KHALED ALOUD’s Post

Saudi Arabia Invests New Million in 17 Tourism Projects to Transform Al-Ahsa In a move that could significantly reshape the tourism landscape of Saudi Arabia, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb recently announced support for a series of major tourism initiatives in Al-Ahsa, a region poised to become one of the Kingdom’s next prime travel destinations. The minister’s remarks, made during his visit to Al-Ahsa Governorate, signal a concerted effort to drive both regional and international tourism to the area through a series of new projects, valued at over $933 million (SAR 3.5 billion). https://lnkd.in/gvVFacya #SaudiArabia #Invests #millions #tourism #projects #Transform #AlAhsa #tourism #landscape #travel #destinations #regional #traveling #traveladvisor #travelindustry #travelagent TraveLICE TraveLICE Customercare

The numbers don't lie - international travel is booming once again! According to the UNWTO, global tourist arrivals more than doubled in 2022 (+130%). This growth was felt strongly in the Middle East, with countries like Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt seeing impressive gains of 89%. Their GDP also benefited tremendously from the influx of tourists discovering this rich region. 🌅 With vast deserts, stunning coastlines and majestic mountains, the Middle East offers geographical diversity like no other. It's also a hub for cultural tourism thanks to historical sites that trace back centuries. From Petra to the Pyramids, there's cultural wonders around every corner. 🤝 Sustainability is the buzzword in travel today. Studies by Booking.com and Expedia show more travelers choosing eco-friendly options. This trend holds true across the Middle East as well. A Booking.com survey found 61% of travelers were inspired by the pandemic to travel more sustainably. 🤝 For sustainability to truly take root, engaging with local communities through cultural exchanges is key. Responsible tourism ensures a more meaningful experience for all. The Middle East seems to get this - pursuing both environmental purity and cultural richness. Are you planning your next trip to discover this vibrant region? What sustainable practices have you seen or would like to see more of? #TourismGrowth #MiddleEastTourism #SustainableTravel #CulturalTourism #EcoFriendlyTravel #ExploreResponsibly #TravelTrends #ResponsibleTourism #SustainableLiving

🌍✈️ 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 According to Airports Company South Africa’s statistics, Cape Town International Airport has set a new record by welcoming nearly 3.1 million two-way international passengers in 2024, surpassing the 3 million mark for the first time. This achievement reflects a 10% increase compared to 2023 and marks 24 consecutive months of growth in international passenger numbers since January 2023. About 10.4 million two-way passengers passed through the airport’s terminals in 2024, marking a significant 7% increase compared to 2023, with the number of domestic two-way passengers increasing by 6%. This achievement is testament to the strength of our partnership with ACSA, South African Tourism, the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town, Cape Town Tourism, as well as private sector partners, V&A Waterfront, Investec and DHL. It also demonstrates the attractiveness of the Western Cape as a global destination for both business and leisure travel. We are committed to expanding connectivity to our destination further – helping bring the world to Cape Town and the Western Cape. Click here to read more: https://t.ly/AvX6L #CapeTownAirAccess #CapeConfidence #Wesgro Wrenelle Stander Dr Ivan Meyer James Vos Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth David King Paul van den Brink Melissa Yacoob (née Tarr) Sibusiso Maneli Ntombikayise Tima David Snaddon Airports Company South Africa South African Tourism DHL V&A Waterfront Investec Cape Town Tourism City of Cape Town Western Cape Government

#Greece and Saudi Arabia have agreed on initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral relations in the #tourism sector. Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia #AlUla #SaudiArabia #GreekTourism #investments #energy #culture #sports #trade #TourismWorkshops #TravelAgents #TourismCampaigns #HotelEducation #maritimesecurity #shipping #agriculture

The government, represented by the Ministry of Tourism and the Jordan Tourism Board, has signed an addendum to the agreement with Ryanair to resume flights to Amman. This is part of efforts to improve Jordan’s connectivity with key tourist markets. According to the third-quarter report of the Executive Program for Economic Modernization Vision, Ryanair’s flights to Amman will begin in December 2024, marking the start of the 2024/2025 winter season. These flights will be available from six different destinations. Additionally, the route from Paris to Amman has been reactivated since September 2024, with Transavia France operating the flights. The Jordan Tourism Board is also preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ethiopian Airlines, which operates regular flights between Addis Ababa and Amman, with seven weekly departures. The MOU will include hosting familiarization trips to Jordan for travel professionals from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Brazil, along with joint marketing campaigns. #JordanTourism #AmmanFlights #Ryanair #Transavia #EthiopianAirlines #VisitJordan #TravelToJordan #MiddleEastTravel #TourismGrowth #Jordan2024 #ExploreJordan #DestinationJordan #TourismPartnerships #VisitAmman #JordanTravel #JordanTourismBoard #TravelConnections #FlyToJordan #JordanTravelUpdates #MiddleEastDestinations

South African Airways is back with a bang, relaunching its daily flights connecting Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam. This move is expected to strengthen business ties and tourism between South Africa and Tanzania, offering passengers greater convenience and connectivity. The relaunch highlights the airline’s strategic focus on revitalising operations and fostering regional collaboration. It also reflects growing demand for air travel across Africa as economies recover and expand. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dcG_r_jC #SouthAfricanAirways #AviationNews #DailyFlights #JohannesburgToDar #TravelAfrica #TourismBoost #SouthernAfricanTimes #RegionalConnectivity #AirlineRelaunch #AfricanTravel #TanzaniaSouthAfrica #BusinessTravelAfrica #TourismRecovery #AviationTrends #AfricaTourism #FlightConnectivity #EconomicGrowthAfrica #AviationIndustry #PassengerDemand #AirlineInnovation #RegionalCollaboration #AfricaRising #TourismOpportunities #TravelTrends #AviationUpdates #SouthAfricaTanzania #SAARebound #AfricanEconomy

#SaudiArabia is projected to have 320,000 new #hotelrooms by 2030 as the Kingdom ramps up efforts to accommodate an annual influx of 150mn tourists, both domestic and international, according to a report by global property consultancy Knight Frank. This massive expansion of the #hospitality sector is central to achieving Saudi Arabia’s goal of increasing the #travelandtourism industry’s contribution to the economy from nearly 6% to 10% by the end of this decade, the report stated. The analysis comes on the heels of record tourism numbers for Saudi Arabia in 2022, with visitor spending reaching $23.2bn in the first half of 2023 alone - a 132% jump from last year. International arrivals surged 142% year-on-year to 14.6 million in the first six months. https://lnkd.in/e4yY3ChU #tourism #Tourisminsights #pakistan #tourismindustry #AtharJ #ecotourism #sustainabletourism #sustainability #sustainabledevelopment #tourismmarketing #60seconds 

#SaudiArabia has emerged as a leading force in international #tourism, registering the highest growth in visitor numbers among the #G20 countries during the first seven months of 2024. The Kingdom welcomed a remarkable 17.5 million #international #tourists, marking a 73% increase compared to the same period in 2019. This surge in visitors is accompanied by a substantial 207% #growth in international tourism revenues, solidifying Saudi Arabia's position as a major player in the global tourism landscape. ▪️The #impressive #tourism figures build upon the #success of 2023, where the Kingdom saw 27.4 million international tourists, representing a 56% growth compared to 2019. This achievement earned Saudi Arabia the top spot on the #UN's list of major tourist destinations with the highest tourism growth. The #travel item's surplus also reached a #historic SAR48 billion in 2023, reflecting a substantial 38% year-on-year increase. ▪️These accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. The International Monetary Fund (#IMF) praised #SaudiArabia's tourism sector for its unprecedented achievements and its crucial role in diversifying the Kingdom's economic base. Tourism has emerged as a key driver of growth, leading in visitor numbers, spending, job creation, and contribution to the #GDP. The continued rise in tourist numbers underscores the growing confidence in Saudi Arabia's diverse and attractive tourism offerings, solidifying its status as a premier global tourism destination.

GCC Aims for 129 Million Tourists by 2030 with Unified Visa Initiative The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is embarking on a visionary path to transform the region's tourism landscape, setting a target to attract 129 million visitors by 2030. A cornerstone of this ambitious plan is the proposed unified GCC visa, which would enable seamless travel across member states. This initiative stands to redefine regional tourism, promoting easier access and encouraging residents to explore neighboring countries with fewer barriers, fostering a connected and diverse Gulf travel experience. This development represents a strategic move to enhance intra-GCC tourism, with wide-reaching economic and cultural benefits. By simplifying cross-border travel, the GCC is not only expanding opportunities for tourism but also supporting its broader objectives for sustainable growth and diversification. As residents and international travelers gain easier access to the region’s rich heritage, modern attractions, and natural wonders, the GCC is poised to become a top-tier destination on the global tourism map. With integrated policies and streamlined travel experiences, this initiative could set a benchmark for regional cooperation and inspire a new era of tourism in the Gulf. #GCC #TourismGoals #UnifiedVisa #GCC2030 #RegionalCollaboration #TravelIndustry #MiddleEastTourism #EconomicDiversification #SustainableGrowth

🌍 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐦-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to visit several destinations featured in our latest Mastercard-CrescentRating GMTI 2024 rankings. Witnessing firsthand how these destinations are transforming their tourism landscape to accommodate Muslim travelers has been inspiring. Leading non-OIC destinations like #𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 #𝐔𝐊, #𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 #𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 are setting the benchmark by seamlessly integrating Muslim-friendly services, reflecting the growing global recognition of this dynamic market. Emerging destinations like the #𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬, #𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐠, #𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 #𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 are making remarkable progress. From Spain’s efforts to reconnect with its rich Islamic heritage in Andalusia to South Africa’s community-driven initiatives, it’s clear that the Muslim travel market is no longer just an opportunity but a key driver of growth and innovation. These experiences have reaffirmed the importance of collaboration and cultural understanding in reshaping the future of tourism. The possibilities for destinations to innovate and integrate their strategies to attract Muslim travelers are endless—and exciting! Thank you to the stakeholders, industry leaders, and local communities whose efforts are driving this transformation. At CrescentRating and HalalTrip, we look forward to enabling more destinations to build sustainable travel ecosystems and foster connections that transcend cultures. #MuslimFriendlyTourism #GMTI2024 #TravelInnovation #HalalTourism #Inclusion #Sustainability #GlobalTravel