The 13 Members of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Middle East met in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the day after the United Nations specialised agency for tourism celebrated the official opening of its first Regional Office in the city. High on the agenda was adopting a coordinated approach to developing unified protocols for safe and responsible travel throughout the region.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has opened its first Regional Office for the Middle East, bringing the United Nations specialized agency closer to its Members and advancing on its commitment to guiding the development of tourism in every global region.
IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a Master Development Agreement (MDA) with RIVA Development Company via its wholly owned subsidiary RIVA Hospitality for Hotel Services Company to open at least 7 hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across IHG’s portfolio of brands. The announcement was made at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2021 in Dubai.
Continuing the tradition for the 24th successive year, Rotana is showcasing its developing and dynamic portfolio of superlative hospitality offerings at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2021.
Aligned with Kerten Hospitality’s ethos to foster a sustainability-focused growth right at the heart of local communities in global destinations, curating a project with a purpose has been pivotal for the organisation’s portfolio diversification and entry into new markets, such as Ras Al Khaimah.
While all of the Group's Dubai hotels are now open and have been granted the ALLSAFE certification, our development projects are growing to adapt and cater to the tourist potential within the region, which is becoming increasingly popular with travelers worldwide.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced it has signed an agreement with Al Saedan Group, a leading real estate company in the Middle East, to open three hotels across Saudi Arabia. The multi-project agreement includes the country and territory's first Renaissance Hotel, the world's largest Aloft Hotel and a Courtyard by Marriott in the Holy City of Makkah. All three properties are projected to open by 2025.
Resources for Leisure Assets (RLA) was congratulated for its "high level of expertise" and "excellent professional approach" for the Messilah Beach leisure development in Kuwait.
Miral, Abu Dhabi's curator of experiences, is appointing Hilton to bring two new and unique hospitality offerings to Yas Island, while it invests AED 627 Million in their development. The WB Abu Dhabi, the world's first Warner Bros. branded hotel, will be operated and managed by Hilton under its upper-upscale Curio Collection by Hilton brand, while the serviced residences will be managed by DoubleTree by Hilton.
Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) is proud to announce the launch of two new hotel and leisure destinations, opening late 2020 and early 2021. The country is currently undergoing an extensive tourism development strategy, as it works to diversify and build upon its offering for visitors, ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM.
The 16th edition of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), will take place in a brand new format over three days from 29 September - 01 October 2020 with an exciting programme filled with critical insights from industry leaders, and networking opportunities designed for the new world.
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has announced a partnership agreement with Accor as part of its strategy to develop AlUla as a tourism destination for nature, culture and heritage.The agreement will see Accor operate an expanded Ashar Resort under the Banyan Tree brand. There will be 47 new units added, which will bring the resort's total number up to 82 high-end villas, along with a luxury spa and several gourmet restaurants. This will be guided by a sensitive design that allows each villa to blend discreetly into the striking natural scenery of the Ashar valley, located 15km from the Kingdom's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra.The partnership with the leading global hospitality group has been signed ahead of AlUla's official opening to the world as a year-round destination in October 2020.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced that it has signed a landmark agreement with Nahdet Al-Mashaer to open a 2,600-room Fairfield by Marriott property in Makkah. The agreement is expected to deliver the first Fairfield by Marriott property to the Middle East and Africa region, create the largest Fairfield hotel in the world and bring one of the largest hotels to the growing religious destination of Makkah. Construction for the Fairfield by Marriott Makkah Al Naseemhas already commenced and the hotel is slated to open in 2023.
Mysk by Shaza took part in the 'Three Minute Pitch' at the Saudi Arabia Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC) in Riyadh on 21 January. Noelle Homsy, Development Manager of Shaza Hotels, delivered a highly-acclaimed presentation, showcasing Mysk's enriching transformational experiences infused with cultural connections.
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has announced two new properties in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Further strengthening its foothold in the luxury segment in KSA, IHG has signed a management agreement for InterContinental Dammam in partnership with Salem Mohammed Al Qahtani. To cater to the need for more branded midscale accommodation in Riyadh, IHG has also signed a management agreement for Holiday Inn Riyadh Al Malaz in partnership with Saleh Alsalamah and Partner Companies.
Millennium Hotels & Resorts Middle East, the region's fastest-growing hotel management company, announced the signing of its first Millennium Central property in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in partnership with Hasaad Real Estate, on stage at the Saudi Arabia Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC), held in Riyadh from 21-22 January, 2020.
Taiba Investments Co. (TDWL: 4090) today announced the signing of DoubleTree by Hilton Jeddah King Abdullah Square Hotel and Suites, marking its 1st hotel in Jeddah, the second largest city in Saudi Arabia.
With its rapidly developing pipeline in Saudi Arabia, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) expects to quadruple its portfolio in the Kingdom throughout the next five years to more than 50 hotels, with a total of 16,000 rooms open across the Kingdom.
Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group, will highlight its role as a pioneer of new lifestyle experiences in Saudi Arabia at the second Saudi Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC), which takes place this week (January 21-22) in Riyadh.
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has announced plans to open an office in Riyadh in March 2020. The news comes as IHG continues to expand its portfolio in the Kingdom in response to Vision 2030 and the opportunities it presents to the tourism and hospitality sector. The new office will also drive the performance of IHG's existing estate further in the country and simultaneously support the expanding portfolio, as well as the company's ambition towards leading Saudization efforts in the industry.