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. […]
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 […]
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; […]
Leisure industry association hosts conference on business opportunities in Kuwait City
The Middle East and North Africa Leisure Attractions Council (MENALAC) hosted networking conference on December 8, 2019 for stakeholders and others interested in Kuwait’s budding tourism and entertainment sector. The one-day event included more than 150 participants from government and industry, including regulators, business owners, developers, attraction operators, suppliers, and contractors. Keynote speeches and panel […]
EgyptAir starts new route to Hangzhou, China
Egypt’s national air carrier EgyptAir has added one more city to its list of destinations in China – Hangzhou. With it’s inaugural flight on November 29th, Hangzhou becomes the latest addition to a list of direct EgyptAir-operated routes from Cairo that already includes Beijing, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. China’s civil aviation authority has also granted approval […]
Britain’s Prince William kicks off Middle East tour in Kuwait
Prince William, second in line to the British throne, has arrived in the Middle East to kick off a series of official visits to Kuwait and Oman to commemorate and strengthen the UK’s ties in the region. The prince, who also holds the title of Duke of Cambridge, began his four-day tour with a desert […]
New mummy discovery lifts hopes for boosting Luxor tourism
A new, extensive, and well-preserved collection of mummies discovered in southern Egypt near Luxor has both archaeologists and tourism officials buzzing with excitement. The cache of 30 mummies encased in colourfully painted wooden sarcophagi is believed to be over 3000 years old and is the largest discovery of mummies in over 100 years. An all-Egyptian […]
