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 …

Hilton and NABNI Developments announced plans for Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Downtown, set for completion in 2028. Set to be located in the iconic district of Downtown Dubai, Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Downtown will heighten the prestigious hospitality brand’s global presence as the first-ever standalone Waldorf Astoria residential address outside of the United States. The residential address marks a significant milestone for NABNI Developments as it continues to redefine luxury living in the Middle East. The esteemed partnership was made official with a signing ceremony, marking a new era of opulence in the heart of Dubai. In attendance was Daniel Wakeling, Vice President of Development, Luxury & Residential – Europe & Africa at Hilton, Abdulrahman Alsuwaidi, Chairman of NABNI Developments, and Badr Alsuwaidi, CEO of NABNI Developments. Abdulrahman Alsuwaidi, Chairman of NABNI Developments says: “At NABNI Developments, we strive to deliver exclusive living experiences that will continue to redefine the growing luxury branded residences segment in the UAE. With the introduction of Waldorf Astoria Residences, we will deliver exclusive living experiences that set the precedent for sophistication and bespoke services in luxury living.” Set to be situated on a 1.5-acre (65,000-square foot) plot in Downtown Dubai, The Residences will pair world-class design by Carlos Ott Architects and interiors by award-winning hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates with a Waldorf Astoria-managed luxury hospitality experience. “It is an honor to bring Waldorf Astoria Residences to the Middle East, especially to the UAE’s thriving real estate sector. Our partnership with Hilton is not just about creating residences but crafting an iconic landmark that reimagines modern day luxury for those who appreciate timeless elegance,” continues Badr Alsuwaidi, CEO of NABNI Developments. “The addition of …

VFS Global has witnessed a 15% surge in visa applications in 2023 v/s 2022, and a whopping 145% growth since borders reopened post-pandemic. Popular destinations preferred by travellers from UAE in 2023 were Canada, France, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and United Kingdom (in alphabetical order). Monaz Billimoria, Regional Head – UAE, VFS Global, said, “The rise in demand for international travel has grown exponentially in the last two years, with the travel season extending beyond the traditional seasons of summer and winter. We urge applicants to plan their travels and apply well in advance, especially with the upcoming Eid and summer holidays, when we expect to see a surge in applications.” In the UAE, VFS Global caters to 39 sovereign governments, namely Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dubai Visa Processing Centre (UAE), Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherland, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, Ukraine, Philippines Passport Service, Nigeria [NIN enrolment]. VFS Global’s role in the visa application process is limited to front-end administrative tasks only, which include collecting visa application forms, required documentation as per the checklist, and enrol biometrics, if applicable. VFS Global has no role in the decision-making process of granting or refusing a visa. For more information, please visit www.vfsglobal.com. UK Premium Visa Application Centres: UK visa applicants can now book appointments at our Premium Application Centres at Radisson Hotels in Abu Dhabi, Ajman and Dubai, to submit their documents and enrol biometrics in the ambience and comfort of a five-star hotel. Applicants opting for this service can also enjoy a range of …

The maritime and tourism authorities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman have formalised the Cruise Arabia alliance – a strategic regional partnership that will promote the Arabian Gulf as a cruise ship destination globally. An official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the stakeholders at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin (ITB Berlin) travel trade convention. Key objectives of the Cruise Arabia alliance include collaboration to enhance the cruise experience for passengers, attract more cruise liners to the region, improve infrastructure at ports and drive economic growth in the regional cruise tourism sector. The partners will also work together on enhancing the regional cruise ecosystem, improving key stakeholder relations, and conducting joint marketing efforts both regionally and internationally. Dubai has been a significant player in the Cruise Arabia alliance, working closely with its partners to create interconnected and integrated regional cruise services. Previously, Dubai and the neighbouring countries have participated in international trade exhibitions as a single grouping under the banner of the Cruise Arabia alliance. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “The Cruise Arabia alliance will further reinforce Dubai’s position as the cruise hub of the region, aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, launched by our visionary leadership, to further consolidate Dubai’s status as one of the top three global cities for business and leisure. The growth of our cruise tourism has been largely shaped by the continuous support of our stakeholders and partners, and this alliance will result in more cruise operators seeking to anchor in Dubai, capitalising on its strategic location and promoting the city’s diverse offerings, world-class infrastructure and superior air and sea connectivity. Dubai and its …

TravTalk Middle East celebrated international women’s day at the Paramount Hotel with 11 insightful speakers from the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors. The event kicked off with Director DDP Group Devika Jeet welcoming the audience with an inspiring note “inspire future generations to dream big and reach for the stars” she further reiterated, “when we as women stand together, shoulder by shoulder each day, we gain strength together. This event marks the beginning of many more to come, we hope with your continuous support as we strive to see the industry unite and stand together.” Maitha Gobash CEO Dar Alhai tourism delivered her message of striving to achieve what you set your sights on followed by another inspiration Mariam Farang – Vice President Corporate Communications – DAMAC where she explained the importance of building confidence and achieve your goals. Eight panellists from travel, tourism and hospitality sectors shared their views on the current outlook of the Middle East, attracting youth to the industry, AI and its contribution to the sectors as well as generating revenue in the sectors now that travel is back and how it impacts the balance sheets. More inspiring notes to follow.

In an exclusive interview with TravelTV MiddleEast Alan William – Chief Strategy Officer Satguru Travel shared that their main focus is “quality” to ensure customer experience as travel bounces back. He reiterated, “we own the product to ensure the quality of the places the end customer would encounter.” He added that investment into the various aspects in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors are eminent as they forge ahead with new partnerships with various suppliers for the year. He mentioned these comments as Satguru travel recently hosted their valuable partners to an enchanting evening at the desert, titled “Gratitude in the desert” where over 100 top management officials from airlines, hotels, travel technology companies, attractions etc attended.