Musafir.com inaugurated their new office in Doha, Qatar. The office was inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani, Co-founder, and Chairman of Musafir.com and a member of the Qatari House of Al Thani in presence of eminent guests from the travel fraternity. Musafir.com’s strong presence in Qatar is part of the organization’s regional growth strategy and commitment to boost travel and tourism in the country. It enables the organization to facilitate Qatar Tourism’s goal of attracting six million visitors by 2030 and raising the tourism industry’s contribution to the nation’s GDP to 10% by the same year. Musafir.com has seen two-fold growth post COVID and will invest in technology to drive seamless experiences for both leisure and corporate clients. Speaking at the opening of the office, Sheikh Al Thani said, “The new corporate office in Qatar is part of the company’s expansion within the region. The Middle East travel and tourism sector post-pandemic is gaining pace as pent- up desire to travel rekindles. Musafir.com has moved from strength to strength and this new office will help the company achieve long-term success.” The new office premises is centrally and strategically located in Al Emadi Financial Square, and includes a state-of-the-art, multilingual contact centre, which will offer Musafir.com’s customers dedicated 24 X 7 support. Sachin Gadoya, Co-founder, and CEO Musafir.com, said, “Qatar is an exciting and fast-growing travel market, and the opening of our office will allow us to better cater to the burgeoning travel and tourism demand while reinforcing our commitment to growth in the country.” With significant travel-intensive events such as the FIFA World Cup being held in Qatar, Musafir.com has plethora of exciting new offers for its customers …

AVIAREPS successfully relaunched its in-person AVIAREPS Middle East Travel Caravan after a 2-year hiatus following the Covid pandemic. Over 110 key travel industry professionals, media and travel influencers attended the Dubai leg of the event which was held on October 11th, 2022 at the Shangri-la Dubai Hotel. The travel roadshow saw key international travel brands and destinations gather under the one roof to meet with the UAE’s and Saudi Arabia’s key outbound travel agencies and meeting and conferencing professionals, to meet one to one to develop new travel packages, itineraries and events tailored for UAE and Saudi Arabia-based travellers. A total of 27 key international partners joined the 2022 edition of the AVIAREPS Caravan including Qatar Tourism Board, The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Malta Tourism Authority, The Royal Commission for AlUla, Visit California, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority and a host of international hospitality brands, airlines and destination management companies. In addition to meeting leading travel agencies, partners also had the opportunity to meet with popular travel influencers from the region, as well as join an intimate panel discussion industry thought leaders, that included representatives from Emirates Holidays, ITL World and Al Rostamani Travel, where they were updated on the latest travel trends and consumer travel requirements from the region. Glenn Johnston, Vice President Middle East & Global Public Affairs, AVIAREPS commented: “As we head towards a post pandemic world outbound international travel from the Gulf Countries continues to demonstrate a remarkably strong and quick return compared to all other major travel regions around the globe. Within this context it is extremely important and timely to hold such an event. By bringing the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s travel professionals …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)  unveiled its new, innovative crowdsourcing platform, which serves as a collaborative, agile, and welcoming tool connecting DCT Abu Dhabi with the world. The unveiling took place as part of the Department’s participation in the 42nd edition of GITEX Global, which runs from 10 – 14 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The new Platform complements DCT Abu Dhabi’s five additional data-led projects on display throughout the event. The crowdsourcing platform will be used to implement a complete corporate innovation ecosystem and engage the worldwide community in solving challenges concerning DCT Abu Dhabi’s mandate whilst facilitating access for participants to share new ideas with the Department. The global activation will also support DCT Abu Dhabi’s brand and digital transformation, enhancing regional recognition and focusing on the Department’s efforts to encourage new talents, projects, designs, and ideas through one unified digital platform. Further, through this platform, DCT Abu Dhabi will tap into the vast knowledge of participants to create a wealth of knowledge of significant value. As a result, the competitive benefit for DCT Abu Dhabi can be found in the unexpected solutions that these unique insights will deliver. Additionally, the platform will allow for faster problem-solving while involving the community and driving the adoption and analysis of valuable data. H.E. Adnan Mohammed Alawadhi, Support Services Executive Director at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Developing and launching this platform comes in line with the UAE Digital Government’s Strategy 2025, focusing on digital transformation, which is a core priority of DCT Abu Dhabi. We are committed to identifying avenues for faster problem-solving and continually involving the community in projects. In addition …

The countdown has begun to one of the most significant hospitality openings of the year, Address Beach Resort Bahrain – a jewel in the crown for Emaar, standing proudly on the spectacular shores of Marassi Al Bahrain. In just a matter of weeks, the property will be open to the public who will be able to enjoy luxury and relaxation in an idyllic setting, accompanied by an unrivalled mix of amenities. The 117-key hotel along with 154-key residence exudes luxury with its modern façade, complimented inside by crisp, cool, tones offering equal measures of sophistication and tranquillity. Guests will enjoy vast dining options across The Restaurant, The Lounge, and The Garden – each offering a different dining experience whether you are looking for the perfect romantic dinner, an impressive business lunch, or a chilled-out bite with a beverage.If that wasn’t enough, the property is a beautiful beachfront retreat, sitting on the glittering shores of Marassi Al Bahrain providing the Kingdom’s most incredible vistas. Market-leading amenities will including a world-class spa for the ultimate in self-care, a fully equipped gym, and breath-taking pool. The little ones are catered for with a Kids’ Club and splash pad. Address Beach Resort Bahrain will also provide the perfect venue for unforgettable events from weddings to functions, and business meetings and conferencing. This property will change the way people think about hospitality in the Kingdom, with exceptional accommodation, services, and standards to deliver guests a truly unforgettable experience.

Emirates, the largest international airline, is upgrading capacity on its Narita-Dubai route with the deployment of its flagship A380 from 15 November, as Japan scraps the daily arrival cap, and lifts the COVID-19 testing and self-quarantine protocols for inbound travel. Following the Japanese government’s announcement last month to ease the entry restrictions, Emirates has seen a spike in bookings for flights to its gateways – Narita and Osaka. Emirates’ flight EK318 from Dubai will depart at 2:55hrs and arrive in Narita at 17:20hrs. The return flight EK319 from Narita will depart at 22:30hrs and arrive in Dubai at 5:30hrs the following day. All times are local. The reintroduction of the Emirates A380 to Narita also underscores the airline’s long-standing commitment to Japan’s tourism and travel sector. By providing more capacity, the airline aims to serve the pent-up demand for travel into Japan along with providing choice and flexibility for travellers through its daily service to Osaka EK316/317, operated by the Boeing 777. This year, Emirates is celebrating two decades of successful operations to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport. Emirates was the first airline to establish air connectivity between Japan and the UAE, as well as the rest of the Arabian Gulf countries back in 2002. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the airline continued to contribute to the local community by transporting essential air cargo between Japan and other global markets, which also helped to maintain the trade links that were needed during the unprecedented times via its Dubai hub. Leisure travellers from over 60 countries can now travel to Japan visa-free and without guided tours. However, travellers must still check the entry requirements. Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, the …

In line with Dubai’s aim of becoming the world’s most visited destination, Dubai Miracle Garden today opened doors for local and international visitors for its eleventh season. Visitors to the world’s largest natural flower garden will enjoy never-before-seen floral and water-themed attractions. As the 11th season coincides with the FIFA World Cup, the region’s biggest sporting event, characters from The Smurfs will be seen sporting jerseys of different participating nations in the park. Engineer Abdel Naser Rahhal, Creator and Co-Founder of Dubai Miracle Garden, said: “We are excited to open the doors for our 11th season. As one of the UAE’s top attractions, Dubai Miracle Garden is proud to contribute to Dubai’s tourism ecosystem by offering a unique and diverse experience to residents and overseas visitors, further enhancing the city’s position as a year-round must-visit destination. We are proud to play a role in making Dubai a global destination for lifestyle and tourism.” The destination is gearing up for a renewed sense of confidence amongst international visitors as a post-COVID world allows for easier and safer travel plans. A team of designers and sculptors have put the final touches on multi-sensory exhibits and attractions that appeal to children and adults alike. Engineer Rahhal added: “We are delighted with how Dubai Miracle Garden has grown from strength to strength over the years. With every new season, there are high expectations to surpass the creativity, innovation and scale of floral exhibits we’ve had in the past. In the 11th edition, Dubai Miracle Garden is prepared to bedazzle its visitors more than ever before.” He continued: “The Smurfs attraction was a huge hit during our milestone season last year. So, this year, we …

Revier Dubai, a 4-star lifestyle hotel modeled as a meeting point for today’s gen-X while offering Swiss Hospitality in Business Bay, is all set to officially launch Alphorn’s Swiss Bliss Brunch every Saturday, starting from 15th October 2022, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at Alphorn Restaurant. On this occasion, the media were invited to celebrate the soft opening of the lively brunch to experience the rich Swiss cuisine first-hand, which amazed them with its delicate servings and high-quality recipes. Priced at AED 299 per person, the Saturday brunch buffet will offer guests a sumptuous buffet with a wide selection of international and Swiss cuisines and bottomless beverages. A house package is also available at AED 399, and a Premium package at AED 499. Diners can also unleash their taste buds across the enormous outdoor terrace of the Alphorn Restaurant. With many cooks in the kitchen, hungry weekenders will experience every Saturday the taste of Switzerland and enjoy not only tempting live- BBQ and cooking stations for high-end tasty meats, and seafood on every corner, but also the most epic Swiss cheese, salads, tarts, pizzas, Alpine macaroni, Rosti potatoes, risotto, in addition of the luxury and delicate treats, counting the Swiss creamiest chocolate. Live performances by house entertainers will also be present to create a joyful atmosphere for friends and families of all ages. Mickael Chevalier, General Manager at Revier Dubai, said: “I am very excited about the Saturday Brunch opening. It provides an urban escape to create harmony with Swiss nature. My passion is to spread the Swiss culture and tell the story to the world through presenting Revier’s authenticity, efficiency, and simplicity values to our guests, giving them the …

Malta, an emerging outbound destination for GCC travellers showcased their prowess when it came to luxury hotels and travel at the AVIAREPS Travel Caravan which consisted two stopovers to meet with their GCC clientele, one in the UAE and the other in KSA. Both events were successfully concluded. TBN spoke with Brian Bartolo, Director of Sales and Marketing Radisson Resort and Spa Malta Golden Sands, reiterated, “ We are showcasing one of Malta’s five star properties located on the north side of the island it is blessed with its location, primarily it sits besides Malta’s Golden Bay beach enjoying Malta’s wonderful sunsets and it is a place that one has to visit. We have five different types of luxury suites, our best selling suites are what called the sense tower suites which sits by the water’s edge and they have just being refurbished two years ago.” Grace El Khoury, Senior Business Development Manager Middle East, Intercontinental Malta, “We are trying to extend our market in the GCC, as you know Intercontinental is part of IHG and we want to explore the GCC market in Malta. The agents mainly inquired about our room inventory, as well as the surrounding areas as well as the meeting facilities for MICE business.” Malta’s delegation consisted of luxury five star properties, luxury DMC and MICE agents and of course the tourism board who brought in the team.

Malta was one of the prominent partners at the AVIAREPS Middle East Travel Caravan with a contingent of DMCs and hotels which were more suited for the Middle Eastern travellers. The travel roadshow saw key international travel brands and destinations gather under the one roof to meet with the UAE’s and Saudi Arabia’s key outbound travel agencies and meeting and conferencing professionals, to meet one to one to develop new travel packages, itineraries and events tailored for UAE and Saudi Arabia-based travellers. Arthur Grima – Senior Manager Marketing at Malta Tourism Authority shared, “We are in the interesting period of seeing the recovery of tourism from the pandemic, in fact this year we are expecting to have around 2 million passengers from all our markets. Middle East is an emerging market for us and the type of tourists we receive are luxury travellers, interested mainly in more exclusive and boutique, private luxury type of hotels. We shared our diverse culture as various civilisations left their mark on their island, which is a significant attraction for visitors, also ours is the only language which is sematic but written in the Latin alphabet and this is very particular, its not just the language but also the gastronomy which is very varied and one can experience over 7000 years of history. Connectivity to Malta from this region is quite easy with the daily flight on Emirates to Malta. We are trying to make ourselves more known in the region.” Brian Bartolo, Director of Sales and Marketing Radisson Resort and Spa Malta Golden Sands, reiterated, “ We are showcasing one of Malta’s five star properties located on the north side of the island it …

Marriott International, Inc. announced plans to debut the Fairfield by Marriott brand in Europe and the Middle East by 2025 in Middle East and late 2023 in Europe. Fairfield is the second largest brand within Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of 30 hotel brands, with a global footprint of more than 1,230 open hotels. Fairfield by Marriott Makkah Al Naseem, Saudi Arabia – Expected to open Q1 2025; located in the Al Naseem district and set to rise in five towers, the 2,600-guestroom Fairfield by Marriott Makkah Al Naseem will be a fantastic property for those looking to visit cultural sites, such as Mina, Muzdalifa, Al Jamarat Bridge and Arafat. Makkah is known as the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed and is considered Islam’s holiest city. Situated in Makkah city centre, the hotel will provide a convenient base for those visiting on pilgrimage or business. Fairfield by Marriott Makkah Ibrahim Al Khalil Road, Saudi Arabia – Expected to open Q4 2025;  set to be the second Fairfield property in Makkah, the Fairfield by Marriott Makkah Ibrahim Al Khalil Road will look to offer guests a prime location just walking distance of the Grand Mosque. Every year, more than two million people visit Makkah for Hajj, the pilgrimage to Kaaba and with 1,376 expected guestrooms outlined in the design plans, the hotel will be the perfect destination for those visiting. From its innovative design to adapting each property to be locally relevant and its ability to cater to the needs for today’s traveller, Fairfield by Marriott is expected to see continued owner demand. Fairfield celebrates the beauty of simplicity with an effortless hotel experience focused on bringing value, productivity, and a great …