The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, and the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority announced that starting on the twenty-third of June this year, allowing specific groups of citizens and residents of a country The United Arab Emirates, to travel to specific destinations, according to conditions and procedures that will be announced later, in light of the preventive measures and precautionary measures taken by the UAE in the face of the emerging corona virus (COVID-19). According to the recent tweet and WAM news agency. From March 24, 2020, commercial passenger flights in and out of the UAE were suspended and currently only the repatriation flights and cargo flights have been operational. All passengers/travellers need permission to return to the UAE from the federal authority for identity and citizenship before they can book a flight home and in some instances the residents need to register with their relevant high commission. At present bookings are accepted online in certain airline websites. According to some travel agents travel will pick up once again around August or September this year. Some tourism board officials stated recently that Middle East travellers are awaiting the opportunity to travel again.

Emirates airline is set to operate seven weekly flights from Bahrain to Dubai utilising its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to carry cargo as well as passengers travelling home or for essential purposes. Customers can also connect safely and efficiently through Dubai to onward Emirates’ destinations, including select cities in Asia Pacific and Europe or the Americas. Travel restrictions remain in place in most countries, customers are reminded to check entry and exit requirements before their journeys, Emirates said. Emirates flight EK839 will depart Dubai at 16:10 pm and arrive in Bahrain at 16:30 pm local time. EK840 will depart Bahrain at 17:50 pm local time and arrive in Dubai at 20:00 pm local time. Flights to and from Bahrain will be available for booking on emirates.com or via travel agents. Health and safety first: Emirates has implemented a comprehensive set of measures at every step of the customer journey to ensure the safety of its customers and employees on the ground and in the air, including the distribution of complimentary hygiene kits containing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes to all customers, said the airline.

Khaled Mubarak Bani Zama, Director of the Industrial Development at the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development stated that around 8,000 tourism, leisure and commercial facilities and restaurants in the emirate of Abu Dhabi are eligible to a refund of 20 per cent of the annual rental value on their commercial property leases worth Dh1 billion; according to a report published by Gulf News. “The refunding of 20 per cent of the value of helps support the private sector and enhance confidence in the emirate’s investment environment, thus ensuring the sustainability of businesses in view of the current exceptional conditions facing the world at large,” Bani Zama said. Earlier in May, the department launched a strategic digital service that will enable restaurants, tourism and entertainment facilities within the emirate to apply for a 20 percent refund on the annual rental value of their commercial property leases.The department approved 220 applications from restaurants, tourism and entertainment facilities who applied for a 20 per cent refund on the annual rental value of their commercial property leases, Zami said. The Abu Dhabi government stressed that the refund of 20 per cent of the total rental value paid by investors who started their lease from September 2019 or renewed their contracts during the period from April 1, 2020 until the end of September 2020.The move aimed to help add and enhance the confidence in the emirate’s business environment. The resolution covers all facilities practicing activities of restaurants, cafeterias, tourism and entertainment.

AlUla is all set to reopen in October 2020 for the visitors, to experience some of the undiscovered wonders of the world. An open-air museum in North West of Saudi Arabia, which includes the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, will officially re-open and welcome visitors. While some attendees of AlUa’s Winter at Tantora annual arts festival have been granted access to the archaeological sites in the event’s first two years, now for the first time, AlUla’s landmarks of unprecedented historical and cultural significance and its 250,000 years of human legacy are going to be accessible for all visitors all year round. Phillip Jones, Chief Destination Officer, RCU said, “With the rebound of the travel sector undoubtedly starting close to home, KSA residents within a drive or a short flight of AlUla will get a head start on experiencing the raw, natural beauty and monumentality of landscapes in their backyard,” said Jones. The four key heritage sites that visitors will now be able to access are, Hegra, an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008; Dadan, probably one of the most developed 1st millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula; Jabal Ikmah, often referred to as the ‘Lihyanite library’, offering insights to ancient beliefs, rituals and practices of every-day life; and Old Town, the ancient walled city of AlUla which has been at the crossroad of civilisations from the twelfth century CE. “We are developing immersive, light-touch experiences that harness the power and silence of the landscapes, experiences like guided stargazing in a desert night sky that has inspired science, religion, philosophy, art and literature for millennia. A visit to AlUla is a transformative experience to all who have visited. Its …

Etihad Airways is encouraging travellers to start planning their next trip, once travel restrictions ease with the launch of ‘Etihad Travel Voucher’. Guests who purchase an Etihad Travel Voucher between June 10-24, 2020 will receive an extra 50% cash value for future travel from August 1, 2020 onwards. The vouchers are available in increments of USD 250 to a maximum of USD 65,000. The value of the purchased voucher plus 50% extra credit will be added to a Travel Bank account for future redemption on flights, upgrades and extras. Robin Kamark, Chief Commercial Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said, “Now, more than ever, we want to give the world something to look forward to. Valid for two years, Etihad Travel Voucher will give our guests plenty of time to plan their future trip, and with 50% extra credit, they will spend less on that well-deserved break,”

Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Hjayceelyn M. Quintana led the inauguration of the Passport Renewal Center (PaRC) at VFS Global in the World Trade Center in Abu Dhabi city. The inauguration coincided with the commemoration of Philippine Independence Day, which falls June 12, every year. This is the second PaRC facility for Philippine passport renewal that is now operational in the United Arab Emirates. The first PaRC facility was opened in the Wafi Mall in Dubai on November 21, 2019 with the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. leading the inauguration. The two PaRC facilities are operated by VFS Global. VFS Global is the world’s largest visa outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide. The establishment of the PaRC facilities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are based on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Foreign Affairs and VFS Global. “A befitting gift to Filipinos in the UAE on the occasion of Philippine Independence Day is the opening of the PaRC facility in Abu Dhabi. It is also very timely, given the need to reduce travel and observe strict physical distancing and other health protocols during the pandemic,” said Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE. Filipinos now have an alternative location to go for passport renewal aside from the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. The VFS Global PaRC facility offers the convenience of weekend processing of passport renewal application because it operates on Friday and Saturday in addition to the regular working days from Sunday to Thursday. The facility is open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Hotel and Rest.com stressed the need to support domestic tourism sector in light of the global travel movement due to the outbreak of COVID-19, and the isolation measures to combat such pandemic. The website pointed out in a report published today that domestic tourism is an important factor of the national economy, and that the tourism sector in the UAE is currently dependent on domestic consumption and the spending of both the citizens and residents, especially with the impossibility of bringing in foreign tourists until the end of this year or until the emergence of an approved vaccine to formally prevent the virus. Hotel and Rest.com explained that reservations inside the UAE are still very modest because the majority of the population in the Emirates are afraid to go out to spend long vacations because of the precautionary measures and their habit of staying inside the house, so serious and attractive plans should be put in place to encourage local tourism and urge people to spend consumer again. Hotel and Rest.com report indicated that there are a lot of steps which can be taken to stimulate domestic tourism, especially with the preference of many citizens and residents not to move away from their places of residence, which include launching marketing campaigns for tourist places in the country, while providing incentives, special packages and hotel discounts. Resorts, shopping centres, restaurants and entertainment cities reach at least 50% in addition to the possibility to reduce the prices of shopping and hotel accommodations until the end of this year.

Jumeirah sets the bar high with three additional properties within its Dubai portfolio receiving the prestigious Bureau Veritas Safeguard Label. Guests staying at Jumeirah Al Qasr, Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf and Jumeirah Creekside Hotel in Dubai can be assured of the highest hygiene standards after these three additional five-star hotels followed in the footsteps of Jumeirah Al Naseem to be awarded Bureau Veritas’ Safeguard Label. José Silva, Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group, said “I want this milestone to serve as an inspiration to others, to create a socially responsible movement across organisational cultures, our society and the industry as a whole, where we champion a sense of collective responsibility for the safety of others. The Government of Dubai and its tourism authority ‘DTCM’, have led a successful path through this pandemic and restoring guest confidence is a priority, not only for Jumeirah Group, but for all hoteliers. We will continue our mission across our portfolio of properties and demonstrate our commitment to operating our hotels to the highest global standards and supporting the future of our host countries.” Juliano Cardoso, Executive Vice-President, CIF Asia, Pacific and Middle East, said, “By helping adapt to the ‘New Normal’, the Safeguard certification clearly allows our clients to restart operations as quickly as possible with appropriate conditions. In this way, we will contribute to the reopening of hotels and restaurants in keeping with the highest standards of reliability. This certification will undoubtedly benefit the entire industry. Bureau Veritas’ mission is to shape a world of trust. With this label, we have the ability to address the new expectations of our society in terms of health, hygiene and safety as well as transparency.”

Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) announced that many of its luxury and five star hotels across the UAE are operating and back in full swing with strict safety and precautionary measures in place to ensure the wellbeing of all its guests. “We have introduced strict procedures as per local authorities’ regulations across our businesses as we emerge from unprecedented challenges and adapt to the global transformation within the hospitality industry. Staying optimistic for future travel, the safety of all guests and employees is our primary focus and our responsibility being a leading hospitality company. We are continuously monitoring the performance of our businesses and adjusting accordingly whilst some of our hotels benefit from extensive refurbishments to enhance the guest experience.” says Khalid Anib, Chief Executive Officer of ADNH. To welcome guests with something special ADNH have kicked off exclusive getaway offers for the ultimate experience across their hotels in the UAE. Some of the attractive packages designed to guarantee you a memorable stay include: Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas: Delight your family with a seamless staycation and get 50% off the second room for your kids. Complimentary stay for children under 16 years if sharing room with parents, complimentary food & beverage for children under 12 years as well as 50% off food & beverage for children under 16 years. Address Dubai Mall | Address Dubai Marina: Views of the city’s finest sights, escape to Address Dubai Mall or Address Dubai Marina with packages designed with you in mind; rates from AED 449 with 200 DHS back to spend per night. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort: Overlooking the stunning Corniche, escape to a resort catering to your …

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) is set to launch its brand-new campaign #WeWillMeet; as a part of its efforts to increase the number of tourists coming into the Kingdom of Bahrain with a special focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia post COVID-19. The campaign, which will be spread over the span of a year, will be launched in three parts, which will first kick off with the ‘Inspirational’ phase connecting with followers digitally through interactive posts and live sessions, move on to the ’Encouragement’ phase which will focus on the promotion of the islands activities, and ends with the phase of ‘Transformation’ which involves face-to-face interaction with visitors once events are safe to host once again. “We wanted to launch a proactive campaign to increase the number of visitors coming into the Kingdom from all around the world and specifically target those in Saudi Arabia, which shapes a significant part of the total inbound tourism coming into Bahrain each year. Once the situation allows, we expect to attract more visitors as Bahrain has always been considered an ideal and convenient weekend getaway for Saudis due its close proximity to multitude of attractions and experiences we have to offer,” said Nader Al Moayyed, Chief Executive Officer of BTEA. “We opted for an end to end digital campaign, to not only target the masses that have shifted online as a result of the epidemic, but also to directly tap into a new segment and appeal to the millennials and Generation Z’s that are online,” Moayyed added.