PERTH, Australia (AA) – In a move that aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to modernize along secular lines, Cruise Saudi is set to launch the Mediterranean’s first cruise line specifically tailored to Arabian guests, CEO Lars Clasen told the media. Aroya Cruise, which will set sail next summer, represents a significant expansion for ...
ISTANBUL (AA) – UAE-based air carrier Emirates canceled its flights from and to Baghdad, Basra, Tehran and Beirut. According to a travel update from the carrier, the cancelations will end on Oct. 16 for Iraq and Iran and on Oct. 15 for Beirut. Previously, several airlines took similar steps for the region, where geopolitical tensions [&h...
Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan — AFP American traveller Oscar Wells is in Afghanistan for sight-seeing promoted by the Taliban. “It is a unique place, it touches my heart,” the 65-year-old Indiana farmer shared, praising “its magnificent mountains” with “people living in the old way”. Marvelling at the 15...
SKARDU, Pakistan (AA) – Pakistan’s northern scenic Gilgit-Baltistan region is known for its snow-capped peaks, glistening lakes and glaciers, as well as plucky climbers. Located on the confluence of the world’s three greatest mountain ranges, Gilgit-Baltistan has long been one of the favorite destinations of international climbers and tr...
ISTANBUL (AA) – Indonesia on Monday launched South Asia’s first high-speed train. “I declare ‘Whoosh’ is ready to be operated,” President Joko Widodo said about the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR) train at a ceremony. “Whoosh” signifies the sound of a fast train and stands for “time-saving, optimal operat...
Cape Canaveral, United States (AFP): The second-ever private mission to the International Space Station (ISS), organized by Axiom Space, blasted off from Florida Sunday, carrying the first two Saudi astronauts to travel to the orbiting laboratory. Rayyanah Barnawi, a breast cancer researcher, is the first Saudi woman to voyage into space and i...
NYC & Company, New York City’s convention and visitors bureau, has released a new Arabic-language version of its acclaimed Halal Travel Guide. It is the first U.S. tourism organization to create a dedicated resource for Muslim travelers. The Halal Travel Guide spotlights halal restaurants, rich Muslim history, and tourism sites across New...
Srinagar, India (AFP): Ironically, India’s hottest new travel destination is also the site of its deadliest insurgency. In Indian Occupied Kashmir, regular skirmishes break out between pro-freedom fighters and Indian troops. Half a million Indian soldiers are still stationed in Kashmir. Alongside the bitter reality of life for the reside...
ABU DHABI, UAE (AA) – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced that its tourism revenues hit 19 billion dirhams ($5.1 billion) in the first half of 2022. UAE Vice-President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum said on Twitter that hotel guests rose to 12 million, marking a 42% increase. Sheikh Mohammed, who is also UAE […]
OVIEDO, Spain (AA) – The European Union foreign policy chief has opposed a complete EU ban on Russian tourist visas. “Banning all Russians from entering the EU for whatever reason isn’t a good idea. We need to be more selective,” Josep Borrell said during a discussion on geopolitics at Menendez Pelayo International University in Santander, [&h...
