The Armenian National Interests Fund (ANIF) and Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) operator, today announced the signing of an agreement to launch Armenia’s new national airline. The agreement will see the establishment of an independent joint venture company that will operate as a low-cost passenger airline with Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport (EVN) as its base. The announcement was made following a signing ceremony and a press conference held today at Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport and attended by H.E Tigran Avinyan, Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia and H.E Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia. The new national airline will serve the strategic vision of Armenia’s fast-growing travel and tourism sector as well as contributes to the country’s economic growth, while providing Armenians with a reliable and value for money air travel. David Papazian, Chief Executive Officer of ANIF, said: “We are excited to launch a new national low-cost carrier for Armenia that will contribute significant value to the economy and energise our travel and tourism sector. This builds on our commitment to partner with top global entities on transformational projects that catalyse our crucial economic sectors. Air Arabia has a well established track-record in launching and operating successful LCCs, and its know how will be a differentiating strength of the new airline.” Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said: “We are delighted at Air Arabia Group to partner with ANIF on this joint venture to launch Armenia’s new national low-cost carrier. We see tremendous potential for Armenia in building its airline sector, which will add sustained value to the economy through job creation and …

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has announced the return of the Sharjah Summer campaign, which will offer an integrated package of distinguished experiences designed to enhance Sharjah’s position as an exceptional and competitive family, cultural, environmental, historical and heritage tourism destination. The campaign, which runs from July 15 to the end of August, is aligned with the Authority’s commitment to launch leading initiatives and create diverse and integrated tourism experiences that live up to the expectations of all tourists and visitors to Sharjah. The much-awaited spectacular Sharjah Summer campaign is held yearly to showcase Sharjah’s famous tourist attractions, new hotels, destinations, and unique projects, as well as inject new energy into local tourism and enhance confidence in the emirate as a premier destination of choice for families. The Sharjah Summer 2021 campaign features a range of exclusive offers, including especially designed packages for families and hotel promotions, to provide tourists coming to the emirate with unforgettable experiences. The campaign also seeks to support and boost domestic tourism this year amid the current circumstances. In addition, SCTDA is organizing a competition for its followers on its Instagram account (@visit_shj) to achieve wider coverage of the summer campaign in cooperation with numerous social media influencers. The competition is also geared towards informing SCTDA’s digital platform followers across various age groups about the exciting adventures, fun experiences, exclusive offers and family activities that are available in Sharjah’s distinct and diverse tourist destinations and hotels. The Authority also assured that preventive and precautionary procedures are in place to ensure the highest level of safety of all visitors and their families. H.E Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, said: “We are pleased …

flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, announced the start of its three-times-weekly service to Sohag International Airport (HMB) from 25 July. The flights to and from Sohag will operate via a short stop in Sharm El Sheikh. This will bring the number of points flydubai operates to in Egypt to three including Alexandria Borg El Arab International Airport (HBE) and Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH). Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: “Egypt is a very important market for flydubai and has a very special place in our journey. Alexandria was among the first routes we operated to in 2009. We are very pleased to see our presence in Egypt grow and we would like to thank the authorities for their ongoing support. flydubai is committed to supporting the tourism and trade links between our two countries. We look forward to the start of operations to Sohag which is going to be very popular among our passengers from the UAE and the region.” Sohag is one the important governorates of Upper Egypt with a capital city that holds the same name. The city and the government of Sohag have a long history in ancient Egypt and is home to a number of monuments, monasteries and museums. Commenting on the announcement, Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) at flydubai, said: “with demand for travel returning we are focused on enabling our passengers to travel with ease to more places around the flydubai network. Sohag is another exciting destination for our passengers to visit whether to go back home to see friends and family or to explore the many historic attractions in the …

Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), one of the oldest and largest higher education institutions in the United Kingdom, announced a new pathway for Dubai College of Tourism students. With the new pathway, students who graduate with a DCT Advanced Diploma and the required GPA, will be able to continue and obtain a ‘top-up degree’ as a student of LJMU and graduate with a BA (Hons) from the highly accredited UK institution. These courses further enhance DCT’s proposition to provide its students with multiple pathways to success through a diversity of world-class academic offerings. As a vocational college, DCT students already benefit from being able to earn a qualification at every stage of their education with the college. Students commence with a one-year certificate in their chosen areas of study including; Tourism, Events, Hospitality, Retail Business or Culinary arts.  Students who wish to continue their education and have achieved the required GPA, can progress to the Diploma programme for an additional year of study before entering the advanced diploma which opens the pathway to the BA (Hons) Event Management, BA (Hons) International Tourism Management and BA (Hons) Retail Business Management courses. The accredited BA (Hons) degrees will further prepare students to enter Dubai’s tourism sector and contribute towards nurturing a new generation of skilled tourism professionals among both Emiratis and expatriates. Essa Bin Hadher, General Manager of Dubai College of Tourism, commented: “Dubai College of Tourism is pleased to officially commence this unique degree ‘top-up’ programme that will prepare students for entry into the various sectors within the tourism ecosystem.  As the College is …

With Qatar now open for tourism to fully vaccinated travellers, Discover Qatar, the destination management division of Qatar Airways, has partnered with Qatar Airways Holidays and launched specially curated packages to welcome international travellers visiting friends and family in Qatar for a much-awaited reunion. As part of the conditions of entry, the State of Qatar has mandated that all tourist arrivals must have a confirmed hotel reservation. To help meet this requirement, Discover Qatar in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays is offering exclusive deals with significant savings on a range of hotels that will enhance the customer’s family and friends’ experience, helping them make new memories as they reunite in Qatar. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are very proud to be playing our part in the reopening of our country to visitors in the safest way possible and supporting the next step in the development of Qatar’s tourism industry. Surrounded by crystal waters and a unique biodiverse ecosystem, Qatar has so much to offer when it comes to rediscovering nature, stellar architecture and offering a world that is inspired by modernism and traditions alike. “The city and desert tours will allow our passengers to enjoy every step of their journey with us, and we hope many get to experience Qatar’s renowned hospitality, culture and heritage, and the vibrant city of Doha through Discover Qatar’s exclusive packages.” The ‘Family and Friends’ packages start at QAR 1,721 per person and are available for a five, seven, or a ten-night stay at leading, luxury hotels in Qatar such as the Hilton Doha, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort, the Ritz-Carton Doha, Mondrian Doha, the Westin Doha Hotel & …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has issued the updated list of “Green List” destinations. Vaccinated travellers arriving from these destinations will be exempt from mandatory quarantine measures after landing in Abu Dhabi and will be required to undergo PCR testing upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, as well as another PCR test on day 6. Unvaccinated travellers arriving from these countries are exempt from mandatory quarantine but will also need to undergo PCR testing on arrival, as well as two further PCR tests on day 6 and 12. Countries, regions, and territories included within the “Green List” will be regularly updated based on international developments. Inclusion in the list is subject to strict criteria of health and safety to ensure the well-being of the UAE community. The list also only applies to countries travellers are arriving from, rather than citizenship. Please note below the updated “Green List” as of 13 July 2021: Albania Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Belgium Canada China Denmark France Germany Greece Hong Kong (SAR) Hungary Iceland Israel Italy Jordan Malta Mauritius Moldova Netherlands New Zealand Norway Republic of Ireland Romania Saudi Arabia Serbia Seychelles Singapore South Korea Sweden Switzerland Taiwan, Province of China Turkmenistan United States of America Vatican City More information on the “Green List” can be found on www.visitabudhabi.com. DCT Abu Dhabi will also continue to issue updates on the list and overall travel status in the coming months.

The much-anticipated Fairmont Taghazout Bay opened its doors on July 9, 2021. Located in the iconic bay of Taghazout, renowned for its golden sand beaches, azure waters and extraordinary sunsets, the resort is located only 17 kilometers from Agadir. Stretching on 18-hectares of beachfront land, Fairmont Taghazout Bay boasts of 146 rooms, suites and villas all offering magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. The resort exudes an architecture that combines sophistication and authenticity, inspired by the fullness of a serene oasis. Its aesthetic design draws from a register of semi-nomadic codes inspired by Amazigh culture to create a space of well-being by the ocean, ideal for welcoming guests to a sensory journey in the heart of nature. Blending in naturally with its sand colored backdrop, the design was completed by American company HKS, in partnership with Moroccan architect Mr. Abdessamad Achrai. Beyond the heartfelt service and the unforgettable experience embodied by the Fairmont brand, Fairmont Taghazout Bay will offer a range of gastronomic concepts as refined as they are inventive. The establishment has four restaurants, two themed bars and a tea lounge, offering a rich and diversified experience with a unique panorama of the Atlantic coast and its breathtaking sunsets. The Commons invites modern gastronomy with nomadic concepts to start the day on a gourmet note. Beef & Reef reinvents the Surf and Turf concept based on ocean flavors and local Moroccan products. Nola, the Jazz Bar embodies symbolic infusion of local Gnawa Music with Jazz in a unique setting. Lastly, the signature Japanese restaurant symbolizes legendary cuisine with innovative techniques offering a mix of Japanese and American influences. Juniper offers an outdoor Bar experience in the heart of the …

The State of Qatar has re-opened its borders to international travellers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with vaccines that are approved for use by the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar. A new streamlined set of measures designed to make travelling to Qatar as easy as possible, while maintaining the necessary precautions to continue to protect against the spread of COVID-19, has been implemented and is effective immediately. The new measures will allow people who are fully vaccinated to visit Qatar without the need for quarantine. The new arrangements will also make it easier for citizens and residents of Qatar to travel in and out of the country, enabling fully vaccinated people to bypass the quarantine requirement when returning to Qatar. All visitors – vaccinated or non-vaccinated – will be required to undertake a PCR test up to 72 hours prior to travel. However, travellers are advised to check the entry requirements of the country they are travelling from and will return to from Qatar, before booking any flights and should understand that those policies can change with very little notice. In order to visit Qatar – international visitors, citizens and residents – must register and upload required documentation such as a vaccination certificate, valid PCR test up to 72 hours prior to travel, and personal details through the ‘Ehteraz’ website (www.ehteraz.gov.qa). Travellers have to apply for the authorization through the ‘Ehteraz’ website (free of charge), at least 12 hours before their planned departure to Qatar. All in-bound travellers are advised to submit their application as soon as they have all their required documentation, to ensure they can board their flights as planned. Airlines are advised to only …

Air India Express announced the addition of a new destination Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The carrier Air India Express effective 15 July 2021 will connect Jeddah with Kozhikode and Lucknow. The service is scheduled to be operational with our fleet of Boeing 737 aircrafts. Departure from Jeddah to Kozhikode will be at 11:00 local time and arrival at 19:20 local time on Thursday and Saturday. Departure from Jeddah to Lucknow will be at 1120 local time and arrival at 19:30 local time on Friday and Sunday. Current Schedule valid till 18 July 2021 Jeddah – Kozhikode flight IX1398 departs 11:00 and arrives 19:20 on Thursday and Saturday. The flight connecting Jeddah – Lucknow flight IX1198 departs 11:20 and arrives 19:30 on Friday and Sunday.

It was recently announced that Sun Siyam Resorts regional office will be opened in Dubai, which will enable the hospitality group to tap into the GCC market following a rise in travel as we near the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Since opening its first resort over 20 years ago, Sun Siyam Resorts have grown to own and manage five luxury private island properties in the Maldives and a boutique beach retreat on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. Each resort is unique, but what unites them all is the genuine warmth and heartfelt hospitality of their people, many of whom have been with the hospitality group from the beginning. Previous Emirates Holidays’ Product and Contracting Manager, Manica Radjou, speaks on the “exciting opportunity that this new office will bring by opening many doors for the resort, attracting a new demographic and customer base within the UAE and Middle East.” Stepping in as Director of the Dubai office, Radjou has the experience needed to take the Sun Siyam Resorts to new heights within the GCC. Beginning with the intent to promote inbound tourism to the Maldives, Sun Siyam Travels was established in 1990, founded by Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, the Chairman and Managing Director of the Group. The opening of a Dubai based office will allow the company to begin expanding their operation globally with attentive focus on the GCC region to gain market share for its portfolio. Sun Siyam Resorts, has announced that Siyam World, their fifth property in the Maldives, a stand-alone brand in its collection is due to open on 28th October 2021 – a revolutionary resort, located on a stunning natural island nestled in the Noonu Atoll …