Travelers looking for a new vacation destination can add Madagascar to their list after Emirates announced it will launch flights to the African island in September.
Tourism is booming in Saudi Arabia, with a stunning new coastal destination being developed in Neom, while National Geographic Expeditions has announced new adventures for next year.
In case you missed it, here’s a roundup of recent travel and tourism news.
Emirates expands Indian Ocean route network with Madagascar service
The incredible world of Madagascar, with its ring-tailed lemurs, rainforests, chameleons and waterfalls, may soon be closer to you after Emirates Airlines announced it will launch flights to the Indian Ocean island nation.
The airline will operate a new route between Dubai and Antananarivo, via the Seychelles, four times a week from September 3rd.
The Boeing 777 jet offers First Class, Business Class and Economy Class cabins and its call in the Seychelles will allow travellers to combine two holidays into one.
“Despite growing traveller demand for authentic ecotourism experiences, Madagascar has historically been underserved,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ executive vice president and chief commercial officer.
He added that the new service will “increase Madagascar’s connectivity” and “open up new international business opportunities.”
The flight departs Dubai just before 9AM, arriving in Mahé at 1:35PM. After a break of around 90 minutes during which passengers remain on board, the flight continues on to Antananarivo for 2 hours and 45 minutes. The return flight departs Madagascar at 6:35PM, arriving in Mahé at 10:20PM, before departing again for Dubai just before midnight.
The fourth largest island in the world boasts incredible biodiversity, with five percent of the planet’s plant and animal species found only here.
From pristine beaches and limestone plateaus to vast national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Madagascar is home to many natural wonders. Home to many endangered animal species, the country has embraced ecotourism and is aiming to attract like-minded travellers.
Neom’s Magna opens as tourist destination on Gulf of Aqaba coast
Neom’s new coastal tourist destination, Magna, is made up of 12 districts across 120km. Photo: Neom
Neom has revealed plans for its latest luxury lifestyle coastal resort, Magna, which will be 120km long and made up of 12 luxury districts on the Gulf of Aqaba.
Part of the Future City’s sustainable tourism portfolio, the destination will combine 12 projects already announced, including Treyam, which will feature the world’s longest infinity pool, Utamo, an immersive events space surrounded by mountains with a 64-metre-high entrance, and Aquellem, which will feature the world’s first floating marina.
As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, Magna will be a tourist destination with sustainability as a key focus. With plans to build 15 luxury hotels with 1,600 rooms each, Magna is expected to welcome 300,000 tourists per year.
Neom CEO Nadmi Al Nasr described Magna as “tomorrow’s treasure, filled with natural beauty and advanced technology” and said it will “positively contribute to the national economic diversification efforts and the broader Saudi Vision 2030 goals.”
No opening date has yet been announced, but Magna is the latest addition to a growing number of megaprojects underway in northwest Saudi Arabia, joining The Line and Troyena, the Middle East’s first winter sports mountain resort.
National Geographic Expands Adventures to Sri Lanka, Portugal and Australia
The Azores, Portugal, is one of three new National Geographic adventures. Alano Oliveira / Unsplash
National Geographic Expeditions is adding three new itineraries to its collection of travel packages next year. Designed to bring tourists closer to nature, the holidays include adventures in Portugal, the Azores, Sri Lanka and Australia.
“We’re excited to introduce three new and exciting itineraries to travelers,” said Nancy Schumacher, senior vice president and general manager of National Geographic Expeditions. “These immersive experiences will give guests an extraordinary opportunity to explore breathtaking landscapes, view wildlife and learn from experts and naturalists all while doing so.”
In Sri Lanka, guests can join an 11-day expedition around the teardrop-shaped island that includes six UNESCO World Heritage sites, wildlife viewing, marine experiences and a visit to OceansWell, a National Geographic-supported foundation founded by Sri Lankan marine biologist and marine educator Asha de Vos.
On this 10-day trip through Portugal and the Azores, you can sample traditional cuisine influenced by the spice trade, tour Porto by electric tuk-tuk, and kayak in the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley.
Meanwhile, in Australia, travellers can spend 11 days exploring the Great Barrier Reef, observing marine life from an underwater observatory, meeting conservation experts to see protected native wildlife such as fairy penguins, and trekking through the Daintree Rainforest with Indigenous guides.
Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry booming, global report finds
AlUla Old City, Saudi Arabia. Photo: UNWTO
Saudi Arabia is experiencing a record year for tourism, according to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council.
In addition to record GDP contribution and employment in the tourism sector, the Kingdom also saw record levels of tourist spending last year.
The report said Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism industry grew by 32 percent and accounted for 11.5 percent of the economy.
Saudi Arabia welcomed 100 million tourists last year, seven years ahead of target, and international tourist spending surged nearly 57 percent to SR227.4 billion ($60 billion), beating the previous record by SR93.6 billion, the report said.
The council also found that domestic tourism spending had increased by 21.5 percent compared to 2017. Working in tourism is becoming increasingly common, with almost a fifth of jobs now linked to it, the report said.
“The incredible achievements made by Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism sector last year mark a pivotal moment in the country’s journey to become a global tourism leader,” said Julia Simpson, CEO and chairperson of the council.
According to the report, tourism will account for nearly 16 percent of the country’s economy by 2034.
Last updated: June 10, 2024, 10:51 AM
