KSA, UNESCO ink MoU for heritage restoration
March 23, 2019

PARIS — The Saudi Ministry of Culture and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) signed a memorandum of understanding to promote cooperation in culture and restoration of heritage. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Minister of Culture Prince Badr Bin Abdullah Bin Farhan and Director General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay in Paris on Thursday.

The"...

Al Sharq Investment signs agreement with Marriott International
March 21, 2019

AL SHARQ Investment announced that it has signed a contract with Marriott International to debut W Hotels branded residences in the Middle East in Dubai with the rebranding of its luxury Alef Residence project. Announced at the real estate exhibition MIPIM Cannes, the agreement means that more than AED3 billion project on the West Crescent of Palm Jumeirah will feature the brand’s signature style, services and amenities and offer residents the opportunity to"...

Almosafer awarded as key contributor to mada success
March 21, 2019

ALMOSAFER, the leading online travel platform in Saudi Arabia, has been recognized by the national payment network in KSA ‘mada’ as one of the top contributors to the phenomenal success of mada electronic payments at an award ceremony in Riyadh on Tuesday.

Celebrating the incredible milestone of 1 billion mada transactions during a private event at the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, mada representatives, banking partners and key merchants gathered"...

The Two Seasons takes part in ITB Berlin expo
March 20, 2019

DUBAI — The Two Seasons Hotel Apartments under the management of Two Seasons Hotel Management Company LLC will be among the top 10,000 companies and organizations from over 180 countries, who have confirmed participation at the international travel industry’s biggest marketplace.

The ITB (Internationale Tourismus Börse) covers all aspects of travel and tourism. The world’s leading travel trade show is a must-attend event for every"...

Shaza Hotels signs first Mysk in KSA
March 19, 2019

SHAZA Hotels, a member of the Global Hotel Alliance, has signed a management agreement with Sheikh Sultan Al Harthi to operate Mysk Jeddah — the Mysk brand’s first property in KSA. Superbly located on Heraa street, close to the Jeddah Corniche, the four-star hotel is expected to open in 2021. Included in its facilities are a restaurant, a café, meeting rooms, a kids’ club, fitness center and rooftop pool.

Sheikh Sultan Al Harthi"...

Milan's La Scala says to return funds from Saudi Arabia
March 19, 2019

Milan's La Scala will refund money it received from Saudi Arabia after anger over a deal which assured it a place on the board, the world-famous opera house's president said Monday.

'Back to square one. We'll return the money to the Saudis,' the opera house's president Giuseppe Sala said, adding that the board had voted 'unanimously' to refund over three"...

Travelport launches campaign to back passengers with intellectual disabilities
March 18, 2019

RIYADH — Travelport, the leading travel commerce platform, Moday announced it has launched a global campaign to improve awareness and use of the DPNA Special Service Request (SSR) code, which can be used by travel agents, among others, to alert airlines when a passenger has intellectual or developmental disability and needs assistance.

The campaign was initiated after Travelport found evidence of exceptionally low use of the code on bookings made"...

Tourists in Saudi 'want to be able to drink' says AccorHotels CEO
March 18, 2019

Tourists visiting Saudi Arabia will want to be able ‘to drink and enjoy music’, according to the global CEO of AccorHotels.

Speaking to Arabian Business, Sébastien Bazin said the kingdom will need to make certain exceptions for tourists in order to attract visitors to the country.

“…"...

New helicopter service to satisfy growing demand for luxury tourism in Saudi Arabia
March 16, 2019

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism industry has taken off in a new direction with the launch of the Kingdom’s first national commercial helicopter operation.
The Helicopter Co. will provide private air transportation services within the main cities of Saudi Arabia, along with tourist trips to top attractions throughout the Kingdom.
Tourism officials in the country welcomed the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) announcement of the launch"...

Saudi Arabia eyes Louvre Abu Dhabi-style tie-up with Milan's La Scala
March 16, 2019

Saudi Arabia is in talks to partner with Milan’s famous La Scala opera house, in a deal the kingdom hopes will be as successful as Abu Dhabi’s link up with France’s Louvre museum, according to media reports.

“I invited him [Prince Badr, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture] to the opening night of La Scala's 2018-19 season on December 7, and before the show,"...