Latest news with #Qiddiya
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
Intersec Saudi Arabia returns with record exhibition space showcasing the innovations securing the Kingdom's future
The seventh edition of Intersec Saudi Arabia, featuring increased government support, will be held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre (RICEC) from 30 September to 2 October Intersec Saudi Arabia will showcase innovations in security, safety and fire protection, hosting industry experts from around the world The size of the exhibition has increased by 25% following a record-breaking edition in 2024, with over 27,000 visitors expected to attend Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Intersec Saudi Arabia , the premier industry platform for security, safety and fire protection, will return to the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre (RICEC) from 30 September to 2 October. Aligning global innovation with national priorities, Intersec Saudi Arabia brings together government authorities, industrial leaders and international solution providers to secure the infrastructure, environments and communities building the nation's prosperous future. Organised by 1 st Arabia and licensed by Messe Frankfurt, Intersec Saudi Arabia will be held in association with a range of government entities under the theme Securing progress, igniting safety: Unveiling tomorrow's solutions for Saudi Arabia. With a series of giga-projects underway in Saudi Arabia, including Neom, Qiddiya, and Red Sea Global, and major global events on the horizon, such as Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the Kingdom is undergoing a significant transformation. Together, these developments mark a pivotal moment in Saudi Arabia's evolution, positioning it as a key player in global tourism, sports, and industry. Bilal Al Barmawi, CEO and Founder of 1st Arabia Trade Shows & Conferences, said: 'Intersec Saudi Arabia provides an important platform for decision makers across Saudi Arabia's major projects to connect with global innovators and work together to build a secure, future-ready environment. We look forward to facilitating important business connections that support the country's growth and long-term success.' After a record-breaking edition in 2024, this year, Intersec Saudi Arabia will showcase over 370 exhibitors from more than 35 countries, with over 27,000 visitors anticipated to attend. Intersec Saudi Arabia will feature over 1,000 brands across seven halls, and the exhibition space has been extended by 25% this year to cover 13,908 net square metres, reflecting the growing interest in the event. Intersec Saudi Arabia now features CPD-certified content theatres, including the Future Security and Safety Summit Powered by ASIS, and the Fire Protection & Technology Summit. The event will also introduce a Thought Leadership Pavilion and see the return of The Premium Club, providing a host of benefits for select buyers and influencers. The Future Security and Safety Summit will feature the latest insights and engaging discussions on emerging global threats, crisis response strategies and responsible AI innovation among other vital industry topics. The high-level speakers for the summit include representatives from FIFA, Red Sea Global, Diriyah Company, Kearney and Saudi Aramco, among many others. The Fire Protection and Technology Summit at Intersec Saudi Arabia will gather the most prominent fire and emergency service leaders from across the region to address key challenges, opportunities, standards, policies, and technologies. During the summit, attendees will gain valuable insights from Saudi Civil Defense, International Maritime Industries, and AESG alongside other industry experts. Riham Sedik, Exhibition Director, Intersec Saudi Arabia, Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: 'The conference and events element of Intersec Saudi Arabia continues to grow each year and will once again bring together the brightest minds in security, safety and fire protection from around the world. The event will offer interactive showcases, live demonstrations and engaging panel discussions, all tailored to the unique needs of the Kingdom.' Intersec Saudi Arabia will be held in Halls 1-7 at RICEC and a purpose-built outdoor area. The event comprises five product sectors, which include Commercial & Perimeter Security, Homeland Security & Policing, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health and Cybersecurity. Intersec Saudi Arabia is organised by 1 st Arabia, licensed by Messe Frankfurt. About Intersec Saudi Arabia: Intersec Saudi Arabia, licensed by Messe Frankfurt GmbH, is a world-leading emergency services, security, and safety event that will take place from 30 September to 2 October 2025 at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center. This will be the 7th edition of Intersec Saudi Arabia as the leading exhibition dedicated to the safety, security & fire industry in the Kingdom. About 1st Arabia: 1st Arabia Tradeshows & Conferences is a leading exhibition & conference organizer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Headquartered in Riyadh, 1st Arabia has regional offices in Jordan and is set to expand its operations in more countries regionally. 1st Arabia organizes top international trade exhibitions and conferences that provide unparalleled networking and business opportunities for companies looking to excel and grow within the Kingdom. Apart from conducting quality and high profile B2B trade fairs, country specific shows, corporate events, conferences, events management and festivals, 1st Arabia also provides a complete marketing tool and exhibition solutions to their valued clients. 1st Arabia is the only MICE organization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who is a member of the International Organizations like IAEE, ICCA, MPI PCMA, SISO and, UFI.
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
NCP showcases Versatile PPP Project Pipeline at Saudi Giga Projects 2025 Summit
Riyadh – The National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP) participated in two panel discussions at the Saudi Giga Projects 2025 Summit, shedding light on the Center's key role in advancing public-private partnerships (PPPs) across various sectors in the Kingdom. Held at The Venue by ROSHN Group on May 13–14, the summit served as a premier platform to showcase Saudi Arabia's landmark infrastructure projects—including Qiddiya, ROSHN, and NEOM—and brought together over 600 attendees from more than 150 companies and over 40 expert speakers. Representing NCP, Khaled Alrubaian, Executive Vice President for Social Advisory, emphasized the Center's pivotal role in positioning PPPs as a key driver of infrastructure development in Saudi Arabia. He noted that, to date, NCP has successfully completed 58 PPP projects with more than 200 additional projects currently being structured—collectively projected to mobilize USD 190 billion. Alrubaian also highlighted that NCP has adopted an unconventional and pragmatic approach aimed at mainstreaming PPPs across a wide variety of sectors, beyond traditional economic infrastructure such as water, transport and energy. As a result, there is a growing number of PPP projects in the Kingdom, which now span multiple sectors such as health, education, communication and information technology, sports and media, in addition to the traditional sectors. This demonstrates the versatility and adaptability of the PPP model, and the role NCP is playing in structuring innovative solutions and partnerships that support the broader goals of Vision 2030. 'The Kingdom is undergoing a major transformation under Vision 2030, and it is increasingly becoming an attractive and competitive investment destination for a wide range of investors. By seeding and nurturing PPPs, whether with local or international investors, NCP is enabling private sector to access the trust, transparency and transformation dividend that Saudi Arabia's social and economic infrastructure offers through PPPs' he added. 'We are fully committed at NCP to playing our part and are geared to supporting the goals of Vision 2030 by enabling sustainable, high-impact projects through private sector participation (PSP) that contribute towards developing a thriving economy, a vibrant society and an ambitious nation.' he concluded. Also representing NCP, Yazeed Alsaqaaby, Advisor at Infrastructure Advisory, shared insights on the Center's strategic approach to enabling private sector participation in the transport sector. He highlighted how NCP supports government entities through the full project lifecycle — from early alignment with national strategies to feasibility studies, structuring, and market engagement — ensuring projects are investor-ready and aligned with Vision 2030. Alsaqaaby also emphasized the strength and scale of the transport PPP pipeline, which includes international airport projects in Abha, Taif, Qassim, and Hail.
Skift
19-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Why Live Tourism Is a Top Priority for Global Travel Investment
Live tourism has taken hold across the global travel industry. With trillions of dollars at stake, travel companies are actively looking to invest in destinations that provide seasonality-proof opportunities for entertainment, sports, and cultural experiences that meet this demand. This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner. The traditional tourism funnel has been turned upside down as more consumers, especially younger generations, seek opportunities to 'play' when they travel. To satisfy this demand for play, they're looking for live tourism centered on entertainment, sports, and cultural experiences that are not defined by a particular place but rather a unique experience at a special time in an unforgettable space. 'Instead of choosing a destination first, younger travelers especially are now deciding what type of experiences they want to enjoy before selecting a location that offers those experiences,' said Ross McAuley, MD advisor and director general of Play Qiddiya City DMMO, at the 2025 Skift Megatrends event in London. 'This shift [toward 'live tourism'] underscores a growing demand for destinations that offer immersive, authentic experiences that go beyond traditional sightseeing or 'fly and flop' travel.' According to a research report from Skift and Qiddiya City, more than 90% of travelers aged 44 and younger agreed that participating in entertainment, sports, and cultural activities when they travel is important to their overall sense of happiness and well-being. More than 75% said that these types of play experiences have become more central to their travel plans in the past five years. Millennials and Gen Z are projected to account for 83 percent of hotel guests by 2030, according to an LG Business Solutions report, and industry leaders investing in the future of travel are primarily focused on this generation of travelers. Destinations like Qiddiya City — specifically designed as a world-class destination where play takes center stage — are fostering live tourism built around entertainment, sports, and culture to create mutually beneficial opportunities for all stakeholders in the travel business. 'The goal is to share experiences, because you will always remember how you feel,' Mehdi Hemici, chief loyalty officer at Accor, told Skift Research. 'Rather than where you were or why you traveled, that emotional aspect once you've experienced it and shared it with your loved one, your children, your family member, your best friend, is ultimately the emotional connection that we're trying to establish.' How Live Tourism Drives Year-Round Investment Returns Sporting events, concerts, and unique cultural attractions have consistently inspired travel and raked in billions of tourism dollars annually. For instance, Global Market Insights estimated that sports tourism alone totaled more than $600 billion worldwide in 2024, a figure that is expected to double by 2032. Skift reported that events such as FIFA's 2022 World Cup in Qatar had 3.4 million fans, generating an event-record-breaking $5.8 billion, while Formula 1's worldwide race circuit brought in 5.7 million attendees in 2022 — up 36% from 2019 — pushing revenues to $2.5 billion. The economic impact of these experiences is often a catalyst for growth opportunities, but 'investment should not be reliant on a single event,' Dmitri Cooray, Managing Director of Jetwing Hotels in Sri Lanka, told Skift. 'You need to be able to sustain demand in the long term.' According to Bloomberg, Qatar's government spent more than $300 billion on infrastructure projects, including highway and airport expansions ahead of the World Cup, and hotel investment continued strong following the event, as reported by THP. For a single F1 event in Las Vegas — the first of a now-annual event in the city — roughly 145,000 visitors spent about $561 million. The Taylor Swift effect has been well-documented, generating over $1 billion in direct travel spending in the U.S. in 2023 alone. Another case in point is Sydney, Australia. On a recent episode of the Skift Travel Podcast, Pip Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, explained that the 2000 Sydney Olympics supercharged the economy by about 10 years, but not in the way one might think. The tourism bump drove more visitation in the two or three years following the event, a blueprint they're using again for the Summer Olympics coming back to Queensland and Brisbane in 2032. 'We look at sporting events as moments not just to fill the stadium; when the eyes of the world are on Australia for a particular event, we want to show up and showcase what there is to see and what there is to do outside of the stadium,' Harrison said. Year-round attractions like those in Orlando, a destination built around play, highlight the value of consistent opportunities for visitation. According to Visit Orlando, the region's 74 million visitors in 2023 contributed $58.5 billion to its community and generated a total economic impact of $92.5 billion — a 5.6% increase. 'That's like hosting the Super Bowl nearly twice a week for a year,' the organization said. Mike Waterman, currently president and CEO of Visit Anaheim, formerly worked with Visit Orlando and sees many similar opportunities in southern California. 'The beauty of [these destinations] is that every year as a DMO or CVB, we have new attractions, new events, new things to promote,' Waterman said on stage at the 2024 World Travel Market. 'So whether you come every year or every two or three years, you are going to be able to experience something new.' How Live Tourism Attracts Global Visitors and Benefits Local Communities According to Skift and Qiddiya City research, 93% of travel executives agreed that destinations focused on offering entertainment, sports, and cultural activities will become more important in the global tourism landscape in the next five years. Furthermore, 84% of travel executives said that they are excited about investing in new destinations designed exclusively for entertainment, sports, and culture. Tourism growth and development require thoughtfulness, especially as cities and regions with dense populations consider the positive economics of more visitation. Where well-tread places like Barcelona and Amsterdam are looking to stem challenges from overtourism, growth markets like the Middle East have an opportunity to be more thoughtful as they build anew. For instance, Qiddiya City is rising from the ground up just 40 minutes from Riyadh, a metropolitan area with more than 7 million residents and an airport that saw 37.2 million passengers in 2024, a 16.6% increase from the year prior, according to travel retail publisher Moodie Davitt Report. These factors compel Qiddiya City's developers to think holistically about its appeal and approach. Destinations focusing on play are more fundamentally inclusive and more economically diversified for investors since they're catering to all types of demographics: sports fan bases, festival goers, thrill-seekers, art enthusiasts, and critically, a consistent flow of domestic travelers and local residents. 'While Qiddiya City isn't a cure for all societal issues, it represents a new vision for urban living centered on sustainable lifestyles, fostering connections, and promoting well-being,' said McAuley. 'We have tried to reimagine what cities can offer to enrich lives and communities. People are going to live here. It will be bigger [in area] than the city of Orlando and have over 500,000 residents. So as we build this master plan from nothing, it's important that it's universal and accessible, and everyone is welcome to come and play.' Waterman agreed with this sentiment. OCVibe, a 100-acre, $4 billion 'hub for a vibrant culture [and] a community connected through shared experiences,' undoubtedly aims to attract Disneyland tourists to extend their stays in southern California, but it's being built primarily for residents. 'Play is different for everybody, and I think for us as marketers and DMO leaders, we have to understand what people want to see,' Waterman said. 'And it varies by day, it varies by time of season. So it's [about having] this abundance of riches at our disposal, and if they build it right and do it authentically, we're going to make sure it's as accessible as possible to both locals and out-of-town visitors.' Why Travel Investors Should Prioritize Live Tourism These lessons apply across the travel industry as global traveler demographics evolve and sentiments and behavior continue to change alongside them. Don't be mistaken: Paris, London, and New York aren't dropping off the list of top tourist arrivals any time soon. However, smart travel executives seeking success in the next era of global tourism would be wise to diversify their growth by investing in destinations that are focused on live tourism and play, which foster seasonality-proof revenue opportunities, support authentic experiences, and build symbiotic relationships with the communities of which they're a part. 'Play thrives on collaboration, and the travel industry is inherently collaborative, bringing people, ideas, and expertise together to craft immersive experiences that resonate deeply with travelers worldwide,' said McAuley. 'At its core, this shared process of discussion, ideation, and creation embodies the essence of play: vibrant, dynamic, and filled with collective energy.' Download the report from Skift and Qiddiya City for extensive research and deeper insights into the power of play and its impact on the future of global tourism. This content was created collaboratively by Qiddiya City and Skift's branded content studio, SkiftX.
Campaign ME
15-05-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
BRASH deepens presence in Saudi Arabia with Regional Director appointment
Global brand agency BRASH has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of Mou'nes Chibli as regional director, deepening its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Based in BRASH's Riyadh studio, Chibli will oversee key client partnerships, including landmark projects with Qiddiya, New Murabba, King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), and Diriyah, while spearheading new business opportunities across the region. This senior leadership role is a pivotal step for BRASH as it looks to strengthen its presence on the ground, build its growing local team and expand capabilities to meet increasing demand across the Kingdom. John Brash, CEO of BRASH, said, 'Saudi Arabia is undergoing an extraordinary transformation, and we're proud to be playing a role in shaping its next generation of cultural, commercial, and tourism destinations. With a stronger team in Riyadh and dedicated regional leadership, we're positioned to better support our clients and continue delivering work that defines places and shapes global perception.' The strategic appointment reflects the agency's long-term commitment to the region and aligns with the broader momentum of Vision 2030 across culture, tourism and innovation. Commenting on his appointment, Mou'nes Chibli, Regional Business Director – KSA, BRASH, told Campaign Middle East, 'This is more than just a new role; it's a return to purpose. As someone who's long been passionate about shaping stories that matter, joining BRASH at this transformative moment for Saudi Arabia is deeply meaningful. The Kingdom isn't just transforming its landscape; it's rewriting the global playbook for place-making, and BRASH is at the heart of that shift.' Chibli added, 'With Qiddiya, New Murabba, and other iconic projects underway, my focus is on turning vision into tangible cultural and commercial impact — building not just destinations, but legacies. We're here to lead, challenge convention, and shape what's next.' This announcement also follows a series of recent accolades for the agency. BRASH won seven awards at the Transform MENA Awards and has been shortlisted for three more, including Gold for its work on New Murabba. Additionally, BRASH's Strategy Director Roger Gray was named Brand Strategist of the Year for his leadership in developing the brand architecture model for Qiddiya.
Campaign ME
14-05-2025
- Business
- Campaign ME
RISE launches Arts and Culture practice led by Rayyah Fathalla
RISE Group, an independent sports, culture and entertainment commercial agency, has launched a specialist Arts and Culture practice, headed by industry expert Rayyah Fathalla. RISE's dedicated team of arts and culture specialists will provide strategic and commercial advisory to a sector undergoing rapid evolution. The new practice will provide specialised services including asset valuations, commercial strategy development, institutional management, sponsorship frameworks, sales activations and market education. Fathalla said, 'Launching a dedicated Arts and Culture practice was a logical and timely progression for RISE. Our aim is to help cultural institutions and heritage sites realise their full potential by adopting commercial strategies that are both innovative and sustainable.' 'The region's cultural landscape is becoming increasingly sophisticated and plays a huge role in developing local communities, quality of life and tourism. Our niche industry knowledge and deep understanding of the MENA region enable us to provide market–leading solutions.' RISE Group – which services a client roster that includes Qiddiya, NEOM, Saudi Tourism Authority, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Savvy Games Group, Flynas, the Saudi Pro League (SPL), PepsiCo and Dubai Sports Council – has supported the commercialisation of groundbreaking cultural projects such as Riyadh Art, the Noor Riyadh festival, and the first Saudi Grand Opera. The agency has also delivered commercial projects for prominent clients, including the Ministry of Culture, the Heritage Commission, Diriyah Season, Qiddiya, Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, the Royal Commission for AlUla, and the Royal Commission for Riyadh City. 'We recognise the importance of empowering our clients,' Fathalla added. 'Our role is not only to deliver commercial results but also to ensure organisations across the region are equipped with the knowledge to maintain sustainable growth in the long-term. It's an approach that builds resilient cultural economies.' Fathalla is a cultural diplomacy advisor with more than 20 years of international expertise. She previously led high-impact projects for major institutions such as Expo 2020 Dubai, Brunswick Group and the British Council, working closely with prestigious organisations such as the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, Christie's, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. With several significant projects underway across Saudi Arabia and the UAE, RISE's new practice intends to further strengthen the region's global cultural profile and drive sustained economic growth.
