New album out by RSG, upgraded tastes in Qatar, Jordan welcomes a record 1.32 million GCC visitors, and Saudi Arabia tightens visa regulations. Meanwhile, Qiddiya City partners with Deloitte for a cutting-edge guest experience, and Dubai pioneers sustainable transport and hosts a global summit on justice, love, and peace. Plus, Abu Dhabi celebrates harmony and cultural excellence, Jabal Al Akhdar sees a surge in visitors, and Banana Island Adventure Park opens in Doha.

RSG debuts Red Sea Waves

Red Sea Global (RSG) has launched its debut album, Red Sea Waves, a special musical compilation that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Red Sea coast. Produced by RSG’s Red Sea Studios, the album features 12 tracks that blend diverse genres and origins, including Yanbawi, Sudanese, Yemeni, West African, and Somali music. The album is the result of a collaborative effort between Saudi, Egyptian, Sudanese, Somali, and other artists and musicians. According to Eng. Ahmed Darwish, Group Chief Administrative Officer at Red Sea Global, the album aims to promote cultural and artistic initiatives, while establishing a creative centre in The Red Sea to nurture local and international talents.

Qatar Tourism launches Taste of Qatar

Qatar Tourism has launched the Taste of Qatar programme, a new restaurant rating initiative designed to enhance the dining experience across the country’s culinary scene. Developed in partnership with Ipsos and the Ministry of Public Health, the programme integrates front-of-house service evaluations with back-of-house hygiene and safety assessments, ensuring restaurants adhere to the highest international standards. The programme evaluates seven categories of dining experiences and awards top performers with a prestigious 3-star certification, increasing their exposure across Qatar Tourism and Visit Qatar platforms. This initiative aims to position Doha as a premier culinary destination, fostering restaurant excellence and driving service innovation, particularly in light of the Michelin Guide’s recent presence in Doha.

Boosting sustainable luxury tourism in Musandam

The Musandam Governor’s Office recently hosted a workshop to drive growth in sustainable luxury tourism, bringing together experts to chart strategies for the sector’s development. Inaugurated by Governor Sayyid Ibrahim bin Saeed al Busaidi, the workshop focused on enhancing the tourism experience, with discussions centred around Six Senses Zighy Bay resort’s role in driving luxury tourism, addressing environmental challenges, and fostering partnerships. Busaidi emphasized that luxury tourism is not just about catering to high-income individuals, but about providing unique experiences that connect guests to the place, harmonize with nature, and leave lasting impressions. The workshop concluded with a discussion on Musandam’s tourism future, identifying actionable steps to promote sustainable tourism and support the sector’s growth.

Earlier this week…

Jordan welcomes record number of GCC visitors in 2024

Jordan has seen a remarkable surge in tourism from GCC nations in 2024, welcoming a record 1.32 million overnight visitors. This significant 15% growth from the previous year cements Jordan’s position as a preferred destination for Gulf travellers, thanks to its strategic tourism initiatives. The average length of stay also increased, indicating a trend towards longer holidays and deeper exploration of Jordan’s diverse attractions. Saudi Arabia dominated the market with 1.158 million visitors, followed by Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, all contributing to the country’s tourism success.

Saudi Arabia introduces stricter visa regulations

Saudi Arabia has implemented new visa regulations, restricting travellers from 14 countries, including Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen, to single-entry visas valid for 30 days with no option for extension. This change affects tourists, business travellers, and family visitors, but excludes those applying for Hajj, Umrah, diplomatic, or residency visas. The move aims to address the misuse of multiple-entry visas, which has led to overcrowding issues and unauthorised pilgrims participating in Hajj without proper authorisation.

Qiddiya City partners with Deloitte to revolutionise guest experiences

Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has announced a strategic partnership with Deloitte to implement a cutting-edge Dynamic Guest Management System at Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia’s future capital of entertainment, sports, and culture. The system, powered by Microsoft Dynamics 365, Adobe, and Sprinklr, will integrate customer relationship management, marketing automation, and B2B engagement to provide a seamless and personalised experience for guests across Qiddiya City’s world-class attractions, including Six Flags Qiddiya City and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium.

Visit Qatar and Wego partner to boost tourism

Visit Qatar and Wego have formed a strategic partnership to promote Qatar as a top-tier global travel destination. The collaboration will showcase Qatar’s luxury hotels, cultural festivals, and breathtaking landscapes through joint marketing initiatives, content collaborations, and exclusive travel deals. The partnership aims to drive tourism growth, boost visitor numbers, and enhance Qatar’s reputation, while offering travellers a range of experiences and seamless booking options.

Dubai pioneers sustainable future and global harmony

Dubai is poised to revolutionise urban mobility with the introduction of the RailBus system, a solar-powered, eco-friendly mass transit solution boasting autonomous driving capabilities and cutting-edge design. Aligning with the UAE’s Net Zero Strategy 2050, this innovative system will integrate seamlessly with Dubai’s existing public transport network, enhancing connectivity while ensuring safe, smooth, and sustainable travel.

Meanwhile, the emirate is also set to host the world’s largest summit on Justice, Love, and Peace, welcoming over 2,800 peacekeepers from across the globe on April 12-13. The Global Justice, Love & Peace Summit will feature 72 renowned speakers, including 10 Nobel Laureates, and launch the “I Am Peacekeeper” movement, aiming to unite 1 million peacekeepers by 21 September.

Abu Dhabi celebrates harmony and cultural excellence

The Abu Dhabi Festival has launched its 22nd edition, themed ‘Abu Dhabi – A World of Harmony,’ aligning with the UAE’s “Year of Community.” This year’s festival celebrates over 50 years of UAE-Japan diplomatic relations, showcasing Japanese culture through a stellar lineup of artists and performances.

Meanwhile, Louvre Abu Dhabi has achieved a milestone, welcoming over 1.4 million visitors in 2024, its highest attendance since opening, with international visitors accounting for 84% of attendance, led by China, Russia, India, France, and the UK.

Jabal Al Akhdar welcomes more visitors in 2024

The Wilayat of Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman’s Al Dakhiliyah Governorate saw a significant influx of tourists in 2024, with a record 203,629 visitors, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information. Omani citizens accounted for nearly half of the total, with 96,856 visitors, while Saudi tourists, Emirati visitors, and other nationalities also made notable contributions to the wilayat’s growing tourism numbers. Jabal Al Akhdar’s blend of moderate summer climate, cold winters, and diverse landscapes makes it an appealing destination for eco-tourism and adventure seekers.

Banana Island Adventure Park now open in Doha

Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara has launched the Banana Island Adventure Park, a pioneering family destination and leisure hub offering entertainment for all ages. Located on a private island, the park features Qatar’s longest zipline, an outdoor rope course, climbing walls, and exclusive activities like the Giant Swing and Human Slingshot.