The company, which has developed its own proprietary software, has joined the NextGen FDI program to consolidate its global operations in the UAE. The company will establish its headquarters in Dubai Internet City, supporting 500 jobs in the country within two years, 250 of which will be highly skilled, as it seeks to enhance its platform through advanced technology capabilities such as AI and blockchain. The Ministry of Economy has announced that Holiday Swap, a vacation exchange and booking platform with more than 1 million monthly users worldwide, is the latest company to join its NextGenFDI program, the multistakeholder initiative that provides pioneering businesses from around the world with the market-entry fundamentals required to establish and scale their operations in the UAE. Launched in 2018, Holiday Swap is a community-based platform that connects holidaymakers online, enabling them to swap homes or rent directly from one another at minimal or zero cost. Today, the platform has more than 120,000 listed properties across 185 countries, including the UAE, where it has approximately 1,200 listings. It aims to expand its listings to 400,000 properties by the close of 2023. His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, said: “The onboarding of Holiday Swap reflects the continuing success of the NextGen FDI program in attracting pioneering companies to the UAE and fostering the development of cutting-edge solutions across a diverse range of economic sectors. The partnership is not only testament to the UAE’s position as a world-class hub for innovation but also the scale and sophistication of its travel and tourism industry, which contributed AED167 billion to the country’s GDP in 2022, a growth of more than 60 …

Dubai International (DXB) celebrates a significant milestone in its recovery with passenger traffic for the first half of the year surpassing 2019 levels. The world’s busiest international hub welcomed 41.6m guests in H1, just over 100%, compared to the traffic recorded during the first six months of 2019. DXB registered a robust performance throughout the second quarter, during which passenger traffic surged by 42.7% year on year to reach 20.3m. May was the busiest month during Q2 with 6.9m guests. Propelled by a strong Q2, DXB’s H1 traffic totalled 41.6m guests, up 49.1% compared to 27.9m recorded in H1 2022. “It’s been a rewarding first half for Dubai International and amidst increasing guest numbers, we take great pride in knowing we are continuously delivering with operational excellence and providing an exemplary guest experience. Our dedicated team go above and beyond to create a personalised and seamless experience for every guest.  Recent stories of our team delivering a unique guest experience at DXB include communicating with a guest with a hidden disability using a translator tool, working with our stakeholders to locate a lost passport minutes before the guest’s flight was due to depart, helping a guest recover his lost wallet from his hotel after he cleared immigration and even reuniting a little boy in the U.K with his beloved stuffed bunny after he had been left behind at DXB . As we recover with our H1 traffic surpassing pre-pandemic levels, we continue to remain committed to ensuring every guest who travels through our airport leaves with a smile,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. DXB’s baggage performance continues to be world-leading, and in H1 2023, baggage volume increased by …

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) of Dubai has announced a new entry permit for residents of GCC countries travelling to Dubai. The service is available for travellers who have a valid residency of any of the GCC states for at least a year, have no travel restrictions from entering the country, and their work and residency cards need to include the profession. “This service has been activated to issue a prior online entry permit for travellers residing in the GCC countries in order to ensure a smooth entry process into the UAE and streamline procedures,” said a GDRFA notification. The process to apply on GDRFA website are: * Log in to the smart services through (UAE Pass or username), * Select the service. * Fill in the application. * Attach documents * Pay the fees (AED250 plus Vat of 5%)   The documents required are: * The original passport, * Upon arrival, presenting the original residence permit issued by a GCC country. * A civil or labour card. The entry permits are likely to be issued within 48 hours, said the GDRFA website.    

Al Masaood Automobiles and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) reaffirmed their strategic partnership to continue to support major sporting events and activities hosted in the nation’s capital. The partnership, first announced in March of 2022, has seen Al Masaood Automobiles Nissan sponsor a number of high-profile events, including the Leaders’ Summit, the FIBA 3X3 World Basketball Tour, and the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon. The renewed collaboration will continue to see Al Masaood Automobiles Nissan support all ADSC community events across the year, as well as other international sports events including the Spartan and Triathlon World Championships. The partnership showcases Al Masaood Automobiles’ commitment to promote sports and physical activity among youth in Abu Dhabi. “The renewed partnership between Al Masaood Automobiles and ADSC is a significant boost to position Abu Dhabi as a global sports hub,” said HE Suhail Al Areefi, Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s Executive Director of Events Sector. “It is a strategic partnership that builds on the success we have achieved in the past year and will help to ensure that Abu Dhabi remains a leading destination for major sporting events and promote community sports among the nation’s young demographics. For this, we highly appreciate the unfettered support that Al Masaood Automobiles has provided and continues to deliver.” “We are proud to continue our partnership with ADSC,” said Irfan Tansel, CEO of Al Masaood Automobiles. “This partnership is a reflection of our shared commitment to promoting sports and physical well-being in Abu Dhabi, and we look forward to working together to achieve our mutual goals. In addition, this partnership underscores our support of making the capital a global sports hub by further developing the sector in Abu …

Colife is expanding into the UAE market with a focus on comfort, community and convenience, the company is revolutionizing the way people experience stylish apartments. The company has grown by 11% in the last 1,5 months, as the demand of residents for apartments in Dubai with all services is constantly increasing. Colife offers affordable, fully furnished apartments with modern Scandinavian design and 24/7 concierge assistance. Each apartment is ready to move in, with high-speed WiFi included, so tenants can stay connected and productive at work. Prices start at AED 6900 for an apartment with all amenities. Colife is not just about providing a place to live; it’s about building a friendly community of creative and talented individuals. The company believes in nurturing relationships and helping tenants achieve their goals, hosting free weekly events that inspire and motivate residents. Key features of Colife’s rental service: – 24/7 service, with DEWA, chiller, and maintenance included, ensuring a hassle-free living experience. – Apartments located in neighbourhoods with well-developed infrastructure and excellent transport accessibility. – A close-knit community of tenants, offering networking opportunities and engaging in leisure activities together. Colife works closely with landlords, taking over existing apartments, fully renovating them, and then renting them to tenants at a markup, benefiting both landlords and tenants with improved living spaces. Ilnara Muzafiarova, CEO Colife “The plans are to take into operation 250 apartments in Dubai. Now they are slightly less than half, but doubling the number of apartments is quite an ambitious task. We also consider Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah among other emirates. We are confident that the UAE housing rental market will grow in the next decade. We also consider regions further …

In H1 2023, Ras Al Khaimah saw a 300% increase in revenue from weddings which is expected to continue to grow into H2 with the launch of the programme in September. Ras Al Khaimah focused on the fast-growing MICE market in H1 as part of its diversification strategy. Indicating a successful push to attract international markets for incentive groups with longer stays versus local corporate groups that tend to only stay for a couple of nights, the destination saw a 26% increase in MICE rooms nights compared to the same period in 2022. It also hosted several major events between January and June 2023, including the RAK Half Marathon, Arab Aviation Summit, DP World Tour and Exotic Wedding Planning Conference (EWPC). Further establishing the Emirate as a unique and attractive wedding destination, the Authority chose EWPC as its platform to introduce an all-new Wedding Certification Programme that will enable seamless, quick, and easy wedding planning in Ras Al Khaimah. Those certified through the new Wedding Certification Programme will benefit from added ease and flexibility in obtaining necessary licenses, organising events, and gaining valuable business support from certified hotels via an e-portal. Planners will also gain a deeper understanding of the UAE’s civil marriage process, receive fast-tracked permits, and have access to a network of resources to help them confidently navigate through local regulations, including a curated portfolio of unique venues. Never before has a tourism destination introduced such ease and flexibility for wedding planners and couples. In parallel, the Authority also announced a series of comprehensive incentive packages for couples, wedding planners, and certified venues.

Gates Hospitality announced its partnership with frntlne to reshape the landscape of the hospitality and customer service industries in the UAE. frntlne’s innovative platform, is shaped by its proprietary methodology, The ‘frntlne Interactive Knowledge Methodology’. It is designed to empower frontline staff by providing engaging and memorable content. Founded in 2021 by serial entrepreneur Mark John, frntlne’s methodology offers short, TikTok style videos and interactive content that enhances information retention and make the upskilling process enjoyable. “We are excited to be the first client in the Middle East for frntlne,” said Naim Maadad, Chief Executive and Founder of Gates Hospitality. “At Gates, we are always on the lookout for initiatives to empower, train, and educate our employees, and frntlne’s innovative platform aligns perfectly with our vision of advancing the skills and expertise of our workforce through various training programs.” frntlne’s success is evident through its high-profile partnerships with multinational retail and consumer brands, including L’Oreal, P&G, Swisse, Mumm Champagne, and Bondi Sands to name a few. “What we’re doing at frntlne is building a new way to engage frontline team members and influence buying decisions.” Said Mark John, CEO and Founder of frntlne.  “We are committed to up-skilling workforces across industry, driving profitability, which is ever so important in the current economic climate.”

Qatar Travel Mart (QTM) 2023, organized by NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conference anticipates the participation of up to 200 exhibitors and over 9,000 visitors from more than 60 countries. Attendees can look forward to engaging in the event’s illustrious 3-day international conference, Global Village, Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, Hosted Buyers’ Program, providing enhanced B2B opportunities, as well as media familiarization trips and cultural tours. The event will be held under the esteemed patronage under the guidance of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Qatar Tourism has been revealed as the strategic partner for the second edition of QTM, inviting visitors to embark on a journey of discovery, exploring “Places, People, and Cultures” from 20-22 November 2023 at the prestigious Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC). Rawad Sleem, Co-Founder and General Manager of NeXTfairs for Exhibitions and Conferences, expressed his excitement about Qatar Travel Mart 2023, stating, “We extend a warm welcome to exhibitors and visitors for the second edition of Qatar Travel Mart, and we are deeply honored to have the distinguished support and patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Building upon the tremendous success of the inaugural event held in 2021, which witnessed the gathering of 150 exhibitors and 6,300 visitors from 34 countries, this year’s exhibition promises to be even more remarkable.” He further emphasized, “Qatar Travel Mart 2023 endeavours to position Qatar as a prominent travel and tourism hub, fostering the country’s tourism industry growth. By inviting international buyers and visitors to discover the attraction of Qatar and consider it an integral …

Effective 30 October 2023, Qatar Airways will increase frequency to New York (JFK) from two to three daily flights. Offering new connections between New York and more than 80 destinations in the Middle-East, Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia, the new flights will conveniently arrive early morning and depart late evening from New York (JFK). Customers from across the U.S. will also benefit from the enhanced connectivity between JetBlue and Qatar Airways via New York. With 3 flights per day scheduled in the morning, afternoon and evening, seamless connections from Detroit, Raleigh-Durham, Orlando or Tampa, to Doha, Kathmandu, Bangkok or Johannesburg have never been easier. Members of both Loyalty Programs – Qatar Airways Privilege Club and JetBlue TrueBlue – can earn miles from each other’s expansive codeshare flights. Qatar Airways’ strategic partnership with American Airlines also continues to expand with American Airlines launching flights from its Philadelphia hub to Doha, starting 28 October 2023. American Airlines’ new Philadelphia – Doha services will provide customers with seamless travel options and benefits by connecting to more than 90 cities across North America, Caribbean and Central America, and to more than 80 cities across Africa, the Middle-East, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Alaska Airlines and Qatar Airways will also offer customers from the West Coast improved connectivity with significant codeshare expansion and distribution enablement. During the coming weeks, guests will be able to book to more destinations beyond Doha on Alaska Airlines’ website. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “We continue to offer seamless connectivity to our passengers from the U.S. market and beyond with the support of our strategic partners. Our unwavering commitment to our longstanding …

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced the establishment of the Kayanee Company (“Kayanee” or “the Company”), a unique lifestyle integrated concept designed to inspire and enhance women’s well-being in Saudi Arabia. Kayanee will focus on women’s health and lifestyle of future generations through six offerings, including fitness, apparel, personal care & treatments, nutrition & diagnostics, healthy eating and learning. Chaired by HRH Princess Reema Bint Bandar, Kayanee will adopt a female-focused approach to all its services, prioritizing mental, physical and social health. In line with the Vision 2030 ambition to create a vibrant society, the company aims to reach over one million consumers. The establishment of Kayanee is part of PIF’s strategy to unlock the capabilities of promising sectors, localize technology, enable the private sector, drive the diversification of the local economy, and contribute to enhancing the quality of life, in line with Vision 2030. In an effort to ensure mass participation, a world-class digital platform will become the main gateway for Kayanee’s customers, providing seamless connection between in-person and online services.  The company will act as a catalyst for the rapid growth of health, well-being and fitness in Saudi Arabia, supporting the development of the industry through collaboration with the private sector and across the value chain. Raid Ismail, Head of MENA Direct Investments at PIF said: “Kayanee will serve to expand Saudi Arabia’s SAR 16 billion fitness and well-being industry. It is a very exciting time for PIF to venture into women’s fitness, wellness and well-being, and Kayanee is well positioned to enable the industry through its integrated offering, which will see the company partner with the growing private sector to create a vibrant society.”