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Arab News
06-08-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi-powered ‘TOURISE' announces advisory board
TOURISE, a bold new global tourism platform, has announced the members of its cross-sector advisory board, a powerhouse of industry titans guiding TOURISE's strategic direction and shaping the agenda of the inaugural global summit taking place in Riyadh from Nov. 11-13. The 14-member board brings together expertise from tourism, technology, aviation, entertainment, education, sustainability and media, making it one of the most intentionally cross-sector bodies in global tourism today. Together, they will champion TOURISE's vision, ensure high-impact global issues such as equity, geographical representation and sectoral diversity are in the spotlight and influence the long-term value of the platform. Chaired by Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the advisory board will seek to elevate tourism on the global stage and shape a bold new vision for the sector's future. 'TOURISE is driving cross-sector global collaboration, and the formation of the advisory board ensures we are uniting diverse perspectives from representatives across the global tourism ecosystem,' Al-Khateeb said 'Their visionary thinking and deep expertise will be essential in transforming TOURISE from ambition into action, ensuring the platform becomes a catalyst of innovation, investment, and sustainability in tourism for decades to come.' The advisory board members are: Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO, Saudi Tourism Authority and vice chair, TOURISE; Julia Simpson, president and CEO, World Travel and Tourism Council; Randy Durband, CEO, Global Sustainable Tourism Council; Luis Maroto, CEO, Amadeus; Blake Chandlee, former president of Global Business Solutions, TikTok; Neil Jacobs, founder of Wild Origins and former CEO of Six Senses; Stephane Lefebvre, president, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group; Jordi Carnes, president of Leitat Technological Center and CTECNO and former director general of Turismede Barcelona; Mario Enzesberger, founder and CEO, Liberty International Tourism Group; Patrick Andersen, CEO, Carlson Wagonlit Travel; Mo Gawdat, founder, One Billion Happy; Thomas Woldbye, CEO, Heathrow Airport; Fabien Fresnel, CEO, Riyadh School of Tourism and Hospitality; and Jean-Philippe Cossé, international events specialist. 'TOURISE is more than a summit; it's a catalyst for global transformation in tourism. 'I joined the advisory board because I believe in the power of cross-sector collaboration to drive sustainable growth, foster innovation, and set new standards for responsible travel,' said Simpson. Leading up to the TOURISE summit the advisory board will meet regularly to advise on the program, ensuring global views and insights shape the agenda.
Leaders
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Leaders
Uber Rolls Out 'Women Drivers' Option in Saudi Arabia
Uber has launched the 'Women Drivers' option in Saudi Arabia – a new feature that allows female riders to pair exclusively with female drivers. Following its introduction in other countries, including Egypt, Jordan, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and several European countries, the unique feature has come to Saudi Arabia for safer rides and more inclusive experience. Announced during Uber's 'By Women, For Women' special event in Riyadh, the launch of the new feature coincided with the 7th anniversary of lifting drive ban for women in Saudi Arabia. Women Drivers Option The 'Women Drivers' feature is part of a broader effort to increase Saudi women's participation in the work force, particularly the mobility sector. Moreover, the women-only taxis feature underscores Uber's commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive environment for women, in line with the objectives of the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030. Women Empowerment On this occasion, Uber's General Manager in Saudi Arabia, Youssef Abouseif, said: 'The launch of the 'Women Drivers' product reflects our commitment to empowering women and supporting their mobility and economic independence. We're giving women more choice, more opportunity, and a strong sense of community.' The Kingdom has made major milestones toward empowering women and increasing their participation in the workforce, as part of its transformative Vision 2030. In the light of this, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on women driving 7 years ago. The new feature will be gradually rolled out to Uber users across the Kingdom, allowing female drivers to accept exclusively female riders. Supportive Initiatives Additionally, Uber has announced ambitious programs to support obtaining licenses, as well as savings on vehicle access, offering more than 20 million subsidized rides for women. The platform has also launched communities for women drivers, where they can connect, receive top tips, and share their experiences. The #Gigsister initiative aims to empower women drivers and help them grow. Furthermore, the platform is partnering with Alnahda Society, a non-profit that supports women's empowerment, to promote women's financial literacy and economic independence in Saudi Arabia. Safer Rides As part of its safety measures, Uber has developed in-app emergency assistance, 24/7 incident support, as well as 'Follow My Ride' for a safer riding experience. In the light of this, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, Fahd Hamidaddin, said: 'One thing we're not doing well is talking about safety for women. We're going to tell the world how safe Saudi Arabia is for our mothers, sisters and daughters, our female travelers.' Short link : Post Views: 23
Zawya
30-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jeddah airport launches first Hainan Airlines flights
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah has welcomed the inaugural flight of China's Hainan Airlines, marking the launch of the first direct route between Jeddah and the Chinese city of Haikou. The new service will operate three times per week, positioning the airport as the first in the Kingdom to offer direct connectivity to Haikou, reported SPA. The launch of this route boosts air traffic between Saudi Arabia and China, reinforcing King Abdulaziz International Airport's growing role as a global logistics hub and expanding the Kingdom's direct air links with China. The inaugural flight was received by Chief Executive Officer of Jeddah Airports Company Eng. Mazen bin Mohammed Johar; Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Jeddah Wang Qimin; and several officials from the Saudi Tourism Authority, the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, and various government and security sectors operating at the airport. Hainan Airlines, ranked among the world's top ten airlines by Skytrax, brings a new level of service to the airport. Its entry is expected to enhance the quality of air travel services and contribute to providing a superior travel experience. Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of the Saudi Tourism Authority Fahd Hamidaddin commented: 'We are proud of our strategic partnership with Hainan Airlines and look forward to expanding this collaboration through targeted initiatives and promotional campaigns led by the Saudi Tourism Authority.' He noted that the number of Chinese visitors to the Kingdom grew by 52 per cent compared to last year, and that air connectivity between the two countries now includes six airlines operating 29 weekly flights. The Kingdom aims to attract five million Chinese tourists annually by 2030. Johar stated: 'This significant milestone aligns with our strategy to increase the number of international destinations served by King Abdulaziz International Airport to 150 by 2030, in line with the National Aviation Strategy and Vision 2030.' He added that integrating Hainan Airlines into the airport's network strengthens Saudi–China air connectivity and supports infrastructure and service expansion efforts to meet growing global travel demand. The CEO of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program Majid Khan described the occasion as an important step toward enhancing the Kingdom's global connectivity. 'Welcoming Hainan Airlines in Jeddah reflects growing demand for travel between Saudi Arabia and China and helps foster tourism, cultural exchange, and economic ties,' he said. He emphasised the role of Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, who also oversees the Air Connectivity Program, in positioning Saudi Arabia as an approved and attractive destination for Chinese tourists. The Chinese market is targeted to become the Kingdom's third-largest source of inbound tourism by 2030. This development is part of the ongoing efforts by the General Authority of Civil Aviation to strengthen international air connectivity and expand the Kingdom's air transport network. It also supports Vision 2030's broader objective to establish Saudi Arabia as a leading global logistics platform and open new horizons for travel and trade. -TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Asharq Al-Awsat
29-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Int'l Airport Launches First Hainan Airlines Flights
Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah welcomed on Saturday the inaugural flight of China's Hainan Airlines, marking the launch of the first direct route between Jeddah and the Chinese city of Haikou. The new service will operate three times per week, positioning the airport as the first in the Kingdom to offer direct connectivity to Haikou. The launch of this route boosts air traffic between Saudi Arabia and China, reinforcing King Abdulaziz International Airport's growing role as a global logistics hub and expanding the Kingdom's direct air links with China. The inaugural flight was received by Chief Executive Officer of Jeddah Airports Company Eng. Mazen bin Mohammed Johar; Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Jeddah Wang Qimin; and several officials from the Saudi Tourism Authority, the Saudi Air Connectivity Program, and various government and security sectors operating at the airport. Hainan Airlines, ranked among the world's top ten airlines by Skytrax, brings a new level of service to the airport. Its entry is expected to boost the quality of air travel services and contribute to providing a superior travel experience. Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of the Saudi Tourism Authority Fahd Hamidaddin commented: 'We are proud of our strategic partnership with Hainan Airlines and look forward to expanding this collaboration through targeted initiatives and promotional campaigns led by the Saudi Tourism Authority.' The number of Chinese visitors to the Kingdom grew by 52 percent compared to last year, and that air connectivity between the two countries now includes six airlines operating 29 weekly flights. The Kingdom aims to attract five million Chinese tourists annually by 2030, he added. Johar stated: 'This significant milestone aligns with our strategy to increase the number of international destinations served by King Abdulaziz International Airport to 150 by 2030, in line with the National Aviation Strategy and Vision 2030.' Integrating Hainan Airlines into the airport's network strengthens Saudi–China air connectivity and supports infrastructure and service expansion efforts to meet growing global travel demand, he remarked. CEO of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program Majid Khan described the occasion as an important step toward boosting the Kingdom's global connectivity. 'Welcoming Hainan Airlines in Jeddah reflects growing demand for travel between Saudi Arabia and China and helps foster tourism, cultural exchange, and economic ties,' he said. He underlined the role of Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, who also oversees the Air Connectivity Program, in positioning Saudi Arabia as an approved and attractive destination for Chinese tourists. The Chinese market is targeted to become the Kingdom's third-largest source of inbound tourism by 2030. The development is part of the ongoing efforts by the General Authority of Civil Aviation to strengthen international air connectivity and expand the Kingdom's air transport network. It also supports Vision 2030's broader objective to establish Saudi Arabia as a leading global logistics platform and open new horizons for travel and trade.
Leaders
24-05-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Diriyah Named Among Global Eco-Friendly Destinations for 2025
The British travel platform Wanderlust has selected Diriyah as one of the Global Eco-Friendly Destinations for 2025, according to the Saudi Press Agency. This remarkable recognition was driven by the successful cooperation between the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Diriyah Gate Development Authority. Both entities have submitted a comprehensive nomination featuring Diriyah's extraordinary initiatives in environmental, cultural, and tourism sustainability. Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of the Saudi Tourism Authority Fahd Hamidaddin stated that this recognition reflects Saudi Arabia's dedication to ensuring sustainability in tourism. 'This recognition stands as a testament to our strategy of empowering local partners and showcasing national destinations in international markets,' Hamidaddin added. He also noted that this achievement further strengthens the Kingdom's position on the global tourism map as the fastest-growing destination in the world. 'This international recognition highlights Diriyah's role as the cradle of the Saudi state and our dedication to preserving its heritage while applying the highest environmental and cultural sustainability standards,' Chief Executive Officer of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority Jerry Inzerillo said. Promisingly, this selection represents a living proof of Saudi Arabia's growing global presence in tourism. In line with the Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi Tourism Authority has been supporting its partners across the tourism ecosystem to meet ambitious national objectives. In 2024, the Kingdom welcomed nearly 116 million visitors, and the authorities are still making bold strides to reach the goal of hosting 150 million visitors by 2030. Related Topics: Diriyah Company Boosts Saudi Tourism at Arabian Travel Market Layali Diriyah: Immersive Cultural and Culinary Experiences Diriyah Company Boosts Sports Development with Saudi Tennis Federation Short link : Post Views: 1
