Saudi Arabia is on track to welcome 70 million tourists annually by 2030, aiming to rank among the top seven global tourist destinations, said Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb.

 

Speaking at The Way We Will Travel panel session of the the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Wednesday, he said Saudi Arabia welcomed a record number of nearly 30 million international tourists last year, a Saudi Press Agency report said.

 

Al Khateeb attributed the success of Saudi Arabia's tourism industry to sound governance and integrated planning. He emphasised key initiatives, such as the introduction of e-visas and the construction of airports in major tourist destinations, which have significantly boosted the number of international visitors.

 

Saudi Arabia focuses on enhancing the entire tourist journey, from flights and landing points to mobility and destinations, Al Khateeb said. 

 

Efforts are underway to develop new destinations and modern airports, including King Salman International Airport, which is projected to accommodate over 120 million travellers. Additionally, the kingdom has launched a new airline, Riyadh Air, to further support its tourism objectives.

 

During the session, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas praised the significant advancements in Saudi Arabia's tourism sector. He highlighted the kingdom's collaboration with various destinations and countries, emphasizing its strong performance in the field.

 

 

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) today (March 13) laid the foundation stone for its AED440 million ($120 million) hospitality project - Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza - in Egypt. 

 

A luxury five-star hotel, it will feature 302 rooms equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. The property will also house a selection of international restaurants and entertainment facilities, positioning it as a premier destination for luxury hospitality.

 

The project is being financed through a strategic partnership between the private sectors of the UAE and Egypt, said the statement from ADFD. 

 

ADFD is contributing 84.28% of the project’s capital through Abu Dhabi Tourism Investment Company (ADTIC). Additionally, Abu Dhabi National Hotels owns 10.22%, Overseas Tourism Investment Company holds 0.4%, Misr Hotels Company owns 2.73%, and the Egyptian General Company for Tourism & Hotels owns 2.37%.

 

It will be a landmark addition to the hospitality and tourism sector in Egypt and the broader Middle East, thus reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to advancing global economic partnerships and supporting sustainable development, it stated.

 

This comes as part of its efforts to support and revitalise Egypt’s tourism sector and enhance strategic investments, it added.

 

The foundation was jointly laid by Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, and Engineer Adel Al-Najjar, the Governor of Giza, from the Egyptian government, in the presence of officials from both sides.

 

Blending rich history with modern luxury, the project promises an exceptional hospitality experience that meets the highest international standards. Abu Dhabi Tourism Investment Company is partnering with Accor Group, a globally renowned hospitality brand, to manage the hotel and ensure excellence in service and guest experience.

 

On the deal, Al Suwaidi said: Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza is a significant step in strengthening Egypt’s tourism sector, offering a world-class hotel experience that underscores our commitment to sustainable investments in promising markets."

 

"Through our partnership with Accor Group, we aim to elevate the tourism industry while supporting economic and social development in Egypt," he stated.

 

Al Suwaidi called this investment a reflection of ADFD’s commitment to advancing sustainable development projects and driving investment partnerships that fuel economic growth in partner countries.

 

Lauding the ADFD support, Al Najjar said: "We appreciate Abu Dhabi Fund for Development’s commitment to supporting Egypt’s development projects, particularly in key economic sectors like tourism."

 

"The Sofitel Legend Pyramids Giza project represents a transformative step in strengthening our tourism infrastructure, enabling us to attract visitors from around the world thanks to its strategic location near Egypt’s most iconic archaeological sites," he added.-TradeArabia News Service

ITB China, the B2B-exclusive trade show for the Chinese travel industry, introduces a brand-new event – MICE Meeting Point China – taking place from September 11-12, 2025, in Beijing.

 

This event is designed to cater to the evolving needs of China’s rapidly changing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry.

 

The confex-style event will be co-located with the ITB China Business Travel Conference, offering its attendees a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and business development.

 

To further enhance engagement, a post-event Fam trip will be organised from September 13-14, providing participants with first-hand experiences of China’s top MICE destinations and offerings.

 

MICE Meeting Point will feature a dynamic conference stage where leading experts and innovators will present cutting-edge insights, trends, and first-hand updates shaping the future of MICE and business travel.

 

The event will also host a dedicated business mart area, enabling sponsors to showcase their products, solutions, and services to a highly targeted audience at branded sponsor booths and tables.

 

Additionally, exclusive networking events will offer valuable opportunities to connect with key industry players and decision-makers, fostering meaningful business interactions.

 

This event is supported by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

 

“Beijing has always played a significant role in advancing the development of China’s MICE industry. As a supporting unit for this event, we are deeply honored to host such an international MICE gathering in Beijing. We look forward to fostering innovation and growth in China’s MICE industry through this event and further deepening cooperation both domestically and internationally”, commented Sun Jian, Deputy Director, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

 

According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), China ranked first with $372.5 billion in business travel spending (a 9% increase) among the top fifteen countries in 2023. By 2028, it is projected to exceed $2.0 trillion, highlighting a robust outlook for the global business travel sector in terms of the global business travel spending. According to Trip.Biz data, cross-border business travel is also surging, with figures as of October 2024 already 34% higher than in 2019 and a 72% increase compared to the same period in 2023, setting a new historical record. This growth highlights China's expanding influence in the global business travel sector.

 

Beyond financial growth, the industry is also undergoing a structural transformation, shaped by advancements in artificial intelligence, sustainability initiatives, digitalisation, and hybrid meeting technologies. The demand for customised, tech-driven, and flexible MICE solutions is rising, with businesses prioritising efficiency, personalisation, and sustainability in their event planning strategies.

 

These emerging trends and industry shifts will take center stage at the conference, where experts and innovators will delve into a wide range of pressing topics, including:

 

• Bleisure Travel: How is the rise of bleisure travel creating new opportunities for the MICE industry?

 

• Cost vs Quality: Which destinations are preferred for balancing budget efficiency with high-quality experiences?

 

• AI-Driven Transformation: How is artificial intelligence reshaping personalisation and efficiency in the MICE sector?

 

• Corporate Globalisation: How can MICE activities drive internationalisation and cross-cultural exchange?

 

• Customisation Trends: How are personalised MICE experiences redefining the market?

 

• Sustainability & ESG: How can MICE events integrate green innovation and social responsibility?

 

• 5G & Virtual Reality: How are emerging technologies enhancing hybrid meetings and live event experiences?

 

"The launch of MICE Meeting Point in China’s capital Beijing is a significant step in providing a tailor-made platform for China's MICE and business travel industry, with the prospect of facilitating communication between domestic and international industry professionals, fostering innovation and creating new business opportunities. We look forward to contributing to the development of a more efficient, smarter, and globally connected MICE landscape in China”, said Lydia Li, Director of ITB China. -TradeArabia News Service