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      Four Seasons Marks the Start of 2023 with New Leadership, Brand Extensions and Portfolio Growth

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      Leading luxury hospitality company Four Seasons continues to expand its development pipeline, elevating its experiential offerings and accelerating bold new ventures that capitalize on the company’s strong business foundation and singular focus on the luxury segment. Through the lens of unmatched guest-centricity and personalization, Four Seasons is investing in a robust commercial strategy, enhancing its ability to meet the growing demand for travel and luxury experiences.
      In October, the company appointed Alejandro Reynal as President and CEO, marking a new chapter that builds on Four Seasons renowned legacy and leadership position within the luxury hospitality industry.
      “Since joining Four Seasons, I have seen firsthand the company’s clear competitive advantage: unparalleled service excellence, a renowned brand and a corporate culture powered by the genuine heart of its people,” says Reynal. “Four Seasons business is stronger than ever. Our experienced leadership team is well positioned to take advantage of the myriad opportunities ahead, focusing on an evolved growth strategy that continues to generate value for our hotel owners, employees, guests and residents.”
      Reynal continues: “True luxury should always represent the authentic expression of personalization. At Four Seasons, this has always been our brand promise, and it inspires our people in every interaction. We continue to invest in our capabilities, empowering our teams with the tools they need to enhance the guest experience and elevate the genuine service that has always been our hallmark.”
      A Growing Portfolio of Award-Winning Luxury PropertiesADVERTISEMENT
      For more than 60 years, Four Seasons has been defining the art of luxury hospitality, with an enviable global portfolio of 126 luxury hotels and resorts and 53 branded residences. In 2022, Four Seasons opened seven exceptional new properties, including new hotels and residences in Fort Lauderdale, Minneapolis and Nashville, as well as two new resort experiences in Mexico, in Tamarindo, and with the opening of its first tented-resort in North America at Naviva, Punta Mita, A Four Seasons Resort. The company also expanded its growing collection of standalone Private Residences with new offerings in Marrakech and Dubai, providing discerning homeowners the opportunity to live with Four Seasons outside of a hotel or resort.
      Four Seasons has more than 50 new projects under planning or development, including in Italy, Spain, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Belize and many more, expanding and strengthening relationships with new and existing owner partners with each new property it opens. In the year ahead, the company will expand its offerings with two new planned hotel openings in China in Suzhou and Dalian; and projects in the Middle East including new residences in Bahrain Bay, a second hotel in Doha, and a new hotel in Rabat, Morocco.
      Four Seasons recently announced upcoming projects that will further distinguish its global portfolio, from a historic legend in Venice to soaring new towers in Melbourne and Xi’an. In addition, the Middle East continues to be a market of key growth, with upcoming projects in Jeddah at the Corniche, Diriyah, New Cairo Capital at Madinaty, Luxor and Muscat.
      Four Seasons Residential Business Drives Strategic Growth
      Four Seasons Private Residences have been a natural extension of the brand since 1985, when the company’s first residential project opened in Boston. Almost 40 years later, Four Seasons achieved a milestone moment with the opening of the 50th Four Seasons Private Residences in Fort Lauderdale, with further additions welcomed to the portfolio by the end of 2022.
      Residential continues to be a significant driver for Four Seasons strategic growth, with a robust five-year pipeline comprising more than 30 projects worldwide.
      Central to Four Seasons residential growth strategy is the expansion of its standalone offerings. Since the first standalone opening in London in 2018, the offering has expanded to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Marrakech, and Dubai, the latter selling out prior to going to public sales. Upcoming openings are slated in Lake Austin and beyond.
      Taking to the Skies, Seas and Roads with Four Seasons

      In addition to new hotel and residential openings, Four Seasons has expanded its experiential offerings to provide guests new and distinctive ways to engage with the brand, including the Four Seasons Private Jet Experience, At Home Collection, and the recently announced Four Seasons Yachts. A collection of nearly 600 restaurants and bars worldwide and 126 spas also extends the Four Seasons experience, welcoming a growing segment of repeat local guests. Four Seasons restaurants and bars are built upon best-in-class, innovative concepts that are brought to life by craftspeople who share a passion for incredible service and exceptional culinary offerings.
      In the skies, guests can experience the brand’s legendary service aboard the Four Seasons Private Jet Experience. Late last year, an all-new jet – designed with input from past guests – took flight, taking guests on bespoke journeys around the globe. With 2023 itineraries nearly sold out and a full calendar of 2024 journeys just announced, the program continues to grow.
      In September 2022, Four Seasons announced the introduction of Four Seasons Yachts. With the first vessel anticipated to embark in 2025, the 679-foot (207 metre) yacht will offer an unprecedented level of personalized service, with a 1:1 guest to staff ratio, and expansive, residential-style suite accommodations among many other on-board amenities.

      Following the success of the inaugural Beyond by Four Seasons driving journey in Tuscany in 2022, new and exciting itineraries will be unveiled later this year giving travellers the opportunity to explore exceptional destinations behind the wheel of a classic or modern luxury sports car.
      Across every touchpoint, on the ground, in the sky and soon on the seas, guests will enjoy the genuine, personalized service and care delivered by Four Seasons more than 60,000 employees worldwide, and for which the brand has been renowned for more than 60 years.
      In 2022 Four Seasons won one the highest accolades as the World’s Leading Resort Brand 2022 at the World Travel Awards

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      “DELIGHT IN THE UNEXPECTED” WITH MARRIOTT BONVOY’S LATEST PROMOTION

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      Discover Saadiyat Island: The UAE’s hidden gem of pristine beaches More

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      Cunard sees strongest start to Wave in the last decade

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      Cunard has reported that in the first week of January it has booked more guests than any equivalent period in the last decade.The luxury brand has seen strong booking momentum across 2023 and 2024 sailings, with summer itineraries and Queen Anne’s maiden season proving to be particularly popular with guests.Carnival UK president, Sture Myrmell said, “Following two of our strongest booking periods in 2022, we have seen unparalleled bookings during the start of Wave.”
      “We’ve increased our marketing investment significantly, including the use of TV advertising for the first time as we reach and appeal to new audiences.”
      “It’s clear that guests are looking forward to stepping back on board both in the UK and across all our global markets.”
      For more information about Cunard, or to book a voyage, visit www.cunard.com.

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      Watch Boeing and Atlas Air Celebrate the Final 747 on Jan. 31

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      “DELIGHT IN THE UNEXPECTED” WITH MARRIOTT BONVOY’S LATEST PROMOTION More

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      Watch Boeing and Atlas Air Celebrate the Final 747 on Jan. 31

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      Watch Boeing and Atlas Air Celebrate the Final 747. Boeing will present a live webcast of the ceremony marking the delivery of the final 747 to Atlas Air on Jan. 31 at 4 p.m. Eastern (1 p.m. Pacific).Thousands of people – including current and former employees as well as customers and suppliers – will celebrate the final delivery in the factory constructed to produce the iconic widebody with the distinctive hump. The final airplane, a 747-8 Freighter, is the 1,574th manufactured during 55 years of production.
      While the event is not open to the public, Boeing will make this live webcast available globally at this link.
      After the event concludes, a video recording will be available on Boeing.com.
      As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.

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      Ithra presents new ways to experience and learn about KSA’s cultural heritage at the Diriyah Islamic

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      Ithra presents new ways to experience and learn about KSA’s cultural heritage at the Diriyah Islamic

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      The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) champions knowledge exploration and scientific discovery at the inaugural edition of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation’s Islamic Arts Biennale. The Center takes a multidisciplinary approach to a reexamination of the relationship between culture and Islamic civilization at the biennale, held in Jeddah until April 23, 2023.Ithra is where imagination is powered, ideas are born, knowledge shared and culture celebrated. All these elements are on display through a range of activities, including an art exhibition, an academic offering and the world premiere of a documentary film based on research into the Prophet Muhammad’s hijrah from Makkah to Yathrib.
      In the Footsteps of the Prophet will be screened publicly for the first time at the biennale. In it, Dr. Abdullah Alkadi, one of the world’s leading experts on the topic, retraces the Prophet’s steps. It is based on Ithra’s Hijrah exhibition, aimed at expanding people’s knowledge of the event that saw Islam catapulted to a major religion that would give rise to a great civilization.
      Ithra’s exhibition at the biennale, A Journey of Understanding is based on a reevaluation of Islamic visual culture considering audience research to better understand Saudi society’s reception, knowledge and preconceptions of the field. It includes culturally significant items including a historic kiswa (the Kaʼba door curtain), ancient Qur’ans and manuscripts, and other artefacts. The exhibition is enriched by videos and two VR experiences offering visitors walkthroughs inside two of the world’s iconic mosques.
      The Ithra Academy presents a series of workshops and masterclasses to support creatives and art enthusiasts in developing their skills – Artist Portfolio: Strategies to Showcase your Work; The Art of Looking at Art; and Traditional Islamic Illumination.
      “At Ithra we ignite cultural curiosity, stimulate knowledge exploration, and inspire creativity through the power of ideas, imagination and innovation,” said Farah Abushullaih, Head of Ithra Museum. “We harness innovation to capture and showcase the Kingdom’s cultural heritage at the Biennale. We present a range of significant historical artefacts and unique objects in ways that would appeal to a global audience, while our multidisciplinary approach is designed to elevate audiences’ understanding of Islamic art.”ADVERTISEMENTFor more information, visit www.ithra.com.

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      UNWTO and CAF Partner to Boost Sustainable Tourism Investment in the Americas at FITUR 2023

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      UNWTO and CAF Partner to Boost Sustainable Tourism Investment in the Americas at FITUR 2023

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      At FITUR 2023, UNWTO served as the bridge between public and private leaders to advance plans to build a more diverse, resilient and sustainable tourism sectorWith the latest UNWTO data pointing to a return to pre-pandemic arrival levels in some world regions in 2023, Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili once again joined His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain in opening the major travel trade fair. Reflecting the Organization’s priorities, UNWTO placed tourism investments, rural development, diversification, sustainability and accessibility centre stage over the course of four days.
      Investment and building trust
      Against the backdrop of FITUR, UNWTO and the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) strengthened their existing partnership to further advance UNWTO’s work to attract and retain investment in tourism. The partnership will include the production of tourism investment guidelines, initially focused on Barbados, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama and Uruguay. Both organizations will develop frameworks to attract, promote and retain foreign direct investment in sustainable tourism initiatives across the Americas.
      UNWTO recognized the progress made in rethinking the role of tourism in the economies and societies of the region. The President of the Republic of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, and the Executive President of Banco Popular of the Dominican Republic, Christopher Paniagua, were formally recognized by UNWTO for their commitment to mainstreaming tourism in economic policy and financing, respectively. At FITUR, President Giammattei also confirmed the adherence of Guatemala to the UNWTO International Code for the Protection of Tourists.
      Widening the scope of tourismAs part of UNWTO’s work to diversify the sector and enhance its status as a driver of rural development, the Spanish province of La Rioja was announced as the host of the 7th UNWTO Global Wine Tourism Conference later this year. Secretary-General Pololikashvili, the President of La Rioja, Concha Andreu, and Spain’s Minister of Tourism Reyes Maroto, highlighted the importance of the growing wine tourism sector for protecting culture and supporting local jobs and businesses.ADVERTISEMENTUNWTO also recognized the importance of shopping tourism, with particular reference to its close links to leisure and gastronomy. A Memorandum of Understanding, signed by UNWTO and WOW Concept, will see the two work together to promote responsible urban tourism through joint promotions and events as well as through shared efforts to monitor and share trends in tourism consumption. Further diversifying the sector’s reach and impact, UNWTO also partnered with the Croatian National Tourist Board to announce the Second World Sports Tourism Congress. The agreement, signed by Croatia’s Minister of Tourism and Sports Nikolina Brnjac, will see the event held in the city of Zadar on 26 and 27 April.
      Tourism for all
      To rethink accessible travel, UNWTO, Fundación ONCE and the Spanish Association for Standardization (UNE) co-organized a Seminar on Tourism for All, gathering national tourism administrations, destinations, companies and professional industry associations, underscoring the role of accessibility for social inclusion and business opportunity. The partners presented tools aimed at implementing the international standard UNE-ISO 21902 on Accessible Tourism for All, including with a new guide to applying it in accommodation and hospitality businesses.
      Sustainability: On land and in oceans
      UNWTO continued to step up tourism’s pace towards a more sustainable future. The Mexican State of Yucatán, home to some of the country’s top tourism destinations, is the latest addition of the UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). Already numbering more than 30 worldwide, INSTO monitors tourism’s impact on local economies and habitats, allowing for smarter data-driven policymaking.
      UNWTO concluded its week at FITUR by hosting a special meeting on Tourism for the Ocean and Climate Action at its Madrid headquarters. Counting on the participation of Member of the European Parliament Catherine Chabaut, as well as Ruben Eiras, Secretary General, Forum Oceano, Paul Holhtus, Founding President, World Ocean Council, and Josiane Sadaka, CEO of Blue Carbon LLC, the event saw UNWTO confirm its support for the BlueCOP28 and Dubai Blue Pact initiatives. For his work leading tourism towards greater sustainability, Frédéric Degret, the Founder and CEO at NOAH ReGen was named as the UNWTO Special Advisor for Oceans and Climate Emergency.
      Strengthening relationships
      FITUR 2023 provided the opportunity for UNWTO to strengthen relations with public and private sector leaders. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili held a series of bilateral meetings to keep servicing the Organization’s Member States. The UNWTO leadership met with new Minister of Tourism of Jordan, Makram Mustafa Al-Qaisi, with the Minister of Tourism of Uruguay, Tabaré Viera; Deputy Minister of Tourism for Georgia, Nuno Fazenda, Minister of Tourism for Portugal, Mariam Kvrivishvili, Nuno Fazenda, Minister of Tourism for Portugal, the Minister of Tourism of Nigeria, Lai Mohammed, the Governor of Puerto Rico Pedro Pierluisi as well as the Minister of Tourism of Puerto Rico Carlos Mercado, and also with Dario Item, Ambassador to Spain of UNWTO’s newest Member State, Antigua and Barbuda.
      In a working meeting with Mariana Oleskiv, Chairperson of the State Agency for Tourism of Ukraine, Secretary-General Pololikashvili reaffirmed UNWTO’s firm support for Ukrainian’s citizens and noted tourism’s role for future recovery and as a pillar of peace. Meetings were also held with the Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Mayor of Skiathos Thodoris Tzoumas, the Israeli Ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon.

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      AirAsia X Resumes Flights to Osaka, Japan, Boosting Tourism

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      Ithra presents new ways to experience and learn about KSA’s cultural heritage at the Diriyah Islamic More

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      AirAsia X Resumes Flights to Osaka, Japan, Boosting Tourism

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      AirAsia X returned to Osaka, Japan earlier this week further expanding its network to/from the land of the rising sun.In celebration of the service resumption to Japan’s gourmet capital, all guests on the inaugural flight received gift bags and were treated to special performances before boarding.
      The three weekly flights to Osaka are set to bring more than 116,000 travellers between Malaysia and Japan monthly and deliver a welcome boost to both countries’ tourism sectors.
      AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail said, “We are pleased to start the new year with the announcement of our 13th route from Kuala Lumpur to Osaka. Following the resumption of services from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo (Haneda) and Sapporo late last year, we have carried close to 30,000 guests between Malaysia and Japan post pandemic.
      “Today, we have seen a strong passenger load factor for our inaugural flight of more than 95% and we are confident that this route will be very well received despite the competitive landscape. As travel demand rebounds, we will continue to expand our services to exciting destinations in Asia from our regional hubs in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.”
      To celebrate the return to one of its most popular destinations AAX is offering great value all-in* fares between Kuala Lumpur and Osaka from RM699/JPY29,990 all-in one-way for economy or RM2,999/JPY106,640 one way for a Premium Flatbed.ADVERTISEMENTAs a Group, AAX flies to three destinations in Japan namely Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo from Kuala Lumpur operated by AirAsia X Malaysia (D7) and from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) operated by AirAsia X Thailand (XJ).
      *All-in fares inclusive of airport taxes, fuel surcharges and any other applicable charges. Terms and conditions apply. Booking period from now until 29 January 2023 for travel period between 1 March 2023 and 30 September 2023.

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      New Curio Collection by Hilton Resort Set to Open in Greece’s Popular Island Destination of Rhodes

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      New Curio Collection by Hilton Resort Set to Open in Greece’s Popular Island Destination of Rhodes

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      Hilton has announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Zetland Capital to open Lindian Village Beach Resort Rhodes, Curio Collection by Hilton. Anticipated to open by Summer 2023, the 196 room resort will be managed by SWOT Hospitality and is the latest in a series of spectacular resort properties under the brand in Greek island destinations.
      Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Hilton said: “Joining more than 60 Curio Collection by Hilton hotels trading or under development in Europe, Middle East and Africa, we are delighted to announce the signing of Lindian Village Beach Resort Rhodes, in partnership with Zetland Capital and management company SWOT Hospitality. An increasingly popular destination, welcoming more than 5 million international travellers so far last year1, Rhodes is an ideal location for Curio’s unique upscale offering. This fantastic resort marks Curio’s continued growth in popular island holiday destinations, following recent openings in Santorini, Crete and Sardinia.”
      Ahmed Hamdani, Founder & Chief Investment Officer of Zetland Capital, said, “Following significant refurbishment, we are excited to announce Curio Collection by Hilton’s first hotel in Rhodes. Located ten-minutes drive from the high-end picturesque town of Lindos, with numerous restaurants and a private beach, Lindian Village Beach Resort Rhodes is sure to be a hit with travellers. Our second property in partnership with Hilton, we look forward to welcoming guests to this unique and impressive resort next summer. This acquisition underpins our investment strategy to invest in well located hotels in prime Mediterranean destinations and work with strong local partners, like SWOT Hospitality to capitalise on the POST COVID-19 demand for hospitality services.”
      Stelios Koutsivitis, President and one of the main shareholders of SWOT Hospitality, said: “As a team, we are excited to enter into this agreement with Hilton. We believe that the new Lindian Village will redefine the hospitality scene in Rhodes with the distinctive savoir-faire of the Curio Collection by Hilton brand. Our vision is to continue elevating the hospitality scene of Greece with top-class facilities and services echoing authenticity and local warmth.”
      Lindian Village Beach Resort Rhodes will be the first Curio Collection hotel in Rhodes, one of the most visited Greek islands that boasts great natural beauty and rich historic heritage. Situated in the south-eastern part of the island near the picturesque town of Lindos, its Acropolis and a number of historic sites dated from the Archaic period to the post-Byzantine times, the 196-room resort will offer stunning sea views and garden views with access to a private, sandy beach.ADVERTISEMENTAside from its prime location, all guest rooms of Lindian Village Beach Resort Rhodes will be fitted with a private outdoor area and 85 rooms will also include a private pool or hot tub. To amplify the Curio Collection flair for authentic, curated hospitality, the resort will feature five restaurants serving a range of local and international cuisines, two bars & one gelateria, all with concept designed by Trastelis Group, owner of two Michelin star restaurants. In addition, the hotel will feature an extensive calendar of kids & family activities centered around culture, nature & wellness. Amenities will include two outdoor pools, a fitness centre, a spa, water sports, a tennis court and two meeting rooms that will be able to accommodate up to 150 people.
      Launched in 2014, Curio Collection by Hilton is a global portfolio of more than 120 hotels and resorts each carefully selected for its distinct character, appealing to travellers seeking unique adventures and an independent hotel experience. The resorts will join Hilton’s two trading properties in Greece, both under the Curio Collection brand: Sea Breeze Santorini Beach Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, and The Royal Senses Resort & Spa Crete, Curio Collection by Hilton.
      Guests of all Hilton properties will be able to benefit from the award-winning Hilton Honors guest loyalty programme, allowing nearly 146 million members who book directly with Hilton to earn Points for hotel stays and experiences. Hilton Honor members can also unlock access to instant rewards and benefits, such as contactless check-in with room selection and exclusive member discounts.

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      The Galleria Al Maryah Island marks another year of record growth

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      The Galleria Al Maryah Island marks another year of record growth

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      The Galleria Al Maryah Island surpassed expectations with exceptional performance in 2022 establishing new annual records including a 17% rise in sales and a 10% rise in footfall versus the previous year – reinforcing its positioning as the premier lifestyle and shopping destination in Abu Dhabi.The Galleria attracted more than 34 million guests and welcomed 76 new stores and concepts to its collection in 2022. Featuring a dynamic mix of experiences, the new tenants include fitness brands Barry’s and TRAIN, luxury concepts Bally, Breitling, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piquet, fine dining restaurants such as Asador de Aranda, and entertainment concepts like Pop In & Play among others.
      By continually elevating the guest experience, The Galleria saw consistent growth throughout the year and achieved multiple record-breaking footfall and sales months, which culminated in the busiest month for the destination to date in December. This steady growth trajectory is a testament to The Galleria’s comprehensive offering, which provides guests with exceptional experiences across categories, and has established it as the community’s destination of choice in the capital. 

      Commenting on these achievements, David Robinson, CEO of Al Maryah Retail Company, said; “We are very proud of the experiences we offer the community. The team at Al Maryah Retail Company have done an excellent job of elevating these even further over the past 12 months and more, and this is reflected in the outstanding results achieved in 2022. This exceptional performance is a result of our continuous efforts to provide bespoke market-leading offerings at The Galleria. We continue to attract internationally renowned brands and introduce exclusive concepts to the market, while many of our long-standing brands are reinvesting in the destination to ensure they continue to attract guests with a fresh modern offer.
      ADVERTISEMENTOver the coming months more industry-leading brands will call The Galleria home, further expanding and diversifying our offering across shopping, dining and entertainment. The fact that we continue to attract such strong global names and industry game-changers to Abu Dhabi is a testament to The Galleria’s established position as a market leader, and its continued growth and success.”

      As an industry leader, The Galleria will continue to drive the region’s fashion, dining and entertainment with the launch of several highly anticipated and exclusive concepts including luxury fashion icon Hermès, a first to market concept by Mattel, waterfront dining venues Flamingo Room, Craft by Side Hustle and more.

      In addition to introducing exclusive concepts, The Galleria aims to enhance guests’ experiences in 2023 through complimentary community programmes such as yoga and Let’s Walk, leisure spaces including rooftop parks, and a full calendar of seasonal and community events, providing a free and easy way for people to connect, spend time together and live a healthier lifestyle.

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      Why Atlantis The Royal should be the world’s first official six-star hotel

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      New Curio Collection by Hilton Resort Set to Open in Greece’s Popular Island Destination of Rhodes More