Tag Archives: Tim Cordon

Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Qurtuba, is the newest addition within the Radisson Hotel Group’s portfolio. The hotel boasts a mix of suites and private villas as well as various dining options and flexible meeting room space, which covers over 600 square meters.  The opening of Radisson BluHotel, Riyadh Qurtuba brings the group’s portfolio to over 45 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation and under development in Saudi Arabia, accelerating Radisson Hotel Group’s leading expansion across the Kingdom. “We are delighted to expand our Radisson Blu brand in the city of Riyadh, especially during these times.  In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, we are excited to further grow our presence across the Kingdom, and work together to make Saudi Arabia a must-visit destination. Despite the challenges, due to the current circumstances, Radisson Hotel Group has started moving towards normality with a host of expansion and opening announcements over the past months. The Kingdom remains a key development area and our ambitions across the region have remained the same,” says Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East and Africa, at Radisson Hotel Group. Fabrizio Bigi, General Manager Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Qurtuba, commented, “No matter if for business or leisure, with our dedicated team and modern facilities, we aim to create more meaningful and memorable experiences for our guests. With a mix of rooms, suites and villas we offer something for everyone. Our three bedroom villas are the ideal way for families to explore the city while remaining in their own comfort and privacy.”

Radisson Hotel Group announced the debut of its fourth brand in the United Arab Emirates, with the opening of Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills. This latest addition brings the group’s presence to 14 hotels in the United Arab Emirates and 77 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation and under development across the Middle East. Located in a newly-developed, family-friendly neighborhood, the Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills is a perfect home base for both business and leisure travelers alike. The hotel is conveniently situated close to a range of activities and attractions including the nearby IMG Worlds of Adventure, Global Village and Dubai Autodrome. An ideal location for golfers, Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills is in close proximity to five golf courses such as Trump International Golf Course and Els Golf Club, some of the finest in the Middle East. “We are delighted to introduce our fourth brand, the fast-growing upscale Radisson, to the United Arab Emirates and open the doors of our fourteenth hotel in the country. The UAE remains a key market for us with a robust pipeline of hotels scheduled to open within the next 24 months. The tourism sector in Dubai continues to grow and flourish as a result of the Emirates’ remarkable vision in creating a world-class destination for entertainment and culture and we are excited to contribute to this growth,” says Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East and Africa, at Radisson Hotel Group. Siddhartha Sattanathan, General Manager Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills, commented, “No matter if for business or leisure, with our dedicated team and modern facilities, we aim to create more meaningful and memorable experiences for our guests. Located in the …

Radisson Hotel Group announced the opening of its first Park Inn by Radisson in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s capital city. The opening of the hotel strengthens the brand’s presence in Saudi Arabia to nine hotels, and brings the group’s portfolio across the country to over 45 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation and under development, accelerating Radisson Hotel Group’s expansion.Riyadh is the largest city and capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a flourishing financial business hub and a vibrant social scene. This modern, cutting-edge metropolis boldly strides towards the future, while remaining firmly rooted in tradition and its historical past. As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the country is continuing its commitment to international tourism by welcoming them to experience first-hand the country’s rich history, traditional old souks, and myriad of forts, palaces and museums, which have transformed Riyadh into an ideal location for both business and leisure travellers. Park Inn by Radisson Riyadh embraces the brand’s ‘feel good’ atmosphere with its fresh and energetic hotel offering and vibrant environment, connected through design, technology and social spaces. Located in the Al Malaz business district, the hotel features 192 contemporary rooms and suites. Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “We are delighted to open our first Park Inn by Radisson in the city of Riyadh, especially during this challenging time. In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, we are excited to further grow our presence across the Kingdom, and work together to make Saudi Arabia a must-visit destination. We remain committed to expanding our position in the Saudi market, as the Kingdom remains a key focus area …

Radisson Hotel Group announced the launch of its new Hybrid Solutions incorporating Hybrid Rooms and Hybrid Meetings. Radisson Hotel Group’s Hybrid Meetings combine the best of meeting in person and virtually, offering a reliable image, sound and video conferencing system, dual screens, wireless presentation clicker, high-speed internet connection, and more. As the world continues to adapt to ‘new normals’ and ongoing travel limitations, meeting and event organisers can now choose to offer virtual participation options and hybrid formats that allow for small local gatherings, while also broadcasting to remote attendees and satellite locations. Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “With the various government imposed restrictions, travelling to meet in person has become somewhat impossible. However, as a hotel group with hospitality at its core, we certainly understand the importance of connections and the need to adapt and exercise flexibility, which has led to the creation and introduction of Hybrid Solutions.” Radisson Hotel Group has partnered with Zoom, the leader in modern enterprise video communication, to provide a smooth experience for their clients’ virtual and hybrid meetings and events. Specialist in-house event teams will assist clients in delivering a range of events from hybrid multi-site meetings to broadcasting events, ensuring events are efficient, effective, and engaging, with flawless execution and no audio / visual problems. Hybrid Rooms perfectly combine the facilities of a state-of-the-art office with the comforts of a superior hotel room to create a productive, dedicated, and quiet workspace for the business traveller, leisure guest, and local day-guest alike. Hybrid Rooms offer easy connectivity to second screen devices, video-conferencing facilities, wireless enabled keyboard, mouse and loudspeaker, printing services, stationery, unlimited coffee …

Park Inn by Radisson announced the opening of its first hotel in Jeddah. The newest addition brings the group’s portfolio to over 45 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation and under development, accelerating Radisson Hotel Group’s expansion across the country. In addition to celebrating the opening of its latest addition to its growing portfolio in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Radisson Hotel Group is also marking another milestone in the Group’s commitment to Balanced Leadership, and its drive to improve diversity and inclusion within its business. Maram Kokandi, General Manager of the Park Inn by Radisson Jeddah Madinah Road made history, with her appointment as the world’s first female Saudi General Manager in the global hospitality industry. Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “Our aim is to become the go-to hotelier for local guests and business travelers whilst empowering the Saudi working population simultaneously. As a pioneer and strong advocate of balanced leadership, we were the first hotel group to appoint a Saudi female GM in the Kingdom and it has been an honor to support Maram in her momentous progression.” Maram Kokandi, General Manager Park Inn by Radisson Jeddah Madinah Road and first female Saudi GM in the Kingdom said, “I can’t begin to describe how much being the first female Saudi GM means to me, both personally and professionally. It’s my aim to make a difference by empowering the younger generation and supporting them with their dreams. Introducing a new brand to the Jeddah market, allows us to showcase the brand’s unique affordability, convenience and difference.”

The Radisson Collection Hotel in Riyadh – Nofa Resort Riyadh, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience in an exclusive retreat, and is now publicly bookable exclusively through their website. As tourism in Saudi Arabia begins to transform in line with Vision 2030, residents of large cities like Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam are embracing it by touring unexplored destinations. While many would usually leave Saudi Arabia during the summer months, the international travel ban has halted all trips abroad, resulting in an increased demand locally. Nationals and expatriates are venturing out, using the opportunity to discover Saudi’s rich heritage and culture as well as its breath-taking scenic beauty. “The Nofa Resort Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel, is an iconic and exceptionally exclusive product which we previously operated as a private members-only resort. We have received numerous requests from individual guests wanting to experience the beauty of this Safari jewel in the Saudi desert and we are excited that the hotel is now publicly bookable and accessible to everyone.” said Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa “ The international travel ban in Saudi Arabia has also been a driving force for the local demand with many searching for a peaceful sanctuary to escape to, while feeling completely free and safeguarded from the contraction and spread of COVID-19.” he added.

Radisson Hotel Group, despite the current climate, is on track to open two new hotels in Saudi Arabia, further strengthening their leading position within the region. Both hotel openings will debut the Group’s fast-growing midscale Park Inn by Radisson brand in Jeddah and Riyadh. As one of the fastest growing companies in the Kingdom, Radisson Hotel Group’s portfolio in the region consists of over 45 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation and under development. The group has recently announced 15 new hotel signings across EMEA in Q2 2020, six of which fall within the Middle East and Africa region. The MENA region remains one of the key focus markets for Radisson Hotel Group’s global development strategy.Known as the brand that drives a ‘feel good’ atmosphere, Park Inn by Radisson Jeddah Madinah Road and Park Inn by Radisson Riyadh are fresh and energetic hotels offering good food and vibrant environments, connected through design, technology and social spaces. While Jeddah is known to attract travellers from across the globe due to its gateway to Makkah and canvas for public art, Riyadh is the largest city and capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, making both cities an ideal location for business and leisure travellers. “Our teams are working tirelessly to keep these hotel openings on track, despite the challenges the pandemic presents,” said Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa. “Radisson Hotel Group aims to supplement the Saudi market with modernised and exceptional hotel experiences across leisure, dining, fitness, wellness and sustainability. Our aim is to become the go-to hotelier for local guests and business travellers whilst empowering the Saudi working population simultaneously. As a strong advocate of …

A panel of industry experts explained during the opening day of ATM Virtual as to how developing a global set of transparent hospitality standards relating to health, safety and hygiene will be key to regain the trust of travellers in a post COVID-19 landscape. The panel which was moderated by industry consultant Gemma Greenwood, also included Tim Cordon, Senior Area Vice President for Middle East & Africa, Radisson Hotel Group, Christopher Lund, Head of Hotels, Colliers International, Middle East & North Africa, Simon Casson, President of Hotel Operations, EMEA, Four Seasons and Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. “Building confidence will be key as we look ahead to the post-COVID-19 hospitality recovery. Not only is it important that our workers have confidence that their health and wellbeing is of prime importance, but for consumers too. They will need full reassurance that our properties are safe, secure and following the highest standards when it comes to hygiene and cleanliness,” said Cordon. Phillips said, “It’s important that hotels don’t drop their room rates. Hotels need to adapt to a new normal with increased sanitisation at the forefront, while being creative with their offerings and embracing innovative technologies which can help differentiate them from their competitors.” “One way of achieving this consumer trust, and I believe the hospitality industry in the UAE is leading the way in this respect, is by partnering with accreditation agencies such as the Bureau Veritas to ensure your property is following disinfectant and sanitisation protocols implemented by government bodies and abiding by the highest levels of hygiene,” said Lund. Casson added, “While we are doing everything we can to ensure the wellbeing and safety of …

Radisson Hotel Group announced the opening of Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis, in the Middle East. Located at Dubai Digital Park, Dubai’s first ever smart city project built with the latest AI and IoT technologies, the hotel brings RED’s forward-thinking style to the desert. The brand presents a playful twist on conventional hotel stays with a culinary hangout with a casual feel and a buzzing social scene. Using integrated technology and bold design personality, Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis comprises of 104 contemporary designed rooms, eight suites and 59 apartments created with millennials in mind. Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “Radisson RED is a completely new and different hotel concept. It is bold and alive, and provides an experience like no other, created today for tomorrow’s biggest travellers, in one of the fastest growing sectors of the market: lifestyle select.” Stuart Birkwood, Enigmatic Curator, Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis, commented, “We love our location in Dubai’s first smart city, and we look forward to Silicon Park growing around us into the epicentre of the UAE’s advancing technology. Radisson RED brings innovation, fun and a fresh approach to the city’s social scene – with artwork created by local talents and integrated technology such as our digital social streaming content wall.”

Radisson Blu Group announced the opening of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Canal View. The hotel has 206 stylish rooms with spectacular views. Continuing the Group’s expansion in key global cities, the new design-focused hotel is the group’s seventh hotel in Dubai. A hotel steeped in soul and design is located within the largest and most impressive waterfront development in the world, boasting spectacular views over the Marina and Downtown Dubai District. The 206 stylish rooms with bright vistas also offer remarkable comfort, unique amenities and showcase picturesque views of the Dubai Canal and Downtown Dubai. Guests can also enjoy free access to the hotel’s fitness center, pool, spa, and kids club. Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East and Africa, at Radisson Hotel Group said, “We are very proud and excited to open our sixth Radisson Blu hotel in Dubai, one of the world’s most attractive travel destinations and key regional commercial hubs. We are delighted to open another flagship Radisson Blu hotel in this city and contribute to its growth.” David Allan, Cluster General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Canal View and Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah, Marjan Island commented, “We are thrilled to be launching this hotel in an outstanding location in Dubai, with a unique offering and such a talented and passionate team. We have been very creative in our recruitment. Personality was just as important to us as work experience when selecting our incredible team as we wanted guests to feel the difference at Dubai’s new, distinctive, design-led hotel and experience delightful service.”