Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

Seera Group, the leading provider of diverse travel services, has today reported substantial growth across all travel verticals for the first quarter 2022 compared to the previous year. The Group’s gross booking value (GBV) increased by 87% for Q1 2022 to SAR 1.6 billion compared to SAR 873 million in Q1 2021, illustrating a dramatic rebound in travel demand following the easing of COVID restrictions.
Seera Group has achieved higher revenues, growing from SAR 186 million in Q1 2021 to SAR 493 million in revenue for Q1 2022, an increase of 165%. The success of the Group has been attributed to its investment in state-of-the-art technology platforms and focus on streamlining business operations to improve efficiency, leading to gross profit increasing by 169% to SAR 158 million in Q1 2022, up from SAR 59 million in Q1 2021.
Almosafer, Seera’s travel business, has achieved 52% growth in GBV, from SAR 647 million in Q1 2021 to SAR 984 million in Q1 2022. The growth has predominantly been driven by consumer demand which has already returned to Q1 2019 levels. Almosafer’s consumer travel segment reported an increase in GBV of 122%, from SAR 261 million in Q1 2021 to SAR 580 million in Q1 2022, as both domestic and international travel demand is strong, with 720,000 flight segments and 325,000 room nights sold in Q1 2022, an increase of 106% and 192% respectively in comparison to Q1 2021.
The removal of many travel restrictions across the world has unleashed pent-up demand from travellers while interest in domestic tourism remains high, with Saudi Arabia’s many entertainment events drawing travellers across the Kingdom.
Revenue for Almosafer grew by 370% from 12 million SAR in Q1 2021 to 57 million SAR in Q1 2022. The increase in revenue has been driven by the strength of the consumer brand and increased pricing power. Almosafer’s revolutionary omni-channel approach, 24/7 travel advisory across platforms and pioneering digital capabilities providing seamless booking services to consumers resulted in 32 million sessions on the platform in Q1 2022, an increase of 404% from Q1 2021. ADVERTISEMENTp >Lumi, Seera’s car rental and leasing brand, has continued its strong trajectory of growth as revenue has increased by 44% from SAR 112 million in Q1 2021 to SAR 161 million in Q1 2022. Backed by large-scale leasing agreements with major government and corporate entities, Lumi continues to distinguish itself from competitors with its large fleet of well-maintained cars at competitive prices. In the past year, Lumi has expanded its fleet by 40% with currently over 17,000 vehicles.
Lumi’s growth has also been propelled by the Kingdom’s vast leisure tourism and growing entertainment sector with events providing incentives for people to travel. The company’s focus on digital innovation is also a strong contributing factor to its success. Its mobile application, which cuts down pick-up time from 15 minutes to less than five minutes, and user-friendly online portal enhances customer experiences by reducing the time for booking and managing cars and improving convenience. In Q1 2022, revenue generated through Lumi’s online platforms grew 44% month on month.
Discover Saudi, Seera’s integrated destination management company (DMC), has increased its GBV by 135% to SAR 44 million in Q1 2022, up from SAR 19 million in Q1 2021. Discover Saudi, which aims to become the primary DMC for inbound tourism and support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to bring 100 million visitors annually by 2030, has hosted 2500 inbound travellers to the Kingdom in Q1 2022. Building on its trusted reputation as the Kingdom’s leading DMC, Discover Saudi was entrusted to deliver travel transport and accommodation services for some of the Kingdom’s largest events including Saudi Cup, Dakar Rally and Extreme E.
Majed Alnefaie, CEO at Seera Group, said: “2022 has kicked off with an incredibly positive start to the year. As the Kingdom’s national champion for the travel and tourism sector, we will continue to drive forward Vision 2030’s tourism agenda as an investor and enabler in innovative and aspirational businesses. Travel is back and 2022 is going to be a very positive year for Seera Group and the travel industry as a whole.”
more information at www.seera.sa/en/

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World View, the stratospheric ballooning and space tourism company, has accomplished a new milestone: reaching one thousand reservations for its space tourism programme taking participants to the edge of space in a zero-pressure stratospheric balloon and pressurised space capsule. As seasoned leaders in stratospheric exploration and space tourism, the company has now sold the greatest number of seats in the space tourism category.
World View’s reservations for Spaceport Grand Canyon have also been sold out for the first year, with commercial flights slated to begin in 2024. World View’s reservations come from 32 countries with the United States, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom leading the list. A growing list of Explorers have reserved at multiple spaceports while others purchased additional tickets for friends and family, including 43 reservations for a full-capsule.
“Reaching 1,000 reservations underscores the passion, excitement and interest for this unique experience that World View offers. This means 1,000 new people will be able to enjoy majestic views of both Earth and space for an adventure that’s never been this accessible to humanity. The fact that the Grand Canyon spaceport flight has sold out for the first year also showcases the market demand and growing interest in space tourism. We have been working diligently to share our purpose-first mission with future guests so that they will join us on the journey to rediscovering our wondrous Earth.” said Ryan M Hartman, President and Chief Executive Officer of World View.
Today’s announcement follows the company’s entry to the space tourism and exploration market in late 2021, offering a more affordable, long-duration and accessible space experience that couples enjoying the unique views of Earth and space. World View voyages will originate out of the Seven Wonders of the World, Stratospheric Edition™ including Spaceports Grand Canyon, Great Barrier Reef, Serengeti, Aurora Borealis, Amazonia, Pyramids of Giza and Great Wall of China, providing participants the opportunity to experience these wonders from the ground and then view the same location from the edge of space.
Flights cost $50,000 and will lift eight participants and two World View crew members in a zero-pressure stratospheric balloon and pressurised space capsule to 100,000 feet altitude, nearly 23 miles into the stratosphere, for a transformative experience that will last six to eight hours. Participants will lift off before dawn to watch the sunrise over Earth, once at the apogee of 100,000 feet, Explorers will witness the darkness of space, see the stars above, and view the curvature of the Earth.ADVERTISEMENT

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At this time, CDC recommends that everyone aged 2 and older – including passengers and workers – properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator over the nose and mouth in indoor areas of public transportation (such as airplanes, trains, etc.) and transportation hubs (such as airports, stations, etc.). When people properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator, they protect themselves and those around them, and help keep travel and public transportation safer for everyone. Wearing a well-fitting mask or respirator is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations, such as airport jetways. We also encourage operators of public transportation and transportation hubs to support mask wearing by all people, including employees.
This public health recommendation is based on the currently available data, including an understanding of domestic and global epidemiology, circulating variants and their impact on disease severity and vaccine effectiveness, current trends in COVID-19 Community Levels within the United States, and projections of COVID-19 trends in the coming months.
Along with staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, avoiding crowds, wearing a well-fitting mask or respirator is one of multiple prevention steps that people can take to protect themselves and others in travel and transportation settings.
For more information about safer travel during the pandemic, see Domestic Travel During COVID-19 | CDC and International Travel | CDC.
The following can be attributed to CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH: ADVERTISEMENTCDC continues to recommend that all people – passengers and workers, alike – properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator in indoor public transportation conveyances and transportation hubs to provide protection for themselves and other travelers in these high volume, mixed population settings. We now have a range of tools we need to protect ourselves from the impact of COVID-19, including access to high-quality masks and respirators for all who need them.
Additionally, it is important for all of us to protect not only ourselves, but also to be considerate of others at increased risk for severe COVID-19 and those who are not yet able to be vaccinated. Wearing a mask in indoor public transportation settings will provide protection for the individual and the community.

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U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to delay the implementation of the REAL ID Act, which is set to take full effect one year from May 3, 2023:
“U.S. Travel supports the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s push to educate individuals on the need to acquire a REAL ID, but we also recognise that the pandemic created a significant hurdle to the widespread adoption of REAL ID. As we look ahead to next year’s deadline, it is clear that Americans will not be ready for full implementation.
“We are calling on DHS to delay implementation or develop an alternative screening process for travelers with a legacy ID to ensure that air travelers and the industry’s recovery are not impeded. The delay should last until measures are in place to prevent a scenario in which travelers are turned away at airport security checkpoints.”

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The number of signatories to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism has passed the 500-mark, just four months after the landmark initiative was launched at the UN Climate Change Conference. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has announced that Expedia Group, Booking Holdings and Condé Nast have become the latest signatories, joining stakeholders of all sizes and from every part of the diverse sector.
The signatures of three of the sector’s biggest names underscores tourism’s determination to accelerating climate action at every level and reflects the shared commitment of both big businesses and small stakeholders to work towards a common goal. All signatories of the Glasgow Declaration commit to the decarbonization of tourism operations and to restore and protect ecosystems, helping visitors and host communities experience better balance with nature. “Rebalancing our relationship with nature is critical to regenerating both its ecological health and our personal, social and economic well-being”, the Declaration states.Cross-sector commitment
The 538 signatories of the Glasgow Declaration include all types of stakeholders, among them DRV German Travel Association, Tanzania Association of Tour Operators, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, PATA and Hostelling International; tour operators as EXO Travel, and Europa Mundo Vacaciones; accommodation providers such as The Cayuga Collection; DMOs such as Turismo de Portugal, Turisme de Barcelona, West Sweden Tourist Board, London & Partners, Destination Québec Cité and many more. All adhere to the guiding principle of restoring nature as a “key to our sector’s recovery from the pandemic, as well as its future prosperity and resilience”.
Tourism must prosper in harmony with nature, and the number and variety of businesses, destinations and other organizations signing up to the ambitious Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action shows our sector is committed to doing better.UNWTO: “Time to Act”
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “It is time to act. Tourism must prosper in harmony with nature, and the number and variety of businesses, destinations and other organizations signing up to the ambitious Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action shows our sector is committed to doing better. I am delighted to welcome Expedia Group, Booking Holdings and Condé Nast as the newest signatories.”ADVERTISEMENTCollaboration across stakeholders is key to ensure that the necessary skills, tools and knowledge are available among service providers, host communities and tourists so that they can deliver change. Among the priorities of the Glasgow Declaration for 2022 is to deliver guidance on measurement of emissions and climate action planning with support from working groups.
“The need to address the damaging effects of climate change has become more urgent than ever before, which is why our Climate Action Plan includes ambitious targets, based on the latest scientific guidance, to achieve near-zero emissions for our own operations by 2030, and net-zero by 2040,” said Glenn Fogel, Chief Executive Officer of Booking Holdings. “Committing to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and Net Zero Standard, and now signing the Glasgow Declaration, is critical to ensure that climate action is supporting science and the Paris Agreement to change the trajectory of the current crisis.”
“We are proud to become a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism as part of a concerted effort with our partners and peers to progress a more sustainable travel industry,” said Peter Kern, CEO and Vice Chairman, Expedia Group. “As a travel company, we have the privilege of bringing people all around the world together every day. And as more people travel, we also have a responsibility to shift towards more sustainable operations to lessen our overall footprint and equip our travelers with sustainable options that match their values. We’re enhancing the visibility travelers have into their impact and offering more responsible choices. The industry must work together to help safeguard the future of travel for generations to come.”About the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism
The Glasgow Declaration was launched at the UN Climate Change Conference COP26. It is a voluntary commitment which requests organizations to support halving emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050 at the latest; to deliver climate action plans (or update existing plans) within 12 months from becoming signatories and implement them; to align their plans with five pathways, namely: measure, decarbonize, regenerate, collaborate and finance; to report publicly on progress made implementing those commitments; and to work on a collaborative spirit.
The Glasgow Declaration is led by UNWTO in collaboration with the Travel Foundation and within the framework of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme. A full list of Signatories can be found here.

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Subscription services have disrupted almost every industry, but the customer-focused model remains relatively nascent in the travel industry, observes GlobalData. The data and analytics company notes that its popularity could rise as travel subscriptions, whereby travelers typically pay a monthly fee to receive benefits such as discounted prices and personalised travel content, represent a compelling way for businesses to build brand loyalty.
Hannah Free, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “More and more businesses are moving away from the traditional product economy to the ‘subscription economy’. The subscription economy refers to the increasing presence of subscription-based businesses in today’s ecommerce landscape as opposed to the traditional pay-per-product model. Subscription models have the potential to completely transform an industry that faces challenges such as seasonality and growth-decline cycles by ensuring a relatively stable revenue stream.”
One example of this would be Spanish travel company eDreams ODIGEO’s Prime subscription which reportedly reached two million members just six months after hitting one million in May 2021. More niche and targeted subscriptions are entering the market from the likes of Inspirato, Regenerative Travel and Bidroom.
Further demonstrating the shift from traditional loyalty points to subscriptions is increased patent activity for subscriptions growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.4% between 2017 and 21. According to GlobalData’s Travel and Tourism Patent Analytics, a total of 7936 patent publications related to subscriptions were made in 2021, with growth continuing even throughout COVID-19. Travel companies investing in subscription services will emerge from the pandemic in a strong position to attract the tech savvy and deal finding travellers.
Some companies integrate subscriptions to their mix of revenue streams, while others will go to market with it as a foundational offering. Regardless, COVID-19 has highlighted the need for more a predictable and recurring revenue stream for travel companies as the likes of Bookings Holdings and Expedia Group saw their revenues drop more than 50% YoY in 2020, when travel came to a virtual standstill.ADVERTISEMENTFree concludes: “Subscriptions represent a compelling way for travel companies to create lasting relationships where engagement typically ends after a one-off transactional purchase. According to GlobalData’s Q1 2021 Consumer Survey, 35% of global respondents consider time-saving a key factor driving purchase, while 46% consider time-saving nice to have, but not essential. The subscription model is well placed to capitalise on increasing consumer demands for personalisation, while the value and convenience enjoyed by members has the potential to outweigh a monthly subscription or membership fee.”

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Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, is embarking on a global marketing tour to boost visitor arrivals.
His first port of call is the United Kingdom this weekend when he will join Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange in a series of activities to celebrate Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of independence.
He will then head to New York to promote brand Jamaica on the USA’s Northeastern Seaboard, taking in New Jersey, Connecticut, extending to Boston.Minister Bartlett said: “We then hit the new market of the Middle East. We’re meeting with all the mega airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, S.A.L. and we’re going over to Riyadh as well to meet with King Khalid, their big aviation company, which wants to open 225 new gateways and we want Jamaica to be in that.”
His schedule also includes a meeting with representatives of Royal Jordanian Airlines, as part of his vision to establish Jamaica as the hub for the Middle Eastern market for the Caribbean and the Americas.
The promotional tour will also visit Africa, Europe and Latin America. At the end, Minister Bartlett expects to have agreements signed for an additional 8,000 new hotel rooms in Jamaica.ADVERTISEMENTYesterday Bartlett welcomed the start of construction on the RIU Aquarelle. The Spanish hotel chain is the first foreign investor to break ground for a hotel construction since the reopening of Jamaica’s tourism sector after the pandemic.
The tourism minister also lauded RIU as the country’s largest foreign investor in the tourism industry.
“And, with the groundbreaking today of this 700 room, it makes you definitely the largest foreign investor in tourism with 3,000 rooms and employing in excess of 2,000,” Bartlett said.
Earlier this year, Bartlett also welcomed the launch of a new strategic initiative from Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts-owners, Grupo Piñero, in the Caribbean.
Last year Jamaica was voted ‘World’s Leading Family Destination’, ‘World’s Leading Wedding Destination’, ‘Caribbean’s Leading Destination’ and ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board’ by voters of World Travel Awards.
World Travel Awards Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony 2022 will be taking place at Sandals Montego Bay on 14 June 2022. Free Conference will also be taking place.

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New research released by Expedia Group Media Solutions reveals that although 90% of consumers look for sustainable options when booking, 70% feel overwhelmed with navigating options and making the best choices to be a more sustainable traveller.
Additional insights from the recently released Sustainable Travel study from Expedia Group Media Solutions:
The Price of Sustainable TravelNearly 70% of consumers are willing to sacrifice some element of convenience in order to travel more sustainably.
Nearly 3 in 4 travelers would choose a destination, lodging, or transportation option that supports the local community and culture, even if it was more expensive.
Opportunities in Sustainable TravelHalf of travelers want to see more sustainability information from destinations, tourism boards, or visitor resource groups.
Recommendations for locally owned businesses and restaurants ​and transportation options that have lower environmental impact is the leading type of sustainable travel information consumers want to see when planning a trip.
Key TakeawaysTravel brands should make sustainable travel information easier to understand and show the value and impact of responsible travel choices.
Travelers want to know that travel brands are committed to sustainability, not just checking a box.
For additional global insights on traveler attitudes, values, and motivations in making conscientious choices, download the full Sustainable Travel study and stay tuned for additional regional insights.
Research MethodologyConducted in partnership with Wakefield Research, the study included an online survey of 11,000 representative, general population adults ages 18+ in 11 global markets – Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, the UK, and U.S. – fielded between February 11 and March 6, 2022.
Expedia Group is reaffirming its commitment to the planet by joining two initiatives focused on accelerating a more environmentally responsible tourism industry.Expedia Group has joined the Travalyst Coalition in support of its mission to empower travelers with better information and encourage travel providers to improve the sustainability of their offerings. Additionally, Expedia Group has become a proud signatory of the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism, committing to deliver plans aligned with the pathways to support cutting emissions in half over the next decade and reach Net Zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050.
“As Expedia Group moves our sustainability strategy forward, we are committed to taking action to address climate change and working across our industry and with a range of partners to shape a more sustainable travel and tourism sector,” said Aditi Mohapatra, Vice President of Global Social Impact and Sustainability, Expedia Group. “Travelers are looking for ways to minimise their environmental footprint while traveling, and to make a positive impact on the destinations and communities they visit. And they are increasingly turning to our platform for inspiration and guidance to inform their decisions. By joining these two critical industry collaborations, the Travalyst Coalition and Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism, Expedia Group is aligning our business towards a Net Zero future.”
Expedia Group is aligned with the Travalyst Coalition’s goal for the industry to educate travelers about greener choices. The Travalyst Coalition is convening some of the world’s largest travel and tourism platforms and service providers, like Expedia Group, to collaboratively tackle one of the greatest challenges the industry faces – how to provide robust yet accessible information on sustainability.
Sally Davey, CEO, Travalyst, says: “We are thrilled to welcome Expedia Group to the Travalyst Coalition. Since its inception, Travalyst’s mission has been to transform travel into a wholly positive industry. Driven by data and the core belief that travel is a force for good, Expedia Group’s commitment, platforms and data will enable Travalyst to help more travelers and travel providers make better choices for themselves and the planet.”
By becoming a signatory to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, Expedia Group commits to deliver and begin implementing its climate action plans within 12 months. The Declaration unites travel and tourism behind a common set of pathways for climate action, aligning the sector with global commitments and catalysing collaborative solutions to the many challenges facing businesses and destinations globally.
In support, Expedia Group will:Align plans with the five pathways of the Declaration (Measure, Decarbonise, Regenerate, Collaborate, Finance) to accelerate and coordinate climate action in tourism
Report publicly on an annual basis on progress against interim and long-term targets, as well as on actions being taken, and
Work in a collaborative spirit, sharing good practices and solutions, and disseminate information to encourage additional organisations to become signatories and support one another to reach targets as quickly as possible.
Zurab Pololikasvili, Secretary-General, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), says: “UNWTO is proud to welcome Expedia Group as a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration. As a major online travel platform, Expedia Group can play a key role in influencing both tourists and tourist service providers to change their behaviour for the better and scale up climate action across tourism.”

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