Gaza conflict The number of tourists visiting Egypt increased by five percent year on year in the first 40 days of 2024, according to Egypt’s tourism minister, Ahmed Issa. The announcement came after reports in January that visitor numbers for the whole of 2023 reached a record high of 14.9 million, just shy of the 15 million […] February 23, 2024
Tourism Dubai introduces multiple-entry visa for Indian nationals Dubai has introduced a five-year multiple-entry visa for Indian nationals to strengthen economic, tourism and business ties with India, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has said. The decision follows closely on the heels of prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE, marked by significant developments including the opening of the Middle […] February 23, 2024
Tourism Saudi visas on arrival for European and US pilgrims Saudi Arabia is offering visa on arrival for pilgrims who are resident in the EU, US and UK, or who possess a valid visa for those countries. The decision is part of efforts to boost religious tourism to the country. The Saudi ministry of Hajj and Umrah revealed the new regulations for the Umrah pilgrimage […] February 22, 2024
Aviation Flydubai expands in Europe with four new routes Dubai low-cost airline Flydubai has launched four new services to expand its European network to 43 destinations in 21 countries. The carrier will be the first UAE airline to operate direct flights to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, starting August 2. Flydubai is also marking its first entry into the Baltic region with direct flights to Riga International Airport […] February 16, 2024
Opinion Aviation EgyptAir must make some tough choices The national carrier is being battered by the competition and needs a recovery strategy February 15, 2024
Tourism Wellness resort leads Egypt’s medical tourism push Plans for Egypt’s first wellness resort have been revealed as experts forecast an increase in the number of medical visitors to the country. Maxim Group has signed an agreement with the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones to establish Naya Wellness Resort in Al-Saf, Giza. About $48 million is being invested in the resort, part […] February 14, 2024
Giga-projects Neom announces exclusive beach club Xaynor Saudi Arabia’s mega-city Neom has launched its latest development – Xaynor, an exclusive private beach club on the Gulf of Aqaba for “the most fascinating people in the world”. Xaynor will be a “discreet destination where club members can unwind on the Gulf of Aqaba’s beautiful unspoiled coastline”, Neom said in an announcement. Neom has […] February 13, 2024
