The awards are held under the patronage of Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.
A total of nearly 100,000 votes were cast in the 2012 Saudi Excellence in Tourism Awards before voting closed on Thursday, March 14.
Across the 22 sub-categories there has been more than 600 nominations with the most hotly contested category being Best 5 Star Hotel, which garnered 15 percent of total votes. After these frontrunners, all other subcategories shared the remaining votes between them.
With the number of votes received by individual nominees deciding the initial shortlist, it became the responsibility of the panel of nine international judges to review the nomination packs submitted by the short-listed nominees.
Mohammed Benamar, district director of the Rezidor Hospitality Group which manages Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson and Missoni Hotels, said: “This achievement will substantiate our presence in the Kingdom and will further position Park Inn by Radisson as a pioneer in mid-market hotel brands in Saudi Arabia. We are committed to continuing our work in helping to grow and diversify the tourism industry in this country.”
Frank N. Eikeland, General Manager at the hotel, said: “We are thrilled to be on the stage again. This is the hotels second consecutive award at this great tourism ceremony and a demonstration to all of our hard work here at Park Inn Alkhobar. Once more, the trust we gain from our guests and employees keeps us walking.”
