Oman Air applauded the efforts of Oman Golf Association, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and the Ministry of Commence, Industry and Investment Promotion for a first-of-its-kind golf diplomacy initiative between Oman and Italy, which concluded this week. As the event’s official airline sponsor, the national carrier brought in the qualifying players, who included some of Italy’s most prominent investors, into Oman for the final, held at Al Mouj Golf, Muscat. The event raised awareness about Oman’s tourism and investment potential in Italy and other key European target markets. Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, said, “In line with our commitment to Oman’s 2040 Vision, Oman Air is a strong supporter of sports tourism, which is a key vehicle for promoting the country’s natural beauty and rich culture to visitors from all over the world. The Oman Golf Trophy was a huge success, leveraging golf as an ambassador to highlight Oman’s rich investment potential and strengthen diplomatic ties between Oman and Italy. We look forward to seeing more events like it in the future that showcase Oman to the world and provide opportunities for economic growth and job creation.” Oman Air’s efforts to promote investment and sports tourism in Oman are in line with the country’s vision to diversify its economy and create new opportunities for growth. The airline has been a major sponsor of numerous sporting events in Oman and internationally, including most recently the 44Cup, Oman Desert Marathon and Ironman 70.3.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi marked the inauguration of its first flight to Queen Alia International Airport. Before departure, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at Abu Dhabi International Airport in the presence of senior representatives from Air Arabia Group and Abu Dhabi Airports. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said: “We are excited to launch Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s first flight to Amman and we thank our partners who contributed to the success of this launch. Offering valuable products to passengers and contributing to their travelling experiences across our network lays at the forefront of our strategy. We are committed to serving both leisure and business customers and to enhancing the travel and tourism sector of both countries.” Commenting on the announcement, Maureen Bannerman, Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports said, “We are proud to see the growth of travel routes and airline options, this time between Abu Dhabi and Amman with Air Arabia. We continue to expand our offering, providing more choice to guests travelling from our airports, positioning Abu Dhabi International Airport as the airport of choice”. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi continues to enhance global connectivity to and from the capital of the UAE, serving a total of 34 destinations directly from Abu Dhabi International Airport across the sub-continent, GCC, Russia, Africa, and Europe. The new direct flights will connect Abu Dhabi International Airport to Queen Alia International Airport with a frequency of three flights weekly. Air Arabia operates a fleet of 68 Airbus A320 and A321 neo-LR aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. The aircrafts are also equipped with ‘SkyTime’, a free in-flight streaming service and an …

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”), announced  the establishment of “Riyadh Air,” a PIF wholly owned company. The new national carrier will leverage Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographic location between the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, enabling Riyadh to become a gateway to the world and a global destination for transportation, trade, and tourism. Riyadh Air will be chaired by His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, while Tony Douglas, who brings more than 40 years of experience in the aviation, transportation and logistics industries, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. The airline’s senior management will include Saudi and international expertise. Operating from Riyadh as its hub, the airline will usher in a new era for the travel and aviation industry globally. Riyadh Air will be a world-class airline, adopting the global best sustainability and safety standards across its advanced fleet of aircraft equipped with the latest cutting-edge technology. The airline is expected to add USD20 billion to non-oil GDP growth, and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs. As a wholly owned PIF subsidiary, the new national airline is set to benefit from PIF’s investment expertise and financial capabilities while expanding on the company’s operations to become a leading national carrier. The new national airline represents PIF’s latest investment in the sector, along with the recently announced King Salman International Airport masterplan. Riyadh Air aims to enhance customers’ journey while connecting them to over 100 destinations around the world by 2030; through offering an exceptional experience with an authentic, warm Saudi hospitality at its heart. The airline will provide tourists from around the …

The Saudi Tourism Authority welcomes the expansion of the GCC residents visa which now is open to all professions for those wanting to apply for a tourist visa. Announced by the Ministry of Tourism the visa allows visitors to enjoy Saudi’s diverse tourist destinations and perform Umrah throughout the year. This is the latest in a series of announcements across the Saudi tourism eco-system that aim to attract regional tourists and provide more activities for visitors coming from GCC countries. People wishing to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can view more information and apply for a visa on www.visa.visitsaudi.com. The Visit Saudi app also provides a gateway for travelers to discover all the events, international festivals, inspiring tourism experiences, and enjoy the country’s climate, natural and cultural diversity, and the authentic generosity and hospitality of  the Saudi people. The tourist visa was launched in 2019, to keep up with the development and growth of the tourism sector. In 2022, the Saudi Tourism Authority launched the Nusuk platform in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program. Nusuk, Saudi’s first-ever official integrated digital platform, offers all pilgrims and visitors an easy-to-use planning gateway for their journeys to Makkah and Madinah, and beyond. With Nusuk, travelers from all over the world can easily organize their entire visit, from applying for an eVisa to booking hotels and flights. To book Umrah travel, visit www.Nusuk.sa. Saudi has seen a remarkable increase in the number of visitors every year, reaching more than 93 million visits in 2022. The tourism sector aims to reach 100 million visits annually by 2030.

Travelport announced the acquisition of Deem, a leading corporate travel management platform. Since launching the company’s next-generation marketplace, Travelport+, Travelport has continued its investment in innovation, with the acquisition of Deem being the latest example. “The game-changing acquisition of Deem by Travelport will fulfill a growing, post-pandemic need for a tight, fully-integrated corporate tool that will provide access to all multi-source content, including NDC,” said Greg Webb, CEO of Travelport. “We’ve been laser-focused on investing in technology innovation, and Travelport+ has simplified the agency workflow, upgraded how travel content is curated, and enabled modern travel retailing. Now with the acquisition of Deem, Travelport will provide corporate travel with award-winning, complementary tools that are as revolutionary, modern, and easy-to-use as Travelport+.” Previously owned by Enterprise Holdings, a leading provider of mobility solutions, Deem has long been recognized as the foremost modern technology for the corporate travel industry. Named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2022, Deem has pioneered its suite of online booking and travel technology products for business travelers, travel managers, travel-management companies and suppliers, making the corporate travel experience more efficient for all. Deem has continued to grow its share of the corporate travel business, and Travelport’s investment intends to further accelerate that growth on a global scale. “Deem is pleased to be joining the Travelport family,” said David Grace, President of Deem. “We are proud of the growth and success Deem has achieved in recent years. The acquisition by Travelport will enable a strong future of global growth for Deem and help accelerate the delivery of travel management solutions in a rapidly evolving industry. We want to express our sincere appreciation to our customers, as well …

The Emirates Group and Dubai Future Foundation have today signed a significant partnership to launch the Emirates Centre of Excellence for Aviation Robotics (ECEAR). The agreement was signed at ForsaTEK, the Group’s innovation forum. Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer said: “This is a key milestone in the Emirates Group’s innovation journey and a remarkable step for the aviation industry. Our partnership with Dubai Future Foundation helps realise our own vision for aviation and supports Dubai’s vision to be one of the world’s leading futuristic cities. This will give us a true opportunity to take advantage of evolving technology, allowing us to continually expand the use of robotics and technological applications in our customer journey and improve operational efficiency. Investing in focused R&D will allow us to transform our business in the digital era, make more use of AI, give tangible benefits to our customers and stakeholders, and will keep us ahead.” His Excellency Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, said the launch of the Emirates Centre of Excellence for Aviation Robotics embodies the importance of incubating top national and international talents in Dubai to develop robotic solutions that support the growth of the aviation sector. Belhoul said the agreement will provide fresh and diverse economic opportunities centred on developing technologies of futures. He added: “The outputs of this initiative will contribute to advancing “Dubai Robotics and Automation Program”, launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Future Foundation’s Board of Trustees, which aims to make Dubai one of the leading cities in the world within this field, …

The number of travellers visiting Germany from the GCC recorded more than double in 2022, resulting in double the room nights as compared to 2021, according to new data from the German National Tourist Board (GNTB). Germany recorded approximately 1.12 million room nights in 2022, more than double the 2021 figure of 500,000. GCC travellers were responsible for more than 335,000 room nights in the first half of 2022, representing a 318 per cent increase on 2021. The second half of the year brought even more growth, with records showing a further 793,000 room nights – a 136.7 per cent jump on the previous six months. Further, Germany recorded more than 404,000 GCC travellers in 2022 that resulted in the 1.12 million room nights, a 243.84% increase from 2021 that recorded just a bit more than 165,000 GCC travellers that resulted in 500,000 room nights approx. “This consistent growth illustrates an increasing interest in Germany from the GCC and amplifies anticipation for the year ahead,” said Yamina Sofo, director at the Dubai-based German National Tourist Office (GNTO). “The rise in travellers can certainly be attributed to Germany’s ongoing efforts to diversify itineraries through various tourism campaigns that highlight local cultures, family-focused leisure options, and natural, sustainability focussed travel options.” Sofo continued: “We have seen a consistent growth in 2022 – both quarter-by-quarter and year-on-year. Now our focus lies in amplifying these numbers in 2023 by driving sustainable tourism offerings and helping ensure visitors explore and experience the culture and natural beauty of Germany throughout all its states and cities.” Further, GCC travellers were more inclined towards visiting places that were surrounded by nature and exploring the country’s green landscapes and …

Business travel in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is recovering more rapidly than in any other region, according to the most recent Business Travel Index™ Outlook annual forecast and outlook (2022), from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s largest business travel association. MEA business travel achieved 86% of its 2019 levels during 2022, outperforming the recovery in Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe. The strong performance of the sector and future opportunities will come under the spotlight during Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 1-4 May. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The business travel sector is a key component of the Middle East’s wider travel and tourism industry, and it is encouraging to see that it has bounced back so strongly since the pandemic. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) will present an in-depth analysis of how technology can support this return to travel and the ways in which this can be done sustainably in two education sessions with key insights from leading industry professionals.” According to the forecast, business travel spending reached $933 billion globally in 2022, 65% of the USD $1.4 trillion business pre-pandemic travel spend, with the MEA region accounting for $23 billion or approximately 2.5% of overall spending within the sector. “The MEA region is an important growth market for business travel and benefitted from a prompt Covid-19 vaccination roll-out in key markets such as the UAE and Israel, as well as increased economic activity driven by the rising price of crude oil to accelerate the business travel recovery. The region is expected to return to pre-pandemic business travel spend by …

Marriott International, Inc. announced it has signed an agreement with NEOM to open three properties on its luxury island destination Sindalah, situated in the Red Sea off the northwest coast of Saudi Arabia. The multi-deal agreement includes Saudi Arabia’s first Autograph Collection Hotels property, as well as two Luxury Collection properties. “NEOM is one of the most highly-anticipated developments in the world and we look forward to working with its team to develop these three exciting properties,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “The Luxury Collection and Autograph Collection Hotels properties will express their own unique personality inspired by the exceptional natural landscapes of NEOM. We continue to see growth opportunities for our brand portfolio within the destination and Saudi Arabia overall.” The Luxury Collection in Sindalah Offering global travelers a gateway to the world’s most captivating destinations, The Luxury Collection is expected to open two properties in the highly anticipated island destination, featuring transformational experiences and destination-rooted authenticity. Slated to open in 2024, a beach resort will offer a mix of 70 luxury rooms and suites, including one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom villas all featuring private pools. The second project, projected to open in 2024, is expected to be an all-suite property offering 115 one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury suites, and will be situated in the heart of the retail and marina district of Sindalah. Both Luxury Collection properties are set to showcase multiple culinary experiences and leisure facilities. Autograph Collection in Sindalah Autograph Collection Hotels are a product of passion inspired by a clear vision, soul, and story that makes it individual and special. Expected to open in 2024, the Autograph …

Sojern shares its latest data highlighting that the Middle East continues to build on its strong 2022 travel momentum. With relatively quick bouncebacks from COVID-19 in the UAE, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) seeking to secure its place on the tourist map with an ambitious visitor push, it’s looking like strong travel intent to the region will continue well into 2023. As of February, Sojern sees that 2023 flight searches are up year on year (YoY) globally; 72% from APAC, 48% from EMEA, 36% from US & Canada, 30% from LATAM and 23% from Caribbean. With last year’s FIFA World Cup boosting travel recovery in the region, Sojern looks at the current state of play for travel now that the tournament dust has settled. Demand for Regional Hotels Up on 2019 Levels in Many Middle Eastern Countries Several recent reports highlight that Middle East destinations are leading global travel recovery, in part boosted by Dubai’s 2020 Expo and last year’s World Cup. Sojern’s latest lodging data supports this positive picture and sees that 2023 interest from most origins to the region is high and even above January 2019 levels. Inbound travel demand from African, Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Latin American (LATAM) markets continue to grow with KSA showing one of the most marked increases in demand. The country sees a 541% increase in 2023 versus 2019 international lodging searches from Africa, 358% from Europe, 279% from LATAM, 251% from the United States and 2,547% from Canada. This uplift suggests that their tourist ambitions to draw 100 million visitors annually by the end of the decade appear to be off to a strong start. Qatar continues to ride the World Cup …