Mark Hulton’s Post

Last year Saudi Arabia's travel scene truly took off, marking a 58% surge in visitor arrivals and reshaping the landscape of Vision 2030. This ambitious blueprint is not just a strategy; it's a transformation, positioning the Kingdom as a hub of international tourism and economic diversity. With Riyadh leading the charge, Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector is expanding its horizons, aiming to captivate global travellers while enriching local tourism experiences. This evolution reflects a nation ready to welcome the world with open arms, setting a new benchmark for what's possible in the realm of tourism and beyond: https://bit.ly/3JUeP3J #Hospitality #HBDPartners #Vision2030 #SaudiTourism

Discovering the Heart of GCC Culture Just Got Easier! - 🌍 A groundbreaking partnership has emerged as Qatar Tourism, Saudi Tourism Authority, and Discover Saudi join forces. - ✈️ Qatar Airways steps up as the official airline partner, making travel seamless. - 📚 Expect enriching experiences with extensive city guides tailoring your adventure. - 🛎️ The 'Double the Discovery' campaign introduces joint travel packages including not just flights but also accommodations and transportation. - 🎭 These curated travel packages are your ticket to the rich cultural and historical tapestries of both countries. Isn't it remarkable how collaborative efforts can redefine tourism landscapes? How do you see this influencing the future of travel in the GCC region? #qatar #SaudiArabia #tourism #travel #doublethediscovery #MENA #markettrends

🎬 Awakening the sleeping giant 🎬 ➡️ How #SaudiArabia plans to attract more foreign tourists. 💡 Saudi Arabia is set to become a global travel hotspot with an $800 billion investment in tourism! ✈️ Targeting 150 million visitors by 2030, the Kingdom is focusing on high-spending travelers from China, India, and Europe to avoid overtourism. 👷♂️ Major developments include new cultural and natural attractions ✈️ New airline (Riyadh Air), a massive airport in Riyadh 🏨 250,000 additional hotel rooms. ➡️ Exciting times ahead for Saudi tourism! #SaudiArabia #Tourism #Vision2030 #Travel #Investment #GigaProjects #Aviation #Hospitality #MiddleEast #HighSpendingTravelers #GlobalTourism #RiyadhAir #Saudia #AlUla #EconomicDiversification #GulfCooperation #AirlineExpansion #HighSpendingTravelers #GigaProjects #Employment #GulfCooperationnt

As Saudi Arabia continues its ambitious journey under Vision 2030, the #hospitalityindustry has emerged as a key player in the Kingdom's economic diversification efforts. With a staggering 58% growth in passenger arrivals in 2023 alone, the nation's tourism targets have been recalibrated, aiming for 150 million visitors by 2030, a milestone initially set for 100 million. This remarkable growth is a testament to Saudi Arabia's ongoing investments in infrastructure, tourism transformation, and the hospitality sector. From the development of world-class resorts like those in NEOM and the Red Sea Project to innovative initiatives like the Riyadh School for Tourism and Hospitality, the Kingdom is ready to become a premier global destination. However, achieving these ambitious goals requires more than just infrastructure. The focus on training and development is crucial. Programs such as the partnership between the Ministry of Tourism and UN Tourism, alongside the launch of Riyadh School for Tourism, are set to revolutionize industry education, ensuring that Saudi Arabia's hospitality professionals are equipped with the skills to deliver top-tier, globally recognized services. As we gear up for Expo 2030, the hospitality sector's ability to attract and retain talent will be fundamental. With competitive compensation, innovative training programs, and a strong emphasis on sustainability and luxury, Saudi Arabia is not just meeting but surpassing its Vision 2030 goals, setting a new standard in the #globalhospitality landscape. #saudivision2030 #hospitality #tourism #traininganddevelopment #riyadh #saudiarabia #globaltourism #expo2030 https://lnkd.in/dgykuWM5

#SaudiArabia has announced #strong #growth in its #tourism #sector, with a significant increase in #accommodation #licenses and available #rooms in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia reported a 99% rise in the number of licenses issued for various types of tourist accommodation, including #hotels, serviced #apartments, and #tourist #inns. This surge reflects the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to expand and diversify its tourism offerings, catering to a wider range of #visitor #preferences and #budgets. ▪️In addition to the growth in licenses, the number of available #rooms within these facilities saw an even more impressive #increase of 107%. This #substantial #expansion in accommodation capacity demonstrates #SaudiArabia's commitment to meeting the rising demand for tourist facilities and ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all visitors. The increase in both licenses and #room #availability points to a thriving #tourism #industry in the Kingdom, driven by strategic investments and initiatives aimed at attracting both domestic and #international #travelers. ▪️These positive developments underscore the effectiveness of #SaudiArabia's #tourism development strategies, which focus on enhancing the visitor experience, promoting diverse attractions, and ensuring high-quality services across the hospitality sector. This #growth aligns with the goals of #Saudi #Vision2030, which aims to diversify the Kingdom's economy and establish tourism as a key sector for growth and job creation. By fostering a #welcoming and dynamic tourism #environment, the Kingdom is steadily solidifying its position as a leading #destination in the #region. #Hospitality

#Oman's #Ministry of Heritage and Tourism - Sultanate of Oman is making strides to establish #Dhofar as a leading tourist destination, attracting visitors throughout the year. A recent high-level meeting with #industry #stakeholders focused on #developing a multifaceted strategy to showcase the region's natural beauty, rich culture, and exceptional #visitor_experiences. #Key_initiatives include: •#Direct_Flights: Establishing direct #flights from key #international_markets to #Salalah_Airport. •#Strategic_Partnerships: Collaborating with #airlines, #travel_agencies, and the Dhofar Governorate to create a comprehensive roadmap. •#Enhanced_Infrastructure: Upgrading tourism infrastructure and services to ensure visitor comfort. •#Diverse_Packages: Developing travel packages catering to a wide range of interests and budgets. •#Promotional_Activities: Intensifying promotional efforts to solidify Oman's position in established markets and explore new ones. The Minister highlighted the success of the previous season and Oman's participation in international travel fairs, attributing it to collaboration between various sectors. Looking ahead, participation in upcoming exhibitions and targeting East #Asian travelers are key strategies. This multi-pronged approach positions #Dhofar and #Oman to become even more #competitive in the #global_tourism #landscape. #Dhofar #OmanTourism #Travel #Investment

Tourism has been a key strand of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, initiating forward-thinking projects like NEOM and AIUIa. Central to the success of these destinations has been embracing local heritage, positioning them as "Saudi Authentic and Culturally Attractive," says our Senior Strategic, Sara Faisal. "Tier-two cities like Ha’il, Jizan, AlBaha and many more offer authenticity, cultural comfort zones, a slower-paced environment, and a strong sense of community. These cities are crucial in preserving and promoting Saudi Arabian hospitality and generosity values. By enhancing local infrastructure, they provide unique and genuine experiences that resonate with both domestic and international tourists seeking cultural immersion." Take a further look into how Saudi Arabia is utilising destinations to boost economic diversification and global tourism here: https://im.ag/4d4OgFX #ImaginationGLBL #Vision2030 #SaudiTourism #NEOM #CulturalHeritage #AuthenticSaudi #TourismDevelopment #GlobalTourism #ExperienceEconomy #BrandExperience #Destinations ArabAd

The Middle East destinations made a significant impact at the World Travel Market (WTM) London this year, underscoring its growing role as a powerhouse in the global tourism landscape. This year’s participation highlighted the region’s ambitious vision for tourism, sustainable travel, and unique cultural experiences tailored to regional and international travelers. Saudi Arabia’s offerings showcased Saudi Tourism’s pavilion, which was sprawled across two parts. The Saudi delegation was led by H.E. Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority | الهيئة السعودية للسياحة . Key entities include the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, the Tourism Development Fund صندوق التنمية السياحي, ASFAR, Cruise Saudi, SAUDI AIRLINES, Riyadh Air | طيران الرياض, Red Sea Global, Diriyah Company l شركة الدرعية , the The Royal Commission for AlUla, and visionary projects like NEOM. Cultural and entertainment highlights, including Riyadh Season, MDLBEAST Beast, and Qiddiya | القدية, were also represented, showcasing Saudi’s diverse offerings and investment in tourism innovation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gyYBSqMw #WTMLondon

Must-read: Tourism’s success story in the GCC by TRENDS MENA The race is ON! Key players in the region are strategically prioritizing tourism as the cornerstone of their diversification roadmap. This strategy seems to pay off. The UAE spotlighted the region with Expo 2020, Qatar’s status as the host of the World Cup has propelled it to the top of must-see tourist destinations, and Saudi Arabia welcomed its 100 millionth tourist last year, with plans se even higher leading to Riyadh Expo 2030. Amidst these stellar achievements, what are the challenges and opportunities for the tourism industry in the GCC? https://lnkd.in/dCWj6sqT #GCC #UAE #KSA #Qatar #Oman #Bahrain #Kuwait #Travel #Tourism #UNWTO #WTTC #Dubai #Riyadh #Expo2020 #SaudiVision2030 #VisitOman #VisitQatar #ExperienceAbuDhabi #VisitSaudi #VisitRasAlKhaimah #VisitBahrain