JEDDAH: Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry, held its first of three annual road shows in Jeddah on Monday night and presented awards to travel agents for their contribution. “Last year, Amadeus celebrated its success with total air bookings soaring to more than 2.5 million in Saudi Arabia. This year, however, we are aiming to increase our bookings and market share exponentially, and this is a mere reflection of the confidence we have in travel agents, our partners, who are constantly helping us to grow and redefine the Saudi travel industry,” Amadeus Saudi Arabia General Manager Nashat Bukhari said. The company’s two other road shows are being held in Riyadh today and in Dammam tomorrow.

Productivity and recognition awards were presented to Ace Travel (gold); Majed Travel & Tourism and Attar Travel (both silver); and Air Wings Travel, Rajhi Travels and Ali Reza Travel (all bronze).

Four Seasons set for Ramadan

RIYADH: Preparations are in full swing at Riyadh’s Four Seasons Kingdom Tower for the month of Ramadan, during which the hotel will present guests with a large variety of local and international dishes prepared by well-known chef Brendan McGowan. Guests can watch their favorite Ramadan shows, while games and programs will be on offer to entertain children. Since its opening in 2003, the hotel has received thousands of iftar guests, said Tariq Bakheet, the hotel’s marketing manager. He added that more than 40,000 guests enjoyed the hotel’s iftar buffet last Ramadan. “This year, we are hoping to receive many more,” he said, adding that the hotel’s vibrant atmosphere would help create a memorable Ramadan experience.

Movenpick Hotel gears up for Ramadan

EDDAH: Movenpick Hotel Jeddah is preparing for Ramadan. “Our traditional iftar and suhur programs will be characterized by live-cooking stations, marvelous foods and delicacies, striking decorations and set-ups, colorful family tents, an attractive kids’ fun and play corner, and lots of surprises,” said Ali Nasser, assistant sales manager of the hotel. As part of the program, there will be daily raffle draws for guests, giving them a chance to win round-trip tickets to Europe, the Far East, and other Middle Eastern and Asian countries, as well as complimentary vouchers from Movenpick Hotels and Resorts for room accommodation.

InterCont Group to develop Crowne Plaza in Dubai

DUBAI: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is developing a Crowne Plaza hotel in the International Media Production Zone in Dubai. This follows the signing of an agreement with the Mohammad Omar Bin Haider Group (MOBH). The event was attended by key business leaders Omar Mohammad Bin Haider and John Bamsey, chief operating officer of IHG, Middle East and Africa, and signified the third development agreement between the two companies. “We are very happy to be, once again, working alongside MOBH to develop the UAE’s fourth Crowne Plaza property,” Bamsey said.