Articles tagged “saudi arabia”

Uber CEO and Other Business Chiefs Reconsider Ties to Saudi Arabia

Uber CEO and Other Business Chiefs Reconsider Ties to Saudi Arabia

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.

5 days ago

Qatar Airways Slumps to Loss After Taking a Hit From Saudi-Led Blockade

Qatar Airways Slumps to Loss After Taking a Hit From Saudi-Led Blockade

Layan Odeh, Bloomberg

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. The actions of Qatar's neighbors were always going to have an impact on the country's airline, but the reality is it could have been much, much worse.

4 weeks ago

InterContinental Hotels CEO Isn’t Worried About Brexit

InterContinental Hotels CEO Isn’t Worried About Brexit

Manus Cranny and Yousef Gamal El-Din, Bloomberg

As the UK only represents a small portion of IHG's overall business, CEO Keith Barr doesn't need to worry too much about Brexit. The truth is nobody really knows exactly what kind of impact it is going to have, especially as both sides have yet to agree divorce terms.

6 months ago

A New Saudi City Wants to Attract Tourists Although Its Strategy Is Undefined

A New Saudi City Wants to Attract Tourists Although Its Strategy Is Undefined

Sarah Algethami, Bloomberg

Like past leisure tourism efforts in Saudi Arabia, this new city will have to compensate hard for the barriers to reaching the country in the first place, and letting loose in a religiously conservative environment.

6 months ago

Six Flags Chases Global Growth With Saudi Arabia Theme Park Deal

Six Flags Chases Global Growth With Saudi Arabia Theme Park Deal

Hannah Sampson, Skift

This development might be the worst-kept secret in theme park history. We're not sure what took Six Flags so long to seal the deal, but we do know the arrangement fits squarely into the operator's strategic goals — as long as everything goes according to plan.

7 months ago

An Israel-Bound Commercial Flight Passes Through Saudi Airspace for First Time

An Israel-Bound Commercial Flight Passes Through Saudi Airspace for First Time

Jonathan Ferziger, Bloomberg

It's a win for Air India to shave two hours off a flight by going over Saudi Arabia, but will El Al be allowed the same opportunity?

7 months ago

Saudi Arabia Wants Events to Put It on the Global Tourism Map

Saudi Arabia Wants Events to Put It on the Global Tourism Map

Sarah Algethami and Abbas Al Lawati, Bloomberg

Maybe Saudi Arabia is finally turning a corner in dismantling some of its obstacles to tourism. If so, perhaps those citizens who spend their money going to Dubai or Egypt will spend it in the kingdom instead.

8 months ago

Qatar Air CEO Calls on Trump to Intervene Against ‘Failed’ Blockade

Qatar Air CEO Calls on Trump to Intervene Against ‘Failed’ Blockade

Benjamin Katz , Bloomberg

If Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker is holding out hope that Trump will side with Qatar over new best-friend Saudi Arabia, he may have a long wait despite the U.S. government's strategic interests in Qatar.

8 months ago

Saudi Arabia Announces Plans to Become a Global Arts Hub

Saudi Arabia Announces Plans to Become a Global Arts Hub

James Tarmy, Bloomberg

A shiny new arts complex could be a strong driver of tourism, in some other country. Saudi Arabia presents so many obstacles to leisure travelers that it's hard to imagine this boosting visitation.

9 months ago

Blockaded Qatar Will See Its Flag Carrier Lose Money This Year

Blockaded Qatar Will See Its Flag Carrier Lose Money This Year

Christopher Jasper and Kyunghee Park, Bloomberg

Saudi Arabia has done what the major three U.S. airlines could not do — slow Qatar Airways' growth. A Saudi-led blockade has hurt Qatar's revenue, and that may not change soon.

11 months ago

Uber Saudi Arabia Wants to Hire Female Drivers After Ban Lifts

Uber Saudi Arabia Wants to Hire Female Drivers After Ban Lifts

Sarah Algethami, Bloomberg

This is some positive public relations for Uber but the company has a controversial history with ensuring female drivers and passengers' safety that it also needs to continue to address. Uber might have to go to great lengths to ensure female drivers' safety in Saudi Arabia because there undoubtedly is still opposition to women drivers — let alone being Uber drivers.

1 year ago

Saudi Arabia Tourism at Center of Development Plans But It Will Be a Tough Sell

Saudi Arabia Tourism at Center of Development Plans But It Will Be a Tough Sell

Sarah Algethami, Bloomberg

Saudi Arabia has seen its Middle East neighbors diversify away from oil. That makes sense, but it's not clear the country's leaders will be able to turn it into a tourist destination. One problem — as an expert says in this story — is the country's restrictions on alcohol and dress.

1 year ago

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