Saudi Arabia Emerges as the Leading Travel Destination in the MENA Region for 2023
According to the travel booking platform, Wego, in the last quarter of 2023, Saudi Arabia was the most desirable travel destination for people from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
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In addition to Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India continued to be the top choices for travelers, holding their ranks from previous quarters.
The travel booking platform’s analysis, based on over 10 million flight and hotel searches from October to December, highlights Saudi Arabia’s continued appeal as the premier destination for international travel within the MENA region since July 2023.
Egypt and India have consistently held their rankings, primarily because they serve as key sources of employment and help sustain family connections in Gulf nations. Egypt has secured a position within the top two since 2014, while India has claimed the third spot since 2016. And the United Kingdom continues to be the preferred destination in Europe for travelers from the Middle East.
The Analysis also showed that Pakistan achieved the most significant improvement in its ranking, moving up two spots thanks to the new airline services and the eased travel restrictions.
On the other hand, Turkey’s attraction decreased slightly, falling to the seventh position after earlier gains from its weaker currency and favorable summer weather. Furthermore, Russia and China saw notable increases in their popularity, reaching the 21st and 23rd positions, respectively.
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To empower local talents in the fashion industry
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The Chalhoub Group has unveiled the second edition of the Fashion Lab, an innovative initiative designed to support and nurture local fashion talent in Saudi Arabia. Powered by The Greenhouse, Chalhoub Group’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, and in collaboration with the Saudi100 program, the Fashion Lab opens its doors to a new cohort of Saudi Arabian fashion brands specializing in ready-to-wear, accessories, handbags, and jewelry.
Fashion entrepreneurs across the Kingdom are now invited to apply for this intensive six-month program. The Fashion Lab is crafted to provide participants with an intensive curriculum that covers essential aspects of fashion business fundamentals, commercialization strategies, and entrepreneurial skills.
This initiative is a testament to Chalhoub Group’s dedication to contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, fostering local talent, and driving innovation within the Saudi fashion industry.
Joaquin Mencia, Chief Innovation Officer at Chalhoub Group, commented: “The Fashion Lab is yet another testament to Chalhoub Group’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in the Saudi fashion scene. After the great success of the first cohort of the Fashion Lab, we are launching Cohort 2 with double the efforts and expanding our perks for the next batch of Saudi fashion brands. With the exciting addition of The Greenhouse’s newly opened location in Riyadh, we are well-prepared to host Cohort 2 in a dynamic environment designed to nurture creativity and innovation. We are committed to providing an unparalleled experience that will empower the next generation of Saudi fashion brands to thrive and reach new heights.”
The first cohort of The Fashion Lab produced remarkable success stories that highlight the program’s impact. Brands like KAFBYKAF have gone on to receive significant acclaim. “The Fashion Lab gave KAFBYKAF the unique experience of selling on a Chalhoub Group platform and receiving guidance and exclusive access to senior leaders and retail experts from the Group, which was incredibly valuable to my brand,” said Kawthar Alhoraish, Founder of KAFBYKAF. “I recommend this program for any brand ready for acceleration.”
“Having worked closely with the brands in the first cohort of The Fashion Lab, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible talent and potential within the Saudi fashion industry,” said Joseph Chalhoub, General Manager of Fashion KSA at Chalhoub Group. “This program is a transformative journey that provides real support, knowledge sharing from retail experts, and commercial opportunities for local brands to thrive.”
This year’s cohort will offer ten Saudi brands a unique chance to gain mentorship and guidance from prestigious partners such as Boltable Studios, Instagram and Snap Inc. The program will be hybrid, based out of Riyadh, and will feature approximately 30 exclusive mentorship and workshop sessions. Successful applicants will have the rare opportunity to bring their collections to life on one of Chalhoub Group’s sales channels.
For more information and to apply, visit The Fashion Lab’s official webpage from June 27 until July 18, 2024, on the following link:
https://www.chalhoubgreenhouse.com/thefashionlab
Chris Dixon, a partner who led the charge, says he has a ‘very long-term horizon’
Americans now think they need at least $1.25 million for retirement, a 20% increase from a year ago, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual
