Edamah and Sunset Hospitality Group announced a partnership with the introduction of Bahrain’s first Azure Beach Club. This dynamic new addition to Bilal Al Jazayer and Bahrain’s hospitality sector is set for Q2 2026, promising a world-class beachfront experience. Azure Beach,  is a vibrant lifestyle destination redefining beachside luxury in the Mediterranean and Middle East. With locations in Dubai, Marbella, Doha, and Beirut, it offers infinity pools, ultra-luxe cabanas, infinite stretches of sand, exciting entertainment, and an innovative culinary experience of Asian and Mediterranean flavors. Azure Beach Bahrain will also house Ammos restaurant, with a configuration mirroring the successful pairing of Azure Beach and Ammos in Dubai. Adding to the allure of the Azure Beach experience, AMMOS, meaning “sand” in Greek, serves traditional Greek island fare in a setting that reflects chic coastal ambiance. Antonio Gonzalez, Chairman and Group CEO of SHG, commented: “We’re excited to collaborate with Edamah to introduce Azure Beach and Ammos to Bahrain, marking another exciting step in SHG’s mission to redefine lifestyle experiences across the region. Together, we aim to transform Bilaj Al Jazayer beach into a dynamic destination, aligning with Bahrain’s Vision 2030 to elevate tourism and entertainment.” Chris Calvert, CEO of Edamah added: “The partnership with SHG reflects Edamah’s commitment to creating world-class experiences that elevate Bahrain’s tourism landscape. Bilaj Al Jazayer is one of Bahrain’s most treasured coastal developments and the introduction of the Azure Beach Bahrain will further establish it as a premier leisure destination in the region.” Azure Beach Bahrain at Bilaj Al Jazayer represents a significant expansion in SHG’s portfolio, reaffirming its position as a leading lifestyle and hospitality company. The project also underscores Edamah’s vision to enhance Bahrain’s …

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 …

SAUDIA has launched its seasonal flights to Phuket, marking its second destination in the Kingdom of Thailand after the capital, Bangkok. Musaed Almusaed, Assistant Vice President, International Regions at SAUDIA, stated: “SAUDIA has scheduled flights between Jeddah, Riyadh, and Phuket, offering 12 weekly flights in both directions. We are committed to enhancing our competitive position and expanding our reach to new destinations, whether scheduled or seasonal. This aligns with the unprecedented and fundamental development of our services, aimed at enriching the travel experience at all stages and exceeding our guests’ expectations.” SAUDIA operates flights to over 100 destinations across four continents, leveraging its current fleet of 144 diverse Boeing and Airbus aircraft. With plans to add 130 new aircraft, SAUDIA aims to expand seating capacity and increase the frequency of flights to existing destinations while also reaching new international markets, contributing to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by bringing the world to the Kingdom.

flynas announced launching three weekly direct flights between Prince Muhammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah and Sphinx Airport in Cairo, increasing frequency of its flights to the Egyptian capital, in line with flynas growth and expansion plan and parallel with the national goals in the aviation sector. As of 11 December, three weekly flights, On Sunday, Wednesday and Friday will be operated on the new route, further expanding flynas flight network served from its newest operations base at Madinah Airport, in line with flynas expansion strategy, launched under the title “We Connect the World to the Kingdom,” in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030, and the objective of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques. flynas connects the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with more than 120 weekly direct flights from 5 Saudi cities, namely Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah, and Al-Ula, to Cairo, Sohag, Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada and El Alamein. The Egyptian capital of Cairo is connected to the Kingdom with flynas direct flights to Cairo International Airport and Sphinx International Airport, which is now served with direct flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and soon from Madinah. flynas connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations with more than 1500 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, aiming to reach 165 domestic and international destinations, which is in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

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 …

Solartrip is setting a new standard for how travelers plan and experience their journeys, designed with advanced technology, intuitive design, and a unique reward system, Solartrip caters to the modern, tech-savvy traveler seeking convenience, personalization, and innovation.  According to the recent report, technology plays a significant role, with 60% of UAE travelers trusting AI for seamless trip planning. This trend spans generations, from Gen Z to Boomers, indicating a widespread adoption of tech for convenience and personalization. Immersive digital experiences, such as AI-enhanced dining, are also gaining popularity. As travel continues to evolve and web3 industries flourish, Solartrip brings the future to the present, streamlining the entire journey planning process into a seamless, enjoyable experience. The platform integrates AI-driven personalization, cryptocurrency payment options, and gamified loyalty rewards to elevate global travel for UAE residents and visitors. “Our mission is to make global travel effortless and accessible, leveraging cutting-edge technology to provide a seamless booking experience”, – says Michael Sokolov, CEO & Co-founder, Solartrip. “We fuse travel and tech to push the boundaries of self-discovery. With our recent launch in Dubai, we’re bringing this vision to one of the world’s most vibrant hubs, connecting travelers to innovative tools that enhance their journeys.” Redefining Neo Travel with Innovative Features: ● Effortless Booking with One-Click Simplicity: Solartrip’s design and machine-learning algorithms simplify the booking process, reducing the number of steps and required information, making travel planning faster and more efficient. ● Endless Travel Possibilities: With access to over 2.5 million accommodations and 800+ flight routes worldwide, Solartrip provides a wide range of options at competitive prices, helping travelers find the right choices for their needs. ● 24/7 AI-Driven Support: Solartrip offers continuous support …

Sabre Corporation announced that it has started distributing New Distribution Capability (NDC) offers from Emirates. This collaboration marks an expansion of Sabre’s footprint globally and offers travel agencies enhanced access to real-time, personalized content based on offers and orders. By seamlessly integrating and normalizing NDC offers, Sabre empowers travel agencies and corporate buyers with a streamlined platform for comparing, booking, and managing Emirates’ NDC offers alongside traditional options. Leveraging advanced application programming interfaces (APIs), Sabre’s flagship booking application for travel agencies, Sabre Red 360, and its online booking tool, GetThere, enable agency and corporate customers to shop, book and service Emirates’ NDC offers. This content comprises personalized travel choices, enriched with dynamic pricing, ancillaries, and tailored solutions that adapt to the evolving preferences of travelers. “We are excited to introduce Emirates’ NDC content within our travel marketplace, affirming our dedication to meeting our customers’ ever-changing demands with scalable, inventive solutions,” said Kathy Morgan, Vice President, Product Management – Distribution Experience, Sabre Travel Solutions at Sabre. “This initiative underscores our dedication to driving innovation and operating a dynamic travel marketplace that offers efficient access to multi-source content, including NDC. The availability of Emirates’ NDC content will significantly enhance travel options for agencies and corporate buyers, providing personalized offers and streamlined booking experiences.” Sabre has been at the forefront of adopting and implementing NDC standards, consistently pushing the boundaries of travel technology. Recently, Sabre announced the distribution of NDC content for numerous airlines, including Air Canada, Etihad Airways, and Hawaiian Airlines. By developing a robust NDC infrastructure, Sabre has empowered airlines to deliver richer, more personalized travel experiences through third-party travel sellers. “By partnering with Sabre to distribute our NDC content, we …

Hilton London Metropole is gearing up for winter in the capital of the UK and along with a wide variety of in-hotel celebrations along with competitive room rates and excellent connectivity for GCC travellers. For the festive period, the centrally located hotel will display 18 beautiful Christmas Trees decorated from a renowned high-street retailer and both Bow Bar and Tyburn Market will see their ceilings adorned with a collection of glistening baubles. Younger guests will be delighted to see that the property’s official mascot; Hugo the Hedgehog has created a special cozy house in the lobby to welcome his friends and guests, the pop-up photo opportunity will have a comfy armchair, souvenirs from his London jaunts and fireplace; creating the perfect setting for festive family snap. Whilst Hugo is out experiencing some of the capital’s traditional festive activities such as Winter Wonderland and the various Christmas pop-up markets, he’ll also be raising awareness about the decline of hedgehogs in the UK and their hibernation challenges as their habitat isn’t protected. Book a winter escape to enjoy London across the festive period as it’s under 30 minutes from Heathrow Airport on the Heathrow Express train into Paddington which is adjacent to the hotel. Located on Edgware Road in the heart of the English capital, Hilton London Metropole is within easy reach of many well-known attractions, including the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Madame Tussauds, Marble Arch, Hyde Park and a wealth of luxury retail stores and restaurants. Hilton London Metropole blends all the elements of a boutique set up with the benefits of a large-scale property including 24/7 room service and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. Located in central London, the property has three …

Diriyah Company is taking part in the UNCCD’s 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16), taking place for the first time in Riyadh from  2 to 13 December 2024, under the theme “Our Land, Our Future.” The participation of Diriyah in the conference marks its inaugural involvement in this global gathering through its special pavilion in the Green Zone. This initiative aims to create a collaborative space for companies and institutions to enhance sustainability and provide solutions to address the challenges of desertification and drought. Diriyah, through its participation in the Green Zone, is showcasing several pioneering projects being developed in Diriyah, distinguished by the highest standards of sustainability and quality of life, highlighting how Diriyah is developing a global destination capable of adapting to climate change and becoming one of the most sustainable and eco-friendly cities globally. Additionally, ongoing efforts to achieve environmental sustainability within the Diriyah project, which is among the foremost projects focusing on sustainability and preservation of natural resources in the Kingdom. The project encompasses over 8 public parks and more than 20 kilometers of tracks for horses, bicycles, and walking. Additionally, it features the planting of over 6.5 million indigenous trees, plants, and shrubs across the project. The project will also provide a comprehensive sewage treatment plant, along with two mobile water treatment units and over 4,000 electric car charging stations. To date, the project has achieved over 10 certifications in a range of sustainability pillars, with assets aiming to achieve 30% energy savings and 50% water savings in some cases, including the Platinum Level LEED for Cities Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the first project to do so in …