With the world gradually recovering from the pandemic, everyone is looking forward to traveling again. The Moscow City Tourism Committee has stepped up with some exciting possibilities that make Moscow the ideal MICE and luxury travel destination for travelers now. Head of the MICE Department from The Moscow City Tourism Committee, Anastasia Popova shares some insights into why the Russian capital has come recommended as an attractive destination for travelers from the Middle East. According to Anastasia, “Moscow is a vibrant city offering a diversity of choices and millions of impressions even to sophisticated travelers. A combination of cultural heritage, creative incentive ideas, local culinary traditions, favorable climate and excellent shopping possibilities makes Moscow an ideal MICE destination.” With conference centers and hotel chains meeting global standards, the Moscow City Tourism Committee has seen development in business tourism, with over 3,000 business events and conferences taking place annually. The gastronomic component has recently become one of the main touristic symbols of Moscow. Today, there are more than 13,000 cafés and restaurants in Moscow with some of the world’s best restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world: Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Armenian, Spanish, Italian, Greek, and even Halal.  The Middle East market is showing interest and growing in terms of luxury travel and MICE. According to the data collected, in the last 6 months alone, up to 27,000 individuals visited Moscow from the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia with their average trip expenses reaching $1.7-3k. “Establishing long-lasting connections with major buyers from the Middle East is one of our major goals,” says Anastasia. She further adds, “The MALT Congress is a must-attend event for connecting with MICE and luxury travel …

Hilton Garden Inn Bahrain Bay has officially opened its doors to guests in time for the upcoming Eid Al Adha holidays. The 192-room hotel, located in Manama, is the first to open under Hilton’s portfolio of brands in the Kingdom of Bahrain.  Nestled in the heart of Bahrain Bay and directly connected to the newest retail and leisure destination in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Avenues Mall, the Hilton Garden Inn also offers unrivalled proximity to the Kingdom’s bustling business district and prime shopping areas. Located a mere 15-minute drive to the newly opened Bahrain International Airport, the hotel is ideally located nearby key cultural destinations and iconic tourism landmarks in the likes of the Bahrain National Theatre, Bahrain National Museum, and the heritage-steeped Manama Souq, to name a few. The hotel boasts 192 spacious rooms (including 35 suites), all with breath-taking bay and sea-facing views and complete with curated furnishings that meet the daily lifestyle needs of guests, such as a clutter-free desk, a sleek 55-inch LED screen, and complimentary access to Wi-Fi. Catering to a wide variety of experiences be it for a short weekend stay or for longer periods, 70% of the guest rooms offer confirmed connecting room . Each space is artfully accentuated with earthbound tones and sea inspired design notes and neutral colour palettes, creating a sanctuary of style and calmness.  Additional features include flexible meeting spaces with state-of-the-art facilities, and a fully equipped fitness center alongside an infinity pool and jacuzzi. In addition to a room service menu, the hotel offers unique food experiences through its restaurant Together& Co serving guests breakfast, lunch and dinner with glittering waterfront views of Bahrain Bay. “As Hilton Garden …

Radisson Hotel Group welcomes back guests this summer with exciting new hotel openings and new property signings, as the Group is ready for the rebound of holiday and business travel. With over 90% of the Group’s hotels across EMEA open again, Radisson Hotel Group is pleased to welcome its business and leisure guests with flexibility and safety top of mind. Building on the success of the Group’s five-year expansion and transformation plan, Radisson Hotel Group is ready for the rebound of travel and remains solidly committed to becoming the brand of choice for owners, partners, and guests.   With the addition of 33 new hotel signings with close to 4,500 rooms across its EMEA portfolio, Radisson Hotel Group has achieved a strong start to 2021 and remains prudently optimistic about business recovery in the second half of 2021. The Group plans to open around 30 properties in 2021, including iconic hotels in popular summer holiday destinations such as Turkey, Dubai, Italy, France, UK and Poland. One of the most exciting new properties to discover is Radisson Collection Hotel, Bodrum, a stunning premium lifestyle hotel located in Bodrum’s most tranquil and magnificent Aspat Bay on the Aegean coast. Destinations such as France, Switzerland, UK, Russia, the UAE have proven popular amongst guests, with occupancy rates continuing to increase. The UK and France specifically have experienced a strong increase in demand where the Group expanded its presence with the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Rouen Centre in the historic city center of this medieval city, and a new hotel from the Group’s latest brand, Relais de Margaux, a member of Radisson Individuals in the famous Bordeaux wine region. Other additions to the Radisson …

Starting July 17, 2021 Kuwait Airways re-instated two weekly services between Munich and Kuwait City. The route is operated on Thursdays and Saturdays with a brand new Airbus A320neo. “We are very pleased that Kuwait Airways has decided to re-launch flights to Munich and we expect a good response to the route this summer” states Oliver Dersch, Vice President Traffic Development Munich Airport. Along with Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways flights, there will be a total of 19 weekly departures from the Gulf region to Munich this July and potentially more to come in the following months. In 2019, 1.7 million passengers traveled on flights between Munich and the Gulf States. “We are convinced that traffic between the two popular regions will soon recover, with Germany once again allowing entry for fully vaccinated visitors from countries outside the EU,” adds Dersch. With magnificent buildings and royal palaces, world-class museums, endless parks, high-end shopping and dining, and crystal-clear lakes and the Alps nearby, Munich and Bavaria represent the most popular tourism destination in Germany for visitors from the Gulf region.

City Sightseeing, the world’s leading open-top bus brand, is relaunching its operations in Dubai with its unique, award-winning city tour featuring new, enhanced health and safety measures, and an unmissable, limited-time offer for UAE residents. First launched in the UAE in 2014 as a joint venture with the dnata Travel Group, City Sightseeing Dubai has grown to become one of the city’s most popular and recognisable tour options. City Sightseeing is known across more than 100 of the world’s top destinations for its fun-filled, iconic red open-top buses and ‘hop-on, hop-off’ concept, offering the chance to explore a city’s top sights and attractions with an informative audio guide. The Dubai edition takes travellers on a tour of the city’s most memorable locations, from The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping mall, through the historic Dubai Creek area, along the picturesque Jumeriah Beach, and beyond. As domestic tourism continues to witness increases in traffic, the City Sightseeing team is announcing a new offer for UAE residents to rediscover Dubai, or take their visitors to the city on an unforgettable tour of its top highlights, with up to 50% off the cost of a standard fare for a limited time. Alaa AlKhatib, VP Destination Management, dnata Travel Group, commented: “We’re delighted to announce that City Sightseeing Dubai is relaunching today with a host of enhanced health and safety features, offering UAE residents and tourists alike the chance to join us back on-board safely. “Domestic tourists can find themselves on a quest to discover how well they know the city, and to mark the occasion, we are launching an introductory offer where UAE residents can purchase 2-for-1 tickets, for the chance to rediscover …

Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, will offer its luxurious First Class Suites on B787 Dreamliner flights between Muscat and Salalah for the popular Khareef season. In addition to its award-winning Economy and Business Class cabins, the airline will introduce the luxuriously appointed First Class Suites until 31 July 2021, offering three distinct cabin classes on the route. The Muscat flight (WY 907) will depart at 14:55 and arrive in Salalah at 16:30. The Salalah flight (WY 908) will depart at 17:45 and arrive in Muscat at 19:25. Guests should always consult omanair.com for the latest flight schedule and timings, which are subject to change. Featuring extra tall, soft closing sliding doors and canopy, Oman Air’s First Class Suite is recognized for its Omani-inspired design, modern amenities and exceptional comfort. In 2020 it was named best First Class Suite by German-based iF design, a world leader in design, and also won  ‘World’s Leading Airline – First Class’ at the World Travel Awards Middle East. Our flights are departing on time. For flights operating during the lockdown period, passengers and those dropping them off or picking them up are allowed to travel to the airport. Please ensure that you always carry a printed copy of travel tickets along with all applicable travel documents and valid ID in the event that you are asked to present them to the relevant authorities. Oman Air will maintain its comprehensive safety program throughout all elements of the travel journey to ensure that guests fly confidently. Masks are required when guests are on board the aircraft and in Oman’s airports. Distancing is maintained while guests board and exit the aircraft, which are …

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, launched its inaugural flight to Vienna, the City of Music, the first of a new twice-weekly service between Abu Dhabi and the Austrian capital. Flight EY147 departed Abu Dhabi International Airport at 7.30am and is expected to land in Vienna Airport at approximately 11.20am today, where it will be welcomed by a traditional water cannon salute. The new service will be operated on Thursdays and Sundays using a state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, offering 28 seats in Business and 262 seats in Economy, entertainment systems, in-seat power, and in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity.  Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer at Etihad, said: “After successfully launching Mykonos, Santorini and Malaga earlier in July, we’re delighted to now introduce flights to Vienna. The 65th passenger destination to be added to Etihad’s growing network, we are confident that its timeless imperial grandeur and vibrant cultural scene will appeal to many travellers.” Julian Jäger, Joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport, said: “We welcome Etihad as a new airline to Vienna Airport. Etihad is a strong carrier with a far-reaching route network, and we are delighted with its decision to launch regular scheduled flights to Vienna. The United Arab Emirates in particular is an important market for Austrian tourism, and the new flight connection is a good sign that things are slowly picking up again.” Known for its baroque architecture, coffee-house culture and rich musical legacy, Vienna is a five hours and 50 minutes flight from Abu Dhabi. Travellers from the UAE who have received all vaccination doses for full immunisation at least 14 days before arrival, including Sinopharm and Pfizer, currently do not have to …

IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the opening of Crowne Plaza Dubai Jumeirah in partnership with the region’s reputed hospitality group, Ishraq Hospitality. Established as one of the world’s largest upscale and fastest growing hotel brands, Crowne Plaza has presence in over 60 countries, with locations in busy cities, airport and resort locations; everywhere modern travellers want to stay. Being a brand designed for people who are more digital, more mobile and more connected than ever before, Crowne Plaza Dubai Jumeirah offers modern business travellers the perfect blend of balancing work and life so guest feel fulfilled and successful. The 252 room and suites hotel offer guests a distinct sense of place with stunning views or the Burj Khalifa, Jumeirah beach and the city. Located in the heart of Jumeriah 1, Crowne Plaza Dubai Jumeirah’s excellent location enables its guests to be within reach of Dubai’s key leisure and business areas. Crowne Plaza Dubai Jumeirah is an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers alike as guests can enjoy a relaxing day at Jumeirah Beach or visit nearby lifestyle or shopping landmarks. The renovated rooms and suites include 32 family connecting rooms and come with a number of technology-driven features to provide guests with a harmonious stay experience day and night. From USB outlets throughout the hotel, to unlimited high-speed wifi and Chromecast TVs, the generously sized guestrooms are brimming with technology-led features designed to blend the 9-to-5, 5-to-9 day. Accompanied by IHG’s Sleep Advantage program, which includes plush bedding, pillow menus, aromatherapy spray, sustainably sourced amenities and a bedtime ritual guide, the guestrooms are there to restore, inspire and rejuvenate. Crowne Plaza …

Al Ain International Airport (AAN), owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Airports, has welcomed two new weekly flights between Al Ain and Cairo, the capital of Egypt. The inaugural flight, operated by Nile Air landed at Al Ain International Airport on Monday, July 12 at 21:15 Local Time (LT). Francois Bourienne, Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “We are pleased to welcome two new weekly flights between Al Ain and Cairo, which strengthens our connectivity with the Egyptian capital and facilitates the travel journey of passengers between the UAE and Egypt. The introduction of the new flights comes as part of the expansion of Al Ain International Airport and the introduction of new routes, to increase our airlines network and offer our passengers the best travel experience.” Nile Air CEO, Captain Mohamed Sadek, said: “It has been just over five years since we first started flying between Cairo and Al Ain, UAE, and despite the massive impact of the pandemic affecting travel, Nile Air remains committed to operating to Al Ain, preserving the important relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.” Outbound flights will depart from Cairo International Airport on Mondays and Fridays at 15:40 LT and land at Al Ain International Airport at 21:15 LT. Return flights will depart from Al Ain International Airport on Mondays and Fridays at 22:15 LT, landing in Cairo International Airport the following day at 00:05 LT.

MSC Cruises, in partnership with Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), DP World and Emirates Airline, today announced that the naming ceremony for the line’s newest flagship, MSC Virtuosa, will take place in Dubai on 27 November at Mina Rashid (Port Rashid). The event reflects the growing importance of Dubai as a must-visit destination for global travellers and the cruising’s key contribution to the city’s tourism industry. The newest addition to the MSC Cruises fleet derives her name from the Italian word virtuoso and refers to the master craftsmen who designed and developed this masterpiece, which will be the most technologically and environmentally advanced cruise vessel ever deployed in the UAE. Her naming will be celebrated with a stunning array of live entertainment and performances awaiting the specially invited guests from around the world as well as from across the Gulf region – one of MSC Cruises’ key markets where the company is brand leader. Further details of the line-up of entertainment events will be revealed in due course. The naming ceremony event will take place in compliance with all public health and safety protocols outlined by the Dubai government, as well as with the support of MSC Cruises’ Health and Safety protocol that allowed the line’s ships to restart its operations in this region. The occasion will also be a part of the celebrations surrounding the Golden Jubilee of the UAE and will be staged as Dubai welcomes the world to Expo 2020. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: “Dubai has charted a strong and steady course to become a global tourism destination and preferred …