Browsing: Tourism

Jeddah, April 20, 2026, SPA — AROYA Cruises will resume operating its voyages in the Red Sea from Jeddah starting May, in a step that reinforces the city’s status as one of the Kingdom’s principal gateways for marine tourism and contributes to invigorating maritime tourism activity in the region. The company indicated that its vessel AROYA is currently heading to its main port in Jeddah in preparation for launching its new voyage schedule, set to begin on May 14, with diverse itineraries ranging from three to five nights and covering several regional destinations, including Yanbu in the Kingdom, Sharm El-Sheikh in the Arab Rep

Riyadh, April 10, 2026, SPA — The ministers responsible for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states held an extraordinary meeting via videoconference on April 7, 2026, to monitor the latest developments in the region and review their potential implications for the tourism sector across the council states. The ministers of the GCC states reiterated their condemnation, in the strongest possible terms, of the unjustified and illegal Iranian aggressions that have deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, including ports, airports, energy facilities, desalination plants, residential and commercial areas, and tourism facilitie

Riyadh, March 16, 2026, SPA — The Ministry of Tourism has intensified inspection tours of licensed hospitality facilities to monitor compliance with staff data registration and updating requirements, which must be updated every three months. The tours aim to enhance compliance with sector regulations, raise service quality for tourists, and ensure operational data clarity and monitoring efficiency. The ministry affirmed its intention to continue intensive inspection tours of hospitality facilities and other tourism activities, calling on all establishments to complete staff data registration and updates within the specified period to a

Jeddah, March 13, 2026, SPA — Saudia has added 20 flights between Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Red Sea destination during Eid Al-Fitr, in cooperation with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the Red Sea destination, as part of a partnership aimed at promoting tourist destinations and supporting the development of the Kingdom’s tourism sector. This brings the total number of flights in both directions to 44. The long-term partnership between Saudia and STA aims to provide suitable flight options and a distinctive onboard experience, supporting the Kingdom’s goal of attracting 150 million tourists by 2030.

Riyadh, February 02, 2026, SPA — A panel discussion held as part of the fifth annual Saudi Media Forum examined trends in the tourism media industry and its role in strengthening national identity and enhancing the competitiveness of the Kingdom’s tourist destinations. The session, titled “The Tourism Media Industry: Strategies and Trends,” featured Saudi Tourism Authority spokesman Abdullah Al-Dakhil, List Magazine editor-in-chief Noirin Hegarty, and Showcase Culture co-founder and director Isabella Brancolini. Al-Dakhil stated that Saudi Arabia is among the world’s fastest-growing tourism destinations, noting that

AlUla, January 20, 2026, SPA — As part of AlUla Arts Festival 2026, held January 16 to February 14, “Villa Tegra,” the first Saudi-French cultural institution, is contributing to the festival within the framework of cultural events that support tourism activity and strengthen AlUla’s presence as a cultural destination. AlUla Arts Festival is among the cultural initiatives that have helped diversify the tourism experience through the exhibitions and art installations, performance art shows, and cultural experiences staged in open-air sites, integrated with AlUla’s distinctive natural and heritage assets. The fifth

Madinah, January 9, 2026, SPA — The Qiblatain Mosque and Cultural Center in Madinah received more than eight million visitors from February through December 2025, reflecting the city’s growing stature as an urban, cultural, and tourism destination. The turnout reflects development efforts led by Madinah Region Development Authority under Saudi Vision 2030. The work aims to improve quality of life, enhance the appeal of cultural centers, and raise service efficiency for visitors and residents. The center is one of Madinah’s key projects to enrich the visitor experience. It has upgraded the urban landscape and provides an int

Jizan, January 9, 2026, SPA — The Ship Festival Theater in Jazan Region hosted Ahad al-Masarihah Governorate’s participation in the “Governorates Nights” program yesterday, one of the key events in the Jazan Festival 2026 season. The season aims to highlight the region’s tourism, cultural, and natural diversity. It also seeks to strengthen its position on the national tourism map as a vibrant destination rich in authentic experiences and standout events, opening new horizons for visitors to enjoy its cultural and natural richness. The event drew strong visitor turnout, with audiences enjoying folk performances.

Rafha, January 3, 2026, SPA — The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority announced the launch of the Historic King Abdulaziz Palace in Linah as part of a package of tourism and cultural programs for the Darb Zubaida Winter Season. The initiative aims to highlight the region’s historical and architectural heritage and enhance the visitor experience throughout the season. The authority explained that activating the palace is part of its approach to linking historical sites with high-quality tourism activities, offering an integrated experience that reflects the site’s depth and historical value, revit

SalamAir, the Sultanate of Oman’s low-cost carrier, has inaugurated its new direct service to Abha in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, strengthening air connectivity between the two brotherly nations and supporting growing tourism flows between Oman and the Asir Region. The new route forms part of SalamAir’s ongoing expansion of its regional destination network. The inaugural flight departed from Muscat International Airport in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Saad Ibrahim bin Bishan, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Sultanate of Oman, alongside officials and partners from the Civil Aviation Authority, th