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Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Tuaja resorts in Al-Ahsa set to transform rural tourism
AL-AHSA: The lavender carpet was laid out last Wednesday in Al-Ahsa as a special groundbreaking ceremony was held for Tuaja Luxury Resorts, marking the start of a new chapter in Saudi Arabia's rural tourism and hospitality sector. Slated to open by early 2027, three brand new resorts — Tuaja Premium Farm Resorts, Tuaja Eco Resorts, and Tuaja Adventure Resorts — will be operated by Hilton Worldwide. All will be clustered around a central area of Al-Ahsa, surrounded by lush picturesque farms. This trio of tailored activations are expected to play a key role in positioning Al-Ahsa as a leading destination in rural tourism, capitalizing on its location within the largest palm oasis in the world. Attended by Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, governor of Al-Ahsa, the event marked the groundbreaking of the first luxury resort development project by Dan Company under the Tuaja brand and featured detailed mock-ups of the resort rooms. 'We remain committed to strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors to deliver development projects that meet the highest standards of quality, fulfill the aspirations of citizens and visitors — and align with Vision 2030,' Prince Saud said. Dan Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, was established to unlock the potential of rural tourism across the Kingdom. This inaugural project will transform rural areas into sustainable tourism hubs that align with the goals of Vision 2030, supporting national economic diversification and community development. Dan Company also aims to contribute approximately SR6 billion ($1.6 billion) to the Kingdom's GDP by 2030. Its strategy includes attracting around 14 million visitors, including 1.4 million overnight stays and 12 million day experiences, through an innovative business model that combines luxury hospitality under the Tuaja Luxury Resorts brand, with rural lodges developed in partnership with local communities across the Kingdom. The Tuaja resorts are being developed in the Al-Ahsa region with the support of the Al-Ahsa Development Authority. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kroud, chairman, Dan Company, who describes himself as 'a son of Al-Ahsa,' underlined the significance of the event, saying: 'Today marks a major milestone and turning point in our journey to deliver exceptional hospitality experiences across the Kingdom, celebrating the cultural, historical, and natural richness of the Al-Ahsa region. Tuaja resorts are not merely destinations, they offer an extraordinary blend of authenticity and modernity.' During the ceremony, Abdulrahman Abaalkhail, chief executive of Dan Company, was in conversation with popular media personality Weam Al-Dakheel, highlighting the company's vision to redefine rural tourism through immersive, community-driven experiences. The Tuaja resorts in Al-Ahsa will cover 1.8 million square meters and feature nearly 200 accommodation units, including upscale villas and hotel rooms — some with private pools. These developments represent the first phase of the Tuaja resort portfolio, which will expand to other regions across the Kingdom. Each resort will feature a design identity rooted in the culture and natural character of its location. Dan Company is aiming for LEED Gold certification for all its developments.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
AL-AHSA: Tuaja resorts in Al-Ahsa set to transform rural tourism
The lavender carpet was laid out last Wednesday in Al-Ahsa as a special groundbreaking ceremony was held for Tuaja Luxury Resorts, marking the start of a new chapter in Saudi Arabia's rural tourism and hospitality sector. Slated to open by early 2027, three brand new resorts — Tuaja Premium Farm Resorts, Tuaja Eco Resorts, and Tuaja Adventure Resorts — will be operated by Hilton Worldwide. All will be clustered around a central area of Al-Ahsa, surrounded by lush picturesque farms. This trio of tailored activations are expected to play a key role in positioning Al-Ahsa as a leading destination in rural tourism, capitalizing on its location within the largest palm oasis in the world. Attended by Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, governor of Al-Ahsa, the event marked the groundbreaking of the first luxury resort development project by Dan Company under the Tuaja brand and featured detailed mock-ups of the resort rooms. 'We remain committed to strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors to deliver development projects that meet the highest standards of quality, fulfill the aspirations of citizens and visitors — and align with Vision 2030,' Prince Saud said. Dan Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, was established to unlock the potential of rural tourism across the Kingdom. This inaugural project will transform rural areas into sustainable tourism hubs that align with the goals of Vision 2030, supporting national economic diversification and community development. Dan Company also aims to contribute approximately SR6 billion ($1.6 billion) to the Kingdom's GDP by 2030. Its strategy includes attracting around 14 million visitors, including 1.4 million overnight stays and 12 million day experiences, through an innovative business model that combines luxury hospitality under the Tuaja Luxury Resorts brand, with rural lodges developed in partnership with local communities across the Kingdom. The Tuaja resorts are being developed in the Al-Ahsa region with the support of the Al-Ahsa Development Authority. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kroud, chairman, Dan Company, who describes himself as 'a son of Al-Ahsa,' underlined the significance of the event, saying: 'Today marks a major milestone and turning point in our journey to deliver exceptional hospitality experiences across the Kingdom, celebrating the cultural, historical, and natural richness of the Al-Ahsa region. Tuaja resorts are not merely destinations, they offer an extraordinary blend of authenticity and modernity.' During the ceremony, Abdulrahman Abaalkhail, chief executive of Dan Company, was in conversation with popular media personality Weam Al-Dakheel, highlighting the company's vision to redefine rural tourism through immersive, community-driven experiences. The Tuaja resorts in Al-Ahsa will cover 1.8 million square meters and feature nearly 200 accommodation units, including upscale villas and hotel rooms — some with private pools. These developments represent the first phase of the Tuaja resort portfolio, which will expand to other regions across the Kingdom. Each resort will feature a design identity rooted in the culture and natural character of its location. Dan Company is aiming for LEED Gold certification for all its developments.
Arab News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Final day drama in Roshn Saudi League as top teams battle for continental spots
RIYADH: On the final day of the Roshn Saudi Pro League, all Matchweek 34 fixtures will kick off at 9:00pm, with several big encounters shaping the race for continental qualification and league standings. Al-Fateh v Al-Nassr: A clash of motivation and ambition in Al-Ahsa Al-Fateh will host Al-Nassr at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in Al-Ahsa. Having secured their places in the safe zone, Al-Fateh enter the match without pressure and are aiming to end their season on a high note, seeking a revenge for their loss in the first leg. Al-Nassr, currently third with 70 points, are targeting a win to leap into second place — a position that would secure a spot in the AFC Elite Champions League, provided rivals Al-Hilal slip against Al-Qadsiah. The team boasts a star-studded lineup including Cristiano Ronaldo, French defender Mohamed Simakan, Portuguese midfielder Otavio, Senegalese winger Sadio Mane, Ayman Yahya, and Sultan Al-Ghannam. Al-Fateh counters with talent of its own, led by Moroccan duo Mourad Batna and Marwane Saadane, alongside Algerian midfielder Sofiane Bendebka. In their professional league history, the two sides have met 27 times: Al-Nassr won 16, Al-Fateh won 3, with 8 matches ending in draws. Al-Nassr will look to extend their dominance in this fixture. Al-Hilal v Al-Qadsiah: Blue wave aims to lock second spot In Riyadh, Al-Hilal will host Al-Qadsiah at Kingdom Arena, needing just three points to secure second place and a berth in next season's AFC Elite Champions League. Al-Hilal will be without Brazilian forwards Malcom, who recently underwent foot surgery, and Marcos Leonardo, sidelined due to a groin injury. Meanwhile, Al-Qadsiah are at full strength and looking to replicate their first-leg victory over Al Hilal. They're currently fourth with 68 points, just four behind Al-Naser, and are also preparing for the King's Cup final against Al-Ittihad on May 30 in Jeddah. Al-Hilal have accumulated 72 points from 22 wins, 6 draws, and 5 losses, while Al-Qadsiah have 21 wins, 5 draws, and 7 losses. Al-Ittihad v Damac: Champions eye a grand finale Champions Al-Ittihad will cap off their title-winning season at Al-Inma Stadium in Jeddah as they face Damac in front of a huge home crowd. Already crowned league champions, Al-Ittihad are looking to finish in style with a victory that would take their final tally to 83 points. French manager Laurent Blanc also sees the match as vital preparation for the upcoming King's Cup final against Al-Qadsiah. Damac, currently 14th with 35 points, are hoping for a positive result to end their season on a stronger note, especially after a 1–0 defeat to Al-Fateh in Matchweek 33. With league standings, continental spots, and momentum heading into the King's Cup final all on the line, the closing night of the Roshn Saudi League promises thrilling action across the board.
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Major tourism project inaugurated in Al-Ahsa region
RIYADH: The launch of a major new resort project was inaugurated by Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, governor of Al-Ahsa, as he laid the foundation stone to mark the start of its construction on Wednesday evening. Various officials from government entities, investors, and representatives from Al-Ahsa Development Authority and the Tourism Fund attended the ceremony for the Dusit D2 Al-Ahsa resort. Spanning over 77,000 square meters, it will be located in Al-Ahsa Oasis, which is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It will include 120 luxury hotel units and amenities such as an artificial lake, a health club, restaurants, a cultural center, nature trails, and recreational areas. The resort will partly operate using solar energy and have electric internal transport, water treatment, and low-carbon building materials. A SR60 million ($15.995 million) project was also implemented to upgrade the water system in the region ahead of tourist season. Prince Saud expressed pride at the rapid growth of high-quality tourism projects in Al-Ahsa, all of which strengthen its status as an attractive tourist destination in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported. He added that these projects contribute to diversifying income sources and increasing the tourism sector's contribution to the national economy, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The support and care that Al-Ahsa and its development projects receive from the Kingdom's leadership help empower the private sector and encourage investments across various fields, the prince added. The importance of supporting and enabling the private sector and creating a fruitful investment environment — one that prompts innovative initiatives and provides job opportunities for the people of the governorate — was also highlighted. The ceremony included the signing of management and operation agreements with the Thai company Dusit, which will operate the resort once it is completed, SPA reported. Naif bin Abdullah Al-Madhi, CEO of the Business Sector and Tourism Development Fund, spoke of the necessity to embolden projects that reflect the diversity of the Saudi identity and contribute to making unique experiences for tourists that showcase local culture and heritage. Al-Madhi described the resort as a model for utilizing local environmental resources to offer a complete hospitality experience that highlights agricultural and cultural tourism, especially in a region with the largest palm oasis in the world. Bassem Al-Ghadeer, chairman of Al-Ghadeer Group, which owns the project, expressed his thanks and appreciation to the governor for his support of the development.
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Science
- Arab News
Saudi university develops smart sensor designed to help reduce fruit vegetable spoilage
AL-AHSA: Researchers at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province have developed a low-cost smart sensor meant to reduce fruit wastage of fruits and vegetables. A report by the Saudi Press Agency on Thursday said the device, which is now registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), is designed to predict spoilage early during transportation and storage. Developed by a team from the KFU College of Science, the device operates by detecting volatile organic compounds, particularly ethylene gas, a key indicator of the onset of spoilage in fresh produce. "The compact and lightweight prototype is designed for easy installation in refrigeration units or transport containers," the report said. As the device can be connected to Internet of Things (IoT) networks, real-time remote monitoring and early alerts can be done by stakeholders across the food supply chain. It can be integrated into cooling and distribution systems, offering a practical solution for the food and logistics sectors, the report said. It added that the device was showcased by KFU during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Riyadh last December, drawing significant interest from visitors and investors due its "practical value in supporting smart agriculture and minimizing food waste in supply chains."
