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

Shaza Madinah Celebrates International Day of Education with unbeatable offers
Students can scratch 50% off their dining bills all year round (United Arab Emirates, Dubai – January 31st, 2021) – Shaza Madinah, the 5-star luxury hotel situated next to the holy mosque of “Al Masjid Al Nabawi”, recently celebrated the International Day of Education coinciding on January 24. In recognition of the day, Shaza Madinah announced […]

Shaza Makkah gears up for Umra and internal winter tourism
Hotel launches “It’s time to travel” campaign (United Arab Emirates, Dubai – January 31, 2021) – Shaza Makkah, the 5-Star hotel among the first in line hotels in Jabal AlKa’bah to Al Masjid Al Haram, is gearing up to receive the Umra pilgrims as the Kingdom eases travel restrictions. The lovely winter weather is also attracting local […]

MEDAIRE & ICC AOKPASS LAUNCH LIVE PILOT FOR DIGITALISATION OF COVID-19 TEST RESULTS FOR ETIHAD AIRWAYS
Arizona, 26 January 2021 – In collaboration with Etihad Airways, the United Arab Emirates’ national airline, MedAire, an International SOS company, has launched an advanced operational pilot for digitalization pre-departure COVID-19 testing using the ICC AOKpass mobile app. Following the success of an initial pilot for Etihad launched in September 2020 as the world’s first for the air […]

VIRGIN HYPERLOOP UNVEILS PASSENGER EXPERIENCE VISION
Groundbreaking design shows end-to-end passenger experience for the 21st century Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – JANUARY 28th, 2021 – Just months after their first passenger testing, Virgin Hyperlooptoday unveiled its vision for the future hyperloop experience. The newly-released concept video takes the viewer step-by-step through a hyperloop journey, from arriving at the portal to boarding the pod. DP World, the Dubai-based leading […]

KEY ROLE EARMARKED FOR TRAVEL AND TOURISM IN SAUDI ARABIA’S ECONOMIC REBOUND
Oxford Business Group and Saudi Ground Services team up for new Covid-19 Response Report Riyadh, January 2021: Saudi Arabia’s efforts to boost airport capacity as part of a broader bid to make tourism and logistics new engines of growth, are mapped out in a new Covid Response Report (CRR), prepared by the Oxford Business Group (OBG) […]

Royal Commission for AlUla and SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES (SAUDIA) seal partnership for a domestic campaign
SAUDIA Connects Guests to AlUla with Eight- Times-Weekly Flights from Three Gateways: Jeddah, Dammam and Riyadh Jeddah – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia –January 27, 2021: The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, SAUDIA, have signed a SAR 4million memorandum of understanding (MOU) which includes joint marketing and promotional activity to ensure […]

IHG® signs MDA with Ishraq Hospitality to open 8 new Holiday Inn Express hotels across MEA
Agreement will see the debut of the brand in 4 countries 27 January 2021: IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has recently signed a Master Development Agreement (MDA) with Ishraq Hospitality, a division of the Dubai-based Mohamed & Obaid Almulla Group, to develop eight hotels across IHG’s midscale brand, Holiday Inn Express, […]

The future of the passenger experience: Research findings and key considerations
By Kristine Pitts, Director of ExperienceLab Middle East & Rena Baba, UX Consultant, ExperienceLab Middle East. 2020 turned the transport sector on its head. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, cities across the world have enforced restrictions on public transport in order to limit transmission of the virus and ensure public safety. As a […]

Jalabiyas – Epitome of Grandeur, Grace, and Elegance
No other garment symbolizes the heritage of Arabian culture as much as Jalabiyas. The traditional Jalabiyas, hand-crafted by master artisans, trace their origin to ancient times and were loved and treasured by royalty. The grandeur of the spectacular tunics has been documented and preserved by many historians and museums. It is perhaps the most enduring and […]

McDonald’s Saudi Arabia “Chicken McWings” are sourced by Saudi grown chicken from Tanmiah farms
McDonald’s Saudi Arabia, Western and Southern region is proud to announce that Tanmiah, Tanmiah Food Company, one of the top-quality producers of fresh poultry in the Gulf region as a strategic local partner. The delicious Chicken McWings served across all McDonald’s restaurants in the Western and Southern region are from locally sourced chicken, grown in […]

Alstom Innovates Towards a Sustainable Future for Rail Transport & Mobility in Saudi Arabia
January 2021 – Alstom, a global leader in rail transport and sustainable mobility, is proving to be a key supporter and facilitator of Saudi Arabia’s goal to comprehensively enhance the Kingdom’s interconnectivity and the development of major rail and metro projects, in line with its Vision for 2030. Having been an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s history for almost […]

THE ROYAL COMMISSION FOR ALULA LAUNCHES “THE WORLD’S MASTERPIECE” CAMPAIGN IN THE EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF THE SAUDI VISION 2030 TO DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY AND OPENING UP TO TOURISM
ALULA, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, 11 JANUARY 2020: The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) launched the first-ever destination brand campaign for AlUla, the heritage and culture centerpiece of Saudi Arabia, on the 9TH of January 2020. The campaign, developed by RCU with creative partners Leo Burnett, includes a 90 minutes film directed by renowned cinematographer Bruno Aveillan […]

IHG® signs agreement for Holiday Inn Riyadh The Business District
The latest signing supports IHG’s growth ambition in KSA January 11, 2020: IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a Management Agreement with Lina Snacks Foods Company to open Holiday Inn Riyadh The Business District. Building on IHG’s recent signings in KSA, including voco Jeddah North, this latest development supports IHG’s growth ambition in Saudi […]

Shaza Riyadh reveals its exclusive staycation offer Discounted rates and unique guests’ experience.
(United Arab Emirates, Dubai – January 6th, 2021) – Shaza Riyadh, the contemporary luxury 5-star hotel residence situated next to the iconic Al Rajhi Grand Mosque at the heart of Riyadh city, has unveiled its exclusive staycation offer. Aiming to create mesmerizing memories and bringing joy to families, the new package marks the beginning of a new year. […]

Plan your next family staycation at Millennium & Copthorne Makkah Al Naseem
Luxurious facilities at affordable rates for limited time (Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – 28 December 2020) – Millennium & Copthorne Makkah Al Naseem, the two luxurious 5-star hotels located at the heart of Makkah within the Al Naseem district, are pleased to launch their limited-time family staycation package. Providing guests with the opportunity to enjoy […]

du announces #WorldsCoolestWinterChallenge winners
Challenge aims to reflect and celebrate the UAE’s diversity The second phase of the contest runs from Jan. 15-25, 2021 Two grand cash prizes worth Dh50,000 up for grabs H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum posted the winners’ announcement video on his official social media channels Dubai, December 27, 2020 – du, from Emirates Integrated […]

SAUDIA Launched a Mega Brand Campaign
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: 23 December 2020 – SAUDIA has launched a new “Mega Brand” campaign covering 6 weeks on TV, social media platforms, as well as Digital OOH. The campaign communicated the unified equity of very unique 10+ product category portfolio of the brand to its consumers, building on & including its iconic Milk ad of the 1990s. […]

Dur Hospitality inaugurates the Holiday Inn & Suites Al Jubail Hotel
In continuation of its strategy to expand and develop hotel offerings in Saudi Arabia Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (AETOSWire): In line with its rigorous expansion strategy, Dur Hospitality has inaugurated the 4-star Holiday Inn & Suites in Al Jubail Industrial area, adding a new and noteworthy property to its rich lineup of hotels and accommodation offerings spread […]

Al-Awadhi New RVP for Africa and the Middle East
22 December 2020 (Geneva) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Kamil H. Al-Awadhi will be appointed IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and Middle East (AME), effective 1 March 2021. Al-Awadhi succeeds Muhammad Albakri who will become IATA’s Senior Vice-President for Customer, Financial, and Digital Services (CFDS), also effective 1 March 2021. As previously […]

A multi-layered approach to protect passengers is vital to ensure the future of the air transport industry
The aviation industry continues to address the most challenging time in all its commercial history. We are at a point where travel restrictions are gradually easing, and air travel is resuming in varying degrees worldwide. In the past few months, airlines have adjusted their fleet plans to align with an aviation market that has dramatically […]

The hotel industry needs a hug! Introducing The Hotel Junction – a 100% commission free search and discovery platform, offering direct access to guests, increased profitability, and community support
The travel and tourism industry as a whole, has been facing an unprecedented and incredibly challenging time. The Hotel Junction was born out of a desire to support hotel owners and operators get back on their feet and welcoming guests again. Having worked in the business for 30 years, The Hotel Junction founder, set about […]

Huawei selected by Emirates Group Security to build a bespoke digital command and control center
Dubai, UAE – December 21, 2020: Huawei, a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT), has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Emirates Group Security (EGS) to build a digitally-driven Command and Control Centre, incorporating cutting-edge technologies and video cloud solutions to amplify its surveillance and security capabilities. Emirates Group Security – […]
