Travel Market Insights
Dusit International to Open New Resort in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia in 2027
-
Pictured (from left): Mr Shadi El Ghoneimi and Mr Omar El Ghoneimi, El Ghoneimi Architects; Mr Elias Maalouf, AVP Technical Services & Development – EMEA, Dusit International; Sheikh Bassem Al Ghadeer – Chairman Al Ghadeer Group; HRH Prince Saud bin Talal Al Saud, Governor of Al Ahsa Province; Mr Naif Al Madi, Chief Business Officer, Tourism Development Fund; Mr Ossama Al Hattami, VP – Hospitality, Dusit Saudi; Mr Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International; and Mr Khaled Al Hattami, Chief Executive Officer, Dusit Saudi. – Image Credit Dusit International
Dusit International has signed an agreement to manage a new resort, dusitD2 Al Ahsa, set to open in 2027 in Al Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia.
Dusit International has entered into a hotel management agreement with Al Ghadeer Group to operate a new resort, dusitD2 Al Ahsa, in Al Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia. The resort is scheduled to open in 2027 and will be located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the eastern Arabian Peninsula.
The dusitD2 Al Ahsa will feature 120 suites, ranging from one-bedroom to three-bedroom configurations. Each suite will include a private terrace and plunge pool. The resort’s design, crafted by Cairo-based El Ghoneimi Architects, will incorporate elements inspired by the surrounding desert landscape and local cultural motifs.
Facilities at the resort will include a wellness center with private treatment rooms, yoga and meditation areas, a 1,500 square meter ballroom, and outdoor event spaces. Dining options will consist of an all-day restaurant and a lobby café. Additional amenities will include a large outdoor swimming pool, a children’s pool, and a kids club.
The resort’s location offers proximity to cultural and ecological sites such as Al Qarah Mountain, Juatha Park, and the historic Qaisariah Souq. It is situated 30 minutes from Al Ahsa International Airport and 90 minutes from Dammam.
The dusitD2 Al Ahsa will be the second Dusit-branded property in Saudi Arabia, following the upcoming opening of Dusit Princess Al Majma’ah in Riyadh, expected in the fourth quarter of this year.
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said during the company’s second-quarter earnings call Wednesday that it is still “feeling out” the possibility of working with the big AI chatbots like ChatGPT, which he called “an incredibly compelling product.”
“We’re certainly open to” integrating with major AI Chatbots, which could be a source of lead generation for Airbnb, Chesky said.
Unlike Booking.com, which has partnerships with OpenAI, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft and sees generative AI chatbots as a new distribution channel, Airbnb has made no decisions yet about selling stays, Services or Experiences through major AI assistants.
AI Chatbots Are
Key Points
- Airbnb relaunched its Experiences and introduced new Services, showing promising early results with 60,000 host applications.
- The company reported strong Q2 financials, including 13% revenue growth (to $13.1 billion) and a 16% rise in net income, outpacing expectations.
- AI-powered customer service has been expanded to all U.S. users, reducing the need for human agents by 15%, with plans for further global rollout.
Summary
Airbnb reported strong second-quarter financial results, highlighted by the positive early performance of its relaunched Experiences and new Services segment, which allow guests to book additional amenities. The company saw a 7% year-over-year increase in nights and seats booked, significant revenue and net income growth, and notable international expansion, particularly in markets like Japan. Additionally, Airbnb expanded AI-powered customer service to all U.S. users, reducing human support needs, with global rollout planned.
Southwest Airlines flights will now be available to book on Priceline, making it the second online travel agency to partner with the Dallas-based carrier.
The two companies announced the partnership on Wednesday, and through the deal, Southwest flights will also be available across Booking Holdings platforms, which include Booking.com and Agoda.
Southwest customers will be able to compare fare bundles and earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points, along with Pricelin
-
Brand Stories2 weeks agoBloom Hotels: A Modern Vision of Hospitality Redefining Travel
-
Brand Stories2 weeks agoCheQin.ai sets a new standard for hotel booking with its AI capabilities: empowering travellers to bargain, choose the best, and book with clarity.
-
Destinations & Things To Do3 weeks agoUntouched Destinations: Stunning Hidden Gems You Must Visit
-
Destinations & Things To Do2 weeks agoThis Hidden Beach in India Glows at Night-But Only in One Secret Season
-
AI in Travel3 weeks agoAI Travel Revolution: Must-Have Guide to the Best Experience
-
Brand Stories1 month agoVoice AI Startup ElevenLabs Plans to Add Hubs Around the World
-
Brand Stories4 weeks agoHow Elon Musk’s rogue Grok chatbot became a cautionary AI tale
-
Brand Stories2 weeks agoContactless Hospitality: Why Remote Management Technology Is Key to Seamless Guest Experiences
-
Asia Travel Pulse1 month agoLooking For Adventure In Asia? Here Are 7 Epic Destinations You Need To Experience At Least Once – Zee News
-
AI in Travel1 month ago‘Will AI take my job?’ A trip to a Beijing fortune-telling bar to see what lies ahead | China
You must be logged in to post a comment Login