Tawuniya partners with TT Club to elevate Saudi transport & logistics risk management
The collaboration facilitates the launch of a newly approved liability insurance product tailored specifically to the transport and logistics industry in the Kingdom.
The new product, approved by Saudi Arabia's insurance regulator in January, enables Saudi-based transport and logistics operators to access global-standard liability coverage through Tawuniya, with TT Club acting as the reinsurer.
This development directly aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 ambitions to transform the nation into a global logistics hub. Recognizing this strategic direction and the evolving risk landscape, TT Club and Tawuniya are working together to provide this vital specialized liability coverage.
Kevin King, CEO of TT Club, said: 'As Saudi logistics operators expand internationally and adopt world-class operational standards, they are also developing their risk management strategies. Specialist liability insurance is a cornerstone of those strategies, in that it protects operations, supports reputational integrity, and helps to enable sustainable growth.'
The partnership does not involve a traditional joint venture or shareholder agreement. Instead, it acts practically as a commercial collaboration to provide market-leading coverage within the framework of Saudi Arabia's well-regulated insurance landscape.
Sultan Alkhomashi, CEO of general sector at Tawuniya, said: 'This partnership with TT Club strengthens our ability to serve Saudi logistics operators with world-class insurance solutions that meet the highest international standards. Together, we are helping build safer, more resilient supply chains and supporting the Kingdom's long-term vision to be a regional and global logistics powerhouse.'
TT Club has also recently strengthened its board of directors with the appointment of Saffia Abdulla Kanoo in June. Kanoo is vice president and international business director at Kanoo Logistics, one of the longest-established logistics businesses in the Middle East. Based in Saudi Arabia, she has worked across air cargo, shipping, customs clearance and specialized logistics services.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
17 minutes ago
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia taps AI and immersive tech to drive tourism growth
Saudi Arabia is ramping up the adoption of smart technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality across its tourism sector, aiming to redefine the visitor experience and support its broader economic diversification agenda. Experts say the integration of these technologies across flagship projects like Neom and the Red Sea Project is positioning the Kingdom as a global tourism hub at a time when the industry is recovering from the pandemic and projected to reach $11.7 trillion in economic contribution by 2025. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is positioning tourism as a key non-oil growth engine. Its National Tourism Strategy targets 150 million annual visitors by 2030 and aims to raise the sector's contribution to gross domestic product from 3 percent to 10 percent. Speaking to Arab News, Nicholas Nahas, partner and tourism & hospitality global competence center lead at Arthur D. Little, said Saudi Arabia is intelligently integrating smart technologies into its tourist destinations, helping the Kingdom emerge as one of the most sought-after tourism hubs. 'In Saudi Arabia, smart tourism, while not always explicitly referenced or promoted as such across its portfolio of tourism developments, is subtly being integrated as a strategic enabler of the country's broader economic shift to diversifying its economy,' said Nahas. He added: 'It includes artificial intelligence for personalized trip planning, biometric systems to streamline travel and immigration, IoT-enabled controls in accommodations, and AR/VR to create immersive storytelling at cultural and entertainment sites.' Nahas further said that smart technologies are being planned as enablers to manage growth, enhance quality, and differentiate the visitor experience. Smart tourism refers to the use of advanced digital technologies across the tourism value chain to enhance visitor experiences, improve operations, and support sustainable destination management. The concept also aligns with the idea of a Smart Destination — a location that leverages technology and innovation to create more immersive and sustainable experiences. Julio De Salvo, Globant's chief solution officer for the Middle East and North Africa and the Asia Pacific region, echoed similar views. He said Saudi Arabia is well-positioned to become a global tourism hub, and this journey could be further accelerated by adopting smart technologies across the sector. Salvo added that some of the key drivers of smart tourism in the Kingdom include massive investments in smart infrastructure — such as AI-enhanced airports and digital visa platforms — a young, tech-savvy population, and a strong commitment to sustainability through regenerative models that prioritize environmental and cultural preservation. The Globant executive also commented on the global post-pandemic recovery of the tourism sector and said the industry is accelerating toward a projected $11.7 trillion in economic contribution by the end of 2025. 'Saudi Arabia isn't riding the wave of global tourism recovery; it's creating its own momentum, using smart tourism as a catalyst for economic diversification, innovation leadership, and long-term global relevance,' said Salvo. Creating personalized experience Salvo told Arab News that the tourism industry is witnessing a rapid shift, where digital tourism is slowly giving way to cognitive tourism — with advanced technologies used to deliver personalized services to travelers. 'In Saudi Arabia, it's no longer just about online bookings or mobile apps — it's about intelligent systems that understand, anticipate, and adapt to travelers' behavior in real-time,' said Salvo. A recent study by global consumer insights provider Toluna echoed this trend, noting that Saudi travelers are increasingly relying on smart technologies, with 87 percent using generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to plan and manage their vacations. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is positioning tourism as a key non-oil growth engine. Its National Tourism Strategy targets 150 million annual visitors by 2030 and aims to raise the sector's contribution to gross domestic product from 3 percent to 10 percent. The report further found that 46 percent of Saudi travelers use AI assistants to discover activities, while 31 percent rely on these tools to optimize their itineraries. Nahas said destinations powered by smart technologies are delivering more personalized, seamless, and immersive experiences — supporting higher satisfaction levels and encouraging repeat visitation. The Arthur D. Little official added that these technologies will also enable more sustainable operations, from energy use in hotels to mobility and waste systems in major destinations. 'Importantly, the Kingdom's flagship tourism projects — such as Neom, the Red Sea Project, Diriyah, Qiddiya, and New Murabba — are integrating smart systems as a core component of how tourism experiences are crafted, delivered, and continuously improved,' said Nahas. Neom aims to elevate the visitor experience through AI-led personalization and immersive digital engagement. The Red Sea Project similarly integrates smart infrastructure to enable seamless and sustainable guest experiences. The destination is deploying IoT sensors to monitor environmental indicators, utilities, and operational systems across its resorts and natural assets. Diriyah, while rooted in heritage, is incorporating digital heritage documentation and exploring interactive technologies to enhance cultural storytelling — aligning with broader trends in cultural tourism that use immersive tools to enrich historical engagement and visitor education. Nahas added: 'These systems could be equally used to monitor visitor needs, respond to requests, and elevate the visitor experience.' 'Plans also include autonomous electric vehicles, smart utility management, and a centralized digital platform that will allow guests to access accommodation, transportation, and experience bookings.' Salvo also emphasized the transformative role of data and AI. 'By integrating real-time data — from IoT sensors to traveler preferences and even biometric signals — we can deliver experiences that are not just personalized, but truly responsive,' said the Globant official. He added: 'This is how data becomes experience — and how destinations become intelligent, dynamic environments that adapt in real time. It's a win-win: travelers feel seen, and operators gain the insight and agility to manage resources, reduce friction, and elevate every journey.' Nahas said AI is also becoming increasingly prominent in trip planning and customer service, with chatbots offering timely support and tools generating personalized itineraries. According to the Arthur D. Little executive, service robots using AI could be deployed in budget accommodations to handle routine tasks such as cleaning and food delivery, boosting both efficiency and consistency. 'On the infrastructure side, IoT, cloud, and AI systems are being integrated into facilities to monitor and control environmental conditions in real time. This supports sustainability goals by optimizing resource use and maintaining comfort standards, particularly in large-scale developments,' said Nahas. Potential challenges Amid these promising developments, experts also highlighted challenges facing Saudi Arabia in implementing advanced technologies in its tourism sector — including localization gaps. 'Many of the most advanced solutions in areas such as AI, AR/VR, and IoT are currently developed outside the Kingdom. As Saudi Arabia integrates these tools into its tourism offering, collaboration with international partners will be important, alongside efforts to build local capabilities over time,' said Nahas. Highlighting the importance of regulation, the Arthur D. Little executive added that clear guidelines around data governance, cybersecurity, and system standards will be essential to support consistent implementation and long-term alignment with national priorities. Salvo shared similar concerns, emphasizing the need for talent development to support the growing smart tourism ecosystem. He said this requires upskilling programs and international partnerships to close expertise gaps. 'Major tech infrastructure, including nationwide 5G networks, smart airports, and cloud systems, is still rolling out, with delays in full deployment potentially hindering real-time applications like personalized AI tours and immersive experiences in mega-projects like The Red Sea and Neom,' added the Globant official. Despite these challenges, experts told Arab News that smart tourism can grow into a well-integrated part of Saudi Arabia's tourism strategy — provided there is the right coordination and policy framework. 'The pieces are steadily coming into place — with emerging tech adoption readiness jumping to nearly 75 percent in 2025 — and paint a bright future where smart tourism not only overcomes these obstacles but propels Saudi Arabia to lead in innovative, regenerative travel,' concluded Salvo.
Arab News
37 minutes ago
- Arab News
Chevrolet and GMC mark GCC record sales with ‘Truck Mania'
General Motors is spotlighting the evolving face of truck ownership in the Middle East as it celebrates a growing market share among its Chevrolet and GMC pickup lineup with a sales rise of 18 percent year on year, unveiling an emerging demographic among youth and women. Marking its record sales, GM has launched the Chevrolet and GMC Truck Mania event across showrooms in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, featuring attractive offers on the popular Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, GMC Canyon and all-electric GMC Hummer SUT. Running from Aug. 13 to Sept. 13, the event offers immersive product experiences. Customers can expect tailored test drives for road and all-terrain, personalized consultations, and seasonal value offers designed to get them behind the wheel in time for the region's most active months outdoors. GM's truck portfolio continues to resonate deeply among GCC nationals — particularly from Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Among younger Emiratis aged 20–29, the GMC Sierra has emerged as a top choice for first-time buyers, reflecting a generational shift in preferences. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Silverado sees robust repeat purchases from Saudi owners aged 30–50, underscoring its enduring appeal and reliability. Furrukh Jawaid, chief marketing officer at General Motors Middle East and Africa, said: 'Off-roading in the Gulf is a rite of passage as youth begin to adopt the lifestyles of their parents, the desert becomes more than terrain and an adrenaline rush. It becomes a tradition. This is evident in the trends we are seeing of youth making up 20 to 35 percent of our customer base in the last few years. Therefore, Truck Mania is bringing GM's most capable trucks to the forefront with compelling offers and experiences that reflect the evolving expectations of today's customers.' While male ownership remains dominant, female ownership is steadily rising signaling a broader cultural embrace of the segment. Over the past three years, female interest and ownership in full-size pickups has more than doubled, driven by increasing demand for safety features, elevated driving positions, flexible utility, and bold design. In 2024 alone, women accounted for 9 percent of all GM truck buyers in the GCC, a notable increase from previous years. Kuwait leads the region with 13 percent of all female truck owners in GM's portfolio, followed by the UAE at 9 percent, and Qatar at 7 percent. A third of GMC Sierra owners in the UAE are middle-aged Emirati women (ages 30–49), and there has been a 50 percent year on year increase in ownership among Emirati women aged 20–29. For Chevrolet Silverado, 19 percent of repeat female customers are over 30, with the majority in the middle-aged Kuwaiti segment. Rohan Fernandes, managing director of commercial operations at General Motors Middle East and Africa, added: 'The growing demand for our world-class pickups from Chevrolet and GMC are visible as we witnessed a surging market share in the first half of 2025 of over 46 percent as we continue to empower more customers across the Gulf to take up off-roading, road-tripping adventures, reconnecting with the outdoors or making use of its capabilities for day-to-day needs. Pickups have grown beyond their traditional role as workhorses to become expressions of style, performance and heritage. Even off-roading has shifted from a practical skill to a deeply-rooted pastime.'
Arab News
37 minutes ago
- Arab News
Eyeing global growth, Platinumlist announces rebrand
Platinumlist, a Middle East entertainment discovery platform with more than 9 million users, has announced a comprehensive rebranding of its platform. This step is a response to the booming events sector in the MENA region, which has resulted in evolving user and partner demands for flexibility, consistency and personalization. Since its founding in 2009, Platinumlist has expanded from a single event type to successfully ticketing more than 100,000 events with 20 diverse categories in nine markets in the region and around the world. The redesigned platform addresses this by making the discovery and booking of tickets a quicker and more convenient experience. 'The decision to rebrand the platform was driven by several factors, including the company's expansion across the globe,' said Cosmin Ivan, CEO at Platinumlist. 'This growth presented challenges, as the previous brand identity no longer fully reflected the global and diverse nature of the company's offerings. The prior design was fragmented across different products, which sometimes made brand recognition more challenging for users and B2B partners.' The new design addresses these issues with a fresh visual identity centered around the concept of a 'portal.' This metaphor and identity concept, created in partnership with design studio Kidults, represents the platform as an entry point to new experiences and emotions. The redesigned interface features a cleaner, bolder visual system and improved UX patterns. The dark mode feature is currently in development to further enhance user experience in various lighting conditions, such as at concerts or cinemas. 'Platinumlist came to us with a bold ambition — to go beyond selling tickets and become a true cultural portal,' said Mike Shishkin, creative director at Kidultas. 'It wasn't just about a new look, but about rethinking the brand's role, story, and the entire product experience. We worked closely with Platinumlist on brand strategy, visual identity, UI and content tools. And we're proud to be a part of transforming ticket sales into inspiration.' A significant aspect of the redesign is its focus on regional and cultural inclusivity. Platinumlist collaborated with Saudi and UAE-based type designers to develop a new Arabic typographic system and an adapted logo that aligns with the Latin version, creating a flexible and regionally inclusive design system. Looking ahead, Platinumlist plans to continue its improvements, leveraging the new flexible design system to scale across different languages and markets, from Dubai to London.
