Diriyah Company announced the awarding of a $2.13 billion (SAR 8 billion) joint venture construction contract to build four luxury hotels and the Royal Diriyah Equestrian & Polo Club as part of the Wadi Safar masterplan being developed by Diriyah Company. The joint venture contractors are Urbacon Saudi Co. and Al Bawani Co. Ltd with construction work set to commence shortly on what will be another major development milestone for Diriyah Company. Contracts were officially signed today at a ceremony held in Diriyah between Ramez Al Khayyat, President of Urbacon Saudi Co., Fakher Al-Shawaf, CEO of Al Bawani Co. Ltd and Group CEO of Diriyah Company, Jerry Inzerillo. The contract is the biggest single contract awarded to date by the Diriyah Company and follows the announcement of a more than $2.07 billion (SAR 7.8 billion) contract to build the Northern District earlier in July. Diriyah Company Group CEO, Jerry Inzerillo said: “This contract marks another major step in accelerating our exciting development plans for the Wadi Safar masterplan and includes four world-class hotels – Aman, Six Senses, The Chedi, and Faena – and our prestigious Royal Diriyah Equestrian & Polo Club. As a developer we are extremely proud of the momentum across all aspects of our project and are delighted to have two of Saudi Arabia’s leading construction firms on board to deliver this major part of the Wadi Safar masterplan.” “The hotels are among the 40 plus across our two masterplans, Diriyah and Wadi Safar as we gear up to deliver world-class luxury experiences to visitors from across the Kingdom, the region and the world. The Royal Diriyah Equestrian & Polo Club will create a true center of regional …

The share of hotels sold via the direct channel in Spain increased by an average of 18% during the summer of 2024 over other channels thanks to the determination of the hoteliers to improve the profitability of the hotels again, according to data from Mirai. Although during the initial weeks of the UEFA Euro Cup 2024 sales growth slowed down, probably also due to the bad weather in Spain, in the last few days the company has observed that growth is picking up again. This rebound suggests a potentially very positive last-minute booking trend in most tourist destinations. At a global level Mirai – which provides hotels with technology and operations support to sell in the direct channel – has experienced an 11% increase of direct hotel roomnights sales worldwide, with Spain surpassing this figure with a 12% rise and ADR increasing by around 7%. Spain’s primary inbound source markets, excluding the domestic market, have shown remarkable growth in nights booked compared to 2023. Specifically, the United Kingdom source market has seen a 12% increase, with source markets such as the United States at 18% and Germany at 14%. “2024 is proving to be a landmark year for Spain’s tourism sector, especially for hotels’ direct bookings and the increase in direct hotel sales share this summer” said Javier Delgado Muerza, CEO EMEA at Mirai. “This remarkable growth in direct hotel bookings is thanks to the hard work of hoteliers and our team’s commitment to boosting their profitability”. “To continue this positive trend, we advise hoteliers to focus on a few key areas. First, maintain a clean and organised distribution strategy to ensure seamless booking experiences for guests by offering the …

Turkish Airlines is working to provide all passengers with free, unlimited, uninterrupted and fast connectivity service within two years, starting from the end of 2025. They are committed to enhancing its in-flight experience through the integration of latest developments and innovative technologies. As part of this initiative, Turkish Airlines plans to retrofit its existing fleet with the latest in-flight connectivity (IFC) technologies and equip the new aircraft with the most efficient IFC technologies available. This will enable the carrier to extend the IFC service currently offered in the majority of its fleet to the entire Turkish Airlines’ fleet, providing all passengers with unlimited, uninterrupted, and faster IFC service free of charge. With the integration of the new IFC technologies, Turkish Airlines aims to meet the expectations of its passengers regarding their digital consumption habits during travel. Therefore, Turkish Airlines is open to collaboration with all suppliers, and the carrier is actively negotiating with local and international suppliers that can offer the best IFC service solutions for its entire fleet. In addition, Turkish Airlines provides support to Turkish companies in the development of solutions for this connectivity service. In this regard, Turkish Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TCI Aircraft Interiors, a certified aviation products provider, and Turksat, a regional leader in satellite technologies. The signing of the MoU highlights Turkish Airlines’ is considering leveraging national capacity and the carrier helps support Turkish companies in establishing a presence in the IFC sector. Following the necessary feasibility studies, all stakeholders will work to develop an understanding and endeavor to transform the MoU into a definitive agreement. Turkish Airlines remains committed to ensuring the highest level of passenger experience and advancing …

Dubai Municipality recorded a total of 16,391,748 visitors to major public parks, residential parks, playgrounds as well as recreational facilities in the first half of 2024, marking a substantial increase of 1.3 million visitors as compared to the same period last year. Visitors to residential parks in the Emirate reached 10,613,996, while those to the five major parks was 3,146, 480, distributed between Al-Mamzar Park with 1,000,755 visitors; Mushrif Park with 874,201 visitors; 583,508 visitors to Creek Park; Za’abeel Park with 545,335 visitors, and Al-Safa Park with 142,681 visitors. Furthermore, 1,037,402 people visited the Quranic Park, while the number of people visiting the Dubai Frame reached 827,000. As many as 623,904 people visited the bicycle, mountain, and pedestrian pathways at the Municipality’s parks and facilities. Additionally, 89,385 people visited stadiums, and 53,578 people visited Children’s City. Recreational Purposes H.E. Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, highlighted that the half-year statistics underline the significance and appeal of Dubai Municipality’s parks and facilities as a leisure and tourism destination for residents, visitors, and community members. He stated that the Municipality provides the parks with the best services and state-of-the-art equipment, considering it as an integral component of its work in the management and development of parks, leisure facilities, and tourist attractions in Dubai. Al Hajri said: “The Municipality is committed to offering exceptional services and experiences for visitors to enhance their quality of life and happiness. It offers integrated facilities, manages all related operations, and organizes leisure events throughout the year with the goal of developing new leisure spaces and options. This reaffirms our dedication to improving the quality of life and appeal of Dubai while also achieving the Emirate’s tourism …

As part of its robust international expansion strategy, Barceló Hotel Group has opened the doors of Barceló Cappadocia, its fourth hotel in Turkey. This new addition complements the three existing properties, which include two in the city of Istanbul –Occidental Taksim and Barceló Istanbul– and one in the capital, Occidental Ankara. The 5-star Barceló Cappadocia stands out for its privileged location in the picturesque town of Ortahisar, an exceptional base from which to explore all the charms of the Turkish region. This small town, situated in the deepest part of Cappadocia, is considered one of the most beautiful on Earth thanks to its characteristic excavated architecture and its rocky landscape formed by lava and volcanic sand. With an elegant design that harmonises with Cappadocia’s unique texture, the new hotel offers guests the experience of staying in an unforgettable setting amidst rich history and natural beauty. Its architecture responds to Cappadocian culture and tradition, where noble materials, colours characteristic of this region of Asia Minor, and carved stone details stand out. Its 170 rooms promise to captivate guests with the delicate beauty and tranquillity of the hotel’s surroundings. In a tribute to the region’s excavated architecture, Barceló Cappadocia offers 19 exclusive luxury stays in cave rooms carved into ancient rocks. The interior design of each suite highlights the region’s rich and historic architectural and cultural heritage through the stonework reflected in the walls, headboards, canopies, Turkish baths and private pools. The richness of the elements and materials can also be observed in the common areas, among which its impressive Wellness Centre with Spa stands out. The imposing relaxation setting offers an evocative design with a heated water area guarded by a stained-glass …

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced a partnership with the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation (SCHF) to boost adventure tourism across the Red Sea region. The collaboration will be activated through Akun, RSG’s adventure sports brand, which is responsible for all hiking, climbing and adventure experiences across RSG’s destinations. The partnership will create opportunities to elevate the guest experience at The Red Sea, as well as provide training and certification pathways for climbing and hiking guides. “Modern luxury tourism is as much about adventure as it is about comfort. Our partnership with the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation is ensuring that Akun can offer invigorating experiences that complement the elegance of our resorts in a safe and professional manner. Together, we are propelling the adventure tourism industry across the Red Sea region,” said Nicholas King, Group Chief Development Officer at Red Sea Global. SCHF is the national governing body for all aspects of rock climbing and mountaineering in Saudi Arabia. Through this partnership, SCHF trainees will have the chance to apply their skills in real-world settings through work placements and internships with Akun. In return, SCHF is providing qualified trainers for temporary training support as well as permanent recruitment. Yasmin Gahtani, Managing Director at SCHF, said: “Saudi Arabia has some of the world’s most stunning landscapes, especially along the Red Sea coast. We want to help Saudis and the world discover this dramatic terrain by opening it to exhilarating, yet safe, climbing and hiking experiences. Through this partnership, we can make Saudi and the Red Sea a must-visit destination for the most avid climbers, hikers and thrill-seekers.” The collaboration will see RSG’s destinations activated through a range of local, regional, and international …

GACA stated that the total number of complaints submitted by passengers against air carriers in June amounted to 900. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued an index for the classification of air transport service providers and airports based on the number of complaints filed by travelers to the authority in June. Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) was the least carrier complained about, with 12 complaints per 100,000 passengers. The state-run airline recorded a timely complaint handling rate of 99%. Flynas ranked second, with 14 complaints and a closure rate of 100%. Meanwhile, Flyadeal came third, with 18 complaints per 100,000 passengers, reporting a timely complaint closure rate of 96%. The most frequent complaints for June were about luggage, boarding and ticketing services. For the same month, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah reported the lowest complaints, at a rate of 0.4% per 100,000 passengers, among international airports that receive over six million passengers annually. Only 16 complaints were submitted by travelers, with a timely complaint handling rate of 77%. Abha International Airport was the least airport complained about, at a rate of 1% per 100,000 passengers, among international airports that receive less than six million passengers annually. Only eight complaints were submitted, with a timely complaint handling rate of 100%. For domestic reports, Bisha Airport recorded the lowest complaints per 100,000 passengers with one complaint, or 3%, recording a timely complaint processing rate of 100%.

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh secured the top spot in the category of airports with more than 15 million passengers annually, with an 82% compliance rate. Following closely behind was King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 64%. In the category of international airports serving 5 to 15 million passengers annually, King Fahd International Airport tied for first place, with a 91% compliance rate. Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport followed with a 82% compliance rate. In the 2 to 5 million annual passenger category, Abha International Airport and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport in Jizan demonstrated a 100% compliance rate. However, Abha International Airport outperformed King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport by surpassing higher targets in the specified evaluation criteria. In the category of less than 2 million passengers annually, Al-Ahsa International Airport achieved a 100% compliance rate, outperforming its competitors regarding average waiting time for departing and arriving flights. Qurayyat Airport came first in the domestic airport category, with a 100% compliance rate. It outperformed all competing airports regarding average waiting time for departing and arriving flights. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) issued its June report on the performance of domestic and international airports in Saudi Arabia. Airports are assessed based on 11 operational performance standards, which align with strategic objectives to enhance services and ensure a seamless traveler experience at Kingdom airports. The report ranked King Khalid International Airport, King Fahd International Airport, Abha International Airport, Al-Ahsa International Airport, and Qurayyat Airport highly. GACA categorizes airports for performance evaluation based on annual passenger numbers, ensuring a transparent approach. GACA evaluates airport performance through operational performance standards focused on critical passenger touchpoints. These include check-in, security, passport control, customs, baggage claim, and assistance for …

Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah announced the launch of two exclusive summer wedding packages, offering the lowest rates available for any wedding celebration from 1st June to 30th September 2024. These packages are designed to make your dream wedding a reality, with unparalleled amenities and stunning settings that will create unforgettable memories. Summer Weddings at Ula Experience the epitome of summer romance with our all-inclusive Ula Summer Wedding Package. Indulge in exquisite canapés, a sumptuous dinner buffet, and a picturesque photoshoot at Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island, all topped off with a complimentary night’s stay in a luxurious chalet. Make your dream wedding a reality in the heart of summer bliss. Package Includes: AED 250 per person (includes 1 hour of canapés and dinner buffet with soft beverages) Wedding cake Minimum 100 guests guaranteed Event setup from 3 PM onwards Unique location photoshoot at Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island 1-night complimentary stay in a Chalet with a pool Food tasting for 4 people with items from the menu 2 complimentary meeting rooms for bridal makeup Earn double points on ALL meeting planner bookings Offer Valid: 1st June to 31st September 2024 Book now and celebrate your love with a perfect summer wedding at Ula!   Summer Weddings at Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island Elevate your love story with our Summer Ballroom Special Wedding Packages at Movenpick Al Marjan Island: Where Every Moment Sparkles in the Glow of Summer Romance. Package includes: Family style menu from AED 220 per person Venue: Ballroom 1-night stay in a Family Room with BB meal plan Food tasting for 4 people with items from the menu 2 complimentary meeting rooms for bridal …

As part of its tireless efforts to implement its social responsibility programs, Kuwait Airways in cooperation with the National Bank of Kuwait hosted an educational tour and field visit for NBK Aspire program students as part of their summer internship at the company’s various facilities. This included a visit to the aircraft hangar facilities at the Engineering department to understand about the mechanisms and procedures of the department’s work related to aircraft maintenance. This was in addition to providing the trainees with detailed explanations about the nature of work related to maintenance procedures, thereby enriching the knowledge of the participants about the world of aviation. The Acting Director of Corporate Communication and Public Relations department at Kuwait Airways, Mr. Hamad Bader Al-Ozainah stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to host the students participating in the National Bank of Kuwait’s summer internship program. The visit is a unique opportunity for our future generations to understand about their national carrier, Kuwait Airways, and its modern fleet with its present development, in terms of the aircraft technical and technological maintenance procedures. This is in addition to learning about the history of the company, established in 1954 with its legacy, successive eras and achievements which was depicted at the company’s permanent exhibition gallery at the headquarters.” Al-Ozainah added by saying, “In an effort to implement its social responsibility programs, Kuwait Airways is keen to organize such educational trips at the various facilities of the company, to instil determination as well as historical and cognitive information in young people, thus becoming an added value for our country, Kuwait, and contributing greatly to knowing their talents and preferences from a young age, through cooperation with the banking …