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King Khalid International Airport, Cathay Pacific Announce Regular Flights between Riyadh, Hong Kong

A Saudi man checks the flight timings at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri Purchase Licensing Rights
A Saudi man checks the flight timings at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri Purchase Licensing Rights
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King Khalid International Airport, Cathay Pacific Announce Regular Flights between Riyadh, Hong Kong

A Saudi man checks the flight timings at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri Purchase Licensing Rights
A Saudi man checks the flight timings at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2021. REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri Purchase Licensing Rights

The King Khalid International Airport, managed and operated by Riyadh Airports Company, launched a collaboration with Cathay Pacific to operate regular flights between Riyadh and Hong Kong with three flights per week as of October 28.
Riyadh Airports Company CEO Ayman AboAbah said that launching direct flights between Hong Kong and Riyadh with Cathay Pacific is the outcome of joint efforts between Riyadh Airports Company and the Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) to enhance air transport flow between the capital’s airport and international destinations, aligning with their commitment to supporting the national goals of Saudi Vision 2030, SPA reported.
CEO of the ACP Majid Khan also said that launching these flights will upgrade the air connectivity network in the Kingdom, eventually attracting more tourists as travelers from Hong Kong and the Cathay Pacific network, including Australia, New Zealand, and the Southeast Asia region, will be able to explore the tourism potentials in the Kingdom.
Cathay Pacific's Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau noted that this new service will enhance the commercial and cultural ties between Hong Kong and the Kingdom.
Cathay Pacific has designated the A350-900 Airbus to undertake these flights, which accommodates up to 280 passengers.

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Saudi Arabia’s Booming Tourism Fuels Hotel Bookings and Local Hiring

The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia’s Booming Tourism Fuels Hotel Bookings and Local Hiring

The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector has continued its rapid growth, driving record demand for hotels and hospitality services and creating new jobs across the Kingdom.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) reported that hotel occupancy rose 2.1% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, reaching nearly 63%. In contrast, serviced apartments saw occupancy dip to about 50.7%, reflecting shifting visitor preferences and price dynamics.

Talal Al-Muhaideb, General Manager of Al-Sarh Travel and Tourism, said his company recorded a 28% jump in bookings, including hotels, flights, and tours, compared with the same period last year. He attributed the surge to Saudi Arabia’s rising profile as a destination, improved infrastructure, and more sophisticated tourism offerings.

He noted that Gulf and Asian travelers drove much of the demand, with bookings concentrated in hotels rather than serviced apartments. “Visitors are coming for leisure, cultural experiences, business, and major events,” he underlined.

Al-Muhaideb added that Saudis now make up 48% of management roles at the company, with plans underway to increase local hiring in line with Vision 2030 targets. “We have an ambitious strategy to expand recruitment and empower Saudi talent across all departments,” he explained.

Tourism specialist Abdullah Al-Suqabi stressed the importance of training partnerships with institutes specializing in hospitality and hotel management to further develop Saudi staff. “Skill development is essential to strengthening the sector and boosting local employment,” he said.

Technology is also reshaping the industry. Faisal Al-Otaibi, an investor in the Jathir Inn rental platform, noted that the app has seen rising demand thanks to secure payment systems and transparent pricing. “Bookings have climbed significantly, and the growth has directly increased my revenues,” he said, adding that travelers now arrive year-round from across the country.

Average daily hotel rates slipped to 477 riyals ($127), down 3.4%, while serviced apartment rates rose 7.2% to 209 riyals ($55). The figures suggest changing demand patterns and possibly a more diverse customer base.

Guest stays in hotels held steady at 4.1 nights, while serviced apartment stays declined to an average of 2.1 nights.

Overall, the tourism sector recorded 4.1% employment growth in the first quarter, with Saudis representing nearly 25% of the workforce - totaling 234,000 Saudi employees working across nearly a thousand tourism businesses.