The current edition of the Sheikh Zayed Festival is welcoming a huge turnout of visitors who are enjoying a myriad of amazing cultural performers, artists, pop shows, and folkloric groups from around the world. A range of heritage shows and entertainment attractions are featured throughout the Festival’s run, which are specially curated for its guests and visitors. The mega event reflects the UAE’s noble values of inclusivity, humanity, generosity and tolerance in a joyful family-friendly atmosphere, a perfect platform for artistic and cultural exchange among civilizations. The Higher Organizing Committee of the Festival planned an array of competitions and draws for this year with prizes that include cars, gifts, and other various prizes. Winners will be announced starting the third week of December until the last week of the Festival. The Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, currently running until 18 March of 2023, features various competitions and raffle draws for visitors to win more than 15 cars and many other valuable prizes. The first raffle draw will be on the third and fourth week of December for cars and other valuable prizes. A continuous schedule for the draws will run through the months of January, February and March 2023. Upon purchasing AED 50 worth from Festivals shops, restaurants and the Fun Fair City, visitors will receive a coupon for the Festival’s raffle draw and another coupon for the H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival draw. Each visitor can participate in the draws by filling out their information on the voucher and inserting it in the drop box. Participating visitors are encouraged to follow the Festival’s social media accounts for more information about the draw dates for …

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, has launched Dubai Team for Accessible Travel and Tourism as part of the endeavours to consolidate the emirate’s global standing as round-the-year destination accessible to all. He unveiled the decision during a meeting he organised of senior officials in both government agencies and private organisations dealing with travel and tourism businesses. His Excellency Jamal Al Hai, Deputy CEO at Dubai Airports and Team Leader, expressed deep appreciation for the support provided by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed to the travel and tourism industry in Dubai. He said: “Accessible tourism is an important sector for our national economy as well as helps promote the rights of People of Determination to move around and travel without hassles and obstacles. The Dubai team will work to offer a good image of the UAE to the world as a pioneering tourism with hospitality services for all visitors being of the best in class.” The senior Emirati official called upon the team members, each expert in their fields, to jointly work to advice on improvements at our airports, airlines, hotels, shopping centres and other touristic places to provide the best services for tourists with disabilities in the emirate. He explained: “The goal behind establishing the team is to put the authorities from the public and private sectors under one roof, to discuss needed to permanently improve facilities and services for disabled tourists. We will be working on the agenda through having brainstorming sessions, exchanging opinions and identifying the achievements of each agency representing a field.” The Team will …

Dornier Seawings (Germany) and Gulf Enterprises (United Arab Emirates) have signed an agreement which will enable the most advanced amphibian aircraft to enter the Middle Eastern market. The agreement, which was signed at the MEBAA Show 2022, sets out a strong partnership between both companies in sales & marketing, operational and maintenance set-up, and support for this region. Dornier Seawings’ flagship aircraft is the German-engineered Seastar. With its corrosion-free, all composite airframe, the Seastar offers a highly versatile dual operation from both land and water, even under rough conditions. Its unrivalled versatility and performance allows the Seastar to take on entirely new missions. In the spirit of the pioneering Dornier flying boats, the Seastar is superior in every important measure: speed, range, safety, cabin size, operating and maintenance costs. The multi-purpose aircraft covers a wide range of operational applications from commercial and VIP passenger transportation to governmental, corporate and special missions. Certification flights are expected to be completed in 2023, followed by entry-of-service the following year. “Expanding our sales network to the Middle East, by partnering with Gulf Enterprises, is a key strategic decision that brings the Next Gen Seastar to its natural environment that we are looking forward to embrace” states Juergen Heinrich, Dornier Seawings’ Co-CEO. “Introducing the most advanced amphibian aircraft to the Middle East is a privilege to us. Representing the pioneering spirit and heritage of Dornier is an honor” says Richard Haas, CEO of Gulf Enterprises. “We are pleased that the Dornier legacy of flying boats is reaching our shores in the not-too-distant future to serve the diverse mission requirements of our ever-growing coastlines and islands” stated Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi, Founding and Executive Chairman of MEBAA …

dnata facilitated the transportation of over 150,000 football fans between Dubai and Doha in the opening two weeks of the world’s largest football tournament. As football fever grips the globe, dnata’s highly trained teams of ground handlers, passenger and ramp agents have ensured that fans make a smooth passage through Dubai World Central airport (DWC). With airlines introducing ‘shuttle flights’ operating between Qatar and nearby Gulf states, Dubai has become a popular transiting destination for fans attending tournament games. dnata’s services between DWC and Doha have enabled more than 600 safe aircraft movements in the first fortnight of the competition. To execute this, over 270 customer oriented and ramp agents have been re-positioned from existing positions at Dubai International airport (DXB). A total of 90 pieces of ground support equipment (GSE) are used to service aircraft, including zero-emission electric baggage tractors, conveyor belts and a push-back tug. For those fans wishing to take their experience to another level, a warm greeting will be received in DWC’s marhaba lounge. Supporters can keep up to date with the tournament with super-fast Wi-Fi and enjoy complimentary international cuisine before they make their trip. marhaba’s Meet and Greet services are also available for fans who wish to further improve their experience. Jaffar Dawood, Senior Vice President for UAE Airport Operations, dnata, said: “We are dedicated to ensuring an excellent journey for all football supporters by providing a swift and efficient service at DWC, so that they can enjoy their fan experience for as long as possible. We thank our airline partners for their trust in our services, and will continue to support their initiatives.” dnata offers ground handling, cargo, travel, catering and retail services …

Reaffirming the MEBAA Show’s position as the foremost business aviation platform in the Middle East and wider regions, gathering key players in the industry from over 95 countries, the ninth edition of the global business aviation show concluded on 8th December 2022. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group,opened the much-anticipated MEBAA Show 2022 at Dubai Airshow site (DWC). With an increased international presence at this year’s show and an up-weighted focus on in-person networking, Day 1 saw business leaders from across the world connect with exhibitors, all working together to redefine the future of the industry and take it to new heights. Key themes for the event include future aviation, sustainability, emerging markets and regulations, as well as a focus on digitalisation, block chain, AI and crypto based payments, all recognised as key trends that are driving the industry forward. Ali Ahmed Alnaqbi, Founding and Executive Chairman of MEBAA – the Middle East & North Africa Business Aviation Association, comments: “As we continue to witness huge growth across the business aviation industry, it’s been fantastic to see so many new initiatives highlighted at this year’s MEBAA Show. Day 1 has already seen the formation of many new connections between our visitors and exhibitors, along with the launch of a series of market-leading new technologies and sustainable solutions that will play a vital role in the future of the industry. We are pleased to be working with global industry leaders and specialists to deliver our best show to date, and look forward to seeing a continuation of today’s success …

Emirates has ramped up its operations to Gatwick Airport with the addition of a third daily A380 flight. The airline continues to scale up its UK operations to meet sustained demand ahead of the holiday rush. The additional frequency will offer enhanced capacity with more than 1,000 seats to/from Gatwick to Dubai, every day. Emirates flight EK11 will depart Dubai at 2:50hrs, flight EK15 will depart at 7:40hrs and flight EK09 will depart at 14:25hrs – offering customers even more flexibility and travel choices. Emirates currently serves the UK with 119 weekly flights across seven UK hubs including: six times daily to London Heathrow; three times daily to London Gatwick; daily service to London Stansted; three times daily to Manchester; double daily service to Birmingham; daily flights to Newcastle; and a daily service to Glasgow. Emirates’ extensive network spans to 130 destinations, across six continents. Emirates’ home and hub, Dubai, remains a very popular holiday and stopover destination. Visitors from the UK can take advantage of the new Dubai Experience platform that enables customers to easily browse, create and book their own customised itineraries including flights, hotel stay, visits to key attractions, and other dining and leisure experiences in Dubai and the UAE. For more information, visit emirates.com. Tickets can be purchased on emirates.com, Emirates Sales Office, via travel agents or through online travel agents.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi celebrated its inaugural flight to Tashkent directly from Abu Dhabi, which was carrying an Air Arabia delegation headed by the Group Chief Executive Officer, Adel Al Ali. Upon arrival to Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport, the airline held a press conference at the CIP lounge, to mark the special occasion and discuss the carrier’s expansion plan. Commenting on the occasion, Adel Al Ali said: “We are glad to launch Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s first flight to Tashkent and we thank all our partners for their continuous support. This step reaffirms the airline’s commitment to provide travellers with the opportunity to explore numerous experiences across Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s network. We remain confident that the new service will serve both leisure and business travellers and will further contribute to the growth of the travel and tourism sector of both nations while providing our customers with value-for-money product and added convenience.” Air Arabia Abu Dhabi started its operations in July 2020, since then, the airline continues to expand its network and currently serving a total of 26 destinations from the capital Abu Dhabi including Tashkent, Alexandria, Cairo, Sohag, Dhaka, Khartoum, Chittagong, Kathmandu, Muscat, Salalah, Tbilisi, Faisalabad, Multan, Cochin, Calicut, Trivandrum, Istanbul Sabiha, Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bahrain, Beirut, Kuwait, Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Kazan. The airline’s fleet has also grown from only two Airbus A320 aircraft, at launch, to eight new aircraft as of today. The aircraft’s cabin configuration provides added comfort with one of the most generous seat-pitch of any economy cabin. The aircraft is also equipped with “SkyTime”, a free in-flight streaming service that will allow passengers to stream a wide selection of entertainment directly to their devices. …

Hyatt announces continued global growth of it’s luxury brand portfolio with a robust pipeline of highly anticipated openings over the next three years across Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME). The 13 hotels set to join Hyatt’s esteemed brands including Park Hyatt, Andaz, Grand Hyatt, Thompson Hotels, Miraval Resorts & Spas, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt will debut in some of the world’s most sought-after destinations including the U.K., Spain, South Africa, Austria, Finland and more. By 2026, these hotels will increase Hyatt’s luxury brand footprint in EAME by over 30% in key growth markets that matter most to guests, World of Hyatt loyalty program members, customers and owners. As leisure travel continues to drive recovery in many parts of the world, Hyatt remains committed to catering to high-end travelers to meet the rising demand for luxury travel experiences. Following a strong year of luxury hotel openings in 2022, including La Zambra, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Costa Del Sol, 7Pines Resort Sardinia, part of the Destination by Hyatt portfolio, and the debut of the Thompson Hotels brand in Spain with Thompson Madrid, Hyatt’s luxury inventory currently accounts for approximately 25% of Hyatt’s distribution in EAME. Hyatt’s anticipated openings through 2025 signal its commitment to creating more story-worthy experiences and unforgettable stays that exceed the expectations of the luxury traveler. “Hyatt’s heritage is luxury; it is in our DNA. Our luxury brands across Europe, Africa and the Middle East set a global benchmark for delivering personalized and engaged service, and world-class offerings that cater to the high-end traveller,” said Javier Águila, Group President, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Hyatt. “The global luxury travel …

Under the patronage of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and in cooperation with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO), hosted the 23rd session of the Conference of Arab Culture Ministers on, Wednesday (December 7, 2022) in the city of Riyadh. Ministers and officials from 20 Arab countries, as well as representatives of the League of Arab States and international and regional organisations were present at the event. His Highness the Minister of Culture said: “This year’s session, centred around the main theme, ‘Culture for a Green Future,’ aims to make the cultural sector more sustainable. We seek to be a launchpad for global efforts that include culture in all its forms and extend it to cover all elements of its value chain. His Highness added: “Employing culture towards a green future contributes to its consolidation in the global development debate, which is something that the Saudi leadership give their full attention to. The main theme of the conference, ‘Culture for a Green Future’, is also in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. Hence, the Kingdom supports collective efforts to enhance knowledge, skills, and practices related to making the cultural sector more sustainable and environmentally friendly.” During the conference, the Arab Culture Ministers stressed the importance of giving new impetus to the role of culture in achieving sustainable development, while working to develop effective policies for sectors that provide added value in the collective efforts to shift towards a more creative and sustainable future. Four memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were also signed to further …

The special webinar titled, Feel Good Germany promoted the destination as an year round sustainable touristic destination and also showcased Berlin’s strength in medical tourism. Yamina Sofo, Director German National Tourist Office, opened the session, sharing the numbers from the Gulf region which stands out especially during the covid era, and the positive recovery of the region which led to Germany reaping good numbers from the region. “Germany as a traveller destination has the ideal ingredients for an exceptional and sustainable holiday experience and it also helps to protect our climate and the environment. A sustainable holiday conserves natural resources strengthens, intercultural understanding and supports regional businesses. The destination and the providers of destination Germany is committed to this goal and are developing an increasing number of resource saving offers that are good for the environment as well as for the hosts and the guests. Many offers and recommendations can be found in our website, Germany.travel. In our 2022, market studies we can see the growing interest and attitudes of the guests towards environmental protection.” She shared some figures from UAE in terms of the interest shown in sustainable travel which was quite spell bounding. Michaela Kehrer Director of Medical tourism VisitBerlin shared the offerings the city in itself has with the many public parks and hidden gems in the city itself which cater to the GCC clientele. She reiterated that Berlin medical tourism is popular due to availability, affordability and accessibility and Germany ranks 5th in world medical tourism destinations, mainly due to infrastructure, specialised hospitals, with multi lingual staff who could cater to the requirements of the GCC clientele. She shared the new marketing initiatives conducted to promote …