ArabWeeks

Marriott International, Inc (NASDAQ:MAR) has just signed up Dubai’s luxurious Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa to its Autograph Collection. This represents the debut of the exclusive portfolio of the one-of-a-kind-hotels in the Middle East and Africa.

“We are delighted to announce the exciting entry of the Autograph Collection portfolio into our continent, through the beautiful city of Dubai,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Marriott International Middle East and Africa.  “Autograph Collection is known for creating authentic experiences that are centered in rich personality and the spirit of independence. We feel that essence is fully represented in Dubai, which with its courageous inventiveness, makes it a perfect fit for the collection.”

Autograph Collection is an evolving ensemble of strikingly independent hotels. Exactly like nothing else, each destination has been thoughtfully selected for its bold originality, rich character and uncommon details. From near to far, iconic to historic, the result is a unique array of properties that is nothing less than completely unique, nothing short of collectively exceptional.

When it joins the Autograph collection in early 2015, the 446-room Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa will represent the first Autograph Collection hotel to open in the UAE.  Situated on Dubai’s World-famous Jumeirah Beach and adjacent to the stunning Dubai Marina, the hotel occupies one of Dubai’s most enchanting beachside locations.  All rooms either face the sea, which stretches as far as the eye can see, or they face the beautifully manicured lawns and gardens of the property.

“We are delighted to team up with a well-known global brand like Marriott International.  The Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, our flagship hotel, is located on one of the best beaches in Dubai, situated in a prime location near the Dubai Marina. We look forward to a strong partnership with Marriott International for this stunning property,” said Mohammed Al Habtoor, Vice Chairman and CEO, Al Habtoor Group.

Designed to champion independence, the Autograph Collection has provided Marriott International with an exciting opportunity to grow, enabling the company to offer management and franchise expertise, as well as the power of its global sales and marketing channels to new owners and franchisees that offer passionately independent hotel experiences. Autograph Collection has also introduced Marriott International to a new customer, the individualist traveler who prefers an independent hotel experience.

Launched in January of 2010, the Autograph Collection currently includes over 60 passionately independent hotels in the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific, Australia, and the Caribbean and Latin America. Upon partnering with Autograph Collection, each hotel is awarded access to Marriott International’s powerful global sales and marketing channels; including the award-winning Marriott Rewards guest loyalty program, where guests can earn points at more than 3,700 hotels in 71 countries. Additionally, each hotel is featured on Marriott.com – the eighth largest retail website in the world. In addition to their placement on Marriott.com, each property is showcased in its own unique way on the Collection’s award winning standalone site, www.autographhotels.com.

A private sector-led Saudi-US alliance has agreed to allocate $1.3 billion (SR4.88 billion) to finance investment projects in the tourism, recreation, and health fitness sectors across Morocco.

A Riyadh-based Knowledge Corner Marketing and Business Services on behalf of a group of US companies has entered into an agreement with the Moroccan Taroudant province to establish a number of investment projects on a 8.7 million sqm land in the province, said a statement released on Saturday.

The agreement was signed by Fouad Mohammadi and Khalil Nazeeh on the side of Morocco and Khaled Al-Dosari on the Saudi side.

Al-Dosari said, a universal park entertainment in Morocco will be managed and supervised by one of the largest US companies in the entertainment industry and is located in an area of 6 million sqm in addition to 3-4 star hotels, restaurants and cafes.

Under this agreement, 2.5 million sqm land is demarcated for a hotel, a tourist resort and a golf playground, which are likely to attract about two million tourists a year from the Gulf, Europe and African countries.

According to him, another 200,000 sqm land has been allocated for a ready to mix concrete project, for low-cost construction of houses, schools, hotels and other facilities compatible with the environment.

Under this project, 5,300 two-bedroom houses will be built in line with the American, European and other global building standards in a year.

Another 200,000 sqm is demarcated for a medical spa specializing in weight loss and health solutions for women.

All these projects are expected to provide 2,500 to 3,000 jobs for young Moroccan nationals.

Al-Dosari explained that the US-Saudi alliance will undertake a similar project in southern part of Saudi Arabia, pointing out that the details will be revealed after obtaining approvals from the authorities. Saudi projects and investments are of great importance t the alliance, he added

Germany will be the guest of honor at the next Janadriyah festival to be held from February 4th to 22nd, 2015 at the AlJanadriyah heritage village located on the outskirts of Riyadh.German Ambassador Boris Ruge stated that it was a great honor for Germany to have been chosen as the guest country for the upcoming 30th edition of the festival. “It is a recognition of the excellent state of our bilateral relations to have been chosen as ‘Special Guest’ for the most outstanding cultural heritage festival in Saudi-Arabia.” The German participation will take place under the slogan “Germany – Land of Ideas: Innovation has tradition” as Ruge explained. In the German Pavilion, situated at the center of the festival site, the Saudi public will be able to learn more about Germany and experience the rich diversity of German culture and traditions. “Germany is seeking a dialogue with the people of Saudi Arabia and we hope that the German Pavilion can contribute to the mutual understanding of each other’s culture”, as Ambassador Ruge said. On the occasion of the official opening of the Festival, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be back in the Kingdom. In addition to that, German artists, folklore dancers and musicians as well as renowned academics from Germany will participate in the 30th national heritage and culture festival at Al-Janadriyah.
“Innovation has tradition”: German Pavilion invites to a time travel through a typical German city “In the pavilion visitors will find ideas and projects ‘Made in Germany’ whether in business, science or society, and experience innovative solutions the country is offering to meet future challenges. We are inviting the Saudi audience to time travel through a typical German city”, Ruge stated. The pavilion tour starts at a medieval city gate and proceeds over a moat into the inner pavilion. Visitors will then experience a historical market place and half-timbered houses, so called ‘Fachwerkhäuser’, proceeding into modern German life and houses as well as a typical German apartment. Shops along the street will house various German companies and their innovative products and craftsmanship. The end of the tour is marked by a fascinating look into the future.
“By visiting the German Pavilion, people can experience firsthand that innovation indeed has tradition in Germany”, Ruge added. Strong partners for the German Pavilio The German Foreign Office has initiated the project of the German pavilion together with the place branding initiative “Germany – Land of Ideas” and the cultural institute of Germany, the Goethe-Institut. Partners from the German private sector will be the Airbus Group, State of Baden-Wuerttemberg, DETASAD, Deutsche Bank, Dorsch Gruppe, Dussmann Group, Herrenknecht, Lufthansa, Luerssen, SAP, Siemens, Volkswagen and VLine. GESALO/AHK Saudi Arabia will be the organizer of the economic program.

Some Germany as guest of honour at the Janadriyah Festival 2015

Volkswagen Saudi Arabia

Volkswagen has a long established relationship with Saudi Arabia that goes back to when the first Beetle was sold many years ago. Since then, the brand has witnessed an exponential expansion in the region. Volkswagen is steadily increasing its market share in Saudi Arabia and continues to grow with the introduction of some of the most innovative and exciting cars in the world.

We believe that Volkswagen cars are better experienced than explained. When people drive and start to explore the car, they’re astonished by its sophistication. So, when you are thinking about a Volkswagen, remember: The only way to truly appreciate a Volkswagen is to experience one yourself.

 www.vw.com.sa

About the exhibition

Take a closer look at the XL1, the car of the future, built today. The world’s cleanest and most fuel-efficient production car with 0.9l/100 km. A miracle of super-lightweight performance engineering.

Hospitality Partner

Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski

Located in the prestigious Burj Rafal Community, which combines luxury residences and retail, in Riyadh’s tallest tower, Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski comprises 23 floors of this vertical compound. Only a 27-minutes drive from King Khaled International Airport on King Fahd Road the hotel sits at the heart of Riyadh’s future business district. Guests enjoy the best views of the city from its 349 luxury guest rooms and suites and a variety of dining experiences in its three restaurants and three cafés. Conference facilities and a ballroom can accommodate up to 2,500 guests, and two separate spas and wellness centres for men and women offer the best in relaxation and rejuvenation.

 www.kempinski.com/en/riyadh/burj-rafal-hotel

About the Café

Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski will bring the best German flavours and recipes to Saudi

Arabia with traditional German dishes.

The German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs organized a delegation trip of German companies with focus on food and beverages to Riyadh from 08.12.–11.12.2014. The delegation was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and headed by its Deputy Head of Division Dr. Artur Ickstadt. In Riyadh the delegation held a presentation event of the German Food and Beverage Industry on the first day at the Marriot Hotel, followed by three days of business-to-business meetings. “Germany has a reputation as a provider of state-of-the-art technologies and know-how, but it is also as a global top food producer and the world’s third largest food exporter,” said Andreas Hergenroether, Delegate of German Industry and Commerce for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Yemen”. The delegation met with high-ranking businessmen of the Saudi food and beverage industry. Representatives of hyper market giants Othaim, Tamimi and Lulu attended the presentation event and established ties with the German companies like Teekanne, Pickenpack Europe, Powermints and Baikal Getränke. Saudi Arabia is one of the leading importers of food in the Middle East. Currently around 75% of all food sold in Saudi Arabia is imported. Due to the high population growth and rising household incomes, this will not change in the short and medium term. Because groundwater resources and agriculture will be further reduced, Saudi Arabia is still dependent on food imports. German companies benefit from this demographic change, because the label “Made in Germany” is known for its quality in the food industry. Germany has a wide range of food and specialties. The agriculture and food industry is working at the highest level of quality and has a good reputation abroad. The Saudi Arabian food market is interesting for German companies from various sectors – from organic products, stimulants such as tea, coffee and sweets to cereal grains like wheat. “It becomes apparent that German food and agricultural products are already well-positioned in the Saudi market, but here is still a very high potential for the future,” Hergenroether added.