Saudi Arabia has expanded eligibility for its tourism e-visas and arrival visas beyond its initial list of 49 eligible nationalities to those of other nationalities who currently hold valid tourist visas issued by the US, the UK, or the Schengen-zone countries in Europe. This represents a smart and efficient expansion of Saudi Arabia’s visa program, […]
Three new luxury hotel brands land in Jordan
Over the course of a year and a half, Marriott International has brought three new well known luxury hotel brands to Jordan, including a W Hotel and a St. Regis in Amman and a Luxury Collection property, the Al Manara, in Aqaba. On all three of the new properties, parent company Marriott partnered with the […]
Saudi Arabia opens its doors to mass international tourism
The government of Saudi Arabia has announced that it will open up the country to international tourism for the first time ever as part of a wider initiative to boost the Saudi economy for long-term sustainability and open Saudi society to the global marketplace. Until this major shift in Saudi policy was announced yesterday, the […]
Sheikh Mubarak A M Al Sabah, Chairman of Action Hotels
Sheikh Mubarak is the Founder and Chairman of Action Hotels, where he directs the company’s executive team and overseas implementation of the company’s strategy. He has also spearheaded various other real estate, hospitality, and investment projects across Kuwait and the Middle East. Sheikh Mubarak sat down for an interview with for Arabian Business where he […]
7,000-year-old settlement in Egypt dwarfs the age of the pyramids
Archaeologists working in northern Egypt near Tel el Samara have uncovered evidence of a civilization that pre-dates the world-famous pyramids of Giza by at least 2,500 years. As EgyptTravelBlog.com notes, knowledge of some type of ancient settlement in the area is not new, but confirmation of the archaeological site’s extraordinary age is a more recent […]
Oman steps up its luxury hotel game with a new W Hotel in Muscat
Muscat just got a lot trendier with the opening of Marriott International’s newest luxury property in Oman – the W Muscat. The 279-room hotel features all of W Hotels’ classic branded extras, including a pool deck named WET, a spa termed AWAY, and a gym called FIT. This particular W will also feature a rooftop […]
Saudi Arabia opens entire kingdom to Umrah pilgrims
The Saudi Press Agency has announced that a royal decree has been issued authorizing pilgrims who come to kingdom to perform Umrah will now be allowed to travel to all parts of the kingdom on their visits within the validity period of their visa. Previously, those who entered Saudi Arabia on a visa to perform […]
Wadi Rum racks up another another blockbuster film credit with Disney’s remake of Aladdin
As if Jordan’s Wadi Rum desert wasn’t famous enough because of its beautiful daytime landscapes, incredible sunrises and sunsets, and magnificent star-gazing at night, the protected national park in southwestern Jordan continues to build on another of its enviable resume entries – Hollywood star. The area recently landed a role as the desert backdrop of […]
Mary Nazzal-Batayneh, Founder of Landmark Hotels
Mary Nazzal-Batayneh is the Founder and Chairwoman of Landmark Hotels, a Jordanian hospitality company. Born in Beirut and educated in the US, UK, and Jordan, she now combines her business and investment career with her passion for social justice, human rights, and equality. Mary talked spoke with Forbes Middle East about her ongoing ambitions to […]
