Latest news with #Tourise
Trade Arabia
3 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Nominations open for inaugural Tourise Awards
The Tourise Awards officially launched on Monday as a new global benchmark celebrating excellence in tourism destinations. Created to honour places that are shaping the future of travel, the awards spotlight destinations delivering meaningful, memorable, and measurable value across the traveller journey. Nominations are now open to individual travellers, industry professionals, and organisations passionate about recognising the world's most exceptional places. The Tourise Awards are an extension of the Tourise platform powered by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism and announced via a virtual press conference on May 22. In line with the Tourise ethos, the awards take a bold stance recognising destinations with a strong sense of identity, measurable impact, and responsible management. Eligible destinations must have (i) a defined geographic scope (a city, region or site), (ii) a distinct identity and character that stems from culture, landscapes and attractions that shape how the destination is perceived by travelers, and finally (iii) must be backed by a tourism governing body responsible for ensuring a destination is effectively managed. The Tourise Awards feature five distinct award categories: Best Arts and Culture Destination, Best Adventure Destination, Best Food and Culinary Destination, Best Shopping Destination, and Best Entertainment Destination. In addition, a flagship Best Overall Destination award will recognise the destination that excels across all aspects of the traveler experience — setting a new global benchmark as the most exceptional place to visit. Jean-Philippe Cossé, CEO of Tourise, said: 'Tourism is not just a key economic engine — it's a powerful connector of cultures, a builder of communities, and a driver of sustainable change. As the industry undergoes a bold transformation, it's more crucial than ever to spotlight the destinations that are leading with vision, purpose, and resilience. The Tourise Awards are our tribute to those extraordinary places that don't just welcome travellers — they inspire them, challenge the status quo, and push the boundaries of what tourism can achieve. These awards put destinations at the center of the global conversation, celebrating the pioneers who are shaping the future of travel.' The Tourise Awards will be judged by an independent jury panel comprised of a powerhouse of cross-industry trailblazers from the worlds of travel and tourism, fashion, culinary, art, retail, culture, adventure and entertainment: • Filip Boyen, Former CEO, Forbes Travel Guide; • Michael Ellis, Former Global Director, Michelin Guides; • Fiona Jeffery, Former Chair, World Travel Market; Former Chair Tourism for Tomorrow Awards; • Renaud de Lesquen; Former CEO, Givenchy, Former President Dior AM; • Lars Nittve, Former Founding Director, Tate Modern; • Caroline Rush, Former CEO, British Fashion Council; • Omar Samra, UN Goodwill Ambassador, Mountaineer and Polar Explorer • Bernold Schroeder, Former CEO, Kempinski; Pan Pacific. Eligible destinations will be evaluated across 10 assessment criteria, grouped into three key areas, which make up the destination experience: offering, value, convenience. Judges will assess how destinations perform across these areas — considering what they offer, how accessible and visitor-friendly they are, the overall value they provide, and most importantly, the quality and impact of the experience. This includes looking at factors such as authenticity, innovation, inclusion, sustainability, accessibility, accommodation variety, and safety, all of which contribute to a destination's ability to deliver a meaningful and memorable journey. The winners of the inaugural Tourise Awards will be announced at the Tourise Summit, taking place in Riyadh from November 11 to 13. The summit will bring together leading voices from across tourism, travel, investment, and innovation — from heads of state and visionary CEOs to creators, disruptors, and global investors. It will serve as a platform to spark bold ideas, build transformative partnerships, and shape new standards for the future of travel. Nominations are open at from June 2 to July 9. -
Daily Tribune
26-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Saudi Arabia Denies Media Reports of Alcohol Ban Lift Ahead of 2034 FIFA World Cup
Official Confirms 73-Year Prohibition on Alcohol Remains in Place Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Saudi authorities have categorically denied recent media reports suggesting that the Kingdom is preparing to lift its decades-old ban on alcohol. The clarification came on Monday after Reuters cited a Saudi official who dismissed the claims as false, pointing to state-run media outlets for confirmation. The speculation originated from an unverified blog post and was later picked up by several international news platforms, sparking widespread online debate across the Kingdom. These reports suggested that Saudi Arabia might allow the regulated sale of alcohol as it gears up to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup—a claim that remains unsubstantiated and without any official source. Tourism Ambitions Spark Global Curiosity The rumor gained traction in the context of Saudi Arabia's sweeping tourism reforms under Vision 2030, an ambitious national roadmap aimed at diversifying the economy beyond oil. The Kingdom recently welcomed nearly 100 million visitors, and on Monday, it unveiled a 50-year tourism strategy designed to sustain long-term growth in the sector. At the heart of this transformation is Tourise, a newly announced platform revealed by Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb, set to host its inaugural event, Tourise 2025, from November 11–13 in Riyadh. The event will bring together global stakeholders, including investors, innovators, and policymakers, to shape the future of Saudi tourism. Alcohol Laws Remain Strict Despite Reforms While Saudi Arabia has made notable strides in modernization under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the ban on alcohol consumption remains firmly in place, rooted in religious and legal frameworks. In a limited and controlled move in 2023, the first alcohol store in Riyadh was opened, but it is exclusively accessible to non-Muslim diplomats, according to official statements. The sale, possession, and consumption of alcohol by the general public remain strictly prohibited, with penalties including fines, imprisonment, and deportation. Looking Ahead to the 2034 FIFA World Cup Saudi Arabia was officially confirmed as the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup in December 2024, after running unopposed in the bidding process. Comparisons have been drawn with Qatar's 2022 World Cup, where alcohol was only available in designated fan zones and not sold in stadiums. As the Kingdom prepares to host one of the world's most watched sporting events, officials have reiterated that any p olicy changes will be communicated through official channels, urging the public to rely on verified sources and dismiss speculation.
