Category: Travel & Explore

As part of the kingdom’s diversification efforts, Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has opened a 1.3 billion Saudi riyal ($346.6 million) entertainment destination in the Aseer region.

The development, called Seven Abha, is the company’s fifth project of this kind in the kingdom. It spans 64,000 square meters and has a built-up area of over 79,000 square meters, Seven announced on Sunday.

It is situated halfway between Abha and Khamis Mushait. Gensler, a renowned international architecture firm, designed it, and Modern Building Leaders has been tasked with completing the construction.

According to Seven, the project is expected to generate “hundreds” of direct and indirect jobs in Aseer by 2030, bring in more than five million visitors, and add more than four billion riyals to the country’s GDP.
As per Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the chairman of the Aseer Development Authority, the Aseer region is “witnessing an unprecedented renaissance across different sectors and verticals”.

“One of the key projects in Aseer that will support our ambition to become a global destination all year round is Seven’s entertainment destination in Abha.”

As part of its Vision 2030 diversification agenda, Saudi Arabia, the largest oil exporter in the world, is changing its economy in an effort to lessen its reliance on oil, support homegrown industries, and create jobs.

A major component of its diversification strategy is tourism, and in an effort to spur industry growth and draw in more capital, the kingdom passed a new tourism law last year.

By 2030, it aims to increase the tourism sector’s economic contribution from 3% to 5% of GDP.

The kingdom is working on several tourism-related projects, such as Qiddiya, a massive entertainment and sports complex in Riyadh, and Neom, a $500 billion futuristic city. On the west coast of Saudi Arabia, the Red Sea Development Company is also constructing a massive tourist complex.

To further aid in the expansion of the kingdom’s tourism industry, the PIF also founded the Saudi Tourism Investment Company, or Asfar, in July.

According to the PIF at the time, the company will make investments in brand-new tourism initiatives and create locations in Saudi Arabian cities that offer lodging, attractions, shopping, and food and drink options.
As part of its mandate to develop the sector, Seven is investing over 50 billion riyals to build 21 entertainment destinations throughout the kingdom.

Fourteen cities—Riyadh, Kharj, Makkah, Jeddah, Taif, Dammam, Khobar, Al Ahsa, Madinah, Yanbu, Abha, Jizan, Buraidah, and Tabuk—are home to the upcoming projects.

Eight attractions total will be available at Seven Abha, including a family-friendly amusement park with rides, arcade games, and virtual reality sections.

It will also feature a 12-hole indoor golf adventure area, a Play-Doh themed entertainment center, and a Discovery Adventures jungle-themed attraction.

Live events will take place at a multipurpose venue. Other features of the project include a 10-lane futuristic bowling concept, indoor e-karting on multilevel tracks, an AMC 10-screen theater, retail stores, and food and beverage options.

For the attractions, Seven has agreements with Cundall, Theme 3, Top Notch, Holofice, Thinkwell, and Sea Quest.

In order to accommodate the increasing demands of digital nomads looking for flexible accommodations while working remotely, hospitality company OYO plans to add 500 vacation homes in Dubai by 2024, with a focus on Downtown, Business Bay, Jumeriah Village Circle, Arjaan, and Dubai Marina.

The new vacation rentals will be dispersed throughout Dubai, guaranteeing easy access to major commercial areas and popular tourist destinations. It encompasses leisure areas like Downtown and Marina as well as business areas like Business Bay, Jumeriah Village Circle, and Arjaan.

OYO is developing vacation rentals in Dubai, such as luxury apartments with views of the Burj Khalifa in downtown Dubai, as well as canal-front vacation rentals in Business Bay and Dubai Marina. The majority of vacation rentals will have amenities like a fully furnished living room and bedroom, a fully functional kitchen complete with all appliances, a big-screen TV, high-speed internet, and parking.

OYO’s holiday home initiative complements the government’s digital nomad program, which aims to draw foreign visitors seeking extended stays in Dubai. The business already operates a robust network of vacation rentals throughout Dubai.

“We’re excited to announce our ambitious plans to expand our holiday homes offerings in Dubai,” stated Karan Ashok, CEO of OYO UAE. “We want to ensure that digital nomads have access to comfortable, well-equipped spaces that cater to their unique lifestyle and work preferences.”
OYO has improved its technological platform to better meet the needs of visitors and hotel partners. Its redesigned technology products, such as Co-OYO, can now assist hotel partners in creating and implementing their own marketing campaigns to boost occupancy and assist revenue maximization.

Envi Lodges is a luxury eco-pod operator based in the United Arab Emirates. It caters to environmentally conscious tourists who wish to minimize their environmental impact while enjoying a vacation in the middle of nature and meaningfully connecting with local communities.

Co-founders Noelle Homsy and Chris Nader launched the company in September 2021 after realizing that the Covid-19 pandemic had altered people’s travel patterns.

Many travelers are increasingly seeking out new experiences and learning about the countries they are visiting, rather than fleeing the boring routine of everyday life to stay at opulent hotels in far-off places or the typical tourist destinations.

Ms. Homsy observed that “eco-lodges are very well integrated in the communities and the environment, they aren’t just parachuted hotels in the middle of nature” while visiting South-East Asia as a graduate student.

“Instead of dividing visitors who are willing to spend money from the less fortunate locals, I felt there was a way to combine tourism with genuine communities,” she says.

The co-founders wanted to close a gap in the market by offering upscale lodging that lessens the impact of traveler trips on the environment.

According to Ms. Homsy, this is founded on the company’s seven sustainability pillars, which include protecting wildlife, using resources wisely, and assisting local communities.

Beyond Green, a coalition of environmentally conscious hotels, resorts, and lodges, has also certified Envi Lodges after reviewing the company’s sustainability policies.

According to its website, every two years, members of Beyond Green are evaluated on-site using more than 50 sustainability indicators.

These include adopting eco-friendly practices on the property, safeguarding the area’s natural and cultural heritage, and putting the social and economic welfare of the community first.

“My goal with Chris is to steer the Middle East’s hospitality and tourism sector toward sustainability and responsible travel,” she explains. “We had a larger goal in mind.”

“Saudi Arabia is leading the way in regenerative tourism, but we wanted to be involved as a company and as individuals when we saw the need for it.”

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the travel and tourism industry is heavily reliant on nature, and the climate crisis threatens not only essential resources but also the survival of some of the planet’s most popular tourist destinations.

According to data from The Environmental Impact of Global Tourism report by the WTTC and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, between 2010 and 2019, absolute greenhouse gas emissions from the sector increased at an average rate of 2.5 percent a year, or roughly 8.1 percent of global emissions.

It stated, “It is a tremendous challenge that both our sector and global policymakers must take seriously.”

But during that same time, there has been a loosening of the connection between the sector’s growth and its carbon footprint. According to the report, between 2010 and 2019, the sector’s gross domestic product grew at an average annual rate of 4.3%, while emissions increased by 2.5%.

According to its website, Envi Lodges has agreements in place to manage and operate projects that are slated to open in 2024 and 2025 in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Zanzibar, and Costa Rica.

The company made its first venture into the sultanate in October when it collaborated with the Ministry of Defence Pension Fund of Oman to build a sustainable mountain lodge on Al Jabel Al Akhdar.

Tenthouse Structure, a South African architect of camping tents, created the 40 opulent expedition tents that overlook the Hajar Mountain range at Envi Al Jabel Al Akhdar, which is scheduled to open in 2025.
According to Ms. Homsy, the start-up’s market research has revealed three distinct target customer types based on their travel-related mindsets.

The first category consists of thrill-seekers who long for the exhilarating rush of activities like zip-lining and hiking. Those seeking spiritual experiences and well-being make up the second group. The third group consists of explorers who want to experience agritourism, explore the art scene, take cooking classes, or learn about local cultures.

Although the company’s projects are still in the early stages of development, Ms. Homsy says the preliminary research on demand is encouraging.

Globally, the demand for eco-lodges is rising. It’s the future of leisure travel, according to some,” she says.

Individual and family office investors are particularly interested in “impact investments,” or green projects, which offer both a “higher purpose”—such as sustainability objectives—and substantial financial returns.

She explains, “These investors are long-term investors; their diligence indicates that demand is high.”

When asked if the conflict between Israel and Gaza has affected the desire for investment in the area, Ms. Homsy responds that although stability is necessary to increase tourism, management agreements for hospitality projects typically last 20 to 30 years.

According to Ms. Homsy, Envi Lodges is negotiating a number of new contracts to join markets in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

“We are nearing the end, but they haven’t signed yet. Before the year ends, we may sign one or two more,” she says.

The start-up is looking for a third round of funding to support its expansion, according to Ms. Homsy, who would not disclose the sum. It has already brought in $2 million.

In order to raise the money required to construct the projects that will enable Envi Lodges to run, the company has also partnered with funding managers and developers.

According to Ms. Homsy, it is doing so by facilitating funding from strategic partners like government agencies and public institutions in order to build a portfolio of lodges in different markets like Saudi Arabia and France.

The co-founder estimates that in the next year or two, more than $150 million will be raised for these projects.

“We have a project on every continent and aim to become a global brand in the next five years,” Ms. Homsy states.

According to the president of Dubai Airports, plans for just one GCC tourist visa will be a “fantastic development” for the industry, increasing the region’s appeal to tourists and businesses.

Paul Griffiths, the CEO of state-owned the United Arab Emirates Airports, which is told The National newspaper while on the fringes of the global summit of the World Tourism and Travel Council in Rwanda that “it’s one of those pillars in the tourism arsenal which will be bigger than the whole of its parts.”

“The Middle East as a whole will become more appealing and attract more businesses as tourism develops in other countries.”

The head of the busiest airport in the world by volume of foreign travel said he was frequently questioned about competition from Saudi Arabia, a neighbor.

Nonetheless, he cited the development of tourism in Europe, where visitors frequently visit multiple destinations in one journey.

Additionally, there are a wide variety of sights and activities to enjoy in the Middle East. The challenge, of obviously, is that Middle Eastern tourism isn’t even close to reaching its full potential in comparison to European tourism, according to Mr. Griffiths.

“And it will be better for every single country within the GCC the more Middle Eastern locations that can be added to the’must-sees’ on the tourism map.”

According to him, people’s impressions of the Middle East will improve the more places that appear on the tourist map that entice travelers to travel there.

The goal of creating a single, united tourist visa system is to facilitate travel inside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and increase tourism. It is planned for the new system to go live in 2024 or 2025.

The action is a major component of the GCC 2030 tourism plan, which aims to boost hotel occupancy rates and regional visitation to raise the sector’s economic contribution.

By 2030, it aims to increase the total amount of visitors to the nations of the GCC to 128.7 million. That represents an increase from 39.8 million in the previous year, or 136.6% more than in 2021. Experts in hospitality and tourism predict that the new initiative will revolutionize the industry in the area.

According to authorities, the Biden administration is scheduled to declare on Wednesday that it will accept Israel into the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), granting Israeli nationals entry without a visa starting on November 30.
The decision marks a victory for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s religious-nationalist government, whose ties with Washington have been strained over its plans to restructure the court and its policy toward the Palestinians. Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that the decision was expected.
Washington needs countries to meet requirements on counterterrorism, law enforcement, immigration enforcement, document security, and border management in order to be admitted to the program that grants visitors a 90-day visa-free stay.
All US travelers must be treated equally by all countries, regardless of the other passports they may possess.
For Israel, this entails granting Palestinian Americans unrestricted access to its airports and during their travels through the occupied Palestinian territories.
With reference to what they claim are decades of discriminatory treatment of Arab Americans and harassment at Israel’s borders, some Palestinians have protested against Israel’s admission into the VWP.
Israel has facilitated Palestinian Americans’ access to its borders and the Israeli-occupied West Bank during a trial period that began on July 20.
According to a US official, there are between 45,000 and 60,000 Palestinian Americans residing in the West Bank. According to an Israeli official, the number is actually closer to 70,000–90,000 Palestinian Americans globally, of which 15,000–20,000 live in the West Bank.
With the addition of Croatia in 2021, there are currently 40 countries in the VWP, with more being joined on a sporadic basis.
On September 8, Secretary of State Antony Blinken received a letter from a group of fifteen US senators expressing grave concerns that Israel was not treating US citizens equally.
In an attempt to prevent Israel from joining the program, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday.
Due to procedural issues, a US judge in Detroit refused an emergency motion, stating that the department was not given enough notice of the complaint.
The White House said in August 2021 that it was collaborating with Israel to get the country included to the Visa Waiver Program.

Registration for the most popular free fun run in the world, the Dubai Run, has opened, according to the Dubai Department of the Economy and Tourists and by Dubai Sports Council.

On Sunday, November 26, the final weekend of the annual Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC 2023), over 200,000 individuals are anticipated to line up for an incredible run along the famous Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai’s Downtown. This will be the event’s fifth iteration.

Runners and fitness fans from every walk of life can now sign up and reserve their space in this massive metropolitan celebration of wellness, physical activity, and community, regardless of their age or degree of skill. The free run is sponsored by Sun & Sand Sports and presented by Mai Dubai.

Last year, a record 193,000 athletes, joggers, and walkers took part in the Dubai Run, and 2023 is expected to be even greater. There will be two separate routes available to participants, both of which begin on the Sheikh Zayed Road. The 5-km City Family course, which is ideal for families and joggers of all abilities, will begin close to the Museums of the Future and lead participants past some of Dubai’s most recognizable landmarks, including the Dubai Opera, the Dubai Mall, and Burj Khalifa.

The 10-km Sheikh Zayed Road route, which starts at Sheikh Zayed Road and travels to Dubai Canal before turning around and ending at Al Mustaqbal Street at the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), is an alternative for more seasoned runners.

On Monday, the international hospitality technology startup OYO announced discounts of up to 60% for Indian travelers traveling to Dubai for the holiday season. They can reserve a room at one of the OYO locations in Dubai.
In Dubai, OYO Smart & OYO Homes are located in popular areas like Marina, the Business Bay, Jebel Ali, Sports City, and Discovery Garden. OYO has an inventory of over 130 properties. Visitors may reserve their stay in OYO apartments in Dubai till December 31, 2023, during the period of the holiday discounted offer for Indian travelers, which runs from October 11 to December 31, 2023.

By entering into the the OYO app or a website consumers can access this discount. Next, they must choose the city and the package they would want to purchase.

The program is in line with Dubai’s efforts to draw more tourists from India, particularly from growing metropolises like Jaipur, Lucknow, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, and Chandigarh.
Speaking about the discounted rates offered by OYO to Indian visitors, Karan Ashok, Head of OYO Middle East, stated, “We are looking forward to welcoming our visitors from India during the holiday season. The OYO holiday discount program for Dubai is only accessible for a short period of time. We want to make sure that every visitor from India has a special experience in Dubai, therefore we provide discounts, flexible booking choices, and free services.
For many Indian travelers, Dubai has served as a dream vacation spot because of its top-notch attractions, upscale shopping, and breathtaking scenery. The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and the Palm Jumeirah, the largest man-made island, are both located there.

Dubai has developed into a mecca for foodies, with everything from distinctive coffee shops to pricey bean-to-bar chocolate businesses.
According to a survey by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, India is the #1 source nation for international travelers. In the first quarters of 2023, there were an expected 46 lakh overnight visitors from outside the country, up from about 39 lakh visitors in the corresponding period of 2022.
According to the research, India likewise emerged as the most important source market for international travelers, accounting for almost 800,000 travelers, closely followed by Russia (470,000), the United Kingdom (390,000), and Saudi Arabia (350,000).

The only global institution specializing in luxury hospitality management education, Luxury Hotelschool Paris, is happy to announce its participation in the famous UAE EDUCATION FAIRS, which will be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from October 13–15, 2023.

Luxury Hotelschool Paris, a partner of the most exquisite palaces, provides 5 globally recognized degree programs (Bachelors & Masters in both English and French).

Additionally, the institution is the first partner of EHL (Lausanne) in Paris to grant the esteemed hotel management VET by EHL diploma. Additionally, it cooperates with the prominent University of Coventry in the UK and CTH (Confederation of Travel and Hospitality).

Teams representing the school will be happy to explain to guests the unique aspects of its globally recognized programs, which are created specifically for hotels, upscale resorts, and luxury businesses.

They will be pleased to respond to any inquiries and offer thorough information on the school’s campuses, facilities, and the numerous job prospects that await prospective graduates (through a virtual tour).

“We truly think that training and education are the key to achieving achievement in the high-end hotel industry, and we’re looking forward to addressing the next generation of industry leaders!” The commercial director of the institution is Marinella Amato.

The Masters of Sciences in International Tourism and Hospitality Management will be offered as a new, entirely English-language degree to commemorate the event.

The complete program, which is based in Paris, lasts 18 months and entails writing a professional dissertation in addition to 6 months of coursework with the CTH (Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality), 6 month of employment in a posh hotel, and 2 months of online coursework with Coventry University.

The internship program for the current intake will start in October 2024, allowing students the chance to work in a high-end hotel or resort amid the Middle Eastern nations’ busiest travel period.

Since its founding, the Luxury Hotelschool has collaborated closely with a variety of international organizations, including ACCOR Luxury, Dorchester, Massachusetts Collection, Hôtel de Crillon, the InterContinental Hotels Group, Lutétia, Marriott Hotels, Oetker Collection, Peninsula, Ritz Paris, Shangri-La, and others. These organizations also sponsor all of the school’s classes and sign the diplomas.

Real Madrid Club de Ftbol and Dubai’s Department of the Economy and Tourism have teamed up to begin an unprecedented relationship this October.

Fans of Emirates and the Spanish club Real Madrid are going to partake in a variety of enjoyable activities, memorable fan experiences, and thrilling encounters unlike any other.
The recently established collaboration is intended to serve as a catapult for creating unmatched prospects for both companies as well as promoting Dubai’s strategic objectives of the Dubai Economy Agenda – D33.
Thanks to its partnership with Real Madrid, which is one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world, Dubai hopes to solidify its position among the top three worldwide cities in the field of sports entertainment sector.

Issam Kazim, the Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Commerce and Tourism Marketing (DCTCM), and Florentino Perez, the President of Real Madrid Club de Ftbol, signed the bilateral agreement at an official ceremony at the storied Sala de Juntas in Ciudad Real Madrid, in the presence of representatives from both organizations.

With the words, “We are excited to begin the journey with the Madrid club as a global partner,” Kazim echoed the sentiment. A common goal and set of values serve as the foundation for this game-changing partnership among Dubai and the world’s best club, where each success inspires the pursuit of even greater heights. This strategic agreement will capitalize on the qualities of a top tourist destination and the most renowned team in the world to reinforce Dubai as the world’s best town to visit, live in, and work in. Our goal is to solidify Dubai’s position amongst the greatest three global cities.

The arrangement opens the door for Real Madrid with the Emirates, whose a long-standing alliance was created in 2011, to pursue further successful endeavors.

Additionally, it perfectly matches the opening of Dubai Park and Resorts, the largest theme park in the Middle East, which will soon open a Real Madrid-themed park.