Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Visitors to Saudi historical sites hit 6.5 million in 2024
Saudi Gazette
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July 9, 2025
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The number of visitors to heritage and historical sites across Saudi Arabia during the year 2024 reached approximately 6.5 million, according to the Ministry of Culture. This is a significant indicator of the growing...
Minister: Indonesia Mulling Sea Travel for Hajj, Umrah
Tempo.co
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July 9, 2025
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs said the government is mulling the option to open sea routes for Hajj pilgrimage. Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, said the plan is one of the results of President...
Hajj 2026: Over 200,000 Pakistanis registered as deadline approaches
Daily Times
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July 8, 2025
More than 200,000 Pakistanis have already registered for Hajj 2026, as confirmed by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. With the registration deadline set for tomorrow, officials have urged all aspiring pilgrims to complete the process in time to...
UAE’s Q2 job growth outpaces Saudi Arabia driven by tech and property hiring
The National News
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Job growth in the UAE in the second quarter outpaced Saudi Arabia, driven by strong demand in real estate, financial services and technology sectors, the introduction of a digital work permit system and high employer confidence, a report by...
EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria Risks Losing N25Billion In 2025 Hajj Over Unused Bed Spaces, Dubious NAHCON Contracts
Sahara Reporters
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The Nigerian government may have walked straight into a financial blackhole as fresh documents and sources reveal that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) could lose over N25.14 billion during the 2025 Hajj exercise. SaharaReporters...
Integrated resorts will transform tourism in APAC: ATM
Travel & Tourism News Middle East
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Travel, Tourism & Hospitality July 2025 256 The growth of integrated resorts in Middle East and Asia Pacific (APAC) is redefining the hospitality industry by blending luxury, entertainment, and culture into immersive destination experiences, as...
Taufiq Uddin Ahmed gets lifetime achievement award for contribution to travel, tourism industry
Daily Star
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July 7, 2025
Taufiq Uddin Ahmed, founder and chairman of Galaxy Bangladesh, has been honoured with the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the "Share Trip-Monitor Airline of the Year 2024" for his remarkable contributions to the development of Bangladesh's travel...
Tourism will hit 30bn visits by 2034, outpacing growth: report
Travel & Tourism News Middle East
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Travel, Tourism & Hospitality July 2025 114 The World Economic Forum has released a report predicting that the travel and tourism industry will serve 30 billion tourist trips by 2034, contributing $16 trillion to global GDP. This represents more...
Saudi TDF launches its fourth graduate training programme
Travel & Tourism News Middle East
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Travel, Tourism & Hospitality July 2025 120 The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) is accepting applications for the fourth edition of the Tourism Oluo Programme, a development initiative aimed at attracting and preparing university graduates for the...
Riyadh Air and Almatar sign strategic partnership to integrate modern retailing capabilities
Travel Daily News
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July 8, 2025
Riyadh Air partners with Almatar to enable NDC-powered retailing, enhancing digital booking, personalized offers, and aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. In a significant step towards enhancing the use of cutting-edge technology in...
Global buyers head to Riyadh for new Saudi tourism showcase
ETTravelWorld.com
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July 9, 2025
In a major new initiative to support Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism sector, Jacobs Media has announced the launch of Connections Saudi, in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority, which will take place from 10–14 November 2025 in Riyadh. The...
Final day for mandatory Hajj 2026 registration
The Nation
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July 9, 2025
Today is the final day for mandatory Hajj 2026 registration, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced. So far, around 200,000 aspiring pilgrims have registered. Officials have urged citizens to act swiftly, as only those who complete...
Araghchi engages Saudi Crown Prince, top officials in ‘fruitful’ talks on bilateral, regional issues
Tehran Times
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July 9, 2025
TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a series of high-level meetings with senior Saudi officials on Tuesday, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and Foreign Minister Prince Faisal...
Last day for mandatory Hajj 2026 registration in Pakistan
Dunya News
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Pakistan Pakistan Last day for mandatory Hajj 2026 registration in Pakistan Close Once registration is complete, the final data will be shared with Saudi authorities. Updated On: Wed, 09 Jul 2025 17:36:11 PKT ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Today marks...
Saudia, WestJet to boost international air connectivity
Zawya
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Saudia has signed a partnership agreement with Canada’s WestJet, one of North America’s leading airlines, to strengthen existing cooperation and expand travel options for passengers flying between North America and the Middle East, reported SPA....
‘It is solely his decision’ – Inter Miami hope Lionel Messi will extend MLS stay despite intense Saudi interest
Irish Independent
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The legendary Argentine winger moved to the MLS outfit from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, scoring 52 goals in 64 appearances since. Now 38 years old, he is expected to commit to spending his career twilight in Florida. Inter Miami’s managing owner...
Why regenerative tourism is the future of hospitality
Hospitality Net
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July 9, 2025
In this week’s episode of Hotel Moment, Aradhana Khowala, CEO of Aptamind Partners, joins Revinate CMO Karen Stephens with a sobering perspective on the state of hospitality and global tourism. Aradhana explains the ways hospitality has become...
Amazon Payment Services Adds Tamara to Expand BNPL Options in UAE and Saudi Arabia
Fintech News Middle East
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July 9, 2025
Free Newsletter Get the hottest Fintech Middle East News once a month in your Inbox Amazon Payment Services, a digital payments provider in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has added Tamara, a Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider in the Gulf...
Saudi Arabia Drives Middle East Push Into $600B Global Sports Market: Report
Gulf Insider
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July 8, 2025
Saudi Arabia is spearheading the Middle East’s emergence as a global sports powerhouse, backed by large-scale investment, major event hosting and rapid growth in digital sectors, according to a new report by global consultancy Kearney. The report,...
Oberoi Hotels & Resorts celebrated among world’s best in Travel + Leisure, USA World’s Best Awards 2025
The Economic Times
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July 9, 2025
Hospitality chain Oberoi Hotels & Resorts said on Tuesday that it has once again demonstrated its 'global leadership' in the luxury hospitality space with multiple accolades in the Travel + Leisure, USA World's Best Awards 2025- one of the most...