Basel Talal, Regional Director of Radisson Hotel Group for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Levant, spoke at Destination Tomorrow in Al-Ahsa earlier this month, as part of a panel discussion on the experience of operating in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, where he reaffirmed Radisson Hotel Group’s commitment to expansion in the region.
Radisson Hotel Group continues to rapidly expand operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its Eastern Province and to support the Ministry of Tourism in all efforts to promote and grow the region as a destination with focus on sustainability, responsible business, and opportunities for Kingdom residents. While speaking on the panel, Basel Talal raised many important discussion points, these include:
• The significant presence of Radisson Hotel Group of seven hotels, residencies and resorts within the Eastern Province, plus upcoming openings including Radisson Blu Al-Ahsa and Radisson Blu Resort, Al Khobar Aziziyah
Radisson Hotel Group’s commitment to support a policy of Saudization in all departments. The Group appointed the first Saudi female General Manager as the result of a continued initiative for the championing of females in executive positions, and is working with the Ministry of Tourism on further initiatives including Human Capital development, the future Saudi leaders program, and professional certifications program for many hotel roles.
• The opening of a Radisson Hotel Group regional headquarters in Riyadh in Q4 2022 as a mark of the Group’s commitment to the Kingdom, becoming the largest country for the group in the region.
• The benefits shown by Radisson Hotel Group’s increased efficiency and profit margins as a result of being with multiple hotel owners in the region and continuing to expand.
● A commitment to promoting the culturally and ecologically significant destination of Al-Asha and its Guinness World Record-listed largest self-contained palm tree oasis in the world
• Opening Radisson Blu Al-Asha by the start of 2024, to support the efforts of tourism in Al-Asha
● A recognition of further developments which need to be made to grow the region including increased tailor-made infrastructure and growth in luxury high-end resort properties to meet increasing demand.
Basel Talal began his career as a Night Manager at Radisson SAS Resort, Aqaba in 1994 and his dedication to hospitality within RHG over more than 25 years has elevated him to the position of Regional Director of Radisson Hotel Group for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Levant. His commitment to the success and progress of the Group is reflected in RHG’s commitment to the success and progress of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in meeting the Vision 2030 and National Tourism Strategy goals, including tourism contributing to 10% of GDP, creating one million new jobs and ensuring Saudi Arabia becomes a top 5 global tourist destination.
