Travel in Saudi Arabia

AlUla’s growing reputation as the home of diverse and exciting heritage sports from across the region and beyond will be further cemented when the city hosts two of the sector’s newest and most high-profile contests – the Arab Cup for Camel Racing and the World Championship for International Camel Endurance.

Saudi Arabia’s spare-no-expense cruise brand Aroya is set to launch this December, promising cigar lounges, jacuzzis, 28 dining options, 20 venues for entertainment, a retail area, and wellness and spa facilities.

Most travelers see little more than the duty-free store during a short connection, but there’s an alternative approach that’s gaining momentum.

As passenger numbers in the Middle East are predicted to reach 429 million this year, representing a 5.4% increase on 2019 figures, a panel of aviation experts convened at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) yesterday to discuss how the market is changing, outlining their predictions for the future of air travel. The session, ‘Looking Skyward for Innovation: How Technology is Disrupting Aviation’, was moderated by travel expert Mark Frary and included panellists from Cirium, IATA, AviationXLab, and Riyadh Air.

Experience Abu Dhabi secured the Best Stand Design Award (over 150m2) at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, which will run at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until Thursday 9 May. The exhibitor’s stand was praised by ATM’s independent panel of judges for its flowing design, innovative use of greenery and excellent visibility from the show floor.

The head of Saudi Arabian tourism wants Taylor Swift to bring her tour to the Middle East. Of course he does; Swift’s Eras tour has a proven track record of boosting economies wherever it goes.

One of the Middle East’s annual big-ticket industry events, the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), takes place this week in Dubai and opened this morning, while the UAE continues to attract visitors from around the world. Just this year, Dubai was ranked first in the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2023 by Euromonitor International. This comes against a backdrop of the world recovering from Covid-19, high inflation rates affecting travel, and turmoil in the region. Although the global travel market continues to recover, few can doubt that the dark clouds that have hovered over the Middle East since the Israel-Gaza war broke out in October of last year have taken a toll on tourism and business travel alike in countries like Egypt and Jordan.

ASFAR, the Saudi tourism investment company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, has announced today the signing of investment agreements between Baheej, a joint venture between ASFAR and the Tamimi-AWN Alliance, and the Royal Commission for Yanbu. These agreements are aimed at transforming the city of Yanbu into a premier tourist destination by introducing four innovative projects along the waterfront.

World Travel Awards – the leading authority that recognises and rewards excellence in travel and tourism – has revealed its Indian Ocean 2024 winners. The announcement coincides with the start of Arabian Travel Market, the region’s leading industry event.

World Travel Awards – the leading authority that recognises and rewards excellence in travel and tourism – has revealed its Middle East 2024 winners. The announcement coincides with the start of Arabian Travel Market, the region’s leading industry event.

Gulf-wide collaboration, ease of inter-regional travel and infrastructure development were placed under the microscope at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, which saw a selection of policymakers discuss the streamlining of the GCC’s thriving tourism industry. The 31st edition of ATM is being hosted at Dubai World Travel Centre (DWTC) until Thursday 9 May.

Aseer Region Development Authority (ASDA) will join worldwide tourism leaders at ATM annual event in Dubai, to officially launch the new Aseer brand identity regionally, following a local launch and VIP ceremony held in Rijal Alma the previous week.

Capitalising on China’s projected tourism growth was a key topic at yesterday’s Market Insights Summit at Arabian Travel Market (ATM). The summit, which took place on the Global Stage at the Middle East’s leading travel and tourism exhibition, explored the potential of the developing markets such as China. 

The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) marked the start of this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) by showcasing the Kingdom’s spectacular summer destinations to trade partners as the country’s tourism sector continues to go from strength to strength, said the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Wednesday, May 8. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

A Taylor Swift tour is on Saudi Arabia’s radar. That’s not saying much of course – Swift is on every destination’s radar. But Saudi says such a concert could be in the country’s future if the wider Arabia does more to promote itself as a unified destination.

Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts is now just “Jumeirah” as the state-owned hospitality brand undergoes a rebrand. Jumeirah announced this on Tuesday at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), Dubai’s biggest travel tradeshow.

New Saudi Arabian carrier Riyadh Air plans to sell package holidays alongside its flight tickets. The government-funded airline is part of Saudi’s attempt to become a global aviation hub, boosting its tourism sector in the process.

India’s TBO Tek will start lining up buyers for its IPO this week and shares should start trading on May 15. In all, it hopes to raise INR 15.5 billion ($180 million).

Good morning from Skift. It’s Thursday, May 2. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Are Saudi Arabia’s new tourism offerings too pricey? That’s the sentiment on the ground at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) in Riyadh this week.