Park Inn by Radisson, a midscale hotel brand of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, has made its debut in the holy city of Makkah. The group has a large presence in Saudi Arabia with 35 hotels and more than 9,000 rooms in operation or under development.
Mark Willis, area senior vice president, Middle East, Turkey & Africa for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, said: “We are delighted to open our first hotel in the holy city with Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Al-Naseem. This is a significant hotel addition not just for the Park Inn by Radisson brand but for the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, as we now begin to see our strong development pipeline across Saudi Arabia materialize, with multiple hotel openings coming to fruition in the next 18 months.”
“We believe the Park Inn by Radisson brand is entering this important segment at a very opportune time to support the increase in pilgrim travelers seeking affordable accommodation and a hassle-free experience. The growth of religious tourism to the Kingdom and the holy city of Makkah for local and international travelers is expected to grow, and we are well placed to provide all the essentials of an international hotel brand,” added Willis.
Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Al-Naseem is located 20 meters from Al-Rajhi Mosque, the second largest mosque in Makkah and one that accommodates more than 15,000 worshippers. The hotel is also situated very close to the holy sites of Arafat, Mina and Muzdalifah.
The hotel has 459 modern rooms and suites, most of which overlook the Al-Rajhi Mosque.
For dining, Al-Awali restaurant serves a wide selection of local and international cuisine. The hotel’s lobby café serves sweet and savory snacks and can host up to 200 people while the Roof Top Garden Cafe offers breath-taking views of the holy city.
Saad Ghosheh, general manager of Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Al-Naseem, said: “We look forward to welcoming local and international travelers visiting the holy city of Makkah for their Haj and Umrah pilgrimage. Our great location allows our guests to experience the many pilgrimage sites in the holy city. Our experienced and passionate team members are here to ensure all of our guests have a memorable stay.”
Park Inn by Radisson opens in Makkah
Park Inn by Radisson opens in Makkah
Australian minister Don Farrell launches LuLu festival
Regional retail chain Lulu Hypermarket officially launched the Australian Fest on Wednesday at its Diplomatic Quarter branch in Riyadh. The grand inauguration was led by Senator Don Farrell, minister for trade and tourism and special minister of state for Australia, as the chief guest. The event, which celebrated the rich culinary heritage and premium produce of Australia, was attended by a high-level delegation from the Australian government, alongside Mohammed Haris, director of LuLu Hypermarket Saudi Arabia, and senior LuLu officials.
The festivities commenced at the supermarket entrance, where Farrell performed the official ribbon-cutting ceremony under a beautifully designed, Australian-themed ceremonial gate. This marked the formal opening of a week-long celebration dedicated to bringing the best of Australian flavors to the Saudi capital. Following the inauguration, the minister led a guided store walk-through, exploring premium product showcases and vibrant displays in the Meat Area. A dedicated thematic showcase of fresh fruits and vegetables from Australia was also highlighted, emphasizing the authenticity and freshness that the country’s agriculture is known for globally.
The tour reached a celebratory peak at the bakery section, where the chief guest was invited for a commemorative cake-cutting ceremony to mark the launch of the festival. During his official address, Farrell shared his insights on the significance of the event, stating that it is a pleasure to witness the Australian Fest in Riyadh. He said that the event is more than just a showcase of Australian products, but rather a testament to the growing partnership between Australia and Saudi Arabia, making these high-quality products easily accessible to shoppers in the Kingdom.
Meanwhile, Haris expressed his gratitude for the visit, noting that the team is deeply honored to welcome Farrell and the Australian government delegates. He said that the Australian Fest is a cornerstone of LuLu’s commitment to offering customers global diversity and the highest quality products. He further added that LuLu is proud to serve as the bridge connecting Saudi shoppers with the authentic excellence of Australian agriculture.
The Australian Fest is offering residents an exclusive opportunity to explore and purchase a wide variety of Australian-made products at special promotional prices.
