Saudi Tourism Authority made its debut at the prestigious Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, with an address by CEO Fahd Hamidaddin on the crucial role creativity plays in shaping the conversation around tourism, and the country more broadly. Driven by ambitious goals, Saudi is placing creativity and innovation at the centre of its push to diversify its economy and leverage opportunities on its path of transformation. Tourism is a visible showcase, using creativity to help spark conversation around the dramatic changes on the ground and shatter prejudice. In a 30-minute address attended by leading creatives from around the world, Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority stated: “Storytelling is something that Arabia has always cherished, and creativity is the beacon of our future, it’s the beauty of imagination meeting innovation.” Speaking of Saudi’s journey towards 2030, with its focus on creativity – the new energy source, he outlined Saudi’s aim: ”We are experiencing a transformation which takes Saudi from being oil dependent to becoming a fully diversified hyper-growth economy that sits at the centre of the world - economically, socially and creatively as well.” The keynote paid tribute to the Saudi creative forces re-shaping the narrative on a world stage. Pointing to art showcases, the burgeoning entertainment scene - with Saudi entries to both the Oscars and the Festival du Cinema at Cannes - a growing cadre of home-grown and international creatives working together to demonstrate the importance of creativity in furthering the country’s ambitions. Taking the audience on a journey through some key developments in Saudi’s arts and entertainment space, he expressed pride in Saudi’s innovation and creativity: “If you think you know Saudi, think again. Even Saudis don’t recognize it amid the changes and transformations happening every day.”
Safer Tourism
29.05.2024 - 13:03 / traveldailynews.com / Vicky Karantzavelou
Independent charity dedicated to preventing harm to UK travellers explores Holiday Head phenomenon, explaining why people take more risks when they travel. Three in four travellers more open to new experiences on holiday, and trying things they wouldn’t at home.
LONDON, UK – Independent charity, the Safer Tourism Foundation revealed the findings from the inaugural Travel Behaviours Risk Index*, a new measure of UK travellers’ risk perceptions and behaviours on holiday. Chief among the findings; 76 percent of travellers are more open to new experiences on holiday and to trying things they would not try at home.
The Travel Behaviours Risk Index is based on a survey of 2000 UK travellers, conducted by OnePoll and reveals how risk perception influences destination choice, holiday provider selection and how people behave on holiday. Insights from the inaugural research reflect how optimism biases and social influences all contribute to a phenomenon Safer Tourism dubs ‘The Holiday Head’; the propensity to behave on holiday in ways you wouldn’t at home.
Risk and safety play a part in travel decisions, but outranked by cost, weather, even food
Risk and safety concerns are front of mind when travellers are considering where to go – 4 in 5 travellers (88%) consider low risk and high security as important or very important when they are deciding on a holiday destination. However, when asked to rank their priorities when choosing a destination, risk and security levels are far from the top of the list. Looking at the top 10 priorities, risk levels and the safety of the destination comes in 8th, behind other criteria such as cost, destination type, weather, accommodation, food and ease of access.
Holiday head at play? Yes. When asked directly if safety and risk are important criteria for destination selection, respondents overwhelmingly tell us they are. But once enjoyment factors are factored in – such as weather, food and accommodation standards – the rational mind takes a back seat.
While accidents and safety issues are relatively few and far between, they do happen! In fact, nearly 1 in 10 travellers have experienced some kind of serious incident while on holiday, and the same proportion again report incidents happening to their travel companions.
The Safer Tourism Index reveals the health and safety incidents most frequently reported by travellers, with serious sickness, injuries and allergic reactions topping the list.
Safer Tourism’s own incident data, collected in partnership with Safer Tourism Pledge partners and representative of 7 million outbound UK leisure trips, reveals several incident types occurring due to a mismatch between a traveller’s fitness level or physical capability and the type of
Tourism Minister Bartlett in New York for CTO Caribbean Week
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett arrived in New York City to participate in a series of events and activities for the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week celebrations from June 16 to June 21. While in the USA, Minister Bartlett and senior tourism officials will embark on a strong multi-city marketing blitz that will also take them to Chicago and Dallas.
Boat rentals: The alternative tourism trend that’s taking over Spain
Spanish tourism is booming. According to its National Institute of Statistics, April saw a record 7.8 million visitors enter the country, which received 24 million travellers overall in the first quarter of 2024, up 18 per cent from the previous year.
Geneva Tourism Unveils Inaugural Geneva Food Guide in Collaboration With Expert Sébastien Ripari
Geneva Tourism is delighted to unveil the inaugural Geneva Food Guide, produced in collaboration with Sébastien Ripari, a Geneva-born international gastronomic expert and food consultant. Developed to highlight Geneva’s authentic and diverse culinary culture, the Geneva Food Guide was launched at a high-profile press conference early this morning. Designed to be a trusted companion for locals and guests to the city, an initial 170 restaurants were tried and tested to select the very best of Geneva’s gastronomic offering, with the final edition of the Geneva Food Guide showcasing 60 recommended establishments personally tested and approved by Ripari. Providing visitors with an opportunity to discover Geneva’s diverse gastronomic scene, the Guide’s carefully curated recommendations will ensure that even the most discerning of foodies enjoy their stay in the city, with hidden treasures to suit every taste and budget.
Asia Pacific Tourism Recovery a Mixed Picture, But Visa Easing and More Air Capacity Would Help
New consumer preferences and habits have emerged in the first half of 2024 in an Asia Pacific tourism sector which is recovering from the pandemic years in an uneven manner.
ATTA launches the ATTA for Action Awards to spotlight meaningful impact in tourism across Africa
The African Travel and Tourism Association introduces the ATTA for Action Awards to honor organizations excelling in sustainable and impactful tourism practices across Africa.
Travel & Tourism set to contribute to the Canadian economy
Canada’s Travel & Tourism sector is poised for a record-breaking year, with economic contributions expected to hit $182bn. and significant job growth across the country.
Regenerative Tourism: What Is It? What Are the Challenges?
Regenerative tourism has been the subject of much excitement over the past few years, but also plenty of skepticism – understandable given the travel industry’s history with greenwashing.
Travel and tourism sector deal activity down by 13.5% YoY in January-April 2024, finds GlobalData
The travel and tourism sector observed a 13.5% decline in deal volume from January to April 2024, with 217 deals compared to 251 in the same period last year.
Companies seen hiring for roles to lead sustainable practices in travel and tourism industry, finds GlobalData
The travel and tourism industry is incorporating ESG-focused roles, reflecting a strategic shift towards sustainability and environmental stewardship in operations and supply chains.
Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department launches new "Find Yourself in Oklahoma" campaign
Partnership with local Oklahoma artists and creators to produce stop-motion animation campaign drives tourism economic impact, investment in the state
Buddie: Revolutionizing tourism in Saudi Arabia with cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices
Buddie, a new AI-driven digital platform, aims to revolutionize Saudi Arabia’s tourism by offering personalized, sustainable travel experiences tailored to individual needs and preferences.