Hilton (NYSE: HLT), in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) West Asia and Winnow, has announced the launch of Green Ramadan, an initiative which will see food waste reduction efforts implemented across several key markets in the Middle East, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) at Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences. With reports from UNEP West Asia showing that food waste increases by 25% – 50% in the region during religious and social festivities, Hilton is introducing measures to minimise waste during the holy month of Ramadan and drive awareness around local sourcing and food waste. The initiative is in line with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals to reduce food waste sent to landfill by 50%.The partnership will combine Hilton’s drive towards a net zero future, UNEP’s ‘Recipe of Change’ food waste reduction campaign and Winnow’s AI technology – allowing for digitally led tracking of food waste throughout Ramadan. In doing so, Hilton will gather data to predict future procurement and production needs while also minimising its long-term environmental impact.As part of the initiative, participating Hilton hotels across KSA, Qatar and the UAE will compost excess food waste, prioritise local food sourcing within a 50-mile radius, promote plant-based dishes, restrict plastic use across operations, and partner with food banks.In Riyadh, Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences will offer guests a tasteful dining experience at Amara, its Ramadan tent, which will feature local produce from Nadec and Pure Harvest Smart Farms as part of a thoughtfully curated menu that helps to significantly cut food-related emissions. The hotel is also partnering with the Ita’am Food Bank to reinforce charitable giving and will donate 100 meals per day throughout Ramadan. Additionally, the hotel will collaborate with Black Cow to collect and compost Iftar buffet leftovers to be used as organic fertilisers locally.Emma Banks, vice president, F&B strategy & development, EMEA, Hilton, said: “As a global hospitality brand, Hilton has a responsibility to lead the industry in the pursuit of sustainable solutions. We are delighted to embrace the holy month of Ramadan with the introduction of the Green Ramadan initiative. Our partner, Winnow, will play a crucial role in this digital-first approach to collecting food waste data and using it to inform our local procurement requirements. We’re also aligning closely with UNEP West Asia’s ongoing ‘Recipe of Change’ campaign aimed at reducing food waste across the value chain”.“We hope that Hilton’s Green Ramadan initiative will set the standard for years to come by encouraging local food sourcing and reducing food waste,” added Banks. Mr. Sami Dimassi, UNEP representative and regional director, West Asia, said: “We are very pleased to collaborate with Hilton to activate this campaign across its key markets in the Middle East. Reducing food waste is not only about saving food, but also about saving resources. The only way forward is to work hand-in-hand by engaging the local community, private sector, and influencers. Today, every plate counts and so does every wasted plate. Let us all fight food waste and work towards a more sustainable future”. Marc Zornes, CEO and co-founder, Winnow, added: “Winnow is delighted to partner with Hilton and UNEP West Asia on this initiative during Ramadan. Food waste is an important area of interest for the region from a social and environmental perspective. Our intention is for this collaboration to be underpinned by real-world data and behavioural science, offering a playbook for the industry to tackle food waste”.
Shaza Hotels, the leading hotel management company dedicated to offering true Arabian hospitality, has successfully concluded their annual Partner Meet in the key GCC cities. The event brought together industry players and major stakeholders to pave a stronger relationship and bonding for the coming years. Shaza & Mysk brand’s 10 properties, which comprise Shaza Doha, Shaza Riyadh, Shaza Makkah, Mysk Al Mouj Muscat, Mysk Touch Al Madinah, and the Sharjah Collection Retreats by Mysk, recently took part in GCC Partners meetups held in major GCC cities such as Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Kuwait, Doha, Muscat and Dubai.At the final event held at Dubai, Shaza Hotels entered in to a brand-wide agreement with WebBeds, one the largest travel trade partners in the world, to agree on brand wide pricing and distribution globally for all Shaza & Mysk Hotels through their distribution networks, connecting travel agents and trave trade suppliers. Mr Riyam Darkazally, COO Hotel Division – WebBeds, and his entire team was present at the event to conclude the master agreement and to celebrate the partnership. This partnership will strengthen Shaza Hotels’ distribution network and expand its reach in the global travel market.
Shaji Abu Salih, Corporate Director of Business Development at Shaza Hotels, said, “We are delighted with the success of our annual Partner Meet 2023, which was a valuable opportunity for us to meet and engage with our key partners after the pandemic. It was important for us to rekindle these relationships and show our appreciation for their support over the past year and to enhance our future bond with our trade partners and stake holders. We are also extremely happy for concluding the master agreement with WebBeds at this occasion, which definitely would enhance our reach and presence in global markets”The attendees at the event included travel trade partners, key bookers, government officials, potential investors, and media. The hotel team members were able to discuss and engage with their key stakeholders’ strategic partnerships ahead, and thank their support for a successful financial year in 2022.During the event, the company also announced its ambitious expansion plans in the region, including the upcoming hotels including Mysk The Palm Jumeirah, Mysk Jeddah, Mysk Madinah, enhancing the Mysk Retreats Portfolio including Mysk Nomads and Mysk Najd Al Meqsar Village (both under Sharjah Collection by Shurooq), Mysk Muttrah Collection in Muscat etc. The group is also aiming to develop its Shaza & Mysk portfolio outside the GCC region, including United States, Turkey, Egypt and Levant.Shaza & Mysk Hotels are also proud members of Global Hotel Alliance and its Discovery Loyalty program, which has above 15 million members connected across 500+ hotels around the world. Owing to its successful outcome, Shaza Hotels is intending to continue implementing partner engagement initiatives regularly in several other source markets and cities to sustain brand engagement and affiliation within its significant B2B networks.
It’s not just the tea: Dilmah is an experience of luxury, of kindness, of caring for the planet and all its inhabitants.
Dilmah Ceylon Tea recently held new luxurious tea experience events in Riyadh and Jeddah, with the aim of promoting a tea culture in the Saudi Arabian hospitality industry. The events took place at the Mövenpick Hotel in Riyadh and the Hilton Hotel in Jeddah, in the presence of guests from the luxury tourism and hospitality industry alongside key decision makers, media figures, food bloggers and influencers. The event was crafted by Tea Grower and Dilmah CEO Dilhan C. Fernando together with the Board Members of Coffee Moments Athbi Al Aqeel & Thamar Baeshen, to introduce the art and finesse of Single Origin, Pure Ceylon Tea and its numerous flavours & varieties through an innovative and exceptional experience of Food & Tea Pairing. The events were a demonstration of the calibre of luxury Dilmah brings to the hospitality sector, adding value to their guests’ experiences. Dilmah was founded with a vision of taking Single Origin, Pure Ceylon Tea to the world, Merrill J. Fernando, the Founder & 1st Generation of Dilmah, built his family business to serve humanity with kindness to people & nature. Whilst being ethical and sustainable is the very fibre of Dilmah’s being, the company also provides a luxurious hospitality experience, offering the World’s Finest Single Origin Pure Ceylon Tea in hotels and hospitality venues, catering to the increasing appreciation and interest in tea culture. Tea often plays a vital role in elevating guest experience through all the touchpoints in the hospitality industry, from extending a warm welcome into a property by offering a beverage that is pure, natural, healthy and more importantly, refreshing, to in-room tea stations making guests feel at home and special. Speaking at the event, 2nd Generation of Dilmah, CEO Dilhan C. Fernando said: “Since its inception, Dilmah has been striving to raise awareness and spread the culture of authentic and luxurious tea among communities, by providing a pure product that is ethically grown, picked, and packed at source by upholding the highest standards that ensure the preservation of environmental and societal sustainability which form the heart of everything the company does”. He added, “The Saudi Arabian society’s consumption of tea is high, especially our Pure Ceylon Tea packaged fresh in the tea gardens of Ceylon, so we are here to work together in providing an exceptional tea experience that raises the level of luxury in the hospitality industry by ensuring the provision of the Finest Ceylon Tea with its distinctive flavours.” Dilmah have pioneered a comprehensive commitment to minimizing its impact on the planet, fostering respect for the environment, and ensuring its protection by encouraging a harmonious coexistence of man and nature. The currently carbon neutral company aims to be carbon negative by 2030. It’s noteworthy that 15% of the company’s pretax profits are used to implement the Founder’s vision of making business a matter of human service through the MJF Charitable Foundation and Dilmah Conservation. These core values allow the company to meet and exceed consumers’ expectations for sustainability. Dilmah is an integrated family business that has its own gardens, printing and packaging equipment and a state-of-the-art packaging factory. Dilmah is one of the World’s Leading Tea Brands with an unparalleled reputation for producing original, authentic, natural and ethical Ceylon Tea of the finest quality, with Integrity & Commitment
The Jeep® brand celebrates a new era of premium refinement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the official launch of its 5-seater, fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee in the market. The official launch ceremony took place today at the Jeep Petromin showroom in Riyadh.
The all-new 5-seater alongside the Grand Cherokee L (7-seater), build on the Jeep® brand legacy as the most awarded SUV ever, bringing an all-new architecture, exterior design and interior with world-class craftsmanship and first-to-market technologies to the Middle East’s full-size SUV segment. The Grand Cherokee L (7-seater) is already available in the market and features three-rows for the first time in the vehicle’s history.
“We at Stellantis Middle East are proud of being a legacy car maker with over 100 years of tradition and history. The launch of the all-new 5-seater Grand Cherokee is yet another testament to our grit, perseverance and agility as we transform all facets of mobility for the betterment of our families, communities and the societies in which we operate. The Saudi market is one of our key markets in the region, and based on the Jeep brand’s successful history in the Kingdom, we are certain that the all-new 5-seater Grand Cherokee will be very well received” said Rakesh Nair, Managing Director, American Brands at Stellantis ME.
“The Jeep brand is an integral part of the Stellantis portfolio in Middle East, making a significant contribution to our business both from a volume and revenue perspective. And while Adventure will always be in our core DNA, we are setting a new course for the brand in the Middle East in response to the needs of our customers led by the All-new Grand Cherokee. We are showcasing that best-in-class capability, premium style, and high-tech features can go hand in hand.” Nair added.
Petromin Stellantis and National Motor Company CEO, Terence Byrne said: “The much-anticipated Grand Cherokee 5-Seater has finally arrived in Saudi market in its 5th generation, and while the car captures the essence of Jeep’s unparalleled functionalities, it’s also a great addition to Jeeps portfolio of cars. We at Petromin will continue to utilise our network and expansion plans to deliver the best customer experience possible keeping in mind what our Saudi audience wants and aspires for across the industry”.
The Jeep brand’s growth trajectory in the Kingdom is on the rise, with ten Jeep showrooms opening over the past year in key locations across Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Makkah, Madinah and Jubail, and two more opening soon in Hail and Buraidah, totaling 12 showrooms by the end of the first half of the year. As part of its growth plans in the Saudi market, the brand plans to expand its coverage in the Kingdom to include Abha and Tabuk.
The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup consisting of four models – Altitude, Limited, Overland and Summit Reserve – available now at dealerships across the Kingdom.
What’s new for Jeep® Grand Cherokee
The newest iteration of the Jeep Grand Cherokee line-up delivers legendary capability, class-leading space and versatility and advanced safety features. The Grand Cherokee’s all-new architecture and sculpted aerodynamic body style combine to improve vehicle performance, safety and reliability, while significantly reducing vehicle weight, noise and vibration.
Designed to maximize overall passenger safety, comfort and convenience, Grand Cherokee packs a powerful punch with next generation features and technologies that make it a standout in the full-size SUV segment. The four-zone automatic climate control, massage seats, ventilated front and second rows, premium hand-wrapped, quilted Palermo leather seats, genuine open-pore waxed walnut wood, and the premium wrapped suede-like fabric on the A-pillars and headliner are just a few of the available features that enhance passenger comfort in the all-new 5-seater Grand Cherokee.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee also delivers unrivaled capability along with composed on-road driving dynamics. The legendary off-road capability begins courtesy of three 4×4 systems – Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II, and Quadra-Drive II with rear electronic limited slip differential (ELSD). All three systems are equipped with an active transfer case to improve traction by moving torque to work with the wheel with the most grip.
The class-leading Selec-Terrain traction management system lets customers choose the on- or off-road setting for optimum 4×4 performance. This feature electronically coordinates 4×4 torque split, braking and handling, steering and suspension systems, throttle control, transmission shift, transfer case, traction control, stability control, antilock brake system (ABS) and steering feel.
The all-new Grand Cherokee boasts class-leading 3,265kg max towing with the available V6 and 2.0T engines delivering up to 293 horsepower and an impressive capability of torque.
Advanced technology with Uconnect 5
The fifth-generation Grand Cherokee has the most advanced technology features in its history, with Uconnect 5 – the latest Uconnect system offering up to three 10.1 inch (25.6 cm) and two 10.25 inch (26 cm) digital displays in the cabin and an intuitive user experience.
A front passenger screen offers co-pilot assistance with navigation, camera viewing and visual entertainment, while the digital rearview mirror, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and TomTom navigation ensure a premium driving experience alongside greater connectivity with two Bluetooth-enabled phones paired simultaneously.
The new fifth-generation line-up also brings Amazon Fire TV built-in (later availability on all models), enabling passengers to stream videos, play games, listen to music, get information and watch downloaded content – all while on the road.
A state-of-the-art McIntosh audio system is also available and features 19 custom-designed speakers (including a 10 inch / 25.4 cm subwoofer), 950 watts of power and a 17-channel amplifier. The Jeep® brand is currently the only automotive manufacturer in the world to carry a McIntosh system.
Segment-leading innovation
The all-new 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers more than 110 safety and security features, including innovative applications of technologies that refine the connection between driver, vehicle and the road.
The Grand Cherokee arrives with a class-leading suite of features that deliver on the promise of driving confidence, for which the Jeep brand is renowned. These features enhance a driver’s field of vision, help make instrumentation easier to see and enable driver-assist capabilities that accommodate collision avoidance.
Active Driving Assist is the Jeep brand’s name for Level 2 (L2) automated driving capability and the technology affirms the company’s march toward an autonomous future. The Grand Cherokee is available with Active Driving Assist for hands-on-wheel and eyes-on-road automated driving using lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. The system uses multiple sensors, including radars and cameras to dictate appropriate roads for the technology. Active Driving Assist is available on Overland and standard on Summit models.
Night Vision Camera, uses thermographic technology to augment the reach of the Grand Cherokee’s headlamps. Infrared sensors search for the heat signatures of pedestrians and animals in the road ahead, at distances up to 200 meters. When located, an alert with their positions relative to the vehicle are outlined in the instrument cluster directly in front of the driver.
Ergonomics are a key benefit of the full-color Head-up Display (HUD). The system provides the driver with up to five different information elements, including Active Lane Management, adaptive cruise control, turn-by-turn navigation, current speed, current gear and speed limit.
Intersection Collision Assist helps detect vehicles approaching from the driver’s left and right when nearing a crossroad. Four radar sensors and one camera determine if a collision appears imminent, prompting the system to provide audible and visual alerts. If the driver does not respond, the system automatically activates the vehicle’s brakes.
Drowsy Driver Detection tracks vehicle movement, such as lane deviation, and interaction, such as steering-wheel input over time, for driving behavior consistent with that of a drowsy driver. When certain thresholds are reached, the system responds with audio and/or visual cautions for the driver to pull over.
The Digital Rearview Camera system replaces the conventional rearview mirror with a 9.2-inch-wide Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) that shows real-time video from a rear-facing camera. Unlike a conventional rearview mirror, the new digital camera system offers a view that is unobstructed by the D-pillars or rear seats. When not in use as a display, the screen reverts back to a reflective mirror.
featured the Quadrifoglio. They were particularly high-performance models manufactured between the 1960s to the 1980s. Some carried the symbol on the bodywork, with no appearance in the official name – such as the “Giulia Sprint GT Veloce” or “1750 GT Veloce” – while others, from the 1980s onwards, had the Quadrifoglio in their official name, such as the various versions of the “33 Quadrifoglio Verde” or the “164 Quadrifoglio Verde.” It is also worth mentioning that, between the 1970s and 1980s, the Quadrifoglio also evolved and was available in two versions: “Verde” for sportier vehicles and “Oro” for more refined and luxurious set-ups.
Over time, the initial “Q” itself became part of the Alfa Romeo vocabulary, eventually identifying the most advanced technical solutions: the most famous of all is the Q4 all-wheel drive, but there was also the Q2 self-locking differential, the Q-System automatic transmission and the Q-Tronic, just to name but a few.
Lastly, the Quadrifoglio symbol returned both on Mito (2008) and Giulietta (2010) and when the new Alfa Romeo generation was born in 2015 with the launch of Giulia in its Quadrifoglio version, powered by the new 2.9 BiTurbo gasoline engine with 510 HP and an outstanding performance, so much so that it set the category record in 7’32” in the famous Nurburgring circuit. Stelvio, the first SUV produced by Alfa Romeo, is also at the top of the range in its Quadrifoglio version.
Autodelta: Alfa Romeo’s legendary Racing Department.
On March 5, 1963, Carlo Chiti and the Chizzola brothers founded a small company based in Feletto Umberto, near Udine, with the aim of collaborating with Alfa Romeo in the construction of the Giulia TZ, a compact gran turismo designed by Zagato, built on the Giulia’s engine and mechanics and equipped with an exclusive tubular chassis, hence the acronym Tubolare Zagato. This marked the beginning of one of the most beautiful chapters in international motorsport, so much so that the company soon became Alfa Romeo’s Racing Department. As a matter of fact, in 1965, it was bought by Biscione with the aim of running the official comeback to competitions, after its withdrawal from the F1 World Championship in 1951, when it won its second title with ‘Alfetta’.
For this reason, the car manufacturing company decided to create an ad hoc racing organization, physically detached from the production facility and with sufficient discretion in making technical and sporting decisions quickly. The General Manager of the new industrial and sports reality was the charismatic engineer Carlo Chiti, who relocated Autodelta in some anonymous warehouses in Settimo Milanese, not far from Arese. This is where some of the most famous Alfa Romeo racing cars would come from, including the legendary 1965 Giulia Sprint GTA, which won three consecutive “Challenge Europeo Marche,” dozens of national championships and hundreds of individual races all over the world. Fun fact: Giulia Sprint GTA was the first touring car to race at the Nurburgring’s Nordschleife under 10 minutes.
In 1967 Alfa Romeo decided to take the big step into the “prototype” category, the major international stage of motor racing at the time, with the “33/2-liter” model winning its first trophy when it made its debut in Fléron, Belgium. The following year Autodelta’s prototype cars won the category victory at the 24 hours of Daytona, the 1000 km of Nurburgring, the 500 km of Imola and the 24 hours of Le Mans. The “33 TT 12” of 1975 (probably the most successful year for Autodelta) was also remarkable. The model made Autodelta won the World Championship of Marche, repeating the victory two years later with the “33 SC 12”. After that, Autodelta took over the management of all Alfa Romeo’s sports programs, from the Alfasud trophy to Formula 1. In 1984 Carlo Chiti left the company, and the following year Autodelta was dismissed. To conclude, it should be remembered that Autodelta was also a formidable training ground for many Italian drivers, including Andrea De Adamich, Arturo Merzario, Andrea De Cesaris, Bruno Giacomelli, Giorgio Francia, just to name a few, and just as many foreign champions: from Jochen Rindt to Jacky Ickx, from Jean Pierre Jarier to Mario Andretti.
L’Occitane MENA and Chalhoub Group kickstarted their first retail-tech Accelerator Programme, powered by The Greenhouse, Chalhoub Group’s space for innovation and entrepreneurship. The launch event took place at The Greenhouse in Dubai Design District, where the four selected tech start-ups were revealed. These start-ups will be offered the unique opportunity to work alongside L’Occitane MENA to develop a proof of concept over the next four months with the aim to enhance its omni-channel journey and personalised experiences, data-driven decision making and its regional brand relevance and Gen-Z attraction.Following the call for applications in August 2022, over 180 applications were received from the region and across the globe, which was narrowed down to its final four retail startups across the tech, beauty, and luxury sectors. The four selected retail-tech startups are Momenti from South Korea and New York, a next generation content platform that enables and creates multidimensional interactive content that users can touch and engage with; Confer With from the United Kingdom, which specializes in innovative one to one live video commerce solutions ; Emperia from the United Kingdom and United States, develops a virtual experience building and management platform for retailers; and Sleekflow from Hong Kong, which focuses on enabling brands to enhance their communications with customers across omnichannel platforms. Each of the four start-ups will come to Dubai and be allocated to a taskforce within the L’Occitane MENA and Greenhouse team, who will provide mentorship, business growth advice and resources throughout the entire process as they work together to implement new edge retail-tech solutions and develop a proof of concept for the regional market.Joaquin Mencia, Chief Innovation Officer at Chalhoub Group commented: “The Greenhouse is the Chalhoub Group’s space for innovation and entrepreneurship and is continuously committed to empowering the start-up ecosystem and implementing innovative solutions for our partners. The L’Occitane retail-tech accelerator programme is bringing the world’s most innovative minds as we work together to enhance the region’s ever-evolving and rapidly growing luxury retail sector.” Joseph Kedemos, Managing Director at L’Occitane MENA stated: “At L’Occitane MENA we are very excited to kickstart our first retail-tech accelerator programme in partnership with Chalhoub Group and The Greenhouse. Over the next four months, these start-ups will showcase tailor-made proof of concepts and implement their new age retail tech solutions with L’Occitane for the first time in the Middle East, with the aim to bring new opportunities, elevate the brand’s regional presence and customer experience.” Following the proof of concept development phase, an official demo day will take place in May 2023 to give each of the startups the opportunity to present their proof of concepts to key internal stakeholders across The Greenhouse, L’Occitane MENA and Chalhoub Group. The programme will also potentially offer the entrepreneurs the chance to sign long-term commercial agreements with L’Occitane MENA and other Chalhoub Group brands down the line.
The Alfa Romeo F1 Team’s annual preseason retreat once again took place at the Sauber Motorsport factory in Hinwil (CH) at the team’s headquarters. In an atmosphere of togetherness and concentration, the team met up to focus on their strategies and goals for the upcoming world championship. Last season the Alfa Romeo F1 team took sixth place, their highest placing in the last decade. In addition to the managerial team, this important meeting could not help but include Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team drivers who soon will start single-seater tests for the 2023 season. The goal now is to transfer the team’s passion for their work to the track.Starring alongside the drivers in Hinwil, there was the new Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4, the highest-performing version of the range and the model which the Italian brand intends to base its paradigm of “Efficient Sportiness” on. Under the drivers’ scrutiny, the Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4 showcased Alfa Romeo’s trademark driving pleasure which stands out for its best-in-class agility, lightness, and driving dynamics. In this case the vehicle and drivers took part in a dynamic reactivity test on a track with a series of “doors” equipped with sensors which, with the passing of the vehicle, progressively turned on and determined its route. The Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4, the paradigm of “Efficient Sportiness” according to Alfa RomeoThe Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4, which will soon be available in all Alfa Romeo showrooms, completes the proposals of the Tonale, the first model with which the brand made its entry into the world of electrification. The new top-of-the-range version is the first step towards the sportiness of the future according to Alfa Romeo, which is radically changing and looking towards a new era of connectivity and electrification while remaining loyal to the brand’s DNA of noble Italian sportiness since 1910. An expression of the new paradigm of “Efficient Sportiness”, the Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4 is the most efficient Alfa Romeo ever with up to 26g/km of CO2 emissions which allow free access city centers, over 80 km of fuel mileage in full-electric mode for a superior daily range, and up to 600 km of total fuel mileage for long distance driving on motorways. The Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4 combines efficiency and sustainability with the most in sportiness. The 280 HP of total power places it at the top of its segment, with 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 6.2 seconds, and a maximum speed of 135 km/h in full electric mode, which can reach 206 km/h in hybrid mode. The sensation of power which can be reached in acceleration is amplified by the e-AWD system, as the instant torque of the electric engine makes the rear axle respond as soon as the accelerator gets pressed.
Ghawali, a Chalhoub Group brand specialising in modern oriental niche scents, unveiled its new contemporary flagship store at Nakheel Mall, Riyadh. The opening represents a new era for the brand – which bridges the oriental niche scents with the contemporary culture.
Ghawali was created and launched in 2016 by Chalhoub Group to offer a contemporary twist to the premium oriental fragrance offer. The Riyadh flagship store symbolises an evolution for Ghawali, the brand is more deeply integrating and embracing its regional roots and identity, while also reflecting modernity, contemporary culture, and international influences. This is conveyed through the incorporation of regional scents and natural ingredients along with minimalist and elegant design elements. The brand has invested in collaborations with some of the region’s most creative minds to bring together Ghawali’s signature luxurious scents and fragrances.
With the relaunch of Ghawali brand and flagship store, Chalhoub Group is reiterating its commitment to fragrances category, a key pillar of beauty across the region. Worth more than US$800 million annually, this category represents more than half of the total GCC beauty market.
Forat Al Haider, Head of Beauty Innovation at Chalhoub Group commented: “The reimagining of the Ghawali brand and flagship store represent our commitment to celebrating the luxurious identity, rich heritage and love for our region. Ghawali pays tribute to the sophistication of the Saudi Arabian market when it comes to scents, and the Kingdom’s position as a major player and influencer of key trends in the beauty and fragrance sector, which is why we have chosen to launch our flagship store here in Riyadh. By bridging our strong heritage, cultural identity, and drive for innovation with international lifestyles we have created a concept perfectly suited for our younger generation in the region while inviting the global markets and consumers to take part of our culture via Ghawali.”
Niche fragrances and modern oriental fragrances represent around 20% of the fragrance category, with Niche leading the growth in this segment. Ghawali seeks to leverage this growth through its unique, high-end fragrances, leaving each customer with an unforgettable and customised experience that represents their individual tastes and preferences.
Following the Riyadh store opening, Ghawali is also set to launch its new collection of perfumes in February and April of this year. In addition, a unique scented tribute is planned for Saudi Arabia in the upcoming months – capturing the specific mood and identity of the Kingdom. The new Ghawali flagship store is now open at Nakheel Mall located on Al Mughrizat, Exit 9, Riyadh.
The Saudi Architecture and Design Commission, one of the 11 commissions under the Ministry of Culture, has announced plans to launch the second edition of the Saudi Design Festival (SDF) between January 12-23, 2023.
Organized by the creative cultural consultancy &bouqu, this year’s edition will be the biggest yet, unveiling a new vision and a new format for the festival, with a range of new events and activations that celebrate local and international design in its multiple forms.
Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman, CEO of the Saudi Architecture and Design Commission, said, “The Saudi Design Festival provides a platform for emerging and established designers, small and medium businesses, creatives, and industry players to exchange knowledge, enable collaborations, and find opportunities for growth and development. We’re excited to bring together designers from across the Kingdom and showcase their work. Together, we’re building a more advanced sector and making sure local talents are equipped with the tools and skills to succeed – that’s why the festival will be hosting discussions, workshops, masterclasses, and networking sessions.”
SDF 2023 commences with a Design Forum and opening weekend at the City Hub of the Mohammed bin Salman Non-profit City in Riyadh from January 13-14. It will feature leading local and international experts who will discuss a range of topics on design, such as the effects of urban landscapes on quality of life, exporting culture through design, and building better cities for the future. Workshops will touch on important industry trends such as sustainable design, creative entrepreneurship, and the power of typography in graphic design and communication. Alongside the on-stage discussions will be off-stage mentorship sessions, open call announcements, and exhibitions to explore.
The second edition of the Saudi Design Festival promises participants and audiences a comprehensive calendar of activities, transforming Riyadh into a creative hub with Design Destinations (Oud Square, The Boulevard Riyadh, and Gallery Design), alongside activations taking place in multiple venues across more than 40 locations in Riyadh. The festival will also roll out an online program, expanding its reach across the region and internationally.
Basma Bouzo, Co-founder and CEO of &bouqu and Director of the Saudi Design Festival, said, “Since we launched this festival, formerly known as Saudi Design Week, our aim has always been to give local designers and creatives a space where they can have constructive discussions and be heard across the region. As the sector evolves, the festival is changing too, enabling partners to contribute to the narrative and meet their ambition to grow the sector sustainably. Our mission this year is to show how design connects society and develop meaningful opportunities that last even after the event.”
&bouqu has organized major exhibitions, projects, and events in London, Milan, New York, Istanbul, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and Bahrain. This year, the company is launching the sophomore edition of Saudi Design Festival, presented by the Architecture and Design Commission, to celebrate design and provide a platform for creative practitioners.
beIN MEDIA GROUP (“beIN”) has revealed its extensive broadcast plans for the upcoming final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – including live, exclusive, and multilingual coverage of 18 December’s finale between Argentina and France. The broadcast will be made available on beIN SPORTS’ free-to-air channel and, as part of its commitment to making the Arab World’s first World Cup accessible for viewers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the match, as well as the entire day’s coverage, will be available to stream free of charge on beIN’s official YouTube channel.
As the official broadcaster in 24 countries across MENA, beIN has played a central role in showcasing Qatar and its ground-breaking tournament to the world this past month, with more than 5 billion accumulated views since the biggest sporting event on the planet kicked off on November 20.
Sunday’s trophy match between an Argentina side looking to secure a third World Cup title and the regaining world champions, France promises to be one of the most-watched sports events in history.
Mohammad Al-Subaie, CEO of beIN MENA said: “The final of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ this Sunday will be a historic occasion for football, for the Arab World, and for beIN. For this reason, we are determined to make sure it is available to as many people who want to watch it as possible. We started this tournament promising to provide an unrivalled viewing experience to football fans across the region and, with billions of people having tuned in so far, we can safely say we have succeeded in doing that. Now, with two games remaining, we are set to finish the tournament as we started, and cannot wait to witness – and broadcast – history as it is written.”
Ahead of the 18:00 final match kick-off inside the iconic Lusail stadium, Arabic coverage will start at 08:00 MECCA on beIN SPORTS’ free-to-air channel, beIN SPORTS MAX 1, and beIN SPORTS’ YouTube channel, with a series of shows and countdowns, before the in-studio build-up gets underway from 16:00 to 02:00 MECCA the following day.
English live coverage starts at 11:00 MECCA on beIN SPORTS MAX 3 with the World Cup Daily, followed by a countdown show from 13:00 to 15:45 MECCA. The commentary on the final match will kick off at 16:00 until 21:45 and is available in both Spanish as well as English.
French live coverage will begin at 10:00 MECCA on beIN SPORTS MAX 5, with the live pre-match show kicking off at 15:30 MECCA direct from Lusail Stadium. Final match commentary will proceed from 16:00 until 22:30, with Sunday’s coverage being completed with a post-match show.
beIN will have the best line up of regional and international talents anywhere in the world providing the best analysis and insight into the much-anticipated Final. Sunday’s studios will include: Mohammed Aboutrika, Tarek Al Jamala, Kaka, Marcel Desailly, John Terry, Ruud Gullit, Omar Da Fonseca and Daniel Bravo.
