Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) announced a partnership with Santani Wellness Resorts. This strategic alliance marks a significant milestone in enhancing Oman’s wellness tourism sector, aligning with the Oman Vision 2040 objectives to diversify its economic resources and promote sustainable development. OMRAN Group and Santani Wellness Resorts will collaborate to develop and operate two exclusive wellness resorts located in the serene landscapes of Jabal Shams in Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate and in Dhofar Governorate with 182 total keys. These luxury destinations are designed to blend harmoniously with the natural environment, offering a sanctuary for transformative wellness experiences while adhering to the highest standards of sustainability. Santani, Jabal Shams will be the region’s first Astro – Wellness Resort, where guests will experience a multifaceted tailored and customised programmes focused on destressing, rejuvenation, and learning, by the award-winning Santani experiences in design, sustainability, community engagement, food, and service. Hashil Al Mahrouqi, CEO of OMRAN Group, stated, “This partnership with Santani Wellness Resorts is a testament to our commitment to enhancing Oman’s position as a leading destination for sustainable tourism and wellness. By integrating Santani’s world-renowned wellness philosophy with Oman’s unique natural beauty and cultural heritage, we are setting new standards for luxury and sustainability in the region.” The collaboration is expected to create significant economic benefits, including job creation, and will serve as a model for sustainable development and wellness tourism in Oman and beyond. The resorts will offer a range of wellness programmes, including stress management, detox, yoga, and weight management, tailored to individual needs, and designed to promote holistic well-being. Vickum Nawagamuwage, Founder and CEO of Santani Wellness Resorts, expressed his delightenthusiasm for the joint venture, stating, “We are honoured …

dnata Travel revealed that bookings with UAE travellers for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr break this April have more than doubled in volume compared to 2023 levels. In previous years, the UAE-based travel agency has seen a close-to-equal split between the choice for a staycation or travelling internationally with UAE residents during the first Eid break. The split is weighing heavier this year towards outbound travel at 60% of all bookings, compared to 40% for local stays. The most popular destinations for holiday bookings over Eid al-Fitr 2024 from the UAE are Maldives, Thailand, Italy, Mauritius, and the USA, respectively. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “An extended break is anticipated for Eid celebrations this April, and travellers are making the most of the opportunity with bookings being made further in advance and to long-haul destinations including across Asia and the USA. “The Indian Ocean islands of the Maldives and Mauritius, alongside Thailand, are popular for travellers year-round with tropical climates and accessibility to the UAE. This year, Italy and the USA are trending for the Eid break compared to 2023. Travellers are heading to the Italian cities of Rome and Venice, whilst in the US, stays in New York City and Las Vegas are proving most popular.” The dnata Travel team is launching a range of bespoke holiday packages for UAE travellers with last-minute availability remaining across the Eid al-Fitr break this April. Highlights include five-star stays with airport transfers and meals included across popular destinations in the Maldives, Seychelles, Hong Kong, and Bali, alongside an extensive tour of Sri Lanka’s top sights, amongst other attractive holiday package offers.

At the recently concluded panel discussion celebrating women’s day with TTME, Namratha Rose – Marketing and Partnership Manager at Spain Tourism GCC shared that the travellers today are more open to discover and explore new destinations than before, “there has been significant development in GCC and from 2022 there has been a massive increase of travellers seeking different experiences, people are not restricting themselves and this opens us more opportunities.” She expressed this on the outlook of the region at the special panel session conducted to celebrate International Women’s Day by TTME at the Screening Room at Paramount Hotel Dubai.

Hilton Worldwide announced the opening of The Galleria, by Curio Collection by Hilton in Jeddah, marking the first appearance of the prestigious brand with its distinctive architecture and unique guest experiences to the Kingdom and following the signing of an agreement with SEDCO Holding, Saudi Arabia’s leading investment company. The opening of this hotel is an addition to one of the largest and fastest growing hospitality companies in The world, which is concerned with presenting other great Hilton offers in the Kingdom. The new hotel is located in a prime location, overlooking Jeddah’s well-known Tahlia Street, which is famous for its high-end shops and boutiques as one of the best places for shopping, cafes and restaurants, allowing hotel guests to spend a unique experience. It is also close to King Abdulaziz International Airport, just a 15-minute drive away, with easy access to the Jeddah Corniche, as well as King Abdulaziz Road and Madinah Road, two of the most important commercial routes in Jeddah. Inspired by Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the hotel features 363 rooms and 95 suites, The Kitchens, a restaurant famous for serving fresh meat, Aqua Lounge with access to the rooftop outdoor pool, the round-the-clock Coffee Milano Café in the lobby and the chocolate and coffee shop Bird Cage. Commenting on the opening of the new hotel, Fawaz Momena, Regional Director and Senior Director of Operations, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Saudi Arabia, said: “The opening of the new Galleria Hotel marks a significant milestone in Hilton Group’s continued expansion into the Kingdom, which offers tremendous growth opportunities. We see Jeddah as one of the main business and leisure hubs for tourists and residents.” He added: “The Galleria …

Aman announced a forthcoming destination in the United Arab Emirates – Aman Dubai. Aman Dubai marks a strategic move for the brand, establishing its hallmark ultra-luxury hospitality and unparalleled service within one of the globe’s most dynamic cities.Speaking about the pipeline and his vision for growth, Vlad Doronin, Chairman and CEO of Aman, said: “Dubai stands as a global city, leading the charge in dynamic evolution, offering an array of experiences for both visitors and residents alike. Responding to the requests from Aman guests for our presence in Dubai has long been part of my growth vision. Securing the optimal site was paramount to ensure the delivery of our unparallelled service and authentic experiences, for which we are world-renowned. I am delighted that we have collaborated with Bright Start who have a profound understanding of this market, to bring to life the essence of Aman in this exceptional location.” “We are thrilled to bring the first Aman to Dubai. Aman is a leading lifestyle brand inspired by providing a seamless level of service and experience that is known worldwide. The brand’s vision aligns with our strategy to bring exceptional experiences to the city,” said Shahab Lutfi, CEO of Bright Start. “Situated in a prime location in Jumeirah 2, Aman epitomises elevated living with the azure expanse of the sea and the vastness of the sky, and residents will be immersed in a world where every detail is meticulously curated. As part of our innovative approach to beachfront development, Aman represents a harmonious synthesis of nature, art, and luxury, inviting visitors and residents alike to embark on a journey of unparalleled indulgence and sophistication,” continued Lutfi. The project’s owner, Bright Start, …

 Zayed International Airport has successfully processed over one million passengers through Abu Dhabi’s new terminal since its inauguration on 15 November 2023. This marks a significant milestone in the journey towards enhanced travel efficiency and security, showcasing the power of cutting-edge biometric technology. Building on a long-term commitment to advancing airport capabilities, IDEMIA has been at the forefront of innovation in the UAE since 2011. The deployment of a comprehensive border management solution at Abu Dhabi Airport, featuring the world’s first multi-biometric entry/exit system, has significantly bolstered border security while simultaneously enhancing the passenger experience and throughput. The success of this groundbreaking project has led to its extension to the country’s four other international airports. The Single Token Journey (STJ) solution, a highlight of this collaboration, employs advanced facial recognition technology to streamline the passenger experience. By assigning a unique digital identifier to every traveler, the STJ solution eliminates the need for multiple documents, enabling passengers to move from curb to gate, including the border clearance step, in a record time of just 12 minutes. Elena Sorlini, MD and CEO, Zayed International Airport said: “The initial rollout of cutting-edge biometrics at Zayed International Airport underscores our dedication to enhancing airport experiences through innovation and technology, ensuring efficiency, convenience, and superior service. Once fully implemented, Abu Dhabi will pioneer as the world’s first airport with biometrics integrated at every stage, ensuring travelers enjoy a seamless, safe, and secure journey.” Osama Al Makhamreh, Vice President, Sales – Middle East & Africa, IDEMIA Public Security commented on this achievement: “We are thrilled to witness the transformative impact of our biometric solutions at Zayed International Airport’s new terminal. This milestone is not just a …

Four Points by Sheraton announced the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Al Ain. The conversion property provides business, government, leisure and sports visitors with a classic Four Points by Sheraton warm and welcoming experience. The opening marks the fifth Four Points by Sheraton in the UAE and has been rebranded, refreshed, and operationally upgraded to blend comfort with style. In a statement released today, Khaled Saab, Area General Manager for Residence Inn by Marriott Sheikh Zayed Road and Four Points by Sheraton Al Ain expressed his enthusiasm for the official unveiling of the rebranded property to the public. He remarked, “Al Ain is set to become the future sustainable and cultural destination in the UAE for environmental leisure and entertainment. As such, we are thrilled to announce our grand opening, inviting guests to experience our enhanced amenities, refreshed facilities and beautiful location. We’re ready to provide an unforgettable stay for all visitors to Al Ain.” Ramzy A. Faris, General Manager of Four Points by Sheraton Al Ain added, “As we embark on this exciting journey with Four Points by Sheraton Al Ain, we are thrilled to welcome guests to our newly transformed property. With our commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality, we are poised to become the preferred choice for business, government, leisure, and sports travellers in Al Ain. We look forward to providing an unparalleled guest experience and creating lasting memories for all who visit.” For leisure and tourism travellers, the hotel boasts a prime location, minutes from Al Ain’s top attractions. From the iconic Sheikh Khalifa Mosque to the thrilling Al Ain Zoo, the adventurous Wadi Adventure, and the majestic Jebel Hafeet, guests are spoiled for choice. Sports …

Speaking at the panel session of the TTME International Women’s Day celebrations, Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure at dnata Travel shared that the visionary leadership enables the growth of the tourism sector. “GDP contribution from tourism to be 12.4 percent just proves what kind of visionary leadership we have in place to really drive the growth of this industry and the importance of this industry with regards to generating news jobs, attracting new businesses and opening doors for international collaborations as well. Its on a growth spurt I would say and I think that the UAE has bounced back first post pandemic with regards to this industry and it reflects the immense planning and strategic approach the country has in place to really lead the pack and take the industry to the next level.” Eleven leading ladies from the travel, tourism and hospitality industry shared their insightful views with likeminded personalities at the event which consisted an audience of ladies.

Emirates signed a Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) to boost inbound tourism in the airline’s European network. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Operations commented: “We’re pleased to partner with the Greek National Tourism Organisation and we look forward to working closely with them to boost visitation to each respective country. The agreement is a testament of our commitment to the Greek market, where we have progressively grown our connectivity and presence, and we’re confident that our collaborative efforts will encourage travellers to visit the beautiful sights and attractions the country has to offer.” Emirates has pledged its commitment to support Greece’s travel and tourism industry by boosting traffic from top inbound markets including the US, the UAE, Australia, India and China, to Greece through the exploration of joint marketing activities and campaigns. The airline will look at ways to support the country’s efforts to build more awareness of Greece as a brand, in line with the GNTO’s 2024 vision and objectives. The new agreement underscores Emirates’ long-term business objectives for the market as it continues to serve the already robust international travel demand to Greece. The Mou was signed by Thierry Aucoc, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe and Dimitris Fragakis, GNTO’s Secretary General. Also present during the ceremony was Adnan Kazim, Emirates Deputy President, and Chief Commercial Officer. Dimitris Fragakis commented: “We are delighted to announce a strategic partnership between the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) and Emirates. Emirates, with its global reach and reputation for excellence, is the perfect ally in expanding our presence in key source markets and connecting with audiences who appreciate the richness of Greece’s …

As part of the wide efforts the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah work on to enhance the services for pilgrims, the Ministry launched the Direct Hajj Initiative through the “Nusuk Hajj” platform, the official platform licensed by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which aims to raise the level of services provided to the visitors of the two holy cities through packages designed specifically for pilgrims via a limited number of approved service providers. In continuation of these efforts and in view of the wide geographical area targeted by the initiative, which covers 126 countries around the world during the Hajj season 1445 AH, and to provide flight services that suit the aspirations of pilgrims, Almosafer, the leading travel company in the Kingdom (part of Seera Group), has become the official flight partner of the Direct Hajj Initiative to provide a set of travel services designed specifically to provide a seamless booking experience for Hajj trips. The new partnership between Almosafer and Nusuk Hajj Platform will enhance the pilgrims’ experience in each of the countries served by the platform, which includes countries in the continents of Europe, the Americas, Australia, and select countries in the continents of Asia and Africa. This cooperation represents an important milestone in paving the way to provide reliable and comfortable travel options among the many additional services that Nusk Hajj platform will provide to enrich the experience of the pilgrims. This comes after the Ministry launched the new Hajj platform during the speech of His Excellency Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah, at LEAP conference in Riyadh. Almosafer was chosen as the official flight partner due to its exceptional technical capabilities, its geographical …