It’s no surprise that people all over the world rely on the Uber app to take them from one place to another. No matter where you go, the Uber app always stays the same, providing peace of mind without having to worry about how to get around.
Residents and citizens of Saudi Arabia seem to agree that the country tops the list for using the Uber app the most when traveling abroad. Joining other EMEA citizens in the Top10 list are those based in France, Germany and the UK.
It’s not just Saudi Arabia that has made it to the list released by Uber. Our neighboring countries seem to have found popularity as well among Uber riders.
Comparing trips from 2019 to 2021, Uber reveal that the world agrees with cities in the Middle East’s placings in the Top 10 most popular EMEA cities for Uber riders.
Most popular EMEA cities among Uber riders: Coming in at number five is Dubai, home to the tallest building in the world, as well as some of Uber’s most frequent riders. The majority of Dubai residents are also vaccinated, so the Emirate is well on its way to recovery from the pandemic.
It’s no surprise that Dubai made it to this list in 2021, since it plays host to Expo 2020 Dubai, an event which brings the world together to address some of the biggest priorities facing the world today.
With dedicated pickup and drop-off areas, Dubai’s residents and international visitors can walk straight into Expo 2020 Dubai without worrying about parking or directions.
Cairo came in at number eight. A bustling, modern metropolis meets relics of the ancient world in this dynamic and exciting city, making it the ideal city to live in or visit for a short break.
This isn’t the first time Cairo has broken records at Uber. Leveraging its tech, Uber launched the global first mass transport solution on the streets of Egypt with Uber Bus to provide a low-cost option while also reducing congestion and battles over parking spaces.
Other new cities that made it to the top 10 list include Athens, Greece; Kyiv, Ukraine; and Algarve, Portugal while cities such as London, England; Madrid, Spain; and Paris, France.
Most popular international cities amongst Uber riders: Zooming out to the international stage, Dubai retains its position as one of the most popular cities amongst Uber riders, coming in at number 10. One of only two new cities to join the top 10, Dubai joins international hot spots like New York City, Miami and Toronto.
The top three cities these international visitors hail from is Saudi Arabia followed by the UK and the US. As we welcome back the glorious Middle Eastern winter weather, Dubai becomes a prime vacation destination, welcoming tourists who are looking to escape the frosty cold in favor of sun, sand and sea.
With millions of rides requested over the app in the Middle East alone, Uber is there for you, whether for your daily commute or while you’re out exploring the world.
Saudi Arabia takes the number one spot for using Uber
https://arab.news/4q6x9
Saudi Arabia takes the number one spot for using Uber
Tuaja resorts in Al-Ahsa set to transform rural tourism
The lavender carpet was laid out last Wednesday in Al-Ahsa as a special groundbreaking ceremony was held for Tuaja Luxury Resorts, marking the start of a new chapter in Saudi Arabia’s rural tourism and hospitality sector.
Slated to open by early 2027, three brand new resorts — Tuaja Premium Farm Resorts, Tuaja Eco Resorts, and Tuaja Adventure Resorts — will be operated by Hilton Worldwide.
All will be clustered around a central area of Al-Ahsa, surrounded by lush picturesque farms.
This trio of tailored activations are expected to play a key role in positioning Al-Ahsa as a leading destination in rural tourism, capitalizing on its location within the largest palm oasis in the world.
Attended by Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, governor of Al-Ahsa, the event marked the groundbreaking of the first luxury resort development project by Dan Company under the Tuaja brand and featured detailed mock-ups of the resort rooms.
“We remain committed to strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors to deliver development projects that meet the highest standards of quality, fulfill the aspirations of citizens and visitors — and align with Vision 2030,” Prince Saud said.
Dan Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, was established to unlock the potential of rural tourism across the Kingdom. This inaugural project will transform rural areas into sustainable tourism hubs that align with the goals of Vision 2030, supporting national economic diversification and community development.
Dan Company also aims to contribute approximately SR6 billion ($1.6 billion) to the Kingdom’s GDP by 2030. Its strategy includes attracting around 14 million visitors, including 1.4 million overnight stays and 12 million day experiences, through an innovative business model that combines luxury hospitality under the Tuaja Luxury Resorts brand, with rural lodges developed in partnership with local communities across the Kingdom.
The Tuaja resorts are being developed in the Al-Ahsa region with the support of the Al-Ahsa Development Authority.
Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kroud, chairman, Dan Company, who describes himself as “a son of Al-Ahsa,” underlined the significance of the event, saying: “Today marks a major milestone and turning point in our journey to deliver exceptional hospitality experiences across the Kingdom, celebrating the cultural, historical, and natural richness of the Al-Ahsa region. Tuaja resorts are not merely destinations, they offer an extraordinary blend of authenticity and modernity.”
During the ceremony, Abdulrahman Abaalkhail, chief executive of Dan Company, was in conversation with popular media personality Weam Al-Dakheel, highlighting the company’s vision to redefine rural tourism through immersive, community-driven experiences.
The Tuaja resorts in Al-Ahsa will cover 1.8 million square meters and feature nearly 200 accommodation units, including upscale villas and hotel rooms — some with private pools.
These developments represent the first phase of the Tuaja resort portfolio, which will expand to other regions across the Kingdom. Each resort will feature a design identity rooted in the culture and natural character of its location.
Dan Company is aiming for LEED Gold certification for all its developments.
3,500 products, 25 countries: Saudi Warehousing Expo concludes
The Saudi Warehousing and Logistics Expo was held last week in Riyadh under the patronage of the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services. The event, which took place at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center from May 27-29, showcased more than 3,500 products, solutions, systems and services to improve supply chain efficiency across warehousing, transport and logistics.
The exhibition opened with a formal inauguration by the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, graced by Vice Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Dr. Rumaih bin Mohammed Al-Rumaih.
A strong lineup of government entities participated under the ministry, including Saudi Arabia Railways, Roads General Authority, General Authority of Civil Aviation, Saudi Post SPL, Transport General Authority and Saudi Ports Authority.
The exhibition featured exhibitors from more than 25 countries. Some of the top exhibiting brands included Swisslog, a global leader in intralogistics, warehouse automation and material handling; El-Ajou, a Saudi enterprise delivering integrated digital solutions and workspace services that enhance operational efficiency; SAL Logistics, a leading logistics and supply chain services provider in the Kingdom; and Savoye, a technology solutions provider in logistics and warehousing, among others.
An invite-only gathering on May 27, Saudi Warehousing and Logistics Summit was headlined by more than 40 influential voices shaping the future of warehousing and logistics in the Kingdom. The CPD-accredited program explored key themes including AI integration, infrastructure transformation, ESG and future workforce development, all aligned with Vision 2030.
Focused on strategy, collaboration and long-term value creation, the summit offered critical insight into the sector’s next phase of growth.
On May 28-29, Hala Chats presented fast-paced sessions tackling operational challenges through case studies, panels and success stories from Saudi Arabia’s logistics and warehousing ecosystem. With contributions from industry leaders at Swisslog Middle East, Smartlog MEA, Dematic, Kaden, Shipsy and more, the program offered visitors an opportunity to gain practical insights and learn how leading organizations are responding to real-world demands.
Showcasing Saudi Arabia’s $6.7 billion commercial vehicle market, Commercial Vehicles Zone highlighted manufacturers, fleet solutions, electric vehicles and alternative fuel technologies and more. Brands such as Toyota, Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, Bin-Shihon and Petromin — Foton headlined the exhibition.
Sponsored by SADR Logistics Services, Demo Hub featured a live, intelligent shuttle system that handles real-time pallet and container movement with seamless integration into warehouse control and management systems, using RFID and barcode scanning. The setup includes high-density pallet shuttles and container shuttles for fast goods-to-person picking, offering a first-hand view of warehouse automation.
Powered by Rfufco, Pack n Stack Challenge encouraged visitors to test their speed, precision and stacking skills in a fast-paced logistics simulation.
HungerStation records milestone achievements in 2025, reinforcing leadership in quick commerce
Ali Al-Damanhouri, CEO of HungerStation, announced through his official accounts on X and LinkedIn that HungerStation — a leading Saudi tech and delivery company — has achieved a series of significant milestones in 2025, further strengthening its position as a key driver of quick commerce transformation across the Kingdom.
Al-Damanhouri said that these accomplishments reflect the trust of customers, the strength of strategic partnerships, and the efficiency of the team leading the company’s journey toward broader horizons of innovation and sustainable growth in the delivery sector.
In recent months, HungerStation has achieved remarkable results across various fronts, including:
- The number of subscribers to HungerStation Plus (HPlus) surpassed 10 million, with over 100 million orders completed to date.
- The company provided exclusive discounts to HPlus members exceeding SR1.5 billion ($400 million), reinforcing its commitment to delivering real value to its customers.
The announcement concluded by affirming that these milestones mark the beginning of a new phase of smart growth and technological innovation, aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. These achievements further cement HungerStation’s role as a pioneering company shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s digital and logistics ecosystem — a future that is being written today, with HungerStation leading the transformation.
Flying cars in Saudi Arabia? ALJ, Joby sign agreement
Abdul Latif Jameel, an 80-year-old network of diversified businesses, and Joby Aviation, a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service, have announced the signing of an MoU to explore opportunities to establish a distribution agreement in Saudi Arabia for Joby’s electric aircraft.
This announcement builds upon the renewed economic partnership between the US administration and the Saudi government toward shared innovation and transportation growth. Potential delivery of up to 200 Joby aircraft and related services valued at approximately $1 billion are expected by the businesses over the coming years. In the long-term, Abdul Latif Jameel and Joby also see potential revenue opportunities across the Middle East.
Abdul Latif Jameel and Joby share complementary long-term visions to revolutionize the future of mobility through transportation services that are cleaner, safer, more efficient and more affordable, helping to improve passenger experiences while simultaneously protecting the planet. In addition, the Jameel family invested in Joby’s Series C funding round, led by Toyota Motor Corporation in 2020.
The direct sale of aircraft through businesses such as Abdul Latif Jameel form one pillar of Joby’s commercialization strategy. Additionally, Joby will directly own and operate its aircraft and services in certain markets, like the US, and partner for similar operations in other markets, such as Japan.
“This collaboration is about bringing America’s leadership in electric air mobility to the world,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. “Together with Abdul Latif Jameel, we’re not just imagining a cleaner, safer, more efficient future— we’re building it. And there is no better partner to help unlock the extraordinary opportunity for air travel in the region.”
Hassan Jameel, vice chairman, Saudi Arabia, Abdul Latif Jameel, said: “Saudi Arabia is transitioning toward a new era of mobility — one that is on-demand, shared, connected, and sustainable. eVTOL is an exciting and important component of this. We are looking forward to collaborating with Joby to support the transformation of the Kingdom’s mobility sector. This collaboration also comes as Abdul Latif Jameel Motors marks 70 years of distributing Toyota in Saudi Arabia — a strategic investor in Joby.”
Joby’s collaboration with Abdul Latif Jameel will initially focus on Saudi Arabia, where Abdul Latif Jameel has an extensive presence, network and deep operational experience. The two businesses will work together to explore distribution and sales collaborations, the launch of local air taxi services, including the establishment of aftermarket services such as maintenance, repair, and overhaul, and pilot training.
Joby’s piloted, all-electric aircraft is designed to carry four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph, offering high-speed mobility with a fraction of the noise produced by helicopters and zero operating emissions. The business plans to carry its first passengers in Dubai in 2026.
Given the importance of mobility to Saudi Arabia’s urban transformation, the collaboration will drive socioeconomic growth in the Kingdom and create employment opportunities for Saudi nationals, in line with Vision 2030.
Hajj: Najm ensures safety of pilgrims on the road
Najm is playing a pivotal role in bolstering traffic safety within the holy sites by ensuring prompt arrival at accident scenes, initiating necessary procedures and alleviating traffic congestion.
Najm’s operational plan for Hajj reinforces national efforts to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims. The plan facilitates the smooth and secure performance of rituals, safeguarding pilgrims from the moment of their arrival at the Kingdom’s border crossings until their safe return home. Najm has prepared a field fleet of approximately 120 vehicles, including 54 motorcycles, and a dedicated field team of more than 150 qualified specialists.
The operational plan incorporates a robust, integrated technical infrastructure designed to proactively manage the expected rise in pilgrim numbers and bolster traffic safety in the holy sites. A central operations room, outfitted with the latest smart systems and diverse digital communication channels, serves as the command hub. This network leverages tools such as the Najm application, IVR system, and the direction and control system. Complementing these are a full-service call center and WhatsApp service, all integrated to expedite response times and optimize the handling of any traffic incidents.
Abdullah Al-Khalaf, acting CEO at Najm, said: “We at Najm are proud to be part of the integrated national system concerned with serving pilgrims, under the supervision of our leadership. We have worked to improve our operational readiness this year in a qualitative manner, harnessing all our human and technical capabilities to support the efforts made to enhance traffic safety during the Hajj season in cooperation with the General Traffic Department and all concerned parties.”
He added: “Najm’s operational plan for this year’s Hajj season reinforces the Kingdom’s commitment to caring for pilgrims. It aligns with the ‘Pilgrims’ Experience Program’ — a key initiative of Saudi Vision 2030 — to enhance the Hajj journey and enable pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind.”
In addition, within the framework of its social responsibility program “Najm Al-Khair” and in continuation of the company’s efforts in the Hajj mission, Najm is sponsoring the “Aoun” initiative in cooperation with the National Center for Responsibility and Studies.
Aoun is a community initiative helping pilgrims through a team of volunteers providing professional services to pilgrims that enable them to perform their rituals with ease.
Moreover, Manafeth, Najm’s subsidiary, is actively receiving pilgrims at the Kingdom’s border crossings. Manafeth facilitates their entry by issuing mandatory third-party liability insurance for foreign vehicles. This service, accessible through its border offices, website, and the Manafeth application, ensures pilgrims receive necessary insurance protection, safeguarding their rights and covering their liabilities in the event of traffic incidents during their Hajj.
