Park Hyatt Jeddah opens on the Corniche

JEDDAH: Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Park Hyatt Jeddah - Marina Club and Spa, marking its entry into Saudi Arabia. Set among beautifully landscaped gardens on the Jeddah Corniche, the city’s new landmark is an “innovative five-star sanctuary where contemporary luxury and exceptional service meet to provide unrivalled views of the Red Sea and King Fahd fountain. The hotel enjoys a prime location in the very heart of the city, within the Al-Hamra district at the Equestrian Club of Jeddah, and just minutes away from the central business district. Business and leisure travelers will have state-of-the-art meeting and business facilities as well an impressive array of sport and leisure pursuits. The commercial and financial districts, as well as the main shopping and entertainment areas are nearby, making the new hotel the ideal launching point from which visitors can conduct business or explore the relaxing activities of the destination.

SIA to operate four daily flights to Manila

JEDDAH: Singapore Airlines (SIA) will add a fourth daily flight between Singapore and manila from July 10. The increase from three to four daily flights, operated by the Boeing 777 family of aircraft, will expand capacity between Singapore and Manila, by more than 20 percent. This has been made possible as a result of recent bilateral air services consultations between Singapore and Philippines. “The frequency increase on this route underscores the strong and growing economic, business and tourism links between Singapore and Philippines. It also improves the connectivity of Manila to the rest of the world.

Qatar Airways going double daily to Paris

DOHA: Qatar Airways wrapped up a hugely successful Paris Air Show by announcing that it was increasing flights between Doha and Paris to twice-daily services - up from the current 11 frequencies a week. The additional services, effective from the start of the Northern Winter schedules on Oct. 25, will strengthen Qatar Airways’ operations in Europe and offer passengers more choice with increased connectivity to points across the Middle East, South Asia and the Far East. The announcement comes as icing on the cake during a hugely successful week for the airline at Le Bourget, venue for the centenary edition of the Paris Air Show. Qatar Airways made the biggest impact on the opening day of the week-long event by signing an order for 24 Airbus A320 Family of aircraft, together with a $700 million deal with IAE’s V2500 SelectOne engines to power the new fleet.

Four Seasons Hotel Damascus wins top award

RIYADH: Four Seasons Hotel Damascus owned by Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI) in which Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) holds a 54 percent stake, was awarded The Number One Hotel in Syria 2009 during the World Travel Awards 2009 event that was held in Dubai recently. The annual event is widely recognized as the world’s premier awards ceremony and is considered the “Oscars” of the hospitality and travel industry, recognizing exceptional levels of quality and service by global travel providers. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Company and Kingdom Hotel Investments, said: “This is another important achievement for Kingdom Holding Company,” according to Business Traveller Magazine at the Business Traveller Awards 2009 ceremony during Arabian Travel Market Conference in Dubai.

Rosewood Hotels & resorts appoints new MD

RIYADH: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, a major operator of ultra-luxury hotels and resorts throughout the world, has appointed Peter Finamore as managing director of Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel and Hotel Al Khozama, A Rosewood Hotel. Finamore joins the Rosewood team in Riyadh with more than three decades of experience in the hospitality industry. He has been a key asset to many of the world’s leading hotels and premier hospitality brands throughout his illustrious career. Finamore was most recently EVP for operations for Echelon Resorts, a 5,000 room multi-branded development in Las Vegas, Nevada.