Jordan is proud to announce that it will be hosting the first-ever UCI GRAN FONDO cycling race in the Dead Sea region. This historic event is part of the UCI GRAN FONDO world series and offers riders the opportunity to qualify for the Gran Fondo World Championship in Glasgow, Scotland in 2023. The race will feature three qualifying stages, where 20% of each age group will have the chance to qualify for the world championship. The race includes an individual time trial and two road stages, with opportunities to compete in the general classification, king/queen of the mountain, and team classifications. The first ITT stage will start north of the Dead Sea from Prince Hussien Park on the service road, covering 20km out and back. The second road stage will begin at the Mövenpick Dead Sea hotel, taking riders through beautiful local climbs to Madaba before heading down the breathtaking Panorama Dead Sea road back to the hotel. The third stage will take riders up the Panorama Dead Sea Road to the historical Mount Nebo and then riders will be served with a stunning downhill road to the Dead Sea. This race is organized by the Jordan Tourism Board, Discovery Circle Tours, Stage2 Bike Shop, and Tareef Cycling Club. Riders from all over the world are expected to participate, making this an exciting and competitive event for both participants and spectators alike. Don’t miss the chance to witness history in the making as Jordan hosts this world-class cycling race for the first time.  

Vistara announced the addition of Dammam (Saudi Arabia) to its international network. The airline will be operating daily non-stop flights between Mumbai and Dammam starting 1 March 2023 using its A320neo aircraft. Bookings for the flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including Vistara’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents. Mr. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, “We are excited to expand our presence in Saudi Arabia with the addition of Dammam as the second city in the Kingdom, after Jeddah. Integral to the Saudi Vision 2030, Dammam is a key administrative destination that is home to the largest port in the Gulf and some of the major business headquarters. We are confident that customers from India and Saudi Arabia will appreciate experiencing our award winning product and services on the route as they fly India’s most loved airline.”   Sector Economy Premium Economy Business Mumbai – Dammam – Mumbai INR 26,999 INR 29,999 INR 39,999 Dammam – Mumbai – Dammam SAR 1199 SAR 1299 SAR 1699   SCHEDULE OF FLIGHTS TO/FROM DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA EFFECTIVE 1 MARCH 2023 Sector Flight No. Days of Operation Departure Arrival Mumbai – Dammam UK 0237 Daily 21:20 hrs 23:10 hrs Dammam – Mumbai UK 0238 Daily 23:55 hrs 06:15 hrs (+1) * All timings shown are in local time zones *+1 indicates next-day arrival Vistara also announced the resumption of operations between Mumbai and Colombo with daily flights effective 1 March 2023 after a hiatus of nearly 3 years. Bookings for the flights are open on all channels, including Vistara’s website, mobile app, OTAs (online travel agencies) and other travel agents. Vistara will accept all eligible customers meeting visa/entry requirements …

Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and Amaala, has awarded a Primary Infrastructure and Utility Contract valued at nearly SAR one billion. The project will be undertaken by AL-AYUNI Investment and Contracting Company to deliver the first phase of development at Amaala, an ultra-luxury tourism destination located along the Kingdom’s north-western coast, across its Triple Bay masterplan. AL-AYUNI, classified as a “First Class” contractor in the Kingdom since 2006, will be responsible for delivering state-of-the-art Primary Utility Infrastructure Systems, while minimizing Triple Bay’s carbon footprint as part of Amaala’s commitment towards net-zero operations. “Today’s infrastructure deal forms a critical part of Red Sea Global’s ambition to pioneer a new relationship between luxury tourism and the natural environment,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG. “The sheer scale of the developments and our relentless pursuit of regenerative tourism require meaningful partnerships that can deliver resilient infrastructure. Together with AL-AYUNI Investment and Contracting Company, we are confident that we can collectively shape the future of developments in the Kingdom and beyond.” AL-AYUNI was selected based on its overall technical and commercial competencies, as well as regional and global credentials. All design and construction methods meet RSG’s stringent criteria for end-to-end sustainable development, including economic, financial, social, and institutional factors. Faheed Al-Ayuni Chairman of AL-AYUNI Investment and Contracting Company said: “Red Sea Global is a future-forward developer that is closely aligned with our legacy of innovating world-class solutions, cementing trusted relationships, and setting new benchmarks. It is an honor for us to contribute to its pioneering destinations and we look forward to unlocking the full breadth of our robust capabilities to …

​Kuwait Airways announced achieving positive results with the operation of approximately 1450 flights to and from the State of Kuwait, carrying almost 205,000 passengers to various destinations operated by the company during the winter period from 22 December 2022 to 7 January 2023. The three major destinations travelled by customers during the winter holiday season included London, Cairo, and Dubai with a punctuality rate of arrival and departure timings reaching approximately 90%. This also follows Kuwait Airways achieving third position in operational excellence, punctuality, and on-time performance in the Middle East and Africa, recording 81.64% of the 25982 flights that arrived on time during the year 2022. In this context, Kuwait Airways CEO, Eng. Maen Razouqi stated, “We are pleased to have successfully operated 1450 flights during the winter season, carrying approximately 205,000 passengers to various destinations and in meeting the requirements of our valued customers. We have also been ranked third in the Middle East and Africa region for operational excellence, punctuality, and on-time performance for the year 2022. The Board of Directors and the Executive Management spares no effort towards the development of the company’s fleet, as we have recently received new aircraft with the latest technology present in the aviation industry, as well as numerous diverse features and services for the convenience of our valued customers. This ranges from comfortable seats and convenient services provided on board by our highly trained crew, to the speedy completion of travel procedures at Terminal 4, that are according to systematic plans and standards adopted by the company, in addition to the earnest efforts and expertise of national talents working at the company. Moreover, Kuwait Airways closely follows the requirements of …

Kanoo Travel, the largest travel company in the MENA region, has started a new partnership with dcs plus, a global leading travel technology company. This investment will further enhance the technological infrastructure, strengthen Kanoo Travel’s operational activity and upgrade the services towards its impressive portfolio of customers. Kanoo Travel will power their operations with TINA, the travel ERP developed by dcs plus. TINA is one of the world’s most advanced web-based ERP systems for the travel industry and is favored by members of large global TMCs. With an operational footprint that spans over an extensive network of offices the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe, Kanoo Travel aims to achieve a greater control and efficiency through digitalization. This new partnership will enable Kanoo Travel to achieve greater control through seamless processes, reducing the operational costs and offering a best-in-class traveler experience at every touchpoint of the customer journey. Furthermore, Kanoo Travel will leverage the state-of-the-art technology from dcs plus to optimize business processes, utilizing smart analytics and data, which will be integrated across different platforms at group level for Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Egypt. Zaeem Gama, Divisional CEO of Kanoo Travel: “Our partnership with dcs plus is a fundamental element of our ambitious roadmap to advance the travel industry through digitalization, further reflecting our commitment to provide the most sophisticated travel solutions on a global level. We believe in establishing key strong partnerships in the region to fully execute our full-scale digitization plan and ambitions, which allows us to become agile and seamless especially in an ever-evolving landscape. dcs plus and Kanoo Travel have a collective vision, and together we will capture untapped opportunities …

Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, part of the Department of Economy and Tourism, said it won 232 bids for business events in 2022, almost twice as many as the previous year. Business events are poised to make a vital contribution to Dubai’s economic development and tourism growth, with another exceptional year of successful bids for international conferences, congresses, meetings and incentive travel programmes. Set to be held over the coming years, the events will bring in an additional 135,000 visitors including scientists, thought-leaders and business executives to Dubai, enhancing the value generated by the business events and tourism ecosystem. DBE collaborated with a range of stakeholders for the successful event bids including Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors and the public and private sector entities they represent, industry partners including Dubai World Trade Centre and Emirates, and hotels and professional congress organisers (PCOs) across the city. Beyond their direct impact, the events, which include flagship conferences and congresses organised by international associations, as well as prestigious corporate meetings held by multinationals, will contribute to Dubai’s growth as a knowledge economy hub. Dubai won bids for a record 57 association conferences in 2022, the highest achieved by DBE. The successful bids are a testament to the organisation’s efforts to raise Dubai’s profile among international associations across a wide range of sectors. The strong performance in 2022 represented a 95% growth in the number of successful bids from 2021 and a 92% increase in the number of delegates added to the pipeline – all further accelerating the momentum of Dubai’s growth. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: “The remarkable growth in successful event bids contributes …

The Philippines is not just famous for its islands and beaches; the country also boasts of natural and scenic landscapes with the landlocked province of Benguet on Luzon Island housing a number of them. Found at the southernmost part of the Cordillera Administrative Region, Benguet is nicknamed the Salad Bowl of the Philippines, since it’s one of the main sources of fresh vegetables in the country. With picturesque mountain views, a tranquil atmosphere and cool breeze, Benguet provides a refreshing escape from the busy city life. Taste the finest strawberries Benguet’s capital is La Trinidad, where vegetables and strawberries are produced. Visitors may take the leisure of picking their own bunch of the freshest strawberries and vegetables at the farm for a fair price. Since La Trinidad is abundant in strawberries, they have treats that are strawberry-flavoured and are a must-try for those visiting. Some of the top picks include strawberry taho (hot silken tofu with sweet syrup and sago pearls), strawberry ice cream and strawberry jam. Admire colourful hillside houses Through community participation, settlements along identified barangays were painted and transformed into a giant mountain art wall that portrays images notable in the place and which signifies “re-blooming” and “re-greening” of the environment. The project was initiated through a collaboration with major paint companies, artist groups and the local community. Known as ‘Stobosa’, the initiative serves more than a beautification project: it signifies the collective desire to instil sustainable development of communities, to influence and change mindsets, and to create a living environment where the people could live harmoniously and productively. Stobosa is therefore one large mural where the vision for a better and more prosperous clean environment is …

Dubai Investments has signed a deal with Millennium Hotels & Resorts, a global hotel group to open ‘Grand Millennium Resort, Danah Bay, the Group’s latest flagship freehold project in the UAE, located at the heart of the Marjan Island. The deal was signed by Khalid Bin Kalban, Vice Chairman and CEO, Dubai Investments and Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim, CEO of Millennium Hotels & Resorts, Middle East & Africa. The hotel will be operated under the Grand Millennium brand, with 300 rooms and positioned as an upper upscale resort with exciting specialty dining options and a host of beach recreational facilities, designed to deliver an enriching resort-style experience in Ras Al Khaimah. “The tourism sector in Ras Al Khaimah has been enjoying a period of growth and profitability and has chalked out several ambitious plans to continue the growth of this sector. Over the years, Dubai Investments has maintained a healthy portfolio of hotel projects through its mixed-use developments and the inclusion of Grand Millennium Resort – Danah Bay is another perfect addition. Positioned among the list of  promising hotel projects that will benefit from the mixed-use development features and the ideal location of the project, the upcoming hotel will optimally leverage the growth phase of Ras Al Khaimah especially in meeting accommodation needs, with a particular focus on the luxury travel and the MICE segments, ”said Khalid Bin Kalban, Vice Chairman and CEO, Dubai Investments. Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim added; “We are delighted to extend our relationship with our esteemed partners Dubai Investments. This signing comes as part of our ambitious development plans in the region, with a focus on expanding in key locations and growing our resort portfolio. We are also …

Emirates has announced it will scale up its A380 operations with the iconic double-decker returning to Glasgow (26 March 2023), Nice (1 June 2023) and Birmingham (1 July 2023). The airline has also announced it will resume its second daily service to Stansted starting from 1 May 2023, utilising its wide-body Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with its renowned ‘Game Changer’ First Class product. With the return of the second daily flight to Stansted, Emirates will ramp up  its operations to London with 11 daily flights, including six times daily to London Heathrow and three times daily to Gatwick. The airline continues to expand its global network and increase capacity in line with growing travel demand. Emirates currently deploys its flagship A380 to 40 destinations worldwide. By the end of this summer, the popular aircraft will be serving almost 50 destinations, restoring close to 90% of the airline’s pre-pandemic A380 network. Emirates is the largest operator of Airbus A380, with more than 80 aircraft currently in active service. The airline first launched A380 operations to Birmingham in 2016; Nice in 2017; and Glasgow in 2019. The first Emirates A380 to be completely refurbished under the airline’s US$ 2 billion retrofit program was deployed earlier this month on the Dubai-London Heathrow service featuring the Premium Economy cabin, and Emirates’ latest cabin interiors including lighter colour palettes in First and Business Class. The airline also plans to ramp up its four-class A380 operations featuring Premium Economy cabins to more than 35 destinations across 20 countries by March 2024. The Emirates A380 is loved by customers for its spacious and comfortable cabins, quietness, and unique on-board features such as the Onboard Lounge and First …

Saudi Arabia registered more international arrivals than any other Arab nation during the first nine months of 2022, as government officials target 100 million annual visitors by the end of this decade. Owing to these unprecedented numbers, the Kingdom’s burgeoning tourism sector will represent a key focus at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 1-4 May. This year’s Saudi Summit will take place on the Global Stage and focus on the importance of the Kingdom in reshaping the regional travel and tourism landscape now that mega projects are well under way. In addition to the summit, ATM 2023 will feature a host of Saudi exhibitors, including Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), flynas, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, Asma Hospitality Company, Eye of Riyadh, Itrip, Dur Hospitality, Sadana Real Estate Co, Saudi Amad for Airport Services & Transport Support and many more. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The ATM 2023 Saudi Summit will offer an ideal forum in which travel professionals and policymakers from across the Middle East and beyond can explore opportunities and challenges within the Kingdom’s ever-growing tourism sector. “From upcoming giga-developments such as NEOM and the Red Sea Project to how the Kingdom’s latest visa reforms are bolstering its travel sector, we expect Saudi Arabia to represent a major drawcard during the upcoming edition of ATM,” Curtis added. Figures released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) show that Saudi Arabia attracted more than 18 million inbound visits in the first three quarters of 2022, followed by the United Arab Emirates (14.8 million tourists) and Morocco (11 million tourists), which ranked second and third in …