Hospitality Management Holdings, a leading hospitality group in the MENA region, is entering a significant phase of regional expansion with the upcoming opening of the Corp. Makkah Al-Naseem Hotel and two strategic agreements signed at Arabian Travel Market 2025. These developments highlight the company’s commitment to elevating hospitality standards while supporting Vision 2030 across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.
In Makkah, HMH is preparing to launch the Corp. Makkah Al-Naseem Hotel, a 460-room property strategically positioned to serve pilgrims visiting the holy city. Scheduled to open after this year’s Hajj season, the hotel combines elegant interiors with modern amenities to create a welcoming environment for spiritual reflection and physical rejuvenation. The property features comprehensive guest facilities including a fully equipped fitness center, diverse dining options offering specialty cuisine, and a tranquil café — all thoughtfully designed to enhance the pilgrim experience.
Haytham Abdelaziz, chief operating officer of HMH, said: “Corp. Makkah Al-Naseem Hotel achieves a careful balance between contemporary comfort and spiritual sanctuary. We’ve designed every element to support guests’ well-being, from nourishing meals to peaceful surroundings, allowing them to focus completely on their pilgrimage.” The hotel’s opening forms part of HMH’s broader commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s religious tourism infrastructure development, aligning with national initiatives to enhance the experience for millions of annual visitors.
During ATM 2025, HMH solidified its regional expansion with two key agreements: a signed management contract for the 460-room Corp. Makkah Al-Naseem Hotel, and a memorandum of understanding for a new Dammam hotel development. These strategic moves demonstrate HMH’s balanced approach to serving both business and religious tourism sectors across the GCC.
“These agreements reflect our strategic expansion approach, perfectly aligned with our mission to serve diverse tourism sectors throughout the region,” Abdelaziz added. With more than 2,600 rooms either operational or in development, HMH is positioned to significantly influence the region’s hospitality landscape. The group continues to leverage regional travel trends and government-supported tourism initiatives to drive sustainable growth.
As HMH marked 15 years of participation at ATM, these achievements underscore its evolution as a trusted hospitality partner, delivering innovative, guest-centered solutions across MENA’s dynamic tourism market.
HMH advances regional growth with new Makkah hotel
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HMH advances regional growth with new Makkah hotel
PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc’s CISO500 program advances cyber leadership
The fifth edition of the CISO500 program ran from Feb. 8-12. Delivered in partnership between PwC Middle East and Sirar by stc, the program featured five intensive days of rich discussions and hands-on practical experiences, aimed at strengthening leadership capabilities in cybersecurity and keeping pace with rapid technological transformation.
The program is designed to develop the capabilities of executive cybersecurity leaders and enhance their strategic role in supporting organizations’ digital transformation. It equips participants to address contemporary challenges in the cyber landscape and expand their influence within decision-making ecosystems.
Yasser Al-Swailem, CEO of Sirar by stc, said that the program represents an important step toward strengthening the readiness of cyber leaders in the region. He noted that the CISO500 program is a fundamental pillar in the journey toward building a secure and trusted Saudi cyberspace aligned with national ambitions. He added that investing in national cybersecurity leadership is no longer optional but a strategic necessity for ensuring sustainable digital development. The program reflects a commitment to empowering national talent to lead the digital security landscape according to the highest global standards.
He further emphasized that such initiatives contribute to strengthening digital security ecosystems and enabling organizations to confidently and sustainably address future challenges.
Samer Omar, cybersecurity and digital trust leader at PwC Middle East, added: “CISO500 is a long-term investment in Saudi leadership. Over the past year, we’ve seen how bringing together senior Saudi cybersecurity professionals in a structured executive environment accelerates capability, builds confidence and deepens collaboration. As the program enters its second year, our focus remains on equipping Saudi CISOs with the strategic perspective and technical depth required to secure the Kingdom’s digital ambitions.”
The program addressed a range of advanced topics, including common cyber transformation pitfalls, mechanisms for securing enterprise digital transformation, and cybersecurity budgeting and financial governance. These topics enhanced leaders’ ability to translate cyber risks and security investments into financial indicators that support executive decision-making.
It also covered the latest technological developments, particularly artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, quantum computing, and the protection of critical and operational infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on the importance of security governance for AI technologies and strengthening enterprise-wide risk management perspectives associated with them.
The program adopted an interactive learning methodology combining strategic discussions, collaborative work, and creative practical exercises, contributing to a deeper understanding of concepts and enabling their translation into applicable organizational practices.
Abdullah Al-Asmari, global cybersecurity director at the Saudi Research and Media Group and one of the program participants, said that the experience added significant strategic and practical value: “The program provided a rich experience that strengthened the leadership perspective of cybersecurity, particularly in linking technical practices with strategic and financial dimensions within the organization. It also offered valuable space for exchanging expertise on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computing, and the challenges of securing critical infrastructure. This experience enhances cyber leaders’ ability to adopt a more influential role in supporting digital transformation and enabling decision-making based on a comprehensive understanding of risk and value.”
He added that the program facilitated the exchange of insights on emerging challenges and strengthened the ability to align cybersecurity with institutional objectives and executive decision requirements.
Participants said that the program constituted a valuable professional and knowledge-driven experience that enhanced the readiness of cyber leaders to keep pace with rapid digital transformation, reinforcing cybersecurity’s role as a strategic enabler that supports innovation while preserving business trust, reliability, and sustainability.
