Over 1 million pilgrims benefit from golf cart service at Grand Mosque during Ramadan    Visitors welcomed with Eid initiative at Thee Ain Heritage Village in Al-Baha    Tebuk emir reviews rain response in Tayma    Saudi Arabia considers rent cap as part of major real estate reforms    Messi's bodyguard banned from touchline at Inter Miami games    Screen time in bed linked to insomnia, study finds    Le Pen vows to appeal political ban, calls verdict a 'denial of democracy'    Death toll from Myanmar earthquake rises to 2,719 as rescue efforts continue    Russia, Ukraine trade blame over new energy strikes    Putin orders Russia's largest military call-up in over a decade    Albania hosts MWL chief for Eid sermon at largest mosque in the Balkans    Haramain High-Speed Railway transports over 1.2 million passengers during Ramadan    Saudi Transport Authority says passengers can ride for free if taxi meters are off    Ministry of Education forms 425 community partnerships with SR653 million impact    Mexico bans junk food in schools to fight childhood obesity epidemic    Sweet sales surge ahead of Eid as Saudi chocolate imports top 123 million kg in 2024    Saudi creatives shine at Jeddah's Fawanees Nights with art, fashion, and storytelling    T1 CEO confirms Gumayusi's return for LCK Spring after lineup shakeup    100 Thieves claim Marvel Rivals Invitational NA crown as 2025 scene heats up    Bollywood actress vindicated over boyfriend's death after media hounding    Saudi Arabia hold Japan to goalless draw in Saitama to stay in World Cup hunt    Grand Mufti rules against posting prayers and preaching in mosques on social media    King Salman prays for peace and stability for Palestinians in Ramadan message King reaffirms Saudi Arabia's commitment to serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims    Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan 'out of danger' after attack at home in Mumbai    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Southeast Asia desired destination for travelers coming from Mideast
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 10 - 08 - 2016

Gulf residents spinning the globe in search of exciting destinations in which to enjoy summer breaks are being drawn to Southeast Asia with direct air routes, the affordability factor, cooler temperatures and an ample choice of accommodation options all coming into play, said Preferred Hotels & Resorts.
Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Malaysia hold sway as some of the most popular destinations for Middle East travelers with healthy inbound tourism figures in 2015, and strong demand in 2016 to date.
"UNWTO and World Travel & Tourism Council figures put Southeast Asia tourist arrivals growth ahead of the rest of the world in 2015, up 7.9% year-on-year, outpacing India and China in 2015," said Saurabh Rai, Executive Vice President of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest independent hotel brand.
"We are definitely seeing this reflected in demand for our member hotels in the region as well as positively impacting traveler spend. Further, MasterCard's Asia Pacific Destinations Index 2015 report listed eight Southeast Asian countries in its top 20 Asia Pacific ranking of most popular destinations in terms of arrival numbers, which is great news for Preferred Hotels & Resorts as we continue to expand our regional portfolio," he added.
Tourism Authority of Thailand data recorded over half-a-million visitors from the Middle East last year, led by tourists from the UAE followed by Oman, with an average stay of just under 12 days the year previously and daily spend of $171 versus just 9.8 days and $148 from other nationalities.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts' Southeast Asian partner properties include The Siam, one of Bangkok's most luxurious five-star hotels, set in three acres of landscaped greenery on the Chao Phraya River. The hotel offers guests access its own private boat shuttle, spa, unique Art Deco-inspired décor, and 24/7 butler service.
Despite subdued tourism performance over the last couple of years, Malaysia continues to attract visitors from the Gulf countries, largely due to its halal tourism offering, making it the preferred Southeast Asian destination for almost 100,000 Saudis in 2015 according to the Malaysia Ministry of Tourism & Culture, followed by the UAE with 15,769 visitors.
Popular with high-end travelers to Malaysia, the boutique Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa in Kota Kinabalu is home to just 47 timbered villas fronted by a pristine white sand beach and coral reef for the ultimate tropical paradise getaway.
"The Middle East enjoys excellent air connectivity with key Southeast Asian destinations and although Europe is always a popular option for summer travel, the cost-value equation can make it expensive, especially for family travel. Heading eastwards means that travelers can ‘splurge' on a luxury hotel stay while enjoying all the benefits of affordable activities including excursions, shopping and dining, in some of the region's most dynamic cities or ultra-relaxing beach resorts," said Rai.
Other destinations high on the demand radar include Singapore, a hub for both business and leisure travel, which saw 3.9% growth from UAE visitors in 2015, reaching 78,693 arrivals, according to its tourism board.
Just six years old, The Fullerton Bay Hotel is one of Singapore's top ranked luxury hotels, and enjoys a prime waterfront location in the city's heritage district with panoramic views from every room and award-winning dining venues.
Closer to home, the Maldives and India retain their leisure appeal for Middle Eastern travelers, with Saudi and UAE residents topping the regional arrivals list in 2014, and visitors to India from Oman almost double that of the UAE in 2015 at 103,740 and 55,818 respectively, as per India's Ministry of Tourism data.
Luxury island living is the mantra at Coco Bodu Hithi in the Maldives. An all-villa property with both beachfront and over-water stilted options, the resort boasts seven acclaimed restaurants and a full schedule of activities including diving, snorkeling, seaplane excursions and sunset cruises.


Clic here to read the story from its source.