Tag Archives: Saudi Arabia

The Chedi Hegra officially opens its doors at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra, inviting guests to experience an unparalleled fusion of history, luxury, and cultural immersion. The Chedi Hegra features 35 thoughtfully restored rooms, suites, and villas, offering stunning views of the surrounding desert including the necropolis and nature-carved rock formations. The limited number of rooms reflects the hotel’s commitment to preserving the original structures, with many rooms created from existing buildings on-site, incorporating original stone walls and historic architectural features. This approach maintains the integrity of the original structures, blending their timeless craftsmanship with modern luxury. Guests can enjoy private terraces, plunge pools, and interiors inspired by the rich heritage of the Nabataeans, seamlessly connecting with the surrounding natural landscape. Built out of the vestiges of the Hegra Train station and set amidst the ancient Nabataean city surrounded by several other ancient heritage sites, The Chedi Hegra promises an exceptional journey that connects travellers to the rich heritage and captivating beauty of AlUla. Hegra, located in Northwest Saudi Arabia, dates to the 1st century BCE and was once a major city along the historic Incense Road. The railway route, constructed in 1907 under the supervision of German engineer Heinrich Meissner, served as an important link from Medina to Damascus, facilitating the movement of pilgrims and goods. With 200,000 years of human history and its remarkable heritage, the AlUla region is a significant hub of cultural and historical discovery. The Chedi Hegra, preserves the original railway structures, seamlessly blending the past with a tranquil modern experience. The architecture and interiors of The Chedi Hegra, led by Milan based design and architecture studio, Gio Forma, harmonize historical elements with contemporary sophistication, …

Hilton announced the signing of an agreement with Al-Gharaa International for Real Estate Development to open three hotels in the Islamic World District of Knowledge Economic City (KEC) in Madinah. The agreement marks the debut of Hilton’s extended stay brand, Home2 Suites by Hilton, in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) and reaffirms the global hospitality company’s commitment to diversifying its portfolio to meet the increasing demand for hospitality offerings across the Kingdom. Amin Shaker, Chairman of KEC, highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership, stating, “Under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, we are committed to delivering developments that embody the spirit of Madinah as a global destination. Collaborating with Hilton allows us to partner with globally recognised brands that cater to the needs of our residents and visitors, reinforcing our commitment to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and positioning Madinah as a hub for religious tourism.”The agreement was signed in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, representatives from Knowledge Economic City and Hilton. The properties will add 1,415 keys to Hilton’s growing portfolio in Saudi Arabia, offering guests access to short- and long-term accommodation and a wide range of value-added amenities and services, in line with the Kingdom’s vision of elevating the hospitality landscape in the Holy City as the country continues its plans of attracting 150 million visitors annually by 2030. Carlos Khneisser, Vice President, Development, MEA, Hilton, said, “Saudi Arabia is our fastest-growing market in the region with more than 70 hotels in the pipeline. We are fully committed to meeting the growing demand for world-class hospitality across all price points …

Marriott International, Inc. announced it has signed an agreement with Knowledge Economic City (KEC) to open three hotels within the Holy City of Madinah in Saudi Arabia. The anticipated openings will be part of the KEC master-development and feature over 1,200 rooms across three of the company’s brands – Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton and Residence Inn by Marriott. “Under the leadership and guidance of His Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan, we remain committed to advancing the hospitality sector in Madinah by bringing the highest standards of accommodation, innovation and guest experiences to the Holy City,” said Amin Shaker, Chairman of KEC. “We are delighted to collaborate with Marriott International to set new hospitality benchmarks in Madinah and support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 framework.” Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International commented, “We continue to see growth opportunities across the Holy Cities where there remains a strong demand for high-quality hotel accommodation. Knowledge Economic City is a pivotal project that will further help diversify Madinah’s economy and create a destination that provides a variety of experiences for travellers and celebrates the cultural and religious identity of the Holy City. We look forward to working with KEC to enhance the hospitality landscape in Madinah and support the ongoing transformation of the country’s tourism sector.” The planned properties include Courtyard by Marriott Knowledge Economic City, which is expected to comprise 456 thoughtfully designed guestrooms, two dining outlets, multiple meeting facilities, a fitness centre and public spaces for guests to connect and relax. Four Points by Sheraton Knowledge Economic City is anticipated to feature genuine service in a casual environment along with 558 modern guestrooms, multiple dining …

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the Saudi Railway Polytechnic (SRP) have announced a new agreement to boost the capabilities of young Saudis looking to launch a career in AlUla and the Kingdom’s rapidly growing rail sector. Officially signed by representatives of The Royal Commission for AlUla and The Saudi Railway Polytechnic in November in Riyadh, the partnership aims to strengthen the long-term and sustainable development of young Saudi talent. The first stage of the agreement is planned to provide vocational training programmes in railway maintenance and operation that will build sector-specific subjects such as rolling stock and infrastructure through hands-on training. The comprehensive regeneration of AlUla is powering the development of new mobility options across the county, including new rail and tram services such as the Experiential Tram that will link key heritage, tourist, and residential sites once complete. Building the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of AlUla’s workforce is critical to achieving RCU’s transformational and development goals, as well as the long-term ambitions of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan. The history of railways in Saudi Arabia stretches back to 1947 with the construction of the first line, which was followed by the inauguration of a railway linking Dammam with the capital Riyadh. The launch of the Haramain High Speed train Railway between Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, and King Abdullah Economic City in 2018 was a milestone for Saudi Arabia’s rail sector, providing greatly improved speed, safety, and comfort for passengers. In 2021, SAR was created after the annulment of the previous national train operator, the Saudi Railways Organisation. Mohammed Alshkrah, The Human Capability Development VP at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said: “The ongoing regeneration of AlUla supports the …

Deputy Minister of Strategic Planning & Monitoring at the Ministry of Tourism, Ageel Alshaibani, participated in the Ministerial Meeting on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism organized by the COP29 Presidency and hosted a side event titled “Tourism, Climate Action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” at Saudi Arabia’s National Pavilion at the climate change conference.  Alshaibani highlighted the importance of aligning tourism with climate and sustainability objectives, and detailed how the Saudi initiative on the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC) will drive this critical transformation. “Tourism has a unique opportunity to lead in advancing sustainable development,” said Alshaibani. “Through STGC, we are committed to creating a tourism sector that contributes positively to the environment, strengthens local communities, and provides a model for responsible growth. Our initiatives are designed to empower governments, businesses, and communities alike to take bold steps toward a sustainable future for tourism.” The Ministerial Meeting on Enhanced Climate Action in Tourism was hosted by COP29 Presidency, UN Tourism, the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan and UNEP, and gathered Ministers and high-level officials of more than 30 countries from across the globe to discuss the alignment of tourism policies and practices with climate action. Both the Ministerial Meeting and the side event hosted by Saudi Arabia showcased STGC’s mission as a multi-country, multi-stakeholder initiative organization dedicated to advancing the tourism industry’s shift toward sustainable practices. Launched by Saudi Arabia, and to be headquartered in Riyadh, STGC will bring together governments, industry leaders, academia, and civil society to join forces to address the industry’s environmental footprint, protect biodiversity, and uplift tourism-dependent communities. Alshaibani’s remarks emphasized the need for comprehensive actions that can drive measurable improvements across the tourism sector. As part of …

Diriyah Company annoucned that it has undertaken to open 7 Luxury Hotels, adding a total of 877 rooms. Diriyah Company has undertaken the official groundbreaking for seven world-class luxury hotels during the second edition of its annual event “Bashayer – Delivering our Future”. It marks the continued growing momentum in creating world-class properties that will eventually total more than 40 hotels and over 6500 rooms across the Diriyah and neighboring Wadi Safar development areas. These latest groundbreakings took place for Raffles Diriyah, Armani Diriyah, Orient Express Diriyah, Baccarat Diriyah, Corinthia Diriyah, Fauchon L’Hotel Diriyah and Rosewood Diriyah offering a total of 877 rooms across the seven hotels. The “Bashayer – Delivering our Future” event saw participation from global investors, hospitality companies, construction firms, infrastructure experts and representatives from the sports, arts, culture, tourism and retail sectors. Diriyah is anticipated to welcome 50 million visits a year in the future and the delivery and provision of a world-class range of hotels and hospitality option is an integral part of putting the right infrastructure in place to meet visitor demand from within the Kingdom, the region and worldwide. Commenting on the successful groundbreakings, Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: “At Diriyah we are committed to offering the highest world-class standards of hospitality and we are enormously proud to have broken ground on these seven prestigious properties. “We will be a destination where you can find every one of the best global hotel brands delivering unrivalled levels of luxury, experience and service as Diriyah welcomes increasing numbers of guests from inside Saudi Arabia and around the world. “This is the second Bashayer event where we have undertaken hotel groundbreakings and demonstrated the …

Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector continues its impressive growth, advancing 15 positions in international tourism receipts and leading the Top 50 ranking in upward movement. According to the UN World Tourism Organization, Saudi Arabia ranked 12th in 2023, making a significant improvement from its 2019 ranking. Saudi Arabia has led G20 countries in growth on the UN Tourism Barometer, achieving a 73% increase in international tourist arrivals and a 207% rise in international tourism receipts based on the latest data from the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2019. These impressive gains reflect the Kingdom’s success as a leading tourism destination. The steady increase in international tourist arrivals further underscores the trust visitors place in Saudi Arabia’s rich and diverse attractions. Globally, international tourist arrivals reached 96% of pre-pandemic levels in the first seven months of 2024, totaling an estimated 790 million tourists – an 11% increase over the same period in 2023. The Middle East maintained the lead as the strongest-growing region, with international arrivals rising 26% over 2019 levels.

Discover Saudi and the Muslim Golf Association (MGA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the world’s first Golf Umrah, Race to Makkah, in the Kingdom. As part of the MoU Discover Saudi will customise, promote & distribute a dedicated Golf Umrah package in collaboration with the Muslim Golf Association, combining the classic pilgrimage experience with premium golf activity for inbound and domestic golf enthusiasts. Participants will embark on an extraordinary journey, harmonising their passion for golf with the profound religious experience of Umrah. This event marks the launch of MGA’s World Championship, The Race to Makkah, an exclusive three-day golf tournament at the prestigious Royal Greens Golf & Country Club — celebrated as one of the Kingdom’s premier golf destinations, which has hosted several high-profile tournaments including the PIF Saudi International and LIV Golf Jeddah. Following their spiritual pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah, participants will engage in this unparalleled golfing experience. Founded in 2020, The Muslim Golf Association is the world’s first dedicated golfing platform catering to modern, professional, Muslim male and female golfers of all abilities. It has also recently launched a groundbreaking initiative in collaboration with the European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) to train new volunteers and deliver dedicated sessions for disabled Muslims. The partnership draws on Discover Saudi’s extensive on-the-ground expertise and vast network of local tour operators, and access to hospitality partners to elevate the travel experience for the tournament participants and attendees. Saudi Arabia’s growing clout in the international sporting arena, with the Kingdom playing host to a range of sporting events, attracting tourists and fans from around the world, gets a further boost with the Race to Makkah event expected to enhance …

BuzzAR is working with the Saudi Tourism Authority to integrate BuzzAR’s AI tour guide, BAE (Buzz AI Experience) to digitalise the country’s hospitality industry. With US$1.16 million from HSBC, BuzzAR has 4 times their revenue in Saudi Arabia and is on track to bring in US$3.2 billion of tourism dollars to Saudi Arabia by 2026. 100 million tourists are targeted for 2030 and Saudi Arabia is facing a shortage of registered tour guides. With BAE, tour guides can handle bigger groups, target a wider audience, and free up their bandwidth to further personalise services and enhance the tourist experience. BuzzAR acquired US$1.16 million through the HSBC New Economy Fund to catalyse their expansion. BuzzAR was founded by Bell Beh and Ken Lim in 2018 and has hit significant milestones since, including a US$3.8 million fundraise in 2022, and the launch of BAE, the world’s first AI travel companion in April this year. BuzzAR saw the MENA region as having the potential to be a prime tourist destination and began expanding into the market in 2022. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy, with a US$64b investment plan geared to help the entertainment sector contribute more than US$23b, or 3% of GDP by 2030. “BuzzAR is committed to digitalising the Saudi Arabian hospitality industry through BAE. The company has been breaking boundaries since their inception, and we are impressed with their expansion plans. Their track record in finding success in other markets makes them the ideal hospitality tech partner for companies and governments in the MENA region. I expect them to scale rapidly given the huge growth in tourism in the region.” says Ian Wilson, CEO …

Hamad International Airport (DOH) has reported serving 13.7 million passengers in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, reflecting a robust 7.9 per cent growth compared to the same period last year. Point-to-point traffic also experienced growth by 11.7 per cent, contributing to the airport’s overall performance. The passenger traffic growth was driven by strong demand for air travel, with July marking the airport’s busiest month ever, handling 4,742,068 passengers followed by 4,717,885 passengers in August and 4,246,742 in September. In the Middle East, the key growth countries were Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain while in Europe, the growth was led by Spain, United Kingdom and Germany. China market grew by over 43 per cent compared to the previous year. The number of aircraft movements at Hamad International Airport reached 71,425 during Q3 2024, which is 6.2 per cent more that the same period in the previous year. This included 24,179 take-offs and landings in July, 24,329 in August, and 22,917 in September. This strong performance highlights the airport’s growing role as a major global aviation hub, handling increased volumes of air traffic with efficiency and precision.