Meet the HUAWEI P10, a Stunning Combination of Technology and Art Coming soon to the Middle East, Huawei’s new P series debuts new colors and Leica style portraiture

Posted on March 4, 2017 by مشرف

To kick off Mobile World Congress 2017, Huawei Consumer Business Group launched the new HUAWEI P10 and HUAWEI P10 Plus. The highly-anticipated additions to the P series feature a combination of beautiful hardware and the latest advances in software technology. Additionally, the new smartphones feature striking new colors and finishes, and introduce new Leica front and back cameras with cutting-edge portrait features to make every shot a cover shot.

Commenting on the launch, Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group said ““As culture and technology continue to intersect in every aspect of our world, we want to deliver new products and experiences that ultimately improve and enhance life. Our impressive new HUAWEI P10 and HUAWEI P10 Plus weave together the exceptional imaging capabilities of Leica and our stand-out design and hardware innovations to bring users a powerful device experience.”

The HUAWEI P10 and HUAWEI P10 Plus, to be launched soon in the Middle East, are a demonstration of Huawei’s continued commitment to setting new performance standards and inspiring creative expression. Key device features include:

An artistic photography studio in your hands

The HUAWEI P10’s new Leica Dual-Camera 2.0 and HUAWEI P10 Plus’ Leica Dual-Camera 2.0 Pro Edition, featuring the rear dual-camera set up and Leica front-facing camera, means consumers can explore the full range of portrait photography. With a 12-megapixel RGB sensor, a 20-megapixel monochrome sensor and enhanced fusion algorithms, the HUAWEI P10 and HUAWEI P10 Plus deliver superior technical and artistic photography features on a smartphone.

Iconic P series design with on-trend touches

With its industry-leading craftsmanship, the HUAWEI P10 is a beautifully designed masterpiece on the inside and out. Never content with the status quo, Huawei’s design team introduced the industry’s first Hyper Diamond-Cut finishing, in addition to their refined sandblast and high gloss finishes.

The HUAWEI P10 and HUAWEI P10 Plus are also available in a selection of unique colors as a result of the first cross-industry partnership with Pantone Color Institute, the world’s foremost authority on color. By combining Huawei’s design expertise with Pantone’s trusted color thought leadership, two new colorways were created to reflect the personalities of the contemporary consumer and shape new color trends in the mobile market. Dazzling Blue and the Pantone Color of the Year 2017, Greenery, were designed by the Pantone Color Institute and optimized by Huawei to create a beautiful, glow-effect finish.

Exceptional performance advancements for efficiency and connectivity

The HUAWEI P10 and HUAWEI P10 Plus take smartphone efficiency and customization a step further thanks to the powerful Kirin 960 processor and all-new EMUI 5.1. Kirin 960 is Huawei’s latest high-performance SoC chipset.

With 3,200 and 3750 mAh battery, the HUAWEI P10 and HUAWEI P10 Plus support HUAWEI SuperCharge technology. The low voltage, low temperature fast charging solution comes with a super safe 5-gate protection mechanism, which offers real-time voltage, current and temperature monitoring to make charging not only fast but safe.

Taking wearables to new heights

In addition to the HUAWEI P10 and HUAWEI P10 Plus, Huawei unveiled its second-edition smartwatch, the HUAWEI WATCH 2. This 4G sports wearable combines innovative technology with authentic craftsmanship, and features an athletic and stylish lightweight design that brings true independence to wearable devices. The HUAWEI WATCH 2 will be available soon in the Middle East.

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Anticipation Mounts as Mother of the Nation Festival Set-up Begins on Abu Dhabi Corniche One month countdown begins for Mother of the Nation Festival in Abu Dhabi

Posted on March 4, 2017 by مشرف

Groundwork for the second edition of Mother of the Nation Festival will commence today (Sunday) on Abu Dhabi Corniche ahead of the Festival’s official opening on March 26th, the organising committee at Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority announced today.

Preparations for the festival have commenced on-schedule as more than one kilometre of Abu Dhabi’s Corniche beach will be transformed in advance of the Festival’s opening, and construction progress is now clearly visible along the designated site for the occasion. Set to be held from March 26th to April 4th, Mother of the Nation Festival will offer more than 100 activities, including an extensive selection of exhibitions, performances, workshops, food and beverage offerings and exciting events designed to encourage visitors to believe in the significance of a sustainable future.

The countdown has officially begun for the Festival, with only 30 days left to go. Running for a total of 10 days this year, Mother of the Nation Festival is set to offer multiple distinctive activity zones, creating an enjoyable and interactive atmosphere for visitors from all backgrounds across the community.

Residents and visitors of all ages will be given the chance to experience unique concepts in an environment of distinct perspectives as the festival highlights qualities of sustainability, responsibility, cultural exchange and openness in celebration of the extensive contributions and vision of HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, and President of the Supreme Council of Motherhood and Childhood.

The Festival will include a wide variety of interactive events organised across four diverse activity zones:  the Happiness Zone, the Progress Zone, the Souq Zone, and the Beach Dining Zone. The centrepiece of the Festival, the Mother of the Nation Pavilion, will celebrate the role of women across all aspects of life.

The four zones will collectively form a national cultural and social event offering visitors a range of exciting new activities for the whole family. The Happiness Zone has new events such as the Bu Tinah Sea Adventure, a magical adventure with colourful shipwrecked Dhows and the Tranquil Park, with trees of books where books can be found in place of leaves which can be picked from the hanging branches.

The Progress Zone will consist of interactive and multimedia experiences in order to engage visitors with innovative concepts, encouraging them to develop towards a brighter future. An exciting new event this year is the Water Light Graffiti, where visitors can experience the glow of thousands of LEDs in the dazzling interactive installation. There is even a Virtual Reality Area, where bespoke content created virtual reality will bring the whole festival experience together.

The Beach Dining Zone will conduct interactive Chef Challenges this year. Food fanatics and aspiring chefs can participate in cooking competitions against one another. The Souq Zone also this year will offer a refreshed selection of traditional shops and international brands to offer visitors a unique retail experience.

Another exciting new signature event not to be missed this year is the PixelPyros, a digital firework display where visitors will have the opportunity to control the large-scale light installation themselves.

Mother of the Nation Festival will feature a number of entertaining artistic shows and performances inspired by the diverse cultures found throughout UAE, reflecting the nation’s embrace of international perspectives that enrich the community.

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Presentation & Press Conference of the world’s premier trade fair for the metalworking sector – EMO

Posted on March 4, 2017 by مشرف

The German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO) hosted in cooperation with The VDW-German Machine Tool Builders Association and The Saudi National Subcommittee for Iron and Steel Industry a presentation and press conference introducing the world’s premier trade fair for the metalworking sector – EMO. The event was opened by the GESALO Delegate Mr. Oliver Oehms who emphasized the importance of the fair and expressed his hope for further German-Saudi Arabian cooperation in the related branch. He was followed by the head of the economic section of the German embassy, Mr. Philipp Schoenbrunn Knappmann.

The Managing Director of EMO Hannover, Mr. Christoph Miller painted a more detailed picture of the fair. “The EMO Hannover is not only the most important meeting point for all players in the metalworking sector, both manufacturers and users. It’s traditionally also an innovation forum and a trend-setter,”

He added: “This is why it addresses the important issues in the world of metalworking, and drives them forward.” A wide and varied supporting programme will in 2017 once again be addressing both technical and commercial issues.

The event culminated with Mr. Mohammad Al-Jabr, vice Chairman of the Saudi National Subcommittee for Iron and Steel Industry, who presented an overview of the Iron and Steel Industry Sector and related Projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The next EMO Hannover will be held from 18 to 23 September 2017. As the world’s premier trade fair for the metalworking sector, it’s the most important indicator for technical trends and innovations in the field of production technology. And it thus also boosts investments in machine tools, production solutions and production-related services. Under the motto of “Connecting systems for intelligent production.

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Under the patronage of Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral resource The Saudi Plastics and Petrochemical and the Saudi Print and Pack Exhibition kicks off Monday

Posted on March 4, 2017 by مشرف

Under the patronage of Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, the 14th edition of the Saudi Plastics and Petrochemicals and the Saudi Print and Pack will kick off on Monday 27th of February until the 2nd of March 2017, at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events.

The previous editions recorded a prominent mark by increasing awareness on sustainability as an important industrial concept that preserve the future of coming generations and on the optimal use of natural resources.

Showcasing the latest innovations and trends in these industries, the exhibition is the ideal destination for specialists seeking to tap into the lucrative investment opportunities available at the Saudi market.

This year the show gathers more than 318 local and regional companies from more than 20 countries, attracts thousands of industry experts, and enjoys the participation of SABIC as the Diamond sponsor and Saudi Polymers as the Platinum sponsor, in addition to the support of MODON as an Industrial partner and a large number of specialized Media sponsors.

Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical products exports witnessed considerable growth since 1995, as it constitutes 2/3 of the total Saudi industrial exports, gained global market shares by venturing in international arena and highlighted the Saudi products’ competitive advantages in terms of quality and price.

Held under the patronage of Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral resources, the largest industrial gathering in the Kingdom contributes to the growth and development of both the plastic and petrochemicals industries by highlighting the opportunities available and facilitating public private partnerships.

It is worth mentioning that Riyadh Exhibitions Co. Ltd., is a Saudi company specialized in organizing exhibitions, conferences and other trade events. The company caters to several activities for various economic sectors. Throughout its 35 years, REC has organized more than 440 unique and successful shows and conferences renowned for their innovation, professionalism and attention to details. REC boasts an international presence, supported by over 120 commercial & industrial bodies from more than 50 countries. Regionally, REC dominates with its wide range of events programs, serving 20 economic and financial sectors in the Middle East. REC’s leading events are certified by UFI.

 

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Huawei in global top three for smartphone market share Huawei bucks industry trend with year-on-year growth of 30.2% in 2016 to capture 10% of the global smartphone market

Posted on February 24, 2017 by مشرف

According to data released by leading analyst firms Strategy Analytics and Counterpoints Research，Huawei Consumer Business Group (CBG) became the third largest smartphone manufacturer by market share, commanding 10% of the total global market. Meanwhile，total worldwide smartphone shipments grew by 2.3% year-on-year in 2016, totaling 1.47 billion units. The Chinese market contributed a large part of this total figure, with 467 million mobile phones shipped for the year. Of the top five vendors, Samsung, Apple, Huawei, OPPO, and vivo, the three Chinese brands together account for almost 20% of the global market share. Huawei ranked third overall, with nearly 10% market share, maintaining steady growth despite a weaker global market. In total, Huawei shipped 139.3 million units in 2016, up 30.2% on 2015.

Despite the softening of the global smartphone market, Huawei’s annual growth in shipments shows strong momentum and continues to perform above the industry average. Shipments grew from 75 million in 2014 to 108 million in 2015 and approximately140 million in 2016. This industry-defying growth has consolidated its position as the number three global vendor.

The Road to Consolidation: The Changed and the Unchanged

Huawei released HUAWEI P9 and HUAWEI Mate 9 in 2016, two flagship models that continue Huawei’s strategy of releasing high-performance smartphones that combine powerful technology, functional design and intuitive user experience to win global acclaim. Global sales of the HUAWEI P9 flagship series have so far exceeded 10 million units, making it Huawei’s first flagship model to reach that milestone.

“Huawei was a rising star in December 2016, an important achievement for Chinese companies,” said Tina Lu, Senior Analyst at Counterpoint Research. Commenting on Huawei’s aim to sell more smartphones than Apple in 2017, Lu added, “Performance in North America and Asian markets will be the key. If it can build on its strong position in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, then it has a chance to accomplish this goal.”

Huawei has also modified its channel strategy, growing the total number of its offline service stores to more than 460, across 45 countries around the world. The company launched its “1,000-county plan” in China, aiming to set up shops in 1,000 counties across the country. Huawei has also established long-term and stable partnerships with thousands of distributors and retailers all over the world. The global public channel as a share of revenue increased to 71% in 2016, up 13 percentage points from 2015. The number of retailers offering Huawei devices across the world also increased to more than 70,000.

Tarun Pathak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, spoke highly of Huawei’s strategy, “Huawei has gained a foothold in the premium market with the successful release of P9 and Mate 8 and will continue to put more emphasis on the premium market going forward, challenging Apple. In 2017, we expect Huawei to reap the reward of its offline channel expansion strategy started in late 2015 to cover 1,000 provinces by the end of the year.”

The Road to Refinement: Investment and Partnerships

In the flagship P and Mate series, Huawei collaborated with international brands such as Leica and Porsche Design, building on and amplifying the Huawei brand concept while expanding its appeal through association with other leaders in their fields. These partnerships have directly impacted brand recognition for Huawei, winning acclaim from a growing list of respected global institutions. In 2016, Huawei was included in Interbrand’s 100 Best Global Brands for the second year, ranking 72nd. It was also ranked in BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands at number 50. This success in branding has also been reflected in global sales, acting as further proof that users favor Huawei mobile phones.

Global and Local Strategies for Success

Huawei consolidated its position as one of the world’s three largest smartphone vendors thanks to distinct domestic and overseas strategies that have solidified its advantages in some regions, while opening new markets through its continuous innovation and efficient operations.  “Huawei maintained third position with a record 10 percent global smartphone market share in Q4 2016, the first time the company has ever reached double figures. It was an impressive performance,” said Woody Oh, Director at Strategy Analytics. “Huawei’s overseas performance in markets like Western Europe is accelerating due to improved smartphone designs, more sophisticated marketing, and deeper retail distribution.”

 

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Middle East ICT Community Prepares to Set Sail as IDC Takes 10th Anniversary CIO Summit to the Seas

Posted on February 21, 2017 by مشرف

One hundred of the region’s most influential CIOs are preparing to set sail early next month as International Data Corporation (IDC) prepares to host the 10th anniversary edition of its flagship Middle East CIO Summit on board the luxurious Royal Caribbean Cruise ship, ‘Vision of the Seas’. Setting sail from Dubai on March 6 for a seven-day tour of the Gulf, the event’s three-day agenda will focus on the theme of ‘Enabling Dynamic Change for the Digital Era’, with IDC promising a conference experience like no other before.

The IDC Middle East CIO Summit has been at the forefront of ICT thought leadership since its inception in 2008. And with formal conference activities closing by 3pm each day, this year’s special installment is set to offer unprecedented opportunities for networking between the region’s foremost ICT decision makers and global experts from some of the most respected names in the industry.

Intimate focus groups featuring a maximum of 20 CIOs each will add a fresh twist to the agenda, with discussions centering on the role of data in driving digital transformation, the quest to enable agile business through open and secure datacenter networks, and the growing demands to implement true omnichannel customer experiences. These will be supplemented by six interactive CIO Workshops that will draw on IDC’s groundbreaking IT Executive Programs to provide attendees with in-depth insights into the following topics:

  • Developing Skills for the Digital World
  • DevOps Practices that Deliver Transformation & Cost Reduction
  • Leading in 3D: 100 Days to Set the Stage for Digital Transformation
  • The Shortcomings of Bimodal IT: Digital Transformation Demands a Full Spectrum Leadership Model
  • The CIO’s Guide to Strategic Architecture: How to use Architecture as a Tool for Digital Transformation
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis for Security Programs

And with Day 2 featuring two parallel technology tracks for CIOs to choose from – ‘Maximizing Performance with Software-Defined Infrastructure’ and ‘Truth or Dare: Reality & Risks in Today’s Digital Security World’ – there has never been greater scope for attendees to tailor their Summit experience to directly reflect their own individual needs.

IDC’s most renowned global names will be flying in for the event, with Meredith Whalen, Senior Vice President for IT Executive, Software, Services, and Industry Research, delivering the Summit’s keynote address and chairing a number of panel discussions. She will be joined by Steven Frantzen, Senior Vice President for EMEA and Managing Director for CEMA; Pete Lindstrom, Vice President of Research for Enterprise and NextGen Security; Stephen Elliot, Vice President of Research for DevOps; Mike Rosen, Vice President of Research for Strategic Architecture; and Jyoti Lalchandani, Group Vice President and Regional Managing Director for META.

Experts from some of the world’s leading ICT vendors will be on hand throughout the event to provide their own unique insights, while IDC has also invited a cast of visionaries from some of the region’s most pioneering end-user organizations to dissect their own digital transformation journeys and deliver a CIO Summit that truly has the interests of the CIO at its heart. These include Wesam Lootah, CEO of Dubai Smart Government; Mohamed Abuagla, CIO of Al Jazeera Media Network; Dr. Arwa Y. Al-Aama, Vice Mayor for IT Affairs at Jeddah Municipality; Dr. Jassim Haji, IT Director at Gulf Air; Colonel Khalid Nasser Alrazooqi, General Director of Smart Services at Dubai Police; Gopi Krishnan, CIO of Al Hilal Bank; Mohammed Mousa, Senior Consultant for GRC & IT Security at SABIC; C. Krishna Kumar, COO at Qatar Islamic Bank; Edward Ganom, CISO at Commercial Bank of Qatar; A. Qureshi, Head of Business Continuity at Riyad Bank; Jonathan Richards, Group Digital Strategy Director at Gulf News Media; Zubair Ahmed, Head of IT & Business Innovation at Emirates Islamic Bank; Sanjeev Menon, Head of IT Security at Commercial Bank of Dubai; and Sourav Sinha, CIO of Oman Air.

Partnering the 10th anniversary edition of the Middle East CIO Summit will be Etisalat, Dell EMC, and Intel as Summit Partners; Schneider Electric and Misys as Platinum Partners; Veeam, VMware, Red Hat, Fidelis Cybersecurity, Nutanix, and Fire Eye as Gold Partners; Juniper Networks, BARQ Systems, Commvault, and Nexthink as Focus Group Partners; and AGC Networks, together with Hewlett Packard Enterprise, as Lunch Partners.

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Hyundai Motor will Debut the All-new Accent at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto

Posted on February 19, 2017 by مشرف

Hyundai Motor Company will host the world premiere of the All-new 2018 Accent subcompact on 16 February, at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

Hyundai has released a teaser image and video ahead of the car’s public unveiling, suggesting a fresh, confident interpretation of the brand’s signature design language. The new car features the cascading grille, a visual signature that is integral to Hyundai Motor’s identity. It also hints at a slim and modern rear bumper, a sweeping roofline, and a sharp character line running the length of the car where it meets slim and sporty rear combination lamps.

“The Accent has been an enormously successful model for Hyundai, and we expect the new generation to sell strongly,” said Mike Song, Hyundai’s Head of Operations for Africa and the Middle East. “The current model already sets a high standard for style in the small car segment, and images released ahead of the launch reveal an exciting evolution of the Accent’s design.”

The teaser video can be viewed at: www.YouTube.com/HyundaiCanada.

Further details about the all-new vehicle will be revealed during the Hyundai press conference scheduled for 16 February, starting at 14:35 GMT. The company will also broadcast the debut live on its Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/HyundaiCanada.

 

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A GRAND EVENT IN COLLABORATION WITH EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA.

Posted on February 19, 2017 by مشرف

Sun Siyam Resorts, together with the Embassy of the Republic of Maldives hosted a special evening in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh on the 13th of February at Four Points by Sheraton hotel.

The special event held to mark the opening of the Sun Siyam Group representation in Riyadh was focused on “A Glimpse into the Sunny Side of Life”.  This was mainly to provide the much needed information of Maldives as a destination, which has maintained its popularity in the Middle East.

The evening was brought to a start with the opening speech by His Excellency Abdullah Hameed, Ambassador of Maldives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It was followed by a presentation by Director of Business Development of Sun Siyam Resorts, Evgenia Boyankova, who covered the topic on “Traveling to Maldives:  Everyone can find something special”. True to its title, Maldives definitely caters to one’s own needs. It is a destination for families, couples, singles, honeymooners, friends, the adventurous and the relaxed spa goers alike.

With the easy flight connections available from the KSA, Mr. Mamdouh AbdullRhaman AlMallouhi, Sales Manager for Riyadh from Saudi Airlines covered the convenience and ease “Connecting the Kingdom and Maldives” and shared the future plans to launch direct flights from Jeddah to Maldives.

During the event, there were raffles drawn with holidays to Maldives sponsored by Sun Siyam Resorts and tickets to Maldives sponsored by Saudi Airlines.

With a great turnout from the media and trade, it was a successful event with dinner and networking.

 

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MiSK and Google launch We Are All Online program to drive digital awareness among youth in KSA The program will be a multi-year initiative and will be executed through assembles on online literacy and safety in all private and public schools in Saudi Arabia

Posted on February 17, 2017 by مشرف

The Prince Mohamed bin Salman Foundation (MiSK) and Google launched Tuesday an initiative to promote the best practices and knowledge to Saudi youth on how to act smartly and safely online.

With the Saudi Ministry of Education’s support, We Are All Online will see Google-trained staff from MiSK lead student assemblies in 50 public and private middle schools in Riyadh during the second academic semester. The program leaders will teach students how to act responsibly and safely online using content developed and localized by Google for Saudi schools. We Are All Online will then expand to five other provinces by the beginning of the next academic year.

Speaking at the program’s launch in Riyadh, Minister of Education Ahmed Al Eissa reiterated the importance of information security especially among today’s youth and the education system’s role in spreading digital awareness.

The Minister also called upon the students who attended the launch to engage with the program’s trainers and content to make sure they get the best of the initiative. He also expressed his optimism for Kulluna Online.

Commenting about the launch, MiSk Secretary General Badr bin Mohamed Al Asaker said: “Given the notable growth of usage of the digital world whether through regular browsing or instant messaging applications, it was necessary that we find a creative initiative to spread awareness on digital safety. Kulluna Online was the product of MiSK’s belief that the Internet has become one of the most important languages of our time and a necessary tool for development. The program aims to spread digital awareness and to keep up with the latest global practices which ensure safe Internet browsing.”

“We are excited to launch the We Are All Online National Digital Awareness Program here in Saudi Arabia. With our partners at MiSK and the Ministry of Education, we want to equip young Saudis with the best practices and knowledge on how to get the best of the web while acting responsibly and safely online. These assemblies will leave a lasting impact on students and will lead to an even better and safer online community in Saudi Arabia,” Google Head of Government Relations and Public Policy for the Gulf Sam Blatteis said.

Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Mohamed Attia Alharthi said that “this program reflects the implementation of the 2030 vision, utilizing the relationship between the government and nonprofit sectors by launching this engaging program executed in cooperation with Google.”

“This program targets students in both primary and secondary schools and will include hour-long assemblies in each school. It will be executed over four academic semester and we expect that 10,000 students across 50 schools will benefit from the first phase of Kulluna Online,” he added.

Drawing from everyday-situations and questions young children face online, the content of the assemblies is based on a gamified experience that would help popularize the memorable key insights from the program.

The key pillars of We Are All Online include the following:

Post wisely: The assembly will encourage students to think thoroughly before sharing something online.

  • Stay secure: Students will learn how to keep their belongings online ( pictures, passwords, documents, etc.) secure.
  • Know your settings: Teachers will walk students through how to navigate and adjust their settings to keep their devices and accounts secure.
  • How to avoid fraud and identity theft: The program will help students become more critical of what they see on the web and to seek advice from parents and students.
  • Importance of being positive online: The program aims to promote a positive online community where students can feel safe.  

In addition to the school assemblies, the program will have its own website where all the material will be available online for anyone to view in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Google launched similar programs around the world in recent years such as Internet Legends in the UK and the digital literacy school assembly program in the US. We Are All Online has the potential to reach one million middle school students and aims to have a large-scale impact that would elevate students’ awareness on how to stay safe and smart online.

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VisitBritain To Open Its First Office in Saudi Arabia 147,000 Saudi Tourists Visited UK in 2015, Office Will Build on Decades of Close Relations Says British Ambassador Saudi National, Bader Al Mandeel, Appointed VisitBritain Country Representative

Posted on February 13, 2017 by مشرف

Britain’s national tourism body VisitBritain today announced the opening of its first office in Riyadh to attract more visitors from Saudi Arabia to the UK.

The announcement, which was made at a press event at the residence of British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Simon Collis, includes the appointment of Saudi national Bader Al Mandeel as VisitBritain’s Country Representative.

British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Simon Collis said:

“The opening of the new VisitBritain office in Riyadh builds on a century of strong trade and cultural relations. Every year Britain welcomes more and more Saudis in the UK with thousands visiting on business, for tourism or to study. I would strongly encourage Saudis to go and see for themselves everything that the UK has to offer.”

VisitBritain Director Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA) Sumathi Ramanathan said:

‘Saudi Arabia is one of Britain’s most important and fastest growing outbound market. The appointment of Bader Al Mandeel to head VisitBritain’s operations signals VisitBritain’s strong commitment to the market. We value the support of our media, travel trade, airline and social media partners and Bader’s presence in market will help us to further build on these important relationships.’

As of the end of January 2017, Britain was 14% more affordable for visitors from Saudi Arabia compared with the same month in 2016.

Visitors from Saudi Arabia are some of the UK’s highest spenders, spending on average £3,769 per visit, more than six times the average for all markets. They also stay longer than other international visitors with an average length of stay of 18 nights, compared to an average of 8 nights for all markets.

Research by VisitBritain shows that Saudi visitors are interested in luxury shopping and enjoy Britain’s high-end department stores and outlet shops, with more than 60% likely to have shopped at an outlet or department store during their visit. They are also among the most likely to purchase clothes or shoes during a trip to Britain.

saudi Arabia is one of Britain’s top 10 most valuable inbound visitor markets with spend forecast to reach £772 million by 2020. In 2015, there were 147,000 inbound visits from Saudi Arabia to the UK, with visitors spending £556 million.

VisitBritain’s forecast for 2017 shows that overall inbound tourism growth is set to continue with 38.1 million visits, up 4% on 2016 which is likely to see about 36.7 million visits by year end.

Spending by overseas visitors is predicted to reach £24.1 billion in 2017, an 8% increase on spending last year which is expected to top out at £22.3 billion.

The appointment of VisitBritain’s new Country Representative, follows the development of a partnership with Al Tayyar Travel Group Holding Company which includes a campaign to promote London, Manchester and Edinburgh. The campaign will offer exclusive summer family travel packages to the UK and will offer Saudi travellers an exclusive upgrade to their visa processing through UK Visa and Immigration.

 

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