DXV flying taxi hub gets Dubai nod to set up near DXB airport

First came DXB, the world’s busiest airport for international travelers.

Now, there’s DXV, the first commercial hub for flying taxis in the UAE.

Dubai authorities on Thursday approved the establishment of Dubai International Vertiport – based adjacent to Dubai International Airport – setting operations to begin in 2026.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority, meanwhile, said the total number of drones registered in the country is 23,960 – with 93 companies and 270 individuals having applied so far for permission to fly.

Saudi tourism attracts $13 billion in private sector investment

Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry has drawn about $13 billion in private sector investment, adding thrust to its campaign to attract international travelers.

The money will pay for the addition of 150,000 to 200,000 hotel rooms over the next two years, Princess Haifa M. Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s vice minister for tourism, told Bloomberg.

Government projections call for $85 billion in tourism revenue in 2024, up from $66 billion last year.

The kingdom has been on a spending spree to spruce up historical sites such as the desert city of AlUla and the Diriyah section of Riyadh with luxury hotels and high-end restaurants.

It has also staged gaming conferences, MMA (mixed martial arts) matches and hip-hop concerts to attract younger visitors from abroad.