AZULIK AlUla Resort set to open in KSA by 2027
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) will develop a new resort within the Journey Through Time (JTT) masterplan, designed in harmony with the natural environment and aligned with the Sustainability Charter for AlUla, Saudi Green Initiative, and Vision 2030.
Sustainability defines Middle East’s luxury travel sector
Sustainability is becoming an important consideration within the Middle East’s luxury travel sector, especially in the UAE, where 61 percent of residents are willing to pay a premium for more responsible, eco-friendly and sustainable tourism experiences.
Saudi Arabia unveils its USD 1.5bn railway project
Webuild has signed a contract worth USD 1.5 billion to design and construct 57 km of a high-speed railway in NEOM, along the northern Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s positive investment market outlook
The ambitious goals outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy are supported by more than USD 1 trillion worth of real estate and infrastructural developments, including 315,000 hotel keys. In the next four to five years, the number of hotel keys is likely to almost double to around 200,000, with at least half of the proposed supply becoming operational by 2028 and some existing properties leaving the market to make room for new, more desirable and competitive hotels and resorts.
Shaping the future of travel with data and behavioral science
Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, managing director of Amadeus Gulf, knows a thing or two about global trends and how to leverage them for growth in an ever-changing industry. Here, he unlocks the ways data and behavioral are going to impact the future of travel.
Qatar simplifies its tourist visa procedures with revamped Hayya Platform
Qatar Tourism has revamped its Hayya Platform, inviting tourists who currently need a visa to Qatar to enjoy the country’s famously warm Arabian hospitality and diverse touristic offering.
Egypt on the rise
Egypt’s hospitality market has seen robust growth across the sector driven by the rapid tourism recovery post-pandemic, primarily bolstered by government and private sector economic initiatives, including, but not limited to, the establishment of new reforms and the development of new hospitality products/demand generators. These initiatives, along with strong domestic demand, supported a healthy market recovery. HVS forecasts that the opening of The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) later this year will further induce demand to benefit the hospitality industry across the country. We learn more with Ahmad Yousry Elbeheiry MRICS, associate director of HVS Middle East & Africa.
Four Saudi cities rank high on the IMD Smart City Index 2023
Riyadh has maintained its position as the third Arab city in the IMD Smart City Index (SCI) 2023, which saw the Saudi cities of Makkah, Jeddah, and Madinah included in the observatory for the first time, ranking 4th, 5th and 7th respectively.
An exclusive talk with Berthold Trenkel – the maestro behind Qatar Vision 2030
Berthold Trenkel, COO of Qatar Tourism, has more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry. As a transformational leader spearheading Qatar’s operational and implementation strategy, he provides insights on what the future holds for Qatar and reflects on the overall impact of the 2022 World Cup on the country.
Oman: a unique gem in the GCC
Justin Kenny, consultant at Colliers for the Hotels MENA Region, explains how the sultanate is carving its own identity as an attractive destination with a diverse offering, despite tough competition from its neighbors.