Arab News, Tue, Mar 05, 2024 | Shaban 24, 1445
Hilton to operate 3 new resorts in UNESCO World Heritage Site Al-Ahsa
Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia’s UNESCO World Heritage site, Al-Ahsa, is set to provide an
enhanced hospitality experience as Hilton introduces three new resorts,
establishing a farm-focused tourism hub.
The global hotel operator and Dan Co., a Public
Investment Fund company specializing in agritourism, ecotourism, and adventure
tourism, have jointly announced the signing of an agreement.
As part of the deal, Hilton will operate three
resorts in the region: Al-Ahsa Agritourism Resort under LXR Hotels & Resorts,
Al-Ahsa Eco Resort, and Al-Ahsa Adventure Resort, all part of the Curio
Collection by Hilton.
Covering 1.8 million sq. m., the master
development in Al-Ahsa aims to establish a farm-focused tourism hub amid green
landscapes and local farms, offering visitors a chance to connect with nature
and enjoy a variety of experiences.
Al-Ahsa, a significant agricultural region in
Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, is home to Al-Ahsa Oasis, the largest date palm
oasis in the world.
Chris Nassetta, president, and CEO of Hilton, said
the three new hotels further expands the company’s footprint in Saudi Arabia,
where it plans “to quadruple their portfolio.”
He said: “Al-Ahsa is one of the key regions
identified under the National Tourism Strategy of Saudi Arabia, and we are
pleased to bring Hilton’s renowned hospitality brands to this unique new tourism
development in the country.”
Each resort will offer a unique experience: luxury
at LXR Hotels & Resorts Agritourism Resort, wellness at Curio Collection by
Hilton Eco Resort, and outdoor adventure at Curio Collection by Hilton Adventure
Resort, according to a press release.
The central activation area, available to guests
and the public, will feature a nature garden, amphitheater, dining and retail
options, as well as a farmers’ market, and multi-purpose spaces for local
agricultural vendors and retailers.
Abdulrahman Abaalkhail, CEO of Dan Co., said that
the collaboration with Hilton to operate the initial three resorts in Al-Ahsa
will combine Hilton’s world-class hospitality with the scenic landscapes of the
region.
“This part of Saudi Arabia offers unique
experiences rich in cultural and natural beauty yet underrepresented in the
current tourism landscape. This delivers on our strategy to establish a Saudi
homegrown hospitality brand with a pioneering heritage-inspired fusion of
agricultural, eco, and adventure experience resorts, nestled in nature, setting
a remarkable precedent in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry,” he said.
Abaalkhail added that their business approach is
intertwined with promoting cultural authenticity, sustainability, and empowering
local communities. This strategy not only nurtures an inclusive ecosystem but
also plays a pivotal role in advancing the Kingdom's overarching economic and
tourism aspirations.
The release further added that the resorts will be
easily accessible via main roads, with Riyadh, Dammam, Khobar, Jubail, Bahrain,
and Qatar within a one-and-a-half to three-and-a-half-hour drive away.