Diriyah Company showcases world-class luxury hospitality offerings at ILTM Asia Pacific 2025
Throughout the event, Diriyah Company welcomed and engaged with stakeholders, investors, and travel specialists at its distinctively designed booth.
Across Diriyah and the adjoining Wadi Safar development areas, nearly 40 world-class hotels and resorts are set to welcome tourists and business visitors, including some of Southeast Asia's most prestigious hospitality names: Anantara, Aman, Capella, Chedi, Raffles, Four Seasons, and Six Senses.
In addition to the 202-room Raffles Hotel Diriyah, which features distinctive architectural designs inspired by Najdi heritage, Diriyah also launched the Raffles Residences Diriyah in November 2024, offering 90 apartments and townhouses, primarily featuring one-, two-, or three-bedroom residences, as well as seven spacious duplex homes. Additionally, the arrival of Capella Diriyah, with its 100 rooms, marks the brand's first opening in Saudi Arabia, blending local tradition with contemporary luxury.
As the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia three centuries ago, Diriyah is home to the beautifully restored At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has welcomed over three million visitors since its opening in December 2022.
Diriyah Company's participation in ILTM Asia Pacific highlighted its commitment to building new relationships and partnerships that will support its growing portfolio of hotels, restaurants, cafes, and cultural attractions that are designed to elevate Diriyah's position within the global luxury tourism landscape.
Known as The City of Earth for its traditional mudbrick-inspired Najdi architecture, Diriyah will contribute approximately $18.6 billion (SAR 70 billion) directly to the Kingdom's GDP, create nearly 180,000 jobs and will be home to an estimated 100,000 people. It will also include modern office space for tens of thousands of professionals in technology, media, the arts and education, museums, a university, the Royal Diriyah Opera House, the Diriyah arena, world-class hotels, renowned local, global and regional restaurants, a Greg Norman designed championship golf course and the Royal Equestrian and Polo Club – Wadi Safar. Diriyah is projected to attract up to 50 million visits annually in the future.
About Diriyah
Diriyah, Saudi Arabia's premier historical, cultural, and lifestyle destination, is a key component of Saudi Arabia's 2030 Vision. A short 15-minute drive from Riyadh's city center, this 14-square-kilometer development holds historical significance as the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, dating back to 1727. Currently being developed by Diriyah Company, Diriyah is undergoing a transformation into an authentic Najdi-style mixed-use urban community. Diriyah's centerpiece is At-Turaif, the UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2010, showcasing the ancient adobe capital city of the First Saudi State, dating back to 1766.
Upon completion, Diriyah will host more than 100,000 residents, workers, students, and visitors, offering a diverse range of cultural, entertainment, retail, hospitality, educational, and residential spaces. The first of those spaces include Bujairi Terrace, Riyadh's new premium dining hub with over 20 global and local restaurants and cafes that enjoy uninterrupted views of At-Turaif. Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel is the first hospitality offering in Diriyah, providing a tranquil experience with panoramic views of Wadi Hanifah. Diriyah's development provides a dynamic environment that celebrates Saudi Arabia's rich cultural history.
About Diriyah Company
Diriyah Company was launched in 2022 and joined the Public Investment Fund's (PIF) portfolio of giga-projects. The Company is responsible for developing the Diriyah project, the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its foremost historical, cultural, and lifestyle destination. A dynamic mixed-use developer, Diriyah Company is redefining urban planning to develop Diriyah, 'The City of Earth', while adhering to the highest design, development, and preservation standards. The company ensures Diriyah's cultural landmarks are complemented by world-class retail offerings, fine-dining experiences, and leading hospitality brands.
As a PIF company, its mission focuses on opportunities in development, hospitality, investment, retail, and office leasing, along with strategic asset management, underscoring the commitment to ensuring successful business outcomes and sustainable growth under the strategic direction of Vision 2030. The Diriyah Company actively forges long-term partnerships to realize its vision of establishing Diriyah as one of the world's greatest gathering places.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Major industry's shift: Infrastructure is critical for the AI era as KSA advances Vision 2030
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Ahead of its flagship event in Riyadh 'Cisco Connect – CXO Edition', Cisco has revealed key local findings from its global networking study, highlighting how AI and modernized networks are driving fundamental changes in enterprise infrastructure. As AI assistants, agents, and data-driven workloads reshape how work gets done, they're creating faster, more dynamic, more latency-sensitive, and more complex network traffic. The rise of connected devices, 24/7 uptime demands, and growing security threats are pushing infrastructure to adapt and evolve. IT leaders are rethinking networks—what they do, how they enable growth, and how they protect businesses. The network they build today will decide the business they become tomorrow. Salman Faqeeh, the Managing Director of Cisco in Saudi Arabia, commented: "Our research highlights a critical shift in network architecture that aligns with Saudi Arabia's focus on innovation. The AI era relies on ultra-fast, low-latency, and highly secure networks, and KSA is leading the way by building the AI infrastructure of the future. At Cisco, we are proud to partner with Saudi Arabia to develop networks that will drive the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 goals." Key Insights: The Future of Networking in Saudi Arabia The network has become a strategic priority: all participants say a modernized network is critical to rolling out AI, IoT, and cloud. 94% of IT leaders plan to increase the share of their overall IT budget allocated to networking. Secure networking is mission critical: 98% say secure networking is important to their operations and growth; 65% say it's critical. 97% believe an improved network will enhance their cybersecurity posture. AI intensifies demand for resilient networks: 97% say a resilient network is critical, at a time when 73% faced major outages in the past two years – driven largely by congestion, cyberattacks, and misconfigurations. Leaders look to AI to grow revenue: 52% say a modernized network's greatest impact on revenue will come from deploying AI tools that automate and tailor customer journeys – enabling faster, more personalized experiences that can strengthen loyalty and drive growth. AI is reshaping computing infrastructure: 67% say their data centres can't yet meet today's AI demands, and 90% plan to expand capacity – on-prem, in the cloud, or both. Leaders want to make networks smarter: 98% say autonomous, AI-powered networks are essential to future growth – yet only 40% have deployed the intelligent capabilities – like segmentation, visibility, and control – to make their network adaptive. The Network is the Value: Modern Infrastructure Unlocking Growth and Savings IT leaders in KSA are already delivering financial value from today's networks: largely by improving customer experiences (61%), boosting efficiency (62%), and enabling innovation (54%). But much of that value is at risk if it comes from infrastructure that hasn't been designed for AI or real-time scale. The Path Ahead: Bridging the Gaps To unlock the full growth and savings they expect, IT leaders in KSA have identified critical gaps they must close: Breaking Down Silos: 62% cite siloed or partially integrated systems as a major challenge. Scaling Deployments: 42% say incomplete implementations are holding them back. Reducing Manual Oversight: 39% highlight the need for greater automation and intelligent management. Smarter, more secure, more adaptive networks are the business case for investment. 92% say improved networks will directly drive revenue, and 97% expect meaningful cost savings – driven by smarter operations, fewer outages, and lower energy use. Discover more of the key findings from Cisco's Networking Research here. About the research This global study is based on a survey of 8,065 senior IT and business leaders responsible for networking strategy and infrastructure at organizations with 250 or more employees. The survey was conducted across 30 markets in December 2024 by Sandpiper Research & Insights, on behalf of Cisco. About Cisco Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the world. With its industry leading AI-powered solutions and services, Cisco enables its customers, partners and communities to unlock innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen digital resilience. With purpose at its core, Cisco remains committed to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco. Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word 'partner' does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.
Arabian Business
a day ago
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Global ‘on track' to open AMAALA, 11 resorts fuelled by ‘surging' investor demand
Red Sea Global (RSG) is preparing to open 11 resorts across The Red Sea destination and welcome first guests to AMAALA between now and early next year, due to 'surging' investor interest. This would bring the total number to 25 resorts, Ahmad Darwish, Group Chief Administrative Officer for Red Sea Global told Arabian Business in an exclusive interview. 'Investor interest is not just strong, it's surging. The international investor community is keenly aware of the unique opportunities Red Sea Global offers across tourism, infrastructure, healthcare, and real estate,' Darwish said. Saudi Red Sea Global to undergo 'continued evolution' The kingdom's tourism developer has opened five resorts at The Red Sea destination over the past 12 months, including Desert Rock and Shebara in Q4 2024. These join Thuwal Private Retreat, described as 'a secluded Red Sea island getaway off the coast of Jeddah', representing the first resorts entirely owned and operated by Red Sea Global. 'We are demonstrably open for business, and the response has been remarkable, with investors actively seeking opportunities to participate. We have a robust pipeline of major deals underway, reflecting the confidence in our vision and execution.' The next 6 to 12 months will see 'continued evolution' of Red Sea Global's offerings, Darwish said, adding that the company is preparing to open more resorts at The Red Sea, including the opening of resorts on Shura Island, the naturally dolphin-shaped hub of The Red Sea destination. 'We're on the cusp of opening even more spectacular resorts at The Red Sea, further solidifying its position as a premier global destination.' Shura Island will feature 11 world-class resorts set to open this year, with sustainable designs such as 'Coral Bloom' inspired by thriving coral reefs. The island is accessible via Saudi Arabia's longest overwater bridge, less than one hour's drive from Red Sea International Airport. 'The much awaited launch of Phase One of AMAALA is also on the horizon, promising to redefine wellness and luxury travel on a global scale,' Darwish said, adding that the island will feature a series of lagoons, beaches, and dunes, with an 18-hole championship golf course and a yacht marina on one side. The period will also see the grand opening of Shura Links, the Kingdom's first-ever island golf course, further solidifying The Red Sea's position as a world-class destination. 'Beyond these milestones, we'll be significantly expanding our regenerative initiatives, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to regenerative tourism and redefining the future of travel – with people and planet at the forefront,' Darwish said. 'Expect to see exciting new partnerships and collaborations announced, further amplifying our network and expertise. And finally, we'll be unveiling even more opportunities to own a piece of paradise with further announcements regarding our exclusive residential offerings,' he added. Red Sea Global opens five resorts, AMAALA wellness destination 'on track' The current operational resorts are Nujuma, The St. Regis, Six Senses Southern Dunes, Shebara, Desert Rock, and Thuwal Private Retreat. 'These resorts are not just luxurious; they are a testament to our commitment to sustainability and authentic Saudi hospitality,' Darwish explained. 'The Red Sea destination offers a diverse range of experiences, from luxurious beachfront stays to immersive desert adventures, all while adhering to our regenerative standards, and meticulously integrated environmental sensitivities.' AMAALA, the company's wellness destination, remains firmly on track to open by year-end, with key infrastructure and hotels ready. The destination is backed by hospitality brands including Jayasom, Rosewood, Six Senses, Equinox, Four Seasons, The Ritz-Carlton, Clinique La Prairie, and Nammos. Red Sea Global development phase: 16 hotels planned for 2025 Red Sea International Airport has been operational since September 2023, providing seamless travel connections. 'The Red Sea, having welcomed its first guests in 2023, is continuously enhancing its unique desert and island experiences,' he added. The company is on track to complete all 16 hotels for Phase One of The Red Sea in 2025. AMAALA is progressing rapidly towards its late-2025 opening, focusing on cutting-edge infrastructure for transformative wellness. Key developments include Corallium, a marine research hub, and the AMAALA Yacht Club, both promoting oceanic preservation. 'In simple terms, our developments are setting new global benchmarks,' Darwish said. Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Global targets 1.5 million visitors annually In addition, Red Sea Global is also expecting that The Red Sea and AMAALA will collectively host over a million visitors annually once fully operational. These numbers have been purposefully capped to avoid over-tourism, ensuring preservation of natural beauty and ecological integrity while delivering guest experiences. 'We anticipate that The Red Sea and AMAALA will collectively host 1.5 million visitors annually, contributing significantly to the Kingdom's tourism sector,' Darwish said adding, that the company projects it will contribute $5.3 billion annually to the Kingdom's economy from 2030 onwards and create 120,000 jobs directly and indirectly across both destinations. Aside from this, Red Sea Global also serves as a key driver of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, contributing to economic diversification and creating opportunities for young Saudis. 'We are making Vision 2030's ambitions for national transformation and economic diversification operational realities for the people of Saudi Arabia,' he explained. In 2024, the Kingdom recorded 30 million international arrivals, a new record compared to just over 17.5 million in 2019. Saudi Arabia's target has also been increased from hosting 100 million visitors annually by 2030 to 150 million. 'It's incredibly rewarding to see our destinations making a tangible and positive impact on these targets,' Darwish explained, adding that the company is 'deeply committed to supporting Vision 2030 and look forward to expanding our efforts to contribute even further to its success.' The company is also pioneering a new model of regenerative tourism, actively regenerating the Red Sea ecosystem while benefiting local communities and the Saudi economy under Vision 2030. 'As guardians of this precious environment, we are proving that luxury travel and environmental stewardship can not only coexist but thrive together. With our vertically integrated business model, we ensure both value creation and high-quality delivery,' he added. 120,000 employment opportunities and training programs As Group Chief Administrative Officer, Darwish explained how he also prioritises building a skilled workforce aligned with regenerative tourism. The company offers 16 programs including educational, vocational, and on-the-job training providing career pathways. To date, 1,995 students have benefited from these programs. In February 2024, Red Sea Global launched The Red Sea National Academy, aiming to train 10,000 individuals by 2030 in partnership with TVTC and Colleges of Excellence. The company's Vocational Training Program celebrated the graduation of its third batch in June, comprising 466 students, with 52.4 per cent being female graduates. Red Sea International Airport has also already employed 122 young Saudis, many from programs like the Vocational Training Program, Elite Graduate Training Program, and Red Sea Scholarship. 'Overall, we are set to create 120,000 jobs, contributing SAR33 billion annually to the economy. Beyond our sustainable and responsible developments, our commitment extends deeply to empowering people and communities,' Darwish said. 'We are actively investing in vocational training programs, such as our recent agreement with Oracle to train 5,000 Saudi citizens,' he added. The Social Development team also engages local communities through initiatives like the Red Sea Classic Sailing Race, preserving maritime heritage and transferring traditional boat-building skills to Saudi youth, alongside specialised craft workshops. The company has strengthened ties through meetings with Governors of surrounding cities. 'We actively seek partnerships with like-minded organizations,' Darwish said. 'In May, we partnered with SEK Education Group to open schools at The Red Sea and AMAALA by 2025-2026, offering the International Baccalaureate program. This supports Vision 2030 by raising education standards and fostering economic diversification,' he explained. Moreover, the company recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee (SOPC), represented by its commercial and team brand, Team Saudi. 'This partnership outlines a shared commitment to welcoming Saudi Paralympic athletes to RSG's destinations, using their participation and feedback to shape future sporting and entertainment experiences that cater to all communities, regardless of ability or background.' Red Sea Global's commitment to environmental sustainability is demonstrated through multiple initiatives. The company launched Botanica, which has already supplied over 7 million plants for landscaping destinations, with a target of 30 million by 2030. 'Our leadership in sustainable development is underscored by achieving Saudi Arabia's first LEED Platinum hotel certification. Our destinations are powered by 100 per cent renewable energy, generated by 760,500 solar panels and stored in one of the world's largest off-grid battery facilities with a 1,200 MWh capacity,' Darwish added. 'We've also implemented advanced clean mobility solutions, including EVs, e-bikes, and hydrogen-powered ferries,' he said. The Coral Gardening Project has achieved success by nurturing and replanting 98,000 corals in new underwater habitats from 2021 to 2023, achieving a high survival rate. The company has also installed 30 artificial nesting sites to assist in protecting vulnerable Sooty falcons. However, operating a giga-project of this scale presents unique administrative challenges, Darwish said. 'Managing vast complexity and scale across numerous teams like construction, hospitality, and environment, which can be viewed as a major hurdle.' The company addresses these challenges by leveraging technology including advanced project management software, digital workflows, and real-time data analytics for seamless communication. 'Another challenge is embedding sustainability as a core principle, which requires meticulous planning from responsible sourcing to waste management, constantly exploring new best practices,' Darwish said. 'Finally, deep community engagement is crucial; we build strong relationships and create opportunities for employment and development, recognising that our success is linked to local well-being.' Laheq Island development and property sales On the real estate front, the company successfully launched Red Sea Residences, featuring properties on Shura Island and the recently unveiled Laheq Island, with nearly 20 per cent of the homes having been sold. Scheduled to open in 2028, Laheq Island will redefine luxury living with exclusive residential offerings, according to Darwish. 'The successful launch of our residential portfolio, Red Sea Residences, featuring properties on Shura Island and the recently unveiled Laheq Island, has generated significant interest from local, regional, and international buyers,' Darwish said. 'This solidifies Red Sea Global's position as a leader in innovative and responsible development. We are constantly exploring new opportunities to expand our portfolio and elevate our offerings,' Darwish concluded.
The National
a day ago
- The National
Opec+ agrees to bigger than expected monthly oil output increase
Opec+ has agreed to a larger-than-anticipated increase its monthly oil output by another 548,000 barrels per day for August, despite demand concerns stemming from America's push for tariffs and the slowing global economy. The decision marks the fourth consecutive month that the group of oil producers, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, will raise production. However, the latest monthly hike is a jump from the 411,000 barrels for each of May, June and July and traders had expected the same level for August. The increase comes "in view of a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil inventories, and in accordance with the decision agreed upon on 5 December 2024 to start a gradual and flexible return of the 2.2 million barrels per day voluntary adjustments starting from 1 April 2025," Opec said in a statement on Saturday. Opec+ said the gradual increases may be paused or reversed subject to evolving market conditions and this flexibility will allow the group to continue to "support oil market stability". The measure will allow the eight countries of Opec+ to "accelerate their compensation," the statement said. The group will meet next on August 3 to decide on September production levels. The Opec+ decision comes despite oil prices languishing far below the highs of the initial days of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. Oil prices started 2025 strongly. The closing price of Brent, the benchmark for two thirds of the world's oil, peaked at more than $82 a barrel on January 15, while West Texas Intermediate, the gauge that tracks US crude, hit almost $79 per barrel on that day. Demand concerns, a slowing economy and less-than-stellar growth in China, the world's biggest crude importer, have weighed down crude prices in 2025. US President Donald Trump's push to impose hefty tariffs on trade partners this year has been the biggest driver of declining prices. His back-and-forth on trade and tariff policies has added to volatility in a market rattled by geopolitical concerns and wars in the Middle East that have threated to disrupt global crude supplies from the region. The latest round of volatility was driven by the 12-day war between Israel and Iran prices rose more than 13 per cent in a week, but quickly slumped below where they were before the conflict. US-Iran nuclear talks expected to restart in Oslo next week are adding to bearish sentiment in the market. US news website Axios reported on Thursday that White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will be in attendance during the negotiations. Brent, the benchmark for two thirds of the world's oil, closed 0.73 per cent lower to $68.3 a barrel on Friday, while West Texas Intermediate, the gauge that tracks US crude, was trading 0.75 per cent lower to $66.5 a barrel. Brent settled about 0.8 per cent higher than last Friday's close and WTI was around 1.5 per cent higher. There is still uncertainty over US tariff policies with the end of a 90-day pause on higher rates set to expire on July 9. Washington was due to start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying tariff rates they face on goods exported to the US. President Trump told reporters before leaving for Iowa on Thursday that the letters would be sent to 10 countries at a time, setting out levies of 20 per cent to 30 per cent, according to Reuters. A number of nations are still negotiating trade deals with the US. Accelerated output The faster pace of bringing crude back to the market began in March when Opec+ said it would proceed with a 'gradual and flexible' unwinding of voluntary production cuts of 2.2 million bpd, starting in April and adding 138,000 bpd per month until September 2026. The return of production cuts – originally agreed by eight Opec+ members including Saudi Arabia, Russia, the UAE and Iraq in November 2023 – had been pushed back several times amid concerns about growing supply in the market. However, analysts say the market has priced in the latest increase and crude is less likely to start dipping much below the current levels. Janiv Shah, vice president of oil markets at Rystad Energy, told The National the market 'widely expects Opec+ to announce one more month of the accelerated unwinding as the balances show a heavily undersupplied market for August due to peak demand and refinery runs, which would still remain in a deficit after extra barrels are counted in. 'The Opec+ hike has been largely priced in, as the market trades in a narrow band amid reduced risk premiums and geopolitical forces,' he added.
