Etihad Airways and Garuda Indonesia are strengthening their partnership between Abu Dhabi and Jakarta and beyond their respective hubs. The scope of the partners’ codeshare agreement, first signed in 2012, will be significantly expanded to nearly double the number of combined destinations Etihad and Garuda are able to offer beyond the Abu Dhabi and Jakarta hubs, with 42 destinations across the Indonesian archipelago, South East Asia, Middle East, US and Europe now covered by the agreement. In addition, the partners offer reciprocal miles accrual and redemption opportunities to members of Etihad Guest and GarudaMiles across both airline’s networks, and will further engage both member bases through joint marketing activities. The carriers intend to explore further areas of collaboration in the light of current market opportunities and company requirements, including Cargo, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul, and Pilot/Crew Training Services. The partners signed an MOU covering these areas of discussion on the sidelines of the B20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia on 12 November, attended by HE Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, HE Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, and H.E. Abdullah Salem Al Dhaheri, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Indonesia. Antonoaldo Neves, Group CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “This expansion will serve as a platform for what we envision will be a deep ongoing partnership between our two airlines. We look forward to exploring comprehensive and pragmatic ways in which the two carriers can increase collaboration, enhance benefits and customer experience for our most frequent travellers and further extend the reach of our joint networks beyond our hubs. “This reflects Etihad’s continued drive for commercial sustainability and is …

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has unveiled the brand identity of Al Rafisah Dam, a premier leisure and tourist destination that offers enriching experiences in Sharjah’s eastern region. The move aims to bolster the destination’s position and support the inflow of tourists as well as promote its array of inclusive entertainment and tourist offerings. This was revealed during a press conference held to mark the launch of Al Rafisah Dam’s new brand identity on Monday, 14 November, 2022, at Khorfakkan, in the presence of His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA and a host of high-level officials and representatives of government entities from across Sharjah and the eastern region, in addition to media representatives. Al Rafisah Dam’s brand identity is inspired by nature and the environment around it and is rooted in the authentic heritage and cultural legacy of the region. It reflects the passion of adventure enthusiasts and their affinity for mountain and water sports activities as well as lovers of culture, history and nature. The new identity motivates tourists and visitors to explore thrilling adventures that promise fresh and exceptional experiences. HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said: “Launching the new brand identity of Al Rafisah Dam aligns with our strategy of enhancing Sharjah’s position as a premier tourist destination, reaffirming SCTDA’s vision to reinforce the emirate’s distinctive status on the global tourism map. The unique characteristics of safety, natural and cultural sustainability of Sharjah’s destinations that offer comprehensive touristic experiences is elevating the emirate’s appeal and attractiveness to visitors and tourists alike.” “By launching the new brand identity of Al Rafisah Dam, SCTDA aims to enhance and enrich the tourist …

MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest cruise brand, will hosted the Naming Ceremony of its newest flagship MSC World Europa at the brand-new Grand Cruise Terminal in Doha, Qatar. Together with partners Qatar Airways, the celebrations are part of MSC’s overall commitment to Qatar, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the growth of international tourism there as well as the broader Middle East region, where MSC Cruises is brand leader. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division of MSC Group, said: “Just like Qatar, our Group has placed climate change at the forefront of its agenda. We are committed to reaching net zero carbon from our cruise operations by 2050. MSC World Europa is our most innovative vessel. She is the world’s best performing cruise ship in terms of CO2 emissions per guest. Running on LNG, the cleanest fossil fuel and, of course, Qatar’s most renowned export.” Mr Vago continued: “Over the years, we have proven our commitment to supporting Qatar’s economic diversification, which is guided by Qatar National Vision 2030. And of course, to further developing Qatar’s profile as a global tourism destination. Qatar has a wonderful tourism offering to meet a huge variety of interests, and an array of destinations. In 2016, our own MSC Fantasia became the first major cruise ship to call at Doha. We have been reliable partners ever since. And today, we renew our commitment to Qatar by homeporting our most modern and innovative ship in Doha.” His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, commented: “While Qatar Airways is the global aviation gateway to Qatar, the marine industry is very important to tourism and the long term …

Sabre Corporation hosted an interactive event for key travel players in Saudi Arabia. The event, which took place in Riyadh last week brought together key decision-makers from travel companies, online agencies and corporations to discuss the evolving industry landscape in the kingdom and the region, the need for digital transformation and Sabre’s latest technology solutions. “Saudi Arabia is a particularly exciting country to be in right now,” said Abdul-Razzaq Iyer, vice president, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “It has a bright vision to build a progressive global tourism brand, and our customers need the right technology to help them leverage this unique opportunity for growth.  In parallel, the industry has become more complex post-pandemic, so simplifying the travel journey will be particularly important.  We will continue to deliver best-in-class technologies, including AI-driven products to travel agencies, across the region to help our travel partners tap into this growth.” At the Riyadh event, Sabre showcased its latest technology, including corporate solutions, application programming interface (APIs) and automation, and outlined how these solutions can increase efficiency through automation, allowing agents to spend more time to serve their customers and keep track of latest trends.  Solutions in the online and mobile space were also highlighted, in addition to innovative point-of-sale, Sabre Red 360, which offers an intuitive, customizable workflow and significant benefits for travel agents, including reduced training time and costs.  The technology is proven to reduce training times from weeks to hours. “We are helping some of the leading travel agencies in Saudi enter the online space, through access to intelligent technology that can personalize the customer journey,” continued Abdul-Razzaq. “Travel agencies continue to evolve, adapting to new consumer needs and leveraging …

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, launched, the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which comes under the ‘Projects of the 50’ as one of the biggest projects of the next years. The strategy aims to strengthen the position of the UAE as one of the best destinations in the world for tourism. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said, “Today, we approved UAE’s Tourism Strategy 2031. UAE ranks among the top 10 global tourist destinations. Our goal is to boost our competitiveness by attracting AED100 billion as additional tourism investments and welcome 40 million hotel guests in 2031.” His Highness added, “Tourism is key to diversifying our economy and boosting UAE’s global competitiveness. In the first quarter of 2022, our airports received 22 million passengers. Our goal is for the tourism sector’s contribution to be AED450 billion of GDP in 2031.” The strategy, which comes in partnership with various federal and local tourism authorities, national airlines, and international institutions and companies, aims to enhance the unified tourism identity and support the UAE integrated and well-established tourism ecosystem, in order to provide a distinguished experience for tourists from all over the world. The strategy aims to raise the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP to AED450 billion, with an annual increase of AED27 billion, attract new investments of AED100 billion to the tourism sector in the country, and attract 40 million hotel guests. The strategy includes 25 initiatives and policies to support the development of the tourism sector in the country. It is based on 4 key directions: strengthening the unified national tourism identity; developing and diversifying specialised tourism products; …

Saudi joined Umrah+ Connect, a leading B2B platform dedicated to the Umrah travel market to share Saudi’s Umrah offering with UK and European trade partners. Taking place during the World Travel Market, where Saudi is this year’s Premier Partner, Umrah+ Connect brings together leading DMC’s, airlines, hoteliers, and Umrah companies. Following the success of last year’s first major B2B Umrah event in London, Umrah+ Connect took place in association with Nusuk, Saudi’s first official integrated digital platform that offers pilgrims and visitors an easy-to-use planning gateway for their journeys to Makkah and Madinah, and beyond. This comes off the back of the recent global launch of Nusuk by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Nusuk is an initiative of the Vision 2030 Pilgrim Experience Program which has seen roadshows taking place in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Egypt and Indonesia. Nusuk will expand the range of choice and enhance the overall experience for Muslims visiting Saudi and enable simpler arrival procedures for visitors to perform Umrah. Nusuk will also offer a new range of services including facilitating visas, permits, booking processes and procedures, along with special packages for Makkah, Madinah and beyond. His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Chairman of the Committee for the Pilgrim Experience Program, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, said, “The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues its efforts in cooperation and collaboration with government entities in Saudi Arabia to serve the pilgrims of Makkah and Madinah through Nusuk. We are using the most advanced technology to enrich the spiritual experience of the pilgrim and visitor. Nusuk’s sponsorship of this event is a symbol of our commitment to bringing Nusuk to our partners and to the tens of millions Muslims …

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced that it will manage a luxury hotel in Kuwait, projected to open in 2028. The hotel will be located in the heart of the financial district of Kuwait City and will bring a new standard of luxury and elegance to the destination. Mandarin Oriental, Kuwait will be located in an iconic 80-storey tower, designed by the award-winning architects, Foster & Partners. In addition to the hotel, the tower will comprise a podium with a variety of international retail and entertainment centres, as well as premium office space. It will also be the headquarters of Bukhamseen Group Holding, which is developing the overall project. The hotel will feature 159 guestrooms, including 33 suites, and 10 serviced apartments, with views of downtown Kuwait City. It will offer a wide range of food and beverage outlets comprising a signature dining experience, a three meal period venue, a poolside  restaurant, a lobby lounge with a Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop, a club lounge and a shisha venue. There will also be extensive banqueting and meeting spaces to accommodate social and business events. A comprehensive Spa at Mandarin Oriental will provide a wide range of spa, beauty and wellness experiences and will feature eight private treatment rooms, a fitness centre, and both an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, the latter being set on a landscaped pool deck. The hotel is well placed for the city’s financial, commercial and governmental institutions and is a 20 minute drive from Kuwait’s International Airport. James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group said, “We are delighted at the opportunity to extend Mandarin Oriental’s presence in the Middle East with this important landmark …

Marriott International, Inc. announced its expansion into apartment-style accommodations with the launch of Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy. The company is seizing upon growing consumer interest among families and friends seeking more space for stays, propelled by the blending of work and leisure travel, and the desire among younger travelers for wider accommodations options. Marriott is building upon its 26 years of experience with Marriott Executive Apartments, its serviced-apartment brand in Asia, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. With the introduction of Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, the company expects it will enhance portfolio growth globally and bring the serviced-apartment concept to Marriott guests in the U.S. and Canada. “Travelers planning vacations and long business trips today are seeking more choice in accommodations, and the introduction of Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy responds to those trends, while offering developers a premium product backed by our trusted name and distribution platform,” said Stephanie Linnartz, President, Marriott International. “With Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy, guests will be able to shop a wider array of accommodation options within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, growing their loyalty to the portfolio and its range of brand offerings.” Marriott plans to introduce Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy in the upper-upscale and luxury segments, distinguished from Marriott’s existing extended-stay brands, with distinctly designed products that reflect the local neighborhood for independent travelers seeking more space and residential amenities. Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy will feature a separate living room and bedroom, full kitchen, and in-unit washer and dryer, but will be differentiated from Marriott’s existing extended-stay brands by not providing certain traditional hotel services such as food and beverage, meeting spaces, and retail. Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy is anticipated to offer developers the …

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Company for Visa and Travel Solutions (SVTS) for broader collaboration on streamlining travel arrangements. The signing took place during the first day of the World Travel Market in London between Wael Basaffar, SAUDIA’s VP sales, and Abdullah Aljorias, the Chief Business Officer of SVTS. According to the MoU, the two parties will share the use of each other’s office spaces around the world and co-invest in technological solutions for online interconnectivity. The two companies will also explore ways to create, develop, and apply joint services and marketing. In addition, the MoU proposes the possibility of joint operations support bureaus to help run day-to-day activities. There is also a possibility of SAUDIA offering exclusive deals across its international network. Mr. Basafar said that the MoU comes as part of SAUDIA’s commitment to broadening its partnerships with government agencies and the private sector locally and internationally for greater online interconnectivity of services, which supports the Kingdom’s digital transformation agenda and plans to streamline travel arrangements for visitors from across more than 100 destinations in four continents. Mr. Abdullah Aljorias, Chief Business Officer, clarifies that the memorandum was signed to enable the company to reach its long-term objectives. The primary purpose is to provide all new and innovative solutions and digitization services that contribute to simplifying processes for passengers. It also works to benefit from all the service and sales centers across the world that both companies provide. According to Aljorias, SVTS looks forward to ongoing partnerships that encourage a wide range of government, semi-government, private sectors, and individual beneficiaries.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed a strategic partnership with WebBeds, one of the world’s leading providers of accommodation and ground product distribution services to the travel industry. The strategic partnership, which was announced at this week’s World Travel Market (WTM) 2022, will help drive awareness of Abu Dhabi among WebBeds’ network of travel agents and partners. Through a series of webinars, roadshows and trade fam trips, the partnership will educate travel agents about Abu Dhabi by showcasing the inspiring, exciting and restorative experiences that can be enjoyed during a visit. The new strategic partnership with WebBeds will pave the way for the two entities to work together to increase WebBed’s product portfolio and inform its trade professionals about Abu Dhabi’s unique blend of experiences and events on offer for travellers throughout the year.  With an action-packed calendar of 180 events, including the debut of The Lion King stage show in the Middle East, and the biggest impressionist art exhibition outside of Europe at Louvre Abu Dhabi, there has never been a better time to visit the UAE capital. His Excellency Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We’re delighted to announce our new partnership with WebBeds, which will enable us to showcase Abu Dhabi’s attractiveness as an all-in-one destination with year-round experiences that inspire, excite and restore. Collaborations with key partners unlock global markets and this one will allow us to connect with WebBeds’ valued travel agencies and product management network to welcome more visitors each year.” Amr Ezzeldin, WebBeds President – Middle East and Africa, said: “We’re pleased to be working with DCT Abu …