Tourism & Aviation
Tourism and aviation news — covering travel technology, airline updates, Saudi tourism developments, and hospitality innovations in the Kingdom and the region.

Dubai South Business Aviation Soars: 7% Growth in H1 2024
Dubai, UAE, 15 August 2024: The Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South continues to achieve outstanding private jet movements, with 8,472 movements in the first six months of 2024, a growth of 7% over the same period in 2023. This achievement reflects the growing maturity of the business aviation ecosystem. It reinforces Al […]

SalamAir launches a 3-day sales campaign: ” Low Fare- Mega Sale” to Oman, starting from OMR 19, targeting GCC nationals and residents.
SalamAir, The Low-Cost Airline of Oman, is pleased to announce the launch of its new promotion, Low Fare- Mega Sale. This promotion offers low fares in the GCC region for travelers who want to experience Oman’s beauty and culture during Autumn and Winter. The promotion is available from Bahrain, Baghdad, Dubai, Doha, Dammam, Fujairah, Kuwait, […]

Nova M Hotel Olaya Riyadh – the first Edge by Rotana to open in KSA
Riyadh, KSA, 29 July 2024 – Nova M Hotel Olaya Riyadh, an Edge by Rotana hotel, is set to open its doors in the last quarter of 2024. Centrally located on the renowned Al Olaya Street, the new property will be a prime destination for both business and leisure guests, offering convenience, modern amenities, and exceptional […]

Riyadh Air and NTSC Drive Towards a Sustainable Future with Electric Bus
Riyadh, KSA, August 8, 2024 In a groundbreaking initiative, Petromin National Transportation Solutions Company (NTSC), a division of the Petromin Corporation has partnered with Riyadh Air to provide this new digitally native airline with all of their sustainable mobility needs. The first step in that collaborative endeavor was the handover of the first electric coach bus […]

Wego Shares Travel Tips for the best Saudi Family Holidays
Jeddah: Wego, the number 1 travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), brings you the best travel tips to plan your family holiday. Traveling is undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable experiences one can have, allowing us to explore new places, cultures, and cuisines. Wego understands […]

Smart Zone Hotel Company Signs with Marriott International to Open The Latest Marriott Hotel in stc Square
Smart Zone Hotel Company, a joint venture between Taiba Investments and Smart Zone Real Estate Company, sealed an agreement with Marriott International to operate a new Marriott Hotel in stc Square. This joint venture was initially formed between Dur Hospitality and Smart Zone Real Estate Company, with Dur Hospitality now being acquired by Taiba Investments. Expected to […]

Address Jabal Omar Makkah to Host a Vibrant Bazaar
Taking place on Thursday, August 1st from 4 PM to 11 PM, the luxury destination in the heart of the holy city beckons guests to browse an enticing array of charming, handcrafted items, souvenirs, and fashion before savouring exquisite bites and refreshments Makkah, Saudi Arabia (24 July 2024): Prepare to experience the unique allure of a charming […]

ALULA RECOGNISED TWICE IN TIME’S 2024 ‘WORLD’S GREATEST PLACES’ AWARDS
The destination has secured two of the top 100 spots on the list, showcasing its high-quality, culturally rich, and sustainable tourism offerings. Image: Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla has been selected as one of TIME’s top 100 “World’s Greatest Places” 2024 list. ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA (July 25, 2024) — TIME, the global media organisation based in the […]

Saudi Arabia Leads GCC Travel Growth to India: Wego Reports 40% Increase in Flight Searches
Wego, the number 1 travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) revealed the growing travel interest to India in the first half of 2024. Wego’s data from January to June 2024 showed a 40.71% YoY increase in searches for international flights to India. International flight searches […]

Lumi inaugurates two motorcycle rental branches in Riyadh and Jeddah
Lumi launches first brick-and-mortar motorcycle rental outlets in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; July 22, 2024: Lumi, a leading mobility provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has announced the grand opening of its first motorcycle rental branches in Al Urubah, Riyadh and AlNahda district, Jeddah. The openings were attended by bike aficionados […]

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Issues Travel Advisory Amid Global Aviation IT Outages
19 July 2024, Abu Dhabi, UAE: Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is monitoring closely the ongoing situation with IT outages due to a third-party provider affecting the aviation sector worldwide. We advise that all passengers arrive at the airport at least three hours before their scheduled departure time. Our teams are working closely with the relevant stakeholders across […]

Disneyland Paris ® Sets GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Title for the Largest Aerial Display of a Fictional Character Formed by 1,571 Drones
July 15, 2024 – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Disneyland Paris made history by accomplishing a remarkable feat: setting a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for orchestrating “the largest aerial display of a fictional character formed by multirotors/drones,” during Bastille Day celebrations on the evening of July 14th. A staggering 1,571 drones illuminated the night sky, creating a breathtaking […]

Unwind and Explore: Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa Invites GCC Families to a Rejuvenating Summer EscapeA teens’ Holiday Camp, a brand-new sleep wellness offering, and enticing added benefits await holidaymakers this Summer
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – June 2024 – Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa, an all-pool villa haven nestled amidst the breathtaking natural seascapes of the Indian Ocean, invites GCC families to embrace the joy of relaxation and the spirit of adventure this summer with a slew of experiences designed to inspire playful discoveries and […]

Najm announces the success of its operational plan for Hajj Season 1445 AH
Riyadh, June 24, 2024 The CEO of Najm for Insurance Services, Mr. Mohammed Yahya Al Shehri, expressed his gratitude and congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, and Prime Minister, on the occasion of […]

AIR TRANSPORT INDUSTRY IMPROVES BAGGAGE HANDLING DESPITE SURGE IN PASSENGER TRAFFIC, SAYS SITA
AI for data analysis and computer vision tech in automated baggage handling are key for smooth operations as baggage volumes grow SITA, the global leader in technology solutions for the air transport industry, today announced an improvement in the air transport industry’s rate of mishandled baggage. The newly launched SITA Baggage IT Insights 2024 reports the number […]

Akasa Air expands its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; commences operations from Riyadh
Launches daily direct flights connecting Riyadh with Mumbai In line with Saudi Arabia’s aim of tripling air passenger numbers by 2030 Riyadh is Akasa Air’s second destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia RIYADH, Saudi Arabia–(BUSINESS WIRE/AETOSWire)– Akasa Air, India’s fastest-growing airline, commenced operations from Riyadh, connecting it to Mumbai with daily direct flights. The […]

Front End spearheads the historic air taxi trial in Saudi Arabia
The successful demonstration paves the way for future implementation of smart mobility solutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Middle East, 14 June 2024: Front End, a leader in integrating advanced technology across sectors, is proud to announce that the company enabled a successful demonstration of the first unmanned air taxi trial in Mecca, supported by […]

AIR TRANSPORT INDUSTRY IMPROVES BAGGAGE HANDLING DESPITE SURGE IN PASSENGER TRAFFIC, SAYS SITA
AI for data analysis and computer vision tech in automated baggage handling are key for smooth operations as baggage volumes grow GENEVA – 13 June 2024 – SITA, the global leader in technology solutions for the air transport industry, today announced an improvement in the air transport industry’s rate of mishandled baggage. The newly launched SITA Baggage […]

Sabre Appoints Hasan Qannati to Head Business Development across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia and MANAMA, Bahrain – June 12, 2024 – Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a leading software and technology provider that powers the global travel industry, today announced the appointment of Hasan Qannati as the Head of Business Development and Strategic Sales for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This strategic appointment underscores Sabre’s commitment to the […]

Najm Announces Its Operational Plan for Hajj Season 1445 AH / 2024
The plan aims to enhance the pilgrims’ safety. Riyadh, June 11, 2024 Najm has announced its operational plan for this year’s Hajj season, 1445 AH. The plan aims to enhance traffic safety in the holy sites and provide comfort for the pilgrims to perform their rituals easily and safely. It ensures their safety from the […]

Study: Effectiveness of Saudi Measures in Limiting the Impact of Heat on Pilgrims’ Health
Riyadh, June 9 A recent study led by the Research & Innovation Centre at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) has demonstrated the effectiveness of preventive measures implemented by Saudi Arabia in mitigating the health risks associated with high temperatures on pilgrims during Hajj. Despite an average temperature increase of 0.4 degrees Celsius per […]

RIYADH AIR AND EGYPTAIR SIGN MOU AT IATA AGM TO OFFER GUESTS GREATER BENEFITS AND CONNECTIVITY
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 8, 2024 – Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new digitally native airline, has signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EGYPTAIR, the country’s national carrier, based out of Cairo, to offer guests of both airlines a wide range of exclusive benefits when traveling between Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other key destinations, at […]
