Travel in Saudi Arabia

Good morning from Skift. It’s Tuesday, March 12. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

In Saudi Arabia’s latest tourism campaign, Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi aims to bust the stereotypes global travelers may have about the kingdom. The campaign emphasizes that Saudi Arabia has a lot to offer and is a welcoming destination, said Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority.

In Paris, the splendid 1728 mansion of an American and French war hero is now Lafayette’s restaurant helmed by Michelin star chef Mory Sacko, where he is twisting brasserie staples with his signature Senegalese flair.

LXR is a Hilton brand with 14 luxury hotels and resorts. Last week, Hilton announced a deal for an LXR resort in Saudi Arabia, and it has seven other properties in its pipeline worldwide.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman have signed a pact to promote cruises across all four destinations. The Cruise Arabia Alliance was forged at this week’s ITB Berlin travel trade show and is the latest development in trying to promote multi-country holidays in the Gulf.

Jumeirah Group has appointed a chief brand officer to “spearhead the evolution of the brand,” the luxury Dubai hotel chain said Thursday.

The Saudi government has released its plans for the “Qiddiya Speed Track,” a Formula One-ready course being created at the Qiddiya development. The 21-turn track will go past the Six Flags amusement park and water park, similar to how the Las Vegas course wraps around the mighty Sphere.

Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind the regenerative tourism destinations AMAALA and The Red Sea, and leading luxury hospitality and branded residential company Four Seasons announce the development of a new luxury wellness resort and Private Residences at Triple Bay AMAALA.

Partly-owned by one of the richest Saudi royals in the world, Four Seasons is on its way to becoming one of the most dominant luxury hotel chains in the country.

Hilton has signed deals for three new hotels in Saudi Arabia: There are two Curio Collections, one focused on “eco” and the other on adventure. And an LXR resort will be an “agritourism” property as part of a tie-in with Saudi’s new farming tourism organization, Dan Company.

Etihad Airways is profitable again and a turnaround program is progressing well. Could an IPO be next? 

The last day to apply is today, February 26, 2024.

Saudi Arabia’s Travel & Tourism sector achieved a 156% increase in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019.

SilverDoor Shares First Accommodation Market Quarterly Update for 2024 

The airline is expected to add USD20 billion to the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP growth, and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs around the globe.

Τhe renovation and conversion pipeline globally is the highest it has ever been, reaching 3,291 projects/510,584 rooms at the end of Q4 2023.

Saudi Arabia has launched a global brand campaign for its cultural tourism site AlUla, home to ancient ruins and a growing list of luxury hotels. The “Forever Revitalising” campaign has been produced in six languages with events in Dubai, London, New York, Paris, Shanghai, and Mumbai.

Abu Dhabi hotel group Rotana has a casino project in the works, and investment in the resort is open to anyone, starting at US$89,400 for a hotel room.

The surprise exit of Jumeirah Group CEO Katerina Giannouka 15 months into her role is the latest resignation for the government-owned hotel brand of Dubai.

Escape the winter chill and whisk mothers and mother-figures to warmer climes. From spa treatments and gourmet delights, to bonding over a new skill, not only does a trip to Saudi promise much-welcomed boost of vitamin D to mark the end of winter, but an opportunity to enjoy some truly special experiences in the world’s newest and most exciting tourist destination.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) congratulates Saudi Arabia’s achievement of welcoming over 100 million tourists, a testament to the Kingdom’s strategic reforms, visionary investments, and resilience in the face of global challenges. This milestone exemplifies the success of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to transform its Travel & Tourism sector into a key driver of economic diversification and growth.