Flynas partners Pegasus Airlines to offer routes from KSA to Turkey

Source: flynas. Aerial view of Turkey.

Saudi Arabian national carrier flynas has launched codeshare flights with Turkish budget carrier Pegasus Airlines as part of efforts to expand its route network in Turkey. The first phase of the codeshare agreement between the two airlines will open up five new destinations for flynas guests travelling to Turkey – Antalya, Ankara, Adana, Hatay and Trabzon – by leveraging on Pegasus Airlines’ extensive network of domestic flights departing from Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport.

“Pegasus Airlines is Turkey’s leading private airline and brings a pedigree of over two decades of being at the forefront of innovation within the Turkish aviation landscape. Connecting with such a reputable domestic partner will allow us to offer a new level of convenience and connectivity to flynas guests travelling from KSA to experience Turkey and its many stunning attractions,” said Bander Al Mohanna, Group CEO of NAS Holding.

“The codeshare agreement with Pegasus Airlines reflects flynas’ continuing commitment to provide new routes and destinations to our guests.”

Pegasus Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Güliz Öztürk said: “As a result of this codeshare agreement all passengers travelling on Flynas’ network can book their flights on Flynas’ website flynas.com and through its sales agents to Trabzon, Ankara, Hatay, Adana and Antalya via Pegasus’ main hub at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport. We are delighted that this agreement that will contribute to the expansion of Pegasus’ regional influence, as well as presenting new opportunities for both airlines.”

EY launches Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 award in Saudi Arabia

EY has announced the launch of the Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) 2016 award in Saudi Arabia for the third year in a row. This year’s EOY will focus on medium-sized enterprises, highlighting their achievements and the importance of their growth and success. The event has been running globally for 29 years in 150 cities across 60 countries.

Ahmed I. Reda, Office Managing Partner at EY, Jeddah and Entrepreneur Of The Year Leader at EY, says, “Globally, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the EOY programme. We are thrilled to be holding the Saudi Arabia EOY programme once again this year; continuing to recognise outstanding entrepreneurs for their vision, innovation, courage, and leadership in building and growing successful businesses. 

"We will continue to support Saudi entrepreneurs that build businesses to influence the way we live, the products and services we depend on, and the economic vibrancy of our local communities and global markets. Supporting entrepreneurs is not just a goal that we seek alone, but one that the Government of Saudi Arabia has continued to foster for many years. We join them in providing a platform where successful entrepreneurs can be rewarded and have their efforts acknowledged, pushing them towards further growth and success.”

The event will be held on 20 April in Jeddah. The winner of the EOY award will go on to represent Saudi Arabia at the globally renowned World EOY award ceremony in Monte Carlo in June 2016, competing against fellow candidates from over 60 nations for the title of World EOY.
To be eligible for consideration, nominees must be Saudi owners/founders who are primarily responsible for the daily operations and recent performance of a privately held business (not a subsidiary or division), that is based or has chief operations in Saudi Arabia, has a minimum of 50 employees on its payroll and is at least three years old. Awards are given to entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

Interested?

Self-nominations are encouraged and there is no fee to enter. To apply, entrants may contact EY Jeddah at +966 12 221 8400.

Globebill to set up payment and bank card settlement system in KSA

Worldwide online payment provider Globebill has signed a bank card settlement cooperation agreement in Saudi Arabia as part of its drive to set up cross-border trade settlement facilities in countries along "One Belt and One Road" concept initiated by China.

Globebill will set up a payment and bank card settlement system in Saudi Arabia for issuing credit cards to individuals and enterprises, ensuring that the trade between China and Saudi Arabia can be paid and settled through Globebill's platform. Both sides have further agreed to jointly promote the implementation of Globebill's payment and settlement service and issuance of personal and corporate credit cards in the entire Middle East and North Africa region.

Globebill is among the first batch of enterprises to provide such a third party payment platform. The company has an Internet payment license and a bank card acceptance license from the People's Bank of China, and was among the first cross-border e-commerce and foreign exchange payment pilot enterprises approved by Visa QSP and the China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange. Globebill mainly provides cross-border payment and financial services, establishing a financial channel for merchants and global trade.

According to Globebill, China is KSA's second-largest trading partner.

Coral Al Khobar to focus on GCC, Levant and Maghreb dishes for iftar

Located in the heart of the city, the Coral Al Khobar Hotel is an ideal place to share an iftar buffet with family and friends. A further selection of Arabic and Mediterranean specialties will be available for the suhoor buffet, from midnight till 3am.

The buffet will feature a wide variety of cold and hot dishes from the GCC and Levant countries, as well as from the Maghreb. Michel Mandrea, General Manager of Coral Al Khobar Hotel said, “Our culinary team has prepared the menu for ftar and suhoor buffets to suit every taste. These specialties include popular desserts associated with the Ramadan festivities. ”

The hotel will also have live entertainment every evening. Another attraction is a daily raffle for up to 15 gifts. All raffle tickets will also have a chance to win a car in the mega draw to be held at the end of Ramadhan.

The iftar buffet, available from sunset onwards, is priced at SR185 per person. The hotel also has discounts on group bookings. 

Flynas fights MERS, ebola with Virus Guard

Flynas, a low-cost airline from Saudi Arabia, has added Virus Guard disinfectant wet wipes and sprays to its in-flight hygiene programme.

In a region where MERS cases are on the rapid rise, and with over 1,000 cases reported to date, Flynas says it is determined to protect passengers and crew from viruses.

Flynas spokesperson Mrs Eman Yusuf, In-flight Services and On-board Product Manager, said: "Flynas will use the special wet wipes and sprays to disinfect all surface areas on board the aircraft such as galleys, ovens, lavatories, lavatory door handles, passenger tray tables, overhead bins, window blinds, seat pockets, armrests and so on. We make passenger safety and comfort a top priority and using Virus Guard will reassure them we are doing all we can to combat cross contamination."

"Typically, aircraft surfaces used or touched by passengers are rarely or never disinfected, but because our product is simple to use and extremely effective for up to 10 days, we're confident it can help to eliminate the risk of cross contamination," said Alex Sahni, a spokesperson for Virus Guard. 

Interested?

Book a Flynas flight

View what Virus Guard is effective against

Lateefa AlWaalan is named Saudi Arabia's EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Lateefa AlWaalan, founder and GM of Yatooq, an Arabic coffee startup, has been named Saudi Arabia’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year (EOY) 2015.

AlWaalan was chosen from a group of 11 finalists* from 10 companies by the independent panel of judges. The judging criteria included entrepreneurial spirit, financial performance, strategic direction, social impact and influence. 

Fahad Altoaimi, Office Managing Partner, Riyadh and Entrepreneur Of The Year Leader, EY, said the award honours AlWaalan’s business achievements, innovation and contribution to her community. "Lateefa AlWaalan will join the Entrepreneur Of The Year award winners from over 50 countries at Monte Carlo in June 2015, where she will be inducted into the World Entrepreneur Of The Year Academy and will vie for the World Entrepreneur Of The Year award,” he said. 

According to the Yatooq website, blond spiced coffee is the way coffee is traditionally drunk in the Gulf, but has a long brewing process and can often have an inconsistent taste. "Arabic coffee is delicious to have but not so easy to make. The brewing process takes up to 30 minutes and is still done manually. One out of ten times we would perfect the coffee," states the 'About Us' section of the Yatooq website. "We wanted to know why, and from there it all started." 

Today, the Yatooq online store features a coffee maker and different blends of instant Arabic coffee, including versions with cloves and ginger. The products are also available at physical locations in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait.

EY’s EOY is a business award for entrepreneurs. The event has been running for 28 years by EY in 145 cities across 60 countries. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognises the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. EOY celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognising them through regional, national and global awards programmes in more than 145 cities in 60 countries.

In Saudi Arabia, EOY 2015 was held under the patronage of HE Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah, Minister of Commerce and Industry, the Strategic Partner of the event.

Interested?

Read the Livejournal blog post about how Omani coffee is prepared.

Read a University of Washington alumni profile of Alwaalan.

*The other 10 finalists are: Ebrahim Aljassim from Hunger Station, Falah Aljarba from DB Security, Faris Alturki from Faris breakfast, Khalid Alkhudair from Glowork, Majed Althagafi from Ibtikar, Mohammed Suqer and Mohammed Al-Bahkali from Five Design Solutions, Naif Alasmari from Sugar Sprinkles, Rayan AlWabil from Rayz Co, Sahar Aldahash from The Learning Zone.

Cristal Group develops proprietary multilingual commission-free reservations tool

The Cristal Group will become the first hotel management company worldwide to develop its own zero commission based reservations tool that promises cheaper hotels.

A new multilingual website based on a proprietary booking engine will launch this month. According to Cristal's Chief Operating Officer Kamal Fakhoury, the new website will make it easier for customers to book Cristal Hotels, with extended language options that will include Arabic, and Chinese among other languages. 

“With hotels in Abu Dhabi, Iraq, Lebanon and more to come in Saudi Arabia, we are building an international client base and it is vital that we can communicate with potential customers in their language,” he said.

“Looking ahead, China and Russia have been identified as major growth markets for the future, with 140 million Chinese alone visiting overseas destinations in 2015 – while Germany remains a strong source market for destinations such as UAE.”

Further benefits of the new website will be competitive pricing, as the proprietary booking engine ensuring that hotels do not pay direct web booking commission and can pass this saving on to owners and customers. The new website will also feature a dedicated media, marketing and HR portal, he added.

“We will ensure we have international reach through partnering with global distribution experts, Travel click, but have determined the scope of the new brand website through intensive research that ultimately benefits both the client and the hotels.”

The Cristal Group was established in the UAE in 2007 followed by the British Virgin Islands in 2012 to deliver hospitality consultancy, technical services, asset management and brand management. Its vision is to be the premier business and leisure hotel operator in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. 

Parts of Middle East, Asia named as World Heritage Sites

The World Heritage Committee has approved a number of new World Heritage Sites with implications for tourism and conservation. On June 20, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines - Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir, an emergency nomination by Palestine, was inscribed on the World Heritage List and also on the List of World Heritage in Danger after finding that the landscape had become vulnerable to irreversible damage.

The area is located a few kilometres south-west of Jerusalem, in the Central Highlands between Nablus and Hebron. According to UNESCO, the Battir hill landscape comprises a series of farmed valleys, known as widian, with characteristic stone terraces, some of which are irrigated for market garden production, while others are dry and planted with grape vines and olive trees. The development of terrace farming in such a mountainous region is supported by a network of irrigation channels fed by underground sources. A traditional system of distribution is then used to share the water collected through this network between families from the nearby village of Battir. 

A separation wall is currently being built that may isolate farmers from fields they have cultivated for centuries.

Erbil Citadel in Iraq is now a World Heritage Site. The citadel, in the  Kurdistan region, Erbil Governorate, is a fortified settlement on the top of a tell (a hill created by many generations of people living and rebuilding on the same spot). The citadel features a peculiar fan-like pattern, dating back to Erbil’s late Ottoman phase. Erbil corresponds to ancient Arbela, an important Assyrian political and religious centre. 

Tomioka Silk Mill and Related Sites in Japan is an historic sericulture and silk mill complex  established in 1872  in the Gunma Prefecture  north west of Tokyo. Built by the Japanese Government with machinery imported from France, it consists of four sites that feature different stages in the production of raw silk:  production of cocoons in an experimental farm; a cold storage facility for silkworm eggs;  reeling of cocoons and spinning of raw silk in a mill; and a school for the dissemination of sericulture knowledge. It was a decisive element in the renewal of sericulture and the Japanese silk industry in the last quarter of the 19th century, helping the country become the world’s leading exporter of raw silk.

Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Makkah in Saudi Arabia was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on June 21 in a meeting in Doha, Qatar. The city is on the eastern shore of the Red Sea. From the 7th century A.D. it was established as a major port for Indian Ocean trade routes, channeling goods to Mecca. It was also the gateway for Muslim pilgrims to Mecca who arrived by sea. 

These roles saw the city develop into a multicultural centre characterised by a distinctive architectural tradition, including tower houses built in the late 19th century by the city’s mercantile elites, and combining Red Sea coastal coral building traditions with influences and crafts from along the trade routes.

According to a FAQ on Unesco's website, the prestige received from the accolade often helps raise awareness among citizens and governments for heritage preservation, leading in turn to better protection and conservation. A country may also receive financial assistance and expert advice from the World Heritage Committee to support activities for the preservation of its sites. Sites can also be delisted.

The 38th session of the World Heritage Committee began on 15 June and will continue through to 25 June.