Powering Saudi's rise in tourism

Source: Saudi Tourism Authority. Aerial view of Qiddiya at night.

While KSA’s heritage remains the soul of its travel experiences, the kingdom has also been unveiling projects of unprecedented scale and vision:

Qiddiya 

Just outside Riyadh, Qiddiya is set to become KSA’s capital of entertainment, sports, and culture. It will host a wide range of attractions, from motorsports and live performances to cultural experiences.

Among its most anticipated highlights is Six Flags Qiddiya, the first Six Flags Park in the region. Record-breaking rides and roller coasters are expected to redefine theme park entertainment in the Middle East.

Aquarabia Qiddiya City

Aquarabia Qiddiya City will be the kingdom’s first water theme park, and the region's largest. It is expected to open soon.

King Salman Park

Located in the heart of Riyadh, this will be one of the largest urban parks in the world. Combining culture, entertainment, and expansive green space, it will create a new focal point for both residents and visitors.

Over 1,000 new hotel rooms are set to open under brands such as Marriott, Accor, IHG, and Six Senses by 2030, catering to every type of traveller. These launches will not only redefine the country’s hospitality landscape but also set new global benchmarks in design, service, and sustainability.

KSA is also investing heavily in infrastructure that makes travel seamless and sustainable. Airport upgrades, new high-speed rail connections, and smart city developments will mean easier journeys, greater connectivity, and access to destinations that were once difficult to reach.

For Indonesian travellers, visiting KSA is now more accessible. Holders of a valid UK, US, or Schengen visa, complete with an entry stamp from the issuing country, can apply for an e-visa or visa on arrival. Umrah pilgrims can explore beyond the holy cities as well.

India and Bangladesh launch connectivity projects

India PM Shri Narendra Modi, the Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee have jointly inaugurated a series of connectivity projects between the two countries.

These include the second Bhairab and Titas Railway Bridges along the 320-km Dhaka-Chittagong railway corridor in Bangladesh, and the International Rail Passenger Terminus at Chitpur in Kolkata, India.

The dignitaries also flagged off the inaugural run of the Bandhan Express between Kolkata and Khulna in southwest Bangladesh, a distance of over 150km. The train runs on Thursdays from Kolkata in the mornings, reaching Khulna in the early afternoon, leaving Khulna in the early afternoon to reach Kolkata in the evening.

Global recruiter Airswift Holdings has 57 operating locations

Source: Airswift Holdings. From left, Duncan Gregson, CEO of Air Energi; Janette Marx, COO, Airswift, Ian Langley, Chairman, Airswift; Peter Searle, CEO, Airswift; and Tobias Reed, CEO of Swift Worldwide Resources.

Air Energi Group and Swift Worldwide Resources have merged to form Airswift Holdings. a company specialising in global recruitment for contract staff and permanent hires, resource consultancy, global mobility and managed solutions for the energy, process and infrastructure industries. 

The company will have a total of 57 operating locations and three corporate hubs, in the UK, the US and Singapore.

Thailand gathers momentum as a business event destination

Source: TCEB.

Thailand is positioning itself as a business events destination under the stewardship of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), or TCEB. As the Thai government's flagship body for the sector, TCEB has a leading role in driving Thailand's leadership position in Asia's business events industry, and Bangkok's role as a premier destination for international business events. 

The Thai business events sector is expected to continue to grow strongly in 2015, welcoming 1,036,300 business events visitors, and generating revenue of approximately US$3.55 billion. Reflecting its position as a preferred business events destination in Asia, Thailand has a diverse lineup of confirmed major events in 2015: 

FDI's 2015 Annual World Dental Congress, which will be held from 22 to 25 September 2015 is an industry forum involving leaders of the dental profession from more than 100 countries, as well as top personalities of the international and national trade and industry. Strong collaboration between TCEB and a range of other government agencies instilled unity and confidence in the bid, while Thailand's wide variety of destinations were seen as a unique asset as delegates can enjoy an unmatched pre- and post-event programme.

Another prestigious win is One Young World Summit 2015, which Bangkok will host during 18 to 21 November 2015. Bangkok beat Kobe in Japan and Hong Kong to win the right to be the first city in Asia to host this event. This annual summit gathers together approximately 2,000 young visionaries aged 18-30 from every corner of the world, who are leaders in their respective fields. The bid was won in the midst of political uncertainty last year, and underscores international confidence in Thailand. 

Bangkok was also named host city for travel event TBEX Asia 2015, scheduled for 15 to 17 October 2015. TBEX Asia 2015 will provide platform for the world's largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers, new media content creators, and social media savvy travel industry professionals. The bid was won thanks to strong synergies between relevant government organisations working together including Tourism Authority of Thailand, TCEB and Thai Airways, emphasising the TCEB's 4P (public-private-people partnership) strategy.

According to TCEB, large-scale business event organisers are attracted to Thailand thanks to two key factors. One reason is the variety of destinations, on top of nine internationally recognised international convention and exhibition centres that offer a combined 200,174 sq m of floor space. Another reason is how Thailand can raise traditional business events programmes a notch with local night markets, distinctive street cuisine and cultural activities throughout the calendar year. Thailand also offers a wide range of ecological activities, such as releasing turtles, cultivating coral, feeding rescued elephants, or conducting aerial or mangrove reforestation.

The country's unique offerings are captured under TCEB's Thailand CONNECT The World integrated campaign, which highlights Thailand's unrivalled destinations, business prospects, and people. 

Under 'Destinations', Thailand's five top tier business events cities are showcased, offering limitless options both inside and outside the event venue. 'Business' highlights how, as a world leader in a range of industries, Thailand harnesses regional integration to offer global prospects and opportunities to businesses seeking a springboard for ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) success. 'People' emphasises Thailand's proficient professionals who serve with effortless simplicity, gracious smiles and signature Thai service, as well as benchmark-setting industry standards.

TCEB President Nopparat Maythaveekulchai said, "Thailand CONNECT the World highlights how Thailand's diversity of destinations are enriched by world-class infrastructure and seamless connectivity, and it is a core part of our strategy to strengthen confidence in our MICE industry among international stakeholders."

Thailand's world-class infrastructure - from convenient and efficient mass transit systems to a modern highway system - influences decisions too. This is set to be boosted even further through a major infrastructure investment programme, including high-speed rail and the second phase expansion of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport. 

Thailand is also a key part of the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) development policy, which enjoys strong investment by the Japanese government. Designed to connect five countries, from Da Nang in Vietnam to China, Laos, Thailand and Mawlamyine-Myawaddy in Myanmar, the EWEC will be a game-changer, creating a springboard for business success in the fast-growing ASEAN region.

Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomes Muslim travellers

Source: Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau (YCVB) has announced that its new Muslim Tourist Information microsite within the English version of the official Yokohama Visitors' Guide website is getting noticed by Muslims in Southeast Asia. 

The Muslim Tourist Information website was set up in December 2013 to introduce places such as tourist facilities, restaurants, halal shops and mosques based on recommendations by Muslims living in Yokohama. In a questionnaire concerning this website conducted on Muslims in Southeast Asia, more than 90% said they find the information on restaurants, mosques, and suggested itineraries to be useful. 

YCVB has focused on attracting tourists from Southeast Asia from 2013, setting up booths at tourism fairs in countries like Thailand and Malaysia as well as receiving media organisation representatives from Southeast Asian countries to show them around Yokohama. 

As part of its efforts to welcoming Muslim tourists, YCVB has been working on ways to help Muslims feel more comfortable during their stay in Yokohama, including organising training for tourism-related businesses on how to receive Muslim travellers and distributing brochures for Muslim travellers at tourist information centres.

Yokohama is Japan's second biggest city after Tokyo, located near the capital with a population of 3.7 million. The city has  an eye on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as it works to increase its tourism infrastructure for visitors.