Tag Archives: Dammam

The Qatif Flower Festival in Saudi Arabia welcomed more than 470,000 visitors from across the Kingdom and the Gulf region from its opening until its conclusion yesterday, underscoring the growing appeal of seasonal events in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the festival featured over 75 entertainment performances, including folk shows, children’s theatre, fire displays, interactive competitions, roaming acts and nightly fireworks. More than 150 artisan and craft booths showcased local talent, alongside a rare bird garden that drew families and nature enthusiasts. Over one million flowers were meticulously arranged in vibrant displays along the Corniche Al-Mishari waterfront. Signature attractions included a giant rose bouquet installation and a Greek-inspired waterfront café design, both emerging as standout photo hotspots. The event further reinforced Qatif’s positioning as a key cultural and leisure destination within the Kingdom’s expanding domestic tourism landscape.

flyadeal is launching five routes from Madinah, its newest operational base in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The introduction of scheduled flights to Sabiha Gökçen in Istanbul and four domestic cities of Abha, Al Hofuf, Jazan and Tabuk, takes the number of flyadeal destinations from Madinah’s Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport up from three to eight. Until now, flyadeal had served Dammam, Riyadh and the Egyptian capital Cairo from the Holy city. The capacity hike represents a 40 per cent increase in the number of flyadeal operated flights out of Madinah to 88 a week, giving customers greater travel options. Two aircraft are now permanently positioned at the airport, which joins flyadeal’s three other operational bases of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. To mark the expansion, airport officials joined flyadeal management led by Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Rogier van Enk, for a fanfare of engaging activities celebrating with passengers. Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “We’ve steadily built capacity from Madinah, but this expansion of five new routes at the beginning of the year is a statement of intent from flyadeal to develop Madinah into one of our key operational bases. “Having aircraft positioned in Madinah gives us the flexibility to quickly upgrade with more frequencies or add routes to a schedule which will continue to be built up giving our customers more choices and convenience of direct flights to travel within the Kingdom and beyond. Madinah was a natural addition as a base given its prominence as the second holiest city in the Islamic world and key gateway for pilgrims.” The expanded schedule supplements flyadeal’s dedicated year-round Umrah flights from several countries direct to Madinah, north of the Saudi port …

Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hospitality management company in the Middle East and Africa, has secured the Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand for an upcoming 84-key hotel in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, owned by AREA Investment and Real Estate. This marks Aleph Hospitality’s third Tapestry Collection by Hilton property under management, further strengthening the company’s partnership with global hospitality company Hilton and expanding its footprint in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. AREA Investment and Real Estate’s franchise agreement with Hilton and management agreement with Aleph Hospitality marks an important milestone for the firm as they continue to invest in high-quality hospitality assets that contribute to the region’s growing tourism sector. Scheduled to open in 2027, the hotel will be part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton’s portfolio of independent boutique hotels, each rich in cultural charm and deeply connected to its destination. With vibrant designs and one-of-a-kind experiences, the hotel will also be part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty programme. Tariq Dowidar, Vice President Saudi Arabia, Aleph Hospitality, said: “We have a longstanding and close relationship with Hilton, founded on our shared commitment to excellence and innovation. Together, our goal is to deliver exceptional guest experiences while maximising operational performance and value for the owners.” Carlos Khneisser, Chief Development Officer, MEA, Hilton, said: “We are delighted to partner with AREA Investment and Real Estate to debut the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Dammam, managed by Aleph Hospitality. Demand for lifestyle hotels continues to rise, and we remain committed to growing our presence across the Kingdom, with over 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline. Tapestry Collection offers guests an authentic, and unique stay experience, and we are excited …

Kerten Hospitality is expanding its presence in the Kingdom with Cloud 7 Al Murjan Island Resort – Dammam, a bold new addition to Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province waterfront. Cloud 7 Al Murjan Island Resort – Dammam will feature 74 overwater chalets, introducing one of the region’s most distinctive coastal hospitality concepts. The resort will also be home to Nyssa Beach, a ladies-only beach club offering a spa, wellness and fitness facilities, elegant salon services, and curated social and workspaces—an inspiring destination designed to enrich and empower the women’s community of Dammam. Designed by Zuhair Fayez Partnership under the vision of Dr. Zuhair Hamed Fayez; one of Saudi Arabia’s most influential architects who recently celebrated 50 years of shaping the Kingdom’s architectural landscape, the resort is part of a visionary, mixed-use development blending hospitality, leisure, entertainment, and wellness. Marwan Al Qaydy, CEO of Koushan Real Estate Development Company, “The development of Al Murjan Island marks a defining milestone for us, as it brings to life one of Dammam’s most iconic mixed-use destinations. As a self-contained island, it is designed as a vibrant hub where hospitality, entertainment, lifestyle, and leisure seamlessly come together on a single world-class waterfront, redefining premium coastal hospitality in the Eastern Province. Our partnership with Kerten Hospitality reinforces our commitment to delivering unmatched quality and guest-centric service. Together, we aim to set a new benchmark for hospitality in Dammam, ensuring every visitor to Al Murjan Island enjoys an experience defined by innovation, authenticity, and exceptional service.” Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality, commented, “Al Murjan Island represents the kind of purposeful destination that defines our vision for hospitality in Saudi Arabia. Together with Koushan Real Estate Development Company, we …

Aleph Hospitality signed a hotel management agreement with Area Investment and Real Estate Development to operate its first hotel in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Scheduled to open in 2027, the 84-room hotel is located 30 minutes from King Fahd International Airport, Al Khobar, the Heritage Village and other local attractions in the city. Aleph Hospitality is currently in negotiations with hotel brands to secure suitable and international branding for the hotel. Present at the signing ceremony were Bani Haddad, Founder & Managing Director, Aleph Hospitality; Tariq Dowidar, Vice President Saudi Arabia, Aleph Hospitality, and Ali Alqadadi, Business Development Specialist. Featuring 84 well-appointed rooms and suites, two food and beverage outlets, a fully equipped gym as well as meetings rooms, open office spaces and a multi-purpose hall, the newly built hotel will provide all the facilities and amenities for today’s traveller. Tariq Dowidar, Vice President Saudi Arabia, Aleph Hospitality said, “We are thrilled to have been entrusted with the management of this outstanding new property in Dammam. We look forward to a successful partnership and to delivering outstanding value to the owners and an excellent experience to guests.” “This is a milestone development for us, and we are delighted to partner with Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the region, known for its regional expertise and for delivering strong operational efficiency and ROI, “said Rakan Saeed Raddad, Executive Vice President of Area Investment and Real Estate Development.