Banyan Tree AlUla Debuts in Saudi Arabia 

Opening in October 2022, the resort, which is developed by the Royal Commission for AlUla, brings wellbeing-centred luxury to a heritage site

Banyan Tree AlUla Debuts in Saudi Arabia 
TT

Banyan Tree AlUla Debuts in Saudi Arabia 

Banyan Tree AlUla Debuts in Saudi Arabia 

Banyan Tree launches its first property in historical AlUla in Saudi Arabia, ush-ering in the Group’s debut in the Kingdom.  AlUla is attracting the attention of the world’s affluent travel-lers with its mesmerising mix of history, culture, and entertainment, all set against a breathtaking desert backdrop dating back millions of years.

Inspired by the nomadic nature of Nabataean architecture, the all-villa, tented resort epitomises Banyan Tree’s commitment to local influence. The fundamental principles of the resort are designed around three concepts that allow guests to immerse themselves in the resort and the destination: 
•    ‘In-villa’ provides guests with made-to-measure offerings brought to life by the talented cast of Banyan Tree hosts.
•    ‘In-valley’ takes guests into the essence of AlUla through exclusive outdoor treatments, nomadic chef’s tables, active adventures, and private events staged in spectacular settings.
•    ‘En-voyage’ brings guests through privileged immersions crafted with local talents, continuously unlocking new facets of AlUla’s rich legacy. Bespoke wellbeing and adventure excursions show a glimpse of the ancient landscapes of AlUla and the lives of the people who call it home.

“The Banyan Tree AlUla opening marks the completion of the final development phase of Ashar Valley, which also houses the world-famous Maraya Hall.” said Mr John Northen, Executive Director- Head of Hotels and Resorts at the Royal Commission for AlUla. “The selection of Banyan Tree to operate this re-sort was driven by the brand’s synergy with the vision of the Royal Commission for AlUla for the destina-tion. The ethos of Banyan Tree is to provide a sanctuary for the senses in an awe-inspiring location with a great sense of place, which is a perfect match for us in AlUla.” 
The resort will feature two dining venues, including Saffron, Banyan Tree’s signature Thai restaurant, of-fering contemporary Thai cuisine. The renowned Banyan Tree Spa welcomes guests with carefully curat-ed wellness experiences that combine Asian traditions and local elements.

“We are thrilled to launch Banyan Tree in the beautiful valley of AlUla in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Founded in 6th century BC, AlUla is filled with so much history and we are honoured to be part of its herit-age efforts,” said Mr Eddy See, President and Chief Executive Officer, Banyan Tree Group. “Since we started our journey 28 years ago, we have been pioneers of the all-pool villa concept, and now we bring our purposeful, sustainably designed concepts to AlUla with all-tented villas that complement the existing eco-destination.”
Guests looking to be among the first to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Banyan Tree AlUla can enroll in Accor’s loyalty programme: ALL – Accor Live Limitless. As a member of ALL-Accor Live Limitless, guests can earn reward points on every stay, when dining and can use their points to book nights at participating hotels, transfer points to use with partners worldwide or convert them into truly unforgettable moments with Limitless Experiences in entertainment, sports, culture, shopping, travel and more.

For more information or to book a stay at Banyan Tree AlUla, email [email protected] or call +966 55 184 2203. 

 



Saudi EXIM Hosts Global Risk Experts Meeting in Riyadh

The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA
The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA
TT

Saudi EXIM Hosts Global Risk Experts Meeting in Riyadh

The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA
The event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions. - SPA

The Saudi Export-Import Bank (Saudi EXIM) hosted the Berne Union's Country Risk Specialist Meeting, providing a platform for experts and thought leaders in risk management from the export credit community.
At the meeting, which took place from November 19 to 21 in Riyadh, the attendees exchanged best practices to better protect the industry amid shifting global dynamics.
According to a statement issued by the Saudi EXIM on Saturday, the event gathered specialists from 47 organizations from 33 countries; it served as a platform for discussing strategies, partnerships, and innovative solutions.
By strengthening institutional resilience, the industry is ready to turn global economic challenges into opportunities for economic prosperity, said the statement, adding that it played a crucial role in advancing global trade, strengthening international cooperation, and developing credit solutions that empower export activities while controlling risk, SPA reported.
According to the statement, discussions centered on critical risks impacting international trade and the global economy, such as debt sustainability and geopolitical tensions, along with innovative approaches to risk modelling. Participants also explored the global shifts in infrastructure, energy and critical minerals sectors, and were given an overview of Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Strategy, which focuses on economic diversification through investments, developing new sectors, and promoting local industries.
In his opening remarks, Saudi EXIM CEO Eng. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalb said the meeting is an ideal platform to address risks impacting global economic decision making.
He stated: "Through such meetings, we can turn challenges into strategic opportunities and enhance our resilience in an ever-changing world. At Saudi EXIM, we remain committed to enabling companies by offering expert financial and non-financial solutions to navigate risks effectively."
He also said that "at Saudi EXIM, we place great emphasis on risk management. In alignment with the main objective of this meeting, I am pleased to announce the completion of our independent country risk model, which is supported by advanced modelling tools and machine learning. This model will provide country ratings and predictions of default risks. We look forward to collaborating with our partners in other export credit agencies to exchange knowledge and expertise, and to strengthening our risk management functions with greater responsibility and effectiveness."
Associate Director at Berne Union Eve Hall said: "The global risk landscape today is highly volatile and highly interconnected. As we navigate our way around the ongoing transformations connected to energy transition and shifting industrial strategies, the traditional concept of 'country risk' is becoming increasingly complex. Our industry excels at understanding, quantifying and pricing these risks, and by bringing together this community of experts for technical exchange the Berne Union is able to help support the development of the industry as a whole. The initiatives announced by our colleagues at Saudi EXIM, making use of new technology in risk analysis, provide a fantastic example of where collaboration in this field can be effectively applied."
The statement disclosed that Saudi EXIM's membership in Berne represents a significant strategic step, and is consistent with the Kingdom's commitment to expanding collaboration and integration in the global economy.
This is achieved by building partnerships with leading institutions to address the challenges facing the export credit sector. It also aligns with the bank's goal of developing the export of national products and services through partnerships with national and international financial and funding organizations.
Berne Union works with global trade organizations to encourage the adoption of best practices in export credit insurance, and to cooperate in maintaining the stability of global trade.
Saudi EXIM, a development bank under the National Development Fund, contributes to diversifying the Kingdom's economic base by improving the efficiency of non-oil export ecosystems, bridging financial gaps, and minimizing export risks. This plays a role in helping the non-oil national economy grow, in line with Vision 2030.