New Abha airport to offer up to 5x capacity
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, has launched the master plan for the new Abha International Airport, planned to complete its first phase by 2028.
The new Abha airport aims to embody a consistent architectural identity with the heritage of the Asir region. Its terminal area will expand to 65,000 square meters, compared to the current 10,500 square metres of the existing airport. This expansion includes the construction of passenger boarding bridges, self-service facilities for streamlined travel procedures, and high-capacity parking facilities.
The airport’s capacity will increase to accommodate over 13 million passengers annually, a tenfold increase from the current 1.5 million capacity. It will also handle more than 90,000 flights per year, a significant increase from the current 30,000 flights. Additionally, the new airport will feature 20 gates, along with 41 check-in counters with 7 new self-service check-in.
Imam Turki Reserve offers wildlife, culture
The Imam Turki Bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority welcomed visitors to its pavilion as a representative of the Kingdom, as part of the 20th edition of Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) that took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from September 2 to 8, 2023.
The authority’s pavilion showcased the unique environment, stunning nature, and biodiversity of wildlife within the reserve, along with its historical landmarks and tourist activities, through modern display screens and visual aids; In addition to Al-Majlis, which offered hospitality to visitors and highlighted the customs and traditions of the Saudi society.
Additionally, the reserve’s pavilion also showcased ways to support the local community and efforts to develop the heritage handicraft industry. This included sewing, knitting, embroidery, spinning, painting, and sculpting, as well as supporting beekeeping activities by displaying various types of honey produced within the reserve during the beekeeping season.
Soudah Peaks unveils plans for tourism
Soudah Peaks aims to offer high-end luxurious hospitality services to over two million visitors throughout the year by 2033.
The masterplan to develop Saudi Arabia’s Soudah and parts of Rijal Almaa into Soudah Peaks – a luxury mountain tourism destination set 3,015 m above sea level was launched by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, and Chairman of Soudah Development.
Situated within an extraordinary natural and cultural environment in the Aseer region (southwest Saudi Arabia), the project is a key part of the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) efforts to diversify the economy by expanding vital industries such as tourism, hospitality, and entertainment, and supporting Aseer development strategy.
The destination will be home to six unique development zones: Tahlal, Sahab, Sabrah, Jareen, Rijal, and Red Rock. Each will offer a range of world-class facilities including hotels, luxury mountain resorts, residential chalets, villas, premium mansion sites, entertainment and commercial attractions, as well as outdoor attractions dedicated to sports, adventure, wellness and culture.
Wirgan Makkah Al Noor opens doors
Wirgan for Hotels Services has announced the opening of Wirgan Makkah Al Noor which represents a distinctive luxurious getaway close to all Makkah historical places. This four-star hotel redefines comfort with 1,386 furnished rooms and suites offering stylish and comfortable accommodation to Umrah and Hajj guests, as well as business travellers.
Following the recent opening of Wirgan Makkah Al Azizieh, Wirgan Makkah Al Noor is the second property of Wirgan for Hotels Services.
Murad Alsabah, Cluster General Manager of Wirgan Makkah Al Azizieh and Wirgan Makkah Al Noor, said, “We are delighted to introduce Wirgan Makkah Al Noor that provides unparalleled hospitality experience to guests. We look forward to provide an exceptional gateway with utmost comfort and attention to detail to create unforgettable memories for all our esteemed guests.”