Latest news with #tourismSector
Zawya
30-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi: SRSA regulates coastal tourism, attracts investments
The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) launched a new media campaign, highlighting its role in regulating and developing Saudi Arabia's coastal tourism sector. Central to this effort is the introduction of a comprehensive set of regulatory frameworks and technical codes designed to reshape the sector's landscape and boost its appeal to tourists, operators, and investors alike. The sector is enhanced through the activation of the collaboration of across the public, private, and third sectors, besides the unmatched natural assets of Saudi Arabia's western coastline, SPA. This campaign serves as a direct expression of SRSA's vision to empower the coastal tourism sector to grow in an organized and sustainable manner. It aims to foster an ideal environment both for tourists and practitioners, while creating a vibrant and transparent investment ecosystem. The regulatory frameworks introduced by SRSA represent a first-of-its-kind legislative and operational foundation in the Kingdom, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and comprehensiveness. These regulations lay the groundwork for a safe, attractive, competitive, and sustainable coastal tourism experience. Built on international best practices and tailored to the unique ecological and tourism diversity of Saudi Arabia's coasts, these regulations ensure the preservation and protection of the marine environment, marking a pivotal shift in shaping a new era for coastal tourism. They also contribute directly to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in enhancing quality of life, diversifying the economy, and attracting high-value investments. Through this media campaign, SRSA aims to raise awareness of its role as a leading regulator and enabler of the sector and to highlight the new regulatory environment created for tourists, practitioners, and investors. The message is that the future of coastal tourism in Saudi Arabia begins here, where meticulous organization, smart regulation, promising opportunities, and robust sustainability converge. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Skift
27-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
Why Is Thailand Funding 50% of Domestic Trips, and What's at Stake?
What may have been a bold move to jumpstart the tourism sector, the Half-Half Thai Travel scheme now feels more like a lifeline, as Thailand comes to grips with the uncertainties shaping global travel. Thailand's highly-anticipated domestic tourism program, the "Travel Thailand Half-Half" scheme, has been pushed back to July 1. A surge in demand caused the system to crash during the initial rollout this week, prompting the government to delay public registration until July 1. The scheme, designed to boost domestic tourism during the off-season, is launching at a time when Thailand is scaling back its broader ambitions for international tourism in 2025. The government now expects to generate THB 2 trillion ($60 billion) from foreign tourists next year, down from an earlier target of THB 2.3 trillion ($69 billion). What the Scheme Offers? The Half-Half campaign targets domestic travelers and offers 500,000 entitlements. Each eligible Thai citizen can register for up to five rooms or five nights per person, with at least two nights in secondary cities. Only Thai nationals aged 18 and up can register starting July 1. ID verification is required through the Thai ID system. Travel benefits can be used from July 4 to October 31. Once the accommodation has been booked, it cannot be canceled, but the check-in date can be postponed. 'The postponement of the stay must be in accordance with the conditions set by the project,' the notice reads. For weekday stays, the government will cover 50% of room costs, up to THB 3,000 ($92) per room per night. On weekends and holidays, the support drops to 40%, not exceeding THB 3,000. Every registrant also receives a THB 500 ($15) digital coupon per night, per room to spend at listed restaurants, attractions, or shops. Why the Government Is Betting on Domestic Travel The Half-Half scheme is part of a wider THB 115 billion ($3.5 billion) stimulus plan approved by the Thai Cabinet, of which THB 10 billion ($307 million) has been set aside for tourism. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) receives THB 1.76 billion ($54 million) from this budget to run the Half-Half initiative. TAT estimates the program will bring in 2.67 million domestic trips and generate over THB 35 billion ($1 billion) in spending. It's also expected to support about 40,000 jobs between July and October. To help the tourism sector get back on its feet following the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2020 Thailand launched the "Rao Tiew Duay Kan" (We Travel Together) scheme. Through this, the government offered Thai citizens discounts of up to 40% on hotels, domestic flights, and meals at participating businesses. On June 24, people rushed to sign up for travel benefits through the website and the Amazing Thailand app. The volume was more than the system could handle. It also led to a trending hashtag on social media, as many voiced frustration over the lack of clarity and planning. Confusion stemmed from a statement by Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, who indicated that public registration would begin on the evening of June 24. In response, the Deputy Government Spokesperson Anukool Pruksanusak clarified that only business registrations had opened and would continue till June 30. Public registration, he said, would start on July 1 at 8:00 AM. Successful applicants will be able to utilize their travel benefits from July 4 to October 31. TAT confirmed that a wide range of businesses are eligible to participate, including restaurants, souvenir shops, One Tambon One Product outlets, tourist attractions, spas, car and boat rentals, and accommodations. Thailand's Tourism Prospects Behind this local effort is a more cautious view of Thailand's global tourism prospects. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong acknowledged that changing global dynamics are forcing the country to reassess its outlook. Thailand's earlier tourism target of 39 million foreign arrivals has also now been adjusted downward to 35.5 million visitors. While Thailand still hopes to reach THB 3.5 trillion ($105 billion) in total tourism revenue in 2025 which is a mix of domestic and international earnings, the government has now been told to focus squarely on ensuring that at least THB 2 trillion comes from foreign visitors. 'Anything beyond that would be a bonus,' Thienthong said. The revised target comes amid regional security concerns, softening demand, and slower-than-expected returns from key markets, most notably China. Chinese tourists once made up the largest share of visitors to Thailand. But their return has been slower and patchier than hoped. From January 1 to June 8, Thailand recorded more than 15 million international arrivals, according to government data. Yet that total is nearly 3% below the same period last year.
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Morocco tourism sector revenues reach $3.7bln in 5 months
Rabat: The Moroccan Ministry of Tourism announced on Tuesday that the tourism sector generated revenues estimated at 34 billion dirhams (about $3.7 billion) during the first five months of this year, an 8 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Fatima Zahra Ammor, Moroccan Minister of Tourism, Industry, Handicrafts, Social and Solidarity Economy, said that the number of overnight stays during the same period reached 11.8 million, a 13 percent increase, while the number of tourists who visited Morocco during the same period reached 7.2 million, a 22 percent increase compared to last year. She emphasized that the ministry is continuing work on the strategic roadmap for the tourism sector for 2023-2026, for which a budget of 6 billion dirhams has been allocated. This is implemented through a number of axes, including promoting and revitalizing air transport, and enhancing investment in tourist accommodation and entertainment. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Argaam
22-06-2025
- Business
- Argaam
Saudi Arabia reports 116M tourist arrivals with SAR 284B in spending in 2024
Saudi Arabia received 115.9 million domestic and inbound tourists during 2024, an increase of 6% compared to 2023, who spent about SAR 284 billion, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Domestic tourists accounted for nearly 74%, or 86.2 million, of the total, while international tourists represented the remaining 26%, or about 29.7 million.
Arabian Business
21-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
GCC tourism spending projected to hit $223.7 bn by 2034
The Statistical Centre for the Cooperation Council for the Arab Countries of the Gulf (GCC-Stat) has released data showing visitor spending in GCC countries is expected to reach $223.7 billion by 2034. The projections indicate that incoming visitor spending will contribute 13.4 percent to total exports by 2034, according to a statement by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), which cited the Centre's latest analysis. GCC visitor spending jumps 28.9% since 2019 to reach $135.5 billion GCC countries have recorded progress across multiple tourism indicators, with international visitor spending reaching $135.5 billion in 2023. This figure represents a 28.9 percent increase compared to spending recorded in 2019. The region has secured the top position in the Middle East and North Africa's 2024 Safety and Security Index. All GCC member states scored above the regional average of 5.86 points on the index, which operates on a scale from 1 to 7 points. GCC countries have also achieved recognition for passport strength, with all six nations ranking among the top performers in the Arab region for passport power. The Centre's data highlights the tourism sector's growing contribution to the GCC economy, with visitor spending showing recovery and growth following the 2019 baseline period.
