ForwardKeys announced at WTTC´s Global Summit Riyadh that despite the current global challenges such as the war in Ukraine and impending inflation, the travel market is seeing an uplift in international arrivals. Apart from the travel recovery in the Americas, particularly Central America and the Caribbean, the Middle East is proving to be capturing the attention of international travellers in Q4 and early 2023. The Middle East is shifting to growth mode in Q4 with international arrivals at +4%, long ahead of the global average of -30%. “The FIFA World Cup is certainly the key driver for its travel recovery”, says Juan Gomez, Head of Market Intelligence at ForwardKeys. The latest air ticketing data by ForwardKeys also shows that international arrival levels may be back to normal in 2023, with travel to the Middle East up by 15% on pre-pandemic levels in Q1. “The Middle East is the only region to show growth into 2023, but Africa and America are not too far behind. Overall, the outlook for 2023 looks promising, despite high inflation in key source markets and the looming recession. Tickets are still being booked and economy class travel continues closing the gap with premium cabins,” adds Gomez. The Middle East is indeed attracting more premium travellers than in 2019. Saudi Arabia shows the greatest growth, but Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon are also showing growth, with a regional average of 11% above 2019. ForwardKeys has recently launched the 2022 Most Visited Destinations Report, featuring a top 100 destinations by region list whilst also examining key destinations which showed uncanny resilience and travel data mastery: Albania, Tanzania, Fiji, and the Maldives. The country list is headed by the …

The highly anticipated Emirates Dubai 7s, part of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, is set to take place over the 51st UAE National Day weekend from Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd December. The first day of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will take place on Friday, and will be celebrated by a breath-taking Emirates Airline A380 flypast at 4pm. Tickets for Friday’s event are available at https://dubairugby7s.com The 2022 edition of the rugby festival will deliver an amplified experience for all in attendance with additional entertainment stands and activations for children and young adults, including a new Hops & Food Market, the invitational team party tent, as well as a new stage called ‘The House’. With over 100,000 fans expected to attend this year’s festival, fans and visitors can look forward to an exciting weekend of music alongside the rugby action on Pitch 1 and 2. Children of all ages are in for a treat with a series of fun activities across three Kids Zones that will be available throughout the festival from 9am – 7pm, including arts and crafts, meet and greets with cartoon characters, bumper cars, face-painting, go-karting car racing, inflatable parks, and more. Kids under 12 even get complimentary access to the Emirates Dubai 7’s. From entertainment crews roaming around the venue to interactive setups and different genres of music playing from popular DJs across all zones at the festival, the entertainment options are endless for each member of the family. Fans and ticketholders visiting on Friday can enjoy thrilling rugby matches across two pitches kicking off at 9am with Ireland competing against Spain in women’s Pool C as well as an exclusive concert by …

VOX Cinemas, the dedicated cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, is excited to announce its partnership with beIN SPORTS, the Official Broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), to screen the much anticipated tournament live across its cinemas in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Lebanon. FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ kicks off on 20 November at the Al Bayt Stadium as Qatar takes on Ecuador. Fans cheering on their favourite teams can choose from a variety of experiences, including mega-screen MAX cinemas, luxurious in-cinema dining at THEATRE and GOLD, open-air OUTDOOR cinemas at Galleria Mall Jumeirah and Aloft Dubai Creek and even a private cinema at Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates. Adding to the experience, VOX Cinemas will be introducing a themed F&B menu featuring items such as stadium hotdogs, half time pies, Brazilian hotdogs and loaded chicken pops and football fries. Toni El Massih, Managing Director, VOX Cinemas said, “At VOX Cinemas, we are dedicated to showing a diverse selection of premium content including major blockbusters as well live sporting events and concerts as part of our alternative content programming. Like film, football has the power to transcend barriers and inspire and connect people. We are extremely excited to partner with beIN SPORTS to showcase one of the largest global sporting events on the big screen. We will be bringing the action of the pitch to life with our cutting-edge audio-visual technology, stadium-like atmosphere and wide array of F&B, so audiences can expect an unrivalled fan experience. We also have a range of corporate packages so you can cheer on your nation in the company of team …

 The Christmas countdown has officially begun! Families gathered together last night to witness the spectacular Christmas tree lights at Ski Dubai being switched on by Santa Claus following his arrival from the North Pole. The tree lighting ceremony marks the start of Winter Wonderland at Ski Dubai – a magical seasonal line-up of activities for the whole family to experience the most wonderful time of the year, complete with real snow. Santa Claus is coming back to town, and guests will have a chance to meet him and his merry elves at his grotto from 01-25 December. A Santa Meet & Greet (AED 125) is the picture-perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit; the package includes a festive gift bag, signature hot chocolate and a photo to capture the special moment. Start your day with a jolly good Breakfast with Santa (AED 125). Every morning (8-10 a.m.) from 01-25 December, guests can mingle all the way with Santa and his elves while indulging in festive treats such as Snowman Pancakes and signature hot chocolate. Each ticket includes one breakfast dish and a beverage from a wide-ranging menu, as well as a souvenir photo. Fancy getting active while dressed in your matching Christmas sweaters? Take the whole family to the Festive Fun Run (AED 125) on 10 December. Perfect for kids and adults alike, the -4⁰C racecourse can be completed in (400m) for kids or (1km) for adults with a special appearance from Santa Claus himself. Suitable for all levels and age groups, this promises to be a fun-filled family day out. All jolly joggers will also receive a Santa hat and a commemorative medal. Bundle up on the big …

Dubai Airports joined the nationwide celebrations of the 51st UAE National Day by hosting a celebration of Emirati history and culture for hundreds of employees from across Dubai’s diverse aviation community at Dubai International’s (DXB) Terminal 3. The event brought together employees and partners from across all segments of the airport community including airlines, control authorities, and commercial and service partners, to join His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group to celebrate the National Day and recognise employees for their dedication and service excellence throughout a remarkable year. Welcoming guests to the event, His Excellency Jamal Al Hai, Deputy CEO of Dubai Airports, said “Today is a day of great celebration at Dubai Airports as we mark UAE National Day. We give thanks to all those who have gone before us in making this Nation what it is today, and to our Leadership whose wisdom and guidance make the country a happy, safe, and prosperous place to live. We look to the future with excitement and optimism. Long live the UAE.” The event hosted a series of activities, games and interactive exhibits designed to showcase and celebrate the UAE’s rich history and culture – embracing the core values of the nation, while inspiring the airport community to look forward to the tremendous potential and bright future of the aviation sector of the country. Activities included a falconry show, booths featuring traditional perfumery oil making and other local crafts, games, complimentary treats with Emirati-infused cuisine, and live music. The Dubai Police band also presented an impressive performance to mark the …

The leaders of the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC) have described Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become one of the top 5 destinations in the world in the next decade as “unparalleled” in the history of tourism and travel. Opening the 22nd edition of the Summit, Arnold Donald, Chair, WTTC & Vice Chair of the Board, Carnival Corporation, welcomed the nearly 3000 participants to what will be the biggest ever meeting of global tourism and travel industry leaders. Praising the goals set by the Kingdom to welcome 100 million international and domestic travelers a year by 2030, Mr. Arnold said: “These are ambitions that are unparalleled in the history of our sector. Over the past three years it has been a great privilege to see the progress made here with our own eyes.” Summit host, Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism, HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb welcomed the leaders of the tourism world to Riyadh said: “We have the power to shape the sector, bridge cultures, and transform communities. We are fortunate to be in the position to effect change. We must not let this opportunity pass by us. Let us ensure that here in Riyadh, we really do deliver a better future for travel.” WTTC CEO Julia Simpson focused on the vital importance of nature to the long-term prosperity and sustainability of the sector. She said: “The WTTC Positive Travel and Tourism Report shows tourism from nature generates over $600 bn which provides opportunities for some of the world’s poorest countries to protect biodiversity and their communities.” In a day packed full of debate, dialogue and the sharing of innovative ideas from around the world, leaders of the global tourism industry participated …

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Middle East (HSMAI ME) has wrapped up day one its 5th Annual ROC Commercial Strategy Conference, with numerous keynotes, panel discussions and trends & insights sessions covering a wide range of topics aimed at accelerating recovery in the hospitality industry. The event took place on 28 November at the Conrad Dubai with industry professionals gathered to hear keynotes and panels exploring every aspect of hospitality, from sales, marketing, to commercial and revenue management. This year’s conference also featured speakers and experts from outside the hospitality industry who contributed with a fresh perspective, bringing in valuable insights and ideas to attendees. The event highlighted how the region has seized its unique position post-pandemic, as speakers focused on industry relevant issues. Some of the highlights of day one included a fireside chat with HE Issam Kazim, CEO DET discussing the outlook of tourism to Dubai and what the destination needs to do to remain an attractive city for international markets, while Scott Livermore, Chief Economist & Managing Director Oxford Economics ME delved into the impact of inflation and the looming fear of recession on the tourism industry. A Panel discussion on the role F&B today and how it forms critical revenue share for hospitality brands took centre stage. A significant addition this year to ROC Middle East was the ROC Global tradition – ROC(ing) The Lightening Round where senior revenue and marketing executives from global hospitality brands shared their best practices, strategic insights, and big ideas for driving revenue and profit.

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)  unveiled groundbreaking new data detailing the climate footprint of the global Travel & Tourism sector. The findings were launched today at the global tourism body’s 22nd Global Summit in Riyadh by the World Travel & Tourism Council and the Saudi-based Sustainable Global Tourism Center. In a world-first, this comprehensive research covers 185 countries across all regions and will be updated each year with the latest figures. During her opening speech Julia Simpson, President & CEO of WTTC announced the findings of the Environmental & Social Research (ESR). In one of the largest research projects of its kind ever undertaken, WTTC can for the first time ever, accurately report and track the impact industries within the sector have on the environment. Previous estimates have suggested that the global Travel & Tourism sector was responsible for up to 11% of all emissions. However, WTTC’s pioneering research shows that in 2019 the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions totalled just 8.1% globally. The divergence of the sector’s economic growth from its climate footprint between 2010 and 2019 is evidence that Travel & Tourism’s economic growth is decoupling from its greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions have been falling consistently since 2010 as the result of technological developments, as well as the introduction of a number of energy efficiency measures across industries within the sector. Between 2010 and 2019 our sector’s GDP has grown on average 4.3% annually whilst its environmental footprint has only increased by 2.4%. The broader Environmental & Social Research (ESR) will include measures of the sector’s impact against a range of indicators, including pollutants, energy sources, water use, as well as social data, including age, wage and gender profiles of Travel & Tourism …

The Emirates is one of the most easily accessible countries in the world, and every year hundreds and thousands of UAE residents undertake international journeys. While we may all be fans of last-minute, impromptu bookings it might not always seem feasible. But we can make it possible for you. Want to catch a quick break and sneak away for a vacation? Here are the 7 countries that are easily accessible from the UAE, where all you will need is a flight ticket and minimal pre-travel preparations. Oman UAE’s neighbour is one to reckon with when it comes to selecting a country for your international trip. It surely surpasses the expectations of every visitor with its grand mosques, spectacular mountain views, vibrant souks and white-sand beaches. Due to their proximity, non-stop flights are easily available to and from Oman, operated by Emirates, Etihad, Oman Air, Air Arabia and more. The flight duration is just one hour, while connecting flights could take longer. Roundtrip tickets from the UAE to Oman are readily available starting from AED 797. In a historic agreement, both countries have signed a deal to establish a rail network between Oman and the UAE, which will further facilitate travel. The passenger trains are expected to reach 200 kph, running between Sohar and Abu Dhabi in 100 minutes, and between Sohar and Al Ain in 47 minutes. Saudi Arabia Another country sharing land borders with the Emirates is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is frequently visited by millions every year for what Saudi has to offer for every type of traveler all year round. Multiple direct flights are available every day, starting from airfares as low as AED 1,300. …

IHG® Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a management agreement with the Owners of Carlton Al Moaibed Hotel in Al Khobar, that was founded by the late ‘Abdulrahman Al Moaibed and the late George N. Frem back in 1977, in order to transform the hotel into Saudi Arabia’s first Vignette Collection Hotel. The new property will be refurbished and is scheduled to be rebranded by 2024. The Vignette Collection is a family of one-of-a-kind, exclusive hotels curated for guests seeking rich and varied stay experiences. Promising luxury with purpose, Vignette Collection hotels weave responsibility, community, and locality together, and exist to make a positive impact in every way possible. The brand also gives owners of world-class independent hotels the opportunity to retain their distinctive identity, while benefitting from IHG’s global scale and luxury and lifestyle expertise. The rebranded Vignette Collections Hotel in Khobar will join existing Vignette properties across countries including Portugal, Austria, Thailand and Australia. The signing of the 150-key hotel in the Eastern Province capital also marks another milestone in IHG’s over 40-year presence in the Kingdom and brings a fresh and compelling luxury experience to the most discerning of guests. The rebranded Vignette Collection Hotel will be a part of a luxury community village with entertainment facilities, 5 food and beverage outlets, sophisticated experimental spa and health club. The community village will offer an Olympic-sized outdoor pool among other premium sporting facilities. Business guests will be able to take advantage of the hotel’s five multi-purpose meeting rooms and convention spaces, as well as other MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) facilities that will accommodate up to 1,500 guests. The hotel is also strategically located just a …