Emirates will introduce a third daily service to Brisbane, Australia from December 1,2017, complementing Emirates’ existing two daily services. The direct service, to be operated on a B777-200LR aircraft with eight seats in First Class, 42 in Business Class and 216 in Economy Class, will increase capacity on the route by 3,724 seats a week, inbound and outbound between Brisbane and Emirates’ hub Dubai. This will give passengers in the United Kingdom, France and North America greater access to Australia with just one stop in Dubai as part of Emirates’ global route network. The inbound service EK430 will depart Dubai at 22:00 hrs, arriving in Brisbane at 18:15hrs the following day. While the outbound flight EK431 will depart Brisbane at 22:25 hrs, arriving in Dubai at 07:00hrs the following day. The service will operate alongside two existing daily services to Dubai. Flights EK434 and EK435 operate non-stop between Dubai and Brisbane and onwards to Auckland, New Zealand, while flights EK432 and EK433 operate between Dubai and Brisbane via Singapore. Additionally, with codeshare partner Qantas, Emirates offers services to Singapore twice daily from Brisbane. The news comes as Emirates announced it would be upgauging its third daily service to Melbourne from a B777-300ER to an A380 operation from 25 March 2018, allowing passengers to travel aboard Emirates’ A380 on all three daily flights between Melbourne and Dubai.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines and Group officially inaugurated the 17th Airport Show 2017. He stated,  “the aviation industry expansion in the Middle East continues to surpass average global growth rates. Future projections are equally promising and are behind the ongoing and considerable investment in aircraft, technology and infrastructure. The Airport Show brings together solution providers from around the world giving them the opportunity to explore the latest trends and bring forward innovative products and services designed to support ongoing industry growth and service enhancements.” The 3-day Airport Show, expected to be attended by over 7,500 aviation industry professionals, will bring more than 300 companies from more than 50 countries showcasing a diverse portfolio of technologies and innovative solutions amid rapidly growing Middle East aviation industry and massive regional aviation infrastructure investments. This year’s show will consist of  have Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF), World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo (WTCEME) and Women in Aviation Middle East General Assembly as co-located events. Huawei hosted a ‘Global Aviation Summit’ on May 15, which witnessed discussions on innovative ICT constructions in the aviation industry. The Airport Show will also feature a ‘New Security Day’ on May 17 where experts will discuss latest security solutions and systems live on stage as well as meet the suppliers.

Ferghal Purcell, COO, Hospitality Management Holding (HMH), welcomed Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, the new General Manager of Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD), at Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel. During his visit,  Geziry met the various team members as well as saw the fabulous facilities at the hotel. Congratulating Saleh Al Geziry on his new role, Purcell said, “It is an enormous privilege to welcome Mr. Saleh Al Geziry at Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel. Over the years we have enjoyed working closely with Ajman Tourism Development Department and are eager to continue our collaboration. In keeping with the vision of the authorities, Mr. Saleh Al Geziry has got exciting plans for promoting Ajman that will further accelerate the demand for this superb destination.  We are thrilled to be part of it and delighted to extend our full support.”

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited Dubai Holding where he was briefed on the new mega-project ‘Marsa Al Arab’. The new comprehensive tourist destination aims to elevate the family tourism proposition in Dubai as well as reinforce Jumeirah Group’s leading position locally and globally as one of the driving forces behind the growth and prosperity of the tourism sector in the emirate. The mega-project Marsa Al Arab is spread across 4 million sq. ft. and comprises two islands on both sides of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. It adds 2.2 km of beach frontage and will be the newest addition to Dubai’s long-standing track record of world-class tourist facilities. One island will be dedicated to entertainment and family tourism, while the other comprises an exclusive luxury resort. Through this resort, Jumeirah Group will introduce new leisure concepts and services to complement its existing family entertainment offer, which includes its portfolio of: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Al Naseem, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, Jumeirah Al Qasr and Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf. Marsa Al Arab will include a private yacht marina and a yacht club, in addition to recreational attractions, such as diverse food and beverage offerings, making it a globally attractive tourist destination. Amongst the features of this unique development is a helipad to accommodate the needs of the discerning guests. The project will also include a large retail space stretching across 20,000 sq. m, which will replace the current Wild Wadi Water Park area. The shopping centre will consist of international high-end brands, as well as a selection of restaurants and coffee shops to …

Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton’s midscale brand, and RAK National Hotels LLC opened Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah, marking the brand’s entry into the northern most Emirate of the United Arab Emirates. The hotel joins five other Hilton properties operating in the Emirate and 22 across the UAE. Located in the heart of the Al Nakheel area, just steps from two major shopping malls and minutes from the souks and historical sites of the old city, Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah features 240 modern and comfortable guest rooms, including 10 family rooms and eight suites, with sweeping city, creek and garden views. Commenting on the opening, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAKHH and RAKNH, said: “Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah is a very strategic asset within our portfolio of hotels. It presents a significant opportunity for us to satisfy the needs of travellers who visit Ras Al Khaimah from all around the world. We have seen a shift in recent years towards the mid-market segment, which goes in hand with the growing importance of the emerging modern traveller. The hotel therefore, is the right choice for us and for Ras Al Khaimah. We look forward to seeing it grow and succeed.” Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah guests will be treated to numerous amenities and services, including complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property, a 24-hour business center, two tennis courts and a state-of-the-art fitness center open all day. The property also offers an outdoor pool, a separate shaded pool for children, and access to the beach facilities at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa via complimentary shuttle. For conferences and other events, …

A joint venture between Nakheel and Spanish hospitality group–RIU Hotels & Resorts–has moved a step closer with the release of a construction tender for an 800-room, beachfront resort and water park at Deira Islands. With an investment value of AED670 million, the resort – RIU’s first in the Middle East and one of the biggest in Dubai in terms of hotel rooms – is set for delivery in Q4 2019. The RIU resort at Deira Islands will bring a new hospitality concept to Dubai, offering mid-scale, family-orientated, all-inclusive beachfront accommodation. Located at a prime beachfront plot at Nakheel’s new, 15.3 sq km Deira Islands coastal city, the resort will feature seven F&B outlets, three swimming pools, a fitness complex, children’s club and water park. Several new attractions, including Deira Mall, Deira Islands Night Souk and Deira Boulevard, are nearby. The joint venture is one of 18 projects in Nakheel’s AED5 billion hospitality expansion programme, which will deliver 5,800 new hotel rooms and apartments across Dubai in line with the Government of Dubai’s tourism vision for 2021. RIU Hotels & Resorts has almost 100 hotels, with around 45,000 rooms between them, in 19 countries. Together, these welcome over four million guests a year and provide jobs for nearly 27,000 people. RIU is one of the most popular hotel chains in the Caribbean and the second largest in Spain in terms of revenue. Nakheel has already awarded over AED7 billion worth of contracts at Deira Islands, with more on the way. The waterfront city, which is expected to have a population of 250,000 and to create 80,000 jobs, will add 40 km of coastline, including 21km of beach, to Dubai.

UAE-based RSG International has signed a management agreement with Rotana for a new 4-star hotel in Dubai, at a prime location on Sheikh Zayed Road, Jebel Ali Central. The project marks RSG International’s second collaboration with Rotana this year, following the launch of the Sabah Rotana hotel in Dubai in March 2017, and gives a further boost to the company’s plans to augment its hospitality portfolio in the emirate ahead of Expo 2020. Located on Sheikh Zayed Road, the 54-storey, 533-room five star Sabah Rotana will include 210 spacious, well-appointed rooms in addition to 10 executive suites and 2 ultra-luxurious presidential suites. The hotel apartments meanwhile will include 260 one-bedroom and 52 two-bedroom apartments. Sabah Rotana will also feature an impressive array of food and beverage venues and world-class business and recreational facilities.

Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya will open doors for travellers on September 1, 2017.  Located in one of the city’s most architecturally striking buildings in the heart of its government and business areas, the hotel will welcome international business travellers, weekend getaways and local clientele with its chic dining options and extensive event space. The hotel boasts 284 guest rooms and suites, five restaurant and lounge concepts, the city’s most elegant and well-equipped event spaces, and numerous leisure facilities, including a two-story spa and fitness centre, and indoor and outdoor pools. To welcome its first guests, Four Seasons has announced a special introductory offer featuring 20 per cent savings on the regular room rate, as well as an attractive Bed and Breakfast package “It’s an exciting time as we prepare to introduce Four Seasons signature luxury and personalised service to Kuwait for the first time,” says Didier Jardin, General Manager.

Standard Chartered and Hotels.com launched a three-year global strategic alliance that offers Standard Chartered credit cardholders in five countries up to 12% off on hotel bookings around the world on Hotels.com. The alliance will cover the UAE, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. Hotels.com offers hundreds of thousands of properties in more than 200 countries. Neil Daswani, Global Head of Corporate Partnerships, Retail Banking, at Standard Chartered said: “Our clients like to travel well and travel smart – this partnership gives them access to an enormous number of properties and value-for-money deals with a recognised global travel leader.” Abhiram Chowdhry, Vice President, Asia Pacific and Latin America for Hotels.com brand said: “With its well-established position as a premium bank across many Asia Pacific markets, Standard Chartered has a huge base of clients with a strong interest in travel. Our goal is to help streamline their travel planning by enabling the best travel booking experience, including access to useful travel information, great offers and a wide variety of lodging and accommodation options.”

Etihad Airways announced all 14 weekly flights on the popular Abu Dhabi–Sydney route will be operated with its flagship A380 aircraft, effective October 29, 2017. The current daily A380 Sydney flights will be joined by a second daily superjumbo service, upgraded from a 328-seat Boeing 777-300ER. The announcement comes as Etihad Airways marks the 10th anniversary of flying to Sydney, its first Australian destination. Featuring the carrier’s revolutionary The Residence – the world’s first three-room suite on a commercial airliner – the additional deployment of the 496-seat double decker aircraft means one of Australia’s largest cities will join London and New York as an all-A380 operation. Business and leisure travellers to and from Abu Dhabi, the airline’s operational hub, will enjoy increased capacity. The carrier will meet growing demand from the UAE and connecting cities across the Gulf region, Middle East and Europe. The Sydney – London Heathrow route, via Abu Dhabi, will also offer guests the consistency, convenience and comfort of a seamless all-A380 service in both directions. Etihad Airways’ three daily London Heathrow flights are operated with an A380. Beginning June 1, the second daily New York service will be upgraded to the superjumbo.