Saudi Begins Developing Towns as More Affordable Tourism Spots

Tourism in the Middle Eastern country of Oman is improving. The Gulf nation was hit hard by Covid and had long struggled to recoup its tourism sector. But government measures are helping.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), the latest global phenomenon, was a major focus at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Caribbean Week in New York, where a Ministerial forum looked at leveraging AI for tourism development. During the discussions, Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett highlighted that this technology will be the new frontier for Caribbean tourism and must be harnessed properly to enable more seamlessness within the industry.

Lifestyle hotels continue to be the must-have item in the hospitality industry.

Ennismore, the fast-growing lifestyle hospitality company that’s an Accor joint venture, said Thursday it had entered into a strategic partnership to run and market as part of its family of brands the experiential luxury hotel brand Our Habitas.

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.”

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.

As the weather warms up you may have started thinking, of the right destination to choose for a cooler escape. Why not consider a vacation to explore an unexpected destination, Saudi, which contrary to preconceptions has average summer temperatures of between 24°C - 78°F - 27 °C/ 84°F in the mountains and along its coastlines.

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in Saudi Arabia, with new records in GDP contribution, sector jobs and visitor spend. Saudi Arabia’s Travel & Tourism sector is now soaring past all previous records, testament to the country’s commitment to becoming a global tourism hot spot.

When my Travel story about Saudi Arabia was published online last week, some readers bristled.

Hospitality as a school subject is likely to start being added in countries across the Gulf as they rush to fill their newly opened hotels. Tourism is a key component of the region’s economy, with areas like Dubai leading the way and Saudi Arabia looking to make tourism its second-largest economic contributor behind oil.

The government of dual-island Caribbean nation St. Kitts and Nevis has signed the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism, committing the country to halving tourism emissions by 2030 and reaching net zero as soon as possible before 2050, said St. Kitts officials in a statement.

Riyadh Air and Singapore Airlines have signed a commercial collaboration agreement on Tuesday, likely one of many such deals for the Saudi carrier as it opts to build a “virtual network” rather than an Emirates-sized fleet.