DUBAI: Uber Eats has added Riyadh in its entrée of more than 200 cities in the world where customers can order meals online or through the app and have them delivered at home or in their offices.
Starting today, residents can download the Uber Eats app or access ubereats.com and choose from over 100 restaurant locations in Riyadh – from local favorites such as Cafe Bateel, Manoosh and Hamburghini to everyday brands including McDonalds and PizzaHut. Ordered food would be prepared and delivered in an average of 30 to 40 minutes.
“We’re hugely excited to be launching in Riyadh today. People in the city can now use Uber Eats to choose from hundreds of dishes to get the food they want, when they want it, delivered at Uber speed – whether that’s dinner at home, lunch at work or a snack when out with friends,” Mohamad Jardaneh, general manager of Uber Eats Saudi Arabia, said in a statement.
While Uber Eats is a global brand, the Uber Eats app in Saudi Arabia has been custom built to meet the needs of local residents and businesses, Jardaneh said, and Riyadh will become the first Uber Eats city in the world to launch with cash as a payment option.
“We know the importance of building technology to meet the everyday needs of locals. Whether that’s by opening up the benefits of our technology to more people with things like cash, or by investing in redesigning the app to offer customers the local experience they expect,” said Jardaneh.
Uber Eats launches in Riyadh
Uber Eats launches in Riyadh
Ritz-Carlton Residences, Diriyah launches ‘Signature Collection’
At Cityscape Global in Riyadh, Diriyah Company announced the launch of 59 new luxury apartments and villas for the Signature Collection of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Diriyah, marking the latest release of its luxury branded residences. This launch follows the successful sell-out of the initial 106 Ritz Carlton Residences.
This exclusive new collection offers 59 fully furnished apartments and villas, with options ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom configurations, each meticulously crafted to meet the legendary standards of The Ritz-Carlton brand.
Residents will also enjoy exclusive access to amenities at the co-located hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Diriyah, including a state-of-the-art gym, luxurious spa, and fine-dining restaurants.
Announcing the new residences, Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: “We are delighted to announce these new world-class luxury homes from the Ritz-Carlton brand. Following the incredible success and sell-out of our initial release of 106 villas at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Diriyah, we are anticipating significant demand for this exceptional new offering. This announcement underscores our dedication to delivering best-in-class offerings at every stage of our incredible development journey.”
Jaidev Menezes, regional vice president — mixed-use development, EMEA, Marriott International, said: “Following the overwhelming success and sold-out response to the initial release of villas at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Diriyah, we are excited about the launch of the new inventory of villas and apartments. We are once again expecting high levels of demand for the newly launched residences offering tranquility, privacy and luxury living in one of the most significant cultural and heritage destinations in the region.”
The development of these luxury hotel residences at Diriyah is part of a comprehensive residential strategy to create diverse living opportunities for more than 100,000 future residents. This wide-ranging plan underscores Diriyah’s vision to become a premier destination for luxury living and community development.
Diriyah Company, Raffles announce luxury residences
Diriyah Company and Raffles Hotels and Resorts have announced the launch of Raffles Residences Diriyah, marking their first residential partnership. The announcement shows the two companies’ shared commitment to offering world-class luxury living in the “City of Earth.”
Launched during Cityscape Global 2024 in Riyadh, Raffles Residences Diriyah will offer 90 apartments and townhouses primarily featuring one-, two- or three-bedroom residences and seven spacious duplex accommodations. Residents will have full access to the world-class luxury facilities and amenities at the upcoming Raffles Diriyah hotel.
Raffles Residences Diriyah will bring together the elegance and spirit of enchanted glamor for which Raffles is known alongside Najdi architectural influences. This unique collection of residential homes is located in Diriyah South, close to the 3 km escarpment walk overlooking Wadi Hanifah, blending cultural legacy with modern luxury.
Announcing the release of the residences, Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: “We are thrilled to unveil these exceptional luxury residences from a top-tier, esteemed hotel brand. Introducing these stunning Raffles Residences to Diriyah reinforces our commitment to world-class standards of excellence and quality that we are delivering at every step of our accelerating development journey.”
Omer Acar, CEO for Raffles Hotels and Resorts, added: “Raffles hotels and residences worldwide are located in destinations rich in history and heritage. With Raffles Residences Diriyah, we are offering residents an unparalleled living experience steps away from the 300-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif and overlooking the breathtaking natural landscape of Wadi Hanifah, putting homeowners in one of Saudi Arabia’s cultural centers. We look forward to welcoming residents from the Kingdom and wider region to enjoy these exceptional homes where they can experience the inspirational and glamorous lifestyle of Raffles while benefiting from the outstanding service and amenities at the forthcoming Raffles Diriyah hotel.”
Raffles Residences Diriyah is part of a comprehensive residential strategy by the Diriyah Company, which will create diverse living opportunities for more than 100,000 future residents. This wide-ranging plan underscores Diriyah’s vision to become a highly sought-after place for luxury living and community development.
Honor launches laptop for professionals
The Honor MagicBook Art 14 is a well-equipped laptop that can tackle the stressful schedule of any business professional and comes with unique tools that help to streamline workloads and boost productivity.
Portability is an important factor for any business laptop, and the MagicBook Art 14 takes this further than any other laptop in the market. With a weight of 1 kg and a thickness of just 1 cm, the MagicBook Art 14 is light enough to carry around all day in a bag or briefcase and is always ready for the next meeting.
For business professionals, privacy is a high priority, and the MagicBook Art 14 offers an industry-first measure to protect users' privacy through the industry’s first modular camera design.
The laptop is available for purchase in Emerald Green at a price of SR5,999 ((1,600).
TDF and Dusit partner to elevate KSA’s hospitality sector
As Saudi Arabia continues to make tremendous strides toward becoming one of the world’s most attractive tourist destinations, the Tourism Development Fund, the national enabler of the Kingdom’s tourism sector, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the industry. This was highlighted by signing an MoU with Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies.
Officially announced at World Travel Market 2024 in London, the MoU will see TDF work closely with Dusit International to develop a range of world-class hospitality projects in the Kingdom.
In line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Tourism Strategy, the partnership is fully geared toward setting Saudi Arabia apart as a must-visit destination distinguished by a first-class array of luxury hotels and resorts.
The MoU marks the latest step taken by TDF to transform the Kingdom into a global hub of immersive tourism experiences, reiterating the fund’s focus on effective and truly aligned partnership-building to advance the Saudi tourism sector and fulfill the Kingdom’s potential as a leading player on the international tourism stage.
Renowned for its rich traditions, stunning landscapes, proud heritage and diverse range of spiritual landmarks and historic sites, Saudi Arabia is home to some of the most engaging tourist attractions in the world. Together with Dusit International, TDF will call attention to these places of interest and attract more visitors and travelers to embark on rewarding journeys and tourist experiences across the Kingdom.
Qusai Al-Fakhri, TDF’s CEO, said: “This MoU is a pivotal milestone in our strategy to attract world-class partners and create distinctive and sustainable tourism destinations in Saudi Arabia. We are pleased to be collaborating with Dusit International, whose expertise in hospitality aligns perfectly with our ambition to unlock the full potential of the Kingdom’s tourism sector. Together, we aim to shape extraordinary destinations that will have a lasting positive impact on the sector.”
SupHajjee Suthumpun, group CEO of Dusit International, said: “Dusit International is deeply honored to sign this MoU with Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund. This marks a significant milestone for us as we seek to bring our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to one of the world’s most dynamic tourism landscapes. Saudi Arabia is a key focus for our growth, and partnering with TDF provides invaluable opportunities to connect with high-potential investments across the Kingdom. We look forward to contributing to Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy and delivering hotel experiences that bring enduring value to all stakeholders.”
With more than 75 years of experience, Dusit International is an Asian hospitality group rooted in Thai heritage. It operates a diverse portfolio of brands, including luxury hotels and resorts, food businesses, hospitality schools, wellness centers, and hospitality-related services, with a presence in 19 countries across four continents.
BISR empowers students with esports skills
The British International School Riyadh has partnered with NES, a gaming-focused digital media company and subsidiary of Nesma Holding Company, to offer students access to the rapidly evolving world of esports. The partnership will provide BISR’s students with hands-on experience across key industry areas such as game design, coaching, broadcasting, competition management, and data analysis.
The new partnership comes in line with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and create new jobs in various sectors, including esports. It also supports the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for gaming and esports by 2030.
Through this collaboration, BISR will introduce an extracurricular skills academy with a focus on esports, designed to upskill students across various areas of the industry. The program will also lay the foundation for offering a formal BTEC qualification by BISR in the future. This marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s educational landscape, further contributing to the upskilling and development of the esports industry in the region.
As part of the program, students will gain exposure to the inner workings of the esports ecosystem, preparing them for future careers in a field that is rapidly expanding worldwide. NES will also assist in designing state-of-the-art esports gaming labs at BISR’s Al-Hamra campus, providing a unique environment for students to explore their career paths in esports. The first activity session, which was held on Oct. 19, saw enthusiastic participation, confirming the program’s potential to engage students across disciplines.
Teslim Olomowewe, BTEC lead at BISR, said: “By partnering with NES, we are offering our students a unique opportunity to engage with the future of entertainment and technology. This partnership not only empowers our students with the skills they need for the future, but also positions BISR at the forefront of educational innovation in Saudi Arabia. The initiative reflects BISR’s dedication to providing students with a comprehensive education that meets the demands of modern industries.”
Elie Honain, CEO at NES, said: “Nesma is proud to partner with BISR in support of Vision 2030 to empower youth in the Kingdom. This program offers students an opportunity to develop teamwork, strategy, and leadership skills through competitive gaming. Esports fosters community and creativity, and we aim to create a supportive environment where all students can participate and grow. We encourage students to join this exciting initiative and help build a vibrant esports community that empowers our youth to thrive.”
This partnership is particularly important at a time when the gaming and esports industry in the Kingdom is projected to generate SR50 billion ($13.3 billion) and create more than 39,000 jobs by 2030, with more than 65 percent of the Saudi population expressing interest in the sector, as per the National Gaming and Esports Strategy.
