Tag Archives: Saudi Arabia

Akasa Air announces International Flights to Kuwait & Saudi Arabia

 

Akasa Air is set to broaden its horizons with plans to commence flights to Kuwait, Riyadh, and Jeddah by the close of October this year. This ambitious move follows closely on the heels of the airline’s inaugural overseas service to Doha earlier this month, signaling a robust appetite for international expansion.

Vinay Dube, the Founder and CEO, Akasa Air, expressed unwavering confidence in the airline’s international prospects, citing India’s vast potential as a key driving force. In an interview with PTI conducted on Thursday, Dube articulated the company’s eagerness to tap into the burgeoning opportunities presented by international routes.

Equipped with a fleet comprising 24 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, Akasa Air is poised to kickstart its international journey on March 28th with the launch of a Mumbai-Doha flight service. The airline plans to operate this route four times a week, marking a significant milestone in its foray into international aviation.

With its strategic expansion strategy, Akasa Air aims to not only bolster connectivity between India and key destinations in the Middle East but also to cater to the growing demand for air travel in the region. By leveraging its modern fleet and customer-centric approach, the airline is primed to carve a niche for itself in the competitive international aviation landscape.

As the global aviation industry gradually rebounds from the challenges posed by the pandemic, Akasa Air’s proactive approach towards international expansion underscores its commitment to meeting the evolving needs of travellers while seizing emerging opportunities in the market. With a clear vision and a robust operational framework in place, the airline is poised to chart a course towards sustainable growth and success in the dynamic realm of international air travel.

Source: PTI

Visa application volume from Mumbai sees 30% YoY growth in 2023, recovers to 90% of pre-pandemic level

Visa application volumes from Mumbai in 2023 remained strong and closed in further to the pre-pandemic levels with restoration of travellers’ confidence to explore global destinations. According to VFS Global, the visa application volume from Mumbai registered a 30% year-on-year growth in 2023. When compared to the pre-pandemic numbers, visa application volumes from Mumbai reached 90% of the 2019 levels.

The demand pattern in Mumbai was in line with the overall growth trend registered in India, which saw a 16% year-on-year in visa applications in 2023. In comparison to the pre-pandemic numbers, visa application volumes from India reached 93% of the 2019 levels.

“We continued to witness robust demand from India and the entire South Asia region in 2022 which led to an extended peak outbound travel season with steady volumes witnessed throughout the year. We remain committed to providing exceptional customer service through technology-led, seamless, highly secure and reliable solutions,” said Sharad Gowani, Head – West India, VFS Global.

Gowani added that applicants must of wary of fake websites/social media pages impersonating VFS Global and selling appointments in exchange of money. “Appointments are free and available only on www.vfsglobal.com on first come; first serve basis. As a responsible service provider, we will continue to create awareness against the menace and urge applicants to plan their travel early.”

A few of the popular destinations preferred by travellers from India in 2023 were Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, UK, US (in alphabetical order).

Strong demand for personalised services continued to be a defining trend in the 2023 visa application patterns as well. VFS Global recorded a strong uptick in customised services such as the Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD) service that empowers applicants to complete their entire visa application submission process from the comfort of their homes or any other location of their choice. Through this premium service, customers can submit their applications, enroll for biometrics, and get their passport couriered back to their location of choice. VAYD bookings in 2023 in India registered around five-fold increase when compared to 2019. VFS Global offers VAYD services for 16 countries in India – Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Switzerland, and UK.

Similarly, the demand for Premium Lounge, an optional service which provides end-to-end personalised assistance with visa application submission from the comfort of a lounge, is rising with the rise in application volumes. Another service named Prime Time, which allows visa application submission outside of working hours and even on weekends, has seen a healthy adoption since pandemic.

Please note that all these premium services are optional and has no bearing in expediting applicant’s visa process or favourable decision-making.

“We continue to see a healthy adoption of contactless and personalised services such as VAYD and Premium Lounge by discerning travellers post the pandemic due to health considerations. These services enhance the overall experience for applicants by offering them greater comfort and convenience when submitting their visa applications. We foresee higher demand for such premium services prioritising safe travel this year as well,” added Gowani.

Saudi Arabia to celebrate 100 million tourists milestone at ITB Berlin

Saudi Arabia kicks off its participation in the world’s premier travel expo, ITB Berlin, with a significant event to commemorate its monumental success of attracting over 100 million visitors in 2023, achieving this goal a remarkable seven years ahead of its projected timeline.

For the second consecutive year, Saudi Arabia has made a return to ITB, this time with a contingent exceeding 55 partners, spearheaded by His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), alongside prominent figures and entities from Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, including destination management companies, hotel chains, and airlines. Building on the momentum of being named “best exhibitor” at the previous year’s event, His Excellency Al-Khateeb, together with collaborators and attendees, inaugurated Saudi Arabia’s most dynamic and engaging exhibition space to date, poised to be the highlight of its ITB 2024 showcase. Over the course of the three-day exhibition, Saudi Arabia aims to promote its exceptional tourism opportunities available throughout the year to the European audience, foster new and existing trade relationships, and commemorate the continuous significant growth of its tourism industry.

This announcement follows the country’s achievement of a significant milestone in 2023, where it exceeded the goal of welcoming over 100 million domestic and international tourists, surpassing the initial target outlined in Vision 2030 well in advance. This achievement has not only set Saudi Arabia on a fast track towards its new goal of attracting 150 million tourists by 2030 but has also reinforced its status as a leading tourism destination. In light of this achievement, His Excellency Al-Khateeb is set to host a celebratory event titled “Breaking Records, Building Bridges,” aimed at gathering leading figures from the international tourism industry alongside esteemed guests to highlight Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector’s impressive growth and potential for future collaborations. This event, scheduled to take place later today on the margins of ITB, will further emphasize the exceptional partnership opportunities available in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking on the milestone achievement, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority, said, “Saudi’s expanded participation this year’s ITB Berlin reflects our tremendous growth, as we celebrate a milestone of achieving over 100 million tourists in 2023. This achievement is not merely a number, but a testament to our unwavering commitment, our ability to inspire investment commitments into the tourism sector, and the collaborations made across the Saudi tourism ecosystem as a whole, which has propelled us forward as one of the world’s most dynamic destinations.”

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Board Member of the Saudi Tourism Authority said, “Following on from the success of being named best exhibitor at last year’s event, we’re delighted to be back at ITB with an even bigger and more immersive stand. It’s a reflection of the importance of the European market for Saudi as we accelerate progress towards our new increased target of 150 million tourists by 2030. In 2023, Saudi welcome over 950k visitors, marking an increase of 65% compared to 2022 levels. The increase from Germany tourists alone to Saudi was a 61% increase compared to the previous year, showing the developed appetite for Saudi as a destination.”

Saudi Arabia unveils education visa programme to attract international students

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has unveiled an educational visa programme aimed at international students aspiring to study in the Kingdom.

Announced during the recently concluded Human Capacity Initiative conference in Riyadh, the “Study in Saudi Arabia” visa programme is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Implemented through the dedicated “Study in Saudi Arabia” platform, prospective international students can easily access the visa application process. The platform offers a diverse array of study options, ranging from short-term courses to comprehensive academic programs, catering to a wide range of academic interests and career aspirations.

Beyond facilitating academic pursuits, the platform also aims to cultivate academic and cultural collaboration, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s overarching vision outlined in Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritises the development of the education sector and the attraction of global talent.

Saudi Arabia targets tourism growth with investment incentive

 

A senior official has announced an initiative set to enhance Saudi Arabia’s business landscape, project viability, and land accessibility. Known as the “Hospitality Investment Enablers,” this initiative, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, aims to optimise business operations and fortify project success, according to Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism.

The unveiling of this initiative took place during the opening remarks of the “100 Million Welcomes Celebration” in Riyadh, with Al-Khateeb emphasising its importance. He explained, “These strategic enablers are designed to enhance business operations and project viability, facilitating access to government-owned land under favorable terms, streamlining project development processes, and minimising barriers to market entry.”

As part of the streamlined investor journey, Al-Khateeb revealed plans to launch the Tourism Investment One Stop Shop later this year, in collaboration with the Saudi Business Center. This centralised platform aims to provide investors with comprehensive resources for conducting tourism-related business seamlessly.

Highlighting the burgeoning tourism sector, Al-Khateeb noted that the Kingdom hosted a total of 106.2 million tourists in 2023, a remarkable 56% increase compared to 2019 and a 12% rise from 2022. He underscored the economic impact, with tourists spending over SR250 billion (USD 66 billion) in 2023, contributing 4% to the gross domestic product.

Al-Khateeb emphasized the positive impact of tourism on local communities, promoting cultural exchange and showcasing Saudi hospitality. He announced the Saudi Tourism Excellence Award, aimed at recognising local tourism and hospitality professionals for their contributions, fostering innovation, and maintaining high industry standards.

Notably, there was a 390 percent increase in demand for tourism activity licenses in 2023. Al-Khateeb emphasised ongoing achievements in Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector, including giga projects such as NEOM, Red Sea Project, AMAALA, AlUla, and Qiddiya. To support these initiatives, the Tourism Investment Enabler Program was introduced to simplify doing business in the Saudi tourism sector and enhance competitiveness.

Al-Khateeb revealed that tourism license fees were restructured to better suit investors’ needs, resulting in a nearly 22% reduction in annual government fees. He acknowledged the collaborative efforts of government partners, global organisations like UN Tourism and the World Travel and Tourism Council, the private sector, and investors in achieving remarkable success in the tourism sector.

ATM to focus on Indian outbound with market forecast to reach USD 143.5bn

In anticipation of the Indian outbound market reaching a USD 143.5 billion annually by the end of the decade, the 31st edition of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is set to put the a spotlight on the burgeoning Indian tourism sector. Scheduled to take place from May 6-9 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2024 aims to delve into the dynamics propelling India’s outbound travel boom.

A report by booking.com and McKinsey reveals that 70 per cent of Indians travelling overseas prefer nearby destinations, with one-third opting for the Middle East. The UAE emerges as the top regional choice, closely followed by Saudi Arabia. Notably, India stands out as Dubai’s premier source market, contributing 1.9 million visitors in the first 10 months of 2023, while Saudi Arabia aims to attract 7.5 million visitors by 2030.

Before the pandemic in 2019, Indians embarked on 26.9 million overseas trips. The report predicts a substantial increase, projecting 50 million departures by 2030, showcasing the vast potential for growth in India’s outbound market.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director for the Middle East, ATM, attributes the surge in outbound travel to India’s expanding middle class. The report indicates that due to rapid economic growth, the number of households with annual incomes between USD 10,000 and USD 35,000 is expected to rise from 37 million in 2020 to a significant 177 million by 2030. Additionally, households earning over USD 35,000 per annum are anticipated to increase sixfold, from two million in 2020 to 13 million by 2030.

Curtis highlights the youthfulness of India’s population, with a median age of 28, leading the UNWTO to recognise India as one of the top three fastest-growing outbound markets globally. By 2030, India’s total travel expenditure is predicted to reach an impressive USD 410 billion, marking a remarkable 173 perc ent increase from USD 150 billion in 2019.

The proximity of Gulf states, especially Dubai, being just a three-hour flight from Mumbai, has further fuelled the enthusiasm of Indian travellers. Increased connectivity and affordable air travel, particularly from tier-two cities, along with the presence of over 8.5 million Indian expatriates working in the GCC, are contributing factors to the anticipated growth in business travel and bleisure.

A survey by Acko Insurance indicates that the majority of Indian travellers are willing to spend up to USD 7,000 on international trips, adding another layer of excitement for Middle East destinations.

ATM 2024 anticipates a record number of travel professionals representing both outbound and inbound travel to India. The event will provide ample networking opportunities and a chance to explore the Indian travel sector, including a dedicated India Summit titled ‘Unlocking the True Potential of Inbound Indian Travellers.’ The summit, scheduled for May 6th, will delve into the current and future opportunities within this vibrant market.