Riyadh Airports Company, the organization responsible for managing and operating King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has announced that passenger traffic has entirely rebounded to pre-COVID-19 levels and commercial revenues in March 2022 topped those recorded in March 2019. Specifically, duty-free sales at the KKIA climbed substantially in March 2022, with a growth rate of 62% compared to March 2019 (and a growth of 243% compared to March 2021). Overall, this year’s March was the most successful month of duty-free sales ever recorded by KKIA, and the month contained the new highest and second highest sales days recorded so far. Other categories also performed strongly with F&B up 12%, Retail and Services 14% and car parking up by 29% March 2022, all compared to March 2019. Commenting on this milestone, the CEO of RAC, Eng. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Maghlouth, said, “I am delighted with the robust performance and full recovery at KKIA. This illustrates the underlying growth which we will continue to build progressively, as we work toward KSA’s Aviation Strategy and Vision 2030”. Adding to this, Ayman Aboabah, VP Operations said “The strength of passenger recovery in March is an excellent result, delivered as a product of our collective and coordinated efforts. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our stakeholders and partners, and build further on the excellent recovery as the year progresses” Speaking on the tremendous rebound recorded at KKIA, Abdulaziz Al Asaker, Acting VP Commercial at RAC said, “At KKIA, we are thrilled with these tremendous results and thank the efforts of our staff, commercial partners, and customers in helping us generate these industry leading results. Now that we are finally …

Discover Europe Travel Summit, the annual two-day event, is set to make a successful return to Dubai 7-8 May, with more than 4,000 pre-scheduled meetings taking place. The summit will bring together a delegation of 97 exhibitors from across Austria, Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland, to meet with more than 100 hosted buyers from the GCC. The highly anticipated event enables the European nations the chance to share their attractions and other strengths, as well as create lasting professional relationships. Tourism spokespeople from the four European nations will gather between May 6–9 at the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai, with the aim of strengthening ties with the Middle East market. Held immediately before the ongoing Arabian Travel Market, the two-day Discover Europe networking event is the perfect pre-cursor to the region’s largest travel exhibition, which will involve discussions and debates on an array of topics, including new technologies and industry trends. “The GCC remains a key market from inbound tourism to Germany,” said Yamina Sofo, Director of Sales & Marketing at the German National Tourist Office, the regional office of the German National Tourist Board. “With our incredible cultural offerings and beautiful nature, we believe we offer GCC residents the opportunity to explore something different. The Discover Europe event is the perfect way for us to introduce that to key partners.” Aisling McDermott, Manager Middle East & Asia of Tourism Ireland added: “We’re really pleased to make our inaugural appearance at the Discover Europe event and are excited to see the fruits of our labour come to the fore. Joining the event was an easy decision for us as we’ve witnessed the success in previous years and it’s …

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi launched an exciting new route from Abu Dhabi to Aqaba, the southernmost city in Jordan. The exciting new destination, sitting on the northeast tip of the Red Sea, provides hassle-free travel for tourists and residents in both the UAE and Jordan with the surrounding mountains and deserts providing an ideal combination of city-life, beaches and history. Tickets are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app with fares starting as low as AED 69 *. Aqaba, sat amongst mountains, desert and sea, boasts a seaside charm with pristine beaches and a hospitable climate. The picturesque town provides adventurous travellers many opportunities for exploration including museums, mosques and ruins with a millennia of history. Diving in the Red Sea is the star attraction with beautiful marine life and abundant coral reefs ready to explore. The lost city of Petra, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World , is easily accessible on a day trip with the capital of the Nabataean empire between 400 B.C. and A.D. 106 steeped in history. Michael Berlouis, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, said: “Aqaba is a stunning seaside town with a rich history, breath-taking beaches, and world-class diving destination. We are delighted to expand our network in Jordan and allow adventurous travellers more opportunities to experience the very best destinations in the region with a plethora of must-see options to explore. We look forward to welcoming you on board our aircraft soon with unmissable natural beauty and incredible historical sites awaiting travellers of all ages.” Ramzi Arafat, CEO of Aqaba Airport Company, the operator of King Hussein International airport of Aqaba said: this new route will …

UAE-headquartered hospitality company TIME Hotels has outlined ambitious expansion plans to increase its portfolio by 40% to 21 properties throughout the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Sudan. The announcement, which comes ahead of the company’s participation at next month’s Arabian Travel Market, which takes place from 9 – 12 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre, will see an additional six properties added to TIME Hotel’s portfolio, with developments in Fujairah, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and three in Egypt being showcased at the Middle East’s premier travel showcase. Mohamed Awadalla, the co-founder and CEO of TIME Hotels, said: “Following the challenges of the last two years, we have seen unprecedented demand for additional rooms in key territories in the region. This, combined with our in-depth market research, has underscored the need for new, quality-driven, value accommodation. “We have witnessed resounding success throughout the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, and we feel now is the time to expand for the company’s future success. With six new properties, totalling 781 keys, this is an important time for our expansion and growth both regionally and internationally.” As part of the company’s expansion plans, TIME Hotels will expand its offering in the UAE with the launch of the TIME Moonstone Hotel Apartments in Fujairah, located just 10 minutes from a host of amenities, including Fujairah Mall, City Centre Fujairah, and the Fujairah Corniche.  The 91-key property, which is scheduled to open on 1 May 2022, will feature 13 one-bedroom and 78 two-bedroom apartments, an all-day dining restaurant, a gym, and saunas and steam rooms. The company will also expand in Egypt with three new properties, including the 117-key Marina Hotel & Convention Centre on the …

The Emirates Tourism Council – which met under the chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises – reviewed the national plans to develop a tourism data system in accordance with global best practices and promote tourism in foreign markets to increase the footfall of visitors in the UAE. The first Council meeting in 2022 – which was attended by the membership of heads, directors of all local tourism departments and entities in the UAE – also reviewed the performance of the tourism sector and hotel establishments in the country in 2021 and the growth rates achieved in several tourism indicators. Al Falasi asserted that the tourism sector in the UAE continues to achieve outstanding results due to the vision and directives of the wise leadership and the concerted national efforts to develop the country’s tourism environment by providing integrated tourism products and services that enhance UAE’s position as a preferred and sustainable tourist destination for tourists from within the country and around the world. According to the data, hotel establishments in the country hosted 19 million guests in 2021, with a growth of more than 29 per cent compared to the number of guests in 2020. Domestic tourism accounted for 58 per cent of the total number of guests last year in the UAE. Hotel establishments last year generated revenues of AED 28 billion, witnessing a growth of up to 70 per cent compared to 2020. Over the past year, more than 75 million hotel nights have been booked, up 42 per cent compared to 2020, while the hotel occupancy rate reached 67 per cent, which is the highest …

HyperPay announced that it has achieved an Oracle Validated Integration with Oracle Hospitality OPERA, the property management system for hospitality businesses. HyperPay will showcase HyperBill’s Hospitality Payment Solution for the first time at Arabian Travel Market 2022. The integration will allow hotels across the MENA region to benefit from HyperPay’s e-invoicing payments platform (HyperBill) without the need for the long and complex integration processes. HyperPay recently launched a production Oracle Marketplace APP, the first app that combines the power of Oracle Hospitality Integration Platform (OHIP), Oracle Hospitality Industry Connector (OIC), and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI). The Oracle system partners with brands who can share their expertise, and offer solutions to some of the most complex problems of running a business. This now includes handling all of the billing for even the biggest companies. “Hotels and hospitality professionals from around the world can benefit from the integrated hospitality solution that will debut for the first time at ATM 2022. Combining Oracle Hospitality OPERA with HyperPay’s powerful e-invoicing system HyperBill, to deliver a frictionless, unified customer experience. This will enable guests to secure their reservations and hotels to seamlessly collect their payments.” said Products Development Manager, Obaida Khaleel. Oracle partners need to meet stringent requirements, and brands must show that their integration meets the specified security standards and specifications. This assures the safety and security of the partners. As Oracle describes it, “differentiated services, combined with Oracle’s technology, help enable our customers to achieve their business goals”. One such tool is Opera, the hotel management system that moves the organisation forward, used by hotel chains, resorts, and other hospitality businesses. Opera already makes it simpler to track travel agent and individual bookings, group …

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), under the umbrella of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), has announced its fifteenth consecutive participation at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 9 – 12. The authority will also be present at their online event, ATM Virtual, from May 17 – 18. Furthering its mission to continue boosting the UAE’s and the region’s business and investment potential in the authentic, eco-inspired travel sector, Shurooq will unveil  new hospitality projects at the 29th edition of ATM, along with showcasing its diverse and world-class portfolio of existing eco-destinations that champion the spirit of conservation and the preservation of local culture and heritage, and in doing so, are redefining the leisure and travel landscape of Sharjah and the region. With a physical presence at ATM 2022 at Stand No. ME 2150 in Hall 2, Shurooq will also be turning the spotlight on its latest projects, which will be making their ATM debut. These include Lux* Al Jabal Resort – a luxurious beach resort in Khorfakkan overlooking the pristine waters of the Soueifa Beach; the Lux* Al Bridi Resort in Al Dhaid set adjacent to the Sharjah Safari, the largest wildlife safari in the world outside of Africa, where Shurooq and EPAA will collaborate to curate unique guest interactions with the wild; and Nomad which explores the emirate’s nature through beach trailer experience in Al Hamriya. . Through its presence at the leading travel and tourism event in the region, Shurooq aims to update industry stakeholders as well as regional and international investors on their latest contributions to the emirate’s travel and leisure sector, particularly …

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi announced the introduction of a new service to Manama, the capital of Bahrain, starting from 15 May 2022. Abu Dhabi travelers will now be able to fly direct to Bahrain International Airport with competitive prices and a frequency of three weekly flights. Schedule to Manama, effective 15th May 2022 (all times local): Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency 3L 010 Abu Dhabi 09:35 Bahrain 09:45 Airbus A320 Wed/Sat/Sun 3L 011 Bahrain 10:25 Abu Dhabi 12:40 Airbus A320 Wed/Sat/Sun   Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: “Offering our customers affordable and value driven air travel from Abu Dhabi remains our main priority. The new service to Manama, Bahrain is a testament to Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s commitment to its customers and the industry.” Bahrain’s strategic position has made it one of the region’s most significant commercial hubs. The Kingdom of Bahrain also features multiple tourist attractions, where Manama, the capital city, comes at the top of the list for its wonderful charm, colorful markets, culture, and history. The new service represents the 22nd route for Air Arabia Abu Dhabi since the launch of the carrier’s service from Abu Dhabi International Airport in July 2020. Customers can now book their direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Manama by visiting Air Arabia’s website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies.

In line with the long-established tradition of BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana and Jumeira Rotana, the hotels once again reached out to their communities during this holy Month of Ramadan. Following 2 years of restrictions due to COVID-19, the two properties incorporated the blessings of the event under the theme of “The Act of Kindness”; 240 construction workers benefited from bags filled with dried and grocery items ensuring food rations for at least 3 days. Mr. Ulrich Hoffmeister, Cluster General Manager of BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana and Jumeira Rotana said, “It is our pleasure to organize such initiatives, especially in the most difficult times like these where the pandemic is still very much active. That being said, we are delighted to share the spirit of giving and to engage in acts of kindness by sharing something with our community.” “It is our responsibility to support the people around us through CSR initiatives, especially during the Holy Month of Ramadan,” Ulrich added. For the past years, BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana Jumeira Rotana have been active with several community services and support of non-government organizations. The hotels’ initiatives confirmed the commitment to their core values of respect and integrity, demonstrated by the desire of “giving back” to the community.

The latest data from ForwardKeys reveals that the tradition of travelling at the end of Ramadan is making a significant revival this year. As of 13th April, outbound flight bookings from the Middle East for travel covering the last ten days of the festival (22nd April – 2nd May) reached 64% or pre-pandemic levels, a 220% increase on travel during the equivalent period last year. The outbound market set to recover most strongly is Bahrain, where booked departures are up to 90% of 2019 levels. It is followed by Jordan, 86%, the UAE, 84%, Qatar, 75% and Kuwait 68%. Deeper analysis of the outbound markets reveals that a major feature is expat workers travelling home. For example, the top destinations from the UAE are Pakistan and India and from Bahrain are the UAE, India and Bangladesh. The stand-out destination for Middle Eastern holidaymakers is set to be the Maldives, ahead by 178% on 2019. Bookings for France, 2% ahead, Pakistan, 2% behind, Bangladesh, 3% behind and the UK, 3% behind, are all extremely healthy compared to the end of Ramadan last year. The next best performing destinations are the UAE, 12% behind, Turkey and the Philippines, both 21% behind, Thailand 24% behind and Spain 26% behind. Looking at bookings for the UK, which is traditionally one of the most popular tourist destinations during this period, there is a significant difference in interest from the various source markets. Flight bookings from the UAE, which is the largest, are just 2% behind 2019. Bookings from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are 17% and 10% behind respectively, whereas bookings from Kuwait and Egypt are 32% and 59% ahead respectively. The recovery is also showing …