Madain Saleh a crucial historical land mark

The Director General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Koichiro Matsuura described the site of Madain Saleh, North Western, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia as "a

The SCTA launches Ejazti Saudia

SCTA announced the launch of a contest called "Ejazti Saudia" within its campaign to define and promote internal tourism trips and highlight KSA's tourism sites during the summer season.

Saudi Arabia to develop Red Sea

HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman, the SCTA secretary general, considered the Cabinet of Ministers' approval of the tourism development strategy of the Red Sea coast and executive plan proof of the country

1,985 Urban Heritage Sites in the KSA Provinces

Within the cultural program of the second round of the Award of Prince Sultan bin Salman for Urban Heritage, Dr.

Amid oil boom, inflation makes Saudis feel poorer

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Sultan al-Mazeen recently stopped at a gas station to fill up his SUV, paying 45 cents a gallon — about one-tenth what Americans pay these days.

Are Arab nations snubbing the West by pushing for integration with investment money?

When it comes to tourism investment money, the message that is reverberating across Arab nations is clear: Focus on the region and forget the rest.

Sultan outlines Kingdom’s tourism goals

RIYADH - Prince Sultan bin Salman, secretary-general of the General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (GCTA), said yesterday that the commission aims to make Saudi Arabia one of the most-favored

Down the US economy goes

Three top US economists have shed light on several issues that plague the country. There all agree that 2008's outlook is bleak.

Saudi Arabia: E-ticketing - a blessing or a curse?

JEDDAH — Thousands of workers in travel and tourism agencies in the Kingdom fear that they would lose their jobs now that the issuance of paper tickets is no longer an option with airlines worldwide fully shifting to the electronic ticketing system from today. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will penalize travel agencies ... read more

Nationwide push to target domestic, religious and overseas tourists

Speaking on the final day (May 5 2008) of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, special guest speaker His Royal Highness, Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Chairman of the Board and Secretary General of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) outlined the strategic plan for tourism development in the ... read more

First class rail travel from Marrakech to Riyadh?

At the moment it is impossible to take a train from Marrakech in Morocco to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia – from one end of the Arab world to the other. But in the long-term it may become more than a pipe dream as a wave of heavy investment in rail travel sweeps the region.

Saudi Arabia wants tourism to be biggest employer, SPA says

Saudi Arabia wants tourism companies and hotels to become the largest employer of the kingdom's citizens, the Saudi Press Agency reported, citing the secretary- general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism.

Prince Salman calls on businessmen to invest in growing tourism industry

RIYADH — Riyadh Governor Prince Salman called Saudi businessmen to invest in developing the Kingdom’s tourism sector to yield attractive returns.

Inaugurating the first ever Saudi Travel and Tourism Investment Market in Riyadh last night, Prince Salman pointed out that investment within the Kingdom is not only viable but investors ... read more

‘Women-only’ hotel opens in Saudi Arabia

A women-only hotel was opened Tuesday in Riyadh during a ceremony headed by Secretary General of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, Prince Sultan Bin Salman, the Saudi daily Arab News reported.

The 25-room hotel is designed to encourage Saudi businesswomen to invest in the tourism industry, Bin Salman told reporters at the opening of ... read more

Gulf unites with new passport

(eTN) - In the latest move towards regional cooperation among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain – a Kuwaiti official this week announced plans to accept the new Gulf passport, starting next May.

Saudis need NOC to travel to Pakistan

LAHORE - Saudi Arabia has tightened rules for its nationals, requiring them to obtain approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before Pakistani visas are endorsed on their passports.

Hajj gets under way in Saudi Arabia

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (eTN) - Millions of Muslims from around the world gathered in Mecca Sunday for the start of the annual Islamic hajj pilgrimage, as the Saudi Interior Ministry announced tough security precautions.

Men and women draped in white robes circled the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, seven times in a ceremony anticipating the ... read more

Tanzania pilgrims’ saga ends in heartbreaks

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (eTN) – After nine days agonizing over their fate at Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere International Airport, Muslim pilgrims scheduled to fly to Saudi Arabia for Hajj caravan have lost hope to join other Muslims in the world to fulfill the Fifth Pillar of Islam.