VFS Global won ‘Best Visa outsourcing company – KSA’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “On behalf of VFS Global I would like to thank Arabian Travel Awards for this honour. Being named the Best Visa Outsourcing Partner in KSA not only applauds our achievements so far, but also encourages us to keep putting our best foot forward every day while serving our applicants and clients alike. We will continue to innovate and offer best-in-class services through our operations.” Sumanth Kapoor, Business Head – KSA and Bahrain, VFS Global

Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel in partnership with AirOWater Global unveiled the region’s first 100% water from air sustainable water bottling plant. This innovative initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing critical environmental challenges while setting a new benchmark for water logistics, water security & plastic free environment & sustainable practices in the hospitality industry. The launch event was graced by His Highness Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman Department of Tourism Development and His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Ahmed Alsayed Alhashmi, Director General of Ajman Department of Tourism Development. Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, expressed his pride in leading this transformative project. “We are proud to launch this sustainable initiative with this bottling plant, which promotes the concept of plastic-free reusable glass bottles. This initiative not only reduces plastic waste in landfills but also leverages an untapped resource – water from air. We believe this solution is a game-changer and will inspire other hotels to adopt similar sustainable practices,” said Hamdani. Shubhojit Mahalanobis, Co-Founder and Partner at AirOWater Global, highlighted the significance of this partnership. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel and commend their unwavering commitment to sustainability. Our water-from-air technology and reusable glass bottle model have empowered the hotel to go plastic-free while boosting their ESG credentials. We look forward to strengthening our partnership and exploring new opportunities in the Northern Emirates.” The state-of-the-art bottling plant at Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel produces an impressive 365,000 liters of pure drinking water annually by harnessing atmospheric moisture. This revolutionary “water-from-air” technology eliminates the need for plastic bottles, providing a plastic-free solution for the hotel’s water requirements. The plant …

Dubai Holding Entertainment has entered a strategic partnership with Trip.com Group. This collaboration aims to enhance the accessibility and distribution of Dubai Holding Entertainment’s attractions to the Chinese market, ensuring travellers have seamless access to the best of Dubai’s entertainment experiences. Under the partnership, Trip.com Group becomes the General Agency and Preferred Partner for Dubai Holding Entertainment’s attractions in China. By integrating Dubai Holding Entertainment’s offerings into its platforms, Trip.com Group will provide users with easy access to renowned destinations such as Dubai Parks™ and Resorts—the Middle East’s largest theme park destination featuring MOTIONGATE™ Dubai, Real Madrid World, the first-ever football-themed park ,LEGOLAND® Dubai Theme Park and LEGOLAND® Water Park. Other highlights include, The Green Planet Dubai, Wild Wadi Waterpark™, Inside Burj Al Arab Tour, Global Village, The View Palm Jumeirah and more. Through this partnership, Trip.com Group’s users will enjoy access to exclusive deals and packages for DHE’s attractions, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience when visiting Dubai. This collaboration is expected to provide Chinese travelers with enhanced convenience and valuable options for exploring the best entertainment and leisure experiences Dubai has to offer. This partnership is part of a broader effort to expand Dubai Holding Entertainment’s reach and attract travellers from key international markets, with a particular focus on the growing demand for travel experiences in Dubai. By offering Dubai Holding Entertainment’s diverse portfolio of attractions to Trip.com Group’s vast global user base, both organizations aim to drive increased tourism to the UAE, contributing to the region’s continued growth as a leading global destination.

It was announced that Ras Al Khaimah International Airport welcomed a record-breaking number of passengers, totalling 661,765 in 2024, marking a 28% growth compared to 2023, and nearly double the number of travellers from 2022. This increase is attributed to several factors, including expanding airline services, adding new destinations, and a general recovery in travel demand. The number of departing passengers also saw a significant rise of 39%, reaching 293,815 travellers. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, stated that the UAE has achieved significant milestones in its global transformation, especially in the air transport sector. These achievements are the results of the visionary leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, which have helped the UAE rank among the world’s busiest air travel and cargo transit destinations. He emphasised that the profound transformations witnessed in Ras Al Khaimah, driven by the support and vision of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and the follow-up of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah and Chairman of the Executive Council. Their efforts have played a key role in positioning the emirate as a global aviation hub linking Eurasian, Arab, and African nations through the UAE. The Civil Aviation Authority’s achievements are directly reflected in significant increases in passenger and cargo transport, supporting the overall development of Ras Al Khaimah’s business, tourism, hospitality, services, …

Makkah Clock Royal Tower (a Fairmont hotel) clenched the title of ‘Best luxury hotel, KSA’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. The hotel is an iconic landmark in the heart of Makkah. Adjacent to Al Masjid Al Haram, it is the closest luxury hotel to Al Kaaba, making it the ideal choice for Umrah and Hajj. With 76 floors, 1,650 elegant rooms and suites, and breathtaking views of Al Kaaba, Al Haram, and Makkah’s skyline, the hotel offers unparalleled comfort. Enjoy family-friendly stays, Fairmont Gold exclusivity, or the refined luxury of the Royal Floor.

Hyatt announced a management agreement with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) for the first Hyatt-branded hotel in AlUla, Hyatt Place AlUla. Expected to open by end of 2025, the hotel will add a total of 215 keys to the Hyatt room portfolio in Saudi Arabia and provide a new destination of choice for World of Hyatt members and guests visiting the region. The planned introduction of Hyatt Place AlUla is part of broader efforts by Hyatt to showcase rich heritage and unique landscapes to international visitors. “We look forward to adding Hyatt Place AlUla to our growing portfolio of properties in the region,” said Ludwig Bouldoukian, Regional Vice President, Development, Middle East and Africa, Hyatt. “This significant project underscores our commitment to expanding our brand presence in key leisure and business markets. We are thrilled that this upcoming hotel will provide more choice to our World of Hyatt members looking to explore the culture and beauty of AlUla.” Hyatt Place AlUla will include 215 modern styled guestrooms, two food and beverage outlets, meeting space, a pool, and a fitness center, ensuring comfortable stays regardless of the travel occasion. Whether traveling for work or to explore AlUla, a rising cultural destination, the new hotel will seamlessly blend functionality with its renowned charm, providing a local home-base for guests and members. Once operational, the property will participate in World of Hyatt, the industry’s fastest growing loyalty program, that offers approximately 51 million members a variety of valuable benefits around the globe, such as member-only offers, room upgrades, free nights, late checkout, and more. Abeer AlAkel, CEO of Royal Commission of AlUla (RCU), said, “The agreement with Hyatt advances RCU’s regeneration of AlUla …

Wego partnered with Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) to spotlight the Kingdom of Bahrain as a premier travel destination. This collaboration aims to promote Bahrain’s unique cultural heritage, top attractions, and cutting-edge tourism innovations to global travelers. Bahrain, known as the “Pearl of the Gulf,” is an archipelago offering a rich blend of history, luxury, and modernity. Through this partnership, Wego will leverage its platform to highlight Bahrain’s iconic destinations, including the UNESCO-listed Qal’at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort), the vibrant Bab Al Bahrain Souq, the stunning Al Dar Islands, and the world-famous Bahrain International Circuit, home of Formula 1 racing. Commenting on the partnership, Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority to showcase the Kingdom’s unique offerings to our global audience. Bahrain is a treasure trove of cultural, natural, and modern attractions, and through this partnership, we aim to inspire travelers to explore this dynamic destination.” Travelers will also be introduced to Bahrain’s innovative tourism initiatives. The Kingdom is embracing cutting-edge technology, offering seamless digital travel experiences and sustainable tourism practices. From immersive virtual tours to smart city solutions enhancing visitor convenience, Bahrain is setting a benchmark in modern travel. Additionally, Bahrain’s commitment to eco-tourism is evident in its focus on preserving natural habitats like the unique Hawar Islands and offering experiences such as pearl diving and marine conservation tours. Maryam Toorani Director, Marketing and Promotion at Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority added: “This partnership with Wego allows us to reach thousands of travelers and highlight Bahrain as a must-visit destination. From its historical landmarks to its forward-thinking tourism innovations, Bahrain has something to …

Emirates will restart services to Beirut, Lebanon from 1 February 2025 with a daily flight. The airline will also reinstate daily services to Baghdad in Iraq on the same day. From February, Emirates’ daily flights to Rafic Al Hariri International Airport will be served by a Boeing 777-300ER in three classes, offering more than 5,000 seats both ways each week, and adding more choice, increased comfort and enhanced connectivity from Beirut to Dubai and onwards to the airline’s network of more than 140 destinations. From 1 April 2025, the airline will scale up its operations and layer on a second daily service to Beirut with the addition of the EK957/958 morning service, which is also set to be operated with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in three classes. The airline will operate to Beirut and Baghdad with the following schedule (all times are local): Beirut: From 1 February, Emirates will operate daily on EK953 and EK954. EK953 departs Dubai at 1130hrs, arriving in Beirut at 1400hrs. The return flight, EK954 leaves Beirut at 1530hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2120hrs. From 1 April, Emirates’ second daily service EK 957 takes off at 0730hrs, arriving in Beirut at 1030hrs. EK958 departs Beirut at 1205hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1655hrs. Baghdad: Emirates’ daily flights to Baghdad will be served by a Boeing 777 aircraft. On Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, EK 941 will depart Dubai at 0805hrs, arriving in Baghdad at 0950hrs. EK 942 will then take-off at 1125hrs, landing in Dubai at 1435hrs. On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, EK 943 will depart Dubai at 1300hrs, arriving in Baghdad at 1425hrs. EK944 leaves Baghdad at 1555hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1910hrs. For more information or …

Marriott International announced the signing of Sheraton Al Khobar Al Hamra with Ashaad Company – marking the debut of the Sheraton brand in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Anticipated to open in 2028, Sheraton Al Khobar Al Hamra will reflect the brand’s new vision with its design and activations, use of technology and welcoming communal spaces. “Sheraton has had a long-standing presence in the Kingdom, and we are excited to work with Ashaad Company to further expand the brand’s portfolio in the country with its entry into Al Khobar,” said Chadi Hauch, Regional Vice President, Lodging Development, Middle East, Marriott International. “This hotel will embody Sheraton’s new identity, offering guests a unique experience through enhanced services and designs while staying true to its legacy. This deal also further supports the demand we are seeing for business and leisure travel into the Eastern Province of the country.” Ali bin Mohammed Al Ali, Chairman of Ashaad, commented: “In light of the great momentum in the Kingdom, driven by transformational developments and its growing reputation as a regional and international hub for global events, we at Ashaad are proud to be part of this remarkable transformation. Our strategic agreement with Marriott International and Aleph Hospitality to introduce the prestigious Sheraton brand to the city of Al Khobar represents an important step in our commitment to delivering world-class hotel projects. This collaboration reflects our dedication to enhancing the hospitality sector by providing unparalleled experiences to guests from around the world. The new Sheraton Al Khobar Al Hamra will embody creativity and sophistication, in line with the brand’s new identity while meeting the aspirations of visitors and residents of the Kingdom. We are honoured to contribute to …

Golden Sands Hotel Apartments won the ‘most comfortable hotel apartments’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. ‘Golden Sands’ is the pioneering hotel apartments brand in the region. With a comprehensive range of room types to cater to individuals and families visiting Dubai for leisure or business, Golden Sands Hotel Apartments offer the perfect home away from home.