Over three million passengers travelled in the first quarter of 2022 through Sharjah Airport, witnessing an increase of 119.2 per cent as compared to 1.3 million passengers in the same period last year. The aircraft movement for the same term also marked an increase in the number of flights by 89 per cent with 21,336 flights, compared to 11,279 flights last year. In terms of cargo movement, the airport recorded more than 39,566 tons during the first three months of this year, highlighting an increase of 26.39 per cent compared to last year, with 14.457 thousand tons in March alone. H.E Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah International Airport Authority, said: “The ease of international travel restrictions as well as the gradual recovery from Covid-19, allowed airlines to resume their previously suspended flights, resulting in improved growth rates. This is also in line with the Sharjah Airport’s commitment to providing the highest levels of safety and security for customers during the pandemic, making traveling from and to the city of Sharjah a safe and enjoyable experience.” “Sharjah Airport has been successful in gaining the trust of passengers due to its expansion and innovative strategies, as well as promoting its partnerships by attracting new airline and cargo companies. This approach fits with our vision of being one of the best five airports in the region, promising an exceptional travel experience and leading services,” His Excellency added. Furthermore, the Sharjah Airport continued to provide customers with the most innovative and modern services, while ensuring their safety and security, during the first quarter of this year. In addition, the airport recently received the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ award in …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), in partnership with RAK Ports, announces the appointment of Zaiton Consultancy to support the Emirate’s cruise tourism. Experts in developing and promoting cruise services, Dubai-headquartered Zaiton Consultancy will be responsible for developing and marketing Ras Al Khaimah’s burgeoning cruise sector.  The announcement comes as the global industry gathers at the Seatrade Cruise Global event in Miami until April 28, where Zaiton Consultancy is participating as Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority’s representative. One of the fastest growing sectors in tourism, cruising saw an annual passenger growth rate of 5.4% from 2009 to 2019, with services now close to pre-pandemic levels owing to immediate action and thoughtful planning. In recognition of the importance of cruise tourism, the Authority and RAK Ports have worked together on a number of projects to further develop the Emirate’s offering. This includes the transformation of its old ferry terminal into a modern and efficient boutique cruise passenger terminal and the development of marine transport infrastructure around it. The Authority has also invested in designing bespoke visitor itineraries for arrivals to attract a larger segment of leisure cruise passengers and welcome new audiences from across the world to the destination. Considered as one of the most diverse and fastest growing destinations in the region, a key part of the Authority’s strategy to attract three million visitors a year by 2030 is to ensure accessibility via all means of transport, including luxury cruise ships. These passengers will be welcomed to the Emirate via the dedicated terminal, which is able to accommodate multiple cruise ships of up to 214m in length docking simultaneously. To ensure a continuation of the service levels luxury …

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022 is ready to welcome the world to the UAE from Monday 9 to Thursday 12 May, playing host to 1,500 exhibitors, representatives from 112 global destinations, and an anticipated 20,000 attendees. The live show will be followed by ATM Virtual, which will run from Tuesday 17 to Wednesday 18 May. Taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) in collaboration with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the 29th edition of ATM will form an essential part of the UAE’s annual Arabian Travel Week. In keeping with this year’s theme of ‘The future of international travel and tourism’, ATM 2022 will feature a huge selection of sessions and events, enabling industry professionals from around the world to discuss current trends and explore long-term opportunities within the fields of travel, transportation, tourism, hospitality, events, attractions and more. Kerry Prince, Chief Growth Officer, RX said: “Business travel expenditure in the Middle East is forecast to rise by 32% this year, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and these figures underscore the positive sentiment, that we’ve experienced throughout the region. “This naturally bodes well for yet another successful edition of ATM, providing a catalyst to put our industry firmly on the path to a robust and sustainable recovery, alongside our partners the DET and of course the DWTC.” The show floor at this year’s edition will be over 85% larger than at ATM 2021. This growth is thanks to the expansion of several sector- and region-specific zones, including Travel Tech (380%); hotels (71%); the Middle East (57%); Africa (56%); Asia (50%); and Europe (49%). Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Corporation for Tourism …

It was announced by the Spain tourism authority in the GCC that they will be exhibiting at this year’s Arabian Travel Market from 9th to 12th May 2022. Spain is a destination which caught the attention well ahead of time to the travelers from GCC, mainly due to the bilateral relationship which exist between the countries, the fact that the country opened fairly early than the rest of Europe and also vaccinated their population just like the UAE ahead of the rest. Daniel Rosado, Director Spain tourism in GCC reiterated, “We will be promoting Spain as a destination which is safe, friendly and offering a vast variety of activities where to enjoy a hassle free holiday. We will present various destinations and also continue to promote our current campaign ´´You deserve Spain ´´In addition to this we will be signing up with an online platform   for a campaign to promote Spain this summer. There will be around 30 partners from across Spain representing various regions, DMCs, Hotels etc.” During the pandemic, Spain has been proactively working to ensure that their destination was top on the minds of the travelers with many B2B sessions online and then when they finally opened borders, ensured that the physical road shows continued. 2021, for Spain was a considerably good year as the visitor numbers form the GCC rose due to ease of restrictions. Rosado shared, “We had relatively good numbers from GCC in 2021 despite the fact that the country opened up only in June. we are positive that the trend continues and with the ease in restrictions for GCC travelers and the seasonal summer flights to Malaga other than the regular Madrid – …

W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, announced the opening of W Dubai – Mina Seyahi. Situated on the highly sought-after Jumeirah Beach coastline, the 31-storey hotel boasts striking glass architecture with unobstructed views of the sun-soaked Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s iconic landmarks. “Dubai is an always-on, high-energy city with a growing luxury lifestyle scene, making it the perfect destination for the iconic W Hotels brand,” said Candice D’Cruz, Vice President – Luxury Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “W Dubai – Mina Seyahi is the third W hotel to launch in the UAE and reflects its world-famous culture and social vibrancy, and brings the W brand’s signature style of luxury to travellers looking for new ways to celebrate the destination. Guests and locals can expect the unexpected with intriguing spaces, vibrant dining experiences and dynamic programming.” Dubai’s historical, cultural and social fabric is woven throughout the design of the hotel with surprises waiting to be discovered around every corner. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the artfully designed porte-cochère that leads to a show-stopping Welcome Desk featuring bold colours and textures inspired by the romanticism of a snake charmer – a nod to the Middle East’s history of mystique and its mix of poets, storytellers, and performers who brought the energy of the region to life. Inside, the W Lounge – the brand’s take on the hotel lobby – pays homage to famed, Middle Eastern gold souks, with rich, warm hues and gold accents to create a lively, modern-day bazaar. Guests can connect over imaginative cocktails and savoury bites infused with local flavours, complemented by live music and nightly DJ sets. …

Wego and Tourism Ireland, sign a campaign to get GCC travelers to visit the Island again. Wego is working with leading tourism boards across the world to boost tourism recovery and help travelers select the best destinations for their next holiday. Wego and Tourism Ireland are bringing the best of the island of Ireland to GCC travelers offering them a glimpse of Ireland’s wonderful city breaks. With Eid holidays coming up, travelers can book their holiday to enjoy one of the exciting experiences the island of Ireland has waiting for you. Discover UNESCO City of literature, the culturally rich and invigorating Dublin. Travelers can opt to visit the vibrant galleries and old museums and castles, try exceptional food experiences, learn the story of this incredible city and much more. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and India of Wego, said: “We are excited to partner with Tourism Ireland to promote yet another marvelous country to our users. Wego is seeing a great demand for this country with marvelous city escapes for all types of travelers. We are seeing positive signs of recovery for tourism and through these collaborations, we aim to encourage people to travel more in the new norm.” Another city that is a must see for everyone, is Belfast. People come to Belfast to explore the maritime heritage and, to experience Titanic Belfast, which tells the story of the famous liner which was built in Belfast city. Belfast is also home to an incredible music heritage, wonderful Botanic Gardens, and lots of great places to eat and listen to traditional Irish music. Aisling McDermott, Manager Middle East & Asia for Tourism …

Wego reveals that travelers will be taking longer holidays and spending more on travel in summer 2022. Our data shows that the average booking value for flights this summer has increased by 57% in comparison to the same period in 2019. Similarly, that of hotels saw a spike of 55% compared to 2019. It is a testament that people are looking to spend more and book leisure trips. We also see travelers opting for all-inclusive leisure travel which gives them a safe travel experience during the pandemic. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and India of Wego, said: “Summer 2022 will be all about long holidays and travelers will be spending more on leisure travel to make up for the lost time. There’s a lot of pent-up demand, people have accumulated leaves and are ready to travel again in the new norm. Our data also shows that the average trip duration has increased by 80% for some destinations.” Wego also reveals that the overall trip duration for people traveling to MENA countries has increased by 73% to 24 days, up from 14 days in 2019. It has increased by 80% for Oman for travel dates between May and July 2022. Saudi Arabia saw a rise of 62%, Egypt 58%, Turkey 42%, Lebanon 41%, Morocco 31%, India 28% and 21% for the UAE.

Kerzner International Holdings Limited (“Kerzner”), the owner of the iconic Atlantis Resorts and Residences, ultra-luxury One&Only Resorts worldwide, is proud to announce the launch of Rare Finds; a diverse collection of resorts celebrating the individuality of each property, showcasing their unique identity, location, talent and expertise, with a distinct ability to captivate the imagination, provoke thought and elevate a destination through transformative experiences, unmatched food and beverage offerings and spectacular entertainment. Under this new vertical, Kerzner has assumed management of Bab Al Shams, Dubai’s quintessential desert resort, owned by Meydan. The resort will close for an extensive reimagination between May 2022 and early 2023, reopening as part of Rare Finds. “I am excited to welcome Bab Al Shams Desert Resort to the newly introduced Rare Finds collection. The addition of this legacy landmark desert resort marks Kerzner International’s continued growth and expansion within the region,” commented Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International. “We have been part of Dubai’s storied history with one of the first ultra-luxury resorts with One&Only Royal Mirage followed by the epochal Atlantis, The Palm and we continue to be very bullish on the destination with the upcoming opening of Atlantis, The Royal Resort & Residences later this year and One&Only One Za’abeel joining Bab Al Shams next year.  We are thrilled to continue to be part of the future of Dubai, and we look forward to welcoming guests to discover this new, evolved idyllic retreat.” The extensive reimagination of the iconic desert resort will introduce a completely renewed aesthetic whilst maintaining the resort’s authentic equestrian identity. Captivating destination experiences and vibrant entertainment will be the beating heart of the reborn resort, spreading an intangible energy to …

Recent research by Gartner states over the next five years, an exponential rise in digital interactions between buyers and suppliers will break traditional sales models. The Gartner Future of Sales research further shows that by 2025, 80% of B2B sales interactions between suppliers and buyers will occur on digital channels. Riding on this trend, ExploreTECH has now introduced a revolutionary solution with its comprehensive vendor/product comparison tool for users. The new functionality will assist hospitality & travel buyers in making informed business decisions based on their requirements while offering vendors with the perfect platform to showcase their products and technology. This latest feature helps buyers from the travel and hospitality industry save time and money by offering an in-depth breakdown of key features & functionalities per products of different providers all on one unified platform. On the other hand, technology providers are presented with a unique opportunity to showcase their key products and features, reaching out to a wide range of buyers all with different objectives and budgets.  By connecting with the right vendors, buyers can navigate challenges and create long-term strategies, the platform also allows subscribers to request demos and buy products directly from vendors. “Being part of the industry, we understand the constant challenges, especially in the new normal environment. Our comparison tool is disruptive as it is truly a unified source of information of multiple vendors.  ExploreTECH offers the opportunity for hospitality and travel professionals to expand their network beyond local sources, as well as discover the newest technologies that can enhance their business strategies.” says Ralph Melis, Co-founder of ExploreTECH The one-of-a-kind digital marketplace assists vendors in boosting their audience engagement and lead generation through cost-effective …

UAE family residents and visitors are invited to boost their fun with the ultimate LEGOLAND® Playcation, combining LEGOLAND® Dubai theme park, LEGOLAND® Water Park and LEGOLAND® Hotel to celebrate the best Eid ever. Ramesh Ganeson, General Manager, LEGOLAND® Dubai Resort, commented: “With the opening of LEGOLAND Hotel earlier this year, marking the first of its kind in the Middle East, we are excited to celebrate our first Eid Al Fitr as LEGOLAND Dubai Resort, where we offer families the chance to triple their kids’ excitement with the exclusive ‘3-in-1 PLAYCATION’. He added: “From 2nd to 8th of May 2022, families can enjoy our awesome 3-in-1 adventure with Theme Park rides, Water Park splashes and hotel adventures.” To maximize this Eid celebration, parents can surprise their kids with a Hotel Playcation at LEGOLAND Hotel, the best kid-friendly hotel in the Middle East with dedicated kids’ services and facilities. Featuring kid-height level check-in counter, kid-height level buffet counter, character appearances, a huge Castle Play area in the middle of the lobby, a LEGO Pit Pool with hundreds of LEGO bricks together with the creative workshops offering playful learning LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configurations, and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2022 The LEGO Group. LEGOLAND is a Merlin Entertainments brand. adventures designed to accommodate the different age groups. To extend the fun this Eid even further, kids are welcome to choose one or more of the exciting Eid themed activities including Eid LEGO® Lantern Build and Eid arts & crafts with unlimited fun. All this is topped with the in-room treasure hunt, where a different adventure awaits the little ones in each of the 5 room themes, …