Tourism & Aviation
Tourism and aviation news — covering travel technology, airline updates, Saudi tourism developments, and hospitality innovations in the Kingdom and the region.
Saudi Arabia International Leisure Tourism Set to Grow 93% by 2030
Saudi Arabia’s international leisure tourism is projected to grow 93% by 2030, driven by luxury travel demand and major hospitality expansion in Riyadh.
Almosafer Report Details Saudi Travel Trends Across the First Seven Months of 2026
Almosafer has released its 2026 travel trends report, showing that domestic bookings accounted for 46% of total volume alongside rising adoption of AI search and fintech payments.
Red Sea Global Opens Nammos Resort AMAALA in Saudi Arabia
Red Sea Global has officially opened Nammos Resort AMAALA, introducing 110 guest rooms and 20 private residences along the Triple Bay coastline.
Red Sea Global Opens Equinox Resort AMAALA in Saudi Arabia
Red Sea Global has opened Equinox Resort AMAALA in Saudi Arabia, marking the brand’s first international location outside the United States.
NTT DATA and Red Sea Global Form Strategic Partnership for AI and Smart Cities
NTT DATA and Red Sea Global have signed a strategic partnership to develop AI-driven smart city, infrastructure, and hospitality solutions in Saudi Arabia.
Nammos Resort AMAALA Welcomes First Guests on Saudi Red Sea Coast
Nammos Resort AMAALA has officially welcomed its first guests in Saudi Arabia, featuring 110 rooms and villas on the Red Sea coast.
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Uber Named Official Ride-Hailing Partner for Six Flags and Aquarabia in Qiddiya City
Uber has been named the official exclusive ride-hailing partner for Six Flags and Aquarabia Qiddiya City, providing dedicated visitor pickup locations.
Webook.com Launches Tour Package Visa Integration for Seven Countries
Webook.com has launched the tour package visa service for travelers from seven countries, bundling flights, hotels, and entry permits in one booking.
Saudi Passports Directorate Showcases Contactless E-Gate at LEAP 2026
Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports presented a touchless e-gate at LEAP 2026, enabling palm-scan border clearance without physical documents.
Almosafer Selects RISE with SAP on AWS Cloud for Digital Expansion
Almosafer announced plans to migrate its enterprise resource planning systems to RISE with SAP on AWS to support operational scale and tourism growth.
Qatar Airways Resumes Services to Four Saudi Destinations for Winter Season
Qatar Airways is resuming services to Qassim, Taif, Yanbu, and Tabuk, bringing total operations to over 155 weekly flights to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Communications Minister Details 99% Coverage and 2028 Network Targets
Communications Minister Al-Swaha reported 99% basic telecom coverage in Al-Baha and Asir, outlining 2028 expansion targets for 5G and fiber networks.
Vista Data Shows Executive Mobility Shifting Toward Shorter Lead Times in Saudi Arabia
Vista analysis shows booking lead times dropped to 7.1 days in 2026 as Saudi business leaders demand flexible flight options across global markets.
Google AI Mode Adds Travel Planning and Booking Tools
Google AI Mode has added flight price tracking across 180 countries alongside conversational hotel bookings and reward point calculations.
Visa Tests First Live International Card Transaction in Syria
Visa conducted its first live international card transaction test in Syria on August 27, 2026, collaborating with Fransabank Lebanon and Paymera.
Alshaya Group Opens First Chipotle Restaurant in Riyadh
Alshaya Group has opened the first Chipotle restaurant in Saudi Arabia at Sidra in Riyadh, expanding the brand’s GCC presence to 17 locations.
SalamAir Establishes Salalah’s First-Ever Airline Base in Dhofar
SalamAir has established Salalah’s first-ever airline base, expanding direct international connectivity and flight operations from the Governorate of Dhofar.
Tourism Development Fund Names Mashail Mohammed Alkarni as Official Spokesperson
The Tourism Development Fund has named Mashail Mohammed Alkarni as official spokesperson to oversee media engagement and strengthen institutional communications.
Budget Saudi Launches Auto World Into Short-Term Car Rental Market
Budget Saudi has launched short-term car rental services for individuals through Auto World, expanding its fleet operations ahead of major international events.
Qatar Airways Equips 150 Widebody Aircraft With Starlink
Qatar Airways has equipped 150 widebody aircraft with Starlink, introducing the technology to its Boeing 787-9 fleet as rollouts continue through 2026.
Vietnam’s Da Nang Tops Rising Saudi Summer Destinations with 117% Flight Search Growth
Wego data reveals a 117% increase in flight searches for Vietnam’s Da Nang as Saudi travellers turn toward secondary coastal cities for summer 2026.
King Khalid International Airport Begins First Phase of Silent Airport Project in Riyadh
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has started phase one of its Silent Airport initiative at Terminal 5, shifting flight announcements to digital screens.