This collaboration aims to deliver comprehensive travel solutions to corporate clients across the region. Under this agreement, DW Travel will serve as Uniglobe’s preferred travel partner in the Middle East, providing end-to-end travel management services to Uniglobe’s clientele. This partnership leverages DW Travel’s regional expertise and Uniglobe’s global network to offer clients seamless and efficient travel experiences. Uniglobe Travel is a globally recognized travel management company (TMC), representing a network of independently owned and operated corporate travel agencies that collectively generate over USD 5 billion in annual revenue. While each agency operates autonomously, all adhere to Uniglobe’s high standards of professionalism, ensuring consistent service quality across markets. With a strong local presence in 60 countries and servicing clients in 90, Uniglobe currently manages travel programs for more than 10,000 corporate organizations worldwide. “We are excited to enter this strategic partnership with Uniglobe Travel,” said Bader Ahli, Director of DW Travel. “This collaboration not only strengthens our position in the corporate travel sector but also expands our ability to deliver world-class, tailored travel solutions to clients across the Middle East. By combining our deep regional expertise with Uniglobe’s global reach, we are set to redefine the corporate travel experience, offering seamless, efficient, and highly personalized services for businesses of all sizes. Whilst DW Travel has experienced 37% revenue growth year over year, our hope is that this partnership will provide opportunities for us to accelerate our growth even further in the future.” Patrick Hooft, President of Uniglobe BI and EMEA, commented, ‘Partnering with DW Travel is a pivotal step in strengthening Uniglobe’s presence in the Middle East. Their deep regional expertise and commitment to excellence perfectly complement our global network. By combining our …

As the first-ever Kimpton in the region, the 212-room luxury lifestyle hotel brings the brand’s sophisticated yet playful approach, refined design, socially engaging spaces and human-centered hospitality, to the heart of Riyadh’s most dynamic neighborhood. Founded in San Francisco in 1981, Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has become a globally celebrated brand known for its design-led hotels that serve as vibrant community hubs. The debut of Kimpton KAFD Riyadh marks a significant step in the brand’s strategic expansion into the region, catering to the growing demand for authentic, design-led luxury experiences. The debut of Kimpton KAFD Riyadh marks the brand’s exciting expansion into the Middle East, offering a fresh, design-led approach to hospitality in the Kingdom. Rising gracefully across 16 floors, the hotel blends contemporary elegance with the brand’s playful personality. Guests can expect thoughtfully curated spaces, from breezy skywalk access to the metro to in-room yoga mats, luxury bedding, and mini-bars stocked with locally inspired treats. Whether travelling for business or leisure, every stay is enriched with unexpected touches that make the experience distinctly Kimpton.

The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) has successfully concluded its 2025 roadshow in India, with events held in Mumbai on September 3 and New Delhi on September 5. The initiative aimed to strengthen Sharjah’s position as a preferred destination for Indian tourists and expand strategic partnerships with key players in India’s tourism sector. The roadshow featured events at Mumbai’s St. Regis and New Delhi’s Leela Palace, attended by around 90 Indian business partners in each city, alongside media representatives. The Sharjah delegation included leading public and private sector partners such as Air Arabia, Emirates Airlines, Al Zajil Tourism, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA), Shurooq, Golden Tulip Hotel, and Centro Sharjah Hotel. The tour highlighted Sharjah’s top attractions and showcased its refreshed tourism brand, “Visit Sharjah,” through a promotional video and interactive experiences, including virtual reality displays. SCTDA announced four strategic partnerships with Indian tourism companies—Royal Tours, Riya Holidays, Thrillophila, and TravClan—and launched consumer campaigns with platforms like Amazon and Inshorts.Sharjah continues to see growing interest from India, recording a 38% increase in Indian hotel guests in the first seven months of 2025, reinforcing its status as a top tourism market.

Saudia announced a strategic partnership with Trip.Biz, the all-in-one digital platform for corporate travel management. The collaboration aims to redefine business travel by combining Saudia’s extensive airline network with Trip.Biz’s smart digital tools, making corporate journeys seamless and efficient. The announcement was made during Transform, Trip.Biz’s flagship conference in Singapore, which showcased the latest innovations and solutions in business travel management to industry leaders and corporate clients. Under the partnership, Saudia will provide Trip.Biz access to corporate fares and promotional offers, while supporting joint marketing initiatives. Trip.Biz will promote the airline across relevant customer accounts and provide visibility into key opportunities, helping drive stronger corporate sales performance. Ian Blackie, General Manager of Global Corporate Accounts at Saudia, said the collaboration aligns with the airline’s strategy to enhance guest experience using advanced technologies across trip planning, booking management, and after-sales services. The partnership also reinforces Saudia’s ongoing digital transformation, including AI-powered solutions to streamline operations, boost competitiveness, and deliver innovative products that meet the highest global standards.

The investment, valued at OMR 1.81 million ($ 4.7 million), comes as part of OMRAN Group’s efforts to drive innovation in the tourism and hospitality sector and expand alternative accommodation options in the Sultanate of Oman. Commenting on the investment, Shabib bin Mohammed Al Maamari, Managing Director of Visit Oman, said: “This strategic investment reflects OMRAN Group’s commitment to adopting innovative solutions that support the diversification of the tourism sector and strengthen digital innovation. Through this partnership with UnderTheDoormat Group, we aim to empower property owners, licensed units, local communities, and SMEs by opening new avenues for business and reinforcing the Sultanate’s position as an attractive global tourism destination, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.” Merilee Karr, Founder and CEO of UnderTheDoormat Group said, “The OMRAN Group investment into UnderTheDoormat Group is a major milestone for the company. It supports our growth strategy in the Gulf region and further enables our global technology expansion in the short term and flexible rental sector globally. Within Oman, combining OMRAN’s vision for tourism growth with our expertise in technology, compliance, and operations, we can create a robust short-term rental framework that empowers property owners, SMEs and communities. Together, we will set new standards for quality and innovation in the region and beyond.” Through this partnership, OMRAN Group will roll out a fully integrated digital infrastructure for short-term rentals in Oman. The framework will ensure quality standards and full legal compliance, while enabling SMEs to benefit from advanced digital solutions offered by Hospiria and TrustedStays, enhancing competitiveness and creating growth opportunities locally and internationally. The investment also paves the way for property owners and local hosts in Oman to list their …

Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Sabre’s EmQuest have officially launched Season 3 of their Exclusive Promotion to reward outstanding travel agents across the UAE. Running from 01–30 September 2025, this exciting campaign offers travel professionals the chance to win a trip for two to either the Philippines or Bali, Indonesia, complete with tickets and accommodation. The promotion is designed to recognize the hard work of travel agents and encourage them to showcase PAL’s world-class service and connectivity to their customers. “Travel agents are an integral part of our success story in the Middle East and across the EMEA region,” said Josh Vasquez, Regional Head–EMEA, Philippine Airlines. “Through this partnership with EmQuest, we are not only rewarding excellence but also inspiring agents to continue promoting the beauty of the Philippines and beyond. This campaign reflects PAL’s commitment to building stronger relationships with our valued trade partners.” Andrew Dowling, General Manager of Sabre’s EmQuest, added: “EmQuest and our good partners at Philippine Airlines are pleased to launch the 3rd Season of our popular promotion to give our valued travel agency customers the opportunity to experience the excellent in-flight service onboard PAL to a destination in the Philippines and Bali by simply booking and issuing PAL tickets through Sabre.” Campaign Highlights: • Sales Period: 01–30 September 2025 • Travel Period: No restrictions apply • Prizes: • Top seller to the Philippines: Trip for two with tickets and accommodation in Manila • Top seller to beyond Philippines: Trip for two with tickets and accommodation in Bali • Eligibility: Applicable for all new tickets issued via Sabre under UAE PCC during the sales period, including deal fares. Winners will be announced by 10 November 2025, with prizes …

Gulf Air flights to El Alamein will operate seasonally, starting from 2026, on the Airbus 320 aircraft, which features a modern and comfortable cabin to provide a pleasant travel experience. This is in line with the airline’s vision of enhancing its passengers’ travel experiences and meeting their diverse travel needs. The launch of El Alamein as a Gulf Air seasonal destination closely follows the official visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the Arab Republic of Egypt. This initiative underscores the continued commitment to deepening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Arab Republic of Egypt across multiple sectors. This offers travellers the opportunity to explore this beach destination with its distinctive history, scenery, and exciting activities. Gulf Air has been operating flights to and from Egypt since 1974. Historically, the airline operated flights to both Sharm El Sheikh and Alexandria as seasonal destinations and is currently operating a double daily service to Cairo.

EGYPTAIR and Huawei announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing corporate travel and accelerating Egypt’s digital transformation. The collaboration includes a Business Travel Agreement, establishing EGYPTAIR as the official airline partner for Huawei employees, and a Memorandum of Understanding to integrate Huawei’s advanced ICT and AI solutions into EGYPTAIR’s operations. Captain Ahmed Adel, Chairman and CEO of EGYPTAIR Holding Company, described the partnership as a strategic leap that will modernize the airline’s technical infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and elevate the passenger experience. By combining EGYPTAIR’s aviation expertise with Huawei’s digital innovations, the airline aims to expand globally and attract diverse customer segments. Captain Mohamed Elian, CEO of EGYPTAIR Airlines, emphasized the global scope of the agreement, highlighting exclusive services for Huawei travelers across EGYPTAIR’s network of over 80 destinations. The partnership aligns with the airline’s fleet modernization and network expansion plans. Huawei representatives, including Lang Cao and Dou Yong, expressed their commitment to supporting Egypt’s digital economy. Through Huawei’s Smartcom platform and long-standing presence in Egypt’s ICT sector, the company aims to strengthen cross-continental business ties and contribute to the modernization of Egypt’s aviation industry.

Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines announce a major expansion of their codeshare partnership and an increase in frequencies between Doha and Beijing ahead of the Golden Week holiday period in China. This growth builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed last year, reinforcing the airlines’ shared commitment to delivering greater connectivity for global travellers from China. Starting 16 October 2025, Qatar Airways will share code on China Southern’s three weekly direct flights between Beijing Daxing and Doha. Similarly, China Southern will be expanding its “CZ” code on Qatar Airways-operated flights beyond Doha to 15 destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, including Amman, Athens, Barcelona, Cairo, Dar es Salam, Madrid, and Munich. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways and China Southern have established a partnership that continues to set new benchmarks in the industry. This latest expansion ensures that every Qatar Airways route to China is now accessible to China Southern Airlines’ passengers, underlining our long-term commitment to a market that is integral to our growth and connectivity. Timed with this year’s Golden Week, it provides Chinese travellers with unrivalled access through Doha to over 170 destinations across our global network via Hamad International Airport, the Best Airport in the Middle East, as voted by Skytrax in 2025.” Qatar Airways has already placed its code on China Southern-operated flights between Guangzhou and Doha since April 2024. Building on the existing codeshares from Guangzhou and Beijing Daxing, China Southern will extend its code to flights between Doha and four major Chinese cities of Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai, subject to Chinese government approvals. Beijing Daxing marks the second Chinese gateway to be served with non-stop …

The MICE Meeting Point, organized by ITB China with TravTalkME as media partner will take place on 11–12 September 2025 in Beijing, gathering MICE resources, industry experts, and professional buyers from across China and around the world. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) will join as an association and content partner for the event, delivering a keynote on the development of the global meetings and business tourism industry and an in-depth workshop offering practical advice and insights to participants. This collaboration aims to accelerate the globalization and professionalization of China’s meetings industry.