Qatar Tourism has announced that the 2026 edition of the Qatar Calendar will offer a full programme of events across the country during Ramadan, featuring heritage, culture, sports, and family-friendly entertainment.

In a statement on Monday, QT said the Ramadan calendar has been carefully designed to reflect the spiritual essence of the month while giving residents and visitors a wide variety of experiences across Qatar.

Presented by Visit Qatar, Qatar Calendar serves as the nation’s official platform for major events throughout the year, including sports tournaments, cultural showcases, entertainment activities, conferences, and exhibitions. It underscores Qatar’s growing reputation as a vibrant, dynamic destination for global travellers.

These initiatives are part of Visit Qatar’s broader strategy to support year-round tourism while preserving cultural authenticity and engaging local communities, particularly during the Holy Month.

One of the highlights is Ramadaniyat Heenat Salma, which runs throughout Ramadan. The programme offers an immersive experience rooted in nature, culture, and community, featuring farm workshops, artisan displays, live performances, Ramadan talks, Qur’an recitations, and wellness sessions under the open sky.

The celebration also includes a Ramadan bazaar, interactive family zones, storytelling sessions, culinary experiences, Garangao festivities, stargazing, and special weekly programmes—creating a lively atmosphere that blends tradition, creativity, and outdoor living.

Across the country, Qatar Calendar highlights numerous events. The Throwback Food Festival returns for its third edition at Old Doha Port, running until the end of Ramadan and celebrating culinary themes from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

Popular seasonal programmes include Barahat Ramadan Nights and Layali Msheireb at Msheireb Downtown Doha, where contemporary architecture meets traditional ambiance to offer unique iftar and suhoor experiences alongside cultural activities.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs will host the Noor Ramadan Lectures at Katara Cultural Village, offering spiritual talks throughout the month.

Heritage events will also be featured, with Darb Al Saai presenting the Al Razji Event, showcasing Qatari crafts, traditional attire, and folk performances. Garangao Night celebrations will take place at multiple locations, including Souq Waqif, The Pearl Island, Gewan Island, and Old Doha Port.

Sports fans can look forward to major events during Ramadan, including the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, the QSF 2 PSA Satellite 'Senior' (1K) Squash Tournament, and top equestrian competitions such as CHI Al Shaqab presented by Longines, the Longines Global Champions Tour, and the Al Shaqab Cup.

Motorsport enthusiasts will enjoy the Toyota GR Yaris Qatar Season 2 at Lusail International Circuit, while team sports include the Doha International Basketball Tournament for National Teams and the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers.

Cultural venues will continue to host exhibitions during Ramadan. The National Museum of Qatar and Qatar Preparatory School present Countryside: A Place to Live, Not to Leave, while the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum showcases Esports: A Game Changer.

Visit Qatar has also launched its Ramadan 2026 campaign under the slogan “Qatar, Your Home in Ramadan,” targeting local, regional, and international audiences. Building on last year’s success, the campaign highlights Ramadan values such as hospitality, generosity, and togetherness, positioning Qatar as a welcoming home for all during the Holy Month.

Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry is moving into a new growth cycle as airlines expand their fleets and strengthen regional and international connectivity, supported largely by new narrowbody aircraft orders.

This rapid expansion is expected to significantly increase the need for trained pilots across the region. Industry projections from the Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook estimate that the Middle East will require more than 58,000 new pilots over the next 20 years as carriers scale up operations and route networks.

Saudi Arabia is expected to account for a large portion of that demand, reflecting its ongoing investment in aviation development and airline capacity growth.

The pressure is not limited to the region. Global forecasts show similar trends across key markets. CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast suggests North America could need over 130,000 pilots by 2032, while the Asia-Pacific region may face a shortfall of more than 250,000 pilots.

Aviation experts say this simultaneous expansion is placing significant strain on global training systems and simulator capacity.

Martynas Mazeika, Chief Growth Officer at BAA Training, part of Avia Solutions Group, said the pace of airline expansion is reshaping training requirements. He noted that as new aircraft enter service each year, demand for qualified pilots is rising in parallel, requiring airlines to rely on scalable training partnerships and international resources.

He added that access to simulator capacity and flexible training programs is becoming increasingly important for airlines managing long-term fleet growth.

Based on Boeing’s estimates and standard requirements of around 200 flight hours per pilot, training more than 58,000 pilots in the Middle East would require roughly 11.6 million flight training hours.

By comparison, a typical flight academy operating around ten training aircraft generates only about 12,000 to 15,000 hours annually, underscoring the scale of capacity expansion needed to meet demand.

Simulator training presents a similar challenge. Preparing pilots would require approximately 1.1 million hours on full flight simulators. With each simulator typically delivering 5,000 to 6,000 training hours per year, industry capacity will need to expand significantly.

Mazeika said fleet expansion is not limited to the Middle East, pointing out that airlines in North America, India, and Southeast Asia are also increasing aircraft orders. He stressed that access to global training infrastructure is becoming a key factor in supporting airline growth strategies.

As Saudi carriers continue to grow their narrowbody fleets, demand is expected to rise for type rating and recurrent training, which prepare pilots for new aircraft and maintain operational standards as networks expand.

BAA Training currently provides type rating, recurrent training, and simulator-based programs through its global network of training centres and partners.

With aviation expansion accelerating across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, industry stakeholders say that scalable training systems and international cooperation will be essential to keep pilot supply aligned with fleet growth.

Source: ZAWYA

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reiterated that international pilgrims must obtain a Hajj visa specifically issued for the pilgrimage. Officials stressed that entry for Hajj will not be allowed under any other visa category, including visit, transit, Umrah, or tourist visas.

For citizens and residents inside the Kingdom, Hajj arrangements are processed through the Nusuk, following completion of the official reservation procedures.

The ministry further stated that all bookings must be made strictly through approved and authorized platforms. It cautioned pilgrims against engaging with unofficial agents or unverified channels when arranging Hajj participation.

Source: Saudi Gazette

The Ministry of Tourism (Saudi Arabia) has announced a new regulatory framework detailing violations and penalties for hospitality providers operating in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah during the Hajj season. The measures are designed to strengthen service quality for pilgrims and ensure consistent compliance across the sector.

According to the ministry, the Hajj season officially extends each year from the first day of Dhul Qadah until mid-Muharram. Under the updated rules, penalties will escalate for repeated violations, whether they occur before, during, or after the pilgrimage period.

If an offense committed during Hajj is a repeat of a previous violation, authorities will impose either the minimum fine (if it is higher than the earlier penalty) or double the previous amount if it is lower. Within the same season, any repeated breach will automatically result in doubled fines. Violations repeated after the season, but linked to Hajj-related offenses, will also face progressively higher penalties depending on frequency.

The regulations further state that repeated non-financial violations may lead to temporary suspension or closure of facilities during the Hajj period. A third recurrence could result in full license revocation. Authorities have emphasized a phased enforcement approach, allowing fines to be increased for repeat offenses while remaining within the maximum legal limit.

Hospitality establishments have been divided into five classifications, ranging from luxury five-star hotels to unclassified and temporary accommodations used specifically for pilgrims. Penalties are also adjusted according to business size, with micro enterprises fined at 25% of the base rate, small businesses at 50%, medium enterprises at 75%, and large establishments at 100%.

Financial penalties in Makkah and Madinah range between SAR 2,000 and SAR 14,000, alongside additional measures such as temporary closure or permanent license cancellation for repeated violations. For temporary Hajj accommodation providers, fines are significantly broader, ranging from SAR 1,000 to SAR 50,000, with enforcement actions including suspension until compliance is achieved or full revocation of operating licenses.

Source: Saudi Gazette

Saudi Railways (SAR) has expanded its freight operations with the introduction of five new logistics routes, further developing an integrated national transport network designed to enhance cargo efficiency across the Kingdom and beyond.

The new corridors link Arabian Gulf ports with Saudi Arabia’s central and northern regions, while also extending connectivity toward Red Sea ports and neighbouring countries to the north. By combining rail and road transport, the system is intended to improve supply chain performance and ensure smoother movement of goods across key domestic and international trade routes.

Operations are coordinated through a unified logistics framework that includes the Riyadh Dry Port, along with SAR freight facilities in Dammam, Jubail, Ras Al Khair, Al Kharj, Hail, and Qurayyat. These hubs are connected to major ports on both the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea coasts, strengthening links between industrial zones, economic centres, and global shipping networks.

The routes are designed to handle a wide variety of cargo, supporting national supply chains and key industries such as petrochemicals and mining. They are also expected to facilitate more efficient import and export flows, while improving transit options for regional markets.

According to Dr. Bashar Al-Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Railways (SAR), the initiative offers a comprehensive logistics solution aimed at improving supply chain reliability and efficiency under varying operational conditions. He highlighted that the system relies on multimodal integration and close coordination with relevant authorities to ensure seamless freight movement.

He further noted that the expanded network strengthens Saudi Arabia’s links with regional and global markets, reinforcing its strategic role as a trade corridor between East and West. This, he added, supports the Kingdom’s ambition to develop into a leading global logistics hub and a key participant in international trade flows.

The new routes are expected to serve a broad customer base, including major industrial firms, mining companies, and international shipping operators. By offering integrated transport services, the system aims to reduce delivery times and improve overall operational efficiency.

In addition, the initiative is projected to remove thousands of heavy trucks from highways, contributing to improved road safety, lower carbon emissions, and faster freight movement, further solidifying SAR’s role in Saudi Arabia’s evolving transport and logistics ecosystem.

Source: Saudi Gazette

Saudi Arabia recorded its highest-ever annual international tourism spending in 2025, with overseas visitors contributing SR159.9 billion to the economy. The figure marks a 4.1 percent increase from SR153.6 billion reported in 2024, reflecting steady growth in the Kingdom’s tourism sector.

The surge in visitor expenditure was mirrored in the country’s balance of payments, where the travel account posted a surplus of around SR49.4 billion for the year. This outcome highlights tourism’s expanding role in strengthening national economic performance and improving key financial indicators.

The upward trend builds on strong momentum from 2024, when international visitor spending reached SR153.6 billion. Continued investment in tourism infrastructure, destination development, and service enhancements has supported this growth, positioning the sector as a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification efforts.

Source: Saudi Gazette