Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is undergoing a transformative journey, positioning the Kingdom as one of the fastest-growing destinations in the world. At the heart of this evolution is Fahd Hamidaddin, the founding CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, who is leading the charge in redefining Saudi Arabia’s place on the global tourism map. In an exclusive interview with Breaking Travel News, Hamidaddin shared insights into the Kingdom’s impressive growth, ambitious targets, and unwavering commitment to authenticity and sustainability.

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has announced an exciting partnership with renowned British bushcraft expert and TV broadcaster Ray Mears to promote its latest nature-based tourism initiative, ‘The Small Six.’ This unique conservation-focused tour invites visitors to discover and appreciate six of Saint Lucia’s rare and endangered native species, further reinforcing the island’s commitment to sustainable tourism.

Destination NSW has launched a new marketing campaign, 'Recharge Here', that promotes electric vehicle-friendly road tripping across the state. The campaign features nine EV-friendly road trips in Greater Sydney and regional NSW. The itineraries include the locations of EV charging stations along the routes so drivers can enjoy their journey without range anxiety.

Forests play a crucial role in tourism, attracting many millions of visitors each year and contributing significantly to local economies. They cover over 30% of the global land area, providing endless recreational opportunities. Recognising the value of forests in the development of sustainable tourism, the TUI Care Foundation is expanding its forest projects in Gran Canaria, Zanzibar, and Kenya. These initiatives are part of the Foundation’s commitment to developing sustainable tourism solutions that benefit both the environment and local communities.

Five Jamaican and three Canadian individuals and organizations have been recognized for their outstanding contribution to boosting tourism resilience. The Jamaican winners received their awards from the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), while the Canadian victors earned their accolades from ECO Canada.

The performance of flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, in sustainability for the year 2024 showed progress on its three tracks: Decarbonization, adopting initiatives with sustainable impact on society, the economy and the environment, and digital transformation. As a result, operation efficiency increased, and carbon emissions decreased to 625,152 tons, equivalent to planting 25 million trees, within 48 months until the end of 2024. flynas also participated in launching the first voluntary carbon credit trading platform and in the third auction of high-quality carbon credits. Moreover, the leading LCC launched several initiatives to provide a more inclusive travel experience for different segments of society, including people with disabilities, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations.