Saudi hotel occupancy reaches 57.3pc in Q4 2025
Mon, 13 Apr 2026
The average hotel room occupancy rate in Saudi Arabia stood at 57.3% in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking an increase of 1.3 percentage points compared to 56% during the same period in 2024.
Saudi domestic tourism grows 16pc in Q1 2026
Sun, 12 Apr 2026
Saudi Arabia reported strong domestic tourism growth in Q1 2026, with 28.9 million tourists, up 16% year-on-year, and spending reaching SAR34.7 billion ($9 billion), an 8% increase, highlighting sustained demand supporting the tourism sector.
SLS The Red Sea brings international dining concepts to Saudi Arabia
Thu, 09 Apr 2026
SLS The Red Sea, a destination in its own right, presents a dynamic culinary line-up that brings together internationally acclaimed names making their Saudi debut alongside original concepts.
Gulf Air adds four South Asia routes from Dammam
Tue, 07 Apr 2026
Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has expanded its temporary operations from King Fahd International Airport with the addition of four new South Asian destinations: Lahore, Islamabad, Kochi, and Dhaka.
Discover Aseer named among IGCAT’s Top 10 Foodie Websites for 2026
Mon, 06 Apr 2026
Saudi Arabia is emerging as a top culinary destination, with Aseer Region gaining global recognition. The “Discover Aseer” platform was named among IGCAT’s Top 10 Foodie Websites for 2026.
Jazan records tenfold growth in tourism accommodation facilities
Sun, 05 Apr 2026
Jazan Region in Saudi Arabia saw major tourism growth from 2020 to early 2026, with accommodation facilities increasing from 32 to 323, driven by rising investment, expanded infrastructure, and growing demand from visitors.
Patel Family Office, AHQ launch $1bn Saudi hospitality platform
Fri, 27 Mar 2026
Patel Family Office, a US investment enterprise, and Abdel Hadi A Al-Qahtani & Sons (AHQ), a Saudi industrial conglomerate, have signed a $1 billion deal to establish AYARA, a vertically integrated hospitality platform that will develop a network of 50 international brand-name business hotels across Saudi Arabia by 2029.
F1 cancels April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
Sun, 15 Mar 2026
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Formula One Grands Prix will not take place in April as scheduled due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East region, the FIA said.
Air India, AIE ramp up GCC operations with nearly 50 special flights
Sat, 07 Mar 2026
With airspace over Saudi Arabia and Oman open, Air India and Air India Express continue to operate scheduled flights to and from the kingdom's port city Jeddah and the sultanate's capital Muscat. To support guests stranded in the region, the duo will operate 43 flights across the region today (March 7).
UK prepares plan to evacuate stranded people via Saudi Arabia: report
Mon, 02 Mar 2026
Britain is preparing for a mass evacuation of tourists and expats stranded in the Gulf due to the present conflict in the area via Saudi Arabia, a Daily Mail report said.
165-room Radisson Hotel Madinah opens
Thu, 19 Feb 2026
The Radisson Hotel Madinah, a new four-star hotel, was opened in Madinah in the presence of Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb.
King Fahd International Airport deploys latest navigation system
Wed, 18 Feb 2026
King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest airport in the world by area, has introduced a state-of-the-art navigation system, marking the first Category III Instrument Landing System upgrade in Saudi Arabia.
flyadeal takes delivery of first new aircraft of 2026
Tue, 17 Feb 2026
flyadeal, Saudi Arabia’s low-cost airline, has received its first new aircraft of 2026, an Airbus A320neo, increasing its fleet to 45 jets. Arriving from Airbus’ Toulouse plant, it is flyadeal’s 34th A320neo, contributing to the airline’s all-narrowbody fleet.
Rixos Murjana opens as Saudi Arabia’s largest ultra-all-inclusive resort
Mon, 16 Feb 2026
Rixos Murjana, Saudi Arabia’s largest ultra all-inclusive resort, has opened in King Abdullah Economic City. Financed by the Tourism Development Fund and developed in partnership with Emaar Economic City and FTG Company, the resort emerges as a destination for domestic and international tourism.
Saudi Arabia to host major AERO Middle East airshow in November
Thu, 12 Feb 2026
Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Aviation Club have announced the launch of AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026, a landmark aviation platform.
Premier Inn signs MoU to develop up to eight hotels in Mideast
Thu, 12 Feb 2026
Premier Inn Middle East has signed an MoU with Equitativa Real Estate to develop six to eight hotels, adding 3,500 keys across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The AED 2 billion ($545 million) investment will double Premier Inn’s current portfolio of 3,184 keys.
Gulf Hotels Group enters Saudi market with three Makkah properties
Wed, 11 Feb 2026
Gulf Hotels Group (GHG) has signed an MoU with Burhan Hotels to enter Saudi Arabia, covering three Makkah hotels with around 1,000 rooms. GHG will operate and manage the properties, oversee renovations and repositioning, and pursue partnerships with international hotel brands as part of its expansion strategy.
Saudi TDF, Palladium Hotel Group sign tourism development pact
Wed, 11 Feb 2026
Saudi Tourism Development Fund (TDF) signed a MoU with Palladium Hotel Group to explore development opportunities across several regions of Saudi Arabia. The agreement focuses on strengthening cooperation, assessing potential projects, conducting feasibility studies, identifying suitable investment structures, and reviewing technical and operational frameworks.
Saudi Arabia, Spain to enhance cooperation in civil aviation
Tue, 10 Feb 2026
Saudi Arabia and Spain signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to enhance cooperation in the fields of civil aviation and future modes of transportation. The agreements are expected to raise aviation safety standards, enhance security, improve air operation quality, and elevate passenger experience.
Saudi tourism aims to double GDP contribution to $160 billion
Mon, 09 Feb 2026
Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb said the sector aims to double its contribution to the kingdom's GDP from SAR300 billion ($80 billion) to SAR600 billion ($160 billion), while continuing to create jobs as the private sector recruits national talent.
Ashoka Buildcon–BEC Arabia JV lands Diriyah hotel project contract
Sat, 07 Feb 2026
Indian infrastructure group Ashoka Buildcon said its joint venture with Saudi-based BEC Arabia Contracting has secured the main construction works contract for a hotel project within Saudi Arabia's giga development - Diriyah, The City of Earth, coming up near Riyadh.