voco Bonnington Dubai was awarded ‘Best Corporate Hotel’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Winning the Best Corporate Hotel of the Year award at the Arabian Travel Awards is an incredible milestone for voco Bonnington. This recognition validates the trust and commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences, particularly to our corporate partners. This win is both a proud achievement and a motivating challenge, inspiring us to strive even higher. We believe that excellence is a continuous pursuit. Moving forward, we’ll continue to nurture our people and empower them to create memorable experiences for every guest.” Giacomo Puntel, General Manager, voco Bonnington

‘Discover Aseer’ one of the distinctive new destinations in Saudi Arabia’s tourism scene focusing on the cultural heritage and natural diversity of the region showcased its unique offerings for the first time at the third edition of Saudi Tourism Forum. Hatem Al-Harbi, Chief of Tourism at ASDA, said: “We are happy to announce the participation of ASDA through its tourist identity, “Discover Aseer”, for the first time at the STF to highlight Aseer’s unique offering as a tourist destination. We aim to create authentic and sustainable tourism experiences that strengthen our past and shape our future. Our participation today also sheds light on Aseer as an all-year-round tourist destination where the region aims to activate three seasons throughout the year, namely Spring, Summer and Winter seasons, in addition to its natural and cultural elements, various activities and activations, and ambitious future projects. We are also supporting and empowering destination companies, hospitality companies and owners of heritage villages, by enhancing their presence within the “Discover Aseer” pavilion to enhance tourism development opportunities of various kinds in the region.” By 2030, the region’s annual number of visitors is expected to reach 9.1 million, with 26 billion riyals contributing to tourism GDP. It also aims to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, both locally and internationally in the tourism sector, and will support opportunities that are aligned with the region’s economic and sustainable growth strategy.  

The Madinah Region Development Authority announced a strategic partnership with Almosafer to enhance tourism in Madinah. Unveiled during the Saudi Tourism Forum 2025, this collaboration aims to position Madinah as a premier destination for visitors from within the Kingdom and beyond. The partnership leverages Almosafer’s extensive travel services and diverse marketing capabilities to accelerate tourism growth in Madinah while delivering enriching and varied experiences for visitors. Almosafer’s market expertise and digital solutions will provide a seamless cultural and entertainment experience at competitive prices through its comprehensive portfolio for corporate, governmental, and individual clients. This initiative aligns with efforts to elevate Madinah’s tourism offerings and attract a broader audience locally and internationally. Commenting on the partnership, Mr Bandar Naqro, General Manager of Strategic and Corporate Communications at the Madinah Region Development Authority, said: “The unique historical and cultural heritage of Madinah makes it one of the most visited cities in the Kingdom, especially with the development of numerous archaeological sites and the activation of diverse tourism destinations. Our partnership with Almosafer will strengthen the city’s offerings and marketing initiatives, contributing to increased visitor numbers and enriched experiences, thereby achieving the objectives of Vision 2030.” Muzzammil Ahussein, CEO of Almosafer, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with Al Madinah Region Development Authority to help evolve and further promote one of the Kingdom’s most culturally rich heritage sites. Almosafer’s on-ground expertise, innovative technological solutions, and extensive reach enable us to offer a bespoke holistic experience for travellers from across the world. We look forward to further positioning Madinah as a wholesome tourist destination that provides an immersive cultural experience that is bound to be an unforgettable core memory for visitors. Saudi Arabia’s rich …

Air India won the ‘Best Airline South Asia’ award at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Winning the “Best Airline-South Asia” award was crucial for us, as it greatly enhances the public perception and signals to our customers that Air India is on an upward growth trajectory and is a trusted brand, as we’re continuously improving and innovating in areas like product, customer service and technology. The impact of winning goes beyond just the media coverage and public attention. It’ll put us on a path of sustained growth through enhanced loyalty, expanded partnerships, improved customer experience, and a stronger global presence. The key steps hereafter would be to focus on maintaining the high standards that earned Air India the title while investing in long-term growth, customer loyalty, and innovation. It’s about ensuring that Air India continues to meet or exceed the expectations of our customers and the industry moving forward.” Kaizad Pesi Postwalla, Head – International Sales Americas and GMEA, Air India Limited

“According to UN, Sports tourism currently generates around 10% and estimated reach 17% within the next few years,” shared HE Khalid Jassim Al Midfa – Chairman Sharjah Tourism and Development Authority.  “Worldwide, according to the UN, tourism’s contribution to the global economy is projected to increase from 10% to 17% within the next seven years. This highlights the immense potential of sports tourism and its growing importance. Destinations that are prepared and proactive should capitalize on their assets and strategically host more sports events to align with their objectives and drive economic and social benefits. Sports tourism fosters partnerships, generates significant outcomes, and promotes sustainable practices. For example, in Sharjah, hundreds of sports events are held annually, showcasing the sector’s potential as a future growth driver. Sports tourism is not only sustainable and healthy but also beneficial for future generations. It has no apparent downsides and should be a key focus for any destination aiming to move in the right direction.” As the emirate of Sharjah hosts the third edition of ‘Sharjah Week of the Stars’ to take place from 10 -13 January 2025 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council. The third edition returns cementing its place as an annual tradition and a growing platform for sports and cultural celebration organized by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority in collaboration with the International Football Development Association (IFDA), bringing together legendary athletes and a rich lineup of activities that showcase Sharjah’s role as a global hub for culture, tourism, and sports. The detailed program of ‘Sharjah’s Week of the Stars’ …

Hamad International Airport (DOH) achieved significant milestones in 2024, serving 52.7 million passengers, a 15% increase compared to the previous year. The airport continues to strengthen its role as a key global hub for airlines and passengers. Aircraft movements also rose to 279,000, marking an 10% year-on-year increase, while a total of 2.6 million tonnes of cargo handled, a rise of 12% compared to the previous year. Additionally, the airport managed 41.3 million bags, reflecting a 10% increase in baggage handling efficiency. According to the Airport Council International’s “ACI” Airport Industry Connectivity Report 2024, Hamad International Airport was the highest-ranked airport in the Middle East for connectivity, providing passengers some of the best connection options through its award-winning facilities. In 2024, Hamad International Airport welcomed over 4 million travellers every month, reflecting its capacity to manage high volumes efficiently. Local passenger traffic grew by 16% – for the first time faster than transfer traffic – driven by Doha’s increasing appeal as a tourist destination and the joint-efforts with Qatar Tourism to attract charter services. Notably, the airport handled over 12 million point-to-point passengers. The airport expanded its global network in 2024 to 197 destinations, with 55 total airlines operating from Hamad International Airport, including new airline partners like China Southern Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Japan Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Akasa Air. Its hub carrier Qatar Airways added numerous destinations to its network including Osaka, Hamburg, Lisbon and Toronto. Passenger volumes showed strong growth across both eastern and western markets. Traffic to China surged by 87%, while emerging markets in Asia, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, also demonstrated robust growth. Mature European markets, including the UK, Germany, Spain, and France, achieved …

Emirates to officially become the world’s first Autism Certified Airline, inviting customers with autism and sensory sensitivities to experience Emirates’ seamless services and personalised hospitality, making travel more accessible for all. The inaugural designation is set to be formally awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) in the coming months, when more than 30,000 Emirates cabin crew and ground staff will have completed the initial training. Emirates also plans to roll out new standards and services that will improve the on ground and inflight travel experience for both customers on the autism spectrum and their families and companions, to be announced later in the year. For many members of the global autism community, international air travel is a highly challenging experience, or something to be avoided completely, due to the high level of sensory stimuli that can be involved. A survey on AutismTravel.com revealed that 78% of families are hesitant to travel or visit new locations, and that 94% of respondents would take more vacations if they had access to places where staff are autism-trained and certified. As part of Emirates’ mission to make travel more inclusive and accessible for all, this significant step also supports Dubai’s ambition to become the most accessible destination in the world.

Movenpick Al Marjan Island wins ‘Best family friendly Resort in Northern Emirates’ at the 7th edition of Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “This award strengthens our position as a leader in urban lifestyle hospitality and showcases the excellence of our team. It sets a new benchmark in the industry, inspiring others to elevate their offerings and innovate.” Nina Mohamed, Director of Marketing & Communications, Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island  

Travelport announced it has signed a new long-term multi-source content agreement, including New Distribution Capability (NDC) content, with China Eastern Airlines, one of China’s three major airlines and member of the SkyTeam Alliance. Travelport’s comprehensive NDC solution will enable travel agency customers to seamlessly shop, book, and manage NDC reservations with China Eastern Airlines including servicing adjustments such as cancellations and exchanges. “This agreement marks an important step in our journey toward NDC adoption, allowing us to scale and encourage its use across agencies and travel retailers,” said Fu Jian, Vice President, Digital Transformation and Business Management Department of Marketing and Sales at China Eastern Airlines. “Our commitment is to provide top-tier content and customized experiences for our customers, and Travelport’s advanced retailing technology is key to making our offerings more accessible to agencies and their clients.” Travelport’s comprehensive NDC solutions are built to support modern retailers, helping agents and travelers easily explore and compare offers, select the best choices, and manage NDC bookings with partners like China Eastern Airlines. Moreover, Travelport’s AI-driven Content Curation Layer (CCL) and Content Optimizer in Travelport+ streamline the search process, delivering intelligent, relevant, personalized, and enriched NDC and traditional content quickly and efficiently. “Our goal is to be the industry’s top multi-source content aggregator, which means NDC content in Travelport+ should be simple to access, compare, and manage,” said Damian Hickey, Global Head of Travel Partners at Travelport. “Through our partnership with China Eastern Airlines, together, we’re focused on delivering NDC content that is simple to access and ready for our agency customers to shop and compare more personalized offers to present travelers with the best options.”

According to Flight Centre Corporate, business travel is set to increase in 2025, with 40% of businesses planning to increase travel from July to June, and 42% of corporates are forecast to spend more than in 2024. Business travel will feature high on the agenda, particularly as part of ATM’s new feature, IBTM@ATM. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “At ATM, we recognise the critical importance of addressing the latest trends and innovations shaping the aviation industry. New technology and the increased use of sustainable fuels will be a game-changer for the sector, with far-reaching benefits for years to come.” The sector’s growth is a topic anticipated to create substantial discussion on the show floor. In 2025, industry revenues will surpass US$1 trillion for the first time, according to IATA. In addition, traveller numbers are expected to hit 5.2 billion, up 6.7% compared to 2024, exceeding the five-billion mark for the first time, with the number of flights expected to reach 40 million.