Apple to Expand Significantly in Saudi Arabia

The Apple Inc. logo is seen hanging at the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, New York, US, October 16, 2019. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
The Apple Inc. logo is seen hanging at the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, New York, US, October 16, 2019. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
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Apple to Expand Significantly in Saudi Arabia

The Apple Inc. logo is seen hanging at the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, New York, US, October 16, 2019. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
The Apple Inc. logo is seen hanging at the entrance to the Apple store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, New York, US, October 16, 2019. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo

Apple has unveiled plans for a major expansion in Saudi Arabia, including the launch of an online store in 2025. The company has also outlined ambitions to open additional stores across the Kingdom as part of its long-term strategy.
Apple’s expansion will begin with the introduction of the Apple Store online in the summer of 2025. This new platform will provide Saudi customers access to Apple’s full range of products, along with direct support and services available in Arabic for the first time.
First Flagship Store in Diriyah
According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, Apple’s flagship retail store in Saudi Arabia is scheduled to open in 2026 in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This location will serve as the centerpiece of Apple’s retail expansion in the Kingdom, offering customers an opportunity to interact with Apple’s products and services while engaging with its team members in an iconic setting.
Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed his excitement about the expansion, saying: “We’re excited to be expanding here in Saudi Arabia with the launch of the Apple Store online next year, and the first of several flagship Apple Store locations starting in 2026, including an iconic store at the stunning site of Diriyah coming later."
He added: “Our teams are looking forward to deepening our connections with customers, and to bringing the best of Apple to help people across this country explore their passions, build their businesses, and take their ideas to the next level.”
Investing in Saudi Arabia’s App Economy
Apple’s retail expansion complements its broader investments in Saudi Arabia. These include the Apple Developer Academy, the first of its kind in the region, which opened in Riyadh in 2021. Established in collaboration with the Saudi government, the academy operates in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy and Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University.
The academy, located on the university’s campus, is exclusively dedicated to training women in programming, design, and entrepreneurship. Since its launch, nearly 2,000 students have completed courses, with many creating applications now available on the App Store for both local and international markets.
Apple has also expanded its educational programs in Saudi Arabia, including hosting its inaugural “Apple Foundation Program” this past summer, which offered students a month-long learning experience.
Boosting Saudi Arabia’s Economy
Apple announced that it will launch the second cohort of its Developer Academy program in the spring of 2025. The company highlighted the role of Saudi developers in driving economic growth, noting that the iOS app economy is generating significant job opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship.
Apple shared that developer earnings in Saudi Arabia have surged by over 1,750% since 2019. The company emphasized its commitment to creating more opportunities in the Kingdom, supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses, and public transport users through advanced technologies.
Over the past five years, Apple has invested more than SAR 10 billion ($2.6 billion) in the Saudi economy through partnerships with local businesses. The company noted that its services have supported enterprises across the country, from small startups to large corporations.
Apple Pay has also gained significant traction in Saudi Arabia since its 2019 launch. Following the opening of the Riyadh Metro, Riyadh became the first Middle Eastern city to adopt Apple Pay’s Express Transit feature, allowing seamless payment for metro and bus services with an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Apple noted that many Saudi users have transitioned entirely to digital payment methods, moving away from physical cards.

 



Gulf States Expand Tourism Footprint as Emerging Markets Gain Momentum at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai

Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Arabian Travel Market (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Arabian Travel Market (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Gulf States Expand Tourism Footprint as Emerging Markets Gain Momentum at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai

Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Arabian Travel Market (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Saudi Arabia’s participation in the Arabian Travel Market (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

Emerging tourism markets are carving out space on the global travel map, drawing attention for their dynamic participation at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, while Gulf nations—particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—are accelerating their expansion in the tourism sector.

As global travel gathers momentum, Gulf-based airlines are eyeing new investment opportunities despite lingering global economic uncertainty, driven by shifting trade patterns and evolving consumer behavior in the international travel landscape.

The 32nd edition of ATM opened in Dubai with more than 2,800 exhibitors and nearly 55,000 industry professionals from 166 countries. Held under the theme “Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship,” the event emphasized building a more sustainable and globally integrated travel industry.

The exhibition reflects the profound changes shaping global tourism, with cross-border and sustainable connectivity now central to the industry’s development. It also highlights the growing influence of emerging markets and the increasing role of Gulf investments in tourism and aviation.

During its participation in ATM, the Saudi Tourism Authority showcased the Kingdom’s accelerating tourism growth, revealing it had attracted approximately 116 million visitors in 2024—a 6.4% increase from the previous year. Fahd Hamidaddin, the authority’s CEO, said Saudi Arabia aims to strengthen its position as a unique summer destination through a robust calendar of events and strategic private-sector partnerships. The focus is on key source markets across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

UAE Tourism Supports Economic Diversification

UAE Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, emphasized the country’s growing stature as a global tourism hub. He pointed to the launch of major national initiatives that align with best international practices, support economic diversification, and attract investment in hospitality, aviation, and travel.

According to bin Touq, the UAE’s tourism sector continued to deliver strong performance in 2024. Hotel revenues rose to AED 45 billion (USD 12.2 billion), up 3% from 2023, while occupancy rates reached 78%, among the highest globally. The country added 16 new hotels last year, increasing the total to 1,251, with room capacity growing 3%. Hotel guests rose 9.5% year-on-year to 30.8 million, achieving 77% of the UAE’s 2031 national tourism target seven years ahead of schedule.

Gulf Airlines Gear Up for Growth

Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves said the airline has yet to feel any major impact from global trade tensions, with seat occupancy remaining strong despite global uncertainty. Etihad plans to add 20 to 22 aircraft in 2025, with the goal of expanding its fleet to more than 170 aircraft by 2030. Neves also noted that the euro’s recent appreciation could boost European travel to the Gulf.

Etihad, which currently operates a fleet of around 100 aircraft, has significant financial flexibility, with 60% of its fleet debt-free. “If a crisis arises, we can ground planes and save up to 75% of operating costs,” he noted.

The airline plans to receive 10 Airbus A321XLR jets starting in August, in addition to 6 Airbus A350s and 4 Boeing 787s. Neves said while delays in aircraft delivery remain a challenge, they have not altered Etihad’s growth strategy. He also confirmed ongoing discussions with manufacturers and signaled interest in Boeing aircraft originally designated for China but now potentially available due to trade restrictions.

Riyadh Air Nears Major Aircraft Deal

Tony Douglas, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air, said the new airline is open to acquiring Boeing jets initially built for the Chinese market if trade disputes disrupt those deliveries.

Douglas said global economic headwinds have not affected demand and announced plans to finalize a major widebody aircraft deal soon. The airline aims to expand its workforce to around 1,000 employees in the coming year, as it prepares to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Commenting on broader regional developments, Douglas said the resumption of flights from the UAE to Syria and the use of Syrian airspace “may be an early sign that conditions are improving.”