Building upon its commitment to digital transformation and customer-first innovation, SalamAir announced the launch of its dedicated WhatsApp service. Passengers can now receive their tickets and boarding passes directly via WhatsApp, ensuring a smoother and more connected travel experience.​ This initiative follows a series of enhancements introduced in the last few months to provide travellers greater flexibility and personalization, which included the launch of the Express Bag and Priority services. These offerings reflect SalamAir’s dedication to reforming the airline experience by combining low fares with enhanced flexibility, allowing passengers to tailor their journeys to their needs.​ Steven Allen, Chief Commercial Officer of SalamAir, emphasized the airline’s vision:​”At SalamAir, we believe passengers should have the freedom to choose the services that matter to them. As part of our broader digital transformation strategy, we’re introducing smart, customer-focused tools, like our new WhatsApp service, to enhance flexibility and control. This is just the beginning; the WhatsApp platform will continue to evolve, offering even more features to make the travel experience seamless and personal.” ​The introduction of the WhatsApp service marks another milestone in SalamAir’s journey towards delivering seamless, tech-driven solutions that prioritize customer convenience and satisfaction.

Club Med will open its doors in Oman by 2028 on the Musandam Peninsula for the first time in its history. The resort will feature 300 premium rooms, alongside a variety of wellness retreats, adventure activities, and world-class dining experiences. As the first Club Med resort in the Middle East, Club Med Musandam embodies a vision of providing an unparalleled luxury hospitality experience rooted in sustainability. Its architectural design incorporates open spaces with breathtaking views, using locally sourced materials and cutting-edge eco-friendly technologies to minimise environmental impact—positioning it as a benchmark for sustainable resort development.

The Ministry of Tourism Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched a new service that enables visitors to verify the license status of their chosen hotels and serviced apartments in Makkah and Madinah. The verification tool, now available on the ministry’s website www.mt.gov.sa, aims to ensure quality services and protect the rights of visitors. This step is part of the ministry’s ongoing campaign Our Guests Come First that seeks to enhance visitor experience and ensure that hospitality facilities comply with standards and licensing requirements. This service will empower visitors to make informed decisions when booking accommodation, ensuring a comfortable and safe stay. The ministry is also working to expand the service’s reach to a wider audience. The Ministry of Tourism continues to respond to inquiries and receive feedback regarding hospitality services. Visitors can contact the Unified Tourism Center at 930 or reach out through the ministry’s official social media channels.

Visit Qatar in collaboration with Qatari Diar hosted the Lusail Sky Festival, which lasted for 3 days coinciding with the Eid Al Fitr holiday, the largest event of its kind in Qatar welcomed more than 340,000visitors. The festival presented an exceptional visual show that brought together more than 3,000 drones and 16 aircraft in coordinated aerial shows that included world-class acrobatic aircraft shows, skydiving, sky-writing aircraft, coloured smoke displays, fast jet shows, laser-enhanced night shows, and fireworks displays. Lusail skies were lit up by professional show teams from Qatar, Northern Europe, the United Kingdom and Germany, with the participation of123 international air show professionals. The excitement spread to the ground, where visitors enjoyed live performances, family and musical activities, as well as a selection of food from chargers and food trucks. As an event open to the public, Lusail Sky Festival is the embodiment of a commitment Visit Qatar by providing world-class experiences that are accessible and suitable for all, emphasizing Qatar’s position as a vibrant destination that attracts visitors from the region and the world.

Mabrian, the global travel intelligence platform, analysed seats availability data on flights scheduled in international, one-way, direct flights connecting to nine Middle East destinations (Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrein), that collectively account for 12% of the total global inbound air seats scheduled for the full year 2025. This study is part of a series of Middle East market insights Mabrian will release in the lead-up to Arabian Travel Market 2025, aiming at sparking discussions on key trends shaping the travel & tourism in the region. Ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2025, this edition addressing the connectivity role in tourism development, Mabrian analysed the international air connectivity evolution and forecasts for 9 top Middle East destinations, revealing their role and potential as global aviation hubs and travel destinations, as well as challenges for a sustainable growth for international air connectivity. Mabrian’s analysis of 2025 international air seat availability reveals key shifts in the Middle East’s aviation landscape, underscoring the need for strategic route development, airline partnerships, and network optimisation to strengthen the Middle East’s position as a global aviation hub. Key take outs of this study indicate that the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye maintain their positions as top global connectivity hubs; Saudi Arabia emerges as a fast-growing competitor; Qatar stabilises after sustained expansion; Egypt and Jordan are set to outpace global growth rates, and Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait face declining inbound connectivity. Saudi Air Connectivity Soars: A +38% Growth in Inbound Seats Since 2019. The United Arab Emirates (ranking in 7th position worldwide with 88.9 million seats available on international flights) and Türkiye (9th position, with 75.6 million seats) are among the top …

Oman Air has entered an exciting new partnership with TUI to offer customers a seamless way to book holiday packages alongside their flights. The collaboration introduces a new digital platform integrated directly with the airline’s booking engine, empowering travellers with access to a diverse array of holiday experiences across Oman Air’s network in just a few clicks. The partnership was unveiled during ITB Berlin, one of the world’s leading travel trade shows. Launching for the summer holiday season, guests will be able to conveniently book holiday packages to over 22 destinations spanning Oman, Europe, the Far East, GCC, Africa and more, via the newly developed digital booking platform. The seamless online journey will combine flights, hotels, car hire, ground transport, tours, experiences, and more, combined into dynamic packages or as standalone bookings. “We are thrilled to partner with TUI to offer our guests an entirely new way to plan and experience their travels. Designed for those who seek the reassurance of a complete package holiday, our platform will offer unparalleled convenience, quality and affordability, along with the security and bonding requirements specific to each destination,” said Michael Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer at Oman Air. “Not only will we offer all-new travel experiences for our guests from Oman, but we will also simplify inbound tourism into Oman, encouraging more international travellers to visit. The partnership also marks a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance digitalisation and deliver seamless, end-to-end travel experiences for our guests.” David Schelp, CEO TUI Markets + Airline, added, “We are excited to work with Oman Air as a new partner for our platform. This collaboration will offer a unique possibility for travellers to experience the wonderful …

The Middle East’s premier cruise trade event, Cruise Travel Mart 2025, returns for its fourth edition on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, at the Al Bader Ballroom, Shangri-La Dubai. Established in 2022 by leading GSA heads of the region’s top cruise lines, the event has grown into a vital platform for fostering industry collaboration, raising awareness, and equipping travel agents with the insights needed to drive cruise sales. With an exclusive focus on cruise travel, Cruise Travel Mart 2025 will gather over 100 top-tier travel agents from the UAE and neighbouring GCC markets, alongside senior representatives from the world’s most prestigious cruise lines. Participating CTM member cruise lines include Celebrity Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, Explora Journeys, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, and Windstar Cruises. Cruise Travel Mart is the Must-Attend Cruise Trade Event Dedicated Cruise Focus – Unlike broader travel trade shows, Cruise Travel Mart is solely dedicated to cruise tourism, ensuring tailored discussions and strategic collaborations. High-Quality Networking – The event attracts key decision-makers from leading travel agencies, providing exhibitors with an unparalleled opportunity to strengthen industry relationships. Strategic Brand Exposure – Cruise lines will showcase their unique offerings through interactive exhibits, presentations, and direct engagement with stakeholders. Exclusive Industry Insights – Participants will gain valuable perspectives on market trends, customer preferences, and sales strategies shaping the cruise sector. Market Expansion & Growth – Cruise Travel Mart serves as a gateway for cruise brands looking to enhance their presence and operations in the Middle East. Extensive Media Exposure – Through partnerships with leading travel trade media, the event will feature press releases, media interviews, and comprehensive coverage before, during, and after …

Emirates has revealed that for the first time ever My Emirates Pass will be available all year round with seasonal summer and winter offers; giving customers access to over 600 exclusive offers across Dubai – an opportunity to make the most out of their visit. Customers flying from, through or to Dubai can now unlock discounts on top culinary experiences, world-class shopping experiences, unmissable leisure attractions, and tranquil luxury spas any time of the year. Whether it’s an unforgettable family trip, a relaxing couples retreat, or a solo adventure, My Emirates Pass will offer those visiting Dubai unforgettable experiences no matter the season. Using My Emirates Pass will remain as easy as ever, passengers will simply need to show their physical or digital boarding pass along with a valid ID at participating venues to enjoy the benefits. Passengers who checked in online and downloaded their boarding pass to the Emirates App or Wallet should remember to screenshot it before landing, as it will no longer be accessible afterward. Emirates will roll out exclusive seasonal summer offers, running from 1st April through to 30th September, making it easier than ever to experience the best of Dubai, including the return of the much-anticipated Dubai Summer Surprises. Dubai Summer Surprises From 27th June to 31st August 2025, visitors can take advantage of Dubai Summer Surprises, a deal-packed season filled with exciting offers and unforgettable experiences. Emirates passengers flying to Dubai can look forward to luxurious shopping, spectacular entertainment, and exceptional dining. With countless offers and surprises in store, summer in Dubai is the perfect time to enjoy incredible value and create unforgettable memories for visitors of all ages. An unforgettable summer of memories Whether passengers are …

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced a new collaboration to train 5000 Saudi nationals in the next six months in travel, tourism and hospitality. As Oracle technologies are integral to hotels and resorts at RSG destinations, the program will also help students increase their chances of securing employment across RSG’s growing portfolio of luxury tourism destinations. The new initiative compliments Oracle’s goal to train 50,000 people in the Kingdom. The program also highlights RSG’s commitment to empower local communities and nurture Saudi talent through its regenerative approach. The training program will educate and upskill local people through Oracle’s Mostaqbali learning platform, delivered through Oracle University. This is a free educational initiative which helps Saudi nationals gain the IT skills needed for the most in-demand, technologically enabled jobs. This initiative forms part of our commitment to support the growth and development of young Saudi talent across the Kingdom and help them achieve their potential. Sultan Moraished, Group Head of Technology and Corporate Excellence shared, “The program builds upon our existing training initiatives through which young Saudis have been offered employment with RSG and our partners. By equipping young Saudis with technical skills through a program run by a global technology leader, we believe that we can create a strong pool of qualified candidates for the hospitality sector within the Kingdom, aligning with the overarching objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.” “Oracle is committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by empowering local talent with the skills needed for the Kingdom’s rapidly growing digital economy,” said Reham AlMusa, vice president – Business Applications, Public Sector, and managing director – Saudi Arabia, Oracle. “Our collaboration with RSG will help create a strong local talent pipeline …

With three weeks remaining until Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the event is on course to attract a record number of high value visitors, with registrations up 104% compared to the same time last year, reinforcing its position as an essential platform for travel trade professionals around the world. International markets account for a substantial 52% of total visitor registrations, highlighting the event’s global appeal and underscoring the importance of fostering cross-cultural connections and collaborations. Meanwhile, visitors from the UAE and GCC contribute significantly to the total figures, accounting for 48% of registrations. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Increased international attendance strengthens the global profile of ATM, providing a vital boost to the local economy and driving revenue in sectors such as hospitality, retail, and travel, thereby demonstrating the impact and strength of business events. This year’s edition is expected to see notable growth in participation from key regions, reflecting demand from across the global tourism industry.” The top five registered countries for ATM 2025 to date include the UAE, India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UK. India, with its thriving outbound travel market and expanding aviation sector, remains a significant source of demand for the travel industry. Egypt’s tourism revenues reached US$15.3 billion in 2024, representing a more than 100% increase over the last decade, with the government setting a target of 30 million tourists by 2032. Major tourism investments in Saudi Arabia, driven by Vision 2030 initiatives, have positioned the Kingdom as a strong player in the global travel market. The UK remains a crucial hub for both inbound and outbound tourism, with a significant presence in business travel and among tour operators. Last year, ATM …