Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe, has announced the appointment of Middle East hospitality veteran, Mustafa Ainen, as cluster general manager of two of the chain’s most dynamic additions to its Saudi portfolio, the newly opened Centro Shaheen Jeddah and Centro Waha Riyadh, the latter of which is scheduled to open by end of Q2 2017.
“The appointment of Mustafa Ainen constitutes a valuable asset to furthering the success of Rotana’s well-grounded presence and expansion in Saudi Arabia,” said Rotana’s area vice president, Mohamad Haj Hassan. “Mustafa brings both the experience and well-honed sensibility that are needed for this most exciting brand of new hotels in the rapidly developing Saudi Arabian hospitality sector.”
Centro represents Rotana’s dynamic new brand that provides highly comfortable and affordable hospitality in a contemporary atmosphere fostered by the dynamic design of the properties, inside and out.
“I am excited about this opportunity to contribute to building the reputation and solidifying the image of Centro brand in the Saudi market, the perfect home for it,” stated Ainen. “Our priority is to fulfil Rotana’s promise to guests and to optimize the competitiveness of the brand through the work of high performing guest-centric teams that together will make the Centro properties synonymous with quality, comfort and affordability.”
Ainen brings over 25 years of experience in Middle Eastern hotel operations, development and project management to the brand. He displays the overall vision acquired holding the GM position in prestigious hotel chains as well as the detailed knowledge of individual hotel operations honed from holding top positions at individual properties. Mustafa is not new to Rotana family and his relationship with the company reaches back to 1995 when he helped in the chain’s first hotel in Dubai, and eventually he undertook numerous top positions at other Rotana hotels including the Media Rotana Dubai among others.
Rotana recently confirmed plans to additionally open new hotel properties in Saudi Arabia in 2017 under the “Centro by Rotana” brand, these include Centro Waha, Riyadh; Centro Olaya, Riyadh; Centro Corniche, Alkhobar; and Centro Salama, Jeddah.
Hospitality veteran Mustafa Ainen tapped to head 2 Rotana hotels
Hospitality veteran Mustafa Ainen tapped to head 2 Rotana hotels
Jeeny launches First–Last Mile Access in partnership with Medina Bus
Jeeny has announced the introduction of its First-Last Mile Access Program in collaboration with Medina Bus, marking a significant step forward in Saudi Arabia's transportation reform.
Passengers who buy a Medina Bus ticket can now get discounted Jeeny rides to and from key bus stops, making public transportation more accessible for both residents and pilgrims.
While the initiative appears modest, it represents a far wider vision: the first operational phase of Jeeny's goal to develop Saudi Arabia's next-generation Integrated Mobility Platform, an integrated framework that will eventually connect numerous modes of transportation under one seamless consumer experience.
Medina was chosen as the launch location because of its national importance and growing demand for efficient transportation.
In 2024, the city's bus network handled 1.72 million people, and demand is predicted to increase further in 2025.
Medina, being one of the Kingdom's most popular destinations, provides a real-world setting for evaluating concepts that can then be scaled across the country.
“This marks the beginning of a mobility shift in Saudi Arabia, where public transport and private operators can work together to offer a seamless journey,” said Hammad Ehtesham, CEO of Jeeny. “Making it easier for people to reach public transport is the foundation of a future where every mode of mobility in the Kingdom connects effortlessly.”
With millions of rides every year in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, Jeeny has developed into one of the top mobility platforms in the area.
The company, which employs over 400 people and has one of the biggest active driver networks in the Kingdom, is currently getting ready for its next stage: a nationwide mobility ecosystem that will support buses, ride-hailing, micro-mobility, pilgrim mobility services, and end-to-end travel solutions, including direct flight booking through Jeeny.
Despite the fact that Medina's First-Last Mile initiative is relatively new, early feedback shows that users are really interested in more accessible transportation options.
Similar First-Last Mile initiatives can increase public transportation usage by 15 to 25 percent, according to international research, underscoring the wider potential impact as Jeeny considers expanding to more Saudi cities.
“What begins in Medina will become a blueprint for the Kingdom’s connected mobility future,” Ehtesham added. “This is the first step toward a nationwide ecosystem that will make movement simpler, smarter, and more accessible for everyone.”
Passengers on Medina Bus are now able to make use of the Jeeny First-Last Mile Access Program, which supports Saudi Arabia's vision for contemporary, sustainable, and inclusive mobility while providing a new, more convenient means of accessing public transportation.
