The National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels (NCT&H)  announced the strategic expansion of its luxury hospitality portfolio through the addition of four world-class properties. The newly integrated properties include two of Abu Dhabi’s most distinguished luxury resorts—The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort and Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa—as well as two internationally renowned destinations: Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives and the newly opened Cheval Blanc Seychelles. These additions expand NCT&H’s portfolio, increasing its capacity to nearly 1,500 rooms and strengthening its presence in the ultra-luxury segment. This significant development strengthens NCT&H’s position as a leader in the domestic and international luxury hospitality sector and reaffirms its commitment to delivering exceptional experiences to guests. H.E. Tareq Abdulraheem Al Hosani, Chairman of the Board – NCT&H, commented: “The integration of these prestigious assets marks a transformative chapter for NCT&H, positioning us as a key player in the global luxury hospitality market. Our expanded portfolio allows us to offer unparalleled guest experiences while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a premier destination for high-end tourism.” This transaction was made possible through a strategic partnership with Alpha Dhabi Holding, which acquired a controlling stake of 73.73% in NCT&H. This investment further strengthens NCT&H’s ability to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the luxury hospitality sector and reinforces Alpha Dhabi’s commitment to driving impactful growth in high-potential markets. With a legacy of excellence in hotel ownership, management, and operations, NCT&H continues to play a pivotal role in promoting Abu Dhabi’s tourism and hospitality industry. The newly acquired properties complement NCT&H’s existing luxury assets, which include InterContinental Abu Dhabi, InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi, Danat Al Ain Resort, Danat Jebel Dhanna Resort, and Dhafra …

Discover Saudi has been appointed the first DMC from KSA to become a valued member of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the global community and knowledge hub for the international association and governmental meetings industry. The move will enable Discover Saudi to leverage its status as the Kingdom’s Destination Management Company (DMC) of choice and further enhance Saudi Arabia’s thriving MICE sector, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030. As a member of the International Congress and Convention Association, Discover Saudi will gain access to a global network of event organisers, enabling them to boost KSA’s flourishing convention and congress industry. Discover Saudi will also leverage Almosafer’s digitally advanced and integrated platforms to further engage ICCA’s extensive network of partners and collaborators to provide various opportunities for travel and tourism services. The membership will help amplify Discover Saudi’s leading position as a DMC and promote the Kingdom as the destination of choice for MICE tourism. Senthil Gopinath, CEO, ICCA said about the partnership; “We are delighted to welcome Discover Saudi (part of Almosafer) as the newest member of ICCA in Saudi Arabia. Their commitment to enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a premier business events destination aligns perfectly with ICCA’s vision of fostering global collaboration and industry growth. As Saudi Arabia continues to expand its MICE sector, we look forward to supporting Discover Saudi in leveraging ICCA’s global network, resources, and expertise to drive impactful and sustainable business events.” Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Almosafer, addressing the significance of this partnership, stated; “With our membership in ICCA we aim to redefine the landscape of interconnected businesses through collaboration and innovation, to capitalize on Saudi Arabia’s ever-growing conferences and conventions sector. Supporting Saudi Arabia’s …

Swissôtel Al Murooj Dubai bagged ‘Best 5 Star Business Hotel’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “We are humbled and grateful to be recognised for this award for the second year, and we will continue to strive for excellence in everything we do. Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. Winning this award is a great honour as it celebrates dedication, and the exceptional service of our team. It is a significant recognition of the team effort, passion, and outstanding service. Our mission is to create memorable guest experiences and emphasises our dedication to excellence.”-Amro Nagah, General Manager, Swissôtel Al Murooj Dubai.

In January 2025, Qatar Stopover programme recorded more than 10,500 visitors, compared to 6,651 in January 2024. The number of visitors in the stopover programme increased an impressive 165% from April 2024 to January 2025 – as compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. Discover Qatar, the destination management arm of Qatar Airways Group, has achieved a significant milestone, welcoming over 10,000 stopover visitors in a single month for the first time since the Qatar Stopover Programme’s relaunch in August 2021. This achievement reflects Qatar’s growing appeal as a world-class destination and the programme’s growing popularity. The programme has also driven exceptional growth in hotel bookings, with over 100,000 room nights sold so far this year – doubling the figures from the previous year. Qatar Airways Holidays is driving this success as the largest contributor to the programme’s sales, delivering over a third of all bookings, leveraging the marketing strength of Qatar Airways around the globe. Stopover is proving incredibly popular with Qatar Airways frequent flyers too, with 20% of customers using the popular loyalty currency Avios to pay for their bookings, with logged in Privilege Club members earning Avios and Qpoints with every transaction. Discover Qatar Senior Vice President, Mr. Steven Reynolds, said: “Qatar Stopover Programme is central to positioning Qatar as a leading global destination, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. By leveraging Qatar Airways’ extensive network of over 170 destinations and the outstanding travel experiences we offer, we have firmly established Qatar as a must-visit destination. At Discover Qatar, we are committed to delivering tailored packages that combine cultural discovery, world-class hospitality, and unforgettable experiences for travellers from around the world.” The growth of the …

According to the STR report, aggregated Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) across Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE last year rose by 5.4% compared to 2023, fuelled primarily by an increase in occupancy rates. In 2024, occupancy rates across the GCC reached 69.5%, surpassing the levels observed prior to the pandemic, underscoring the region’s successful efforts to establish itself as a world-class tourism and investment hub. The hospitality sector in the GCC is experiencing a strong resurgence, with new data compiled by STR on behalf of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) revealing significant growth across the region in 2024. Key government initiatives, notably Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s ‘We the UAE 2031’ campaign have played a pivotal role in this transformation by promoting economic diversification, enhancing infrastructure, and elevating the overall tourism experience. These efforts aim to boost occupancy and establish the GCC as a competitive player in the global tourism landscape. The research also found that Average Daily Rate (ADR) grew by 2.4% in the GCC last year, with the luxury hotel rooms segment significantly contributing to ADR growth. The region has added more than 35,000 hotel rooms over the last 10 years, with 19% of rooms now belonging to the luxury category, growing from 16% a decade ago. STR’s report suggests that hotel rooms under all phases of development will continue to be dominated by the luxury segment, stating that with more than 33,000 rooms under development, Saudi Arabia alone has more luxury rooms in the pipeline than currently exist in the country. Commenting on STR’S latest research, Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Luxury hospitality continues to be a driving force …

Millennium Place Mirdif won the title of ‘Best 4 Star lifestyle hotel’ at the seventh Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Winning the Best 4-star Lifestyle Hotel award for Millennium Place Mirdif at the Arabian Travel Awards 2024 is a tremendous honour that validates our commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences and setting new standards in the hospitality industry.”- Shady Dawad, General Manager, Millennium Place Mirdif.

Etihad Airways announces the roll out of its new and elevated digital experience across etihad.com and the mobile app. The new digital experience offers a modern and inviting platform to book travel and gain inspiration for upcoming journeys. The website navigation is re-engineered as a standout left-side menu allowing users to move seamlessly and efficiently through the site; while the bold colour of ‘midnight dune’ from Etihad’s newly integrated colour palette, gives an enticing first impression. A strong emphasis on enhanced digital self-service options makes the user experience easier and more personalised. During the online check-in process many new features have been added including pre-populated data to save time, an improved seat map and streamlined access to travel extras all within a simple three-step process. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “In our commitment to delivering an extraordinary customer experience, we’ve completely redesigned the digital experience ensuring that our guests enjoy engaging with us from the very first touch of a screen until reaching their destination and beyond. Furthermore, we’ve made sure our valued Etihad Guest members can enjoy the benefits of a more personalised experience now conveniently in the one app or website.” Adding to this, Etihad Airways’ Chief Digital Officer, Frank Meyer, said: “At Etihad, we are constantly evolving and innovating the digital experience in line with customer preferences and industry trends. In our commitment to innovation and improvement, we will continue to go beyond expectations by delivering a more personalised and seamless online experience for our guests.” The Etihad Airways mobile app, on both Android and iOS, now also serves as a digital travel assistant with booking, trip management and loyalty member profiles …

Al Nakhla Investment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with Marriott International to open a Residence Inn by Marriott in Riyadh. This development marks a significant milestone in Al Nakhla Investment’s ongoing efforts to diversify and expand its regional hospitality portfolio. The new Residence Inn by Marriott Riyadh will be strategically located in one of the city’s most vibrant and rapidly developing areas, offering long-term travelers and business professionals an exceptional blend of comfort, convenience, and modern amenities. The property will feature a selection of spacious suites and units designed to cater to guests seeking short or long stays, with fully equipped kitchens, separate living and sleeping areas, and state-of-the-art facilities. This agreement is part of a broader strategic collaboration between Al Nakhla Investment and Marriott International to bring world-class hospitality experiences to the Kingdom. The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to boost tourism, attract international investment, and develop the Kingdom’s hospitality sector. Speaking on the occasion, Momen Dowji, Business Development Manager of Al Nakhla Investment, said, “We are thrilled to work with Marriott International to bring the Residence Inn by Marriott brand to Riyadh. This agreement aligns with our strategy to expand our footprint in the hospitality sector and contribute to the growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism and business travel markets. We believe that the Residence Inn will offer a unique value proposition to both business and leisure travelers seeking high-quality, longer-stay accommodation in the heart of Riyadh.” Introducing Residence Inn by Marriott in Riyadh will add to the city’s growing array of hospitality options, catering to a diverse range of travelers. With its focus on long-term stays, Residence …

Akbar Travels, through its medical tourism division, TravoCure, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Thumbay Medical Tourism (TMT), a unit of the renowned Thumbay Healthcare Division. This collaboration aims to strengthen medical tourism services and provide seamless healthcare solutions for international patients. Thumbay Medical Tourism has been a leading provider of affordable and high-quality healthcare to patients from over 175 nationalities, offering top-tier medical services through its network of hospitals and specialized healthcare facilities in the UAE. TravoCure, owned by Akbar Travels, is dedicated to facilitating medical travel for patients seeking advanced treatments and wellness solutions globally. Under this partnership, Thumbay Healthcare will extend exclusive benefits to TravoCure-referred patients, including an exclusive discount on medical treatments. Additionally, the agreement covers the promotion of Thumbay University Hospitals’ services, organization of medical check-up camps, and collaboration on academic and clinical research initiatives. “This partnership marks a significant step in enhancing medical travel services for international patients,” said Ms. Ashiya Nazar, Chief Executive Officer of Akbar Travels. “Through this collaboration, we aim to provide world-class healthcare solutions with seamless travel arrangements for patients worldwide.” Mr. Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President of Thumbay Medical Tourism, emphasized, “Thumbay Healthcare has always been at the forefront of medical tourism in the region. Partnering with Akbar Travels will further expand our reach and enable patients to access high-quality and affordable healthcare with greater convenience.” A dedicated collaboration committee will oversee the implementation of this agreement, ensuring the smooth activation of joint projects and services. The MOU is reinforcing the long-term commitment of both organizations to developing the medical tourism sector.

Emaar Hospitality Group announces the opening of Vida Dubai Mall located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, this 195-key property, inclusive of 620 residence units, is poised to be the ultimate destination for urban explorers, leisure seekers, and business travelers. With direct access to Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest retail and entertainment hubs, and breathtaking views of the Burj Khalifa, this property represents a new chapter for the Vida brand in Dubai’s most iconic destination. Situated in the bustling heart of Downtown Dubai, Vida Dubai Mall offers unparalleled convenience and connectivity. The hotel is a stone’s throw away from Dubai’s top attractions, including the world-renowned Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountain, and several cultural hotspots. With seamless direct access to Dubai Mall and a direct link to Chinatown in Dubai Mall, guests are just steps away from a dynamic mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences, all within the largest mall in the world. Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, Vida Dubai Mall offers easy access to key business districts and top attractions, positioning guests at the center of everything this vibrant city has to offer. Towering above the Dubai skyline, Vida Dubai Mall blends modern architecture with rich cultural influences, ensuring that every stay is a memorable experience. The hotel’s sleek, stylish interiors provide a perfect balance between comfort and elegance, offering rooms with stunning views of the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai. Each room is meticulously designed, showcasing Vida’s signature style with soothing color palettes, trendy furnishings, and thoughtfully curated details. The rooms deliver an immersive environment that seamlessly combines functionality with aesthetic pleasure. Vida Dubai Mall is more than just a hotel—it’s a lifestyle destination. …