What's new in KSA

A multi-million dollar government-funded effort to boost tourism in Saudi Arabia is part of a wider strategy to divert the country’s economy away from its oil dependence. ATN looks at some of the country’s latest projects and travel incentives

While religious travel has traditionally been the key revenue generator in Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry, accounting for two thirds of income, recent investments are placing an emphasis on business travel.

“Over the past few years we’ve seen more demand for meetings in Riyadh, because the government is making the visa process easier,” observes Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh general manager Rami Sayess.

“It’s also becoming easier for the female business travellers, since they no longer require their husbands staying with them.” 

Tourism developments on the Red coast in Ras Humaid, Sharma, Qayyal and Dhaffat Al-Wajh in Tabuk province, Arrayes in Yanbu, Ras Muhaisen in Makkah province, Haridha in Asir and Farasan in Jizan are expected to attract US $40 billion investments and $2.6 billion annual tourist spends, according to the Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA).

It has been projected that the resorts will have a combined total of 557,000 rooms and will create 413,000 jobs.
Other recent projects in Saudi Arabia have attracted international five-star hotel brands, including Radisson-SAS, Marriott and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

Furthermore, Hilton has named the GCC as one of its top ten key development markets internationally, specifically citing Saudi Arabia.

13 new Hilton Garden Inn hotels

A partnership between Hilton Hotels Corporation and Riyadh-based Al-Hokair Group for Tourism and Development will see 13 Hilton Garden Inn hotels, comprising 2500 rooms) introduced in Saudi Arabia over the next five years.
 
The hotels will be situated in key locations, such as Riyadh, Al Khobar, Dammam, Jubail, King Abdullah Economic City, Taif, Abha, Tabuk, Hail/Buraydah and Yanbu. The Riyadh-based hotel is expected to be the first to open, this year.

The agreement marks the entry of the first Hilton Garden Inn brand in the Middle East and Africa region. The service brand offers affordable rates for the mid-market traveller.

The hotels will feature guest rooms offering a minimum size of 28m², two food and beverage outlets and a number of small meeting rooms.

Crowne Plaza on schedule

Due to open in 2010, InterContinental Hotel Group’s Crowne Plaza Riyadh is being developed in partnership with Saudia Arabia-based Mohammed A. Al-Swailem for Commercial Investment. 

Conveniently located between the airport and city centre in Northern Riyadh, the hotel will mainly target the corporate market. It will feature more than 300 rooms and suites, seven meeting rooms and a 450m² banquet hall catering to more than 700 guests.

New daily flights from Abu Dhabi

Saudi Arabian carrier nasair has increased its flight frequency between Jeddah and Abu Dhabi from three times weekly to daily.

Abu Dhabi Airports Company claims the change has been made in response to increased demand from passengers wanting to travel between the two cities for business, leisure and religious purposes.

Brunch at Bab El-Hara has been launched at the Riyadh Marriott Hotel. Although brunch is not a new concept in Saudi, this is the first regular themed event.

Each Friday the hotel lobby will be decorated with a traditional marketplace theme and a widespread, extravagant buffet, with live cooking stations, a variety of hot and cold dishes and a diverse soft drink selection will be on offer.

The brunch has been designed to accommodate families and walk-in guests, while children can have a blast in the kids’ play room with lots of activities, face painting and a series of surprise gifts, said Riyadh Marriott Hotel general manager Khaldoun Hayejneh.

Four Seasons incentives

Following the recent appointment of executive chef Ahmad Sleiman, the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh has been awarded a food hygiene award.

The hotel is the first in the Kingdom to attain the award, according to Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.

Furthermore, the hotel is promoting its meetings business by offering incentives and themed banquets as part of its corporate packages.

“We recently catered to 400 guests with a desert meetings and incentive package, which included F&B and activities, such as quad biking. We’ve started to offer the whole experience take ownership of the event,” says Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh general manager Rami Sayess.

New promotions

Rosewood Corniche, Jeddah

Delegates staying two nights in any of luxury hotel Rosewood Corniche’s rooms and suites during the Saudi Arabian working week, from Friday to Tuesday night, will be offered a third night free.
 
Visit www.hotelcorniche.com for more information.

Jeddah Hilton

One in every five attendees booked will not be charged the hotel’s regular meeting rate, so that for a meeting of ten people, two attendees are free.