Latest news with #ruralTourism
Arab News
17 hours 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
17 hours 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.
ABC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Farmers renovate old silos to give them second life as accommodation
Farmers are converting disused silos into beautiful and quirky places to stay as they aim to future-proof their businesses and diversify their incomes. New South Wales farmers Nicholas and Amber Heffernan renovated their old silos to gain an added income stream and give the structures a second life. "We just thought we'd cut a hole and build inside and it would be all easy," Mr Heffernan said. "As we dove a bit deeper, we worked out that we had to change the structure. "It was a complete rebuild, because it's a tin can, basically. "We had to insulate it well to get it up to [our] standards." After years of toying with design plans and creating small models, they sought the help of architect Sarah Lebner, who they said was able to think outside the box, or in this case, outside the can. Together they transformed one 60-year-old silo into accommodation, while the cement base of another silo was used as paving for outdoor entertainment. Forbes cattle farmers Adrian and Kylie Matthews also converted their disused silos into a farmstay, after hearing about the unusual accommodation style in New Zealand. "It's actually gone a lot better than what we thought it would to begin with," Ms Matthews said. "We put a second story into the taller silo, which has a queen bed up there. It's actually quite spacious, surprisingly." While the couple sat on the idea for a few years as they raised their children, Ms Matthews said the plan was always to repurpose the silos. "As the word spreads, we are getting busier," she said. "Most weekends we have someone in here. I can't really ask for much more than that at this stage without giving up my day job." The Heffernans only opened their accommodation last October, and while the new venture offers a helpful income stream, the addition didn't come cheap. "We still have debts to pay out, but definitely … it will help. It's about future-proofing," Ms Heffernan said. "The generation that's following can't stay on the farm because it's not financially viable. But Ms Heffernan said turning a silo into accommodation might not be for everyone. "It depends on what someone wants to do. People can do whatever they can dream up if they're willing to take that extra step, but it's not a simple undertaking by any means," she said. Mr Heffernan agreed that anyone considering a restoration didn't have to go to the lengths they did. "Building in circles is very difficult. We wanted to have it very luxurious, so it cost a lot to do that," he said. From marriage proposals to interstate and international visitors, the Junee-based couple now enjoy sharing their farming experience and getting to know their guests. "It's fantastic," Mr Heffernan said. University of Newcastle's International Hotel School director, Marianna Sigala, said the novelty of sleeping in a silo could help farms stand out from the competition. "[For] many decades now, interesting public or private places have been converted into accommodation, like prisons, old hospitals, caves. People are always looking to experience new things," Professor Sigala said. "You can find luxury hotels … everywhere in the globe. But these [silos] are not things you can easily imitate or copy and paste." Having stayed in a silo herself, the marketing professor also said they were a great way to connect with a location, as tourists were increasingly looking for authentic and meaningful rural experiences. "By converting a silo … you actually provide the trigger for people to learn who are the locals, how they live, how they use the silo, and how this relates to their daily life," Professor Sigala said.
Trade Arabia
11-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
ITB China, UN Tourism, Fliggy to promote rural tourism
ITB China, the premier B2B travel trade show focused on the Chinese market, is partnering with UN Tourism, Alibaba Philanthropy, and Fliggy's "Travel for Good" project to highlight "Tourism for Rural Development." The event will take place from May 27 to 29 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center. The initiative aims to create an international platform to showcase rural tourism in China and build a dynamic bridge between Chinese rural destinations and global travel buyers. Rural tourism plays a vital role in driving sustainable economic growth and strengthening local communities. ITB China 2025 will focus on initiatives designed to support rural areas through tourism, including the UN Tourism "Best Tourism Villages" initiative, which promotes exemplary rural destinations from across the globe and China. Representatives from previously awarded villages will be invited to share their stories and demonstrate how they have successfully balanced community empowerment, cultural heritage preservation, and sustainable economic development. Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UN Tourism said, 'Rural tourism is a vital driver for community empowerment and nature conservation worldwide. Through the Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism initiative, we recognise and support destinations that harness rural tourism as a force for good. These villages stand as global examples of how tourism can preserve cultural heritage, safeguard biodiversity, and enhance the quality of life for residents. We are proud to share this vision at ITB China and partner with them to showcase how rural tourism is shaping a more sustainable, inclusive future for rural communities around the world.' A dedicated forum titled "China Travel: Discovering Rural Beauty" will be hosted by UN Tourism, Alibaba Philanthropy, and Fliggy, offering high-level insights into the development of rural tourism in China. The forum will also feature discussions on the transformative role of tourism in rural development and panel discussions on revitalising rural tourism resources, driving digital transformation, and enhancing product marketing from a global perspective. The inbound tourism segment will be more diverse and wide-ranging than ever, with participation from Beijing, Hubei, Guangxi, Lahsa, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. Exhibitors include top travel operators such as China Tourism Group Travel Services, Hubei Best Tour, Guangxi Tourism Development Group, China International Travel Service Guilin , Spring Tour, Zhejiang EVERBRIGHT, and Guangdong China Travel Service, as well as key state-owned enterprises like Huangshan Tourism Group. Major hospitality brands will present China's evolving standards in international hospitality. The China Inbound Travel Forum will provide a global perspective on the Chinese travel market, focusing on fresh strategies for promoting Chinese destinations to overseas audiences. High-profile networking events will be planned to foster collaboration and celebrate local culture. -TradeArabia News Service
