Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and Skift Inc., will host the inaugural Skift Global Forum East in Dubai from December 13-15, 2022. This event is the first-ever international extension of the world’s flagship travel conference: Skift Global Forum, held each September in New York City for the last decade. The conference has welcomed over 1000 global industry leaders, providing a forum to discuss the latest industry developments and emerging trends. Skift Global Forum East will assemble top CEOs and creative leaders to explore initiatives shaping the industry post-pandemic— the intersection of technology and marketing, consumer-facing advances across user experience and design, sustainability’s ever-increasing role in the business of travel, how progressive modern economies prioritize travel as their future economic engine, and much more. Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, commented: “In rolling out a remarkable recovery strategy, Dubai has also won global acclaim for the series of measures it has taken to further elevate its international standing as a leading hub for business, tourism and events including the hosting of the hugely successful Expo 2020. As Dubai continues to build on the successes of a robust and meticulous post pandemic recovery strategy, Skift Global Forum East will serve as a platform for collaborative dialogue, future thinking and innovation showcase to help shape a sustainable and agile future for the wider travel and tourism industry. We look forward to welcoming partners and leaders from all over the world in Dubai for what will no doubt be an incredible two days of insights and learning for us all.” Rafat Ali, founder and CEO of Skift, said: “I am excited to expand our premier Skift Global Forum …

Al Khoory Hotels announced the official opening of their latest 4-star property, Al Khoory Courtyard Hotel in Dubai. Centrally located on Al Waha Street, off Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, the property delivers a blend of quality accommodation, facilities and amenities twinned with exceptional value. Conveniently located in a central location, the Al Khoory Courtyard Hotel provides easy access to Dubai International Airport. For families, the location is close to a myriad of attractions in Downtown, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah, while business travellers will enjoy the short distances to hubs such as Business Bay and the forthcoming District 2020. The hotel comprises 158 rooms categorised into eight configurations, ranging from the superior and deluxe rooms to the premium and Courtyard suites. Guests can choose from four distinctive dining experiences, including the authentic Al Baha Levantine Restaurant. Guests can relax in the spa and rooftop infinity pool or explore the many attractions and shopping destinations on the hotel’s doorstep. Jeff Isaacs, Hotel Manager, Al Khoory Courtyard Hotel, said: “Al Khoory Hotels has seen incredible growth in recent years thanks to our strategic position in business and leisure hubs throughout Dubai. Each of our properties offers unrivalled connectivity, and the Courtyard Hotel is no exception. “Guests to the new property will have access to world-class amenities and excellent F&B outlets, emphasising quality at unbeatable value. Our popularity and growth as a company are in recognition of our superior service, with business travellers, leisure visitors and families returning year after year.”   The hotel is Shariah-compliant, and all rooms are non-smoking with connecting room facilities available, making the Courtyard the ideal choice for families. The management team has also focused on adopting local …

Having promoted the destination heavily during Expo 2020 and at Discover Europe Travel Summit in Dubai, Switzerland tourism continues to work with the travel trade from the GCC to experience the destination physically. According to Matthias Albrecht, Director GCC, Switzerland Tourism, they will be further enhancing cooperation with the GCC travel trade in two very important roadshows. Albrecht reiterated, “GCC travel trade is most important to us and for the next quarter we have planned two events, one to be held in Switzerland by inviting the most important decision makers in the travel trade and the other one will be visiting around 30 Swiss partners within all GCC countries. The first workshop will be conducted in Switzerland for GCC travel trade in September with 50 – 60 key decision makers from the GCC being already invited. This workshop will give them an opportunity to interact directly with over 80 Swiss tourism suppliers as well as to learn more about new places, different areas, latest attractions, new hotels, and other experiences offered. The second roadshow will be in November in the GCC where we will meet around 600 to 700 agents from the GCC.” Switzerland has been promoting their Swisstainable initiative with the GCC and the rest of the world in making tourism more sustainable. The four pillars of this project will also be shared during the roadshows and workshop planned for the rest of the year.

In a recent interview with Tracy Lanza Group Head of Global Brand Development at The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), shared that the development of The Red Sea Project will be in two phases, one to be completed by end of 2023 and second to be completed by 2030. She reiterated, “we’re looking forward to welcoming our first guests early next year. Following that, the first phase will be fully completed and operational by the end of 2023. It will include 16 resorts for a total of 3,000 keys, 18-hole championship golf course, luxury marina, and retail and entertainment facilities. Phase two is scheduled for completion in 2030, and will include 50 resorts with 8,000 keys, and 1,000+ residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites.” Commenting further that the work is on track in order to welcome guests, “We’re fortunate to be able to partner with some of the world’s most iconic hotel brands, including EDITION, St Regis, Fairmont, Raffles, SLS, Grand Hyatt, Intercontinental, Six Senses, Jumeirah, Miraval, Rosewood and Ritz Carlton Reserve. Some of these will be able to host their first guests by early next year, while others will open their doors in the months following.” In keeping with the Vision 2030 of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lanza shared, “The project supports the Saudi vision through the development of a brand-new tourism industry that has not existed in the Kingdom before. It will open the door for thousands of young Saudis to pursue new careers and opportunities. We expect to create up to 70,000 new jobs and contribute as a much as 22 billion Saudi riyals (USD 5.3 billion) to the nation’s GDP.”

Alpen Capital’s latest hospitality sector report for the GCC projects the industry will return to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, registering a 74.8% year-on-year growth and reaching a revenue of USD 26.3 billion. It adds the industry is expected to grow with a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.6% up to 2026. UAE-based investment banking advisory firm, Alpen Capital, launched its latest GCC Hospitality Industry report on Wednesday, August 3rd featuring detailed studies and forecasts on the hospitality sector, analyzing recent trends, growth drivers and challenges facing this dynamic segment. It also profiles some of the renowned hospitality companies in the region. The report was launched over a webinar followed by a panel discussion featuring Sanjay Bhatia, Managing Director, Alpen Capital; Hala Matar Choufany, President – Middle East, Africa & South Asia, HVS Yahia Idris, Principal, Nova International. Sameena Ahmad, Managing Director, Alpen Capital moderated the discussion. Factors like increasing tourist arrivals, mega events like EXPO 2020 Dubai and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022 and easing of visa regulations will lead to the industry’s growth. With regional governments actively supporting the development of business, leisure, and entertainment centers through significant investments, the GCC is becoming a hub of action with a long list of events in the pipeline. The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technology and digitization for operators looking to streamline procedures as well as improve overall level of customer experience. The demand for mid-scale hotels, service apartments and Airbnb’s is also on the rise as it offers flexibility and affordability.”, says Sameena Ahmad, Managing Director, Alpen Capital (ME) Limited. “Revival in business activity as economies reopened post the pandemic led to M&A activity stirring up again …

Effective 1 August 2022, residents of the UAE can apply for their Israel visas at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Abu Dhabi. The centre accepts applications for tourism, business, student, conference, medical, relatives and family visit categories. The contract was signed by H.E. Mr. Danny Gadot, Ambassador of Administration and Consul Affairs, Israel Embassy in the UAE, and Mr. Atul Marwah, Head – Middle East & North Africa, VFS Global, earlier this year. This is the first time the Israel Embassy in the UAE has outsourced its visa application pro-cess. Atul Marwah, Head – Middle East & North Africa, VFS Global, said, “We are excited to embark on this new partnership with the Israel Embassy in the UAE, bringing in VFS Global’s domain expertise to provide a smooth and efficient visa application journey. In February 2022, the Israel Ministry of Tourism signed a partnership with VFS Global as their tourism representation agency in the UAE. This new asso-ciation is another feather in the cap for VFS Global’s association with this beautiful country.” Applicants will benefit from a range of optional services offered by VFS Global, including passport withdrawal service, video conferencing for child applicants, form filling assistance, SMS updates, and courier return, among others. Applicants can also opt to submit their applications from VFS Global’s Premium Lounge, enjoying end-to-end personalised assistance throughout the submission process.

Travelex in partnership with Hamad International Airport (HIA) announce the launch of their latest store concept in Qatar, “Mobile Foreign Exchange Stores”. Located around HIA’s Concourse C and Concourse D, the Mobile Store concept provides airport customers with the benefits of a full-fledged foreign exchange branch packaged in a movable kiosk, allowing foreign exchange services to be further embedded within the customer’s journey. This is in addition to the Travelex foreign exchange kiosks conveniently located across the airport terminal, accessible to departing, arriving and transferring passengers. At the launch of the Mobile Stores, Travelex’s Commercial Director for the Middle East & Turkey, Mr. Batu Dölay, stated: “Launching Mobile Stores in Qatar is a key milestone in the partnership between Travelex and HIA. As the World’s Best Airport, we know HIA expects retailers to bring only the best for their customers and our Mobile Stores provide an elegant option for Travelex to ensure our services are consistently available to passengers regardless of their journey through the terminal.” Ms. Sujata Suri, VP Strategy & Commercial Development, HIA said: “As Hamad International Airport proudly caters to millions of its passengers from across the world, it is our responsibility to be perceptive and anticipate our passengers’ need for convenience and consistency in service. HIA therefore forms strategic partnerships with service providers like Travelex, which caters to ever-evolving customer needs.  Travelex has been an airport partner for 10 years, since its operations at Doha International Airport, consistently providing its services to our passengers. Its latest concept store provides mobility and flexibility using innovation in forex services.”

RAKtopia, Ras Al Khaimah’s first music and wellness festival, is bringing people together across the globe with a shared passion for music, wellness and art from 22 – 23 October, 2022. Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, commented: “As we continue to keep wellness and mental wellbeing at the forefront of our tourism strategy, RAKtopia is about nurturing communities and creating soulful connections. Through this co-creative experience, we aim to foster an inclusive space for ongoing wellness, expression and self-exploration in the Emirate.” Much-loved for its back-to-nature retreat vibes, Longbeach Campground serves as the ideal location for RAKtopia. Located along a 300-meter stretch of beach, the campground combines traditional camping with luxurious amenities and engaging activities — creating an immersive “glamping” experience. Perfect for families or friends, guests can stay in a variety of unique tent options and enjoy an all-inclusive activity package including access to the beach, pool, outdoor spa, water sports, a floating theatre, and more. Taking place at the picturesque Longbeach Campground, RAKtopia will offer selfcare seekers, beach lovers and festival-goers a weekend getaway with relaxed vibes, interactive activities and captivating beats. Where Ras Al Khaimah and Utopia meet, RAKtopia is a wellness festival designed to revitalize, inspire and spark creativity and is the perfect place to connect with nature, body and mind. The exciting line-up of practitioners and performers include: Body movement awareness with RAKtopia Ambassador Allaoua Gaham – an experienced yogi, expert in anatomy and certifiedsenior instructor of Animal Flow, who will introduce a yoga-meets-breakdancing workout that helps gain more body awareness, and Systema, a form of martial arts that focuses on physical, mental and spiritual wellness. Allaoua aims to empower …

Sharjah Airport has witnessed a 142.74% rise in the passenger traffic during the first half of 2022, accounting for approximately 6 million travelers. This substantial growth from 2,449 million travelers in H1 2021 illustrates the confidence that customers have in the service and assistance provided by the airport. Additionally, the airport saw a considerable growth in the number of flights, with a total of 41,189 aircrafts operating in H1 compared to 21,709 in the same period of last year, registering an increase of 89.73%. Between January and June, Sharjah Airport handled over 96,000 tons of cargo, accounting for an increase of 50.39%, compared to 63,844 tons the previous year. H.E Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, said: “The considerable growth in the number of travelers using our airport solidifies the Emirate of Sharjah as a preferred destination for travel and business. The figures also represent the confidence and trust that a large number of travelers place in Sharjah Airport. Our continuous efforts to offer leading innovative services and gaining the satisfaction of passengers guarantee a safe and distinguished travel experience. This is mainly achieved in collaboration with our strategic partners, the various stakeholder and service providers at Sharjah Airport, as well as the key role of the airline community, including Air Arabia, the UAE national carrier based in Sharjah Airport, who has successfully recommenced their operations to various destinations in their network, which has resulted in the growing number of passengers in the Airport.” “As part of our efforts to position Sharjah Airport as one of the best airports in the region, Sharjah Airport Authority is eager to invest in smart services and solutions that meet the …

Vistara successfully inaugurated non-stop flights between Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Mumbai (India). The inaugural flight departed from Mumbai on August 2, 2022 at 1805 Hours (IST) and landed in Jeddah at 2050 Hours (AST). The airline now flies thrice a week between the two cities on its Airbus A320neo aircraft. Commenting on the launch of the new international route, Mr. Vinod Kannan, Chief Executive Officer, Vistara, said, “We are delighted to launch services to Jeddah, and to add Saudi Arabia to our growing international network. Given the multitude of upcoming futuristic projects in Saudi Arabia, strong trade ties with India and presence of large Indian diaspora, there is growing traffic between the two countries. We are confident that travellers will appreciate having the choice of flying India’s best airline on this route.” SCHEDULE OF FLIGHTS BETWEEN MUMBAI AND JEDDAH Sector Flight No. Days of Operation Departure Arrival Mumbai (BOM) – Jeddah (JED) UK 235 Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 1805 hrs 2050 hrs Jeddah (JED) – Mumbai (BOM) UK 236 Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 2150 hrs 0530 hrs (+1) ·         +1 indicates next day arrival. All timings shown are in local time zones ·         The inaugural flight from Jeddah to Mumbai will be operated on 3 August 2022 Vistara is India’s highest-rated airline on Skytrax and TripAdvisor, and it has been the winner of several ‘Best Airline’ awards, besides being lauded for world-class cabin cleanliness and upholding high safety standards. In a short span of seven years since starting operations, Vistara has raised the bar for operations and service standards in the Indian aviation industry to become the country’s most loved airline and has recently crossed the milestone of flying 35 million passengers.