Tag Archives: new hotels

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of Holiday Inn & Suites Taif and Staybridge Suites Taif, in partnership with Al Jumaiah Group. Both properties are set to open in Q4 2025 in the Al Shafa, Taif, a relaxing destination located 2,500 meters above sea level and known for its historical sites, panoramic scenic views, pleasant weather, and fragrant rose gardens. The new resorts will play a vital role in supporting Taif’s growing hospitality scene and further cementing IHG’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Taif, as of the 10 strategic destinations under Vision 2030, is playing a key role in contributing to achieving Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for the tourism and hospitality sector with substantial government investments in infrastructure and its emergence as a prominent tourism destination. With its all year round leisure demand appeal, the dual signing of IHG hotels will add 280 rooms, catering to the high demand for world-class hospitality offering in the city. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director – India, Middle East and Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “We are pleased to strenghten relationship with our existing partner, Al Jumaiah Group and bring two brands from our essential and suits offering to the beautiful city of Taif. Having opened first internationally branded hotel in Taif – InterContinental Taif decades ago, we are proud to continue to strenghen our footprint and bring new brands to the city as it grows into a prominent tourims destination in the country. He added: “Saudi Arabia is a priority market for IHG – the continuous growth of our global portfolio within the Kingdom reflects our unwavering commitment to the vision of the leadership of the country and emphasizes our dedication to …

IHG® Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a Management Agreement with Akam Al Rajhi, a joint venture between AkamAlRajhi and Al Rajhi Saudi groups to bring in voco resort to the Middle East region. Set to open in December 2026, the 300-key voco North Coast will include low-rise buildings, chalets and townhouses in a prime location, directly on the beachfront. As part of the DOSE Village North Coast secure gated community, the resort will be located on the front row of the development, offering 360 degrees of uninterrupted beach views. With this signing, IHG continues to expand their footprint across the MEA region and diversify their portfolio, as part of the company’s ambitious growth strategy. With the voco hotel brand already well established in MEA, including locations in the UAE and KSA, the new signing marks the first voco resort in the region, and will cater to the growing leisure demand on Egypt’s North Coast. Stretching 1,050km across the Mediterranean Sea, the area is one of Egypt’s most attractive leisure destinations and is home to a number of arts, sports and entertainment events. voco North Coast will also cater to the growing wellbeing-focused travel market, with natural landscapes, artificial lakes, a swimming pool, spa, health club, running and biking tracks, a shopping mall, a waterpark (DOSE Aqua Park) and diverse dining options. For travelers seeking blended travel, the resort will also offer meeting and events spaces, totaling approximately 1,375 sqm. Offering a coastal escape, but just minutes from bustling and dynamic Alexandria Matrouh, the new voco will be located 23km from Egypt’s new Al Alamein Airport. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “We are excited …

The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Radisson Hotel Group to develop hospitality and tourism projects across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The first project under this memorandum is expected to be announced in H2 of 2023. The strategic partnership between the two parties will see the development of several properties focused on urban hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and other unique assets with the objective of enhancing the tourism offering in the country. The properties will be developed over the next several years in the targeted destinations under the Saudi National Tourism Strategy and in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. The developments will be under Radisson’s leading brands, to be agreed upon by the parties, it is worth noting that the work of the strategic partnership has been already started between the two parties. The TDF enables world-class companies to invest in, develop, and operate high-quality hospitality, lifestyle, entertainment, and other iconic projects within Saudi Arabia. These investments provide nationals, residents and visitors with more tourism and leisure options, enhancing the quality of life across the Kingdom. Radisson Hotel Group is a leading international hotel group, already present with 26 hotels and resorts and more than 20 properties under development in the country, across several of its leading brands such as Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson and Park Inn by Radisson which can be found in key urban and coastal locations. Under this agreement with the TDF, Radisson plans to grow its portfolio by a further several hotels to a total portfolio of over 50 hotels in the Kingdom. Commenting on the agreement, Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of the Tourism …

Minor Hotels announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund to jointly develop and operate high-quality hospitality and lifestyle projects focused on mountain resorts, wellness resorts and urban hotels within the Kingdom. The first project under this partnership is expected to be announced in H2 this year. The establishment of a strategic partnership between the two parties in exclusive regions in Saudi Arabia, will see the development of multiple hospitality projects over the next couple of years. Minor Hotels will act as an operator and partner in each of the projects, which are expected to become distinct destinations in their respective locations. The group’s flagship brands include Anantara, Avani, Tivoli and Oaks and hospitality projects under these brands will be established in locations across Saudi Arabia mutually agreed by both parties. The development of these hotels and resorts is consistent with the Kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy (NTS) and in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. The projects will be developed in the targeted tourism destinations specified in the National Tourism Strategy and will be announced soon. Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund supports tourism investment in the Kingdom, linking private sector investors with public funding opportunities. It was set up in 2020 to harness opportunities and fund development in the tourism ecosystem and tourism destinations across Saudi Arabia. The luxury brand Anantara will constitute at least one of the agreed projects. Anantara is known for its experience-led and heartfelt hospitality in some of the world’s most exciting destinations. With Thai roots, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas is already well known in the GCC region and has more than 10 properties in the United Arab …

Rotana announced its ambitious pipeline across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) 2023, signing four “Edge by Rotana” and one “Rayhaan by Rotana” property in partnership with Memar Development & Investment, a leading real estate development company specialized in the hospitality development guided by the motto “Developing to enhance life”. Guy Hutchinson, President & CEO of Rotana, and Eng. Abdulaziz Al Meqren, CEO of Memar Development & Investment, were both present at the official signing of the agreement at FHS’s Global Stage on Tuesday, 9 May 2023. Commenting on the partnership, Hutchinson said: “Saudi Arabia presents one of the fastest-growing markets in the region, increasingly establishing itself as a leading tourist destination. These new properties located in the heart of Riyadh include a mix of hotels and serviced apartments, offering our guests diverse options to suit their varying needs. We are excited to partner with Memar Development & Investment on this project as we work together to deliver on Rotana’s singular brand promise of delivering ‘Treasured Time’ for all our guests.” The five new Riyadh properties will add 618 keys to Rotana’s growing portfolio. This is in line with the group’s target of adding triple the number of rooms it currently runs in the Kingdom to 6,000 over the next four years. The new Edge by Rotana properties will be interconnected, operating in synergy to ensure efficient workflow and deliver the ultimate guest experience. The properties will offer guests a range of dining options as well as recreational facilities such as pools, gyms, treatments rooms and more. Eng. Abdulaziz Al Meqren, CEO of Memar Development & Investment added “We are pleased to sign today with …

IHG Hotels & Resorts signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA). The MOU provides a framework for both entities to explore methods to increase inbound visitation to Saudi Arabia from key markets across Middle East and Africa region. This includes developing customised promotions, joint marketing campaigns, and promotion through loyalty programs which will showcase Saudi Arabia as one of the world’s most exciting destination to an international audience. The MOU was signed at the Saudi pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market 2023 held in Dubai, by James Britchford, Vice President Commercial at IHG for India, Middle East and Africa, and Munirah Abanomy, Head of Marketing Partnership for Middle East & Africaat Saudi Tourism Authority. With Saudi Arabia targeting 100 million visitors by 2030, the Kingdom is a priority market for IHG Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East. The hospitality group aims to support the tourism sector in the country by growing the footprint of its existing brands, as well as introducing new brands from its global portfolio, in addition to running campaigns to promote various destinations within the country. IHG also plans to further support the Kingdom’s economic Vision by investing in developing Saudi talent in the Kingdom, with an ambition to hire 6,000 nationals across it’s growing portfolio by 2030. James Britchford, Vice President, Commercial, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts said: “As a reflection of our commitment to support the growth of the tourism industry within the Kingdom, we are delighted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Tourism Authority. Collaborations with key government entities, such as the STA, enable us to position and promote attractive destinations …

The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) which entered into a tripartite partnership with Ennismore, the fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company in the world, and Al Rajhi Capital, one of the leading Asset Managers in Saudi Arabia, has identified multiple sites to develop exciting lifestyle developments across the Kingdom, including urban beachfront sites. The projects to be developed are part of the newly formed Lifestyle Hospitality Fund, which has recently received approval by the Saudi market regulator, Capital Market Authority (CMA). The fund aims at advancing Ennismore’s lifestyle hotels in the Kingdom with a targeted fund size of USD 400 million (SAR 1.5 billion). In 2021, during the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, TDF and Ennismore signed an MOU to commence the discussions for launching an investment fund. This was followed by TDF, Ennismore, and Al Rajhi Capital signing a tripartite agreement in July this year to establish the now approved lifestyle hospitality fund. Furthermore,  MOUs were signed with selected investors who expressed interest in coming into the fund with their respective assets. TDF will be the anchor investor in the newly established investment fund, while Ennismore will lead on the operation of these assets post completion under the umbrella of its lifestyle brands. Al Rajhi Capital will manage the development fund and attract investments. Ennismore is a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with creativity and purpose at their heart, bringing together a lifestyle powerhouse of 14 brands with 103 operating properties and 144 in the pipeline. Ennismore’s globally recognized brands include: 25hours Hotels, Mama Shelter, Mondrian, The Hoxton, TRIBE, SLS, SO/ and coworking brand, Working From_. The fund will have significant impact on the tourism offering in the KSA as …

Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has captured the imaginations of both market leaders and emerging players in the region’s inbound and outbound travel industry, as it announced two new mega projects in the luxury hospitality sector at the 29th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre until May 12. Alongside these global announcements, three of Shurooq’s latest projects in luxury hospitality that are making eco-tourism in the region more appealing than ever, also made their ATM debut. Raising Sharjah’s profile as a leading destination in the region for heritage-inspired travel, the first Shurooq project which made a global debut on the ATM 2022 stage is: The Serai Wing, Bait Khalid bin Ibrahim – a pearl merchant’s 19th century family home in the Heart of Sharjah district, which Shurooq is converting into a modern 12-key boutique wing of The Chedi Al Bait. Launched by Shurooq in 2017 and managed by GHM Hotels, The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah, is a 53-key hotel offering luxurious Emirati hospitality and bespoke experiences. Scheduled for completion in Q4 of 2022, the property will provide unique insights into traditional Emirati life, taking guests on a journey through the home of a family living in Sharjah, as it was, over 100 years ago. Alongside world-class accommodation and hospitality, additional guest attractions include access to the facilities of the Chedi Al Bait Hotel and access to Heart of Sharjah’s souqs and heritage areas. The second project Shurooq unveiled is the Najd Al Meqsar Village. Nestled in the mountainous terrains of the picturesque coastal city of Khorfakkan, the destination is being developed to bring travellers and residents a brand-new opportunity to experience …