Hotel, Organisations & Operators,

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has announced the signing of nine hotel management agreements with international hotel brands to operate resorts in the first phase of the project.
The agreements were unveiled at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) 2021.
The collection of hospitality brands is set to operate nine of the 16 properties currently under development in the first phase.
Collectively the brands confirmed total will control more than 1,700 hotel keys from the total of 3,000 planned for phase one.ADVERTISEMENTThese include Edition Hotels and St Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International; Fairmont Hotel & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts and SLS Hotels & Residences, part of global hospitality group Accor; Grand Hyatt, part of Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts and Six Senses, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts; and Jumeriah Hotels & Resorts, a global luxury hospitality company.
“Saudi Arabia is accelerating its development of a new tourism offering in the kingdom, fuelled by the ambitious Vision 2030 program.
“We are proud to unveil our collection of unique and diverse hospitality brands that cater to this growing market and underpin our commitment to creating a world-leading barefoot luxury destination which will soon serve as a gateway to one of the last undiscovered places on the planet,” said John Pagano, chief executive at TRSDC.
“Most importantly, such partnerships with globally recognized and respected brands signifies the growing confidence in our business, our flagship destination and in Saudi Arabia as a tourism destination.”
Grand Hyatt has snapped up a spot at the new tourism development
The announcement underscores the investment potential as Saudi Arabia continues its economic diversification in line with Vision 2030.
By 2030, the Red Sea Project expects to host one million visitors annually, capped in line with its sustainability ambitions, creating upwards of 70,000 new jobs and contributing SAR22 billion (US$5.3 billion) to the national GDP once fully operational.
Each brand at the Red Sea Project has embraced the vision of the project and have agreed to work together to collaborate in making the destination a success.
The partners have welcomed the industry-pioneering sustainability standards of TRSDC and the broader commitment towards regenerative tourism development.
Jumeriah will have a presence at the Red Sea Development in Saudi
‎“Hospitality is the anchor of The Red Sea Project.
“We are determined to create a world-class luxury destination and the hotel brands we partner with play a crucial role in delivering on this ambition.
“Our partnerships are cemented through a collaborative framework that emphasize synchronicity between all brands.
“In doing so, we aim to create more value and maximise destination success, empowering stakeholders to benefit from shared best practices and economies of scale,” said Jay Rosen, chief financial officer at TRSDC.
“The hotel management agreements unveiled today mark a significant milestone for us and we welcome more hotel operators, developers and investors to join us in our journey to build a thriving destination for visitors from around the world.”
Upon completion in 2030, the site will host 50 hotels offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and approximately 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites.
The first phase will also include a luxury marina, an 18-hole championship golf course, entertainment and leisure facilities, as well as an international airport.

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Sandals Resorts executive chairman, Adam Stewart, has been formally invited to join the executive committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The induction represents the actionable change and strides forward made by Stewart throughout his time in the industry.
“I am honoured to join the executive committee of an organisation I have so respected since the start of my career,” said Stewart.
“This leadership team is passionately focused on the efforts of the travel and tourism sector, and I am eager to contribute.
“Together, we will continue to promote an industry that is more sustainable and inclusive than it was yesterday, reminding our neighbouring industries and international governments that travel is an essential necessity to life.”ADVERTISEMENTThe World Travel & Tourism Council represents the global tourism private sector.
Members include 200 chief executives, chairs and presidents of the leading tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries.
Julia Simpson, chief executive of the WTTC, said: “Adam brings with him a wealth of experience having worked so closely with his late father to build what is now, one of the most recognised brands in our industry.
“The entire WTTC family and I look forward to working with Adam in his new role.”
A voluntary organisation, WTTC leadership sets the example, offering their valuable time and resources to move global activity forward in this ever-changing world. Industry leaders invited to join the executive committee stand as catalysts for fundamental change and awareness, promoting safe and enriching travel.
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Sandals is considered the World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company by voters at the World Travel Awards.

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The Riu family has taken complete ownership of the Riu Hotels & Resorts brand in a deal with TUI Group.
The holiday giant had held 49 per cent of the company, but has sold its share for €670 million as it looks to reduce debts built up during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Riu Hotels & Resorts has a portfolio of 19 hotels, with two properties in development.
Riu and TUI continue to have a 50:50 joint venture, with 100 hotels and resorts worldwide.
This joint venture will continue to manage and distribute all Riu hotels – including the 21 properties that will be fully owned by the Riu family.ADVERTISEMENTTUI said the sale means it is “strengthening its core business with holiday experiences”.
“The group intends to grow primarily with its international hotel brands Tui Blue, Riu, Robinson, Tui Magic Life and the management of these hotels, but in doing so will tie up less capital in land and its own real estate in the future,” added a statement.
The international Riu chain was founded in Mallorca in 1953 as a small holiday firm and is still owned by the family.
Cancellations
Also today, TUI has cancelled more trips because of “ongoing uncertainty” around travel restrictions.
Holidays to Aruba, Croatia, Cyprus, Italy, Jamaica and Tanzania have but cut until June 13th.
Trips to Greece, including Crete, Halkidiki, Kefalonia, Preveza, Samos, Santorini, Skiathos, Thassos and Zante, as well as Spanish destinations including Formentera, Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and La Palma, have also been suspended.
Finally, Tui Lakes & Mountains holidays are cancelled up to and including the same date.
The news comes in addition to a raft of cancellations announced earlier this week.

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Frank Comito has stepped down as chief executive and director general of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA).
During his tenure he led the association through the Covid-19 pandemic, several devastating hurricanes and numerous global challenges impacting the industry.
The transition to new leadership comes at the conclusion of nearly 40 years of service to local and regional private sector organisations in the Caribbean.
In a message to members, Comito, who will serve as a part-time special advisor to the organisation, said he was proud of how quickly and effectively CHTA adapted over the past ten months, working in collaboration with public and private sector stakeholders to address the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added that Covid-19 remained a critical concern, and declared the industry needs CHTA, its regional public sector ally, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), and local private and public sector tourism associations and entities working together towards the industry’s recovery now more than ever.

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“Our work has a bottom-line impact on restoring tourism and economies,” he stated.
Looking to the future of Caribbean tourism and CHTA, he voiced optimism that despite the headwinds facing the tourism sector and the association, industry leadership working with local and regional tourism associations will address immediate needs, mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, and help to steer a course to the future.
Comito was hired by CHTA six years ago when he made a five-year commitment to help refocus the organisation and address several longstanding challenges the organisation was facing.
The leadership of the CHTA had endorsed Vanessa Ledesma in assuming the post of acting chief executive officer and director general.
Formerly chief operations officer with CHTA, she has been noted for her skills, experience, integrity and deep passion for the industry.
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Hotelbeds has signed a strategic partnership with Thomas Cook.
The new online-only holiday business was launched recently following the acquisition of the brand by Fosun Tourism Group.
Thanks to this collaboration, Thomas Cook will gain access to more than 180,000 unique hotel properties in 140 countries worldwide.
León Herce, global sales director at Hotelbeds, said: “All of us at Hotelbeds are immensely pleased to see Thomas Cook relaunching and we are delighted to be able to support their new model.
“Hotelbeds has the experience, technology and hotelier relationships available to help Thomas Cook attract travellers with the best possible service and hotel product.

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“We look forward to watching it grow once again into one of Europe’s leading holiday brands.”
Thomas Cook joins Hotelbeds’ existing 60,000 travel trade buyers – such as tour operators, travel agents, airlines and points redemption schemes.
Emma King, head of commercial product, Thomas Cook, added: “When we were developing our new Thomas Cook we wanted to offer our customers the widest possible choice of hotel accommodation – and to be able to do that quickly without the need for direct contracting.
“Our relationship with Hotelbeds as a strategic bedbank partner, gives our customers access to a huge portfolio of exclusive and competitively priced hotels worldwide.”
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