Tag Archives: Saudi Arabia

Three airlines start direct flights to Saudia Arabia’s AlUla

In a significant development for AlUla’s travel landscape, three major airlines Gulf Air, Royal Jordanian, and Saudia have announced new flight options, providing enhanced connectivity and accessibility to the luxury boutique heritage destination.

Unlocking access for travellers seeking a unique blend of history, culture, and adventure, Gulf Air, the national carrier for the Kingdom of Bahrain, is expanding its footprint in Saudi Arabia with twice-weekly direct flights between Bahrain and AlUla. These seasonal flights will continue till March 6 and resume from April 10 to 27.

Royal Jordanian Airlines is set to launch direct flights between Amman to AlUla, with the inaugural flight scheduled for February 16. Operating twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, this service will be available until December 22.
Saudia has made AlUla even more accessible to Europe, with the re-launch of its seasonal flights from Paris. The first seasonal flight took off on January 28, and the service will continue until April 28. Flights will operate once a week, every Sunday, offering a convenient and direct link between the enchanting city of Paris and the historical wonders of the Saudi destination.

Rami AlMoallim, VP, Destination Management and Marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said, “The introduction of new flight options connecting AlUla to Bahrain, Amman, and Paris comes as we experience a period of exciting growth and witness demand from global travellers wanting to visit this historic location. These new flight routes not only enhance the connectivity but also opening a gateway for travellers worldwide to experience the captivating charm of AlUla. We believe these new routes will play a pivotal role in fostering cultural exchange and contribute to the growth of AlUla’s tourism, inviting more people to embark on a revitalising journey through our extraordinary destination.”

Current direct flight options encompass services from Dubai through flydubai, and from Doha via the Qatar Airways route. Additionally, travellers can access AlUla through direct flights from Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam via Saudia and flynas.

GCC set to be a top tourist destination, says Qatar Tourism

 

HE Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairperson, Qatar Tourism, declared that the tourism sector across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states stands poised to ascend into prominence as a premier global destination.

During the 8th Meeting of GCC Tourism Ministers hosted at Waldorf Astoria Lusail, he attributed this potential to the region’s strong economy and advantageous investment ecosystem. Highlighting the GCC’s competitive edge, Al Kharji accentuated the area’s financial resiliency and supportive atmosphere for foreign direct investment, along with sophisticated infrastructure encompassing transportation and lodgings, plus a strategically central locale bridging Eastern and Western regions, thus enabling substantial visitor volumes.
Al Kharji remarked, “The GCC can become one of the most significant tourist destinations internationally owing to its progressive infrastructure spanning transit systems, hoteliery, etc. Its pivotal placement connecting the East and the West empowers our respective countries to host considerable quantities of tourists”. Comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, the GCC boasts influential airliners like Qatar Airways and Emirates, which interlink regional attractions with major global gateways.
Notably, Kuwait Airways earned accolades as the globe’s most improved carrier.

Emphasising the burgeoning influence of the tourism domain beyond oil exports, Al Kharji envisioned even broader prospects if united visas materialise and deeper synergies develop amongst GCC members concerning touristic endeavors. “Indeed, the notable accomplishments achieved by the tourism segment in our territories over precedent years render it among the foremost non-petroleum fiscal pillars of our Gulf State. Through introducing collective passport privileges and cultivating supplemental instruments for cooperative tourism advancement amid GCC countries, we may attain extensive socioeconomic progress in our homelands”, he said.

Reiterating the critical function of tourism in broadening the GCC’s earnings portfolio, Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General, HE Jassim Mohamed Al Bedawi, underlined the field’s paramountcy in propelling economic and societal evolution. Stressing intensified partnerships and devising shared tactics to harness the region’s abundant historic, environmental, and sociocultural assets, Al Bedawi asserted, “Clearly, tourism in the Gulf represents a fundamental catalyst for macroeconomic growth and cross-cultural understanding.

Enhanced coordination and crafting common blueprints enable us to maximise our affluent legacy, ecological variety, unique character traits, ultimately uplifting our standing as a preeminent vacation spot on Earth”.

Concurring with these views, Kuwait’s Minister of Media and Culture, HE Abdulraman Badah Al Muteri, reinforced the essential part played by the tourism trade in fortifying steadiness, safety, and flourishing conditions. Citing the necessity to exploit the region’s hereditary wealth, climatic variation, and city planning prowess to amplify appeal as a holiday hotspot, Al Muteri confirmed Kuwait’s resolve to champion concerted initiatives inside the GCC intended to refine the standard and desirability of the tourism sphere.

Ministry of Commerce, Saudi Arabia, signs agreement with VFS Global for visa services

VFS Global, market leader in the outsourced visa and consular services space for gov-ernments, has entered an agreement with the Ministry of Commerce, Saudi Arabia, to provide visa application services through a centre operated within the premises of the Ministry of Commerce headquarters in Riyadh. The agreement was signed in the pres-ence of Eng. Mohammed A. Al. Alwaily, Deputy Minister for Shared Services, Ministry of Commerce.

Through this partnership, VFS Global will cater to about 8000 employees and delegates, as well as per-sonnel of subsidiary government institutions under the Ministry. In keeping with its commitment to mak-ing people’s cross border mobility simple and convenient through highly secure, reliable, efficient, and innovative technology solutions, applicants can also opt for the Visa At Your Doorstep* service to have trained professionals visit a location of choice to complete the visa application process.

Zubin Karkaria, Founder and CEO, VFS Global said, “It is an honour to have entered this strategic partnership with the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Commerce. We are very pleased to offer this dedicated Visa Application Centre service to the employees and associates of the Ministry, to further enhance their visa application experience in a seamless, convenient and secure manner. This partnership further strengthens our commitment to this great nation.”

This partnership adds to VFS Global’s expansive network of collaborations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which includes agreements with Aramco, Neom, and Chambers of Commerce across the country, cementing its position as the trusted partner to client governments, with an extensive global network and reach.

The Red Sea and Amaala appoints Sébastien Carre as Group Head of Hospitality

 

Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and Amaala, has appointed Sébastien Carre as Group Head of Hospitality. In this crucial role, Carre will lead the hospitality function for all RSG destinations and self-operated properties, aiming to enhance Saudi Arabia’s global tourism standing.

With over 30 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Sébastien Carre, a VATEL Hospitality & Tourism Business School graduate, has held prominent leadership roles across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian Ocean, and Pacific Islands. His diverse experience showcases his ability to lead effectively in various markets.

John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global, stated, “This year Thuwal Private Retreat and Shebara will both open to guests. More RSG-operated properties will follow soon after. As this collection of self-operated, luxury hospitality properties move from development into operations, the deep experience Sébastien brings with him, coupled with the innate hospitality that Saudi has long been famous for, ensures we are ready to delight our visitors.”

Before joining RSG, Carre served as Regional Vice President at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, overseeing properties in the Seychelles, Abu Dhabi, Tanzania, Azerbaijan, and South Africa. His leadership roles included a comprehensive reinvention of the brand’s presence in Mauritius, achieving record-breaking results. He has also held leadership roles at Four Seasons in Johannesburg, Sharm El Sheikh, Bora Bora, Provence, and Washington DC.

This strategic addition to the RSG team aligns with the company’s commitment to bringing in top-tier talent to drive innovation and success in the hospitality sector. RSG plans to hire over 700 hospitality professionals in the next 12 months.

Sébastien Carre, Group Head of Hospitality at RSG, expressed his excitement about the company’s vision and pioneering approach to regenerative tourism. He looks forward to leading the hospitality function, assembling a team of talented specialists, and launching groundbreaking destinations to position Saudi Arabia at the forefront of global tourism.

In 2023, The Red Sea welcomed its first guests, with two hotels now open. The Red Sea International Airport (RSI) has been receiving regular flights since September 2023. Desert Rock, Thuwal Private Retreat, and Shebara are set to welcome their first guests this year. Amaala remains on track to welcome its first guests in 2025, with the completion of the first resorts in Triple Bay phase one, including Corallium and the iconic Yacht Club.

Saudi Arabia unveils its Luxury Train Service

 

Traversing the desert may soon become a more glamorous experience.
The state-owned railway company, Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), has recently entered into a 200 million Saudi riyals (USD 53.33 million) agreement with the Italian hospitality firm Arsenale Group to introduce the inaugural luxury train in the Middle Eastern kingdom.

Since officially welcoming international tourists in 2019, Saudi Arabia has actively pursued initiatives to attract visitors. Described as a historic moment, the Middle Eastern kingdom has continued its efforts to entice tourists.

Among the notable tourism investments, a USD 500 billion model city in the northwest desert of Saudi Arabia stands out in recent years.

Luxury Train Cruise

As per Saudi Arabia’s state-run media, the upcoming train is set to commence operations in late 2025. Known as “Dream of the Desert,” this luxury train will provide “luxury train cruise” experiences from the capital city of Riyadh to Qurayyat, located near the northern border with Jordan, as detailed in a press release issued by SAR last week.

The 1,300-kilometer route will traverse Saudi Arabia’s breathtaking desert landscapes, including the city of Hail.

Designed with inspiration drawn from “Saudi style and tradition,” the “fully-customized” trains, comprising 40 luxury cabins, are currently in the construction phase. Reservations for these unique train experiences are set to open by the end of the year.

The offerings include one or two-night trips, and the trains have a maximum capacity of 82 passengers, as stated by Paolo Barletta, CEO of Arsenale. He expressed anticipation for the debut of the Dream of the Desert carriages, with the initial production stages underway in Italy, and the first train expected to grace the kingdom in the coming years, as per an official statement.

Eco-friendly Option

Saudi Arabia’s entry into the luxury train market aligns with the global trend of growing demand for high-speed trains and indulgent “rail cruises.”

Numerous nations are channeling significant investments, ranging from millions to billions in some instances, towards developing new infrastructure, driven by customers’ increasing preference for sustainable alternatives to short-haul travel and congested highways.

President Joe Biden of the United States has committed USD 30 billion to fund rail projects and enhancements nationwide. Simultaneously, France, as reported by Reuters, aims to fortify its rail network with an investment of approximately EUR 100 billion (USD 106 billion) in train travel by 2040.

The launch of the Saudi service is anticipated to occur roughly a year after the introduction of “Orient Express – La Dolce Vita,” a collaborative venture between Arsenale Group and the Accor Group.

Train travel signifies the more environmentally sustainable option for transportation, enriching journeys to both major cities and small to medium-sized destinations with captivating cultural sites and landscapes,” stated Luigi Corradi, CEO and General Manager of Trenitalia, a division of Italy’s state railway company Ferrovie dello Stato, in a statement.

“The announcement of the imminent arrival of Dream of the Desert follows nearly six years after the inauguration of Saudi Arabia’s Haramain High-Speed Railway in 2018. The Haramain High-Speed Railway links the holy cities of Mecca and Medina with King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.

Investment in Infrastructure

With the capability to propel trains at speeds reaching up to 300 kph (186 mph), the envisioned rail network is anticipated to eventually span the entirety of the Middle Eastern kingdom.

In addition to this, upgrades are underway for existing lines in the country’s northwest, with the promise of more high-speed services in the future.

In January 2022, Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister, Khalid al-Falih, unveiled plans for the construction of an extensive 8,000 kilometers (4,970 miles) of rail across the entire country.

As the Middle Eastern kingdom pursues its ambitions to rejuvenate the tourism sector, diversify its economy, and diminish its dependence on oil revenue, further developments are likely to be disclosed in the upcoming months.

Saudi Arabia is set to inject more than USD 800 billion into the tourism sector over the next decade, with the goal of attracting 70 million international tourists annually by 2030.

Ongoing initiatives include the creation of a new upscale regenerative tourism destination along the Red Sea coast and the construction of the futuristic city NEOM, emerging entirely in the desert of northwest Saudi Arabia. The UNWTO reports a remarkable 56% surge in international arrivals in 2023 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

The Saudi Railway Company is firmly committed to the government’s Saudi Vision 2030 program, which seeks to diversify the country’s economy in the next ten years. Emphasising the tourism and culture sector as a primary objective, the company aligns itself with this pivotal developmental vision.

Bashar bin Khaled Al Malik, CEO of SAR, expresses confidence that Dream of the Desert will be a significant enhancement for the company. He envisions the luxury train providing both visitors and residents with the opportunity to explore various regions of the kingdom within an integrated framework of luxurious transportation services.

It might even aspire to compete with Seven Stars in Kyushu, one of Japan’s most luxurious trains. The answer remains uncertain for now, but SAR harbors high expectations for this concept.

According to Al Malik, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between SAR and Arsenale signifies the initial step toward introducing a novel offering in the tourism market—a luxurious train travel experience.

Etihad Airways adds more flights to India & destinations across Middle East for summer

Etihad Airways is adding more flights to key destinations across the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, during the summer schedule. The airline now offers 27 per cent more weekly departures than last summer.

The national carrier of Abu Dhabi is increasing flights to Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Amman in Jordan, Beirut in Lebanon, as well as Colombo in Sri Lanka, and Kolkata and Bengaluru in India.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said, “These latest flight increases aligned with our seamless and practical connections at Abu Dhabi and our growing global network offer our guests more opportunities to fly where they want to at a time that suits them.

“It also makes it easier to enjoy a fantastic visit or stopover in Abu Dhabi as an integral part of their journey.”