Souq Al Jubail, a project of Sharjah Asset Management Company, the investment arm of the Government of Sharjah, welcomed more than 4.44 million visitors and achieved significant volumes of vegetable and fruit sales exceeding 2,354 tonnes during 2022.

The excellent turnout and performance thus far have been credited to the Souq’s exceptional quality and integrated services in line with the needs of the market, catering to various products, food and fresh supplies under one roof, as well as a series of events and campaigns organised by the market throughout the year.

Talal Mohamed, Director of Souq Al Jubail, said, “In 2022, Souq Al Jubail witnessed many distinguished developments and achievements in the quality of services provided in various sections of the Souq, and through numerous events and activities organised during the year. Souq Al Jubail has cemented its presence on the map of leading and distinguished family and tourist destinations in the Emirate of Sharjah and the greater region.”

He revealed that the Souq received 2,609 tourists from across the globe.

Mohamed stressed that Souq Al Jubail’s reception of more than 4 million visitors during the past year represented an increase of more than 17 percent compared to 2021.

The shopping experience at Souq Al Jubail has been cited as a unique, fun, and highly convenient experience by many, he said.

He added that the increase in the number of visitors reflects positively on sales seen in the three sections of the market for vegetables and fruits, fish and meat.

Souq Al Jubail boasts more than 250 types of products for sale in 260 shops, including 160 fresh vegetables and fruits shops, 40 date shops, 60 meat shops, and 30 shops for fresh fish and other seafood. The Souq is also home to three shops selling high-quality honey and more shops for nuts. For shopper convenience, the market also offers various services and facilities such as the “Etisalat” kiosk, ATMs and more.

 IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, with presence in more than 100 countries, has announced the signing of a management agreement with Pakistan-based real estate development company Delta Centauri Pvt. Ltd (part of Providential Group) for its first “Holiday Inn hotel”, in Lahore, Pakistan. The hotel is due to open in 2026 and will bring an internationally renowned brand to leisure and business travellers visiting Pakistan in the coming years.

Situated in Lahore, part of the Punjab province in Pakistan and well established as the economic hub of the country, the hotel sits in great location for guests to truly immerse themselves in Pakistani hospitality. Lahore is the 2^nd biggest city in Pakistan and is also considered the historical and cultural capital of the country. The 220-key hotel is located close to upscale commercial and residential districts frequently visited by leisure and business travellers. The Hotel is adjacent to DHA Lahore, which is the most luxurious and posh residential and commercial community in Lahore. With just a 10-minute drive from the airport, the hotel will also be at an ideal location for travellers transitioning to local destinations.

In addition to well-appointed rooms and a breadth of facilities, the hotel will feature a specialty restaurant, a café along with other dining experiences, a fitness center and a swimming pool. In addition, the hotel will offer branded retail options. Travellers on business will have access to MICE facilities with two function rooms, two meeting rooms, business center and one board room. Meanwhile, guests looking to relax outside of their rooms can socialize at the hotel’s cosy lobby lounge, unwind at the spa, stay active at the health club, or explore the hotel’s internal recreational facilities.

Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “Pakistan is a beautiful country rich in culture, food and myriad historic and scenic sites that makes it an appealing choice for travellers. In addition to offering a cultural experience, Lahore is the economic hub of Pakistan and is frequented by business travellers as well. On opening, the new Holiday Inn hotel will be the perfect destination for guests with diverse needs to enjoy a world class hospitality experience that the brand is known for.”
He added: “This signing is also in line with our commitment to bring quality hospitality options to key markets in the region and we are pleased to bring our leading mainstream brand to Lahore, in line with market demands”.

Joint Chairman Providential Group and Delta Centauri Pvt Ltd Mr. Tariq Saadat said: “Representing a globally well-known brand, powered by the strength of IHG, Holiday Inn Lahore Airport will offer guests the best-in-class international hospitality. The hotel will be a part of a larger development complex, which will include luxury apartments, designer offices and entertainment options such as shopping malls, sports arenas, restaurants, cinemas, indoor theme and more. The project is set to become Lahore’s most premium real estate development.
This is the first of many hotels across segments that we plan to build in several cities across Pakistan and hope that partnership between IHG and Delta Centauri Pvt Ltd would grow rapidly over the next few years.”

Joint Chairman Providential Group and Delta Centauri Pvt Ltd Mian Khurram said: “We are pleased to partner with one of the world’s leading hospitality companies to bring the Holiday Inn brand to Pakistan. Along with IHG, we are confident that we will be able to provide a comfortable, safe and relaxing stay to our guests in Lahore. We look forward in welcoming our local as well as international business and leisure travellers to experience Pakistan’s hospitality”.

The Holiday Inn brand, with hotels over 1100 around the world, has helped millions of travellers discover new places and connect with each other since its inception in 1952. Designed to meet the needs of both business and leisure travellers, Holiday Inn hotels deliver memorable experiences through warm and welcoming service, contemporary design that blends the familiar with the new, and a sense of comfort unique to the brand.

Amanda Joiner takes the helm as the Global Vice President and head of The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center^®, a leading, global consulting and advisory firm delivering award-winning services that have enabled clients worldwide to improve customer and employee engagement, innovate their culture, and drive competitive advantage. Joiner transitions from her role most immediately as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis and brings over three decades of luxury hospitality experience in which she has driven continued innovation, improvement, and success through the culture of the iconic brand.

“At a time when disruption drives competition and innovation is essential for long-term success, the Gold Standards of The Ritz-Carlton continue to be a consistent benchmark across industries for the level of customer and employee experience clients are seeking to attain in today’s highly competitive, fast-changing world,” says Joiner. “I am excited for the opportunity to further amplify the brand’s legendary culture and strategy that are so deeply woven throughout my career as well as to lead this pioneering team.”

In business for over two decades, The Leadership Center continues to experience and deliver against high demand from brands around the world and across diverse industries seeking to learn from The Ritz-Carlton for their high-profile business launches, innovations, and transformations. “The critical role of culture in driving business strategy can’t be overstated,” says Jessica Lee, Senior Vice President of Global Talent Development at Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center. “For brands wanting to learn from the very best, Amanda’s track record of success in leading with culture first will be a tremendous asset to The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center clients.”

Joiner and The Leadership Center team leverage the systems and best practices of the award-winning Ritz-Carlton brand to deploy best-in-class organizational strategies at scale in order for clients to retain and attract top talent, outperform the competition, and gain market share.

“A quintessential ambassador of the culture of The Ritz-Carlton, Amanda’s authentic and exceptional leadership success throughout her career will add tremendous value to The Leadership Center and its clients,” says Chris Gabaldon, Senior Vice President of Luxury Brands at Marriott International.

Joiner’s extensive brand experience will truly transform The Leadership Center’s journey to innovate service excellence and customer engagement, and to transform organizational culture.

Rooted in its mission of providing signature wellness programs that empower guests to regain control and enhance their well-being when they need it most while traveling, Westin Hotels & Resorts – part of Marriott Bonvoy’s^® portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands – has reimagined its Gear Lending program, featuring the latest in high-tech recovery and total body strength training equipment. Rolling out at the brand’s over 230 properties globally beginning this month, the next generation WestinWORKOUT^® Gear Lending program will encompass a library of kits allowing guests to borrow the equipment they need – whenever they want – to optimize their stay and feel their best.

Over the past decade, ​through both operational and consumer feedback, Westin has evolved and enhanced its Gear Lending program to meet consumers where they are today. The acclaimed, on-demand program focuses on helping guests maintain their workout routines, wherever they go, without the added bulk of packing fitness gear.

Westin tapped fitness powerhouses for the first two kits of its re-energized Gear Lending program, providing guests with high-quality fitness essentials in-room, on-demand. Global high-performance wellness brand Hyperice features its game changing massage and compression recovery products that are ideal for post-workout recovery, as well as soothing stiffness and tension from long travel. Additionally, direct-to-consumer fitness accessories brand Bala features its beautifully designed and highly versatile total body fitness pieces, providing opportunities for guests to move well both in their guest room and outside, wherever the day takes them. Whether an avid runner that needs recovery tools or cross-training, a yogi that wants to maintain their daily routine, or a guest that wants to relieve tension from a long day of travel and/or a day of meetings, guests now have the opportunity to borrow:

• Recover & Recharge Kit by Hyperice, which includes Hyperice’s most sought-after recovery gear such as the new Normatec Go, Hypervolt Go 2, and Hypersphere Mini, as part of Hyperice’s ongoing exclusive hospitality collaboration with Westin.
• Sculpt & Flow Kit by Bala, which includes Bala’s full body workout essentials such as bangle weights, resistance bands, balance blocks, and a Westin branded yoga mat.

“For Westin, wellness is central to our mission. Over the last decade, through our WestinWORKOUT^® Gear Lending program, we’ve helped guests optimize their fitness routines and accomplish more while on the road,” said Jennifer Connell, Global Brand Leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts and Vice President, Distinctive Premium Brands, Marriott International. “As strength training and recovery have evolved into essential wellness rituals, we’ve reimagined our beloved program to be more versatile and partnered with cutting-edge brands that help motivate and inspire guests to reach their full potential.”

Hotel guests who wish to bring the WestinWORKOUT^® Gear Lending experience home can request an exclusive promotional code to shop the products on the Bala and Hyperice websites. Looking ahead, Westin plans to continue expanding its Gear Lending program with more kits added to the roster as well as additional, enhanced guest experiences.

“As the industry leader in wellness technology, Hyperice always looks to partner with forward-thinking brands to share the power of our recovery technology and reach new demographics,” says Jim Huether, CEO of Hyperice. “Following the debut of our Hypervolt recovery stations in WestinWORKOUT^® fitness studios at select Westin properties across the U.S. last year, the Recover & Recharge Kit by Hyperice will further help guests achieve their personal wellness goals as part of the WestinWORKOUT^® Gear Lending program. Our continued partnership with Westin Hotels & Resorts is the result of bringing two industry leading brands together to deliver the next wave of holistic hospitality.

“Bala was started to make working out feel a bit less like work; to design products as fun as they are functional, said Maximilian Kislevitz, Co-Founder of Bala. “The Sculpt & Flow Kit by Bala within the WestinWORKOUT Gear Lending program is a dream come true, and we’re elated to help Westin guests keep up with their routines while on the road.”

The Westin experience comes to life through the brand’s Six Pillars of Well-Being – Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well – allowing guests to personalize their stay and engage in programming that best meets their needs. In addition to WestinWORKOUT^® Gear Lending program, offerings under the Move Well pillar include the signature WestinWORKOUT^® Fitness Studios, and the more than 225 on-property Run Concierges around the world who host group runs and encourage athletes of all levels to grab a RunWESTIN™ map and explore the destination.

To learn more about the brand’s Gear Lending program, please visit www.westin.com/gearlending and join the conversation via @westin and #MoveWell.