Dr Nasser Al Tayyar, President, Al Tayyar Travel Dr Nasser Al Tayyar, President, Al Tayyar Travel

Riyadh-based Al Tayyar Travel Group (ATG) has been named number one in the Arabian Travel News 2011 Power List.

This year's Power List ranks 20 of the Middle East's top travel agencies in size order, taking into account various factors including staff numbers, sales figures and regional reach.

With 315 offices across the region; 1,700 staff and sales volumes of over US $1billion (SAR 3.8 billion) in 2010; Al Tayyar came top of this year's list.

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Established over 30 years ago; 2011 saw ATG unveil a brand new corporate identity in a bid to keep the company in line with the continuously evolving travel industry; as well as a new advertising campaign. The fresh look is part of a comprehensive revamp for the entire company which includes adoption of more sophisticated technology with the launch of a new booking engine altayyaronline.com.

Also in keeping with the latest technology trends, ATG launched a flight booking iPhone app exclusively for Middle East customers in collaboration with Amadeus and 2Share. The 2ShareTravel app for iPhone is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia.

ATG also tied up with Al Shamel International as part of a drive to expand the company’s presence in the Gulf markets through the new partnership.

On top of those achievements; ATG is helping to put travel and tourism on the map in Saudi Arabia — being the first travel company to win the prestigious Prince Nayef Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud Gold Award for Saudisation. The company was recognised for its continuing efforts to attract Saudi Nationals into the industry and to offer full training to all levels of staff through its Al Tayyar Training Academy.