Fayfa mountains: Ideal retreat for nature lovers
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Arab News
9 hours ago
- Arab News
Diriyah House showroom introduces Saudi Arabia's ‘City of Earth' jewel to London
LONDON: The Diriyah Company launched an interactive pavilion this week in London's Knightsbridge area to broaden the brand reach of one of Saudi Arabia's ambitious real estate projects that combines tradition, sustainability and modern design. The Diriyah House London, located at One Hyde Park, features interactive models that highlight the various components of Diriyah city's master plan, including residential units, boulevards, squares, cultural venues, hotels, offices and nature parks. The Diriyah Company, established in 2023, is also offering visitors to Harrods a pop-up showroom of the budding and historical districts of the town, following a successful month-long event held in London in July 2024. The Diriyah House London, located at One Hyde Park, features interactive models that highlight the various components of Diriyah city's master plan. (SPA) Diriyah is a historic site situated a 15-minute drive away from downtown Riyadh and 25 minutes from King Khalid International Airport. It is renowned for its significant political and religious importance, as it is the birthplace of the Kingdom. The Al-Saud family lived there during the establishment of the first state in 1727. It is also known as the City of Earth, due to its distinctive qualities, which include being built from bricks made from a mixture of mud, ash, sand and water. In 2010, the UNESCO designated the At-Turaif district in Diriyah as a World Heritage site, citing its Najdi architectural style. The whole vision (of Diriyah) is to unlock what it means to live and reside in a manner in which we were accustomed to doing hundreds of years ago Kiran Haslam, chief marketing officer, Diriyah Company Since 2017, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has initiated a new vision to develop Diriyah into a pedestrian-friendly city where residents can live, work and entertain, while preserving the city's historical significance and incorporating Najdi architecture into the designs of the units for luxury brands, hotels and residential districts. 'Diriyah brings design and sustainability together. The whole vision is to unlock what it means to live and reside in a manner in which we were accustomed to doing hundreds of years ago,' Kiran Haslam, chief marketing officer for Diriyah Company, told Arab News. '(At the same time), remain sympathetic to what you want the future urban environment to deliver — safety and community prosperity,' he said. On the completion of Diriyah, an estimated 100,000 residents will live there, and another 180,000 will commute to work. (AN Photo: Mustafa Abu Sneineh) At least 3.5 million people have visited the At-Turaif historic district since it partially opened to the public in 2022, known for its mud exterior walls that are beautifully illuminated at night, creating an enchanting sight. Since then, the developed dining areas of Buajiri Terrace and Zallal have provided their 120,000 monthly visitors with a taste of what it is like to live in a city within a 15-minute drive of the Saudi metropolis. Diriyeh is a $64 billion project covering 14 sq. km, or six and a half times the size of Monaco. Mohamed Saad, the president of the Diriyah Development Company, told Arab News that there are currently 45,000 workers on the site, along with 85 tower cranes. However, the project is expected to employ at least 60,000 workers and use 158 tower cranes next year when construction begins on the second phase of the project. (The challenge) was trying to figure out how to build modern amenities of luxury offerings and experience, but keeping the true traditional architecture of Diriyah Mohamed Saad, president of Diriyah Development Company His team is currently completing a pedestrianized district in Diriyeh, which spans 3.5 km in length and 1.2 km in width. They have excavated 45 meters deep to create three underground levels that include parking and the essential infrastructure a city needs, such as water and electricity. Saad said that the main challenge of building such a project was 'trying to figure out how to build modern amenities of luxury offerings and experience, but keeping the true traditional architecture of Diriyah.' The Diriyah Development Company has excavated 45 meters deep to create three underground levels that include parking and city infrastructure. (AN Photo: Mustafa Abu Sneineh) There are no motorized vehicles allowed in the pedestrianized district of Diriyah. Residents, visitors and shoppers will park their cars in the underground facility before heading to the surface. It is a complicated task of engineering, logistics and meeting sustainability standards, Saad admits. During the construction of the subterranean levels, 12.3 million cubic meters of rock and rubble have been excavated. In 2023, the US Green Building Council awarded the Diriyah Company an accolade for achieving leadership in energy and environmental design in the first phase of Diriyah's plan. The town was established in the mid-15th century in Wadi Hanifah, a floodplain that has historically provided a vital source of water for the residents of Diriyah. The valley is situated on a water reservoir, and the Diriyeh Company decided to preserve it, using Saudi Arabia's desalination technology to supply water to the town instead. On the completion of Diriyah, an estimated 100,000 residents will live there, and another 180,000 will commute to work. There are no motorized vehicles allowed in the pedestrianized district of Diriyah. (AN Photo: Mustafa Abu Sneineh) Significant parts of Diriyah are set to be completed by 2030, a pivotal year for the Kingdom across multiple sectors, including tourism, technology, aviation, energy, health and sports, as outlined in its Vision 2030. Diriyah is set to fully open the gates of At-Turaif, making it a significant attraction for visitors during the Riyadh Expo 2030. Haslam said that Diriyah 'is not separate, far-flung, it is very much in the center of the capital city. It is a city within the city. 'Riyadh is an incredible bustling city now with global recognition and Diriyah is almost like this wonderful little jewel in the landscape of Riyadh,' he said. * Schedule a visit to the Diriyah House London
Arab News
9 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi culinary scene thoroughly deserves its place in Michelin Guide, says its international director
RIYADH: The first restaurants in Saudi Arabia chosen for inclusion in the Michelin Guide will be unveiled toward the end of this year, Gwendal Poullennec, the guide's international director, mentioned during his appearance on The Mayman Show this week. He said they are being selected in collaboration with the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, and inspectors are already busy in the field exploring the vibrant food scene in various parts of the Kingdom. 'When we consider a destination, because we have to establish a road map, we need to have a gradual plan, so as not to compromise with the value and the methodology,' Poullennec said. 'We need also to acquire the knowledge of all the different food cultures. So that takes time. But to set up a clear priority, we monitor, in the field, the evolution of the different food scenes.' The guide announced in June that it was adding Saudi Arabia as a destination in its 2026 edition. The Kingdom's diverse landscapes, from its vast deserts to the stunning Red Sea coastline, provide a backdrop for some unforgettable dining experiences, Poullennec noted, and the country is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Diriyah. This deep historical and cultural heritage helps to set it apart. 'You feel the dynamic, the talent joining the industry, the diversity,' he said. 'And based on what is happening today — and even more on the potential it has to develop in the years to come — we decided to move to the next step, which is to publish a Michelin Guide selection … And this will happen at the end of the year, with three digital releases: Oct. 15, Nov. 15, Dec. 15.' The recommendations will initially focus on culinary hot spots in Riyadh and Jeddah, he explained. During the process of expanding into Saudi Arabia Poullennec found there were still a lot of misconceptions about the country's identity and authenticity in the eyes of foodies. 'I think there are a lot of places that need to be in (the guide); hidden gems that deserve their time to shine,' he said. 'And through the restaurants, we are also putting the spotlight on the culture.' He also shared some of the initial findings about the Saudi food scene based on the feedback from inspectors so far. 'What they found is the open-mindedness,' Poullennec said. 'Not only do you have local restaurants inspired by the culinary heritage but you have a lot of creativity. You have inspiration from all around the world. 'So, you feel the dynamics; you feel that, definitely. There is a momentum and that's the reason why we decided to move forward.' With a mind for strategy and a palate shaped by curiosity, Poullennec has been quietly helping to shape the future of fine dining through his work for the guide for the past two decades. From the launch of Michelin's Tokyo guide to steering its digital transformation, he has helped bring the renowned red book to 45 destinations around the world. Known for his motto, 'On the move,' he embodies the spirit of discovery, biking thousands of kilometers a year and sampling new dishes not out of hunger but wonder. He leads with discipline but eats with joy. 'When I joined Michelin, I wanted to contribute to expanding the Michelin Guide abroad because I felt it had an incredible potential to transform the world, to contribute to putting the spotlight on the cultures,' Poullennec said. 'And that's basically what happened, because I've been working 20 years now for the Michelin Guide and I have been able to make it happen, you know, to make the dreams come true and to contribute to the international expansion of the guide, starting with the US, outside of Europe, and then Asia, where we landed the guide in Japan.' The more authentic and unique a destination is, the more appealing an option it is for inclusion in the guide, Poullennec said, because it means it can recommend places that offer 'something that you will find nowhere else. It is a reason to travel for, based on the Michelin Guide criteria. And from that perspective, Saudi (Arabia) has a lot to offer and truly deserves its place in the world of culinary conversation.'
Arab News
11 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi hotel occupancy rises to 63% in Q1 2025
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia's hotel occupancy rate rose to 63 percent in the first quarter of 2025, up from 60.9 percent a year earlier, driven by seasonal events, pilgrimage traffic, and growing leisure tourism. The occupancy rate for serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities fell to 50.7 percent during the same period, marking a decline of 3.8 percentage points compared to the first quarter of 2024, according to recent data from the General Authority for Statistics. GASTAT's tourism establishments statistics also showed that the average daily room rate in hotels stood at SR477 ($127.2), reflecting a year-on-year decrease of 3.4 percent. Meanwhile, the average daily rate in serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities increased by 7.2 percent to SR209 during the same period. The Kingdom has set ambitious tourism targets under its Vision 2030 agenda, aiming to attract 150 million visitors annually by the end of the decade. #GASTAT publishes Tourism Establishment Statistics for Q1 2025 — الهيئة العامة للإحصاء (@Stats_Saudi) July 3, 2025 Tourism is central to the nation's broader strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil and is positioned as a vital contributor to the gross domestic product. To drive this transformation, Saudi Arabia plans to invest over $1 trillion in new attractions and infrastructure projects, including the Red Sea initiative and NEOM, a $500 billion megacity. According to GASTAT, the average length of stay for hotel guests was approximately 4.1 nights during the first quarter of 2025, consistent with the same period in 2024. 'On the other hand, the average length of stay for guests in serviced apartments and other hospitality facilities was approximately 2.1 nights during Q1 of 2025, reflecting a decrease of 4.5 percent compared to the corresponding quarter of 2024, which was 2.2 nights,' the analysis added. Regarding employment in the tourism sector, GASTAT reported notable growth, with the total number of workers in tourism-related activities reaching 983,253 during the first quarter of 2025, up 4.1 percent from the same period last year. 'The number of Saudi employees reached 243,369, with a participation rate of 24.8 percent. Meanwhile, the number of non-Saudi employees reached 739,884, representing a participation rate of 75.2 percent of the total employees in tourism activities,' the report said. The study further indicated that, in terms of gender distribution, male employees in tourism activities totaled 853,852, accounting for 86.8 percent of the workforce, while female employees numbered 129,401, representing 13.2 percent during the first quarter of 2025. It also revealed that workers in the tourism sector constituted 5.4 percent of total national employment, marking a decline of 0.3 percentage points compared to the first quarter of 2024. Within the private sector, tourism accounted for 8.1 percent of jobs, a decrease of 0.6 percentage points from 8.7 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. Highlighting its calculation methodology, GASTAT said the tourism establishments statistics for Q1 2025 are compiled from multiple sources to provide comprehensive insights into tourism activities in Saudi Arabia. These sources include administrative records, statistical surveys, and secondary data. The Kingdom's tourism sector continued to demonstrate strong performance in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting the country's accelerating efforts under its Vision 2030 agenda to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues. As the nation expands its hospitality infrastructure and boosts its global appeal, recent data reveals promising trends in visitor spending, hotel occupancy, and employment within the tourism industry. In the first three months of 2025, international tourists spent SR49.37 billion in the Kingdom, a 10 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA. This rise contributed to boosting the travel account surplus to SR26.78 billion, marking an 11.7 percent year-on-year increase and underscoring tourism's growing contribution to the non-oil economy. Saudi Arabia's hotel sector recorded a solid performance in the first quarter of 2025, supported by a steady rise in both domestic and international tourism, according to the latest report by global real estate consultancy JLL. The report showed that the Kingdom welcomed approximately 21.6 million international tourists in the first nine months of 2024, while domestic travel surged to 63.9 million, with leisure being the primary motivator for trips. It added that religious pilgrimage continued to drive international arrivals, reinforcing the country's unique position as a spiritual destination. The JLL study said that while the nationwide hotel market saw growth in key performance metrics, such as a 10.8 percent increase in average daily rates and a 1.3 percentage point rise in occupancy, performance diverged across cities. JLL noted that Makkah and Madinah posted robust gains, while Riyadh experienced declines in both occupancy and room rates. Jeddah, meanwhile, showed mixed results.
