Tag Archives: 2024

Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated Icon of the Seas is in ship shape. The all-new vacation reached the next construction milestone after successfully completing its initial round of sea trials and sailing the open ocean for the first time. Icon returned to the Meyer Turku shipyard, where it is under construction, after four days of preliminary tests on a lineup of its latest technologies and equipment. From the main engines to the hull, to the brake system, to steering as well as noise and vibration levels, the hundreds of workers on board covered an extensive check list of key technical areas. Between preparations and the trials, the important step in the journey to bring Icon to life involved more than 2,000 specialists, hundreds of miles traveled, four 37- to 67-ton tugboats and more than 350 hours of work. Next up will be a second round of sea trials later this year, which will be when the first Icon Class ship is pushed to its limits ahead of its debut in Miami in January 2024. As the first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation, Icon will introduce a new era of vacations for years to come. From the resort getaway to the beach escape and theme park adventure, every type of family and kind of adventurer can make memories together and on their own terms without compromise across record-breaking thrills, relaxing ways to chill, a neighborhood designed for young families, more than 40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained, and more. Icon will sail 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami all year. Vacationers on board will island hop from destinations like Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island destination, …

Sindalah is expected to start welcoming guests to enjoy its bespoke nautical experiences, exquisite facilities and exclusive offerings from early 2024. It is anticipated that the development will create 3,500 jobs for the tourism sector and hospitality and leisure services. With its incredible array of amenities, state-of-the-art marine facilities, strategic location and exceptional natural landscapes, Sindalah is expected to become established as one of the most alluring islands in the Red Sea. Extending over an area of approximately 840,000 square meters, Sindalah, is one of a group of islands that will be developed in NEOM, each according to its unique vision and design. Building on its ability to design new tourism opportunities from the ground up, NEOM is working with world-class leisure and hotel brands to make Sindalah an exclusive and glamorous destination in the Red Sea for the world’s yachting community. NEOM is developing the island to be a premium destination surrounded by a stunning and diverse marine environment which has one of the world’s most beautiful coral reserves. This was disclosed as NEOM signed an agreement with Riyad Bank for SAR 3 billion in debt financing to help fund the development of Sindalah, marking the first NEOM region to be successfully financed with bank debt. Riyad Bank is one of the largest supporters of Saudi Vision 2030 and has developed a diverse range of initiatives specifically designed to support business capabilities from establishment, logistics and investment. Its strategic locations across the world include England, US, Singapore, and soon China, all of which facilitate foreign investments, managed by a talented and experienced team of specialists. Tareq A. Al-Sadhan, CEO, Riyad Bank, added: “NEOM represents an incredible opportunity for our …

Earth Hotels, a thoughtful and design-conscious hotel group for the ‘Earthly’ traveller, will open the first of its GCC-based properties in Q1 of 2025. Earth Shore, Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah will offer state-of-the-art rooms, a sustainable approach to build, and will provide visitors with an escape that inspires the adventurer within. Earth Hotels are designed to be softer on the environments that they inhabit, through careful consideration of construction methods, material selection, and energy conservation. The impressive new project Earth Shore, Marjan Island is being developed to reach an area of 300,000 sq, with 265 keys including resort rooms, GOAT terrace suites, and two-bedroom Sky Villas.  The destination will have direct beachfront access, a 13,000 sq ft social hub “sticky lounge”, and a signature stylish beach club with a dining and event space for up to 500 people. Alan Honein, Founder & Chief Executive Citizen at Earth Hotels, said: “Earth Hotels is set to be recognised for its dedication to sustainability and innovation. We are proud to have secured five individually unique hotels across the GCC and beyond, with an impressive total project value of more than 205 million USD. We hope to deliver our guests a unique set of lifestyle experiences that stand out in a crowded market.” Commenting on the buyer opportunity that the new RAK-based hotel will bring , Rami Moukarzel, Co-founder & Managing Partner at Earth Hotels, said: “We are excited to be offering individuals the dream of owning a slice of a beachfront lifestyle hotel through a unique and inclusive investment plan. This is a rare opportunity in leisure hospitality sector of the UAE, which promises to offer fruitful returns for hotel unit …

Hilton announced the signing of a management agreement for a new hotel in Jeddah. The hotel is owned by AlAhli REIT Fund, a listed investment fund managed by SNB Capital. In the coming years, Hilton expects to grow its portfolio in Saudi Arabia to more than 75 hotels across multiple award-winning brands. “Saudi Arabia represents a significant opportunity for Hilton to grow its portfolio and, with the announcement of this DoubleTree by Hilton property in an exceptional location, we look forward to further expanding our full service footprint across the country,” said Carlos Khneisser, vice president, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton. “Our partnership with the SNB Capital reaffirms Hilton’s desire to work with great partners and our strong commitment to the private sector.” A brand debut in Jeddah, DoubleTree by Hilton Jeddah Al Andalus Mall will open next year, following an extensive renovation programme that will see significant upgrades to both guest rooms, restaurants, recreation facilities and more. The hotel will offer guests 164 contemporary guest rooms and serviced apartments, two unique food and beverage experiences, state-of-the-art fitness offerings including a gym and an outdoor pool, and seven meetings and events spaces. This upscale hotel is situated on the King Abdallah Road, and is linked to Al Andalus Mall, one of Jeddah’s most popular shopping destinations and immediately adjacent to the first upcoming Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital with 330 beds. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from several renowned educational, medical and entertainment facilities, as well as Jeddah’s downtown and a 20-minute drive from the King Abdulaziz International Airport. DoubleTree by Hilton Jeddah Al Andalus Mall will participate in Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 19 …

Emirates will soon build an advanced training facility to accommodate 6 Full Flight Simulator Bays (FFS) for its future Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X aircraft. The brand new, 63,318 sq. ft. facility is slated to open in March 2024. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group, said: “This US$ 135 million investment to build a new pilot training centre will ensure Emirates’ readiness to commence its pilot training ahead of the delivery of its new aircraft fleet starting from 2024. The building will be equipped with the latest, technologically advanced simulators to provide the best training for pilots, while using solar power to reduce energy consumption.” The new building will be adjacent to the existing Emirates Training Facilities in Dubai, which will provide a great integration and close proximity to all the other pilot training centres. Pilot trainees will also benefit from being able to set-up and configure the cockpit environment using bespoke devices as part of the pilot training module and upload the data to the Full Flight Simulator (FFS) prior to commencing their training session. This innovative, first-of-its-kind concept is designed to shorten the trainee’s preparatory time inside the simulator, help them maintain focus and take full advantage of the training duration. With the addition of the new building to Emirates’ existing training colleges in Dubai, the airline will have the potential to expand its pilot training capacity by 54% per year. Across the airline’s training buildings, Emirates’ pilots will have increased flexibility and facilities to hone their flying skills with 17 full flight simulator bays offering a capacity of more than 130,000 training hours a year. In line with …

Accor lands key addition to the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts portfolio with signing of Fairmont Dubai Skyline. Set to open in 2024, Fairmont Dubai Skyline will become the third Fairmont property in Dubai and seventh in the United Arab Emirates. Group is partnering with RSG Group of Companies, a multi-billion-dirham organization spanning the Middle East, USA, and South Asia, across diverse sectors including Real Estate, Automotive, Industrial Equipment, Investments and Property Development. Abu Sabah, Founder, Owner and Chairman of RSG Group of Companies mentioned “Over the past decade, RSG has developed unique residential and commercial properties that are synergistic with Dubai’s standards of quality and lifestyle. We are very excited to launch our first luxury hospitality project, Fairmont Dubai Skyline, in partnership with Accor and are committed to upholding the iconic legacy of the distinctive Fairmont brand into its second century.” As with every Fairmont property around the globe, Fairmont Dubai Skyline will be located in a unique destination, Dubai’s world-renowned Sheikh Zayed Road, and will offer awe-inspiring architecture through asymmetric balconies, which will be cleverly lit upon nightfall, with a spiralling 4.5 kms of lighting to give an illusion of movement. Exceptional living spaces and high-end designer furnishings will be curated by award winning masters such as Kristina Zanic Consultants, with a breath-taking magnificence that will continue to captivate and delight guests overtime. Fairmont Dubai Skyline will become the first high rise on Sheikh Zayed Road after Downtown Dubai, offering unhindered views of Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Blue Waters and Ain Dubai. “This is a true milestone for us in the region and for Fairmont Hotel and Resorts to introduce such a unique building in one …

At an exclusive interview with Abdullah Al-Zahrani, Brand and Marketing Executive Director The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) with TravTalk ME it was revealed that 2023 will witness a soft opening of the destination and by early 2024 will complete its first phase with a total of 3000 keys in terms of hotels within the project. Al-Zahrani reiterated, “Next year, The Red Sea will soft launch its first phase and by early 2024 will include 3,000 rooms, an 18-hole championship golf course, luxury marina, and retail and entertainment facilities on a fully operational hub island. By then, The Red Sea International Airport (RSI) will also be operational. First hotels to open at The Red Sea in 2023 will include St. Regis Red Sea Resort with 90 keys, Nujuma, A Ritz Carlton Reserve with 82 keys, and Six Senses Southern Dunes, Red Sea with 76 keys. Upon completion in 2030, The Red Sea is expected to host up to one million visitors each year with 8,000 rooms across 50 hotels, and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The RSI will also be fully operational, providing a luxury seamless experience where sustainability is embedded in every aspect.”