Saudi Arabia to re-allow Umrah pilgrimage from Oct 4
September 23, 2020

Saudi Arabia will re-allow performance of Umrah in stages beginning from October 4 after seven months of closure due to the coronavirus Covid-19 concerns, state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

It will now allow 6,000 citizens and expatriates in the Kingdom to perform Umrah daily, representing 30% of the capacity taking into account the health precautionary measures of the Grand Mosque, the report said.

This will increase to 75% of"...

Museum of Happiness opens its doors to visitors
September 22, 2020

JEDDAH — The first Museum of Happiness in the Kingdom has opened its doors to visitors. The museum is distinct for creating several imaginary elements, with the aim of attracting the visitor’s senses. This is a new development in the world of museums.

The museum, located at Riyadh Front in the capital, has been launched officially and its activities are set to continue for six"...

Ministry of Culture to set up Red Sea Museum at Bab Al-Bunt in Jeddah
September 21, 2020

RIYADH — The Ministry of Culture announced that it would establish the Red Sea Museum in the Bab Al-Bunt heritage building in Jeddah Historical Area. The museum, which will showcase rare collections, manuscripts, pictures and books that tell the story of Bab Al-Bunt, will be opened in the end of 2022.

The historic building is regarded as a historical point of contact between dwellers of the Red Sea coast and the world in Jeddah’s capacity"...

Al-Tuwaijri advances to second round of WTO chief selection
September 19, 2020

JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia’s former Minister of Economy and Planning Mohammad Al-Tuwaijri has joined a select group of candidates in the second round of voting for the next World Trade Organization (WTO) chief, according to a statement from the WTO office on Friday.

He is among five candidates that passed the first round of the competition for the job which began in July to find a successor to the current WTO head Roberto Azevedo, who announced"...

American Express Announces Plans to Expand Centurion® Lounges in Two Major U.S. Airports and Prepares to Welcome Travelers with New Health and Safety Practices
September 17, 2020

• AMERICAN EXPRESS TO SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND AND ENHANCE EXISTING CENTURION LOUNGES AT NEW YORK’S LAGUARDIA AIRPORT AND LAS VEGAS’ MCCARRAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
• AMERICAN EXPRESS INTRODUCES NEW “CENTURION LOUNGE COMMITMENT” HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Today, American Express (NYSE: AXP) announced plans to expand two of its signature Centurion Lounges and introduced The Centurion Lounge Commitment, a set of new health"...

Nofa Resort Riyadh, Radisson Collection Hotel opens doors to public
September 16, 2020

As the hospitality industry starts to awaken from the Covid-19- slumber, there is an increased interest from customers searching for private villas and experiences. Catering to this market, the Nofa Resort Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel has opened its doors to the public.

The resort offers once-in-a-lifetime"...

Saudi to be among world's big leisure tourism hubs by 2030
September 16, 2020

Massive investments worth over $810 billion in mega tourism projects across Saudi Arabia is expected to transform the kingdom into one of the largest leisure tourism sectors in the world between now and 2030, according to a research conducted by the Middle East and North Africa Leisure Attractions Council (Menalac), the leisure and entertainment industry council representing the Middle East’s dynamic leisure attractions sector.

"...

Saudi names Aviareps marketeer of AlUla in GCC
September 14, 2020

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has appointed Aviareps, a global leader in tourism marketing, as the destination’s travel trade marketing and communications representative in Saudi Arabia, as well as Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE.

The representation, which comes into immediate effect, will see Aviareps promote AlUla’s unique tourist attractions and experiences to travellers and outbound travel industry professionals located in the Gulf"...

Saudi Heritage Preservation Society becomes an official advisory body to UNESCO
September 13, 2020

RIYADH — The Saudi Heritage Preservation Society (We are Our Heritage) obtained accreditation as an advisory body to the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which in turn is the organization most interested in and encouraging the preservation and protection of cultural heritage worldwide, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said Saturday.

The “We are Our Heritage”"...

Saudi Arabian Voyagers Association launched
September 13, 2020

JEDDAH: The Saudi Arabian Voyagers Association was launched on Friday in Riyadh. The association is intended to be the main resource in the country for travel and tourism locally, regionally and globally.
It is an independent travel organization — in accordance with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 — and will serve as an official “umbrella” for travelers in all regions of the Kingdom.
Members will include a group of “highly"...