Latest news with #experience
CTV News
a day ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Canadian stranded in Israel says locals are remaining ‘generally calm' amid escalating conflict
Watch Canadian Mark Freiman speaks on his experience on being stranded in Mazkeret Batya, Israel during the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Diriyah Company launches London Experience Center at One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge
DIRIYAH: Diriyah Company is launching a new marketing initiative at one of London's most prestigious locations to showcase the project. The Diriyah House Experience Center will be hosted at One Hyde Park, a premier business address in Knightsbridge near Harrods. It will provide an immersive experience for those interested in opportunities in Diriyah, one of Saudi Arabia's giga-projects located on the outskirts of Riyadh. The Diriyah House Experience Center's official opening is scheduled for the beginning of July 2025. The center will operate as a co-branded hub operated by Sotheby's International Realty, the UK company originally founded by Sotheby's art dealers. Sotheby's International Realty has recently entered the Saudi market and chosen Diriyah as a key launchpad, already marketing branded residences for prestigious hospitality names such as The Ritz-Carlton, Corinthia, and Baccarat—all part of the landmark developments taking shape in Diriyah. The Diriyah House Experience Center will include a state-of-the-art marketing suite featuring a masterplan model and flexible model display. It will bring The City of Earth to life for a wider global audience. Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said 'We are delighted to open this high-profile and prestigious experience centre in the heart of London.' 'This prestigious London address enables us to share Diriyah's story on a global stage in a truly world-class setting, strengthening our international outreach as we build one of the world's greatest gathering places, rooted in the history, heritage and culture of the Kingdom.' George Azar, Chairman & CEO of Dubai, United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia Sotheby International Realty, added: 'We are proud to collaborate with Diriyah Company on this landmark initiative and to support the launch of the Diriyah House Experience Center at One Hyde Park. As their partners, we are pleased to offer our experience and expertise in presenting ultra-prime real estate to a global audience. With a strong foothold in the UK's super-prime market, this collaboration allows us to do what we do best — represent the world's most exceptional properties while acting as local experts with global reach. Through this partnership, we look forward to connecting discerning investors and stakeholders in the UK with the extraordinary vision and opportunities emerging in Diriyah.' The announcement of the Diriyah Experience Center follows a successful month-long activation by Diriyah Company at Harrods in London in July 2024. The campaign featured a showcase of Diriyah's masterplan models and a supporting out-of-home marketing campaign across the city. This international engagement reflects the growing global appetite for investment in The City of Earth and reinforces Diriyah's commitment to connecting with the international investment community. Located on the outskirts of Riyadh and backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Diriyah is an integrated urban development project covering 14 square kilometers. It includes building homes for around 100,000 residents and is expected to create nearly 180,000 jobs. Its ambition is to attract approximately 50 million visits annually, contributing an estimated SAR 70 billion (£16.6 billion) to Saudi Arabia's GDP. Diriyah Company does not have any permanent establishment or a place of business in the UK. The Diriyah House Experience Center is operated by Sotheby's International Realty for the sole purpose of marketing Diriyah' s projects. About Diriyah Diriyah, Saudi Arabia's premier historical, cultural, and lifestyle destination, is a key component of Saudi Arabia's 2030 Vision. A short 15-minute drive from Riyadh's city center, this 14-square-kilometre development holds historical significance as the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, dating back to 1727. Currently being developed by Diriyah Company, Diriyah is undergoing a transformation into an authentic Najdi-style mixed-use urban community. Diriyah's centerpiece is At-Turaif, the UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 2010, showcasing the ancient adobe capital city of the First Saudi State, dating back to 1766. Upon completion, Diriyah will host 100,000 residents, workers, students, and visitors, offering a diverse range of cultural, entertainment, retail, hospitality, educational, and residential spaces. The first of those spaces include Bujairi Terrace, Riyadh's new premium dining hub with over 20 global and local restaurants and cafes that enjoy uninterrupted views of At-Turaif. Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel is the first hospitality offering in Diriyah, providing a tranquil experience with panoramic views of Wadi Hanifah. Diriyah's development provides a dynamic environment that celebrates Saudi Arabia's rich cultural history. About Diriyah Company Diriyah Company was established in 2023 and joined the Public Investment Fund's (PIF) portfolio of giga projects. The Company is responsible for developing the Diriyah project, the birthplace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its foremost historical, cultural and lifestyle destination. A dynamic mixed-use developer, Diriyah Company is redefining urban planning to develop Diriyah, 'The City of Earth', while adhering to the highest design, development, and preservation standards. The company ensures Diriyah's cultural landmarks are complemented by world-class retail offerings, fine-dining experiences and leading hospitality brands. As a PIF company, its mission focuses on opportunities in development, hospitality, investment, retail and office leasing, along with strategic asset management, underscoring the commitment to ensuring successful business outcomes and sustainable growth under the strategic direction of Vision 2030. The Diriyah Company actively forges long-term partnerships to realize its vision of establishing Diriyah as one of the world's greatest gathering places. Social Handles: X | @DiriyahCo / Instagram | @diriyahco / LinkedIn | Diriyah-Company / Diriyah Company About Sotheby's International Realty: United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty takes pride in upholding a name renowned for its expertise and successful sales of prestigious properties. Part of the Sotheby's International Realty network of 1,100 offices worldwide and 26,100 global property experts, United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty possesses unique insights into international real estate markets. The network provides a powerful marketing and referral programme for luxury properties worldwide, which gives United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty an unparalleled advantage in operating in the top-tier markets to represent the most luxurious homes in the UK. Building on quality and heritage, United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty has emerged as a thought leader in the luxury property market with a singular and bespoke offering.
Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Times
Assisted dying bill is a conservative reform
I haven't always been a Conservative, but as far back as I can remember I have always been a conservative. Not fogeyish, certainly not reactionary, but always respectful of tradition and gently resistant to those proposing upheaval. My conservatism is partly the product of experience, of being part of a family chased across the world by those advancing revolutionary ideologies. We have felt keenly the cost of wild ideas and appreciate the benefits of stability more, perhaps, than others. But it's also, more prosaically, just how I am. It's an instinct. My failings, professionally and politically, are far more likely to derive from complacency and a surfeit of caution than from a fit of over-enthusiasm.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Unique gifts for graduates
Ottawa Watch It's graduation season and giving the gift of an experience is something your grad will never forget
Forbes
10-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
A $400 Million Gamble Created The Maldives' Wildest Resort
Speeding around the island in a jet car is one of many experiences available to guests at Siyam World. Sun Siyam Maldivian islands are known for quiet luxury: spa treatments, perhaps a snorkel or two and barefoot candlelight dinners on the beach. A formula that has worked for couples and those seeking pure relaxation. But one Maldivian entrepreneur sensed a shift in what tourists coming to his country wanted. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed began his career 35 years ago as a local tour guide. Over the past decades, he built a six-resort empire. Along the way he noticed many travelers wanting more than silence and a long list of spa treatments: They all craved things to do. So he took a big financial gamble to build Siyam World. An initial $350 million investment constructed the resort, followed by at least another $50 million for upgrades and to add more experiences since its opening four years ago. The resort now redefines what luxury in the Maldives means. 'Luxury in our resort means freedom. Freedom of movement, of experience and of joy," says Sara Siyam, marketing director at Siyam World and the entrepreneur's daughter. "There is no rule that luxury has to be quiet." Siyam World opened exactly as the new experience-based travel trend started to emerge. Tourists now look for destinations with engaging activities and individual experiences. This is the demand that Sara's father had anticipated. Like kids on recess—adults aren't leaving the fun to the youngest anymore at Siyam World's water park. Siyam World Industry analysts see the global marketplace for travel experiences offering a more than $1 trillion opportunity, with half of Gen Z indicating they prefer to invest in experiences. They'd rather cut costs on flights or accommodations and spend it on diving trips, cooking classes or sports camps at their destination. To compare: only a third of boomers say the same. This shift goes even deeper than demographics. TripAdvisor's latest Trendcast industry report analyzed billions of reviews and booking data to discover that yes, adults still want relaxation, but now they also crave an element of surprise and joy. They're not willing to leave the fun to the kids anymore. James Bond cruised around in a Moke, now guests at Siyam World can do the same in an electric version. Siyam World "At our core we want to give our guests the experiences they want on their holiday. And we deliver that, plus more, at the highest possible level," says Sara. It's a philosophy that's noticeable everywhere on the island, in lavish, one-of-a-kind activities. As Sara says, "Boredom simply isn't an option here." Guests can rent retro-styled electric mini Mokes to cruise around the 54-hectare island. Sara and her husband, resort manager Ausy Waseem, came up with this idea while watching "Live and Let Die", where James Bond zips around a fictional Caribbean island in a similar Moke. The $25,000 price tag per vehicle meant it took a bit of convincing, but, as Sara says, 'Thankfully my father was on board when he saw just how cool they look in that movie scene." Siyam World claims several other ambitious firsts for the Maldives. It's the only island where guests can horseback ride—and not on just any horses, but Marwaris from Rajasthan, a rare breed known for its distinctive curved ears and exceptional loyalty to humans. Caring for them required building an on-island veterinary hospital, which made adding a petting zoo with goats, rabbits, sheep and many different kinds of exotic parrots a natural next step. Siyam World's electric go-kart track draws kids and adults alike. Siyam World Many Maldivian islands have stray cats left behind by previous inhabitants. While most resorts choose to remove them, Siyam World decided to turn this challenge into a unique experience for guests. "Our vet provided the necessary treatments, and now we see how much our guests, especially childreapeciate their presence," says Sara. In fact, a cat café is in the works, where cappuccinos and cake will come with a side of cuddly cat. Siyam World's water park is the largest in the Maldives. Siyam World The water sports at Siyam World feature toys most guests would otherwise never encounter—and most hotel owners would probably balk at: too costly, too risky, and with questionable ROI. There's the CudaJet, an underwater backpack with jets that lets freedivers fly through the water. Then the Seabreacher, a one-man submarine that dives and leaps over waves. And Jet Cars—speedboats styled to look like sports cars, perfect for anyone who's dreamed of driving a Ferrari across the Indian Ocean. This no-expenses-spared philosophy extends beyond water toys to other activities, particularly sports like soccer. Local legend Anwar Abdul Gani runs daily training sessions on regulation-sized fields. Youth camps? Hosted by Premier League stars like Rio Ferdinand and Francesco Totti, flown in specifically for the occasion. Accommodations follow suit with every overwater villa sporting a private water slide and pool—luxuries typically reserved for the top-tier rooms. Ausy Waseem and Sara Siyam are in charge of experiences at Siyam World. The pink eMoke was their idea. Sun Siyam "We decided to give all guests the Maldivian holiday experience they've seen on social media, regardless of budget," explains Sara. With 16 distinct pricing categories and nearly 500 rooms, Siyam World caters to a broad range of tourists, from solo travelers to honeymooners, groups, and multi-generational families. Their entry-level overwater villas start at $700 per night, while four-bedroom beach residences (the highest category) begin at $4,000. Guests have been rewarding this vision with their praise and loyalty. Siyam World just got tenth place in TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards. It is the only Maldivian resort to make the list. It also claimed No. 2 on the Best All-Inclusive Hotel list globally and No. 1 in Asia, placing it in the top 1% of current TripAdvisor listings worldwide. 'Siyam World was an entirely new concept in the Maldives—one that had never been tried before,' says Sara. 'But the massive investment paid off.' While most resorts are still grappling with how experience-driven travel is reshaping the industry, Siyam World has delivered on all fronts. A success of the resort may signal that the future of travel is wilder, more unexpected and fun than we ever imagined. As Ian Schrager, founder of the legendary nightclub Studio 54, once told me: 'We all like to have fun when we can. It's been like that for 5,000 years, and I don't think it will ever change.' Guests can book horse riding lessons on beautiful Marwari horses. Siyam World Getting There: How To Get To The Maldives There are direct flights to Malé from major hubs such as Doha, Dubai, or Singapore. From Malé International Airport, Siyam World is a 40-minute seaplane ride away ($475 per adult; included in stays seven nights or longer). Best Time To Visit The Maldives The best time to visit the Maldives is during the dry season from November to April. During this time there is little precipitation and temperatures range from the high 70s to the mid-80s.
