Tag Archives: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Al Rajhi Aviation Company, a leading travel company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has signed an agreement with leading technology provider to global travel and tourism industry, Sabre Corporation, to expand its operation, deliver seamless travel experience and deploy their corporate travel strategy. Under this agreement, Al Rajhi Aviation gains access to Sabre’s broad portfolio of technology solutions, including its industry-leading Sabre Red Workspace agency solution; Sabre Red App Centre, the world’s first B2B online travel app marketplace, and the latest mobile, data analytics, personalisation and automation capabilities in addition to Sabre’s franchise solutions and the leading corporate travel solution- GetThere. Using these technology, Al Rajhi Aviation Company will be able to achieve their vision to delivering world class travel services to their customers. “The Saudi traveller is a high adopter of latest technology and expect an uncompromised level of service that is customized specially for him and can be accessed through the devices he uses,” said Daniel Naoumovitch, CEO, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “Al Rajhi Aviation Company realizes the importance of deploying advanced technology to delivering personalized experience to the tech-savvy travelers and achieve travel excellence. We are proud to work with Al Rajhi Aviation Company to deploy new online, mobile, franchise and personalization solutions that will attain high level of satisfaction and customer’s loyalty. We are committed to support their expansion strategy and growth with latest technology and talented team to deliver products and solutions that meet their diverse customer needs and support their business goals.”

Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia), the national carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is entering into an agreement with Expedia Affiliate Network (EAN) in the launch of Saudia Holidays to offer tailored, world-class travel packages to the airline’s passengers. Saudia, which carried more than 29 million passengers last year, and has a network of 86 domestic and international destinations, is launching Saudia Holidays to provide exceptional value and choice across the Kingdom and internationally. Through its agreement with EAN, Saudia Holidays will offer travellers access to more than 260,000 quality hotel accommodations in over 29,000 destinations, including Makkah, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dubai, London, Paris and New York. It will access EAN’s full range of preferential rates and deals, creating competitive pricing for Saudia Holidays’ customers.  EAN was selected because of its worldwide accommodation portfolio, its dynamic packaging strengths and the flexibility of its technology, which includes the ability for travelers to pay for a hotel reservation at the time of booking or upon arrival. Also key was EAN’s ability to offer a fully outsourced, turnkey solution in collaboration with Bahrain-based travel technology and services specialist TCIG. Together, the businesses’ responsibilities include building and maintaining the Saudia Holidays ecommerce website; the fulfilment of air, hotel and vehicle reservations; the operation of customer call centres; and the delivery of outstanding service to all Saudia Holidays customers.f

Sabre Corporation has launched its 2017 Technology Day series in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, offering a view into the top technology trends and innovations impacting the travel industry and what Sabre is investing in for the future.  The series started off with two dedicated sessions for travel companies in Riyadh, which were offered the opportunity to hear and discuss trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of travel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region, including the important role of online, mobile, and personalisation. Other sessions were conducted around the Kingdom in Jeddah and Khobar. “Diversifying economies and investing in different industries are the best strategies to overcome the economic challenges we are facing in the Middle East,” said Daniel Naoumovitch, CEO, Saber Travel Network, Middle East. “The Saudi vision 2030 realizes the importance of the travel and tourism sector and its role to support the country’s GDP. Our investments and efforts in Saudi Arabia will continue to be aligned with the Saudi directions and it remains a priority for us to provide the industry’s stakeholders with latest solutions and innovations that will enable them to attract more customers, increase revenue and compete on a global level which will result in contributing to the success of this vision.” Naoumovitch also spoke about the latest trends, emerging technologies and Sabre’s investments in this field. He said:  “Mobile, online and emerging technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligent are having a profound impact on travel, and in the next few years, we’re going to see a lot of changes to how traveler’s needs are met. Saudi travelers are fast adaptors of latest technologies and they are leading the …

Langham Hospitality Group announced an agreement with Advanced Hotels Company to manage a luxury urban hotel in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Langham, Jeddah will feature extensive banqueting and meeting space totalling in excess of 3,500 square metres. These will include a 480-seat grand ballroom that is linked by a private elevator to a 380-seat ballroom that is located directly above the former (both outfitted with private pre-function areas for added exclusivity), a variety of adaptable conference rooms with the latest in audio-visual equipment, prayer rooms, and three dedicated bridal and groom suites.Strategically located within the downtown core directly across a new shopping complex and with a 360-degree view of the city and Corniche, The Langham, Jeddah is expected to open in the summer of 2018. The agreement was signed in the presence of H.E. Mohammed A. Al-Amri, General Manager, Jeddah, Makkah Province for the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage. Robert Warman, Chief Executive Officer of Langham Hospitality Group said, “We are delighted to introduce the Langham brand to Jeddah as we have been searching for the ideal location in the Kingdom to add to our portfolio. The creative design of the hotel’s façade and interiors along with the luxury facilities of The Langham, Jeddah, underlined by our legendary award-winning service, will provide an exceptional destination for our guests.” Mohammed Yousef Al Hasan, Chairman and Founder of Advanced Hotels Company stated, “We are proud to partner with Langham Hospitality Group to bring the impeccable service standards and unrivalled heritage from Europe’s first grand hotel to the city of Jeddah.” Guests who prefer to live the high life may choose to stay in the opulent two-bedroom Royal Suite …

Etihad Airways’ latest Boeing 787 Dreamliner route was launched with the art aircraft touching down in Riyadh, capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The aircraft operates on one of the twice-daily flights between Abu Dhabi International Airport and Khalid International Airport. The occasion was marked with an official welcome ceremony attended by the airline’s senior management led by Hareb Almuhairy, Etihad Airways Senior Vice President Corporate and International Affairs, together with Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Airways Vice President UAE and GCC Commercial, Sultan AL Mansoori, GCC Country Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and Adel Al Ragadi, Terminal Operation Manager, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The Dreamliner offers more seats and features the airline’s award-winning interiors in a two-class configuration – 28 Business Studios, each providing aisle access and equipped with an in-seat massage and air cushion control system, and 271 Economy Smart Seats with unique ‘fixed wing’ headrests. Riyadh becomes Etihad Airways’ newest B787 destination this year following the induction of the aircraft on flights to Perth, Dusseldorf and Shanghai, with Abu Dhabi – Johannesburg set to become a Dreamliner route on 1 November. Etihad Airways’ current fleet of nine B787s also operates to Singapore, Washington DC, Brisbane and Zurich. The aircraft is equipped with full mobile and Wi-Fi services as well as the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system featuring seven satellite channels of live TV including BBC World News, Sport 24 and CNN to name a few.   Etihad Airways currently operates 14 weekly non-stop flights to and from Riyadh; 21 weekly services to Jeddah; 21 weekly flights to Dammam, in addition to a daily operation to Medina.

Rotana and SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia, officially announced the opening of Centro Shaheen Jeddah, the group’s first property to open under ‘Centro by Rotana’ brand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SHUAA Capital is the Fund Manager and Developer of this joint project. Located on Madinah Road, just 20 minutes away from King Abdulaziz International Airport, Centro Shaheen offers 252 rooms and studios all in a contemporary and stylish setting. Great care has also been taken to optimise room configurations and styles. Some of the special features include the design as well as innovatively styled bathrooms, and the latest technology and in-room entertainment options. Addressing the official opening, Omar Al Jaroudi, CEO of SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia said that they are witnessing a significant milestone that is the launch of Centro Shaheen Jeddah, one of the joint projects courtesy of the strategic SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia and Rotana collaboration. This great hospitality product and brand, is expected to be a key contributor to the Kingdom’s already bustling leisure and hospitality sector. Having already proven a unique concept in the United Arab Emirates and Qatari markets, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was only the next natural step for this admirable lifestyle brand. Recent reports show that the much-applauded Saudi Vision 2030, which has captured world attention, lends strong support to the hotel and tourism sector as a significant source of investment, while promising job opportunities in a series of sweeping economic reforms.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts opened its first hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – the 438-room Conrad Makkah. Set in the heart of the Holy City and overlooking the Sacred Mosque, Al Masjid al Haram, and the Holy Kaabah, the hotel is designed for today’s smart luxury traveller, combining intuitive service with sophisticated, locally inspired surroundings. John T.A. Vanderslice, global head, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, said that Conrad creates inspired experiences for their guests in some of the world’s most sought-after destinations and they are delighted to open their first luxury hotel in the Holy City and begin welcoming pilgrims and guests. Rudi Jagersbacher, Area President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide, said that the arrival of Conrad Hotels & Resorts to Makkah marks the addition of their second brand into the city and their 11th hotel into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With another 28 Hilton Worldwide properties in development, they are extremely proud to offer incredible variety and choice for travellers to the region. Conrad Makkah connects guests to a world of style in 438 elegant rooms, including 62 suites in two towers. For an exquisite stay, the luxurious suites – ranging from 56 square meters to 247 square meters for the Royal Suite – have a separate living area, a comfortable dining space with a kitchen, access to a private butler service, and direct views of Al Haram and the Holy Kaabah. The hotel also features stunning interior décor inspired by both modern and traditional Islamic design and complemented by contemporary art works.