Hilton, Al Tayyar Travel sign deal to spur religious tourism

27/10/2014 07:00 AST

HILTON Worldwide and Al Tayyar Travel Group signed an agreement to enable Al Tayyar’s subsidiary, Mawasim Tours, a leading specialist in religious travel, to increase religious tourism in Saudi Arabia.

Mawasim Tours is now the first official agent of Hilton Worldwide in Makkah and will be able to conduct direct online sales with a reserved room inventory through a dedicated customer website.

The partnership agreement was signed at Hilton Worldwide’s Middle East & Africa regional office based in Dubai, in the presence of Dr. Nasser Al Tayyar, Deputy Chairman & President of Al Tayyar Travel Group; and Majed Al Nefaie, General Manager of Mawasim Tours, Ibrahim Al Fati, General Manager, Makkah Hilton and Towers Hotel; and key representatives from Hilton Worldwide including Mahmoud Mokhtar, Vice President Operations, Saudi Arabia; Matthew Roberts – Senior Director Sales, Middle East & Africa, Hilton Worldwide and Haitham Mattar, Head of Sales – MEA, Russia & CIS Countries, Hilton Worldwide.

Speaking of the new business alliance, Mahmoud Mokhtar, Hilton Worldwide Vice President Operations, Saudi Arabia, said: “We are delighted to foster relations with one of Saudi Arabia’s leading travel agents that specializes in religious tourism in the local and international markets. This partnership will support the achievement of mutual business goals that complement each other’s sector in the tourism industry in Makkah and Madinah.”

Ibrahim Al Fati, General Manager for Makkah Hilton & Towers, said: “Religious tourism is the lifeblood of our Makkah hotels and we are pleased to be continuing our valued alliance with Al Tayyar, a leading operator in the Kingdom’s travel industry, whose wealth of experience and credibility in this highly important segment of the travel industry complements Hilton’s deeply held commitment to serving pilgrims and visitors to the holy city of Makkah.”

Dr. Nasser Al Tayyar, Deputy Chairman & President of Al Tayyar Travel Group, said: “This agreement is a further extension of Al Tayyar Travel Group’s corporate strategy which encompasses a number of successful agreements. Such partnerships are a result of the strategic long-term credibility of the group in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as it has worked to carve a niche within the regional and global travel sector.

“We’ve partnered with Hilton Worldwide to join expertise and strength in delivering consistent high-end services to travellers and guests inbound.”

Saudi Gazette