Tag Archives: Hilton

Hilton launches ‘Raeidat’ women in leadership programme in Saudi Arabia, paving the way for future female leaders

Hilton announced the launch of Raeidat (meaning Pioneers), its new Women in Leadership programme in Saudi Arabia – a bespoke development journey created to prepare women for future leadership roles within the hospitality sector. The inaugural cohort brings together 25 women from 10 Hilton hotels across the Kingdom, selected for their leadership potential and readiness to progress into more senior roles. Raeidat strengthens Hilton’s talent pipeline and supports Vision 2030’s objective of expanding women’s participation in the workforce. Spanning nine months, the programme begins with a five-month learning phase combining virtual and in-person workshops, e-learning, and structured mentoring. Participants will develop leadership capability, business and financial acumen, operational excellence, and service culture, supported by applied assignments and a business project. The programme concludes with a four-month personalised coaching phase designed to reinforce learning and prepare participants for future leadership opportunities. Kamel Ajami, Vice President Operations, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, Hilton, said, “Empowering women to lead is a cornerstone of Hilton’s people strategy and aligns closely with the ambitions of Vision 2030. Raeidat reflects our belief that investing in our people fuels long‑term progress. This programme creates meaningful opportunities for women to advance their careers and help shape the hospitality landscape in the Kingdom. With over 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline across Saudi Arabia, we’re focused on cultivating future leaders – giving the next generation of Saudi hoteliers the skills to power the Kingdom’s rapidly growing tourism and hospitality sector.” Raeidat builds on Hilton’s continued investment to support career growth and cross-market exposure. Over the past two years, Hilton has expanded its learning and development focus and introduced new initiatives including the Management Development Programme (MDP) and the …

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Hilton expands its portfolio in Makkah with the opening of two new hotels

Hilton announced the opening of two new properties in Makkah, nearly doubling its presence in the Holy City and expanding its hospitality offerings for the millions of pilgrims and travelers who visit each year. The openings include DoubleTree by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah, bringing the brand’s signature warm welcome to the Al Aziziyah district, and Wirgan Al Noor, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, marking both the brand’s debut in Makkah and the largest Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel worldwide. Both properties are owned by Wirgan Hospitality. Mohamed Lotfy, Cluster General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah and Wirgan Al Noor, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, said, “We are delighted to open these two exceptional properties in Makkah, each thoughtfully designed to offer guests comfort, convenience, and a welcoming atmosphere during their stay in the Holy City. Our teams at DoubleTree by Hilton Makkah Aziziyah and Wirgan Al Noor, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, are committed to delivering a warm, memorable experience for every guest.” Wirgan Al Noor, Tapestry Collection by Hilton With 1,386 guest rooms and suites, Wirgan Al Noor marks a major milestone as Tapestry Collection’s first hotel in Makkah and its largest operating property globally. Located near the historic Hira Cave and less than a 15-minute drive from Masjid Al Haram (the Sacred Mosque), the hotel offers serene views of the Holy City and serves as a comfortable retreat within easy reach of Makkah’s most significant sites. True to the Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand, the hotel blends contemporary style with a strong sense of place, celebrating the authentic character of the destination. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities, including an all-day dining restaurant with diverse culinary offerings, a coffee shop, …

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AVENEW Development and Hilton announce Waldorf Astoria Dubai Islands and Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Islands

AVENEW Development, a Dubai-born real estate innovator, has signed an agreement with Hilton  to open Waldorf Astoria Dubai Islands and Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Islands, introducing the iconic luxury brand to one of the city’s most anticipated coastal destinations. Waldorf Astoria Dubai Islands will feature 150 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, complemented by a curated selection of dining experiences including a rooftop restaurant, an all-day dining venue, a pool lounge, a specialty restaurant, a signature bar, and the celebrated Peacock Alley. Guests will also enjoy elevated lifestyle offerings such as an outdoor pool, a dedicated kids’ pool and club, a fitness studio and a tranquil spa – building on the brand’s legacy of exceptional service and sophisticated design. Bringing Waldorf Astoria’s timeless luxury and world-renowned hospitality to Dubai Islands, the project is designed to balance residential comfort with the brand’s signature service. It will offer meticulously crafted living spaces that combine architectural excellence with functional elegance, creating a truly distinctive and coveted experience. Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Islands will comprise 120 branded residences, delivering an exclusive collection of premium furnished apartments. Owners will benefit from personalized services and amenities that ensure comfort, convenience and privacy, in addition to full access to the hotel’s facilities. The signing marks a significant scaling of AVENEW’s exclusive portfolio, representing its second branded residence on Dubai Islands and its sixth overall development within the master-planned waterfront community. The move strategically capitalises on Dubai’s established global leadership in the luxury hospitality and branded residential sector. The branded residence segment has grown from a niche market into a leading global asset class. By introducing Waldorf Astoria Residences to Dubai Islands, AVENEW Development combines its forward-looking vision with …

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Hilton & Wirgan Hospitality announce plans to open two hotels in Makkah

Hilton announced the signing of an agreement with Wirgan Hospitality to rebrand two of their trading hotels in Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Makkah and a DoubleTree by Hilton. Both hotels are set to open before the end of the year, further strengthening Hilton’s presence in the Kingdom and the Holy City. The signings will almost double Hilton’s trading presence in Makkah – by rooms – to more than 4,100 keys. Carlos Khneisser, Chief Development Officer, Hilton, MEA, said, “We recently surpassed the milestone of 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline in Saudi Arabia – and we are thrilled to build on this momentum with the signing of these two properties. As we continue to expand our footprint in the Kingdom, we remain committed to diversifying our portfolio to meet the needs of every traveller. Our partnership with Wirgan Hospitality is testament to this as we introduce our Tapestry Collection brand to the Holy City and bolster our presence with the introduction of DoubleTree by Hilton to the Aziziyah district of Makkah – enhancing Hilton’s hospitality offering in a key global destination.” Omar Al Harbi, CEO, Wirgan Hospitality, said, “We are proud to partner with Hilton to support the future growth of the two exceptional properties we have developed in Makkah. As one of the most significant destinations in the Kingdom, Makkah holds deep religious, cultural and spiritual importance. These openings reflect our ongoing commitment to elevate the hospitality offering in Makkah and the Kingdom in line with Vision 2030, and to leverage Hilton’s global reach and commercial engine.” Located near Jabal Al Noor, one of Islam’s most sacred sites, the 1,386-guestroom …

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Hilton surpasses 100 Hotels in Saudi Arabia, with a growing pipeline representing a combined owner investment of USD $8 Billion

Hilton announced it has surpassed the milestone of 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline in Saudi Arabia – representing a combined investment of USD $8 billion from hotel owners and investors into Hilton’s growing portfolio, and underscoring the company’s long-term commitment to supporting Vision 2030 by expanding its footprint and delivering world-class hospitality throughout the Kingdom. The announcement was made ahead of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Saudi Arabia, a global forum that convenes world leaders, policymakers, and investors to discuss the future of global investment and economic trends. With a multi-brand rollout across 14 of its award-winning brands, Hilton plans to add more than 22,000 rooms to Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving hospitality landscape. The pipeline of hotels is expected to create more than 15,000 jobs – at least half of which will be filled by Saudi nationals – further contributing to the Kingdom’s economic development. Carlos Khneisser, chief development officer, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said: “Saudi Arabia is witnessing incredible momentum, with travel at the heart of this transformation. The Kingdom welcomed a record 32 million tourists this summer and we’re proud to be supporting this vision as the country works toward its goal of attracting 150 million visitors annually by 2030. As we exceed 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline, and with nearly two-thirds of that pipeline already under construction, we remain committed to introducing new brands and expanding into more regional cities in line with the growing number of travellers visiting the Kingdom every year.” Hilton continues to expand its luxury footprint across Saudi Arabia, with a series of standout developments that reflect the Kingdom’s growing demand for high-end hospitality. Among the most anticipated …

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Hilton set to double its presence in Oman with trio signing, including the Sultanate’s first Waldorf Astoria

Hilton announced the signing of an agreement with The Zubair Corporation to open three hotels in Muscat under the Waldorf Astoria, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, and DoubleTree by Hilton brands – doubling its footprint in the Sultanate. The signings mark the debut of the iconic Waldorf Astoria brand in Oman and underscore Hilton’s plans to diversify its portfolio and deliver trusted hospitality to emerging and established destinations across the region. The three hotels will be located within Barr Al Jissah, an iconic waterfront luxury development on Muscat’s coastline. Surrounded by rugged mountains and secluded beaches, Barr Al Jissah combines natural beauty with world-class hospitality experiences – making it a timeless destination for leisure visitors, wellness seekers, families, and business travellers, all within 40 minutes of Muscat International Airport. Carlos Khneisser, Chief Development Officer, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said: “The debut of Waldorf Astoria in Oman, alongside the new Hilton Hotels & Resorts and DoubleTree by Hilton properties, marks a significant new chapter for Hilton in the Sultanate. Oman’s rich culture, heritage, and natural landscapes continue to attract discerning travellers. These new properties will enable us to meet that growing demand across both leisure and business segments – supporting Oman’s Vision 2040, which aims to attract 12 million tourists annually to the Sultanate by 2040. Together with The Zubair Corporation, we are proud to bring this transformative destination to life and strengthen Oman’s position as a leading tourism hub.” Niels Bormans, Group Chief Executive Officer at The Zubair Corporation, added: “The collaboration with Hilton reflects our shared vision for Oman’s tourism future. By combining Hilton’s global expertise with our commitment to preserving the Sultanate’s heritage and natural beauty, Barr Al …

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