Asfar, Ebda launch mountain tourism project in Al-Baha

Al-Baha’s distinct natural beauty, including its diverse flora, majestic mountains, and temperate climate, makes it an enticing destination for both domestic and international tourists.
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Updated 30 September 2023
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Asfar, Ebda launch mountain tourism project in Al-Baha

Asfar, a Saudi tourism investment company owned by the Public Investment Fund, has announced its partnership with Ebda to launch Gamra, a tourism project encompassing a mountain resort and an adventure park in Al-Baha. Gamra represents Asfar’s first foray into tourism infrastructure development in the emerging cities of Saudi Arabia. The upcoming project will offer visitors an integrated tourism experience.

Spanning nearly 70,000 square meters, the Gamra project will feature 100 units, including 70 upscale villas and 30 resort rooms, all designed to immerse guests in the beautiful mountain landscapes of Al-Baha. The resort will offer guests a comprehensive tourism experience, featuring a spa, two restaurants, two cafes, an expansive outdoor plaza, and an outdoor adventure park alongside an indoor adventure park.

Dr. Fahad bin Mushayt, CEO of Asfar, said: “We have a strategic focus to co-invest with the private sector to unlock tourism opportunities across the Kingdom, empowering private companies to amplify their contributions to the envisioned transformation of promising cities like Al-Baha. We strive to redefine and elevate mountain tourism and agritourism, setting unparalleled industry standards within Saudi Arabia. This comes in line with the broader national agenda to boost the tourism sector and increase its input to the GDP, consistent with Saudi Vision 2030.”

Mushayt added: “We are excited to collaborate with Ebda to leverage our unique expertise and the substantial benefits we offer investors. Together, we aim to enhance the tourism and hospitality sectors, aligning with the Kingdom’s objective of attracting 100 million visitors by 2030. We eagerly anticipate welcoming guests and delivering an unmatched hospitality experience.”

Construction of the project commenced earlier this month, setting the stage for Gamra’s inauguration in the first half of 2025.

Sinan Al-Saady, Ebda board member, said: “We are delighted to forge a strategic partnership with Asfar. Our shared vision underscores the importance of harnessing untapped potential to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s tourism ecosystem and transform Al-Baha into a premier entertainment destination. With its scenic beauty, vast tourism opportunities, and unique historical and archaeological sites, Al-Baha is poised to become a leading regional destination.”

This new alliance will pave the way for developing tourism ventures that meet global standards, encompassing retail, hospitality, dining, and adventure tourism. Al-Baha’s distinct natural beauty, including its diverse flora, majestic mountains, and temperate climate, makes it an enticing destination for both domestic and international tourists.

Following a recent cooperation agreement with the Al-Baha municipality during Cityscape Global in Riyadh, Asfar’s announcement reinforces its commitment to realizing world-class tourism initiatives.


Jameel Motors brings Changan to South Africa

Updated 01 April 2025
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Jameel Motors brings Changan to South Africa

Jameel Motors, a provider of mobility solutions and partner of choice to top automotive brands, and Changan Automobile, have signed an agreement to distribute sports utility vehicles, sedans, pickups, and new energy vehicles in South Africa.

This marks a new market entry for Jameel Motors. The South African market represents a significant long-term investment opportunity, given that it is the largest automotive market in Africa, with new vehicle sales totaling more than 500,000 in 2024, as well as the growing demand for affordable vehicles with the latest technology. In January 2025, the new passenger car market saw an increase of 18.3 percent cars sold year on year. Jameel Motors’ commitment includes creating jobs and developing local dealerships, contributing to the economic growth of the country.

Jameel Motors will initially focus on the distribution of Changan and Deepal products. Changan offers sedans, SUVs and pickup combustion engine vehicles, while Deepal focuses on NEVs. Both Deepal and Changan vehicles are ideal for South Africa’s diverse terrain and road conditions. Building on its strong track record, Jameel Motors is well positioned to meet local customer preferences. Vehicles will be available for purchase in Q4 2025.

Jasmmine Wong, CEO — mobility, Abdul Latif Jameel, said: “We are thrilled to announce Jameel Motors’ market entry to South Africa, especially as we do so with Changan Automobile, a forward-thinking automotive player with exceptional products. We are looking forward to driving long-term growth in the market and empowering drivers across South Africa with expanded and superior personal mobility choices.”

XIAO Feng, general manager, Changan Automobile Middle East and Africa business unit, said: “This is a new milestone for our business in South Africa. Changan Automobile, as a leading Chinese automotive company, has been committed to building a world-class automotive brand. We are confident that, through the strategic cooperation with Jameel Motors, we will be a key player in the South African market.”

Jameel Motors in South Africa will be headed by Marinus Venter, an accomplished professional with 18 years of experience leading automotive brands. Having been at the forefront of introducing new and innovative vehicle models to the market for the likes of Nissan and Mercedes-Benz Vans, Venter brings with him extensive expertise in after-sales, marketing, business planning, product management, customer service, and parts.

He said: “I am honored to join a business that is building on 70 years of automotive excellence, as we introduce Changan and Deepal vehicles to South Africa. By leveraging Jameel Motors’ extensive experience and Changan Automobile’s renowned focus on safety, quality, and technology, I believe we can effectively meet the diverse automotive demands of South African drivers and deliver a positive market experience.”

Changan Automobile is one of China’s four largest automotive groups, with a presence in 70 countries, sales of 2.7 million units (2024) and a strong focus on safety, innovation and technology.

Jameel Motors represents some of the world’s most recognized commercial and passenger vehicle brands and has operations in more than 10 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and most recently Australia. This agreement marks another milestone as Jameel Motors continues to expand internationally and harness innovation for the future of mobility.


LG announces offers on washing machine range

Updated 01 April 2025
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LG announces offers on washing machine range

LG Electronics’ washing machine lineup stands as a testament to the brand’s commitment to diverse home solutions, offering an extensive range that caters to every household’s unique laundry needs. The collection spans a variety of capacities, from compact 7 kg models designed for singles and small apartments to robust 24 kg machines engineered for large families with extensive laundry requirements.

Beyond capacity, LG’s washing machine range showcases remarkable diversity in design and functionality. Front-load models deliver sleek, contemporary aesthetics perfect for modern homes, while traditional top-load units provide classic convenience. The innovative WashTower configurations represent a breakthrough in space-saving design, offering flexible solutions for homes with limited laundry areas. LG also has a range of all-in-one washer dryers. These units, ideal for locations without enough space for both washer and dryers, offer a stylish and space-efficient solution without any compromise on performance.

The lineup’s color palette reflects LG’s understanding that appliances are more than just functional devices — they are design statements. From pristine white models that embody timeless elegance to sophisticated graphite finishes for contemporary interiors and elegant black models that exude class, from luxurious metallic tones to understated silver options, each machine is crafted to complement diverse home styles and personal preferences.

The company has announced new exclusive offers for their washing machine range. The offer, which will bring significant savings on a select range of washing machines will bring LG’s innovative technologies and sleek designs to homes across the UAE.

The brand has spread the offer across its top and front load units, which bring superior cleaning and efficient power consumption.

Additionally, the offer also covers LG’s flagship WashTower washing machines. These AI-enabled space saving towers are the pinnacle of laundry innovation, bringing together form and function, with its stylish design aesthetic and noise-free process.

LG’s washing machine lineup is also unique, thanks to its AI-powered capabilities, such as AI DD, which combines deep learning technology with 6 Motion Direct Drive to analyze fabric types and optimize washing cycles. This system generates six unique drum motions, providing tailored care for fabrics and minimizing damage. Additionally, this also contributes toward energy efficiency, thanks to precision control inverter technology.


Gulf Air celebrates inaugural flight to London Gatwick

Updated 31 March 2025
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Gulf Air celebrates inaugural flight to London Gatwick

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, celebrated the inaugural flight of its new direct route from Bahrain International Airport to London Gatwick Airport with special events held at both airports. This milestone marks a significant step in Gulf Air’s network expansion strategy, reinforcing its commitment to offering passengers enhanced connectivity and greater travel options.

This launch adds London Gatwick as Gulf Air’s second destination in London, complementing its longstanding operations to London Heathrow Airport, which has been serving passengers for over 55 years since 1970. 

The addition of Gatwick strengthens Gulf Air’s presence in the United Kingdom, providing travelers with access to two major international gateways in London.

The departure event at Bahrain International Airport included a welcome reception for passengers and guests, celebrating the airline’s ongoing efforts to connect Bahrain to key global destinations. Upon arrival at London Gatwick Airport, the inaugural flight was marked by a ceremonial reception attended by Gulf Air and London Gatwick Airport representatives, including Hanadi AlAali, Gulf Air chief customer experience officer, and Jonathan Pollard, London Gatwick Airport chief commercial officer.

As part of Gulf Air’s broader network restructuring and expansion strategy, the introduction of this route aligns with the airline’s vision to enhance customer experience by offering seamless connections and more choices for travelers.


Cleveland Clinic and G42 to advance healthcare through artificial intelligence

Updated 31 March 2025
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Cleveland Clinic and G42 to advance healthcare through artificial intelligence

Cleveland Clinic and G42, a global leader in artificial intelligence, are collaborating to drive AI-powered advancements in healthcare.

As part of this initiative, the organizations will form a joint task force to evaluate, prioritize and accelerate potential projects and collaborative opportunities aimed at advancing AI adoption in healthcare.

G42 is a technology group headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, known for its advanced innovation in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and big data analytics solutions across a wide range of industries. Its healthcare portfolio company spanning 480 clinics in 26 countries, M42, leads some of the most groundbreaking health advancements in the industry, such as the Emirati Genome Program, the world’s largest genomics initiative, and Malaffi, Abu Dhabi’s Health Information Exchange.

Cleveland Clinic is a global health system that includes 23 hospitals, 280 outpatient facilities, and American locations in northeast Ohio, Florida and Nevada and international locations in Toronto, Abu Dhabi, and London. In 2024, Cleveland Clinic provided 15.7 million outpatient encounters, 333,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 320,000 surgeries and procedures worldwide.

“Cleveland Clinic is committed to finding opportunities that improve patient safety, patient experience, patient outcomes and access,” said Cleveland Clinic CEO and president Tom Mihaljevic, MD, holder of the Morton L. Mandel CEO Chair. “Artificial intelligence offers a tremendous opportunity to continue to advance and fulfill our mission of caring for life, researching for health and educating those who serve.”

As part of the collaboration, G42 and Cleveland Clinic will explore and implement transformative AI-driven healthcare initiatives that have the potential to redefine patient care, enhance medical innovation, and drive operational efficiencies. These efforts will benefit not only the UAE and the wider region but extend globally, shaping the future of healthcare through intelligent, data-driven solutions.

“AI’s potential to transform the healthcare industry remains largely untapped,” said Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42. “From deciphering the source code of life — our genome — to optimizing efficiencies across the entire patient journey, AI is paving the way for a future where care is not only more precise but also deeply personalized and preventative. We look forward to embarking on this journey alongside Cleveland Clinic and other global partners, harnessing AI to unlock new frontiers in medicine, empower clinicians with unprecedented insights, and ultimately, reshape the way humanity experiences health and longevity.”

For the seventh consecutive year, Cleveland Clinic is the No. 2 hospital in the world, according to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2025 list. The global healthcare system has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery, deep brain stimulation surgery to restore function after a stroke, and the first face transplant in the United States. 

In 2023, the IBM Quantum System One was installed at Cleveland Clinic; it is the first quantum computer in the world to be dedicated to healthcare research with an aim to help Cleveland Clinic accelerate biomedical discoveries.


Celebrate Eid Al-Fitr with Grand Millennium Muscat

Updated 30 March 2025
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Celebrate Eid Al-Fitr with Grand Millennium Muscat

As the joyous celebrations of Eid Al Fitr approach, Grand Millennium Muscat warmly invites residents and visitors from across the GCC to embark on a memorable escape, blending serene luxury with authentic Omani hospitality. The hotel has curated a remarkable experience for families and individuals alike, offering a harmonious blend of relaxation, festive indulgence, and cultural heritage.

From March 27 to April 6, Grand Millennium Muscat is offering a special Eid package designed to bring families closer together. The package promises an ambiance of indulgence and tranquility, with exclusive offers such as free stays for two children up to 6 years old, making it an ideal destination for family-friendly holidays. Guests are invited to create cherished moments in a haven of comfort and exceptional service.

Adding to the festivities, guests can savor the finest flavors of Oman at Bahriyat Restaurant, where a 50 percent discount on the menu invites diners to explore a culinary journey through the spices and textures of local seafood and traditional recipes. Known for its elegance and exquisite seafood, Bahriyat promises an unforgettable dining experience.

For those seeking relaxation, the exclusive Zanta Spa offers a tranquil retreat with a 20 percent discount on selected treatments. From rejuvenating massages to refreshing facials, the spa provides the perfect setting to unwind and prepare for the holiday season.

Elevating the celebrations, the hotel will host a delightful Eid brunch buffet on April 1 and 2, featuring a delectable selection of authentic Omani dishes and desserts.

Open to both in-house guests and visitors, the brunch promises a festive atmosphere, with a special treat for families: Children under six dine for free, and children aged six to 12 enjoy 50 percent off the meal rate. Engaging activities for kids further enhance the experience, making it a perfect outing for families.

Speaking about the hotel’s Eid offerings, Glenn Nobbs, general manager of Grand Millennium Muscat, said: “Our hotel is primed and ready for guests —both from Oman and the region—seeking a getaway filled with comfort, exceptional dining, and rejuvenation.”

“We promise an experience that goes beyond just a stay. The welcoming atmosphere, enhanced by our signature services and exclusive choices, is tailored to provide the perfect backdrop for unforgettable Eid celebrations. For example, our 3 and 4 bedroom pool villas offer a beautiful opportunity for families to enjoy the best of an Eid vacation with their own private pool and option for a private chef to do the work for them.”