Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia will take place in Riyadh in 2023, bringing together the region’s industry leaders for discussions, deals and insight on the continued growth of the Kingdom’s hospitality and tourism sectors. This will be the sixth industry conference organised by The Bench for the Saudi market. Host sponsors are Al Faisaliah Hotel and Al Khozama Investment. The 2023 edition of FHS Saudi Arabia will take place at the luxurious Prince Sultan Grand Hall, located in one of Riyadh’s most sought-after venues. Al Faisaliah Hotel is currently undergoing a guestroom and public area refurbishment, which is scheduled for completion by year-end 2023. The event will once again unite the investment communities of the Saudi Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC) and the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) and will bring together government leaders, hotel and F&B investors, developers and operators, to address the Kingdom’s latest developments and the industry’s hottest topics. “Following the resounding success of FHS in Riyadh and Dubai this year, we are excited to announce the dates and host partners for next year,” said Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench. This year’s events have further cemented the Future Hospitality Summit as the flagship hospitality investment platform in the region and we can’t wait to start working on the programmes for 2023. We are delighted to welcome Al Faisaliah Hotel and Al Khozama Investment as our host sponsors for the third edition of FHS Saudi Arabia and look forward to welcoming everyone to the iconic Al Faisaliah Hotel, managed by Mandarin Oriental.” FHS Saudi Arabia 2023 will focus on various conference tracks including hospitality investment, industry start-ups, sustainable development and human capital ecosystems. The FHS Advisory …
Read More »“Visit Saint Petersburg!” roadshow in Jeddah and Riyadh, 1-2 November
Saint Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development and City Tourist Information Bureau will hold events in the framework of the roadshow: presentation of tourist programs and hospitality industry services of Saint Petersburg in the cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 1-2 November 2022: On 1st November, it will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah and 2nd November at Fairmont Riyadh, Riyadh. Being the city of white nights and drawbridges, St. Petersburg is quite unique in Russian history. It has remained the magnificent capital of the Russian Empire for more than two centuries and now retains its status as the cultural centre. The historical part of St. Petersburg with its world-known museums, theatres, art galleries, architectural monuments is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List – the State Hermitage Museum, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, the National Library of Russia and the State Russian Museum are some of them. According to statistics, the number of tourists in St. Petersburg has reached 10 million in the pre-pandemic period. And even more than 10 million! The event is aimed at developing partnership between enterprises of tourist industry of St. Petersburg and travel industry’s representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Presentation will feature new sightseeing programs, classical and new tourist attractions, museums, historical and cultural monuments, events. Participants from St. Petersburg include St. Petersburg tour operators, DMC, representatives of St. Petersburg hotels and representatives of cultural institutions and other tourist infrastructure of St. Petersburg. The program will consists of B2B workshop followed by a presentation of St. Petersburg’s tourism potential, ending the evening by hosting a dinner with cultural program and raffle of prizes from St. Petersburg participants. To attend the “Visit Saint Petersburg!” …
Read More »“Visit Saint Petersburg!” roadshow to take place in Jeddah and Riyadh, 1-2 November
Saint Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development and City Tourist Information Bureau will hold events in the framework of the roadshow: presentation of tourist programs and hospitality industry services of Saint Petersburg in the cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 1-2 November 2022: The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah – 1 November Fairmont Riyadh, Riyadh – 2 November Being the city of white nights and drawbridges, St. Petersburg is quite unique in Russian history. It has remained the magnificent capital of the Russian Empire for more than two centuries and now retains its status as the cultural centre. The historical part of St. Petersburg with its world-known museums, theatres, art galleries, architectural monuments is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List – the State Hermitage Museum, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, the National Library of Russia and the State Russian Museum are some of them. According to statistics, the number of tourists in St. Petersburg has reached 10 million in the pre-pandemic period. And even more than 10 million! The event is aimed at developing partnership between enterprises of tourist industry of St. Petersburg and travel industry’s representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Presentation will feature new sightseeing programs, classical and new tourist attractions, museums, historical and cultural monuments, events. Participants from St. Petersburg: Petersburg tour operators, DMC; representatives of St. Petersburg hotels; representatives of cultural institutions and other tourist infrastructure of St. Petersburg. The program includes: B2B workshop; presentation of St. Petersburg’s tourism potential; dinner with cultural program and raffle of prizes from St. Petersburg participants. To attend the “Visit Saint Petersburg!” roadshow, please follow this link: https://petersburg-roadshow.com or https://petersburg-roadshow.com/sa/ Contact us: info@petersburg-roadshow.com +7 929 519-08-82 – Karina Rink +7 903 665-12-52 …
Read More »Yas island partners recreate the destination in metaverse
A coalition of key Abu Dhabi entities, including the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Aldar, Miral, twofour54, Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, Flash Entertainment and Yas Island, have come together to take Yas Island into the metaverse, as a first phase in placing Abu Dhabi in the virtual world. This pioneering initiative is a first for the UAE in recreating an entire physical destination across multiple world-leading immersive 3D platforms. The result will be a full-featured metaverse ecosystem, allowing visitors from all over the world to access the joys, wonders, and attractions of Yas Island from home. The Yas Island Metaverse is a collaboration between DCT Abu Dhabi, Aldar, Miral, twofour54, Abu Dhabi Motorsport, and Flash Entertainment. The virtual experiences conceptualised by these dynamic businesses will enable users to gather, socialise, play, create, and transact. From building and purchasing digital homes, to discovering cultural attractions, to enjoying theme park adventures, special events, premier golf courses, and a world-class motorsport racing circuit, individuals will be able to experience all that Yas Island has to offer in a digital-first journey. Customisable avatars and surprise rewards will be part of every user’s personalised adventure. His Excellency Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Innovation is central to DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to be at the forefront of what is possible. With the Yas Island metaverse, we are inviting the world to experience the excitement of Abu Dhabi’s incredible leisure and entertainment destination – virtually – like never before. As the emirate’s offerings evolve, this project provides a new and compelling perspective which allows the world to discover Abu Dhabi in their own time and space. …
Read More »NEOM names first partner hotel brands with Ennismore
Hotel Development, the NEOM division responsible for building a future-centric hospitality ecosystem in the northwest corner of Saudi Arabia, has signed its inaugural hotel partner, Ennismore. With a blank canvas and no legacy infrastructure, Hotel Development will capitalize on the region’s potential to establish a new era for the industry – one of imagination and a sense of duty to guide and inform how humanity engages with our world. The division will also support NEOM’s bold ambitions to attract more than five million visitors by 2030. The agreement signed with Ennismore, the world’s fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, corresponds with Hotel Development’s main goal of establishing global partnerships. The inaugural tie-up will see two of Ennismore’s iconic brands – 25hours Hotels and Morgans Originals – open properties in TROJENA, NEOM’s mountain tourism destination that features a ski village. Chris Newman, Executive Director, Hotel Development at NEOM, said: “Hotel Development aims to accelerate human progress by redefining how we travel, stay, and live. Our partnership with Ennismore echoes our mission to pioneer in the space of experiential hospitality in a way that shapes the future of hotels in the Kingdom and beyond. With a shared passion for developing differentiated and imaginative hospitality concepts, we look forward to seeing this relationship – and others like it – flourish.” Philip Gullett, Executive Director and Region Head, TROJENA, said: “The mountains of TROJENA are set to become one of the most awe-inspiring destinations the world over. Both 25hours Hotels and Morgans Originals are ideal brands for TROJENA as we look to deliver extraordinary experiences for residents and visitors seeking luxury, adventure, entertainment, livability, and escape from the status quo.” Gaurav Bhushan, Co-CEO of Ennismore, said: …
Read More »Holiday Inn & Suites set to open sustainable hotel in Dubai Science Park in Q4 2022
IHG Hotels & Resorts will proudly unveil the opening of the Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Science Park, a sustainable hotel that operates on no single-use plastic; has an onsite water bottling plant; and features digital amenities in all its guest rooms, suites & apartments. The property is set to open in the last quarter of 2022, the latest addition to the Holiday Inn portfolio in the United Arab Emirates. IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is fully committed to supporting innovative environmental growth through “Green Engage”, a long-term strategy built upon driving sustainability actions across all different departments in its hotels worldwide. This initiative is in line with “Journey to Tomorrow”, a commitment by the multinational hospitality company to deliver a more sustainable hotel business through building positive impact in local communities, building a diverse culture, reducing energy use, cutting waste and conserving water. This is IHG Hotels & Resorts’ response to helping achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. With this vision in mind, the team behind the Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Science Park has integrated products and implemented energy and water saving initiatives that not only decrease costs, but also help save natural resources. The water bottling plant built inside the hotel reduces the consumption of at least 1,500 plastic bottles a day by producing glass bottled water instead. The bottling plant has a 3,400-liter capacity, generating 80 liters per hour of cold still water, ambient still water, and sparkling water. The soon-to-be completed hotel is located at the Dubai Science Park, a thriving community that fosters development in the medical, wellness, pharma, and technology sectors. Holiday Inn & Suites …
Read More »Travelport adds more air, hotel and car rental options for travel agents
Travelport announced several new supplier connections are delivering more content to travel retailers on Travelport+. Travelport’s new and expanded agreements with Booking.com and Hertz will now bring more options for accommodation rates and car rentals to retailers using Travelport+, and Travelport-connected agencies will also gain access to more options from Air France-KLM and Lufthansa Group NDC content at the end of 2022. “This is the fourth chapter in our delivery of Travelport+, where we’re giving agents access to more supplier options and fueling their ability to sell more air, hotel, and car offers as we broaden and expand our content catalog,” said Jen Catto, Chief Marketing Officer at Travelport. “This update also helps our supplier partners reach even more of the right customers, with the ability to tailor products to drive sales through the indirect retail channel. As with everything we build, with the end traveler in mind, more options mean a more relevant customer experience.” More Air Content As the demand for travel surges, Travelport is ensuring that travel retailers have more options readily available for their customers by providing even more content to help ensure everyone gets the best possible retailing experience. Air France-KLM NDC content is being introduced on Travelport+, and Travelport will also be starting the rollout of Lufthansa Group NDC content in 2022. Travelport is also adding three new airlines to the platform – Congo Airways, FlyGTA and US-Bangla Airlines, along with 11 new ancillaries, and four more airlines now offer Branded Fares. More Hotel Choices Travelport’s new partnership with Booking.com unlocks a new range of rates across 140,000 hotel properties accessible through the Travelport+ platform, and will grow to over one million properties in …
Read More »Jumeirah Group announces a luxury property in Bahrain
Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hospitality company and member of Dubai Holding, is continuing its ambitious expansion plans with the unveiling of a captivating new resort in the Middle East – Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa. Resting majestically on the unexplored, pristine beaches of Bahrain’s West Coast, the resort delivers a secluded oasis away from the hustle of the city. Guests will experience a luxury getaway with stunning ocean views, lush greenery and meandering waterways invoking a sense of wellbeing and inspiration at the unique resort. From breath-taking panoramic sunsets and an extensive range of leisure and wellness facilities, stays at Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa will promise moments of harmony. Families, groups and couples looking to disconnect and relax in the uninterrupted solitude and tranquillity of its stunning beaches and gardens, can stay in one of the resort’s 196 modern and spacious rooms and suites, or enjoy the privacy of its exclusive 11-bedroom Gulf Summer House, located directly at the beach. Thomas B. Meier, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Jumeirah Group said: “With the unveiling of our new property in Bahrain, Jumeirah Group is set to diversify the growing hospitality landscape in the Kingdom. As the darling brand of Dubai, Jumeirah will bring its considerable expertise and success to our neighbouring Gulf state, creating exceptional moments that deliver our promise of Stay Different. From its unique location on the pristine beach front, Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort & Spa will provide unparalleled Arabian hospitality with a focus on wellbeing, inviting guests to immerse themselves in the stunning surroundings and embrace a different pace of life. With a passion for destination dining, …
Read More »IHG signs a new generation InterContinental Hotel with Al Ajlan Company in Riyadh
IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a Management Agreement with Al Ajlan Company for InterContinental Hotel & Residences in the Riyadh North area. Set to open by 2028, the prestigious 400-key hotel and serviced apartments will form part of a state-of-the art masterplan comprising of high-end retail, offices and entertainment. The hotel will reflect the modern luxury philosophy and will strengthen IHG’s offering in the segment. Saudi Arabia represents significant potential for tourism and hospitality industry, as part of its Vision 2030 ambitions. While Riyadh has long been and continues to be a centre for business in the Kingdom, new developments in the north of the city, including the Boulevard, U-Walk, and Riyadh Seasons herald a new demand for leisure tourism as well. In addition to rooms designed with modern aesthetics, the hotel will feature distinctive dining options, multipurpose meetings and events rooms, a health club and a spa. Located in proximity to the airport, the hotel will also be strategically positioned to cater to business and leisure demand. Speaking on the announcement, Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “This Management Agreement of an exciting new build InterContinental property in Riyadh’s vibrant north district represents IHG’s commitment to support the growing tourism and hospitality ambitions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of Vision 2030. With new developments in leisure and entertainment sector across the country, and the introduction of e-visas and a new airline, Riyadh is ready to welcome more diversified tourists to the capital city. With a strong hotel portfolio across all guest segments and a growing regional office in Riyadh, we …
Read More »Delta Hotels by Marriott debuts in Doha
Delta Hotels by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, announced its launch in Qatar with the opening of Delta Hotels by Marriott City Center Doha. Offering a seamless travel experience, the hotel allows guests to achieve a perfect balance between their work and personal life whether they are staying for business or leisure. Located in the bustling West Bay area close to key business and destination hubs such as the Doha Exhibition Convention Center, Diplomatic and Financial Districts, and the City Center Mall., the new hotel is an ideal destination for both short and extended stays. “We are excited to introduce Delta Hotels by Marriott to Qatar’s vibrant hospitality landscape,” said Safak Guvenc, Area Vice President – Gulf, Levant & Turkey, Marriott International. “We would like to thank our partners ARTIC, for their ongoing support. We look forward to building on this relationship and working together to contribute to the success of the country’s tourism sector.” Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Vice President – Premium and Select Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International added, “Delta Hotels is a premium brand with a clear brand philosophy, ‘Simple Made Perfect’, and we look forward to Delta Hotels by Marriott City Center Doha delivering key essentials in a manner that makes travel seamless and enjoyable to our guests.” The 32-storey Delta Hotels City Center Doha is home to 320 modern and spacious rooms with design touches that include neutral palette with colorful accents; a headboard wall with large format artwork, playing with softened shapes and linework that reinforces the brand’s design concept of simplified forms; and premium finishes across the platform bed, lounge area. Each of the rooms, suites and …
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