Six Flags Qiddiya City, the landmark theme park at Saudi Arabia’s upcoming entertainment district Qiddiya City, is building strong visibility in India ahead of its grand opening on 31 December 2025. Positioned as the world’s first destination built around the Power of Play, the park recently hosted an energetic curtain-raiser in India for trade partners and media.

Just 40 minutes from Downtown Riyadh and surrounded by the dramatic Tuwaiq Mountains, Qiddiya City is set to transform the region’s entertainment scene with a mix of adventure, culture, and sports-driven experiences.

At the India preview, the team offered a closer look at the park’s headline attractions. Six Flags Qiddiya City will feature 28 rides, including three global record-breakers:

• Falcons Flight – the world’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster

• Iron Rattler – the world’s tallest tilt coaster

• Spitfire – the world’s tallest inverted coaster

Alongside these marquee thrills, the park will offer 18 family-friendly rides, global dining options, and exclusive retail stores with Six Flags merchandise.

Tickets start at SAR 325 for adults and SAR 275 for children, while kids under four enjoy free entry. The ticket includes access to all rides. Guests can also upgrade to the Unlimited GoFast Pass for priority access. Pre-bookings have opened online.

Designed with inclusivity in mind, the park features facilities for people with special needs and senior citizens, who can avail discounted entry starting from SAR 75.

Highlighting the park’s vision, Brian Machamer, Park President, Six Flags Qiddiya City, sai“Six Flags Qiddiya City not only opens its door to the public for the first time, it starts to showcase everything Qiddiya City stands for: bold imagination, unforgettable experiences, and a new benchmark for global entertainment. With flexible and inclusive ticketing options, guests can look forward to an unforgettable experience filled with world-class thrills and non-stop fun.”, 

Visitors can reach the theme park via car, taxi, or shuttle. Complimentary transport will be available from the designated parking area. The park will operate daily from 4 p.m., while free shuttle services from Jeddah Metro Station will start at 3 p.m. Metro schedules can be accessed on the Riyadh Public Transportation website, and entry to shuttles is restricted to guests with valid tickets.

With its innovative attractions and growing engagement in key markets like India, Six Flags Qiddiya City is set to become one of the most significant entertainment openings of 2025.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced the launch of Vivanta Aluva, Kochi in the lively and culturally rich state of Kerala. The opening marks another key milestone for IHCL as it strengthens its footprint in the fast-growing micro market of Aluva, a bustling part of the Kochi Metropolitan area.

Speaking about the launch, Ms. Deepika Rao, Executive Vice President – New Businesses & Hotel Openings, IHCL, said, “IHCL has played a defining role in shaping Kochi’s hospitality landscape. Opening of Vivanta Aluva, Kochi marks the expansion of IHCL’s brandscape in the city’s emerging micro market of Aluva, part of the Kochi Metropolitan area. This thriving business hub and its rich cultural legacy makes it an ideal fit for the Vivanta brand. We are happy to introduce the brand to this vibrant city, offering guests a new experience.”

The hotel offers 92 rooms and suites crafted with inspiration from Kochi’s iconic Chinese fishing nets, blending local charm with a contemporary touch. Guests can explore a variety of dining options including Mynt, the all-day restaurant; The Ace, the rooftop barbeque spot; and Swirl, the pâtisserie. The property also features a rooftop pool, spa, fitness centre and versatile banqueting facilities, making it ideal for both leisure and business stays.

Adding to the experience, Mr. Anup Kumar, General Manager, Vivanta Aluva, Kochi, said, “The stylishly spirited brand Vivanta is brought to life at Vivanta Aluva, through vibrant spaces, eclectic dining and experiences that celebrate Kochi’s unique character. We look forward to welcoming guests to experience the essence of this beautiful city.”

Aluva sits along the Periyar River and is one of the most prominent commercial towns within Greater Kochi. With this opening, IHCL now has 22 hotels in Kerala, including six currently under development.

IHCL continues to build on its legacy with a diverse portfolio that includes luxury, upscale, boutique, and lean-luxe brands. Established by Jamsetji Tata, the company opened its first hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace in Bombay, in 1903. Today, the group has 591 hotels including 319 in the pipeline across four continents, fourteen countries and over 250 locations, making it India’s largest hospitality company by market capitalization.

Sterling Kodai Valley has rolled out its new cycle-themed suites, adding a refreshing twist to how guests experience the hill station. Known for creating stays that reflect the soul of a destination, Sterling has once again built something that feels both playful and deeply connected to the outdoorsy charm of Kodaikanal.

Slow travel has become one of the biggest trends in global tourism, with more travellers now choosing unhurried holidays over packed schedules. Studies show that Indian leisure travellers increasingly prefer relaxed plans, while global research highlights a growing shift towards nature-based experiences. Cycling, easy walking trails and immersive outdoor time are now top picks for many holidaymakers and Kodaikanal fits right in with its cool air, lakeside paths and gentle forest routes.

This spirit of slow exploration shapes the new suites. Full-sized bicycles placed as art pieces, wheel-themed décor and tricycle-inspired amenity baskets bring a fun, nostalgic feel to every part of the room. The spaces are warm, imaginative and rooted in the vibe of the hills, giving guests a stay that feels far more personal than a regular resort room. Many visitors say the theme instantly connects them to the experience of Kodai, even before they step outside.

Speaking about the launch, Harinath M, SVP – Marketing, Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, said, “At Sterling, we focus on creating stays that help guests connect with a destination in authentic and memorable ways. Kodaikanal has a timeless appeal because of its calm setting, cool air and the sense of exploration it inspires. Our cycle-themed suites celebrate this spirit, mirroring the natural rhythm of Kodai, where guests often pick up bicycle rentals and ride around the lake or explore quieter forest trails at their own pace. We want them to return home with memories not just of what they saw, but of how deeply they felt part of the hills.”

Along with the theme, the rooms maintain the comforts guests look for during a hill-station getaway, spacious layouts, soft bedding and valley-facing sit-outs that make unwinding easy. Guests can also enjoy a spa, all-day dining, indoor games and a dedicated Discovery Central designed for children.

To keep the sense of exploration alive outside the rooms, the resort has added new experiences to its Discoveries and Experiences programme. These include a night jeep ride through quiet trails, an off-road trip to Puliyur Kombai and guided treks covering shola forests, waterfalls and scenic viewpoints. Evenings often turn cosy with bonfires and outdoor dinners. The resort has also introduced “Crispy Tales at Kodai,” where guests handpick vegetables, learn Murukku making and cook with the chef making meals more fun and hands-on.

These curated experiences reflect what travellers love about Kodaikanal pine forests, blooming parks, lake-side rides and postcard-perfect viewpoints. With its cycle-themed suites, Sterling Kodai Valley brings all of this into the stay itself, ensuring that the mood of Kodaikanal carries through every part of the holiday.

For more information, visit www.sterlingholidays.com