The partnership with World Travel Market, 6-8th November, will turn the spotlight on Morocco. The Premier Partnership announcement comes as Morocco experiences growth in its tourism activity, aiming to double the number of incoming tourists to 26 million by 2030, elevating Morocco as a leading leisure destination to the world’s travel trade. It is already known that Morocco’s presence at World Travel Market London will focus on the “Morocco, Kingdom of Light” international campaign of the Moroccan National Tourism Office. Launched in April 2022, this campaign was designed to inspire a new generation of traveller, showcasing the attractions and experiences of a “contemporary and dynamic” nation. World Travel Market, the most influential travel and tourism event in the world, provides the perfect opportunity for Morocco to demonstrate its efforts in joining the league of highly favoured destinations. Morocco’s relationship with WTM spans far beyond Premier Partner of the flagship London event, as the destination has also seen tremendous success participating in ATM, ILTM, IBTM, IFTM, and IGTM. The Moroccan National Tourism Office is relying on commercial events to boost the activity of all Moroccan tourism professionals. Adel El Fakir, General Director of the Moroccan National Tourism Office, said “Our presence at WTM London will be an excellent showcase to further boost the attractiveness of the Moroccan tourism destination. We will thus be in the heart of the action when tourism professionals from around the world come up with new products for 2024 and beyond, and we will also be at the forefront in terms of communication and promotion of the country.” Juliette Losardo, Exhibition Director at World Travel Market London, said “We are thrilled to announce Morocco as Premier Partner …

Sunway Resort Hotel at Sunway City Kuala Lumpur is inviting families to experience a fun-filled vacation with an attractive new package that includes outstanding accommodation in its brand-new family rooms and suites, plus plenty of amenities and activities to keep little ones inspired and entertained. “The Ultimate Kids Vacation” package offers two adults and two children an unforgettable two-day (one-night) stay in a Waterventure Terrace or Family Fun Suite, including welcome amenities for young guests, daily buffet breakfast, free kids’ meals at The Resort Café’s buffet lunch, complimentary access to Wonderland Explorers and Waterventure, plus afternoon tea, evening cocktails and canapés at the Premium Leisure Lounge. Sunway Pals members will also be treated to five times points! Package is priced at MYR 1,799++ for stays from 21st April until 30th September 2023. Following the hotel’s recent once-in-a-generation transformation, Sunway Resort Hotel offers a choice of bright and spacious accommodation that intuitively caters to families. The new Waterventure Terrace rooms offer 45 square metres of space for two adults and two children, kids’ bath amenities, bathrobe and slippers, and a terrace which provides direct access to Waterventure, the resort’s aqua play zone where children can make a splash in shallow pools and a water playground. For action-packed stays, the 45-square metre Family Fun Suites are colourful and uplifting spaces that can comfortably sleep two adults and two children, with two IPTVs and a separate entertainment zone including karaoke, gaming consoles, big screen entertainment and complimentary kids’ snacks and sweets. Every room at Sunway Resort Hotel is also now integrated with state-of-the-art technology including a 55-inch IPTV, complimentary Wi-Fi, smart curtains, motion sensor night light, wireless chargers, a walk-in chromotherapy shower and …

The Department of Tourism (DOT) foresees a robust recovery for Philippines Tourism, underpinned by the encouraging figures in the Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts (PTSA) for 2022, as compiled by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The Tourism Direct Gross Value Added share of tourism to the Philippine economy, as measured by the GDP, was estimated at 6.2 per cent for 2022. The TDGVA last year amounted to PHP 1.38 trillion, 36.9 per cent higher as compared with the PHP 1.00 trillion in 2021. Internal tourism expenditure, combining inbound and domestic tourism expenditure, saw a growth last year, tallying PHP 1.87 trillion in 2022, a 131.2 per cent growth from the PHP 810 billion in 2021. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco noted the DOT’s commitment to sustain last year’s gains through its seven-point agenda to be pursued by the Marco’s administration. “We are elated by the figures enclosed in the 2022 Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts. We ascribe last year’s gains to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr., vision, which inspired the DOT, and all players making up the tourism value chain and allowed the Philippines to achieve greater heights,” Secretary Frasco said. “As we continue to ride the wave of travel resurgence coming out of COVID, we in the DOT, acknowledge the initiatives to make the Philippine Tourism sustainable and resilient for the next several years,” she added. The 2022 PTSA showed inbound tourism expenditure posted the growth out of the different forms of tourism expenditure, recording PHP 368.67 billion last year compared with PHP 27.63 billion in 2021. Inbound tourism expenditure, referring to the expenditure of non-resident visitors or those foreign and Filipinos permanently residing abroad, contributed 5.9 per cent to …

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) signed a pioneering Memorandum of Understanding with Mastercard to form a “Digital City Partnership” to further accelerate the emirate’s economic growth in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. A global first at a city level, the strategic alliance paves the way for Dubai to harness Mastercard’s multi-rail payments network and data-driven digital commerce technology, which connects over 100 million merchants globally across all sectors and segments to address key priorities of the D33 Agenda. The MoU will lead to the development and implementation of a multi-year Digital Partnership programme in Dubai, focusing on: Enabling growth of trade and exports: The collaboration aims to enable new international trade opportunities for businesses and expand export capabilities, leveraging Mastercard’s expertise in facilitating secure and efficient payment transactions. Developing SMEs and enabling innovation: The partnership will prioritise the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), providing them with digital tools, resources, and mentorship to foster innovation, competitiveness, and sustainability. Attracting and developing talent: Dubai and Mastercard will work together to attract and nurture Emirati and global talents in the digital sector, fostering the development of a skilled workforce equipped with the capabilities necessary to drive the city’s digital economy forward. Accelerating growth across the tourism ecosystem: The Digital City Partnership aims to leverage digital technologies to further enhance Dubai’s tourism industry. Implementing innovative payment solutions and improving visitor experiences will support Dubai’s vision to become a top-three global destination for visitors across leisure, business and specialised services. The visionary commitment of Dubai’s leadership, coupled with the depth and magnitude of this digital partnership, provides a conducive environment to deliver scalable and inclusive use-cases …

Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated Icon of the Seas is in ship shape. The all-new vacation reached the next construction milestone after successfully completing its initial round of sea trials and sailing the open ocean for the first time. Icon returned to the Meyer Turku shipyard, where it is under construction, after four days of preliminary tests on a lineup of its latest technologies and equipment. From the main engines to the hull, to the brake system, to steering as well as noise and vibration levels, the hundreds of workers on board covered an extensive check list of key technical areas. Between preparations and the trials, the important step in the journey to bring Icon to life involved more than 2,000 specialists, hundreds of miles traveled, four 37- to 67-ton tugboats and more than 350 hours of work. Next up will be a second round of sea trials later this year, which will be when the first Icon Class ship is pushed to its limits ahead of its debut in Miami in January 2024. As the first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation, Icon will introduce a new era of vacations for years to come. From the resort getaway to the beach escape and theme park adventure, every type of family and kind of adventurer can make memories together and on their own terms without compromise across record-breaking thrills, relaxing ways to chill, a neighborhood designed for young families, more than 40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained, and more. Icon will sail 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami all year. Vacationers on board will island hop from destinations like Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island destination, …

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced the upcoming opening of Ramada Encore by Wyndham Al Khobar Corniche, further cementing its presence and growth plans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in the heart of Al Khobar – one of the key leisure and commercial destinations in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province – and close to its renowned corniche, the new hotel is expected to open in August and will allow guests to immerse themselves in the vibrant city centre atmosphere or soak up stunning coastal views. With 79 well-appointed rooms spread across 12 floors, the property will feature modern interiors that reflect the brand’s fresh, approachable, and vibrant core attributes. Ramada Encore by Wyndham Al Khobar Corniche adds to Wyndham’s portfolio of 13 operational hotels in the country under the Wyndham Garden, Ramada, Ramada Encore, Howard Johnson, Hawthorn Suites and Super 8 by Wyndham brands. The latest opening in Saudi Arabia builds on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts strong foothold across the Middle East and Africa with almost 70 hotels and a development pipeline of more than 25 additional properties across the region. The hospitality industry is one of most promising sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with its Vision 2030 goal of attracting 100 million tourists by 2030. Panos Loupasis, Market Managing Director for Türkiye, the Middle East and Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said: “Ramada Encore by Wyndham Al Khobar Corniche embodies the brand’s ethos of contemporary comfort and warm hospitality. This latest opening marks an important step in our expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where we recently re-introduced direct franchising and management rights for our Ramada brand and are investing in local resources to …

SalamAir inaugurated its first direct flights to the city of Almaty in the Republic of Kazakhstan, twice a week, on Saturdays and Wednesdays, with its latest Airbus aircraft. His Excellency Najmuddin Muhammad Ali, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Sultanate of Oman, said that the opening of this destination will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, especially economic and tourism, explaining, “We are counting on this historic step, as it is the first scheduled flight between the two countries.” In a statement to the Omani News Agency, the ambassador expressed his hope that this destination would contribute to activating tourism, business growth and other fields between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Kazakhstan. For his part, Dr. Anwar bin Muhammad Al-Rawas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Salam Air Company, indicated that choosing the destination of Al-Maati comes based on studies and reading the market and tourism data due to its tourism potentials that made it an attractive destination for many tourists, expressing the company’s aspiration to expand its fleet to various Local, regional and international destinations according to a strategy based on real professional foundations. Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir, explained that this destination will continue throughout the year and is expected to attract many tourists and residents in both countries, noting that the company has now started operating two weekly flights in the hope of increasing it during the next stage. The CEO of SalamAir added that the destination also came within the framework of SalamAir’s operational vision aimed at reaching new tourist destinations that were not previously available to travelers, and giving travelers more travel options at …

SAUDIA has launched its first direct flight to its new international destination Birmingham, United Kingdom in collaboration with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP). The program was launched in 2021 to support tourism growth in the Kingdom by enhancing air connectivity and developing existing and prospective air routes, connecting Saudi Arabia to new destinations. Manal Alshehri, Vice President of Passenger Sales at SAUDIA said: “We are proud to be expanding our operations in the United Kingdom and continue to regularly offer new destinations to our guests. The United Kingdom is a very important destination for SAUDIA, and the launch of new direct flights to and from Birmingham highlights the strengthening of relations between our two countries. We’re also very grateful for the continuous support from the Air Connectivity Program, which enables us to continue to grow as we work towards our objective to bring the world to Saudi Arabia.” Sultan Otaify, Vice President of Strategy and Communication at ACP said: “In collaboration with ACP, SAUDIA has launched a direct flight to Birmingham, a city steeped in history and a renowned hub of the Industrial Revolution. As this new route becomes part of the growing air network facilitated by ACP, it significantly contributes to the flourishing tourism between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. It is through such bilateral initiatives that we witness the positive trajectory of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom’s relationship, as both countries strive to simplify and streamline travel processes. ACP is committed to empowering carriers in their efforts to unlock new destinations and travel experiences that showcase the rich cultural heritage and diverse attractions of Saudi Arabia.’’ The inaugural SAUDIA flight going from Jeddah to Birmingham (SV …

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and FIFA have confirmed that all matches during the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023™ will take place in the city of Jeddah. The decision was made following a FIFA delegation visit to Jeddah to assess ongoing preparations for the tournament, which takes place from 12-22 December 2023. It will be the first time the FIFA Club World Cup™ is held in Saudi Arabia. Yasser Al Misehal, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, said: “We are delighted that Jeddah, with its state-of-the-art facilities and reputation for hosting major international sports events, has been selected as host city for the FIFA Club World Cup. Sport is a key driver of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation under Vision 2030, which has established the Kingdom as one of the fastest growing and most exciting countries in world sport.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R) with Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Al Misehal during FIFA President Gianni Infantino visit to Paris Office on May 27, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julien Hekimian/FIFA) “We believe hosting international events like the FIFA Club World Cup provides an opportunity to grow the game further and inspire new and existing fans, while showcasing to the world Saudi’s hospitable culture and huge passion for football. Working closely with FIFA, we are ready to deliver an exceptional tournament and an unforgettable experience for players and fans.” The FIFA delegation visit included detailed inspections of key infrastructure including the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium and the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, as well as the proposed training and accommodation facilities. SAFF’s commitment to growing the game at every level in Saudi across men …

Frasers Hospitality has further expanded its presence in the Middle East with the entry into a new management agreement to operate Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain. This is in partnership with Seef Properties. This development cements Frasers Hospitality’s presence in the Middle East region. The development comes as Frasers Hospitality strengthens its long-standing partnership with Seef Properties through an extension of its existing management agreement of Fraser Suites Seef Bahrain to 2031. The newly anticipated Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain will offer 63 gold-standard serviced apartment units across a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, spread over three floors. This will include nine one-bedroom serviced apartments, 44 two-bedroom serviced apartments and 12 three-bedroom serviced apartments, perfect for those seeking comfort in accommodations fitted with the latest technologies and modern furnishings. Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain forms part of the Al Liwan mixed-use development under Seef Properties which has been designed to embody the essence of the ‘Live, Work and Play’ lifestyle and is nestled within the neighbourhood of Hamala with a direct connection to the Al Liwan Mall in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s primary entertainment district. The development is ideal under the Fraser Suites brand due to its unique ability to cater to the highly-premium lifestyle needs of extended-stay guests. The name, Al Liwan, reflects cohesion, unity, and togetherness, inspired by the culture of the region and speaking to the desires of discerning guests. Alongside Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain, the new district offers numerous dining options, cafés, and leisure opportunities. At the core of the development lies the Central Plaza, a generous open space created for communal gatherings and entertainment, providing a city retreat for both visitors and …