Tourism & Aviation
Tourism and aviation news — covering travel technology, airline updates, Saudi tourism developments, and hospitality innovations in the Kingdom and the region.
Emirates NBD partners with VFS Global to empower consumers with exclusive benefits and services
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 14 May 2025: Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Turkey) region, has signed a partnership agreement with VFS Global — the world’s largest visa outsourcing and technology services specialist — to offer consumers across the Kingdom access to exclusive benefits. The agreement was […]
Parsons Selected as Delivery Partner for King Salman International Airport
Parsons has been selected as the Delivery Partner for King Salman International Airport, providing project management services for airfield and landside assets.
Hilton Hotels in Saudi Arabia: A Milestone of 100 Properties
Hilton is on track to open 100 hotels in Saudi Arabia, expanding its luxury, lifestyle, and midscale brands and creating over 15,000 jobs.
Hilton Launches Spark by Hilton in Saudi Arabia, Expanding Premium Economy Hospitality
Hilton debuts Spark by Hilton in Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Aziziyah, offering premium economy hospitality as it nears 100 hotels across the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia to Build 180,000 Hotel Apartments by 2034
Saudi Arabia plans to build 180,000 hotel and serviced apartments by 2034 for the FIFA World Cup, transforming its infrastructure and hospitality sector.
Travel Trends 2025: Wellness, Nature, and Culinary Adventures Lead EEMEA Travel Growth
The Mastercard Economics Institute has released its Travel Trends 2025 report, highlighting key travel patterns in the EEMEA region. Wellness retreats, nature adventures, and global culinary experiences are driving growth, with Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Namibia, and Istanbul emerging as top destinations. The report offers insights into how these trends are shaping consumer preferences across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
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The Region’s Tourism Boom Drives Record Growth in eSIM Adoption
The tourism boom in the GCC has driven a record 20% growth in eSIM adoption across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in 2024. Saudi Arabia recorded a 15% increase in international flight bookings, while the UAE saw a 16% rise in international visitors. This growth has fueled the demand for seamless digital connectivity, making eSIMs the preferred choice for travelers.
Unmissable Summer Dining Offers at Address Jabal Omar Makkah
Address Jabal Omar Makkah presents an array of summer dining offers, including delightful dishes at the Lobby Lounge & Café and 24/7 in-room dining services. Guests can indulge in locally inspired dishes, signature Saudi coffee, and refreshing beverages, making their stay in the Holy City an unforgettable culinary experience.
St. Regis Jeddah: Marriott International Brings Iconic Luxury Brand to Saudi Arabia
Marriott International has signed an agreement to bring the iconic St. Regis brand to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Set to open in 2030, The St. Regis Jeddah will offer luxury accommodations, including 191 guestrooms and suites, five dining venues, and extensive facilities. The project also includes 92 branded residences, enhancing Jeddah’s luxury hospitality landscape in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
WAISL’s AeroWise: A Digital Twin-Powered Integrated Airport Predictive Operations Centre (APOC), showcased at Airport Show 2025, Dubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, May 8, 2025: WAISL’s AeroWise is operational and live at Hyderabad International Airport, showcasing real-world implementation of next-gen airport operations and firmly establishing itself as a leader in digital aviation solutions. AeroWise is the first end-to-end, fully integrated digital twin-powered APOC, covering the Terminal, Airside, and Landside while integrating with over 40 […]
Building a Unified Sky: How Saudi Arabia is Driving Aviation Growth Across the Middle East
Nick Careen, SVP of Operations at IATA, delivered a keynote at Aviation Day MENA highlighting Saudi Arabia’s rapid aviation expansion under Vision 2030. He emphasized the Kingdom’s strategic efforts in infrastructure, digital transformation, and global connectivity, while calling for regional collaboration to overcome regulatory, economic, and geopolitical challenges.
Saudia Partners with Adeera to Boost Benefits of AlFursan Loyalty Program
Further elevating the airline’s loyalty offerings Saudia, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, has signed a strategic partnership with Adeera, the newly launched PIF hospitality management company, during the Arabian Travel Market 2025. Signed by Arved von zur Muehlen, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer at Saudia, and Ahmed Alomair, Chief Brands Officer, this collaboration […]
Air Cargo Demand Grows 4.4% in March
29 April 2025 (Geneva) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for March 2025 global air cargo markets showing: “March cargo volumes were strong. It is possible that this is partly a front-loading of demand as some businesses tried to beat the well-telegraphed 2 April tariff announcement by the Trump Administration. The uncertainty […]
NEXT IN SUMMIT: “MUSEUMS ARE DYNAMIC INSTITUTIONS WITH VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE”
GLOBAL FORUM This summit, organized by ACCIONA Living & Culture, featured key voices from the Middle East, including Arwa Al Ali (Ministry of Culture & Diriyah Biennale Foundation), Noura Al-Maashouq (SAMOCA), Hamad Alhomiedan (Royal Commission for AlUla), and Sean Gaffaney (Ilmi, Misk Foundation), who shared Saudi Arabia’s bold cultural vision with the global stage. RIYADH, […]
Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Development Fund Participates in Expo 2025 Osaka
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 17, 2025: The Saudi Cultural Development Fund (CDF) has announced its participation in Expo 2025 Osaka as part of the Saudi Pavilion, taking place in Japan from April 13 to October 13, 2025. CDF’s presence at the Expo underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing the cultural sector and strengthening its role […]
Amadeus and Omeir Travel Agency’s extended collaboration to innovate and personalize traveler experiences
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Amadeus, a global leader in travel technology, has announced a significant expansion of its collaboration with Omeir Travel Agency, aimed at fostering growth through productivity and advancing seamless travel solutions. The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to providing smart, personalized travel experiences, transforming how we travel over the next few years. With […]
IATA Aviation Day MENA to Focus on Collaboration, Innovation and Harmonization
9 April 2025 (Amman) — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that IATA Aviation Day Middle East and North Africa (MENA) will focus on digitalization, airspace management, sustainability, modern airline retailing and future skills. The event will take place in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 6-7 May 2025, hosted by Saudia. “Aviation is […]
Emirates launches Emirates Courier Express, promising to treat packages like passengers
Dubai, UAE, April 2, 2025 – Backed by almost four decades’ experience in keeping goods and people moving all over the world, Emirates has launched Emirates Courier Express, an end-to-end delivery solution that is set to redefine the express delivery experience. To ensure Emirates Courier Express addressed industry-wide challenges, Emirates worked with various global customers to pilot […]
Protect satellite navigation from interference, UN agencies urge
Aviation, maritime and telecoms agencies raise alarm over increase in jamming and spoofing of satellite navigation systems Geneva, 25 March 2025 – Increasing incidents of interference with aviation, maritime and other satellite telecommunications services mean states must urgently enhance the protection of a critical radio-frequency band, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) […]
Wego Unveils Where Saudi Residents Are Heading This Eid 2025
15.57% Surge in Domestic Travel: How Saudis Are Spending Eid 2025 As Eid al-Fitr 2025 approaches, Saudi travelers are preparing for an extended holiday period, leading to a notable increase in travel activity. Public sector employees will enjoy a holiday from Sunday, March 30, to Saturday, April 5, while the private sector will generally have […]
AIM Congress 2025 Showcases the Future of Mobility within the Future Cities Portfolio with PAL-V, the World’s First FlyDrive Vehicle
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 21 March 2025: AIM Congress 2025, in its 14th edition, will highlight the latest global innovations in the mobility sector under the Future Cities Portfolio, bringing together industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to explore the future of advanced transportation. Among this year’s most prominent participants is PAL-V, showcasing the PAL-V Liberty, the […]
Emirates NBD partners with VFS Global to empower consumers with exclusive benefits and services
Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Turkey) region, has signed a partnership agreement with VFS Global — the world’s largest visa outsourcing and technology services specialist — to offer consumers across the Kingdom access to exclusive benefits. The agreement was signed by Ghassan Najmeddin, Head of Retail […]