Tag Archives: NextGen

IHG to open 12 ‘ Next Generation’ Holiday Inn Express hotels across Saudi Arabia under MDA with Tashyid for Hotel Operations

IHG® Hotels & Resorts signed a Master Development Agreement (MDA) with Tashyid for Hotel Operations, which will see the development of 12 hotels and 2,500 keys under the Holiday Inn Express brand across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With Ministry of Tourism encouraging such investments in the Kingdom, the signing took place in the presence Mr. Mahmoud Abdulhadi, Deputy Minister for Destination Enablement. The agreement will allow IHG to expand and diversify its mainstream offering across Saudi Arabia, in line with the demand being created by initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030. As a world-renowned brand, Holiday Inn Express champions simple, smart travel by providing a launch pad for guests to make their connection and is highly suitable and well-positioned for new-age smart travellers visiting Saudi Arabia across business, leisure, and meetings segments, including Saudi’s biggest and growing demographic of millennials and Generation Z travellers. As part of the agreement, IHG has also signed the first Holiday Inn Express hotel with Tashyid for Hotels Operations Limited which will debut the brand in Jeddah by June 2025. Marking a key milestone for the brand in the Kingdom, the 300-room hotel will be located on Al Madinah Road, one of the busiest areas in the city. Providing a best-in-class experience, guest rooms at Holiday Inn Express Jeddah will feature amenities such as high-speed WiFi, smart TVs, premium bedding, and pillow options to ensure guests have a restful stay. The hotel will also offer signature complimentary ‘Express Start Breakfast’, speedy check-in, and power showers to ensure guests are recharged for the day. Known for its success in the upper-midscale segment and understanding of the ‘Next Gen Smart traveller’, Holiday Inn Express hotels in Saudi …

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Yas island’s Seaworld Abu Dhabi to be the next-gen mega attraction

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, in partnership with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, announced it has reached 90% construction completion of the next-generation marine-life theme park, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Yas Island’s latest mega-development. The development, which is due to open this year as the latest addition to Yas Island’s tourism offering, includes the UAE’s first dedicated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return center. To be located next to the marine-life theme park, the research and rescue center will open this year. It will support regional and global conservation efforts, providing an advanced knowledge hub with a focus on indigenous Arabian Gulf and marine life ecosystems. The center will be led by world-class marine scientists, veterinarians, animal care professionals, rescue experts and educators, who will collaborate with peers, environmental organizations, regulators and academic institutions to impact long-term conservation efforts in the region. The rescue team will also be available to support the authorities 24/7. Built on five indoor levels with a total area of approximately 183,000sqm, the marine-life theme park is in the final stages of construction completion of the interior themed guest environments, habitats, rides, and immersive experiences. Utilizing SeaWorld’s vast experience operating world-class marine-life theme parks for over 55 years, the purpose-built habitats and ecosystems for the animals that will call SeaWorld Abu Dhabi home have been designed and built using the latest technologies, aiming to provide the residents a dynamic environment that replicates their natural habitat. The marine-life theme park, set to be home to the region’s largest and most expansive multi-species marine-life aquarium, will feature a myriad of immersive experiences and interactive exhibits, inviting guests from around the world to broaden their knowledge …

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Abu Dhabi International Airport to deploy next-generation biometrics

NEXT50, an Abu Dhabi based technology company, is well underway to delivering the first phase of the biometric initiative at Abu Dhabi international Airport. The project, which sees NEXT50 introduce its cutting-edge AI solutions alongside global artificial intelligence and technology solutions partners IDEMIA and SITA, will initially see the deployment of next generation biometric solutions at select self-service baggage touchpoints, immigration e-gates, and boarding gates before implementing the technology across all passenger touchpoints in the airport. “We are excited to be leading the biometrics project at the UAE capital’s state-of-the-art International Airport as part of the Emirate’s digital transformation vision,” said Ibrahim Al Mannaee, NEXT50’S Chief Executive Officer. “Once the project is fully realized, the airport will be the only airport in the region with biometric solutions implemented across all customer touchpoints, contributing to Abu Dhabi Airport’s vision to become the operator of the most technology-driven airport in the world, providing a seamless journey to all its passengers. We are proud to be joining forces with IDEMIA and SITA and offering our expertise in artificial intelligence and data sciences to make this initiative a reality.” H.E. Eng. Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, MD and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports said: “The phase one deployment of advanced biometrics at Abu Dhabi International Airport further cements our commitment to shape the future of airport experiences by delivering innovation and technology that drives efficiency, convenience and service excellence. Upon final completion of the project, Abu Dhabi will be home to the world’s first airport to include every touch point in the biometric journey, providing travelers with a seamless, safe and secure passenger experience.” Once the project is delivered, it will offer passengers a convenient, …

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Abdulla Al Abdulla of Central Hotels becomes first Arab leader to join UNICEF NextGen Global Principal representing the Middle East region

Abdulla Al Abdulla, the Group Chief Operating Officer of Central Hotels, one of the fastest-growing hospitality management companies in the UAE, joins UNICEF NextGen, a global committed community of leaders and philanthropists, dedicated to supporting UNICEF and its work for children. The first Emirati entrepreneur and philanthropist to join the team, UNICEF NextGen Global Principals champion UNICEF as a partner to their generation’s leaders, making investing in children a top priority in philanthropy, business and development. The leadership commits their resources, time, networks and skills to help address child rights issues including the climate crisis, mental health, and inequality in digital connectivity and content. “I am honored to be one of the NextGen Global Principals, representing the Middle East Region. As one of the young leaders in the UAE, I want to amplify my voice to raise awareness of certain humanitarian issues, especially in support of UNICEF’s projects. This includes but is not limited to child protection, education, climate crisis, mental health, and inequality in digital connectivity and content,” said Abdulla. As members of a fundraising incubator and thought leadership platform, Principals will combine their influence, ideas and expertise to work as a global team to engage and unlock new sources of support for UNICEF. The UNICEF NextGen Global Principals will meet up in In Geneva in December to discuss pressing global issues which align with UNICEF’s projects around the world. “We are at a pivotal moment in history,” said Casey Rotter, Global Lead for UNICEF Next Generation, “as we look to reimagine a better world for children, we believe that the next generation of leaders and philanthropists will continue to play key roles in helping to shape a better …

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