ORLANDO, Florida: More than 6,500 delegates from 73 countries, including over 1,300 international and domestic travel buyers and 500 media from the US and abroad, attended the US Travel Association’s 47th annual IPW, the travel industry’s premier international marketplace.
The event, the largest single generator of travel to the US, convened in Orlando, Florida earlier this month.
The Saudi delegation was more strongly represented than in recent years, with travel experts attending from around the Kingdom; while the US Consulate General in Jeddah sent their Travel and Tourism Specialist from the Commercial Service, Mai AbuDabat.
Travel from Saudi Arabia to the US has increased greatly since May 2015 when the US started facilitating visas for the Saudi market by issuing US business visitors five-year, multiple-entry visas, said Yasser Rafaat, events and groups manager for the Jeddah-based Attar Travels.
“Facilitating visa issues for the Saudi market has been a huge help for us,” Rifaat said. The US will see the positive impact of this in the next few years.
“Saudi nationals spend a lot of money when they travel, and are the biggest travelers to the US in the region.”
AbuDabat, commercial specialist, told Arab News: “Saudis’ attitudes to travel to the US are positive.”
AbuDabat added: “Many generations of Saudi nationals have a history here, especially with the King Abdullah Scholarship program, the KASP program, which is US-centric; 55 percent of Saudi students travel to US universities, and the rest go to the UK or Australia. We find that since so many Saudi students come to the US this results in generation after generation of Saudis who feel an affinity for the US.”
A first timer to IPW, Shehazad Ahmed, manager for Leisure and MICE (an acronym for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) for the Al Khobar-based ITL World, came “looking for new products, like Legoland, for our market.”
At IPW, he said that he found other “unique products” for his clients, such as Amtrak vacations “which is good, as we currently are handling Eurail trips in Europe.”
These fortuitous meetings are part of IPW’s success.
Over the course of three days, nearly 100,000 pre-scheduled business meetings took place between travel buyers and US travel organizations.
Aslam Pasha, general manager for the AlKhobar-based Almajdouie Travels, said he had a very positive experience, noting that “IPW is purely business, it is not a social gathering.”
To configure so many business meetings between so many people, IPW runs the 3-day convention like clockwork.
“I really admired the professionalism in managing the show,” said Pasha.
“Everything is well-run and tightly run. Here you learn how to manage time. Anyone who wants to succeed needs to learn how to value time. Here everything is perfectly organized: transportation, hotels, food, even the hotels selected to host the attendees.”
When asked how many of their meetings with American suppliers were positive in the sense that they felt it would lead to future business deals, they all said that they felt that between 50 percent to 70 percent of their meetings at IPW would lead to further business opportunities for them here.
The Saudi team did say there was some room for improvement.
“The negative we noticed here is that managers of IPW never talk about Middle East clients,” said Rafaat, who has been in the travel industry for over 23 years.
“They talk about Japan, Brazil, China and the UK but never mention us.”
This is unfortunate, as according to IPW President Roger Dow, Middle East tourists traveling to the US number 243,000 and spend $618 million annually.
Nonetheless, Ahmed appreciated what IPW did offer.
“The IPW show is very disciplined and the arrangements are good, and the meetings are serious and constructive.”
This is what IPW does best: bringing together travel professionals from every corner of the US, including representatives of hotels, destinations, attractions, museums, amusement parks and other travel businesses.
These professionals market themselves to the world’s top international tours operators and wholesalers that sell travel to the US.
Pasha praised the daily activities at IPW, including lunches, which he said “are fun and yet always focused on business outcomes.”
Pasha said: “A good example of how well-organized they are is that even the lunches are very energizing — which makes it easy to continue doing business after lunch, as opposed to Saudi Arabia.”
The lunch entertainment here is re-energizing, which is important, as we work so hard here, said Pasha.
“Business deals are easily made on the floor here.”
AbuDabat’s presence was useful working with the Saudi tourism authorities who attended IPW.
“Saudi companies can work through the US Dept of Commerce,” she explained.
“We link US suppliers with Saudi buyers, which creates more business for US companies. My role is to link Saudi buyers with US suppliers. We coordinate the introduction, and have offices all over the US.”
AbuDabat said: “So, if Yasser [Rafaat, Attar Travel] informs me that he wants to organize children’s trips to summer camps in the US, I send a mass e-mail to all our tourism teams in the US and explain the request. Then they reply with what they have to offer. We do this across many industries, not only travel.”
AbuDabat said: “We will try to increase Saudi delegates from 5 to 8 or 12. We’re the biggest market in the Middle East by demographics and income. Now that the visa entry process has improved, there’s very good working relationship between the two countries.”
IPW-initiated travel is expected to bring 8.8 million international visitors to the US, an independent firm, Rockport Analytics, recently published.
Overseas travelers will earn the $28 billion in total spending, and $4.7 billion in direct bookings to US destinations over the next three years.
Saudi travelers returning to America
Saudi travelers returning to America
Saudi Arabia issues over 37k certificates of origin in March
RIYADH: Saudi exporters were issued 37,188 certificates of origin in March by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, marking an annual increase of 0.5 percent.
The document confirms that the products are of national origin or have acquired that status. It is part of the ministry’s effort to support and facilitate the service for exporters in various sectors.
This initiative is part of the Kingdom’s goal under the Vision 2030 economic transformation plan to increase the share of non-oil exports to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product from 16 percent to 50 percent by the decade’s end.
Spanish investments in Saudi Arabia exceed $3bn, boosting bilateral relations and vital sectors
RIYADH: Spanish investments in Saudi Arabia have surpassed $3 billion in the last 10 years, with bilateral relations contributing to the development of vital sectors, according to a top official.
The Kingdom’s Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs, and Housing, Majed Al-Hogail, witnessed the start of the Saudi-Spanish Business Forum on April 17, which was organized by the Council of Saudi Chambers and the Saudi-Spanish Business Council.
Al-Hogail highlighted in his opening address that the bilateral relations between the Kingdom and the European country over the last 70 years have resulted in favorable outcomes, fostering development, investment, and advancements in various sectors such as construction, civil engineering, finance, energy, and water desalination, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
He explained that bilateral investments are booming, with Spanish finding into the Kingdom surpassing $3 billion in the last decade, 40 percent of which is in real estate.
The forum, held in Madrid, highlighted Saudi-Spanish financial opportunities and enhancing partnerships in areas of construction technologies, smart cities, and urban planning.
The minister underscored the forum’s role in exploring investment prospects and enhancing cooperation and effective partnerships, particularly in municipal and housing sectors.
He emphasized that Saudi Arabia and Spain are experiencing rapid developmental advancements, making investment and trade exchanges increasingly attractive.
Al-Hogail stressed the importance of ongoing cooperation and expertise exchange in this crucial sector, stating that the Kingdom welcomes collaboration with successful international partners and leveraging their expertise.
He also announced the signing of a real estate development agreement with a Spanish development company to implement residential units within integrated communities and suburbs, aiming to raise the homeownership rate to 70 percent by 2030.
He expressed the ministry’s eagerness to strengthen partnerships with developers and investors in the construction, roads, recycling, engineering, and consulting sectors.
Following the forum, attended by Princess Haifa bint Abdulaziz Al-Mogrin, the ambassador to Spain, and Khalid Al-Hogail, president of the Saudi-Spanish Business Council, the minister convened with Teresa Ribera, Spain’s deputy prime minister and minister of ecological transition and demographic challenge.
They discussed cooperation in urban development, urbanization, and the utilization of artificial intelligence technology in sustainable city building, as reported by SPA.
Al-Hogail highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to improve standards in municipal and housing undertakings, including the “Bahja” project, which aims to enhance the quality of life in Saudi cities, and the “Green Suburbs” initiative, which strives to plant more than 1.3 million trees in 50 residential areas.
Al-Hogail also met with the President of the Spanish Association of Infrastructure Contractors and Concessionaires, Julian Nunez, to review prominent investment opportunities in the Saudi real estate sector.
During a three-day visit prior to the forum, minister Al-Hogail met with executives from leading Spanish companies to explore collaboration opportunities.
The tour is part of the Kingdom’s broader initiative to foster international partnerships that enhance its urban and infrastructure capabilities, SPA reported.
Oil Updates – crude stabilizes after sharp drop on demand concerns, easing of Middle East tension
NEW DELHI: Oil prices were little changed after a 3 percent drop in the previous session as the market remains concerned about demand this year and on signs that a wider conflict in the key Middle East producing region could be avoided, according to Reuters.
Brent futures were up 13 cents, or 0.15 percent, at $87.42 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures traded 6 cents higher, up 0.07 percent, at $82.75 a barrel at 9:36 a.m. Saudi time.
The two benchmarks slid 3 percent in the previous session on signs that fuel demand this year is lower than expected amid flagging economic growth in China and as oil inventories in the US, the world’s biggest crude consumer, rose.
Analysts at JP Morgan highlighted in a note late on Tuesday that worldwide oil consumption so far in April has been 200,000 barrels per day below its forecast, averaging 101 million bpd. From the start of the year, demand has risen by 1.7 million bpd, down from its forecast in November of 2 million bpd.
At the same time, investors are discounting the chance that Israel will strongly retaliate against Iran’s missile and drone attack on April 13, which was prompted by Israel’s alleged killing of Iranian military leaders at a Syrian diplomatic site on April 1.
Iran is the third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, according to Reuters data, and an easing of its conflict with Israel would reduce the potential for supply disruptions in the Middle East.
“Brent is now back to levels before the April 1 attack on the Iranian consulate, suggesting that the latest bout of risk premium from heightened Israel-Iran tensions has eroded,” said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights.
Surging US crude inventories also kept a lid on prices. Oil inventories rose by 2.7 million barrels to 460 million barrels in the week ending April 12, the Energy Information Administration said, nearly double analysts’ expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.4 million-barrel build.
Stockpiles built as refinery utilization declined at a time when processing typically rises ahead of summer driving demand in the US
Gasoline stocks fell by 1.2 million barrels in the week to 227.4 million barrels, the EIA said.
Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil, fell by 2.8 million barrels to 115 million barrels, versus expectations for a 300,000-barrel drop, the EIA data showed.
“A bearish EIA inventory report appears to have been the perfect opportunity for investors to lock in profits after the recent gains,” Daniel Hynes, the senior commodity strategist at ANZ, said in a note on Thursday.
Saudi tourism fund signs MoU for development of resorts in Kingdom
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is set to witness the development of new luxury resorts as the Tourism Development Fund signed a memorandum of understanding with Karisma Hotels and Resorts International, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The signing took place at the International Hospitality Investment Forum in Berlin on Wednesday. The MoU seeks to explore opportunities for developing resorts and enhancing new areas of the tourism and hospitality sector in the Kingdom.
The agreement outlines a roadmap to determining a methodology for investing and providing financial and non-financial support to a vibrant ecosystem of investors, clients, and partners.
“The Tourism Development Fund is unlocking a great potential with Karisma Hotels and Resorts as we join forces to explore the feasibility of funding and supportive innovative projects that will significantly contribute to the growth of the tourism sector,” SPA quoted TDF CEO Qusai Al-Fakhri as saying.
The fund aims to connect the world with opportunities in the Kingdom’s fast-growing tourism sector. It offers financial and non-financial support to international and local investors.
“We are proud to announce the company’s significant entrance into Saudi Arabia with multiple hotel developments throughout the Kingdom in collaboration with our partners and local developers. Karisma will introduce first-of-its-kind experiential leisure hotels in partnership with worldwide acclaimed brands, bringing a new offering of leisure vacations to the Kingdom,” Esteban Velasquez, CEO of Karisma Hotels and Resorts, said.
Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has revised its 2030 target to 150 million visitors, up from the initial 100 million.
The tourism sector has become important to the national economy, as spending on tourism by domestic and international tourists exceeded SR250 billion ($66.7 billion) in 2023. The sector is set to contribute 10 percent to the non-oil gross domestic product and create 1 million job opportunities by 2030. This spending represented more than 4 percent of the Kingdom’s GDP and 7 percent of the non-oil GDP, highlighting the significance of the tourism sector to the Kingdom’s economy.
During a panel discussion, Mahmoud Abdulhadi, deputy minister of investment attraction, underscored the Kingdom’s potential opportunities for both international and local businesses to invest in the tourism industry.
He noted that the Hospitality Investment Enablers initiative, announced by the Ministry of Tourism within the Investment Enablers Program, is in line with Vision 2030's strategic goals
The top official said the initiative aims to increase and diversify tourism offerings, enhance the capacity of tourism hospitality facilities in tourist destinations, and attract private investments in the hospitality sector.
Closing Bell: TASI loses 34.45 points to close at 12,465
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index closed at 12,465.98 points on Wednesday, dipping 34.45 points or 0.28 percent.
The parallel market, Nomu, gained 92.53 points or 0.35 percent to close at 26,401.91.
Meanwhile, the MSCI Tadawul 30 Index also slightly declined 9.29 points or 0.59 percent to conclude at 1,569.13.
The main index posted a trading value of SR9.5 billion ($2.55 billion), with 96 stocks advancing and 131 declining.
Ash-Sharqiyah Development Co. was the top performer on TASI as its share price surged 9.95 percent to SR21.44. Batic Investments and Logistics Co. followed with its share pricing jumping 9.27 percent to close at SR2.83.
Saudi Ground Services Co. also performed well, climbing 9.09 percent to SR58.80. The Mediterranean and Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co. and Almunajem Foods Co. increased 8.53 and 6.32 percent to SR28 and SR117.80, respectively.
Conversely, Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co. recorded the most significant dip, declining 5.16 percent to SR11.40.
Astra Industrial Group and Etihad Etisalat Co. also experienced setbacks, with their shares dropping to SR175.40 and SR51.39, reflecting declines of 3.73 and 3.39 percent, respectively.
Saudi Chemical Co. and Saudi Real Estate Co. also reported significant losses of 3.08 percent and 2.88 percent to SR7.87 and SR22.22, respectively.
Nomu’s top performer was Future Care Trading Co., which saw a 10.68 percent jump to SR9.64.
Ladun Investment Co. and Mayar Holding Co. also recorded notable gains, with their shares closing at SR5.63 and SR4.10, marking an increase of 9.96 and 7.89 percent, respectively.
Lana Medical Co. and Al-Modawat Specialized Medical Co. also fared well, as their share price increased by 7.25 and 6.92 percent, closing at SR42.90 and SR151.40.
On Nomu, Alqemam for Computer Systems Co. was the worst performer, declining by 9.72 percent to SR90.10. Other underperformers included Saudi Parts Center Co. and Clean Life Co., whose share prices dropped 6.10 percent and 5.71 percent to SR60.0 and SR94.20, respectively.
