Travel

The government’s digital transformation includes smart gates, biometric verification, QR-based visa confirmations, and online pre-arrival payments.

Riyadh Season 2025’s success reinforces Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal to diversify its economy by bolstering cultural, entertainment, and tourism sectors, attracting visitors from across the globe.

For airports, this technology enables real-time video streaming, faster check-ins, seamless digital signage updates, and enhanced passenger services such as augmented reality for navigation and biometric verification.

Under the new programme, both countries will collaborate on joint tourism promotion and marketing, professional training and capacity building, sustainable tourism initiatives, and the exchange of best practices.

Kenya will chair the Tourism and Competitiveness Committee, serve as Africa’s Regional Representative on the Tourism and Sustainability Committee, and participate in the Programme and Budget Committee.

Under the new process, travelers undergo all exit protocols before departure, and on arrival, they are treated as domestic arrivals, bypassing repeated inspections.

Hotel revenues jumped 20%, and revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 24% to AED 446 (around US$121.60), accompanied by steady 80% occupancy rates.

The fund also announced a financing deal worth SAR 700 million (US$187 million) with Modern Choice Development to bring Earth Hotels to Riyadh, featuring 86 rooms on 11,762 sqm.

The climb in passenger numbers reflects collaborative efforts by stakeholders and ACSA’s commitment to upgrading airport facilities, optimizing passenger processing, and improving overall traveler experience.

The increased flight frequencies reflect FlyNamibia’s ongoing commitment to fostering regional integration, encouraging economic growth, and strengthening tourism networks across Southern Africa.