Hyundai will confirm details of two new products available to Middle East and Africa markets, with the region included in plans for a new-generation Sonata sedan and a new SUV model, the Palisade.
The Sonata is the eighth generation of Hyundai’s long-running mid-size sedan, while the Palisade is a new flagship SUV. It will be a mid-size SUV, but longer, wider and taller than the newest Santa Fe, which went on sale last year.
The new models feature bold design and benefit from the latest technical innovations. Features include convenience technology, such as wireless smartphone charging and advanced levels of connectivity, large touch-screen displays, and head-up display to show essential information on the windscreen — immediately in the driver’s view without glancing away from the road.
They also offer a wide range of safety technology, with a selection of advanced driver assistance systems packaged as Hyundai SmartSense.
“The Sonata has a long and successful history in our region, and consistently ranks among the most popular models in its segment, so we have high expectations for this latest model,” said Mike Song, Hyundai’s head of operations for the Middle East and Africa. “It offers premium design with sporty, coupe-like styling, combined with exceptional quality and outstanding value in the market.
“The Palisade offers the same high standards, while extending our range into new market segments, offering a larger family SUV as a flagship product. This will reach out to new customers for our brand, and also serve the changing needs of loyal Hyundai owners.”
Hyundai previewed the Palisade for the first time at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November, while the Sonata was presented publicly in March. An official hands-on launch of the Middle East and Africa versions will take place in South Korea, ahead of deliveries to the region during the summer.
Hyundai to unveil two key models for Middle East and Africa
Hyundai to unveil two key models for Middle East and Africa
Tourism Minister opens Radisson Hotel Madinah
Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of the Tourism Development Fund Ahmed Al-Khateeb recently inaugurated the Radisson Hotel Madinah. The hotel has been enabled by the TDF, a Saudi government fund dedicated to supporting and developing the Saudi tourism sector. The opening of the new property falls within ongoing efforts to enhance the hospitality infrastructure in Madinah and increase its readiness to receive visitors, thereby improving the quality of tourism services in line with the objectives of the National Tourism Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.
The minister stated that the opening of Radisson Hotel Madinah reflects TDF’s commitment to high-quality and diversified projects that meet visitors’ needs. He said: “Saudi Arabia continues to advance the development of the hospitality sector across different regions to ensure the provision of exceptional accommodation experiences that enhance the visitor journey and support the sustainable growth of tourism, particularly in cities of religious and historical significance such as Madinah.”
TDF CEO Qusai Al-Fakhri said that the fund continues to perform its role as the national enabler of the tourism sector by supporting projects that generate tangible economic and developmental impact. He explained that the hotel’s opening represents a model of TDF’s role in diversified tourism investments and support for the private sector’s hotel projects, which increase accommodation capacity, create job opportunities, and enhance quality of life in Madinah.
The four-star Radisson Hotel Madinah spans an area exceeding 2,300 square meters and comprises 165 rooms. It is located next to Quba Mosque, 12 minutes by car from the Prophet’s Mosque, and 20 minutes from Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, making it a convenient choice for city visitors and pilgrims. The hotel includes a restaurant serving guests and visitors, dedicated meeting and event spaces, and sports facilities.
The hotel contributes to stimulating the local economic activity and supporting the tourism and hospitality ecosystem, enhancing Madinah’s readiness to receive increasing numbers of visitors and pilgrims in the coming years.
This project is part of the TDF’s portfolio of tourism projects in various regions of the Kingdom. The TDF has contributed to more than 130 tourism projects in Madinah, with total contributions exceeding SR1.5 billion ($400 million) and accommodation capacity surpassing 2,100 hotel rooms, reaffirming its role in advancing tourism investment, sustainable development objectives, and the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy, in line with the National Tourism Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.
