Al-Hokair Group for Tourism and Development appointed Hessa Al-Mazrou as the general manager of Suite Novotel Hotel Riyadh, making her the first Saudi woman to hold this position in the Al-Hokair Group.
Sami Al-Hokair, managing director and the CEO of Al-Hokair Group, said the group seeks the empowerment of women in all aspects of the Saudi hospitality sector as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to encourage the participation of Saudi women in both social and professional fields.
He also added that this is not only a great achievement for the group, but is also a great achievement for the Saudi hospitality sector.
“We are very confident that this step will encourage women to pursue their career aspirations. That is why it gives us great pleasure to welcome Hessa Al-Mazrou. We believe that her extensive experience will enhance the hotel's status and success in the competitive hospitality market of Riyadh,” he said.
Al-Mazrou expressed her gratitude, asking Allah to help her raise to the expectations of the group and its leaders.
Al-Mazrou has over 10 years of experience in hospitality, brand management and promotion, strategic planning and development and event management, as well as managing the group’s social responsibility programs, customer loyalty programs and public relations.
Accor Hotels appoint Saudi woman as hotel manager
Accor Hotels appoint Saudi woman as hotel manager
ALJ Motors, Toyota conclude Phase 2 of hydrogen mobility pilot
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, the authorized distributor of Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia, together with Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Tsusho Corporation, has completed the second phase of the hydrogen mobility pilot in collaboration with the Engineering College at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University and supporting entities at the university’s campus.
The pilot ran from Jan. 26 to 28, in alignment with the MoU signed between PNU and the Ministry of Energy for the implementation and deployment of hydrogen fuel cell mobility pilot projects. The program’s opening day ceremony featured prominent government, academia, and industry figures, who gathered to reaffirm the long-term importance of hydrogen solutions in Saudi Arabia.
The first phase, completed last September, focused on feasibility and initial testing, while the second focused on scalability, operational expansion, and diversification of hydrogen-powered mobility and stationary solutions within the university environment.
In addition to the previously deployed Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicles, the pilot included the Caetano H2.City Gold hydrogen fuel cell bus, the Toyota hydrogen fuel cell forklift, and the GEH2 stationary hydrogen generator, all powered by Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technology. Together, these additions support a broader assessment of hydrogen technology across multiple uses.
Mazin Ghazi Jameel, managing director of marketing operations, Toyota, Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, said: “The second phase of this hydrogen pilot represents a strategic step forward in advancing hydrogen mobility and stationary solutions in the Kingdom. By expanding the scope of hydrogen-powered transport and stationary applications at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, we are moving beyond exploration toward scalability, gaining practical insights into how this technology can deliver long-term value at scale while supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s sustainability objectives.”
Nobuyuki Takemura, chief representative of the Middle East regional office, Toyota Motor Corporation, said: “Toyota is proud to work alongside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and our valued partners to advance hydrogen mobility. Through practical pilots such as this, we are strengthening real-world understanding of hydrogen applications, engaging students directly and inspiring the next generation to shape the future of clean transport. This reflects Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality, grounded in the belief that progress is accelerated when innovation is tested in real environments.”
Saud Alsultan, deputy general manager of Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Saudi Arabia, added: “This second phase marks an important milestone in translating hydrogen mobility from pilot testing into scalable real-world applications. By expanding beyond passenger vehicles to include buses and stationary solutions, we are gaining valuable insights into how hydrogen can support integrated mobility ecosystems and contribute meaningfully to Saudi Arabia’s clean energy and sustainability ambitions.”
The initiative builds on Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and Toyota’s growing portfolio of Saudi hydrogen mobility and research projects. This includes the Jeddah hydrogen taxi pilot, the Makkah Caetano H2.City Gold bus trials, and a region-specific fuel cell research collaboration with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
The conclusion of both phases reflects Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Toyota Tsusho Corporation’s long-term commitment to be part of the Kingdom’s sustainability journey in mobility and beyond through a diversified, market-responsive approach.
