flyadeal has launched its summer seasonal flying programme with the return of popular destinations in Egypt, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The fast-growing Saudi low-cost airline welcomes back the Egyptian holiday resort of Sharm El Sheikh; the Turkish hot spot of Trabzon; Baku and Tbilisi, the capital cities of Azerbaijan and Georgia respectively; and the cultural city of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzogovina, to its summer network. Saudi Arabia’s youngest and region’s fastest growing low-cost airline is operating a total of 10 routes across the five summer destinations from bases in Riyadh and Jeddah over a 10-week period during the holiday season. With cooler climes than the intense summer heat of the Kingdom, the seasonal additions provide a great retreat for families and independent travellers during the busy two months ahead. Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive Officer, said: “With the summer holiday rush getting into full swing, we are delighted to reintroduce our popular seasonal services for a third consecutive summer flying programme. We look forward to welcoming back our seasoned travellers and first-time passengers to these exciting destinations for a short break or longer holiday.” The seasonal capacity comes on top of flyadeal’s recently-introduced year-round scheduled services from the Kingdom to Alexandria and Assiut in Egypt; and Istanbul’s second airport of Sabiha Gökçen. flyadeal has been catapulted into the region’s fastest growing airline with a current fleet of 39 Airbus A320 family aircraft serving over 30 seasonal and year-round destinations in Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Europe, North Africa and South Asia. The airline is set to more than triple in size in fleet and destinations served by 2030. Tickets are bookable via flyadeal’s Mobile App, website www.flyadeal.com and through travel …

Qatar Tourism, through the Academy of Service Excellence, has launched a new training programme titled ‘The Art of Hospitality at Reception Desks’. The program, which was launched on 9 July 2025, aims to train 400 frontline employees in hotels rated four stars and below. The program responds to the needs of this vital sector and offers an intensive two-day training course focused on developing guest skills, enhancing cultural sensitivity, and improving operational efficiency. 84 participants from the first batch successfully completed the program and received accredited certificates. This initiative is part of Qatar Tourism’s strategy for service excellence and contributes to achieving the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030 by promoting professional development and raising service standards in the tourism sector.

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) announced the signing of Holiday Inn Resort Bodrum West Beach, in partnership with Uslu Turizm Insaat Tasimacilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. Expected to open in mid-2026, the 460-room resort will strengthen IHG’s position within the Turkish leisure segment, by providing a new offering with resort-style amenities in Bodrum. The signing follows the success of IHG’s first Holiday Inn Resort property, Holiday Inn Resort Bodrum, and adds to a growing portfolio of 33 open hotels in Turkiye and a further 17 in development. Underscoring the brands commitment to family-friendly hospitality, the hotel will offer guests a large resort-style pool, sandy beach, spa, bar, conference area and more, all while enjoying the stunning views of the Aegean Sea. Located in one of the world’s most renowned tourist destinations, Holiday Inn Resort Bodrum West Beach will place guests in close proximity to a wealth of popular attractions, beaches, and the area’s vibrant nightlife. Ideally situated near Turgutreis Marina along the Aegean coast of Bodrum, guests will also have access to yachting and leisure boating opportunities, with and easily travel to nearby Greek Islands, including Kos, making it the perfect base for exploration and relaxation. As one of the most recognised brands in the world, Holiday Inn champions meaningful connections for all, offering a warm, welcome and consistent experience, with each hotel delivering genuine hospitality with personal service. (Mrs) Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “As one of the most sought-after destinations in Bodrum, Turgutreis benefits from both international and local leisure travellers. The strategic location of Holiday Inn Resort Bodrum West Beach therefore allows us to capitalise on growth opportunities by introducing the right …

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) has officially relaunched its #WithinOman campaign in collaboration with the National Travel Operator (Visit Oman)  to stimulate domestic tourism, encourage exploration of Oman’s diverse destinations, and celebrate the rich cultural and natural heritage of the Sultanate of Oman. Running until the end of August, the campaign presents a wide range of exclusive staycation packages and curated experiences across OMRAN Group’s hospitality assets and experiences. This year’s campaign features discounts on room stays, food and beverages, complimentary child stays, and engaging adventure, heritage, and wellness experiences. Through Visit Oman’s leading-edge digital booking platform, visitors can now easily plan their complete travel itineraries with just one click — offering ultimate convenience and flexibility for travellers within and outside the Sultanate of Oman. More than just a seasonal offer, the #WithinOman campaign aims to reinforce Oman’s position as a compelling year-round tourism destination and enrich domestic tourism; it also contributes to enhancing travel itineraries, turning every journey into a personalized, immersive, and fulfilling experience. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with OMRAN Group on the rollout of the summer campaign, marking a significant milestone in expanding Visit Oman’s leading-edge digital booking platform. Now serving both trade partners and travelers, the platform delivers a seamless user experience with dynamic product offerings — all just a click away. This initiative underscores the group’s shared commitment to advancing national efforts that boost domestic tourism and celebrate Oman’s extraordinary diversity, from the dramatic fjords of Musandam to the lush Khareef landscapes of Dhofar,” said Shabib Al Maamari, Managing Director of Visit Oman. Participating hotels and resorts include iconic properties such as Al Bustan Palace, W Muscat, JW Marriott Muscat, Crowne Plaza OCEC, Atana Musandam, …

flynas has launched a dedicated check-in counter for children and their families, making it the first and leading family-friendly airline in Saudi Arabia by creating a fun, stress-free, and engaging travel experience for kids and their families as part of flynas’s commitment to inclusivity in travel and serving all segments of society. Under the slogan “Make Them the Stars of the Journey”, the first check-in counter located at King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, in the domestic terminal has been inaugurated for the first phase. It has been designed to enhance the overall customer experience, featuring a dedicated area for children during the check-in process that offers a range of engaging activities tailored to families. The pioneering initiative offers a custom-built, child-height counter with colorful branding and visuals of Fernas mascot. The area features branded barriers with fun illustrations and welcoming signage designed to greet children. Flynas-trained staff offer warm, playful interactions and personalized service tailored to families. Additionally, kids are privileged with customized boarding passes, specifically designed for children. flynas is committed to inclusivity in travel and serving all segments of society in line with its growth and expansion plan, launched under the title “We Connect the World to the Kingdom”, in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030, and with the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques. flynas operates 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations in 30 countries with more than 2000 weekly flights …

Etihad Airways is set to enhance its Kolkata service with the introduction of the next-generation Airbus A321LR, reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market. Starting 26 September 2025, all Etihad flights between Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata (CCU) will be operated by the state-of-the-art A321LR, offering guests an upgraded travel experience across all cabin classes. The aircraft is equipped with luxury First Suites, fully lie-flat Business seats, and a cutting-edge Economy class featuring ultra-modern 4K touchscreens and high-speed Wi-Fi, ensuring seamless connectivity throughout the journey. The Airbus A321LR is designed to bring wide-body comfort to a single-aisle aircraft, offering enhanced space, privacy, and premium amenities. The First Suites provide an exclusive experience with forward-facing fully-flat beds in a 1-1 configuration, while Business Class features 14 lie-flat seats, ensuring maximum comfort on medium-haul routes. Economy Class passengers will enjoy next-generation seating, complete with advanced in-flight entertainment and connectivity, making every journey more enjoyable. Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, said: “India is a key market for Etihad, and we are delighted to elevate our Kolkata service with our latest A321LR aircraft. With this upgrade, our guests can now enjoy a superior travel experience, whether in our luxurious First Suites, Business Class lie-flat seats, or next-generation Economy cabin. This investment underlines our ongoing commitment to providing world-class service and greater connectivity across the Indian subcontinent.” The new A321LR aircraft brings enhanced efficiency and comfort, making Etihad the premier choice for travellers between Abu Dhabi and Kolkata. The airline continues to strengthen its footprint in India, offering passengers greater access to Etihad’s growing global network. For bookings and more information, visit etihad.com.

As part of its ongoing commitment to innovation and investing in the latest technologies, flydubai has partnered with emaratech to implement smart border control solutions for its pilots and cabin crew. Located at the carrier’s Airport Operations Centre, the new smart gates utilise advanced biometric technology, AI-driven verification and real-time data integration to streamline immigration processes. This provides a faster and more efficient immigration experience for its flight operations, supporting the carrier’s commitment to operational efficiency, especially during busy travel periods. His Excellency Thani Alzaffin, Group Chief Executive Officer of emaratech, said: “we are proud to partner with flydubai in pioneering a next-generation, paperless immigration experience for their crew members. Through the integration of AI-powered facial recognition technology, our smart gates seamlessly connect with both flydubai’s and immigration’s platforms, enabling real-time validation and a truly frictionless journey.” “This initiative reflects emaratech’s continued commitment to redefining border control processes—making them smarter, faster, and more secure. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, we are shaping a future where innovation drives convenience and trust at every checkpoint. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with flydubai across future initiatives that further enhance the travel experience for both passengers and crew,” added Alzaffin. Mohammed Hareb AlMheiri, Chief Procurement & Technology Officer at flydubai, said: “we are pleased to have partnered with emaratech to implement this innovative solution for our pilots and cabin crew. We always look for opportunities to harness the latest technologies that support our growth and operational efficiencies and with the introduction of these biometric smart gates, this marks another step towards fostering a more seamless, punctual and secure operation as we future-proof our systems.” The carrier continues to invest in technologies …

IDeaS announced a new partnership with Elaf Group for the implementation of IDeaS’ G3 Revenue Management System across an initial four hotels in the Elaf Group portfolio. With this agreement, IDeaS continues to expand its footprint in Saudi Arabia whose ambitious Vision 2030 goals include 362,000 new hotels rooms by 2030 under the Kingdom’s US$110 billion hospitality expansion initiative. Currently, IDeaS’ solutions have been implemented in 144 hotels across the Kingdom, with strong and growing demand projected for the future. Elaf Group is preparing to double the size of its hotel portfolio in the coming years. By partnering with IDeaS, they will be able to scale their operations effectively and optimize their revenue strategies. The partnership will enable Elaf Group to leverage advanced data-driven insights, enhance their decision-making processes, and ultimately achieve their growth objectives more efficiently. The Group Pricing capabilities of G3 RMS, with its ability to quickly determine a group’s entire value and the value of any potential business being displaced, are a key component of Elaf Group’s decision to partner with IDeas. As hotels in Madinah rely heavily on both pilgrimage-driven groups and leisure business, the ability to accept the most profitable business is crucial. Balancing their demand needs helps hotels optimize occupancy and revenue, ensuring sustainable growth and guest satisfaction. Mohamed Abbas, Commercial & Revenue Director at Elaf Group said: “We have chosen IDeaS because of their system’s accurate forecasting capabilities, strong pricing tools and inventory controls that can all be managed by a small, centralized team. IDeaS is a reliable partner who will help us drive the revenue growth needed for us to continue our planned expansion in Saudi Arabia.” Ibrahim Saba, Principal Sales Director – Europe, …

Emirates has deployed its retrofitted Boeing 777 on flights EK656/657 and EK660/661 between Dubai and Malé. Services on the enhanced aircraft, featuring newly configured and refreshed cabins throughout, include the highly-acclaimed Premium Economy offering for an elevated travel experience. Emirates will also deploy its retrofitted four-class Boeing 777 on flights EK650/651 operating between Dubai and Colombo from 18 July, becoming the airline’s second daily flight in Sri Lanka to feature Premium Economy seats. Currently, over 40 destinations in Emirates’ expansive network offer Premium Economy. Travellers from select points offering Premium Economy and planning trips to the Maldives or Sri Lanka can book their entire journey and enjoy the comfort and elevated experience along the way. Emirates’ flight EK656 departs from Dubai at 02:30 hrs and arrives in Malé at 07:40 hrs. The return flight EK657 departs from Malé at 09:15 hrs and arrives in Dubai at 12:15hrs. Emirates’ other daily service to the Maldives with four cabin classes, flight EK660, departs from Dubai at 10:10 hrs and arrives in Malé at 15:30 hrs. The return flight EK661 departs from Malé at 18:25 hrs and arrives in Dubai at 21:25 hrs. Emirates’ flight EK650 to Colombo departs from Dubai at 02:40 hrs and arrives at the destination at 08:35 hrs. The return flight EK651 departs from Colombo at 10:05 hrs and arrives in Dubai at 12:55 hrs. All times are local. Tickets to both destinations can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents as well as at Emirates retail stores. Emirates operates four daily flights to Malé, three of which are served with the retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft. The airline will also now serve customers traveling to Sri Lanka with …

Hilton announced the signing of Diyar Ajwa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, in partnership with Al Musbah Group – marking the debut of the lifestyle Tapestry Collection brand in Saudi Arabia. Expected to open later in 2025, the new signing reinforces Hilton’s continued expansion in the Kingdom and adds to its growing presence in one of the world’s most significant religious tourism destinations. With this addition, Hilton remains on track to reach its milestone of 100 hotels trading and in the pipeline across Saudi Arabia. Strategically located north of the central Haram area in Madinah, Diyar Ajwa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, will offer direct pedestrian access and views of Al Masjid Al Nabawi, providing guests with a convenient and comfortable stay. The property will benefit from strong transport links, including proximity to Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport and connectivity via the Haramain High-Speed Rail, which links Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah. Mohammed Almusbahi, Director, Al Musbah Group, commented: “We are proud to partner once again with Hilton to introduce the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton in the Kingdom. With its unique identity rooted in local heritage, this hotel will offer visitors and pilgrims an authentic and memorable stay in the heart of Madinah. Our continued collaboration with Hilton reflects our shared vision to support the Kingdom’s hospitality goals and deliver world-class offerings across key cities.” The hotel will offer 221 guest rooms and suites, along with an all-day dining restaurant, a café, and a fitness centre. The property’s design narrative will be inspired by the revered Ajwa date, grown exclusively in Madinah, adding a rich cultural touch to the guest experience. Carlos Khneisser, chief development officer, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, …