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Saudi National Bank (SNB) and Almosafer have signed a strategic partnership to offer premium travel services to private banking and elite clients, including Almosafer Concierge, Saudi Arabia's first fully integrated luxury travel concierge service, and bespoke itinerary planning.
Saudi Arabia-based Almosafer has launched a ChatGPT app offering AI-powered conversational travel planning. Travelers can access the OTA's inventory of over 1.5 million hotels, with the app supporting Arabic and English, allowing users to search properties, receive personalized recommendations, and build itineraries. The CEO says the move aims to simplify travel through innovation.
Almosafer, Saudi Arabia's leading travel company, has launched on the ChatGPT platform, becoming the first Saudi app to offer consumer services through OpenAI's global AI interface. Users can access over 1.5 million hotels via Arabic or English dialogue, receive personalized recommendations, and build multi-city itineraries. This move transforms travel planning from manual search to natural conversation, supporting Saudi Vision 2030's digital transformation.
WeRide and Uber launched driverless robotaxi service in Dubai, and partnered with Grab for autonomous shuttle in Punggol, Singapore. Dubai service initially covers Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah, with plans to expand to at least 1,200 vehicles in the Middle East. Singapore service is free, with commercialization expected later this year.
Almosafer, Saudi Arabia's leading travel company, has announced a strategic collaboration with Accor's Makkah hotel cluster (including Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel) to enhance inventory access and distribution efficiency, supporting Saudi Vision 2030. The partnership leverages Almosafer's Hajj and Umrah businesses and global network.
The U.S. Department of State maintains a Level 3 advisory (Reconsider Travel) for Saudi Arabia due to Iranian drone and missile threats, armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and social media laws. Some areas have increased risk, and the Yemen border is Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
OAG released its ranking of 2025's busiest airline routes. Jeju (CJU) to Seoul Gimpo (GMP) is the world's busiest route in 2025 with 14.4 million seats scheduled, up 1% versus 2024 but still 17% below 2019 capacity, with seven carriers operating the route. The second and third routes are both in Japan: Sapporo New Chitose-Tokyo Haneda (12.1 million seats) and Fukuoka-Tokyo Haneda (11.5 million seats). The top 10 comprises entirely domestic flights, with nine of ten in Asia Pacific; the only non-Asia Pacific route is fifth-placed Jeddah-Riyadh with 9.8 million seats, up 13% year-on-year, the fastest growth in the top ten. Among cross-border routes, Hong Kong-Taipei leads with 6.8 million sea…
Saudi financial institution BSF partnered with Middle East travel brand Almosafer to launch the BSF Almosafer Visa Credit Card. The card offers up to 20% Almosafer Points on travel bookings, 5% back in points on shopping and dining, 0% foreign exchange fees on international transactions, and an annual fee waived for the first year. Each point equals one Saudi Riyal, with no blackout dates for redeeming flights, hotel stays or activities. The card is available in Visa Signature and Visa Infinite variants and can be applied for via the BSF mobile app.
Saudi travel company Almosafer, part of Seera Group, signed a partnership with The Helicopter Company (THC) to become THC's travel partner for helicopter transfers in Saudi Arabia. Almosafer will sell helicopter transfers and tours across its B2C and B2B businesses, including premium airport-to-city transfers in Riyadh and Jeddah. Almosafer Business will provide transfers for corporate executives, delegations and government clients, while Discover Saudi and Mawasim will integrate helicopter services for inbound tourists. THC is a PIF company.
Saudi travel company Almosafer and Amadeus announced an expanded partnership at the TOURISE Summit in Riyadh, focusing on AI and data analytics for hyper-personalized offers, enriched content distribution, machine-learning-driven hotel curation via Amadeus Value Hotels, AI-enabled airport services, and virtual card payments through Amadeus Outpayce. The partners will also scale NDC retailing, with Almosafer aiming to create a flagship regional use case supporting Saudi Vision 2030.
Saudi hospitality group Adeera signed an agreement to deploy Amadeus Digital Media, using omni-channel advertising across paid search, display and social media to reach travelers. Adeera will use Amadeus market intelligence to refine outreach and integrate marketing, distribution and data insight. Amadeus said recent campaigns using the platform helped hotels and destinations achieve double-digit growth in direct bookings and occupancy while lowering marketing costs.
Almosafer and VisitBritain expanded their strategic partnership at WTM London to promote Britain as a top destination for Saudi travelers. The collaboration will develop high-value packages showcasing Britain's nations and regions. VisitBritain forecasts 404,000 visits from Saudi Arabia to the UK this year, with spending of £975 million in 2025, up 26% on 2024. Britain remains a premium destination for Almosafer across leisure and business segments.
The Royal Commission for Makkah City & Holy Sites (RCMC) has signed a strategic agreement with Almosafer, part of Seera Group, to strengthen Makkah's tourism ecosystem and enhance the pilgrim and visitor journey. Almosafer will leverage its integrated travel services platform and brand portfolio, including Hajj & Umrah operator Mawasim and destination management company Discover Saudi, to introduce technology-enabled services and design Umrah+ itineraries combining spiritual rituals with cultural, historical and leisure experiences. The agreement aims to deliver authentic yet elevated experiences aligned with international standards while respecting Makkah's sanctity.
Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal signed a new global distribution agreement with Amadeus, which becomes the carrier's preferred provider, distributing content to travel sellers worldwide through the Amadeus travel platform. flyadeal will begin with the domestic Saudi market and phase its content rollout to the trade in more countries over the next few months; once complete, its full content will be viewable and bookable on the Amadeus platform. flyadeal currently operates over 200 daily scheduled services from bases in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to more than 30 year-round and seasonal destinations across Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and South Asia with a fleet of 42 Air…
Pakistan-based airline AirSial signed a new deal with Amadeus to deploy the Altéa Departure Control – Customer Management solution, aiming to enhance passenger and agent experiences at the airport. Integrated with other Altéa tools, the solution provides a unified platform covering check-in through baggage handling, enabling online check-in, seamless payments, and digital boarding passes. Launched in 2020, AirSial operates scheduled passenger and cargo services domestically and internationally, including Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, and Medina in Saudi Arabia and Muscat in Oman, and recently launched Dubai flights.
Riyadh Air, the new national carrier of Saudi Arabia, signed a global distribution agreement with Amadeus. By joining the Amadeus Travel Platform, Riyadh Air will connect to travel agencies and sellers in more than 190 countries, making its offers accessible to travelers worldwide, supporting its growth plans and contributing to Saudi Vision 2030. The agreement also includes Amadeus distributing Riyadh Air's future NDC content, allowing the airline to deliver more dynamic, personalized offers and take greater control of its indirect sales strategy. Backed by the Public Investment Fund and unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2023, Riyadh Air is expected to contribute over USD 20…
Saudia, the national flag-carrier of Saudi Arabia, translated traditional booking records (PNRs) and electronic tickets into Orders, becoming one of the first airlines globally to operationalize Orders. The milestone was achieved using Amadeus' smart bridging capabilities, translating traditional records from Saudia's existing Amadeus Altéa PSS into single order records in its new Amadeus Nevio environment. An Order is a single, dynamic record of everything the traveler has purchased, providing a real-time consolidated view.
SAP Concur published a podcast conversation in which Scott Daube of American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) shared how the company delivers a consistent online booking experience for global clients. Amex GBT has over 4,500 global clients using Concur; the project launched in 16 countries, built 130 customer sites, and involved 35 multinational customers. Amex GBT received a 2020 SAP Concur Partner Innovation Award for this initiative.