Diriyah announced over SAR7.8 billion ($2 billion) mixed -use development in northern region. It involves the construction of advanced educational institutions, cultural venues, modern offices, and a luxury hotel. Diriyah Company announced the signing of a contract with El Seif Engineering Contracting Co. Ltd (ESEC), in partnership with China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited (CSCEC), for a large-scale construction project in the northern part of Diriyah. The project will be executed by some of the most prominent real-estate developers from Saudi Arabia and around the world, contributing to the realization of the Diriyah Company, which represents one of the most important historical and cultural destinations in the Kingdom and a key project of Saudi Vision 2030. The agreement was signed by Diriyah Company Group chief executive Jerry Inzerillo, ESEC chief executive Eng. Ahmed Al Bassam, and CSCEC’s KSA Branch chief executive Chuanhai Wei. Construction work is set to commence in the third quarter of this year. “This represents a major step in our accelerating development strategy and commitment to making Diriyah one of the most important and prominent tourist, humanitarian, and cultural destinations in the world,” Inzerillo said. “This contract is one of the largest in terms of size, scope, and significance within the development plan for the Diriyah project. This agreement also represents another example of the close economic relations and strong commercial partnerships being established between Saudi Arabia and China,” the chief executive said. The agreement is a testament to the local and global stature of the Diriyah project and its ability to attract more economic opportunities to the Kingdom. The project offers tremendous investment opportunities and an attractive business environment characterized by the highest standards of governance, …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Les Roches Global Hospitality revealed that the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches, is set to launch in Zayed Sports City in September 2024. The innovative new educational institution will be housed in a historic building which seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, creating a vibrant atmosphere that complements the rich history of the space and sets the stage for an inspiring learning journey. A popular destination for athletic events, Zayed Sports City has recently emerged as a hub for a growing number of lifestyle, entertainment, and community experiences. The arrival of Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches in the district will add to the area’s cultural development. Les Roches Global Hospitality’s inaugural campus in the region builds on its legacy since its establishment in Switzerland in 1954, ranking fifth globally in hospitality and leisure management (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024). The academy aims to attract UAE Nationals as well as global talent to the industry, situated strategically in the heart of Abu Dhabi. The hospitality industry in the emirate is witnessing exponential growth, solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the world’s premier tourism destinations. In 2023, Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector saw a remarkable surge, welcoming nearly 24 million visitors. The 27% rise in hotel guests and 54% increase in international guests bolstered the economy with an approximate AED49 billion contribution to the UAE’s GDP. HE Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The enhancement of Abu Dhabi’s hospitality landscape is a key pillar of our roadmap for future growth. With our Tourism Strategy 2030 having set ambitious targets for increasing visitation …

Dhofar Province revealed that the Dhofar Autumn Season 2024 will feature exceptional and global events, combined with the cool weather and stunning nature, create a unique tourist experience. The activities and events for this year’s Dhofar Autumn Season started on June 21 and, for the first time, will continue for 90 days until September 20. His Highness Sayyid Marwan Bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar, stated that the province welcomes its unique and divinely gifted autumn season (Dhofar Autumn Season) every year on June 21, offering a unique tourist experience. He emphasized that Dhofar is the ideal choice with its wonderful weather, beautiful natural landscapes, exceptional events, and diverse environments such as marine, plain, and mountainous areas, in addition to its rich cultural and historical diversity, making it an ideal tourist destination that caters to all tastes. His Highness pointed out that the Dhofar Autumn Season is the best choice for family and individual tourism. Last year, the governorate received nearly one million visitors, highlighting the importance of enhancing the province’s tourism role, which is an important economic driver and contributes to empowering Omani entrepreneurs. A comprehensive plan has been set to enhance and develop various tourist sites, including improving natural sights, enhancing coastal fronts, and developing water spring locations, all while considering environmental sustainability. His Highness said that this year’s Dhofar Autumn Season is distinguished by extending the duration of events to 90 days, giving visitors a longer opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the province and its diverse activities. He emphasized that government entities and the private sector are keen on providing a unique tourist experience for all visitors by increasing event sites, diversifying their types, and …

Delta and Riyadh Air sign strategic agreement to expand connectivity and premium travel options across North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond. New partnership will include a range of benefits for consumers traveling between North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond. Delta, Riyadh Air to strengthen connectivity and harness future growth opportunities for both carriers. Agreement will enhance competition with an array of new travel choices for consumers, including future Delta service between the U.S. and Riyadh. Delta will serve as Riyadh Air’s exclusive partner in North America, while Riyadh Air will be Delta’s exclusive partner in Riyadh and beyond. Delta Air Lines, the world’s leading premium airline, and Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s innovative new full-service global carrier, have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding with the goal of introducing a broad range of benefits for customers traveling between North America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and destinations beyond. The agreement, signed today at a ceremony at Delta’s World Headquarters in Atlanta, serves as the foundation for a strategic partnership that will enable both airlines to strengthen connectivity, expand their networks and drive future growth. This partnership with Riyadh Air will further Delta’s mission of connecting the world and open an array of new choices, benefits and destinations for our customers traveling to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. Most importantly, Riyadh Air shares Delta’s commitment to providing an elevated customer experience, which is why we’re looking forward to building and expanding this partnership in the months and years ahead. We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Riyadh Air team and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia as …

Travelport announced the debut of the Content Curation Layer (CCL). The CCL uses AI to power search while trawling billions of trip options, helping agencies find the perfect match for their customers. As the latest enhancement to the innovative Travelport+ platform, CCL uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning (ML) to quickly deliver the right range of accurate, highly intuitive search results to its travel agency partners worldwide. “Travelport’s role in the increasingly complex travel industry is to take millions of pieces of disparate information and make it simple for both travel agencies and providers to understand, search, sell and service,” said Greg Webb, Chief Executive Officer at Travelport. “We believe AI and machine learning are powerful tools to do just that. The Content Curation Layer will allow travel agencies to provide travelers the right range of normalized, enriched, bookable content at speed, via a singular search screen. Used for all content sources (LCC, EDIFACT, NDC, hotel, car, etc.), the CCL allows agents to compare apples to oranges in an apples-to-apples way.” Travelport’s Content Curation Layer is a powerful tech-enabler that uses AI and ML to sift through aggregated, multi-source content and returns search results faster than the average airline search response time. It identifies the most relevant offers for each traveler to create a faster, more intelligent search experience for the agent. This technology layer simplifies the delivery of retail-ready content to agencies and helps them curate options that are most desirable for the travelers. One of the key features of the CCL is the Content Optimizer, a new Travelport+ product that offers agency customers greater control over all content types, including both traditional and NDC content. With the ability …

Emirates officially opened the doors to its first ever lounge in the region at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The airline’s newest dedicated lounge will accommodate customers flying on its triple daily A380 services. The AED 20 million (USD$5.4 million) investment, 900-square-metre lounge located in the airport’s newest Terminal 1 will cater to the airline’s First and Business class passengers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members, with the capacity to accommodate over 190 guests at any one time, in a variety of seating options. The investment reflects the airline’s commitment to progressively growing its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, supporting aviation goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and its ongoing dedication to ensuring a thoughtful and welcoming Emirates experience on the ground for customers flying from one of Emirates’ most important markets globally. This year, Emirates is also celebrating a milestone in its operations to Saudi Arabia, marking 35 years of service to Jeddah. The official opening of the lounge was attended by His Excellency Nasser Huwaiden Al Ketbi, Consul General of UAE in Jeddah, His Excellency Engr. Raed bin Ibrahim Al-Mudaiheem, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jeddah Airports Company (JEDCO), Mohammed Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services at Emirates, Eng. Mazen Johar, CEO of JEDCO, Sami Aqil Abdulla, Senior Vice President Airport Services for Outstations and Business Support, Jabr Al-Azeeby, Vice President Commercial Operations for Emirates in Saudi Arabia, and Amer Al Arai, Airport Services Manager for Emirates at King Abdulaziz International Airport. Mohammed Mattar commented, “Jeddah was our first gateway into the Kingdom 35 years ago, so it’s fitting that the King Abdulaziz International Airport, a world-class facility …

Rotana announced the opening of Palma Bay Rotana, in New Alamein, Egypt. Joining Grand Rotana Resort & Spa in Sharm El Sheikh, the property will bring Rotana’s total footprint in the country to 702 keys. Perfectly positioned at Marina 5, the premier four-star resort delivers an unmatched hospitality experience, marrying elegance with the exceptional quality synonymous with one of the Middle East’s leading hospitality brands. With its coveted seaside location, Palma Bay Rotana offers premium services and modern accommodation options, for all travellers. Commenting on the announcement, Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana, said: “Further growing our expansion plans in the region, Palma Bay Rotana Resort marks an exciting milestone for Rotana as our second operational property in Egypt. With a wide range of world-class amenities and scenic ocean views, Palma Bay Rotana is designed to offer the perfect beach escape for travellers seeking relaxation and adventure. Egypt continues to be a key market for us with tremendous potential and we look forward to welcoming guests to this stunning destination and providing them with opportunities to create ‘Treasured Time’ with loved ones.” The brand-new resort boasts 176 elegantly appointed rooms, with configurations ranging from cosy standard rooms to expansive one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites. Styled with a modern contemporary aesthetic, guests can select their preferred panorama, be it a captivating ocean scape, a peaceful lagoon vista, or a view of the vibrant neighbourhood. As enticing as the views, resort amenities include a Bodylines Health and Fitness Centre, massage rooms, complete with sauna and steam rooms, and three outdoor swimming pools, including one specifically designed for children, as well as a fully equipped gym, padel and tennis courts, a beach volleyball spot, and …

HBX Group presented its Sustainability Report, including the initiatives developed to date and the key elements of its ESG strategy for the next three years, focusing on the positive impact potential of the tourism industry. HBX Group, with over 3,700 employees and present in more than 170 countries, has established a plan with over 75 actions linked to fulfilling various ESG commitments. To achieve this, HBX Group conducted a double materiality analysis, where consultation with its stakeholders was crucial in aligning the plan with their expectations. The company has also established a new framework for work and result reporting that considers multiple current regulations and certifications. In this context, HBX Group has recently joined the United Nations Global Compact, which sets out the 10 principles guiding companies to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies. HBX Group has also initiated a three-year plan to align its reporting with the new European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which analyses the impact of the company and its entire value chain. This has been based on the identification of over 4,000 key performance indicators, enabling the implementation of concrete and tangible changes in environmental protection. Collaboration in the tourism Industry As an example of our objective to work collaboratively with partners and clients to achieve a greater positive impact, HBX Group has implemented a Sustainable Hotels Programme. This programme aims to highlight the most environmentally, socially, and community-respectful actors. It already includes over 40,000 properties with official sustainability certifications. Thanks to awareness- raising actions carried out in collaboration with multiple partners, the number of hotels with a no- single-use plastics policy has increased from 500 to 5,000 in just one year. Elena Pérez, Chief …

Saudia Group and the Ministry of Investment have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to encourage global established companies to relocate their regional headquarters to the Kingdom as part of Saudi Arabia’s Regional Headquarters Program. Under the MoU, clients of the Ministry and investors will receive exclusive benefits and access to Saudia Group’s latest offerings on domestic and international flights. Additionally, the partnership includes logistics and shipping services facilitated by Saudia Cargo, as well as premium aviation and concierge services provided by Saudia Private. The collaboration will extend to joint efforts in local and international events organized by the ministry. The partnership reflects the commitment of both parties to contribute to the economic growth and diversification of the Kingdom. The MoU, signed by Khaled Tash, Saudia Group Chief Marketing Officer, and Mohammed Aba Hussain, Deputy of Integrated Investors Services at the Ministry of Investment, aims to provide a comprehensive package of benefits tailored for global companies seeking to establish regional hubs in the Kingdom. Khaled Tash, Saudia Group Chief Marketing Officer, said:”This strategic partnership between Saudia Group and the Ministry of Investment represents a significant leap forward. It promotes our position as a comprehensive aviation system dedicated to advancing and achieving the ambitious objectives of Vision 2030. By collaborating closely, we aim to optimize travel logistics for key national projects, facilitating seamless mobility both to and within the Kingdom while offering exclusive travel benefits.” Tash continued, “Saudia Group plays a crucial role in empowering cultural and tourism programs and activities, as well as Hajj and Umrah programs and services. We are committed to strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a logistics hub connecting the three continents, thereby promoting sustainable economic development and competitiveness.” …

Marriott International Inc. and Eagle Hills announced the signing of an agreement to open the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Ramhan Island, Abu Dhabi. It is an exclusive waterfront destination in Abu Dhabi, the property will offer a secluded escape complete with expansive views across the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf. Slated to open in 2029, the Reserve will be situated on a secluded island within the Ramhan Island master development and will feature 50 private one-to-four-bedroom luxury villas including the region’s first anticipated floating villas with unobstructed waterfront views. Plans also include a range of lavish leisure amenities and multiple culinary venues. Ramhan Island is being developed to become the next must-visit destination for travellers seeking unparalleled luxury and natural beauty in the UAE. Covering over 4mn square metres of development area, the ultra-luxury destination features a natural island connected through a network of waterways. The fully integrated waterfront community will be home to charming residential villas, marina residences and luxury hotels, offering state-of-art amenities for residents and tourists alike. “This collaboration with Marriott International on Ramhan Island marks a milestone in our commitment to shaping extraordinary experiences and redefining luxury hospitality. As the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the UAE, it will set new standards of excellence in the world of luxury experiences.” says Chairman of Eagle Hills, Mohammad Alabbar. “Together with Eagle Hills, we look forward to bringing Ritz-Carlton Reserve to the UAE and offering intimate and transformative experiences in an ultra-luxury setting,” added Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International. “This monumental signing marks an important addition to our portfolio in the country where we continue to see a strong demand for luxury experiences.” Ritz-Carlton Reserve …