Marriott Bonvoy and Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More announced a new global partnership, uniting two of the world’s most trusted travel loyalty programmes. This collaboration aims to enhance the travel experience for millions of members by offering expanded benefits, streamlined connectivity, and more rewarding journeys. Under the new agreement, members of both programs will enjoy increased opportunities to earn and redeem points and miles across a broad portfolio of hotels and airlines, reflecting a joint commitment to quality, consistency, and global reach. This strategic alliance highlights both brands’ focus on creating meaningful travel experiences and delivering added value to their loyal customers. The partnership is set to roll out new integrated features in the coming months, making it easier for travelers to enjoy seamless perks across both hospitality and aviation sectors. The announcement comes as travel rebounds globally and loyalty programs play a growing role in consumer decision-making. Both companies have emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation in shaping the future of travel.

Turkish Airlines has expanded its Southern Europe network with the addition of Seville, one of Spain’s most prominent tourism hubs. With this launch, Seville becomes the airline’s sixth destination in Spain, joining Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, and Bilbao. Starting 17 September 2025, Turkish Airlines began to operate daily flights between İstanbul Airport and Seville Airport, providing passengers with more travel options and enhancing regional connectivity. The new route aims to strengthen tourism and business ties between Turkey and Spain. Known as the heart of Andalusia, Seville is celebrated for its rich heritage, stunning architecture, and renowned Andalusian cuisine. Its cultural significance, stretching from ancient times to the Umayyad civilisation, makes it a prime destination for travellers seeking history, culture, and gastronomy. Commenting on the launch, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, said: “We are delighted to offer our passengers a new travel option with the launch of our Seville flights. Through our strategically located homebase in İstanbul, we will continue bridging cultures and continents worldwide, while creating new opportunities for tourism and business.” The new Seville flights further strengthen Turkish Airlines’ commitment to expanding its global network and connecting passengers to key destinations across Europe and beyond.

Jamaica has officially launched a new era in tourism, welcoming 160 global buyers from regions including the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Europe to JAPEX 2025. The event signals a fresh path forward for the island’s tourism sector, centered on innovation, inclusivity, and a powerful new “local first” approach. Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Hon.Edmund Bartlett praised Nicola Madden-Greig for her leadership in helping the Caribbean achieve the fastest tourism recovery post-COVID. He also emphasised the role of tourism as a key driver of the economy, powering growth and opportunity across Jamaica. “This is the year of new thinking in tourism,” said Minister Bartlett. “We want to make the next five years a time of serious growth, development, and inclusive tourism. We aim to deepen local involvement in the rich and lucrative tourism value chain, so that tourism works even more for the people of Jamaica.”  He reiterated that new policies and legislation will support this “local first” vision, with global partners playing a key role in making tourism more beneficial for Jamaicans than ever before. With tourism expected to reach 3 billion travellers by 2035, Jamaica is preparing to rewrite tourism.

Emirates has officially unveiled its fully retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft in South Africa, marking a regional first with the introduction of its highly praised Premium Economy cabin. Now flying to both Cape Town and Johannesburg, the upgraded aircraft reflects Emirates’ continued commitment to delivering world-class travel experiences and strengthening ties with South Africa as it celebrates 30 years of service in the country. Key aviation and tourism leaders, including officials from Wesgro and the South African Civil Aviation Authority, joined Emirates for a guided tour of the aircraft. The refreshed Boeing 777 features four revamped cabin classes: First Class Suites, a redesigned Business Class with a 1-2-1 layout, the all-new Premium Economy, and enhanced Economy Class. The Premium Economy cabin, making its African debut, offers luxurious touches including wide leather seats, generous legroom, footrests, 13.3-inch screens, and exclusive inflight amenities—delivering a Business Class-like experience at accessible fares. This rollout is part of Emirates’ ambitious $5 billion retrofit program, one of the largest in aviation history, aiming to upgrade 219 aircraft. With 67 aircraft already completed, the initiative underscores Emirates’ goal to elevate comfort, design, and service standards across its global fleet.

Shiji and Amadeus announced a new partnership to offer hotel companies a full range of technology solutions in one place. This includes Property Management Systems (PMS), Point of Sale (POS), Central Reservation Systems (CRS), and tools for sales, catering, and operations. Shiji, known for its fast-growing PMS and support for food and beverage outlets worldwide, is joining forces with Amadeus, a well-respected name in travel technology. Together, they will share one image database and provide smooth, reliable service to make hotel operations easier. This partnership is more than just connecting systems. It’s about working together to give hotels the best technology and support they need to operate well and serve their guests better. By combining their strengths, Shiji and Amadeus aim to help hotels run more smoothly and deliver better experiences with trusted technology and service.  

Visit Oman has announced the launch of its new trade partner travel course in partnership with OTT – Online Travel Training. The course will be available free of charge for one year to over 93,000 registered travel agents globally. This initiative is designed to boost awareness of Oman as a top travel destination and support the digital growth of the country’s tourism sector. By offering easy access to in-depth knowledge about Oman, Visit Oman aims to increase registrations on its platform and promote travel products from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the nation. The online course covers key topics such as “A Glimpse of Oman,” “Seasons,” “Culture & Heritage,” “Travel Tips,” the “Visit Oman Booking Engine,” and “How to Sell Oman as a Destination.” These lessons provide travel agents with the information they need to confidently market Oman to their clients and drive more bookings. Visit Oman hopes that this course will help position the country as a preferred travel destination while empowering the global travel trade with the tools to sell Oman more effectively. Travel agents can register now to take advantage of this unique learning opportunity

TUI Group and Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) announced a landmark partnership to position Oman as a leading sun-and-beach destination for European travellers. The alliance aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to diversify the economy and strengthen the tourism sector as a key pillar of growth. Under the agreement, the first cluster of five new hotels will be developed in the Dhofar Governorate. Operated under renowned TUI brands including ROBINSON, TUI Blue, RIU, Jaz, and The Mora, the properties are expected to welcome international guests starting from the winter of 2028. As part of the collaboration, OMRAN Group will acquire a 1.4% strategic shareholding in TUI Group, reinforcing a shared commitment to long-term, sustainable tourism development. Both partners emphasised that the joint venture would follow the highest sustainability standards, integrating economic, social, and cultural dimensions to ensure tourism growth benefits local communities and businesses. The initiative is expected to generate new employment opportunities, expand hospitality infrastructure, and increase Oman’s visibility on the global tourism map.

Air Arabia will increase its flight frequency between Sharjah and Phuket to three flights per day starting 15 December 2025. The expansion comes in response to strong and growing demand for travel to Phuket, one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations. The additional flights aim to provide passengers with greater flexibility and convenience while reinforcing Air Arabia’s presence in the Thai market. In addition to Phuket, Air Arabia also operates non-stop flights from Sharjah to Bangkok and Krabi, strengthening its network coverage across Thailand. The increased connectivity supports both tourism and business travel between the UAE and Thailand. Air Arabia operates a fleet of 83 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, offering value-added services such as SkyTime, its in-flight streaming platform, and SkyCafe, the onboard menu. Passengers can also benefit from the airline’s Air Rewards loyalty program. Tickets for the expanded Sharjah–Phuket flights are now available for booking via Air Arabia’s website, call centre, or travel agencies, providing travellers more options for convenient and affordable connections between the UAE and Thailand.

Visit Qatar has launched its new Winter in Qatar 2026 campaign, inviting travellers from across the GCC to explore the country’s vibrant winter season filled with culture, adventure, and family experiences. The campaign highlights Qatar’s top attractions, from desert safaris in Sealine to the luxury of Zulal Wellness Resort and the cultural heart of Katara. Visitors can also enjoy shopping at Place Vendôme, exploring Msheireb Downtown, and indulging at the Qatar International Food Festival. Building on the success of the Moments Made For You campaign, this edition focuses on creating unforgettable moments for all types of travellers—heritage seekers, adventure enthusiasts, luxury lovers, and families. The first promotional video, released today, stars Kuwaiti actor and content creator Khaled Abdullah Al Mouzaffar experiencing thrilling desert adventures and the energy of UFC Fight Night. More videos will follow, featuring regional creators such as Farah, Aqeel, and Lebanese entrepreneur Karen Wazen, along with their families.  With visa-free entry for GCC citizens and easy access by air or land, Qatar is positioning itself as the ultimate winter destination for the region.

Etihad Airways announced direct flights to Damascus, Syria, starting June 2026. The new route meets growing demand from travellers in the UAE and GCC seeking convenient access to the historic Syrian capital, while also offering Syrians direct connections to Abu Dhabi. Service to Damascus will operate four times a week on Etihad’s Airbus A320 aircraft, featuring eight Business seats and 150 Economy seats, combining comfort, convenience, and the airline’s renowned hospitality. Passengers can also benefit from seamless onward connections through Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to destinations across Etihad’s global network. The new flights strengthen social and cultural ties between the UAE and Syria, providing greater connectivity for families, communities, and travellers across the region. Damascus marks the 28th new destination announced by Etihad in the past year, as the airline continues its rapid expansion. Passenger numbers have grown over 80% compared to 2022, with the airline on track to reach 38 million passengers annually by 2030.