gcc Archives

News Blog

Etihad CEO Poached by Saudi Arabia’s New Airline: Reports

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways CEO Tony Douglas has agreed to join RIA — Saudi Arabia's newest airline, according to reports. It had been earlier reported that RIA, the multi-billion-dollar international carrier, had approached Douglas for the top job. Douglas has apparently agreed and other senior Etihad executives may follow him, according to Arabian Business. Global…

Peden Doma Bhutia | 2 months ago

Tourism

Saudi Arabia Tourism’s Chief Technology Officer on Digital-First Priorities

Choon Yang Quek surely has his work cut out for him. It would be interesting to witness how he juggles between convincing travelers that this is the new Saudi and educating locals that Saudi needs to open to the world.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 2 months ago

Tourism

Top Qatar Tourism Official on the World Cup as a Springboard for Future

As it prepares to host Middle East's first-ever FIFA World Cup, Qatar expects the event to offer unique marketing potential to place the destination firmly on the tourism map. But for a country whose pre-Covid arrivals stood at 2.1 million in 2019, a goal of 1.5 million tourists for the two months of the tournament sounds overly ambitious.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 8 months ago

Business Travel

Saudi Arabia Businesses May Finally Adopt Digital Travel Booking Due to Pandemic

You can't change culture overnight, but there could be opportunities for corporate travel agencies to make their mark — if they're willing to take the kingdom's ambitious modernization plan seriously.

Matthew Parsons, Skift | 2 years ago

Tourism

Coronavirus Tests Economic Reforms for Travel in Gulf Arab States

Gulf Arab states are feeling the brunt of an economic slowdown as the spread of coronavirus tests years’ worth of reforms. Countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have relied on tourism and hospitality sectors to diversify away from oil, but recent travel cancellations and suspensions due to the illness are set to result in significant financial losses.

Reem Abdellatif, Skift | 3 years ago

Tourism

Middle Easterners Among the World’s Highest Spenders When They Take a Trip

Middle Eastern travelers spend a lot of money on outbound trips. It’s time the travel industry started paying attention to this region.

Meghan Carty, Skift Research | 3 years ago

Online Travel

The State of Middle East Outbound Travel: New Skift Research

Outbound travel from the Middle East hasn’t garnered the attention of some other outbound markets, but given the high travel expenditure and growth of the region, we think this is one that’s worth paying attention to.

Meghan Carty, Skift Research | 3 years ago