Sarah Algethami, Bloomberg
The long-discussed first phase of the Red Sea project, with 14 hotels and an airport, is due in 2022. We'll believe it's not a mirage when we see it.
6 hours ago
Richard Whiddington, Jing Travel
As Chinese outbound travel continues to rise, this high-spending segment is increasingly appealing to destinations worldwide. Deploying WeChat, China's No. 1 superapp, may be key for travel brands and destinations looking to unlock this market.
2 weeks ago
Dana Khraiche, Bloomberg
Saudi Arabia has lifted a travel warning on Lebanon for its citizens. Gulf tourists used to be the biggest spenders in Lebanon, so it's hopeful news for the beautiful but geopolitically unlucky country.
3 months ago
Hannah Sampson, Skift
Six Flags' big ambitions for international expansion are meeting economic reality. The theme park operator still finds potential in partnerships outside the United States, but expectations have to be adjusted.
3 months ago
Filipe Pacheco, Bloomberg
The economic slowdown and rise in the number of theme parks in the Gulf are among the factors keeping Six Flags from going full throttle in Dubai.
3 months ago
Archana Narayanan, Bloomberg
Dubai does not lack high towers. Here's another, and one that will provide events planners with more exciting venues. Roll it on.
4 months ago
Sarah Algethami, Bloomberg
Neom Bay would be seen by some as a feather in the cap of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who's accused of ordering the grisly murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Not to worry: Saudi Arabia's track record in completing mega developments like this is spotty, at best.
4 months ago
Ania Nussbaum, Bloomberg
Emirates doesn't always sponsor the best team – hello Arsenal – but it does focus on the ones with the fan base in the right demographic. The PSG split is more about politics than marketing smarts.
6 months ago
Archana Narayanan, Bloomberg
Executives with Six Flags Entertainment warned last month that an on-time opening of the Dubai project was unlikely, and it appears that caution was warranted. As DXB Entertainments conducts a strategic review, what other changes await?
7 months ago
Anousha Sakoui, Bloomberg
Will Six Flags face any blowback for its relationship with Saudi Arabia, even as other companies cut ties? Its theme park is set to open in 2023, so there is plenty of time to find out.
7 months ago
Hannah Sampson, Skift
Six Flags still considers international licensing an important driver of revenue growth, despite some roadblocks along the way. Back in the U.S., where most of its parks are located, weather put a damper on quarterly earnings.
7 months ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
This story is yet more fodder supporting one of Skift's megatrends for 2018, which was that travel brands no longer get political at their own risk — they avoid politics at their own risk, given consumer expectations.
7 months ago