​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 …

Under the patronage of Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Bisher Khasawneh, H.E. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Jordan, and H.E. Tawfiq Kreishan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration in Jordan, inaugurated the first and only cruise terminal in Aqaba, coinciding with the arrival of the cruise vessel MSC Splendida carrying more than 2,000 visitors to Jordan. The new Aqaba Cruise Terminal marks the launch of the first of five strategic mega-projects planned between AD Ports Group – the global facilitator of logistics, industry and trade – and Aqaba Development Corporation to advance the coastal city’s tourism, logistics and transport sectors. H.E. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan and H.E. Kreishan took a tour and were briefed by Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, on the facility’s wide array of amenities and services that cater to the needs and expectations of international tourists visiting the Kingdom. The inauguration was attended by H.E. Eng. Nayef Fayez, Chief Commissioner of ASEZA; H.E. Hussein Safadi, CEO of Aqaba Development Corporation; and several senior officials from both sides. Under the agreement with Aqaba Development Corporation, AD Ports Group will develop, manage and operate the Aqaba Cruise Terminal, a world-class facility for international cruise passengers looking to visit Jordan, specifically Aqaba, Petra and Wadi Rum. Over 50 vessels are scheduled to dock at the Aqaba Cruise Terminal over the next four months, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to the popular winter-sun destination. H.E. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Jordan, said: “The Aqaba Cruise Terminal is the result of the active cooperation and …

The year kicked off with the largest tourism networking event Fitur which brought together 131 countries with over 120,000 professionals and about 90,000 visitors. It was held  under three themes of the main events revolving around “Tourism, Culture and Heritage”, “Urban Tourism” and the challenges facing the sector following the recovery and the major projects of Turespaña. Daniel Rosado Director Spain Tourism GCC shared, “Most of the Arab countries exhibited their tourist attractions at FITUR, but it is worth highlighting the wide variety of opportunities offered by both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in the framework of their Vision 2030, has started to take historic steps such as the e-visa. For its part, the UAE exhibited at FITUR the boost it has given to the tourism sector over the last five years. In relation to international participation, the strongest growth is recorded in Asia-Pacific (163%), Africa (88%) and the Middle East (60%).” Balaji Ramgopal, COO of Al Arif Sons travel reiterated, “Greetings from Madrid! I am thankful to the UAE Spain Tourism team for the support extended in my trip to attend FITUR event 2023. Our company Al Arif Sons Travel is one of the agencies specialized in curating luxury leisure holidays for UAE national families. At FITUR I was very happy to witness such a mega event after the pandemic. There were more than 7 large pavilions with various destinations representing with exhibiting large stands, flooded with exhibitors and buyers. South American destinations were in big focus due to Spanish speaking Travellers. However, there were big exhibits of Asian and European countries as well. It was a great opportunity to meet some …

Wizz Air  announced resumption of its direct flights to Istanbul, Antalya and Dalaman. The routes will commence as of March 2023 connecting Türkiye with Hungary, Romania, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.  Wizz Air returns to Istanbul after 7 years, and adds four point to point services to Budapest, London Gatwick, London Luton, and Iasi, the earliest flight departing in March already. With these services the airline will be the first ultra-low cost carrier flying from Istanbul airport, providing over 400,000 high quality, but low fare seats to cities around Europe. Wizz Air’s industry leading low emissions and highly sustainable operations will support Istanbul Airport to reach its sustainability goals by operating the modern and sustainable Airbus A321neo aircraft. Besides the new all year round routes to Istanbul, WIZZ launches seasonal point to point services to the Turkish seaside, Dalaman and Antalya, supporting the ramp up of local tourism. Over 300,000 passengers from Abu Dhabi, Bucharest, Budapest, Cluj, Debrecen and London will be able to enjoy the airline’s low fares and high quality direct connections to these amazing resorts. Together with today’s announcement Wizz Air will operate flights to four Turkish airports, providing over 800,000 low-fare seats in 2023. Evelin Jeckel,  Network Officer of Wizz Air, said: “We’re excited to be finally returning to Istanbul with our point to point services and strengthening our presence in Türkiye with the new connections to Dalaman and Antalya, while bringing sustainable, low-cost aviation to Istanbul and to the pearls of the Turkish seaside. We can’t wait to welcome our passengers back onboard our brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft, as they travel on their long-awaited new routes connecting Türkiye with some of the …