Despite the widespread adoption of Airline Loyalty Programs (ALP), the results of the recent survey reveal passengers feel unable to make the most of them with over half (58%) unsure where they can redeem points and 64% unaware of the value of their points in the UAE and Singapore. A survey was conducted online by YouGov. The study polled 1500 travellers from Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore who have travelled by air in the last 18 months. In Dubai there is a high adoption of loyalty programs in general, with more than half of respondents here already a member of airline loyalty programs. More travellers prefer travelling for leisure with family/partners/alone. This market shows the highest willingness for ALP among the non-members, however, has the lowest awareness of the redemption process. There is a high adoption of loyalty programs in Dubai, with more than half of respondents are already a member of an ALP – with respondents citing class upgrades, discounts on travel experiences and exclusive lounge access as the most appealing elements of an ALP. However, of the markets surveyed, Dubai travellers were the least aware of the redemption process. Conversely, in Dubai non-members were the most willing to try an ALP. Infrequent flying and insufficient knowledge of ALP benefits were the top barriers to membership. Free seat reservation and great customer experience were deemed to be the main motivating factors to join. Overall, more than half of respondents said they are looking for more customised experiences – in particular flexible bookings, access to travel documentation and additional discounts. Almost six in ten (58%) agreed they are more likely to buy additional services from an airline when targeted with …

As  Middle Eastern travellers adopt Maldives as their wellness and family friendly getaway, Soneva, has unveiled four new transformative health and wellness programmes at Soneva Soul in the Maldives. Middle East guests at Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll or Soneva Jani in Noonu Atoll can now supplement restorative stays with three-, seven- or 14-day bespoke wellness journeys centred around the themes of Foundation, Sleep, Detox and Time Rewind that combine ancient healing wisdom with innovative therapies. Uniquely designed to promote healing and health, each programme is personalised to include Soneva Soul’s holistic blend of naturopathy, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine alongside rejuvenating spa treatments and regenerative therapies, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and ozone therapy. Yoga, meditation and movement classes also complement this uniquely integrated wellness experience. Those looking for a short yet invigorating wellness retreat can reset and recharge in the serenity of Soneva Soul’s island sanctuaries with the three-day Foundation Programme at USD 3,105++. Itineraries are tailored to each guest and include daily treatments such as traditional Ayurvedic abhyanga and shirodhara, acupuncture and cupping, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and flotation pod sessions, among others, for a holistic, healing journey like no other. Guests can enjoy the best rest yet with the Sleep Programme at USD 4,650++ for seven days and USD 11,295++ for 14 days. Expertly designed to optimise sleep health, this programme incorporates a range of targeted treatments and cutting-edge solutions, including Ayurvedic Nidrasana sleep rituals, bespoke IV vitamin therapies and BEMER electromagnetic sessions to help maintain healthy habits. A revitalising journey to heal and restore optimal metabolic function, the Detox Programme offers expert guidance for nourishing menus that eliminate dairy, gluten and refined carbohydrates to bring …

Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (“ARTIC”) and Element Hotels  announced the opening of Element West Bay by Westin. Element Hotels are designed for today’s healthy, active traveller who seeks to maintain the balance of their daily routine while away on the road. Offering many of the comforts of home, Element caters to those looking to stay for both the short and long-term. The hotel offers a fresh approach for the longer stay market with its thoughtfully designed accommodation and contemporary, nature-inspired spaces. Element Hotels has redefined the longer stay experience with  a  design  philosophy  that encourages guests to recharge and find their focus. The hotel’s 180 spacious studio, one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments offer views of both the city and the Arabian Gulf, while being exquisitely furnished with signature Westin Heavenly® beds, a large workstation, and a fully equipped modern and spacious kitchenette. The apartments also feature  spacious  living  and dining areas. An ideal place for business travelers, long stay guests, and holidaymakers, the hotel is five minutes walking distance from Doha’s best beach clubs and provides easy access to key business and financial districts. This includes destination hubs such as Doha Exhibition Convention Center and the City Center Mall. At Element West Bay, guests will be energized with a food and beverage menu that prioritizes fresh and healthy ingredients. A complimentary Rise® breakfast starts the  day  by  offering morning staples as well as low-fat options and fruit smoothies, followed by all-day dining at Californian food culture concept ShiKiMiKi. In addition, the Restore Grab & Go menu, available 24/7, includes a wide variety of fresh ingredients and on-the-go meals, from wholesome salads and sandwiches to yoghurt and snacks and …

dnata is partnering with the Maldives’ Pulse Hotels & Resorts to bring its unique and expanding portfolio of properties across the Indian Ocean archipelago closer to the region’s traveller base. dnata Representation Services will become Pulse Hotels & Resorts’ exclusive sales and marketing representative in the GCC, showcasing its latest news, exclusive rates, and more to travellers across the region, as travel demand for the Maldives continues. According to statistics from the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, the UAE was placed in the top ten number of arrivals by country of residence in its latest reports, between January and May 2023, whilst tourist arrivals from other GCC destinations remain strong. Pulse Hotels & Resorts owns and manages three properties across the Maldives, each offering a unique experience. The Nautilus is an ultra-luxury private island and winner of multiple awards, known as one of the world’s most exclusive bohemian island hideaways. One of the newest resorts in the Maldives, Nova launched in 2022 with a modern take on all-inclusive with a vibrant ‘community’ concept. The largest of the offering, Kandima, is a stylish and game-changing island destination boasting 264 studios and villas, 10 dining venues, and a plethora of activities for leisure, corporate or MICE travel. The Maldives-based company, which launched in 2015 with an entrepreneurial mindset to re-imagine the hospitality offering of the destination, continues to enhance the current portfolio and further expand its resort portfolio with product launches scheduled for the coming years. Althaf Mohamed Ali, Chief Operating Officer at Pulse Hotels & Resorts, commented: “There has been an increase in interest and travel to our resorts from the GCC region in recent years. Our resorts cater to luxury travel …

flynas announced the launch of direct flights connecting Bishkek and Osh in Kyrgyzstan and Almaty in Kazakhstan to Jeddah in addition to increasing the frequency of flights between Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan and Jeddah, in line with the partnership agreement with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP).  This strategic collaboration between flynas and ACP, established in April this year, is a significant milestone in increasing the Kingdom’s tourism growth and strengthening the ties between Central Asia and Saudi Arabia. Starting on August 20th, flynas will commence direct flights from Osh, the second-largest city in Kyrgyzstan. Subsequently, on September 2nd, the leading LCC will launch flights from Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, to King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. These routes will operate with three weekly direct flights, resulting in a total of six weekly flights between the two cities. Additionally, flynas will further strengthen connectivity between Almaty and Jeddah, with the introduction of two weekly direct flights commencing from the 2nd of September. This expansion aligns with the Saudi ecosystem’s broader efforts to attract 100 million annual tourists to the Kingdom by 2030. Starting from August 20th, visitors from Tashkent can benefit from increased options as flynas enhances its offering with an upgrade to three weekly direct flights to Jeddah, building on the success of the route’s initial launch on September 14th, 2022. This milestone was made possible through the collaboration of a thriving domestic ecosystem and ACP’s expertise in developing robust air routes and ensuring their resilience. Currently, flynas operates an extensive network that spans over 70 domestic and international destinations, with a frequency of 1,500 weekly flights. Since its inception in 2007, flynas has flown over 60 million …

The Dubai College of Tourism, under the Department of Economy and Tourism, in partnership with Al-Futtaim Group’s Emiratisation hosted a graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Sinyar ‘Explorer’ Programme, an initiative that seeks to develop the capabilities of Emirati nationals and enhance their readiness to embark on successful careers in the private sector. The programme provided vocational qualifications to 39 high-school graduates, enabling them to pursue promising careers in the retail and automotive sectors. The graduation ceremony, held at InterContinental Dubai Festival City hotel, was attended by senior representatives from Al-Futtaim Group, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the ‘NAFIS’ Council and the Dubai College of Tourism. The programme’s successful conclusion is a testament to the fruitful collaboration between Al-Futtaim Group and the Dubai College of Tourism. This partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2021, was further strengthened in 2022 with the launch of the ‘NAFIS’ programme, which is dedicated to providing specialised training and supporting Emiratisation in the private sector. During a comprehensive three-week period, participants engaged in vocational training encompassing a range of programmes and courses meticulously designed to sharpen their skills and cognitive abilities. Led by a highly qualified academic team, the programme offered valuable insights into the retail and automotive sectors, equipping participants with a comprehensive understanding of products and services. Successful candidates were later offered job opportunities in various roles and brands within Al-Futtaim Group’s retail and automotive sectors. The ‘Explorer’ programme, initiated by Al-Futtaim Group’s Emiratisation platform Sinyar, highlights the Group’s ongoing commitment to providing world-class professional training and employment prospects for Emirati talent across its diverse operational departments. This commitment not only nurtures a skilled workforce but …

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the #DubaiDestinations campaign has rolled out its latest phase inviting residents and tourists to embark on a new journey to discover Dubai’s offerings in the warmer months of the year. The collaborative campaign, implemented by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), seeks to showcase the city’s unique charm as a summer destination to audiences across the world through engaging stories. The current season of the #DubaiDestinations campaign, running until the end of August, will showcase the city’s top-rated experiences in the summer and its distinctive attractions ranging from serene beach destinations and exciting indoor activities to thrilling waterparks and picturesque hotels. Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), said: “Aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform the emirate into the world’s best city to live and visit, the campaign continues to open new windows into the unrivalled diversity, memorable experiences and creative urban vibe that define Dubai’s character as one of the globe’s greatest destinations. By harnessing the power of storytelling, the campaign seeks to highlight the city’s offerings during the warmer months, with an emphasis on the unique experiences that set Dubai apart as one of the world’s most captivating destinations. This season of the campaign extends a fresh invitation to both the local and global community …

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “We have a long-standing history of partnerships that have reshaped the way people travel around the world. It’s a reflection of our commitment to providing our customers greater flexibility and confidence when planning their travel itineraries through leveraging the strength of our partners’ complementary route networks. It’s also helped to enhance Dubai’s connectivity to the world, providing direct and indirect links to over 800 cities, generating more tourism to our hub and boosting business and trade opportunities. These partnerships have also supported inbound tourism to over 100 countries through opening up connection opportunities and smoother journeys via the exclusively served points of our partners.  As we enter the next phase of growth for Emirates, codeshare and interline partnerships will be a critical component of our future success and a core part of our commercial strategy, and we’re working hard to develop them even further to offer a huge choice of onwards destinations for our customers.” On an average week, over 50,000 travellers connect to their destination of choice on codeshare or interline flights operated by Emirates’ many partners. The airline’s numerous partnerships developed over the years have helped fuel its growth, enabled frictionless connectivity for customers, bolstered loyalty reciprocity and tapped into unique markets that have generated new traffic flows. While Emirates’ business strategy has always been to grow organically, its strategic partnerships like interline agreements and codeshares help to expand its global footprint, enabling the airline’s customers to reach places far beyond its own network. Emirates will continue evolve its partnership strategy by broadening many of its interline partnerships to full-fledged codeshare agreements, and strengthening its existing codeshares to build on its …

Shangri-La Dubai, the iconic luxury hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, is proud to celebrate 20 years of world-class hospitality, exceptional service, and timeless elegance. Since opening its doors in 2003, Shangri-La Dubai has been a home away from home for travellers from around the world, offering unparalleled comfort, style, and unforgettable memories. To celebrate the occasion, Shangri-La Dubai invites guests to indulge in a range of exclusive experiences, including bespoke room packages, themed culinary delights, and an exciting social media giveaway. 20th Anniversary Room Offer For those seeking a luxurious staycation in the city, their room promotion includes 20% savings on rooms and suites, along with an upgrade to the next room category. Guests can also enjoy a 20% discount on food and beverage offerings, allowing them to savour a wide array of culinary delights throughout their stay. As a special treat, guests will receive a 20th-anniversary welcome amenity and a Polaroid photograph capturing breathtaking views of the Dubai skyline from the 42nd floor. Social Media Giveaway To further engage with guests and honour their loyalty, Shangri-La Dubai launched a social media giveaway and is encouraging guests to share their favourite memories at the hotel on Instagram, using a designated hashtag. By participating, they stand a chance to win a complimentary stay, courtesy of Shangri-La Dubai. Visit the official Shangri-La Instagram account to learn more about the contest and be a part of this exciting campaign. Gala Anniversary Cocktail Event The hotel also hosted a gala cocktail to commemorate the occasion, comprising dignitaries, loyal patrons, influential figures from the hospitality industry, and members of the media.  The evening unfolded amidst an ambience of sophistication and grace, as guests were transported into …

SalamAir commenced weekly flights to and from Fujairah starting yesterday. This expansion not only broadens travel possibilities, but also links customers from Fujairah through Muscat International Airport to a number of global destinations on SalamAir’s network. This marks a significant milestone for the Oman-based low-cost carrier as it expands its network and continues to offer affordable fares while adding tourist and regional-friendly destinations to its network. Passengers from Muscat can look forward to four weekly flights on Mondays and Wednesdays, providing easy access to Fujairah’s stunning scenery and rich culture, making it perfect for a quick getaway. Passengers from Fujairah now have options of non-stop flights to Muscat and onwards to over 39 destinations to choose from. SalamAir is committed to offering passengers a comfortable and enjoyable experience. “We are thrilled to offer our passengers more travel options as SalamAir continues to grow and expand our network,” said SalamAir CEO Captain Mohamed Ahmed. “We see Fujairah as an important destination for us with much potential for passenger movement, and we are proud to add it to our network giving customers from Muscat and Fujairah more choice, convenience, and value for money travel.” The event held at Muscat International Airport ushered passengers to Fujairah with a cake-cutting ceremony followed by welcoming them onboard the flight with the distribution of traditional Omani Halwa and Coffee. Media and Airport officials were delighted to be part of these connecting routes between Muscat to Fujairah. The inaugural flight to Fujairah was met with excitement and celebration as passengers from Muscat were welcomed with traditional Emirati hospitality upon arrival. The event was attended by senior officials from both SalamAir and Fujairah International Airport, who expressed their excitement …