Strengthening its position as a global leader in smart technologies and innovation, Dubai and Abu Dhabi announced a high-speed train project between the two emirates. The project will enable seamless connectivity between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, significantly reducing travel times. It will also enhance the quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors while strengthening socioeconomic ties between the two emirates. Additionally, the high-speed train will reinforce infrastructure to drive business growth and unlock new investment opportunities across key sectors such as logistics and tourism, contributing to sustainable development for generations to come. The project further strengthens the UAE’s position as a global leader in smart transportation. By integrating cutting-edge and innovative technologies, the project elevates the nation’s transport infrastructure, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to sustainable economic growth and environmental stewardship, while contributing significantly to achieving the objectives of the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy. Under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, have witnessed the announcement of a new high-speed train project linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai, in an official ceremony organised by Etihad Rail at Al Faya Depot. H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised that this ambitious project reflects the UAE leadership’s vision to advance national infrastructure and elevate mobility services to the highest standards. He also underscored that the high-speed train aims to bolster the UAE’s global competitiveness, support sustainable …

Turkish Airlines has resumed its flights to Damascus, which were first started on February 1984 and suspended since April 2012. Resuming from 23 January, Turkish Airlines will operate three flights per week to Damascus on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. On the resuming of the Damascus flights, Turkish Airlines CEO, Bilal Ekşi stated: “As Turkish Airlines, we are excited to recommence our flights to Damascus, capital of Syria. With the historical ties we share between the two countries, we believe that the return of Turkish Airlines will further reinforce these bonds and contribute to trade and cultural potential of the region. As we continue to diversify the Middle East’s gateways to the world, we continue our mission of building bridges between countries and peoples around the globe with our unparalleled flight network.” Turkish Airlines passengers can travel round-trip from Istanbul to Damascus for prices starting from 299 USD, inclusive of all taxes and fees. These fares are based on Turkish Airlines’ official website pricing and may vary in sales offices and agencies. Flight Schedule: FLIGHT NO START END DAYS DEPARTURE ARRIVAL TK  846 23.01.2025 27.03.2025 Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday IST 09:00 11:00 DAM TK  847 23.01.2025 27.03.2025 Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday DAM 13:00 15:10 IST *All times are in LMT Operating flights to 352 destinations in 131 countries, Turkish Airlines continues to expand its seamless connectivity through new destinations, while offering unmatched service quality worldwide.

akbartravels.com won ‘Best B2B travel portal’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024 “Winning this award reinforces our commitment to excellence and highlights our dedication to empowering travel agents across the region with innovative solutions. This accolade has strengthened our brand reputation, motivated our team, and underscored the vital role of B2B platforms in shaping the travel industry. Moving forward, we aim to enhance user experiences, expand our offerings, and introduce cutting-edge technologies to serve our partners better.” Ashiya Nazar, CEO, Akbar Group International Division.

Qatar Airways announced its latest expansion into the Americas with the launch of two new weekly flights on Wednesdays and Sundays, starting early summer 2025. These flights will connect Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha to Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Colombia, and then continue to Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS) in Venezuela. The return flight from Caracas will operate non-stop to Doha. This new service makes Qatar Airways the first and only airline to offer non-stop flights from the Middle East to Colombia and the only Middle Eastern carrier operating in Venezuela. With the addition of Bogotá and Caracas, Qatar Airways expands its Americas network to a total of 16 destinations, joining major cities like Dallas, Miami, New York City, São Paulo, and Toronto. Operated by Boeing 777-200LR aircraft equipped with 42 Business Class seats and 234 Economy Class seats, the new Bogotá and Caracas services will provide travellers from two of South America’s busiest cities with convenient access to the Middle East and beyond, owing to Qatar Airways’ strong global network reaching over 170 destinations. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “The launch of flights to Bogotá and Caracas marks a transformative moment for Qatar Airways and for travellers to South America. As the first airline to offer nonstop service from the Middle East to Colombia and the only Middle Eastern carrier flying to Venezuela, we are creating new opportunities to connect people, cultures, and commerce. “Passengers can look forward to experiencing Qatar Airways’ world-class in-flight hospitality as we continue to reach new heights in long-haul travel with our second longest flight into the Americas. These routes embody our commitment to …

Amsa Hospitality clinched the award for ‘Excellence in sustainable operations’ at the seventh edition of Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “We are proud to have been recognised with the Excellence in Sustainable Operations Award. Sustainability is a core pillar of Amsa Hospitality’s ethos. We invest in ecofriendly practices, such as energy-efficient buildings and graywater systems.”-Aamir Riaz, COO, Amsa Hospitality.

Valor Hospitality Partners signed a strategic Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) with Karmastaji Group to oversee a portfolio of 3 hotels in Dubai, 259 keys and 5 outlets. This partnership underscores the trust that Dubai-based Karmastaji Group has placed in Valor Hospitality Partners Middle East to deliver exceptional operational efficiency and maximize investment returns. Valor’s expertise in hospitality management continues to help visionary developers like Karmastaji Group transform their assets into successful business ventures. Julien Bergue, Co-Founder & Managing Partner for the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia at Valor Hospitality Partners, commented: “We are proud to partner with Karmastaji Group, a forward-thinking developer with a robust pipeline of projects aimed at elevating hospitality investments and modern living standards in the UAE and GCC region. At Valor, our mission is to contribute to the UAE’s hospitality success story by delivering operational excellence and sustainable growth. Together, we aim to achieve exceptional results aligned with the visionary goals of Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sectors.” By leveraging its comprehensive range of services—including acquisition advisory, branding, asset management, and innovative food and beverage concepts—Valor Hospitality Partners ensures its partners achieve long-term value creation and success. Rashed Karmastaji, Chairman of Karmastaji Group, added: “Partnering with Valor Hospitality Partners is a strategic step in our journey to expand our portfolio and set new benchmarks in the UAE’s hospitality sector. With Valor’s proven expertise, we are confident in delivering exceptional guest experiences and achieving our current and future business objectives.” As Dubai continues to thrive as a global tourism and hospitality hub, Valor remains committed to supporting the UAE’s and Dubai 2040 vision. By collaborating with developers like Karmastaji Group, Valor solidifies its position as a trusted and preferred …

Marriott International signed an agreement with Al Qimmah Hospitality Company and Amwaj Real Estate Company to open a 2,179-room Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Anticipated to open in 2026, the Courtyard by Marriott Makkah Al Naseem would become the brand’s largest hotel in the world, providing exceptional hospitality, modern comfort and unparalleled convenience for visitors and pilgrims alike. Dr. Abdul Razzaq BinDawood, Chairman of Al Qimmah commented, “The signing of the agreement reflects the the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 framework which aims to position the country as a global hub for religious and cultural tourism and continues to promote cultured real estate development. We are constructing high-quality towers within the Al Naseem District, as part of our ongoing commitment to serve guests and travelers to the Holy Mosque. This will be one of our largest developments to date and continuation of our strategic collaboration with Marriott International.” “We are pleased to build on our relationship with Al Qimmah Hospitality and BinDawood Trading with this landmark agreement to open the world’s largest Courtyard by Marriott in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Chadi Hauch, Regional Vice President, Lodging Development, Middle East, Marriott International. “This agreement underscores Marriott International’s commitment to supporting the growth of the Kingdom’s tourism sector and reinforces the continued demand we are seeing for our portfolio of brands in the Holy City of Makkah.” The Courtyard by Marriott brand has the largest global footprint among Marriott’s portfolio of over 30 brands, focusing on thoughtful, sophisticated design elements and amenities, providing travelers with an elevated experience to relax and recharge. Courtyard by Marriott Makkah Al Naseem is anticipated to comprise 2,179 thoughtfully designed guestrooms …

FITUR, the International Tourism Trade Fair organized by IFEMA MADRID, celebrated the opening of its 45th edition with the presence of Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain. They were welcomed by José Vicente de los Mozos, President of the Executive Committee of IFEMA MADRID, along with a significant delegation of ministers, government representatives, and tourism industry leaders from around the world. During the inauguration, the authorities toured the exhibition halls to explore the proposals presented by companies, destinations, and exhibitors participating in FITUR. Among the standout spaces this year is Brazil, located in Hall 3, which participates as the Partner Country for FITUR 2025. Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, Celso Sabino; the President-Director of EMBRATUR (Brazilian Tourism Board), Marcelo Freixo; and the Brazilian Ambassador to Spain, Orlando Leite Ribeiro, welcomed Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain during the official inauguration at the Brazilian stand. A total of 9,500 participating companies, 156 countries, and 884 main exhibitors, including 101 countries with official representation, are attending this international event to showcase their offerings across nine halls at IFEMA MADRID from January 22 to 26. Once again, FITUR will become the largest meeting point for the tourism sector, providing an opportunity to share knowledge and experiences, create business opportunities, and discover destinations from around the world.

Luxury international hotel chain Delano has set up its Dubai home on Bluewaters Island. The brand has been brought to the city by Ennismore, which is also behind the operations of Banyan Tree Dubai, situated on the same island. With 251 rooms, including 84 suites – some with private pools – and amenities like an ocean-front swimming pool, exceptional dining concepts and more, Delano Dubai defines opulence and promises five-star hospitality.

flynas celebrated its first direct flight between Jeddah and Djibouti further expanding its network in Africa in line with its expansion plan and the national objectives in the aviation sector. An inaugural celebration was held at King Abdulaziz International Airport attended by Djibouti’s Ambassador to the Kingdom and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Dya-Eddine Bamakhrama, as well as representatives from flynas and Jeddah Airports Company. The flight was welcomed at Djibouti International Airport by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Djibouti, Faisal Al-Qabbani and Djibouti’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport. The leading LCC started operating three weekly flights between Jeddah and Djibouti, extending travel options offered to its guests travelling to and from Africa, in line with flynas growth and expansion plan, launched under the title “We Connect the World to the Kingdom”, in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030 and the objectives of the Pilgrims Experience Program (PEP) to facilitate access to the Two Holy Mosques. Passengers traveling with flynas can book their flights through all flynas booking channels: www.flynas.com, the flynas app, the call centre (920001234), or travel agents.