Emirates has inaugurated a world-class training facility in Dubai to elevate the hospitality standards of its 25,000-strong cabin crew, reaffirming its “Fly Better” philosophy. The new Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence, valued at USD 8 million, will train more than 10,000 crew members by the end of 2025, offering immersive learning experiences modeled on Michelin-star hospitality standards.

The centre features a fine-dining restaurant and lounge for 170 guests, presentation kitchens, and eight tech-enabled classrooms. Training modules cover luxury service, premium guest engagement, fine dining etiquette, and emotional intelligence in customer service.

Emirates’ partnership with Switzerland’s Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, established in 2020, shaped the airline’s elevated hospitality strategy—now embodied in this new facility.

“We have invested in the highest levels of luxury hospitality training for our cabin crew,” said Thomas Ney, Emirates’ DSVP of Service Delivery. “This centre allows our crew to experience the cuisine, ambiance, and hospitality that define Emirates’ brand, empowering them to deliver world-class service.”

The new facility also includes immersive fine dining and culinary artistry sessions. Crew members will undergo 4-course gourmet dining experiences curated by Emirates’ master chefs, mirroring First and Business Class service. They will also receive hands-on culinary training in a state-of-the-art kitchen combining restaurant and galley design, learning the art of plating and presentation.

The “Art of Service” course focuses on communication, empathy, and customer connection—training crew to anticipate passenger needs with grace and poise. The centre will also host L’art du vin, Emirates’ signature wine education programme, featuring tasting sessions led by expert sommeliers, helping cabin crew master food and wine pairings for onboard service.

This centre joins Emirates’ extensive network of training hubs, including the Crew Zone launched earlier in 2025—a 24/7 space at Emirates Group HQ offering workshops, wellbeing hubs, and learning resources.

Recruited from over 140 nationalities, Emirates’ cabin crew undergo an initial eight-week training covering safety, medical procedures, and luxury service. Continuous refresher courses ensure the airline maintains its award-winning reputation for attentive, innovative, and passionate service.

For those aspiring to join Emirates’ iconic cabin crew team, recruitment details and open day schedules are available at www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/cabin-crew.

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC), has announced the opening of SEVEN Tabuk, expanding its entertainment network and supporting the Kingdom’s quality-of-life and regional development goals under Saudi Vision 2030.

SEVEN Chairman Abdullah Al Dawood said the opening represents another step in the company’s strategy to develop accessible entertainment destinations that are closely connected to the communities they serve.

SEVEN Tabuk is the company’s second entertainment destination, following SEVEN Abha, as SEVEN continues its plans to establish destinations across Saudi Arabia.

Located within Tabuk city, the fully indoor, all-weather destination is designed for everyday entertainment, offering residents and visitors a wide range of activities without requiring long-distance travel.

The destination operates from 4:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekends and from 4:00 p.m. to midnight on weekdays, while Scene Cinemas operates daily from 4:00 p.m. until 3:30 a.m.

SEVEN Tabuk combines international attractions with locally developed concepts. Key offerings include Discovery Adventures, featuring immersive exploration-themed environments, and Hot Wheels E-Karting, an interactive karting experience inspired by the global brand.

The destination also features SEVEN’s homegrown concepts, including Kawaken, Kawaken Junior, GolFi, Cyber Bowling and Scene Cinemas, providing entertainment options for families, young people and a broad range of visitors.

Beyond entertainment, SEVEN Tabuk is expected to contribute to the city’s wider development by supporting local employment and strengthening partnerships with local businesses.

The opening further reinforces Tabuk’s position as an emerging leisure destination in northern Saudi Arabia while expanding access to entertainment experiences across the Kingdom.

Source: SPA

Green spaces and public parks across Makkah are playing an important role in improving the city’s urban environment and creating more comfortable spaces for residents, visitors and pilgrims.

The city has 290 public parks, many of which feature landscaped green areas, safe pedestrian walkways, sports facilities, courtyards, shaded seating areas, service amenities and playgrounds.

These spaces help provide shade, reduce heat absorption from urban surfaces and offer areas for movement, recreation and rest.

The development and maintenance of parks are particularly important in Makkah, which welcomes millions of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors throughout the year.

Expanding landscaping, shaded areas and open pedestrian spaces forms part of broader efforts to improve the pilgrim experience by creating a more comfortable and accessible urban environment.

The parks also complement Makkah’s wider network of services and facilities, supporting the city’s efforts to enhance quality of life while accommodating the needs of its residents and millions of visitors.

Source: SPA

Irqah Village, one of the oldest settlements in Riyadh Region, is showcasing more than 1,000 years of history through its traditional architecture, heritage sites and cultural experiences.

Once a thriving agricultural center, the village developed around mud-brick homes, historic mosques, farms and water sources, creating a distinctive architectural and social identity.

At the heart of the historic village, Bayt Isa recreates aspects of traditional Najdi life through its majlis, cafés, heritage pathways, courtyards and rooftops. The heritage house offers visitors an immersive experience reflecting the architectural style and social traditions of the Najdi environment.

Handicrafts further enrich the experience, with workshops helping revive traditional skills passed down through generations. Local outlets also provide artisans with opportunities to display and sell their work, linking cultural heritage with its social and economic roots.

Since opening, Irqah Village has welcomed more than 15,000 visitors, supported over 50 cottage-industry families and hosted filming by more than 20 production companies.

The village has also generated more than three million digital views and interactions, highlighting its growing popularity and the potential of its heritage spaces for tourism, culture and creative activities.

Source: SPA

Al-Khabra Boulevard has emerged as a prominent economic and tourism destination in Qassim Region, benefiting from its strategic location along King Fahd Road on the Qassim-Madinah Expressway.

The boulevard serves as an attractive stop for travelers while providing a platform to showcase and market the region’s agricultural, handicraft and heritage products, particularly dates.

Spanning approximately 50,000 square meters, the project includes around 160 shops and 40 kiosks, offering space for commercial activities, festivals and seasonal events.

The destination combines retail activity with tourism and entertainment, supporting farmers, cottage-industry families and entrepreneurs while helping local businesses reach a wider consumer base.

Its design draws inspiration from Najdi identity and local architecture, with dedicated areas for agricultural products, food, handicrafts and entertainment activities. These elements add a cultural and heritage dimension to the visitor experience.

Al-Khabra Boulevard demonstrates how strategically located roadside developments can contribute to the local economy by promoting regional products, supporting small businesses and strengthening tourism activity across Qassim.

Source: SPA