Flying cars. Robotic dinosaurs. Holographic educators. An artificial moon. These are just a few of the things that are being touted as elements of Neom, Saudi Arabia’s planned futuristic mega resort on the Red Sea. But is all of this Neom talk just well-financed hype designed to draw headlines, peak investors’ curiosity, and induce FOMO? […]
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 […]
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; […]
Saudi Arabia further expands access to its tourism e-visa program
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, […]
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 […]
