There’s a lot to unpack this week as plans and activities ramp up around the region. From a new Louvre in Saudi to a new surfer’s paradise in Abu Dhabi, no niche is being left out here when it comes to increasing visitor appeal. And while Jordan is enjoying their H1 visitor growth figures this year, Türkiye has decided to up its departure fee. Here’s a snapshot of key news from around the region.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Crown Prince plans for ‘Louvre of Saudi Arabia’ featuring his £360million Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince HRH Mohammed bin Salman has ambitious plans to boost tourism numbers with a ‘Louvre of Saudi Arabia’ in Riyadh, featuring the world’s most expensive artwork, Salvator Mundi, as its crown jewel. The painting by Leonardo da Vinci was bought by HRH for a staggering £360 million (US$450 million) in 2017, and has been kept out of sight in a Geneva vault for years.
Speaking on a new BBC documentary, The Kingdom: The World’s Most Powerful Prince, Bernard Haykel, a professor of Near Eastern studies at Princetown University said he asked the Crown Prince about the whereabouts of the Salvator Mundi and he told him that he wished to use it in his replication of the Louvre. He told the documentary: ‘The idea was that you would have a painting by Leonardo that would hang in that museum and help attract tourists.
Red Sea invites visitors to “Be The First”
Visit Red Sea has lauched its latest campaign, “Be The First,” in partnership with Beautiful Destinations. The video campaign invites travellers to be among the first to experience the destination’s natural beauty, luxurious offerings, and rich Saudi heritage. Featuring visuals that boast the Red Sea’s pristine beaches, coral reefs, desert landscapes and regional charm, the campaign positions the Red Sea as a secluded island getaway within reach for local Saudi’s. The campaign also emphasizes sustainability and conservation, highlighting the use of Sun-to-Earth energy to power the destination.
Enhancing THE RIG.’s tourism appeal
The Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), developer of THE RIG. Project in Saudi Arabia, has formed a strategic partnership with International Maritime Industries (IMI) to elevate the visitor experience at the world’s first offshore adventure tourism destination inspired by oil platforms. The partnership will enable IMI to supply ferries and support services, streamlining maritime operations and accessibility to THE RIG.
A recent meeting between OPDC CEO Raed Bakhrji and IMI CEO Abdullah Al Ghamdi marked the beginning of this collaboration, which will leverage IMI’s expertise in shipbuilding, repair, and offshore services to enhance operational efficiency and service standards. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), OPDC’s partnership with IMI will support THE RIG. in achieving its operational goals and cementing its position as a premier adventure tourism destination.
Saudi Arabia’s Amwaj waterfront a top attraction
The Amwaj waterfront in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, has become a top tourist destination, offering beautiful seaside views, 350,000sqm of extensive green spaces, and various recreational areas. Spanning more than 1M sqm, it features a 2.6km seaside walkway, cultural street, and numerous parks and sports facilities. The Jizan Municipality’s efforts in developing coastal areas have transformed the region into a major investment hub and recreational hotspot, now boasting 209 parks, 14 seafronts, and 198 sports fields, enhancing the visitor experience.
Star-studded Esports closing ceremony in Riyadh
Riyadh will draw the Esports World Cup to a close, attracting global attention with its star-studded closing ceremony from 20-25 August. The event, which is part of Saudi Arabia’s push to become a hub for gaming and Esports, will feature top players and celebrities from around the world including the likes of Kid Cudi, Steve Aoki, and Sevdaliza.
The celebration signals the end of the eight-week event that has 22 tournaments with a prize value pool of around $60 million. The official winner of the first Esports World Cup Club Champion will also receive $7 million at the closing ceremony.
United Arab Emirates
K-Drama fever hits Dubai with Park Shin-hye and Park Hyung-sik fronting new tourism campaign
Dubai Tourism has launched a global campaign, “Dubai, Who’s Ready,” featuring South Korean stars Park Shin-hye and Park Hyung-sik. The campaign follows the actors’ exciting journey as they explore Dubai’s cultural sites, iconic landmarks, architecture, and natural beauty.
From a chance encounter at the Palazzo Versace Dubai to exploring the Museum of the Future, Dubai Fountain, and historic Al Fahidi Neighborhood, the actors’ adventure showcases the best of Dubai, where their experiences are designed to inspire viewers to visit and create their own unforgettable memories in the city. Both actors praised Dubai’s diversity, stunning architecture, and natural beauty, aiming to entice viewers to visit and experience it for themselves.
Abu Dhabi’s new surf paradise
Abu Dhabi is making waves with the upcoming launch of Surf Abu Dhabi, a state-of-the-art surfing facility that is set to open by October 2024. Developed by Modon Properties in collaboration with surfing legend Kelly Slater, the park will cater to all skill levels, offering some of the highest man-made waves.
The facility will include training programs, host major competitions, and leisure surfing opportunities. This new attraction will further enhance Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a top water sports destination, complementing the city’s existing water parks.
Yas Marina Circuit ranks as top F1 city breaks
Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit has secured its position as one of the top cities for Formula 1 city breaks, according to a recent ranking. Known for hosting the season-ending Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi takes its place in the Top 10 thanks to the perfect combo of its thrilling motorsport action, luxury accommodation, and cultural experiences. Visitors are treated to an energetic vibrant atmosphere, world-class entertainment, and easy access to key attractions including Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld among many others.
Dubai and Sharjah to host Women’s T20 World Cup
Due to security concerns stemming from recent violent protests in Bangladesh, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the Women’s T20 World Cup, originally scheduled to take place in Bangladesh from 3 – 20 October, will be relocated to the United Arab Emirates. The tournament will now be held across two venues in the UAE – Dubai and Sharjah, wht the Bangladesh Cricket Board maintaining its hosting rights.
Abu Dhabi named top destination for weddings
Abu Dhabi has been crowned the world’s top wedding destination for 2024 at the Event Management Federation (EMF) Ace Global Awards, a premier gathering for India’s wedding and entertainment industry. The EMF Global Conference, attended by 685 industry leaders, including Bollywood celebrities and international wedding planners, recognised Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal for weddings and celebrations, given its blend of attractions, natural beauty, and value-added experiences for all budgets and requirements. The emirate’s streamlined ecosystem of services, including visa and license facilitation, express civil wedding services, and places of worship for diverse faiths added value as well.
DCT Abu Dhabi and Rotana partner to boost tourism
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT) has formed a strategic partnership with Rotana, one of the region’s leading hotel management companies. This collaboration aims to boost Abu Dhabi’s status as a leading cultural and tourism destination by leveraging Rotana’s extensive hospitality expertise.
The partnership will focus on enhancing guest experiences through innovative marketing initiatives, exclusive packages, and elevated service standards across Rotana properties in the emirate. Exclusive promotions to attractions like The National Aquarium, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and Qasr Al Watan will be included in the partnership.
Wider Middle East
Jordan records growth in H1 2024, hosts “Highlight” summit
Jordan welcomed 2.79 million tourists and generated JD2.33 billion in tourism revenues in H1 2024, according to the latest report from the Economic Modernisation Vision’s Executive Programme. The report also stated the creation of 54,000 jobs in the tourism sector in the first quarter, and recorded 138,000 arrivals via 993 low-cost and scheduled flights, in addition to the sale of 59,000 single tickets contributing to the sector’s positive performance. The report also emphasised that Jordan is positioning itself as a “premier” tourist destination and filming location via various efforts including hosting international events and updating its catalogue of historical and heritage sites for film makers.
As part of the positioning exercise, the Dead Sea will be hosting the “Highlight” summit on Thursday 22 August, where content creators from Jordan and across the Arab world will gather to explore cutting-edge strategies and global trends in innovative digital content creation and storytelling. Attendees will delve into the latest tools, techniques, and trends that are revolutionizing content creation; strategies that enhance brand engagement and reach through influencer partnerships; and examining the art of storytelling in the digital age and its impact on audience engagement.
50 shows coming to Muscat’s opera house
Audiences are in for a treat at the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) as it announces its upcoming season. The 2024-2025 season will feature an eclectic mix of performances, ranging from classical operas to contemporary musicals, ballet, jazz concerts and family theatre shows across 50 performances in its main programme. The season’s highlights include the Puccini, Verdi, and Donizetti operas, regional talent from Omani and Arab musicians, and the internationally acclaimed European Philarmonia Orchestra.
New departure fee for Türkiye
Türkiye has increased its departure tax for travellers by more than 200%. Effective now, the fee which now costs 500 Turkish Liras (approx $15) up from 50 Liras in 2022, will apply to all passengers leaving the country, with the aim of generating additional revenue for the tourism sector. This new tax has sparked discussions among tourists and industry stakeholders, particularly as it may impact the cost of holidays to popular destinations like Istanbul, Antalya, and Cappadocia. While the fee is relatively modest, it adds to the list of considerations for travellers planning their trips to Türkiye.
