It was announced that Nujuma Ritz Carlton Reserve will open by Q2 in the Red Sea which will be the first Ritz Carlton Reserve in this region; Nujuma will be the first property from the brand in the Middle East and joins an exclusive collection of only six Ritz-Carlton Reserves worldwide. The resort will feature 63 one-to-three-bedroom water and beach villas surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty and designed to blend seamlessly with the environment. Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will form part of the eagerly anticipated Red Sea destination and offer a highly personalised leisure experience that blends intuitive and heartfelt service with stunning natural beauty and indigenous design.  This slice of paradise is situated on a breathtaking set of private islands, which are part of the Red Sea’s Blue Hole cluster of islands. Surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty and designed to blend seamlessly with the environment, the resort will feature 63 one-to-three-bedroom water and beach villas. Foodies can enjoy an array of culinary outlets, including a specialty seafood restaurant. The resort will offer a range of luxurious amenities and exceptional services, including a lavish spa, swimming pools, kids club and a variety of other leisure and entertainment offerings, including a Conservation House. Ritz-Carlton Reserve offers a complete escape to the unexpected: a private and transformative travel experience that is centered around human connection and brings together unique elements of the local culture, heritage and environment.  

VFS Global opened France visa services for the residents of Qatar through its new France Visa Application Centre in Doha. Focused on providing exceptional customer service, ensuring convenient and seamless experiences, the premises feature a spacious waiting area, state-of-the-art biometric facilities, and a dedicated space to promote France as a destination, providing applicants with key information ahead of their travels. Travellers visiting this centre can also choose from a range of our optional services, such as courier return service to receive processed passports at home, and form filling assistance from trained professionals, among others. Those looking for a more personalised service can also opt for the Premium Lounge to receive end-to-end assistance throughout the process in a plush ambience. The centre was inaugurated on 08 February 2024 by Patrick Poinsot, First counsellor at the French embassy in Qatar. France visa applicants can now visit this centre located in Level 2, Al Nuaimi Building, Oqba Ibn Nafie Street, Airport Road, Doha, Qatar, to submit their applications for short and long stay visas. Prior appointments are mandatory and can be booked on www.vfsglobal.com. Mr. Patrick Poinsot, First counselor at the French embassy in Qatar said, “We care about the quality of the welcome of our Qatari friends and residents of Qatar who want to go to France. We are very pleased to see that, each year, more and more people are travelling to France, especially for touristic reasons and, with our new partner VFS Global, we will endeavor to process their visa applications in the best possible and efficient way” Mr. Atul Marwah, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East & Egypt, VFS Global said, “We are excited to embark on this new journey with …

Etihad Airways announced its exciting new venture as the official sponsor for the Chennai Super Kings, strengthening their sports tourism strategies to attract more sports fans and elevate the fan experience by engaging in exciting activities, promotions, and unique initiatives throughout the upcoming season. Fans can expect a thrilling journey with Etihad as they support the Chennai Super Kings in their quest for victory. The partnership was revealed during a special ceremony held in CSK’s home city of Chennai. Welcomed by 2,000 enthusiastic fans, the ‘unveiling event’ was held at Kalaivanar Arangam, in the presence of team officials and Chennai Super Kings’ players, who joined Etihad cabin crew onstage wearing their new jerseys proudly displaying the airline’s logo. The Etihad partnership will come to life across Chennai Super Kings’ events and platforms, with Etihad showcased on the back of the Chennai super Kings’ jersey, through engaging activations and fan activities at events and matches, as well as offering exclusive deals to Chennai Super Kings’ fans. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: “Today marks the start of an extraordinary journey as we welcome the Chennai Super Kings to our sports portfolio. Cricket’s global resonance unites diverse communities, reflecting the shared values of Etihad and Chennai Super Kings. Our collaboration goes beyond sponsorship; it’s a celebration of a shared ethos, a testament to the collective spirit of Etihad and the Chennai Super Kings. “Cricket in India is truly incredible and the Chennai Super Kings fans really showcase exactly what it means to love and have true passion for the game in this incredible country. For Etihad, we believe in connecting with our travellers …

All-inclusive premium holiday resort leader, Club Med, announces its membership with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance). This move further cements Club Med’s commitment to industry-wide environmental sustainability, marking a significant stride toward Net Positive Hospitality. The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, a global consortium representing over 50,000 properties and 7 million rooms, is eager to leverage Club Med’s experience in sustainable development and innovation. This partnership is a testament to Club Med’s motto, “The Place to be happy is here; the moment to be happy is now. But it’s also tomorrow,” signifying its implication in creating harmonious and nature-immersed experiences for travellers. For over 60 years, Club Med has championed sustainable practice with 70% of new or majorly renovated resorts since 2018 being built to globally recognised BREEAM standards. Most of Club Med Resorts are “Green Globe” certified, guaranteeing sustainable best-practices. Club Med’s “Bye Bye Plastic” programme, aimed at eliminating single-use plastic from its resorts, further underscores its dedication to environmental stewardship. In 2023, Club Med was named the best hospitality tourism company to work for by French economic magazine Capital, highlighting its commitment to employee well-being and development. CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Glenn Mandziuk, welcomes Club Med, stating, “Club Med’s sustainable credentials are widely acknowledged in the industry, and their innovation and sustainable practices will undoubtedly contribute to our five-year strategy to realise Net Positive Hospitality.” Gregory Lanter, Chief Development, Construction & Property Officer, says, “as we embark on the acceleration of our CSR strategy, we are thrilled to join the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. We believe that Club Med, born of a shared utopia that fulfilled the dreams of many, helped shape tourism in the 20th century. Therefore, …

MakeMyTrip has launched a new feature  “Business Class Funnel for international flights” This feature aims to provide different experiences exclusively to business and first class travellers. They want to provide a centralized platform where every traveler can access detailed, relevant information, enabling well-informed decision-making. Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group CEO, MakeMyTrip said, “The newly launched Business Class Funnel reflects our commitment to innovation, transparency, and a seamless booking experience. It will ensure our customers know exactly what they pay for through a hassle-free and immersive booking experience.” This premium flow is embedded within the platform and gives travelers booking an international business or first-class ticket, access to detailed information like seat recline, position, in-flight entertainment, meals, and more. MakeMyTrip’s funnel provides an immersive experience through rich media images and videos, revamped filters, and an experiential design, ensuring transparency and clarity for travelers without having to seek information from multiple separate sources. MakeMyTrip has also partnered with several prominent premium airlines, ensuring detailed information is made available across a selection of top-tier options and will keep expanding it to all major airlines in the upcoming weeks.

The emirate of Sharjah has been illuminated with artistic displays from Wednesday (7th evening) as the 13th Sharjah Light Festival kicked off, unveiling its artistic canvas of light across different locations. The festivities commenced at the Sharjah Police Headquarters, featuring a breathtaking inaugural light show that transformed the iconic architectural monument into a work of art. The spectacular display took the attendees on a visual journey, reflecting the authenticity of Sharjah’s identity and the UAE, while also depicting its ambitious and futuristic vision. Illuminated symbols portrayed the emirate’s history, its trajectory toward the future, and its ongoing developments. The festival’s opening ceremony, graced by prominent heads of authorities, departments, entities, distinguished personalities, and visiting delegations, featured a film dedicated to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in celebration of the 52nd anniversary of his ascension to rule. The festival, organised by Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), will take place across 12 of the emirate’s premiere cultural landmarks and natural destinations from February 7 – 18. In his opening speech, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), underscored that the tourism sector in Sharjah is one of the key sectors that contribute to supporting the national economy. He noted that tourism is seeing notable progress at all levels, thanks to the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. Al Midfa also highlighted how SLF has become a major tourist attraction, drawing a great deal of attention through substantial turnout and media interest, year after year. “The festival showcases the emirate’s unique features, achievements, and future vision to the thousands of visitors and …

Saudia has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the entity behind the world-first adventure tourism destination, THE RIG to  delve into new transportation methods, including eVTOL, and carbon reduction initiatives, aligning with the sustainability goals of both organizations. The agreement, which was signed in Riyadh by Captain Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of Saudia, and Raed Bakhrji, CEO of Oil Park Development Company, sets the stage for Saudia and THE RIG. to jointly collaborate on initiatives designed to drive traffic to the Eastern province and elevate the overall guest experience. Captain Ibrahim Koshy said: “At Saudia, we are deeply committed to fulfilling our role as the ‘Wings of Vision 2030’ to accomplish our goals in line with the Kingdom’s tourism strategy, which is to bring around 150 million visitors to Saudi Arabia by 2030. This collaboration holds great promises for the travel and tourism industry. Along with our partners, we look forward to leveraging our combined expertise to drive innovation and sustainable growth in the sector.” Raed Bakhrji said: “THE RIG. draws inspiration from Vision 2030 and its initiatives to develop the tourism sector. It is expected to be one of the leading adventure tourism projects, offering visitors an unparalleled mix of adventure experiences. Our collaboration with Saudia is expected to enhance the quality and uniqueness of our offerings, providing visitors with a wide range of easy access options to this distinctive tourist destination.”

Riyadh Air has selected Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite to efficiently manage its core business operations after a competitive bidding process. The services include digitalizing finance, supply chain, and human capital management. The implementation will help Riyadh Air develop a modern, scalable, and secure business platform to enable data driven decision making, reduce costs, enhance employee engagement, and streamline procurement processes. Riyadh Air has chosen Tech Mahindra as the implementation partner for this initiative, which will help Riyadh Air evolve as the world’s first digitally native airline. Tech Mahindra, is a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting, and business re-engineering services and solutions. Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer at Riyadh Air, said, “Riyadh Air aims to disrupt the future of air travel and as part of our vision we need to be at the forefront of innovation and technology. A key part of this approach is to partner with world-class experts as we build technical capabilities that enable us to deliver a seamless digital-first experience to our guests”. Since it launched in March 2023, Riyadh Air has signed several technology and engineering partnerships to enhance Riyadh Air’s offerings, services, and operational models, and set new standards in aviation sustainability and innovation. The airline now has major agreements with Lufthansa Systems, IBM Consulting, Accenture, Swiss AS, CAE, and Microsoft respectively. “Riyadh Air represents the true ambition, capability, and global outlook of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom’s aviation sector is rapidly expanding, and Riyadh Air will play a vital role in helping Saudi Arabia achieve its 2030 aviation goals that aim to outpace global growth”, said Reham AlMusa, Vice President – Cloud Applications, Saudi Arabia, and Managing Director at Oracle Saudi Arabia. “Riyadh …

Emirates and the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced a multiyear global marketing partnership naming Emirates the Official Global Airline Partner of the NBA. The collaboration also makes Emirates the inaugural title partner of the NBA Cup, previously named the NBA In-Season Tournament, as well as the first-ever referee jersey patch partner of the NBA. As the first title partner of the Emirates NBA Cup, the global airline will be featured through a co-branded Emirates NBA Cup event logo, with co-branded promotion planned across the NBA’s global social media community and in-arena signage throughout the Emirates NBA Cup Semifinal and Championship games starting next season. The Emirates logo will also be featured on all NBA referee jerseys, starting with the 2024 NBA All-Star Game taking place on Sunday, 18 February at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT. “We are proud to establish a global marketing partnership with the National Basketball Association to become its Official Global Airline Partner,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive. “This collaboration will also see Emirates become the league’s first referee jersey patch partner and the inaugural title partner of the NBA Cup. With basketball’s popularity around the world, we are excited to work with one of the most globally recognized and prestigious professional leagues. The NBA is a valuable addition to our sponsorship portfolio as it allows us to connect with a vast global fanbase, including in the U.S., where the game is an integral part of the country’s sport culture.” “Emirates is a world-class airline that shares our commitment to engaging fans around the world in new and creative ways,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating …

The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort is slated to open by Q2 featuring 250 impeccably appointed guestrooms and suites, all with their own private balcony, walk-in wardrobes and expansive balconies. The resort’s curved superyacht-style architecture and interior design, helmed by London-based SRSS Interior Design Studio, will infuse the local landscape and heritage with the allure of the Oman Gulf to offer the epitome of modern waterfront living.  The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort will bring an unrivalled Riviera lifestyle to the city’s urban waterfront. Located at one of Oman’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, the coveted resort will offer luminaries a gateway to cultural moments and natural wonders, such as the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Al Hajar Mountains and Daymaniyat Islands.  A sophisticated colour palette of blues and off-whites will be paired with rich tan leather and local natural stone throughout the resort, while nods to Omani culture will be referenced through patterned screens and textured fabrics. Exceptional facilities are set to include a Guerlain Spa, complete with a Hammam and bespoke scent bar, a fully equipped fitness centre, swimming pools, padel court, secluded beach and entertaining kids’ zones. Nine compelling culinary destinations include international names such as Hakkasan, Em Sherif, Roberto’s, Coya and Novikov Café, paired with signature brand experiences including Karibu, a fusion of Zanzibari and Omani cuisine; Rumman, serving Greek specialties; The Stage at the St. Regis Bar, and The Lounge, which will serve as the setting for the Afternoon Tea Ritual. The resort will be a glamorous setting for cherished celebrations and meetings of all sizes, including a superb ballroom set over 1,350 square metres, hosting up to 940 guests.