TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
Accor | May 18, 2023
Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, in partnership with Erth Real Estate Company, today announced that it will open three new hotels in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of a new master planned development project. The forthcoming luxury hospitality community will include a 230-key Raffles hotel, a 250-key Sofitel Serviced Residence, and a 60-villa MGallery resort, all set to open by 2027. The multi-faceted community will also include office towers, residential towers, and retail space, all built around a centrally located garden area.
Erth Real Estate Company, the premium real estate developer across Saudi Arabia, is the owner and developer of the 4.2 billion Saudi Riyal mixed-use project at Al Yasmin District and has signed with Accor for hotel management within the two towers of this development. Accor will provide hotel management services and support from several brands within its world-leading brand portfolio.
Raffles Riyadh and Sofitel Extended Stay at Al Yasmin District, both located at King Fahad Road intersecting with King Salman Road and Al Olaya Street, will reside within sparkling glass, 34-storey and 42-storey towers – creating an iconic presence in the city's skyline. The towers, which will enjoy convenient 18-minute access to King Khalid International Airport by car, will have a clear view of KAFD, New Murabba, Avenues Mall, SAB Tower and Tamkeen Tower. Ample green space, including lush gardens, will also surround both buildings. MGallery Resort Riyadh, only 20 minutes away from Riyadh city center, will be developed in the Al Waseel district, where some luxury private resorts are located, and will be situated in a wadi surrounded by date farms. With 60 low-rise villas, it will be an ideal attraction for families and guests looking for a break from the busy city center and immersion into a vibrant neighborhood of Riyadh.
Speaking at the signing event, Saud Abdullah Al Rajhi, the Group Managing Director of Erth Real Estate stated: "The company's vision of becoming a preferred real estate brand in Saudi Arabia is fully aligned with leading first-class projects that meet market expectations and unleash the economic potential of the Kingdom. Therefore, Erth is pleased to expand its relationship with Accor by adding new assets to our hospitality portfolio."
"As part of Accor's ultra-luxury division, Raffles is honored to soon open a second destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly in Riyadh," said Omer Acar, CEO Raffles & Orient Express. "As a brand that is highly selective of the destinations where we choose to develop, we are confident that vibrance and growth surrounding the city of Riyadh is the perfect location to offer our guests the true Raffles experience – one that is celebrated, authentic, and renowned for its legendary service. We look forward to welcoming new guests and those returning as family to Raffles Riyadh."
"On behalf of both the Sofitel and MGallery brands, we are delighted to contribute to a diverse community of luxury hospitality choices for business and leisure visitors, particularly those who wish to settle in and stay a little longer to enjoy the dynamic energy of the cosmopolitan city of Riyadh," said Maud Bailly, CEO Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems. "As an ambassador of French culture around the world, Sofitel will bring the art-de-vivre that has been so successful at our two other Sofitel destinations in the Kingdom. Guests will also have the chance to discover the culture and a vibrant neighbourhood at the new MGallery, with the property providing sumptuous resort style villas and the luxury of feeling of a home away from home."
Erth's new luxury hotels in Riyadh are being imagined by some of the world's top designers. The lead architect is Foster + Partners, a global studio for sustainable architecture, urbanism, engineering, and design, founded by Norman Foster in 1967. With offices across the world, the practice works as a single entity that is both ethnically and culturally diverse. Additional consultants will provide expertise on spa, art, technology, and food & beverage.
Erth's relationship with Accor started a few years ago with a prestigious development in the region - Raffles Hotel and Residences Jeddah - which consists of two towers. In one tower, a world-class luxury hotel; in the other, a stunning set of exclusive private residences, unlike anything Jeddah has known before, set against a rich backdrop of Hejazi culture and tradition.
Since the announcement of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030, Erth and Accor have both played a key role in the development of tourism through several existing and upcoming projects in key locations across the Kingdom. Accor has been present in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years and has contributed to the development of the Holy destination of Makkah, counting over 9,000 rooms with direct access to the Haram.
Within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Accor currently operates 42 properties (16,000+ rooms) and has a robust development pipeline of 34 properties which will add approximately 7,000 rooms to the Group's portfolio by 2027. Properties expected to arrive in the Kingdom in 2023 include the much-anticipated Raffles Jeddah, Fairmont Ramla Serviced Residences Riyadh, Sofitel Riyadh, Movenpick Waad Al Shamal-Turaif and Novotel Makkah Thakher City Residences. Among its Saudi Arabia portfolio, Accor is leading the way with positive hospitality experiences and environmentally sound development and operational practices. The new master-planned community in Riyadh will be developed with ethical, social, and environmental engagement that will contribute to a healthier environment while delivering value to its stakeholders, including the guests of the three new luxury hotels.
About Accor
Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5 400 properties, 10 000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris and on the OTC Market in the United States.
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FEATURES AND ADVICE
BrainHQ | March 10, 2023
BrainHQ, a brain training system, has recently announced the conclusion of its pilot study, showing that brain training can help space travel. The research was conducted with computerized brain training and Posit Science marketed it.
The researchers found that space travel has a hazardous impact on the brain because of the gravitational forces involved in liftoff and landing, radiation, microgravity, and isolation. These impacts resulted in effects like intracranial pressure, impaired vision, vestibular dysfunction, altered fluid levels in veins and arteries, white matter changes, and premature aging. They grouped the astronauts having qualities like age, education and discipline who are employees from the Johnson Space Center for the Increasing Cognitive Ability/Reserve Using Software (ICARUS) pilot study. It tested their cognitive performance through its assessments and Cognition Test Battery, a software-based test dedicated to NASA.
It trained five of these participants for about 15 hours of training, 18 sessions and over the 90 days. They improved on internal measures of its exercises with a 71% increase on average in primary performance metrics. On the NASA Cognition Test Battery, they showed 19% gains on average. With preliminary findings, the pilot study provided data and feasibility for further research.
CEO of Posit Science, Dr. Henry Mahncke said, “These are exciting results in a new area, which is literally about the New Frontier.” He added, “Whether it’s returning to the moon or colonizing Mars, we know that addressing the cognitive challenges of long-term space flight is essential. These results fit nicely with what we’ve seen in building cognitive reserve in older adults and people recovering from brain injury and brain fog, as well as improving peak performers — such as special forces, law enforcement, or athletes — expected to perform at superhuman levels under extreme time and performance pressures.”
(Source – Globe Newswire)
About BrainHQ
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, BrainHQ, a wellness and fitness services provider, has improved mental ability and performance since 2002. The international team of neuroscientists and brain experts tested its brain training system. Its exercise is scientific-based, and researchers validated its real benefits in their published papers. The experts design, test and redefine its online exercises for cognitive issues, healthy aging and mental conditions. It uses a special algorithm to adapt difficulty in each exercise at the optimum level. Its exercises are divided into different levels for a flexible period, depending on the personal training goals, on any computer or mobile device.
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TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY
prnewswire | June 05, 2023
LoungeKeyTM Pass, a digital travel experiences programme, operated by Collinson – a global leader in the provision of airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement solutions, and owner and operator of Priority Pass – announces a new partnership with Japanese Business Travel Management Company, Le Monde Travel today.
This partnership will enable eligible customers of Le Monde Travel to enjoy a one-time access to LoungeKeyTM network of over 1,200 airport lounges at more than 650 airports across the world simply by scanning a QR code upon entry. In addition to travellers accessing an extensive network of airport lounges, they can also enhance their travel experience through a wide range of retail, dining and spa offers at the airports.
This is timely given that travel is returning at speed. Collinson's recent Global Traveller Sentiment Survey revealed that travellers globally plan to make 80% of the trips that they did pre-pandemic. The research also revealed that nearly 62% of travellers are willing to cut back on non-essential retail purchases to fund their travels and are also willing to pay for premium travel experiences that enhance their journey. Specifically, 47% of respondents said they will pay for access to lounges (highlighted the value placed on this benefit), 43% for an upgraded seat and 39%, a direct flight.
The value placed on travel experiences is echoed by travellers in Japan, where they have informed in a past survey conducted by Collinson that access to airport lounges makes them feel rewarded and valued as a customer.
Tadashi Kawamura, CEO, Le Monde Travel, said: "At Le Monde Travel, we strive to provide seamless and delightful travel experiences to our customers. With domestic and international travel picking up pace in Japan, we're keen to meet traveller expectations around enhanced experiences by providing access to Collinson's LoungeKeyTM Pass programme; in turn helping our customers to enjoy their upcoming travels with peace of mind."
The shift in traveller expectations brings new opportunities for brands around the world to re-engage and deepen their relationships with their customers; for instance, through travel loyalty benefits, such as airport lounge access.
About Collinson
Collinson is the global, privately-owned company dedicated to helping the world to travel with ease and confidence. We work with the world's leading payment networks, over 1,400 banks, 90 airlines and 20 hotel groups worldwide. We deliver market-leading airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement, and insurance solutions for over 400 million end consumers. Collinson is the operator of Priority Pass, the world's original and leading airport experiences programme. Travellers can access a network of 1,300 lounges and travel experiences, including dining, retail, sleep, and spa, in over 650 airports in 148 countries, helping to elevate the journey into something special.
About Le Monde Travel
Based in Japan, Le Monde Travel is a business travel management company that offers a wide spectrum of business travel services to organisations from different industries in Japan, enabling business travellers to enjoy a seamless and fuss-free journey. Services provided include arranging for participation at international events, inspection visits, on-site interviews and business visa applications.
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