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.
Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA, the region's fastest-growing hotel management company, has revealed ambitious development plans for Saudi Arabia with a goal of operating 25 hotels kingdom-wide by 2025.
Chairman of Dubai based DAMAC Properties, Hussain Sajwani, through his private investment company, Vision Investments, has bought the Italian fashion group Roberto Cavalli
Tel Aviv-born hotel group Brown Hotels, has incorporated four Tel Aviv hotel properties by the Zvieli Group into its operations. Expanding its property portfolio, Brown Hotels will rebrand and manage all four acquired hotels.
The 16th edition of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), being held from 14-16 April 2020 at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, will explore how the Middle East's hospitality industry can harness the opportunities afforded by the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) in its bid to "transform tomorrow".
Rixos Hotels has marked a major milestone in its Middle East expansion strategy after signing an agreement to manage its largest all-inclusive luxury resort in the world on Egypt's Red Sea Riviera. Since Accor acquired a 50% stake in the company, it has identified opportunities including partnering with the Eastern Company for Investment and Touristic Development to takeover and renovate an existing beachfront property. Scheduled for completion in 2020, it will be re-launched as the Rixos Hurghada Makadi Bay - a 1,636-key mega resort with world-class leisure, sports and entertainment facilities for which the Rixos brand is globally renowned. The stand-out property will boast a stunning location in a secluded bay on the Red Sea, just south of Hurghada - a global hotspot for scuba diving, family getaways and golf breaks. Resort highlights will include individual villas, an extensive indoor and outdoor spa, fitness facilities, kids clubs, a waterpark, beach lounge, large conference centre, vast F&B wide-ranging F&B options and an expansive entertainment area with an amphitheatre. It is expected to become the preferred destination for discerning travellers and corporate group business from key source markets such as Europe and the CIS. "This marks a pivotal moment in the growth story of our brand, bringing to market our largest resort globally and offering our most comprehensive range of facilities and unique and dynamic entertainment experiences yet," said Fettah Tamince, Founder and Chairman of Rixos Hotels. "We are delighted to partner with the Eastern Company for Investment and Touristic Development to launch this flagship project, which will set a new benchmark for luxury all-inclusive all-exclusive resorts in Egypt and the wider Middle East."
DAMAC Hotels and Resorts, the hospitality arm of DAMAC Properties, signed a key partnership agreement with Rotana Hotel Management Corporation, a leading regional name in hospitality, on the opening day of the 26th Arabian Travel Market, the region's premier international travel and tourism event. Under this agreement, DAMAC Towers Arjaan by Rotana, Riyadh, an architectural landmark in the heart of Riyadh, featuring luxury hotel apartments furnished by Fendi Casa, will be operated under the Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana brand.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that it expects the number of Hyatt hotels in Saudi Arabia to double, with five additional Hyatt branded hotels to open by 2023, adding approximately 1,300 rooms to the region. The expansion includes the anticipated opening of Grand Hyatt Al Khobar, marking the first Grand Hyatt branded hotel in the Kingdom, set to open in late 2019. The expected opening of Jabal Omar Hyatt Centric Makkah Hotel and Residences will mark the entry of the Hyatt Centric brand into the country. Additionally Hyatt Regency Jeddah Serafi Mall is slated for a 2021 opening and a dual-branded Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Riyadh/KAFD is slated for 2022.
With three new hotels under development, Central Hotels is set to double its portfolio of hotels by 2022 in Dubai. The group revealed today at the Arabian Travel Market that by the end of 2022, it will have seven operating hotels in the emirate. The upcoming properties include Diamond Central Business Bay (220 keys), Island Central (set on Deira Island boasting 267 rooms and suites) and Central House Citywalk 60 keys) focused on millennials.
Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure business of global developer Emaar Properties, will open four new hotels in Dubai under its premium luxury Address Hotels + Resorts and upscale lifestyle Vida Hotels and Resorts, this year. Further, Rove Hotels, the joint venture of Emaar Properties and Meraas, will open a new hotel, adding to the contemporary midscale hotel choices in the city.