Tag Archives: London

Diriyah Company unveils cutting-edge concept design for ‘The Arena in Diriyah’ at MIPIM, revolutionizing entertainment in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf

Diriyah Company unveiled the unique and innovative concept design for The Arena in Diriyah, located on the outskirts of Saudi Arabia’s capital city Riyadh. The iconic 20,000-seat multipurpose sports, entertainment, and cultural venue marks a crucial milestone in Diriyah’s transformation as a key driver in Saudi Arabia’s vision for cultural and economic growth. This announcement is part of the USD 63.2 billion masterplan that underpins Diriyah’s development, redefining cultural and lifestyle offerings within Riyadh. It has been crafted by London-based HKS Architects to create a technologically advanced, globally significant arena that embodies the essence of its surroundings, geology, and culture. The announcement was made by the Diriyah Company at MIPIM in Cannes in the presence of the UK Minister of State for Business and Trade, Lord Dominic Johnson of Lainston. Located in the heart of The City of Earth, the 76,000 square meter Arena aims to establish itself as the premier venue in the Middle East, serving as a tourism hallmark, drawing visitors from across the globe and completely transforming the region’s events landscape. Commenting on the announcement, Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company said: “The Arena in Diriyah is a cornerstone element of our mission to blend tradition with innovation. It exemplifies Diriyah’s unique lifestyle offering that harmonizes community, culture, and natural connection, setting a new standard for world-class destinations rooted in Saudi heritage.” Inspired by the natural geology surrounding Diriyah and capturing the traditional Najdi architecture motif spanning centuries of heritage, the venue will possess the ability to seamlessly transition between different configurations within hours, offering the flexibility to host various events in quick succession. Its state-of-the-art design will ensure exceptional acoustics and optimal viewing angles from every …

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London’s Love Luxury opens the famous pre-loved store in Dubai; Luxury retail tourism – niche industry

According to Goldstein Research analyst forecast the UAE luxury goods market is set to expand at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period 2017-2025. Moreover, the market is projected to reach USD 7.8 Billion by 2025 owing to rapid urbanization and development of shopping centres and malls in order to expand their tourism industry and the; government aims to develop UAE as one of the biggest shopping destinations across the globe. A hidden or niche market which has always been overlooked but bring in the revenue to the destination is luxury re-sale retail travellers. This is a market which has always been on the sidelines as it is a trend only for those high-end travellers. From London to Dubai, the famous family-owned pre-loved store opened recently in Dubai to make it easier for high-end travellers to purchase or re-sell their goods in the luxury space. London’s leading luxury re-sale retailer ‘Love Luxury’ now opened in Dubai, located in Business Bay, the family-run store specialises in high-end pre-loved designer bags, jewellery and watches. As one of the UK’s largest retailers of pre-loved Chanel, Hermès, Van Cleef & Arpels and Rolex, Love Luxury has expanded to the UAE, bringing their expertise, and second-to-none service to the people of Dubai. As well as sourcing the most in-demand high end accessories from the world’s leading luxury fashion houses, Love Luxury also offer same day pay-outs for those looking to sell or trade their pre-loved designer products, as well as offering a consignment option. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Adam and Emily Abraham shared with TTME their reason to select Dubai and how this venture would bring in many clientele from GCC as they all select …

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HPDC and HDC signs a strategic partnership at Halal Expo London 

Halal Products Development Company (HPDC) signed a strategic partnership with Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) to amplify the growth of the Halal industry within Saudi Arabia and globally at Halal Expo London. According to the terms of the agreement, the two companies will exchange information on industry-leading practices and successful models of Halal ecosystems. In addition to fostering commercial relationships between stakeholders in a variety of Halal sectors, the agreement will broaden the scope of collaboration by facilitating engagement with Halal exporters and investors. Fahad S. AlNuhait, CEO of Halal Products Development Company, affirmed the importance of the alliance, commenting: “Through our partnerships and strategic agreements, we at HPDC strive to connect vendors, distributors, and businesses operating in the Halal industry across the world.” “We are excited to enter into this landmark agreement which allows us to leverage shared resources to make a significant contribution to the expansion of the industry. With this agreement, our aim is to establish a dynamic ecosystem in Saudi Arabia that enhances the local economy, invites international investors, and increases Halal trade worldwide.” In alignment with the sentiment, Hairol Ariffein Sahari, CEO of Halal Development Corporation Berhad, said, “This collaboration transcends mere business alignment; it embodies a shared vision to propel the Halal industry to new heights globally.  With HDC’s vast experience in building a comprehensive halal ecosystem, we will provide specialized advisory, investment strategies, innovation collaboration, technology transfer and Industry Thought Leader sharing. We believe HDC can provide a proven effective operational model, along with a sustainable Halal ecosystem not only brings substantial benefits to Saudi Arabia but also extends its positive impact to a global scale and beyond.” Both organizations will continue to collaborate …

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Etihad’s A380 returns to the sky on Abu Dhabi – London Heathrow route

Etihad Airways celebrated the return to service of its Airbus A380 on a special inaugural commercial flight from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow. The first of Etihad’s four Airbus A380s returns to the sky on the popular Abu Dhabi-London Heathrow route. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, says: “We’re excited to once again welcome guests onboard Etihad’s A380s and step into a truly remarkable experience. Whether our guests are choosing to fly in Economy, Business, First or our three-room suite in the sky The Residence, this aircraft provides an elevated flying experience which we take extreme pride in. The aircraft adds much needed capacity connecting Abu Dhabi with London Heathrow and allows us to build our network and increase frequencies across the network. With a surge in demand for travel over the summer, the return of our much-loved A380 comes at the perfect time.” Guests flying with in Economy are greeted on board in a dedicated welcome area. The Economy cabin features 68 Economy Space seats offering an additional 4 inches in leg room, and 337 Economy Smart seats that come with Etihad’s signature fixed-wing headrest and large pillows for added comfort. 70 Business Studios® are available on Etihad’s A380 upper deck, granting privacy to customers and creating a serene atmosphere. On the upper deck, guests can enjoy access to The Lobby, a serviced lounge and bar area located between the First and Business cabins. In addition, guests will benefit from Etihad’s unique partnership with Armani/Casa, delivering an elevated Business experience. The dining service features ceramics, glassware, cutlery and serving ware, as well as premium textiles and a memory foam mattress for a completely luxurious inflight experience. Guests can …

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SAUDIA launches its first flight to Gatwick Airport London

SAUDIA proudly launched its inaugural flight from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to Gatwick International Airport in London. Gatwick Airport holds the second position among the United Kingdom’s airports. This launch is part of the implementation stages of the airline’s new strategy, aimed at expanding its reach to new international destinations, and connecting the world to the Kingdom, based on marketing and operational studies. It aligns with the vision of SAUDIA Group to operate flights to 25 destinations across 3 continents. The inaugural flight of SAUDIA, SV119, departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to the city of London. The event was attended by Mrs. Cecille El Beleidi, the British Consul General in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Mr. Mohammed Baakdhah, Vice President of Ground Operations at SAUDIA. The inauguration ceremony was held at the AlFursan Lounge, signaling the departure of the first flight at the airport. Mohammad Baakdhah highlighted the importance of strengthening relations between the two countries through the launch of new destinations by SAUDIA to Gatwick Airport, and soon to Birmingham. These additions will join the existing flights to London Heathrow Airport and Manchester International Airport. He further explained that the increase in destinations is accompanied by an unprecedented development of the SAUDIA fleet, ensuring the achievement of operational targets, in addition to continuous improvement in the digital service system.

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Emirates increases flights across the GCC and Middle East ahead of Eid Al Fitr

Emirates will be expanding its schedule this week to offer 38 additional flights across six cities in the GCC and Middle East to meet significant demand for Eid Al Fitr holiday travel. This year, more than 110,000 travellers are expected to board Emirates flights during Eid Al Fitr across the region, with additional flights planned for Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, Kuwait and Beirut. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Emirates will be adding four extra flights between 19-29 April to and from Riyadh to cater to Saudi travelers looking to venture to Dubai and beyond.  In Jeddah, the airline will be operating three daily A380s, and will additionally layer on six flights operated by its Boeing 777 to serve the peak travel holiday period from the city between 20-25 April. Emirates will boost its flights to Dammam from 18 to 21 weekly, starting from 20 April until 31 May with additional flights scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays to connect travelers to their favorite holiday getaways.  Travelers from Medina will have the choice of an additional 16 flights in the month of April to accommodate those travelling inbound for Umrah, as well as travelers looking to start their holidays earlier. This year, Emirates customers in KSA will be venturing to Dubai for their Eid Al Fitr celebrations, in addition to the Maldives, London, Phuket, Mauritius, Manila and Paris. In Kuwait, Emirates will operate an additional eight flights for Eid with its Boeing 777 from 20-27 April.  Popular destinations for Kuwaiti travelers this year include Dubai, Maldives, Phuket, Bangkok, London, Mauritius and Milan. Emirates will offer an additional flight on 23 April on the airline’s existing Beirut schedule to accommodate for …

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Qatar Airways resumes services to Birmingham, England, ahead of Formula 1® British Grand Prix 2023

Qatar Airways flights to Birmingham, England will resume on 6 July 2023, operating daily throughout the summer season. The flight will be operated with the Boeing 787-8 with 254 seats: 22 Business Class and 232 Economy Class seats. This resumption will come at an opportune time for travellers attending the British Grand Prix taking place on 9 July 2023 at the legendary Silverstone circuit. Birmingham, one of the UK’s most significant industrial and commercial cities, is known for its number of well-preserved, unusual historical attractions. The city is also the national centre of the silversmith profession making the Jewellery Quarter, which produces 40 per cent of the UK’s Jewellery, a truly spectacular area to experience. Birmingham is also home to the Bullring, one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, making it one of the top three shopping destinations in the UK. The city is also home the largest event space in the UK, the National Exhibition Centre, attracting thousands of visitors throughout the year. The City of Birmingham is centrally located with 90 per cent of the UK being reachable within four hours, and is conveniently located only one hour away from the Silverstone circuit, where fans can take advantage of the new Qatar Airways route to join in the racing festivities. With its affiliation to F1, Birmingham is home to some of the world’s most recognised motorsport racing teams; making the resumption of Qatar Airways’ daily services to the ‘Motorsport Valley’ arrive in a timely manner. Qatar Airways Holidays is also offering one-of-a-kind travel packages which include flights, hotels, premium seats at the race, gourmet hospitality, Paddock Club™ Pit Lane Walk and an exclusive event with appearances by …

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SAUDIA marks 55 years of flying to Geneva, Frankfurt and London

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) recently celebrated the 55th anniversary of its first flights between the Kingdom and Geneva, Switzerland; Frankfurt, Germany; and London, the United Kingdom. To mark the occasion, SAUDIA designated a special flight from each of the three destinations, where guests were invited to celebrate at the airport terminals and onboard the flights. Guests across different cabin classes onboard the three flights were presented with commemorative souvenirs and access to the national carrier’s BISTRO service, providing them with a unique dining experience. Meanwhile, guests traveling on the Business Class enjoyed its Inflight Chef Service, with dishes cooked to their liking and expectations. As of the beginning of 2022, SAUDIA moved 348,800 guests aboard more than 3,500 flights to and from Geneva, Frankfurt and London, collectively covering 16.2 million air miles in 22.3 flight hours. The three destinations are served with SAUDIA’s latest, most efficient aircraft with comfortable seating and 5,000 hours of entertainment content to suit the tastes of every guest. The 55-year milestone solidifies SAUDIA’s standing as one of the world’s best airlines with extensive destination coverage. Through the celebration, SAUDIA sought to reward its distinguished guests for their trust and confidence in its services as well as their brand loyalty. On the occasion, SAUDIA also reiterates its commitment to providing ever-better services and launching new routes to more destinations to bring the world to Saudi Arabia in its capacity as the ‘Wings of Vision 2030.’

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Oman Air to add more destinations with Doha, Dubai and London

Oman Air is adding flights connecting Muscat with 25 cities including Doha, Dubai and London. Flights are added starting early January 2021. Flights connecting Muscat and Doha will also increase from 2 to 4 per week. Flights connecting Muscat and Dubai will increase from 3 to 5 flights per week. Flights connecting Muscat and London will increase from 2 to 3 flights per week. Additionally, flights will be added to and from Muscat to Mumbai, Cairo, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Lahore and Chennai. Oman Air will continue to maintain its comprehensive safety program throughout all elements of the travel journey to ensure that guests fly confidently. Masks are required when guests are on board the aircraft and in Oman’s airports. Distancing is maintained while guests board and exit the aircraft, which are carefully cleaned after each flight and at the end of every day. Cabin crew all wear a full set of personal protective equipment, meal service has been modified to further ensure safety and a number of other steps have been taken to ensure that the airline’s guests and crew are safe at all times.

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Emirates adds another A380 to Johannesburg

Emirates has introduced an additional Airbus A380 service to Johannesburg (OR Tambo International Airport), replacing the previous Boeing 777 aircraft on the route. EK762 (JNB-DXB) and EK761 (DXB-JNB) are now served by the flagship A380 aircraft. The Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft serving the Dubai-Johannesburg route will offer a total of 519 seats in a three-class configuration, with 429 spacious seats in Economy Class, 76 fully flat-bed seats in Business Class and 14 First-Class Private Suites. Upcoming festive season travel between the two global transit hubs is expected to be especially strong, building on over 700,000 customers who flew with the airline before November. With Emirates, customers from Johannesburg can enjoy a seamless A380 experience to their most popular destinations via Dubai, including London, Moscow, New York and Bangkok. All four daily Emirates flights between Johannesburg and Dubai operate as codeshare flights with partner South African Airways. The deployment of the double-decker aircraft on routes to and from South Africa gives even more regional travellers the chance to experience the aircraft’s industry-leading comforts. These include private suites and Shower Spas in its First-Class cabin, while Business-Class customers can enjoy the popular on-board lounge and lie-flat beds.

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