Chedi Hospitality has unveiled its refreshed brand identity, outlining ambitious plans to reinvigorate its portfolio. 

 

Marking a pivotal evolution in its legacy of crafting exceptional hospitality experiences while building upon the heritage of GHM, the brand will strengthen and reinvent its legacy brand, Chedi, expanding into private residences, and developing a new hotel brand: Serai.

 

The transition to Chedi Hospitality, under the leadership of CEO Stephan Schupbach, reflects the group’s vision to extend its expertise beyond luxury hotels, embracing a multi-faceted approach to high-end living and experiential travel. The new logo pays homage to the original meaning of “Chedi”—a place of peace deeply connected to the four elements. It uses elemental shapes to form a custom typography, harmoniously uniting to symbolise connection, shelter, and discovery, said a statement. 

 

Schupbach takes the helm at Chedi Hospitality, bringing nearly four decades of leadership experience across both the owning and operator sides of the luxury hospitality industry. Recognised for his ability to drive strategic growth and pioneer brand direction, Schupbach has played a pivotal role in shaping high-profile hospitality ventures worldwide. His vision for Chedi Hospitality is to build on its legacy of excellence while expanding into new market segments, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the evolving luxury landscape.

 

With a strong focus on partnerships -- spanning investors, developers, and industry collaborators -- Schupbach aims to position Chedi Hospitality as a dynamic force in the sector. This year, the group will unveil a series of developments across its portfolio, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, elevated service, and long-term value creation.

 

“Chedi Hospitality marks the next chapter in our story -- one that honours our heritage while embracing a future of boundless possibilities. The Chedi name has long been synonymous with timeless design, exceptional service, and a deep connection to place. As we move forward, we introduce a new expression of our ethos: A Voyage Unbound -- a journey beyond convention, beyond borders, and into a future where every destination tells a story waiting to be discovered.” says Schupbach.

 

“Across Chedi Hotels, The Chedi Private Residences, and our new ventures, we are committed to delivering distinctive, high-value experiences that set new industry benchmarks. Together with my team who are dedicated to shaping the future of luxury hospitality, I look forward to collaborating with our partners and stakeholders to define the next chapter of Chedi Hospitality.”

 

Chedi Hospitality is strategically strengthening its strongholds in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East while simultaneously extending its global reach. This approach is evidenced by recent milestones, including the opening of Chedi Hegra in AlUla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and The Chedi Private Residences in Dubai. Further solidifying its position, Chedi Hospitality has advanced discussions for new landmark developments planned within its established regions, including Switzerland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the Indian Ocean, alongside expansion into East Asia with forthcoming projects in Japan and China.

 

Under Schupbach’s leadership, Chedi Hospitality will remain committed to setting the benchmark for luxury travel, delivering highly personalised, enriching experiences for discerning guests.

Supporting him in this endeavour is a strong leadership team, including:

• Monica Chng, leading as the Chief Financial Officer and has been with the group since 2008, playing a key role in financial planning and risk management. 

• Leanne Reddie, with over two decades of industry expertise across luxury hotels and aviation brands, serves as Chief Commercial Officer responsible for driving sales, profitability and revenue growth. 

• Mark Burns joins as Chief Design & Construction Officer, contributing his expertise to developing exceptional properties and ensuring that both new and ongoing developments meet Chedi Hospitality’s high-quality standards. 

• Karim Bizid, Regional Vice President of Operations and General Manager of Chedi Muscat with extensive luxury hotel experience across the region, leads our Middle East operations.

• Andrea Zampolini, as Vice President of Operations will focus on enhancing the culinary and dining experiences and cultivating partnerships with exceptional food, dining and beverage operators. 

• Rosemarie Tacorda, Vice President of Brand Communications, brings a wealth of expertise in brand strategy, public relations, and integrated marketing. 

• Aditya Jain is the Vice President of Development, renowned for his ability to negotiate high-value partnerships and lead large-scale development projects across global markets. - TradeArabia News Service

 

The Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP), in partnership with the Al Madinah Region Development Authority (MDA), has announced that it has entered into an agreement with Transavia, a French low-cost airline partly owned by Air France, for the launch of its operations into Saudi Arabia.

 

As per the deal, Transavia will start flights from Paris-Orly, Lyon, Marseille, and Toulouse to Madinah beginning this October.

 

This expansion complements the successful launch last year of routes connecting Paris-Orly and Lyon with Jeddah, enhancing air connectivity and reflecting the increasing growth in travel demand between the two countries. 

 

The Air Connectivity Program is aimed at enhancing tourism growth in Saudi Arabia by developing existing air routes and creating new destinations, thereby contributing to connecting the kingdom with the world.

 

It also underscores KSA's position as a major destination and supports the tourism goals of the Saudi Vision 2030 by increasing the number of tourists arriving into the country.

 

CEO of the Air Connectivity Program Majid Khan described the development of air connectivity between France and Saudi Arabia as a fundamental pillar of the National Tourism Strategy. 

 

He highlighted that this expansion will contribute to capitalizing on the significant opportunities in the Umrah market from France, while supporting the Kingdom’s tourism objectives.

 

Transavia France Chief Commercial Officer Nicolas Henin, while lauding the successful operation of the Lyon-Jeddah and Paris-Orly-Jeddah routes, expressed delight at the airline’s plan to boost its presence in the kingdom. 

 

Henin said Transavia France was excited to start flights to Madinah and strengthen the airline’s ongoing partnership with Saudi airports.

 

CEO of Tibah Airports Operation Company Sofiene Abdessalem said the selection of Madinah among Transavia France's new destinations confirms the city’s religious and cultural status, while underlining the efforts made to enhance its presence on the international air connectivity map. 

 

This expansion supports direct access from Europe and contributes to providing an integrated travel experience for pilgrims and visitors from around the world.

 

Abdessalem emphasized the commitment to supporting initiatives related to the Saudi Aviation Strategy by strengthening the network of international destinations and integrating efforts with partners in the public and private sectors, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. 

 

He praised the role of the Air Connectivity Program in supporting these strategic partnerships and enabling international connectivity, which enhances tourism growth and facilitates access to the Kingdom's destinations.-TradeArabia News Service

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched the Together in Travel small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) initiative, with VFS Global as a Founding Partner.

 

WTTC represents the travel and tourism private sector, with over 200 companies on its Council, accounting for two-thirds of a trillion US dollars in turnover.

 

VFS Global, with over two decades of experience in technological innovation and market expansion, is uniquely positioned to share its expertise with a broader network of travel businesses.

 

The initiative empowers SMEs to thrive in an ever-evolving travel ecosystem and supports them across its network of over 150 countries. VFS Global remains committed to empowering SMEs to scale operations and achieve significant progress.

 

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said, “We are delighted to welcome VFS Global as a Founding Partner of Together in Travel. Their invaluable expertise, global network and industry leadership will play a crucial role in shaping this platform, empowering SMEs around the world with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive. By joining forces, we are creating a more resilient and inclusive Travel & Tourism sector, ensuring businesses of all sizes can flourish in the global marketplace. Additionally, we are excited to welcome Andrea Grisdale as Vice Chair—her vast experience and leadership in creating luxury, bespoke travel experiences will be invaluable to this initiative’s success.”

 

VFS Global encourages partnerships with local enterprises, those owned or operated by women, and businesses representing indigenous communities, thereby broadening its supply chain and advancing inclusive economic development.

 

Zubin Karkaria, Founder and CEO, VFS Global Group commented, “VFS Global has been working closely with WTTC since I joined the Executive Committee in 2023, during which time I have witnessed its groundbreaking drive to expand opportunities for its members. The Together in Travel initiative envisions empowering SMEs by providing access to global markets and investment, specialised training programmes, digital transformation tools, and frameworks for sustainable business practices. As a Founding Partner, we are committed to leveraging our global network in over 150 countries to help SMEs thrive and amplify their socio-economic impact. This partnership reaffirms our dedication to supporting inclusive growth of the travel and tourism industry, which remains a significant contributor to the global economy.”

 

As a Founding Partner of Together in Travel, VFS Global reaffirms its commitment to empowering SMEs worldwide, enabling them to flourish and deepen their contribution to socio-economic growth on a global scale.

 

The WTTC also announced Andrea Grisdale, Founder and CEO of IC Bellagio, as Vice Chair of its Together in Travel initiative. With over 25 years of experience in crafting bespoke travel experiences, Andrea will lead the initiative’s mission to foster inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability across the travel sector.

 

Matthew Upchurch, Vice Chair, Chairman & CEO of Virtuoso, added: "The Together in Travel initiative, which I am proud to have spearheaded in my WTTC role, represents a transformative effort to support critical small to medium enterprises. By joining forces with an outstanding group of high-profile WTTC member founding partners, we are providing these businesses with the tools, resources, and opportunities necessary to not only survive but thrive in an increasingly complex and competitive market."

 

Andrea Grisdale, Founder & CEO of IC Bellagio said: "I am deeply honoured to serve as Vice Chair of the Together in Travel initiative. This programme is a powerful opportunity to empower small and medium enterprises within the travel sector, providing them with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive in an ever-evolving industry. By fostering inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability, we can help these businesses not only navigate today's challenges but also shape a more dynamic and sustainable future for global travel. Together, we are setting the stage for long-term growth and positive transformation across the entire travel ecosystem." 

 

The Together in Travel initiative provides SMEs with vital resources, including:

The partnership brings together diverse expertise from across the travel and hospitality sectors. Accor and Red Carnation Hotels contribute their deep hospitality experience, while MSC Cruises brings unparalleled cruise expertise. Virtuoso, Hilton, and Abercrombie & Kent Group offer extensive luxury travel knowledge. Microsoft and Trip.com provide cutting-edge technological innovation, ensuring a seamless experience for travellers. OMRAN and Diriyah Gate offer invaluable insights into destination development. VFS Global and FINN Partners complete the ecosystem, offering visa services and marketing communications support. -TradeArabia News Service