JEDDAH: Hilton Hotels Corporation has appointed Shuja Zaidi for the newly created designation of vice president — projects, Saudi Arabia, to pursue its expansion. The appointment emphasizes Hilton’s diligent focus on realizing Saudi Arabia’s tourism potential within the GCC, and internationally. Leveraging its strong presence in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah, Hilton will now channel its development efforts in Riyadh, where it perceives significant prospects for establishing the Hilton family of brands. “We are confident in Zaidi’s new role. He will prove to be the driving force for the Hilton brands, and realize our aggressive development objectives in across Kingdom.” Essam Abouda, Vice President — operations, Arabian Peninsula and Indian Ocean, said. Saudi Arabia has been identified as one of Hilton’s top international markets with a high potential for development, with domestic tourism alone expected to generate around SR101 billion by 2020. “There is no doubt Saudi Arabia has the potential to redefine Hilton’s future growth in the region. Hilton’s aim is to ensure the expansion plans are in sync with the hospitality ambitions of the Kingdom, and part of my role will be to ensure the proliferation of the Hilton family of brands is achieved with strategic precision. I will leverage my years of experience in the Kingdom that has helped me develop a tremendous understanding of the region, its unique sensitivities and requirements,” Zaidi said. Earlier in July this year, Hilton reopened its international sales office in Riyadh, acknowledging Saudi Arabia’s status as a fast growing feeder market for the hospitality giant’s Middle East and Africa regions, as well as international operations.
Ramadan marks Rosewood
Corniche’s first anniversary
JEDDAH: Rosewood Corniche of Jeddah is marking its first anniversary with special Ramadan preparations. The “ultra luxury” hotel’s Majlis acts as the focal point of the celebrations, with a design inspired by the rich legacy of Arabic and Islamic art. Each VIP suite has a private dining room offering Iftar and Sohur cuisine with added privacy and the finest personalized service. “We have been in operation for one year and it is especially important to be celebrating this milestone during Ramadan,” said Hans-Peter Leitzke, managing director of Rosewood Corniche. “Guests will be treated to a vast array of traditional Arabic and Ramadan favorites where they can enjoy breaking the fast with friends, family or indeed business associates,” he added. Chef Green, executive chef at the hotel, is working with his culinary teams to create exciting Iftar and Sohur menus.
Air Arabia introduces daily
service to Riyadh, Jeddah
RIYADH: Air Arabia, claimed to be the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, will fly daily to Riyadh and Jeddah from the carrier’s primary hub in Sharjah, effective Sept. 16. Currently, Air Arabia flies six times a week to Riyadh and four times to Jeddah. The first six months of 2008 saw an extremely impressive average load factor of 89 and 87 percent for the Riyadh and Jeddah routes respectively, demonstrating the carrier’s status as the LCC of choice for travelers to the Kingdom, said A.K. Nizar, head of Air Arabia’s commercial department. The airline currently serves the Kingdom with flights to Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, and offers connectivity from the Kingdom to 11 destinations in India via its Sharjah hub. Its passengers can now select their seats upon making a flight reservation through its booking channels including websites, call centers, travel agencies and sales shops.
Delta to offer broadband
to onboard passengers
JEDDAH: Delta Air Lines passengers traveling throughout the continental United States will soon be offered the added convenience of broadband Wi-Fi access onboard the airline’s domestic fleet of more than 330 mainline aircraft. Delta is joining with Aircell, a 17-year leader in airborne communications for business and commercial aviation, to install the company’s mobile broadband network on the carrier’s domestic fleet. The system, Gogo, will enable Delta passengers traveling with Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, to access the Internet, corporate VPNs, corporate and personal e-mail accounts, as well as SMS texting and instant messaging services. Gogo will be available for a flat fee of $9.95 on flights of three hours or less, and $12.95 on flights of more than three hours, said Delta’s CEO Richard Anderson.