When it opens, Egypt’s new billion-dollar Grand Egyptian Museum is already set to be the world’s largest archaeological museum and the largest museum dedicated to a single civilization. However, Egyptian officials are hoping to sprinkle the lead-up to the museum’s grand opening with some publicity derived from a few other “firsts.” The Egypt Independent reports […]
Four new Saudi cultural heritage museums set to open around the kingdom
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has announced the completion of four new Saudi history and heritage museums to be opened around the kingdom in 2020. These will be the first of 13 new cultural museums slated to be established in Saudi Arabia as part of the country’s National Transformation Program 2020. […]
Visionary Emirates Airlines leader to retire after 35 years
Emirates Airlines has announced that its longtime visionary leader, Tim Clarke, will retire form his role as CEO of the company in June of 2020. Clarke has been at the helm of Emirates for more than 30 years, helping to transform the airline – and Dubai itself – from an upstart project to the global […]
Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi, Minister of Tourism
H.E. Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi is Oman’s Minister of Tourism, a role he has held since 2012. He previously served the Sultanate of Oman in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an ambassador to several countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe. H.E. Al Mahrizi has once again offered up his highly experienced viewpoints in […]
Transavia is the latest addition to the growing list of low-cost air carriers serving Jordan
Jordan has welcomed the inaugural flight of yet another low-cost European airline now servicing the kingdom – Transavia. The Netherlands-based carrier, owned by Air France-KLM Group, made its debut in the Jordanian market beginning with a route from Lyon, France to Amman. The arrival of Transavia is only the latest development in a deliberate strategy […]
First US mega cruise ship arrives in Doha
When one normally thinks of mega cruise ships, itineraries including the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia often come to mind. But US cruise line company Royal Caribbean has added a new port of call to the itinerary of its mega ship Jewel of the Seas – Doha. With 12 passenger decks teeming with thousands of […]
Oman’s historical economic ties to China on display at two-day conference in Muscat
It is no secret that China is expanding its influence around the world, including in Africa and the Middle East. And with China’s recent Belt and Road Initiative, the focus on strengthening ties between Asia’s largest economy and smaller, resource-rich countries around the globe is also growing. In this vein, Oman’s National Records and Archives […]
The Grand Egyptian Museum
Bottom Line Up Front: Unconfirmed reports suggest that a grand opening ceremony could take place some time in or around October, 2020. Some of the GEM’s rooms, halls, and facilities may remain unfinished until 2021, while the main parts of the museum are opened up following the official ceremony in what may be termed another […]
Abu Dhabi hosts inaugural conference on tourism data analytics
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism hosted the first annual Tourism and Data Analytics Forum on December 15, 2019. The event featured a marquee lineup of speakers offering insights from across the tourism, retain, and tech industries. The conference began with opening remarks from HE Saif Ghobash, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture & […]
Doha Forum participants discuss insulating tourism from geopolitical turmoil
At this year’s Doha Forum, amid broader discussions on secuirty, economics, and diplomacy, represetnatives from Jordan, Qatar, and Tunisia took the stage to discuss ways that tourism industries can thrive despite the ongoing challenges that the region is dealing with. Panelists included HRH Princess Dana Firas, President of the Board of the Petra National Trust; […]