Shaza Makkah, the 5-Star hotel among the first in line hotels in Jabal Al-Ka’bah to Haram, has won “The World’s Leading Luxury Halal Hotel” at The World Travel Awards 2021.
The hotel is being recognized for the third consecutive year for its unique guest experience and world class services to visitors of Makkah.
Upon receiving the prestigious award, Bassam Khanfar, general manager said: “We are honored to be recognized by The World Travel Award as the World’s Leading Luxury Halal Hotel 2021. This milestone comes in line with our continuous efforts and commitment to provide the best hospitality service and create a memorable experience for all of our guests.”
Comprising 251 guest rooms and suites, Shaza Makkah interiors convey a fusion of elegance and the spirit of classic Arabic décor. Its contemporary art inspired by classic silk route heritage evokes its wonder, artistry, the beauty of shapes and colors, the Middle Eastern charm along with other sophisticated details. These features make Shaza Makkah undoubtedly the perfect luxury escape that immediately embraces one with absolute serenity.
The World Travel Award brand is an ultimate hallmark of industry excellence, established in 1993 to reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.
Shaza Makkah wins ‘The World’s Leading Luxury Halal Hotel’ award
https://arab.news/553q6
Shaza Makkah wins ‘The World’s Leading Luxury Halal Hotel’ award
Schneider Electric launches academy in Saudi Arabia to build future-ready talent
Schneider Electric has announced the launch of the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa in Saudi Arabia, a regional capability platform dedicated to skilling, upskilling, and knowledge sharing.
The launch comes at a critical moment as the Kingdom accelerates energy transition, industrial localization, and human capability development under Vision 2030. The academy reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership role in building future-ready talent while supporting industrial and energy transformation across the wider Middle East and Africa region.
The Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa is not a traditional training center; it is a regional platform translating Schneider Electric’s global energy technology expertise into applied capability for Saudi Arabia and the broader region. Anchored in Riyadh, the academy is designed to serve as a benchmark for skills development and enablement across the MEA.
The launch reflects Schneider Electric’s long-term commitment to investing in people and capabilities, and to supporting national priorities across energy, industry, and digital infrastructure.
Mohamed Shaheen, cluster president of Schneider Electric Saudi Arabia and Yemen, said: “This launch reflects our long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia and to building capability that lasts. After more than 40 years in the Kingdom, we continue to invest where impact matters most: in people. Launching the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa from Riyadh underscores our belief that sustainable transformation is built on local capability and trusted partnerships.”
The academy directly supports Saudi Arabia’s focus on human capability development, localization, and Saudi-made outcomes by enabling the skills behind advanced energy systems, industrial automation, and digital infrastructure. Capabilities developed through the academy will support Saudi manufacturing, national projects, and resilient supply chains, while also strengthening regional industrial ecosystems.
“The Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa is designed to enable real outcomes,” said Walid Sheta, zone president for the MEA at Schneider Electric. “By equipping talent with future-ready skills across electrification, automation, and digital intelligence, we are strengthening Saudi and regional capability to design, operate, and lead the energy and industrial systems of the future.”
The launch event in Riyadh brought together senior government representatives, industry partners, customers, and Schneider Electric’s leadership, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in aligning education, skills development, and labor market needs.
Designed as a long-term platform, the Energy Tech Academy Middle East and Africa will continue to evolve through partnerships, programs, and continuous capability development, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional hub for skills, knowledge, and industrial enablement.
