Today, we often forget just how diverse the Mediterranean region was ethnically, linguistically, and culturally in ancient times. At the height of its territorial expansion during the New Kingdom, the Egyptian empire reached as far north was modern-day Turkey and as far south as modern-day Ethiopia, while the Phoenician empire stretched from what is now […]
Ras Al Khaimah aims to break out of the shadows of its more famous neighboring emirates
Superlative labels like the country’s tallest, the world’s longest, and the region’s first are often used to describe ambitious new projects in the two largest and most famous cities of the United Arab Emirates – Dubai and Abu Dhabi. But the country’s fourth largest emirate and fifth most populous now wants tourists to start thinking […]
Conrad and SushiSamba premier in Bahrain’s Financial Harbour district
The opening of the new Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour marks this hotel brand’s first foray into the Kingdom of Bahrain along with the debut of the renowned international fusion concept restaurant SushiSamba crowning its rooftop. Anchoring the Sayacorp Tower development, the 98 Conrad-branded suites boast floor-to-ceiling windows and individual kitchenettes in one-, two-, and three-bedroom […]
Saudi’s new Boutique Group to transform historic royal residences into ultra-luxury hotels
It has been home to kings and has hosted presidents, shahs, and princes. And now, thanks to the revitalization efforts of Saudi hospitality company Boutique Group, Riyadh’s Red Palace hopes to one day also host you as a guest following its transformation into an ultra-luxury hotel. Originally built in 1943 just north of Al Fouta […]
Pioneering milestone in Saudi hospitality as the kingdom welcomes its first female opening GM
As Saudi Arabia drives forward into the future by leaps and bounds across all sectors of its economy and all strata of society, its hotel industry joined in yet another celebration of firsts in the kingdom with the launch of Accor’s new Novotel Riyadh Sahafa, led by Hessa AlMazroa as its opening general manager. AlMazroa […]
Saudi Arabia Launches AROYA Cruises as the Kingdom’s First Homegrown Cruise Line
Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of its first domestic cruise line, AROYA Cruises, a significant milestone in the nation’s tourism and maritime sectors. Backed by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), AROYA Cruises is now open for bookings, offering a unique blend of Arabian hospitality and modern luxury on the high seas. With the […]
“Great Transfiguration” project to turn Mount Sinai into an extended-stay destination
The area around Mount Sinai, known to locals as Jebel Mousa or the Mountain of Moses, is arguably the holiest and most well-known place outside of Jerusalem to the billions of followers of the world’s three largest religions – Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Nestled deep in the mountainous desert that covers most of Egypt’s sparsely […]
New Radisson Hotel and Residences opens in Kurdistan’s regional capital Erbil
Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, has added another international hotel brand to its skyline with the opening of the Radisson Hotel and Residences. The 93-key property features a mix of hotel rooms, suites, and furnished apartments, some with kitchenettes, washing machines, and dishwashers. There building also boasts a 600-person event space, multiple […]
Riyadh’s new record-breaking second airport to serve 120 million passengers by 2030
The Saudi capital of Riyadh is getting a second airport that will become one of the largest in the world when it is completed in 2030. The six new runways of King Salman International Airport will serve 120 million passengers annually, also making it one of the world’s busiest airports. Riyadh’s current commercial airport, King […]
Red Sea International Airport begins offering its first international flights to and from Dubai
Saudi Arabia’s new Red Sea International Airport (RSI) has announced its first international service offerings with the launch of a twice-weekly flight to Dubai International Airport (DXB ) on regional carrier FlyDubai. While the airport already serviced domestic airports within the kingdom, this marks its first cross-border destination and the first phase of its plan […]
