Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) has announced that its Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks are fully prepared to welcome fans attending the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025 Finals, set to take place from December 1 to 18, 2025.

To accommodate the expected surge in passengers, both the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram will extend service hours on days with late matches, ensuring fans can return home conveniently after the events. The extended hours also apply to the Metrolink and MetroExpress services. Additionally, Park and Ride facilities will be available at selected stations, allowing fans to park their vehicles and continue their journey via public transport.

However, due to nearby match venues, the Park and Ride service at Education City will not be available on match days, and the Lusail QNB station Park and Ride will be closed throughout the tournament. Instead, fans can use the Park and Ride facility at Qatar University.

In response to the high demand during the tournament, Qatar Rail will deploy six-car trains on the Red Line and ensure that a full fleet of 110 trains is in operation during peak hours to maintain smooth passenger flow. Dedicated maintenance teams have been stationed across the network to address any potential issues quickly, and stations have been upgraded to accommodate the increased number of visitors.

To help guide fans during the tournament, Qatar Rail has installed additional wayfinding signage at key metro stations linked to the stadiums and deployed trained staff to assist passengers, including those with disabilities. Event teams will be stationed at high-footfall stations and stadiums, providing support and running dedicated ticketing desks to handle the expected demand.

Ajlan Eid Al Enazi, Chief of Strategy and Business Development at Qatar Rail, said, "We are excited to welcome fans aboard the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram during the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup Finals. In collaboration with our partners, we are committed to providing seamless and convenient journeys for fans while ensuring safety and exceptional service throughout the tournament."

The 2025 FIFA Arab Cup will be held across six stadiums: Lusail, Ahmad bin Ali, Al Bayt, Education City, Khalifa International, and Stadium 974. Five of these stadiums are within walking distance of the nearest metro station, including Lusail Stadium via Lusail QNB Station and Education City Stadium via Education City Station. Al Bayt Stadium will be connected by a dedicated shuttle bus service from Lusail QNB Station.

The FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025 finals, scheduled for December 10, 13, and 17, will take place at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

For Lusail Tram services, the Orange Line will operate only between Legtaifiya and Al Wessil stations, while the Pink Line will run as usual. The Turquoise Line will be temporarily out of service due to safety requirements around Lusail Stadium and Lusail Boulevard. During the T100 Triathlon event, held from December 10 to 14, Pink Line services will operate only between Legtaifiya and Tarfat South station.

In addition, a 24/7 customer contact center will provide continuous support to residents and visitors. Fans can access information through Qatar Rail’s Customer Service Centre at 105, via WhatsApp at 44433105, or through the Qatar Rail mobile app.

To enhance fan safety and convenience, Qatar Rail advises travelers to plan their trips in advance, arrive early at stations, and follow guidance from customer service staff. Real-time service updates will be displayed on digital screens throughout the stations and trains during the tournament.

Qatar Rail is committed to ensuring smooth crowd movement, prioritizing passenger safety, and enhancing the fan experience across both the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks. Fans will also enjoy a range of retail services at stations, including food and beverage outlets, mini-marts, pharmacies, and sportswear shops.

For the latest updates and information, fans are encouraged to follow Qatar Rail’s official social media channels or contact the Customer Service Centre.

King Abdulaziz International Airport has received two international accreditations from Airports Council International (ACI) World, strengthening its recognition for passenger experience, public health and operational readiness.

The airport was awarded the Level 4 Airport Customer Experience (CX) Accreditation and Public Health and Safety Readiness (PHSR) Accreditation during an event in Istanbul, Türkiye.

The Level 4 CX Accreditation places King Abdulaziz International Airport among the top 12 airports worldwide to achieve the distinction under ACI World’s Airport Customer Experience Accreditation programme. Jeddah Airports (JEDCO) CEO Mazen Johar received the accreditation on behalf of the airport.

The assessment covered eight areas, including customer understanding, strategy, measurement, operational improvement, governance, airport culture, service design and innovation, and collaboration across the airport community.

The PHSR Accreditation recognizes the airport’s preparedness in public health and safety and its compliance with internationally recognized standards.

JEDCO said the two accreditations reflect its continued efforts to improve passenger services, strengthen customer experience and adopt global best practices. The initiatives also aim to enhance coordination among the different organizations operating at the airport, supporting a smoother and more innovative passenger journey.

Source: SPA

Travellers from seven countries outside Saudi Arabia’s standard tourist e-visa system can now arrange travel packages and apply for entry permits through Webook.com, the digital ticketing and booking platform announced.

The new service is available to citizens of India, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Mexico. Licensed by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, Webook.com combines return flights, hotel accommodation, health insurance and a Saudi package visa into a single online booking.

The service operates under a pilot programme launched by the ministry in July in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority. Webook.com submits applications directly to government authorities for verification, with electronic visas typically issued within 24 hours and sent by email and through the platform’s mobile application.

Previously, travellers from the seven countries generally had to apply through a Saudi embassy or third-party agencies. The new system allows applicants to select their travel arrangements online, provide the required information and wait for electronic approval.

Eligible packages must include a confirmed return flight and accommodation at a four-star or higher hotel licensed by the Ministry of Tourism. The booking must have a minimum value of SR4,000 ($1,067), in addition to a combined visa and health insurance charge of SR402.21 ($107).

The package visa permits stays ranging from two to 90 days. A single application can cover up to nine adults and five minors. All bookings must be completed at least 48 hours before departure, while visa approval remains subject to the relevant government authorities.

“Saudi Arabia is building an events calendar the whole world is meant to attend,” said Nadeem Bakhsh, co-founder and CEO of Webook.com. “Selling tickets to that calendar was step one. Being licensed to get international fans through the airport is step two.”

Webook.com sells tickets for major Saudi events, including Roshn Saudi League matches and Riyadh Season. The platform has attracted more than 18 million users across 180 countries and processed over 25 million bookings during the past year.

More nationalities are expected to become eligible for the package visa as the programme expands.

Source: Arab News

An underground dam located about 54 kilometres south of Turabah Governorate is emerging as a peaceful destination for visitors drawn to nature and outdoor activities.

Situated along Wadi Turabah, one of the governorate’s prominent valleys, the site features a distinctive landscape shaped over time by seasonal floods and rugged terrain. Slopes, riverbanks, rock formations, water and native vegetation combine to create a scenic natural environment.

The area has also become a refuge for birds and local wildlife. Water retained around the dam supports native plant growth, adding to the site’s environmental significance alongside its recreational appeal.

During weekends, residents and visitors head to the area to enjoy activities including walking, relaxing beside the valley, exploring the surrounding landscape and photographing the scenery.

Tour guide Adel Al-Baqmi told the Saudi Press Agency that the dam has attracted both residents and visitors because of its tranquil atmosphere and natural beauty.

With its combination of biodiversity, distinctive terrain and opportunities for relaxation, birdwatching and photography, the underground dam is developing into an important eco-tourism attraction in Turabah, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the area’s natural landscapes away from urban life.

Source: SPA

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), has announced the opening of SEVEN Tabuk, expanding its entertainment network and supporting the Kingdom’s quality-of-life and regional development goals under Saudi Vision 2030.

SEVEN Chairman Abdullah Al Dawood said the opening represents another step in the company’s strategy to develop accessible entertainment destinations that are closely connected to the communities they serve.

SEVEN Tabuk is the company’s second entertainment destination, following SEVEN Abha, as SEVEN continues its plans to establish destinations across Saudi Arabia.

Located within Tabuk city, the fully indoor, all-weather destination is designed for everyday entertainment, offering residents and visitors a wide range of activities without requiring long-distance travel.

The destination operates from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekends and from 4:00 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, while Scene Cinemas operates daily from 4:00 p.m. until 3:30 a.m.

SEVEN Tabuk combines international attractions with locally developed concepts. Key offerings include Discovery Adventures, featuring immersive exploration-themed environments, and Hot Wheels E-Karting, an interactive karting experience inspired by the global brand.

The destination also features SEVEN’s homegrown concepts, including Kawaken, Kawaken Junior, GolFi, Cyber Bowling and Scene Cinemas, providing entertainment options for families, young people and a broad range of visitors.

Beyond entertainment, SEVEN Tabuk is expected to contribute to the city’s wider development by supporting local employment and strengthening partnerships with local businesses.

The opening further reinforces Tabuk’s position as an emerging leisure destination in northern Saudi Arabia while expanding access to entertainment experiences across the Kingdom.

Source: SPA