dnata Travel has opened a new travel store in Dubai Hills Mall, providing the growing community with easy access to its range of services and expert team for travel bookings, advice, and inspiration. Located at newly-opened Dubai Hills Mall, the modern travel outlet is now welcoming customers to meet its multi-lingual team of travel experts at their local one-stop travel shop. Here, shoppers can book all they need for travel, including staycations or more complex itineraries, including flights, hotels, holiday packages, insurance, tours, attractions, transfers, express PCR testing, and more. The UAE-based travel brand is revealing a focus on expanding its retail footprint in the wake of increased demand from travellers for face-to-face bookings. The dnata Travel Dubai Hills Mall outlet is the first to open in a pipeline of new travel stores gearing up to serve a comprehensive range of travel solutions to a range of emerging and established UAE communities. Emily Jenkins, General Manager, dnata Travel Leisure, commented: “Demand for travel is at an all-time high, as restrictions ease across the globe. In tandem, with UAE travellers we are witnessing an increased demand for bookings within our travel stores, as travellers seek to ease their experience with the support of our experts. At dnata Travel outlets across the UAE, we can book all aspects of a customer’s journey in one, convenient place. We look forward to welcoming travellers to our new Dubai Hills Mall travel store, to tailor-make their next journey.” To celebrate the spirit of Ramadan and the opening of its new travel outlet, the first for the prospering Dubai Hills Estate community, dnata Travel is offering its customers the chance to secure a limited-time, complimentary staycation. …

Dubai Food Festival (DFF), the city’s annual festival of food, is back! Celebrating Dubai’s global gastronomy status, the 14-day, city-wide festival of food will return between 2–15 May 2022 to showcase Dubai’s most exciting culinary offerings. Returning for the ninth edition, this year’s festival will take guests on an immersive tour of a city home to more than 200 nationalities and renowned for its rich culinary diversity. DFF will showcase the best authentic homegrown cuisine and concepts created by Dubai’s local food heroes, as well as world acclaimed fine dining restaurants, experiences and masterclasses by leading chefs with views of Dubai’s iconic locations.   Festival favourites, Dubai Restaurant Week and Foodie Experiences, will once again headline DFF with exclusive dining experiences. Bookings are now open and with limited spaces available, diners are encouraged to secure their seats now. Here’s what is in store from the flagship events this DFF: Dubai Restaurant Week (6 – 15 May) In partnership with 40 of the city’s best restaurants, Dubai Restaurant Week (DRW) returns from 6 May with specially curated 3 course dinner menus starting from AED150 per person or 2 course lunch menus starting from AED95. Diners in the city will be able to enjoy irresistible dishes using the freshest ingredients – all at an attractive price that saves customers up to 50 per cent when dining out. This year’s DRW welcomes some of the city’s most recognised restaurants, including some of those listed in MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022 such as LOWE, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki and Indochine, as well as hotspots that have launched in 2021/22 such as 11 Woodfire and Tamoka. Diners will also be able to enjoy restaurants with iconic …

Etihad has released its Sustainability Report 2020-2021, outlining the impact the company has had on the environment, and detailing its Sustainability strategy, represented by the Etihad Greenliner and Sustainable50 programmes. The report demonstrates the potential advancements to be made in sustainable aviation by a wide range of initiatives, coordinated to achieve a 20% reduction in emissions intensity in its passenger fleet by 2025, cut 2019 net emissions by 50% by 2035, and reach net zero emissions by 2050. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Our sustainability report highlights our insistence on harnessing the opportunities that are available today, and commits to continuing to find solutions for the future. Many partners joined us on this journey over the last two years, and this report demonstrates the potential we have collectively, with an ambition to set the direction for 2022 and beyond. “We need to be bold in facing this issue. We need to be decisive. There is no other way forward. That is why we have been insistent that we continue to focus on the question as a long-term strategic priority for our business, spearheaded by the Etihad Greenliner and Sustainabile50 programmes.” Etihad 2020-2021 sustainability highlights Reduced total carbon emissions by 56% (due in part to reduced scheduled operations from pandemic impact) Launched the world’s most comprehensive industry-wide testing and innovation programme Became the first airline to secure commercial finance based on verified compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Raised US$1.2 billion in the first sustainability-linked loan (SLL) tied to environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets in global aviation. Partnered with Boeing, Safran and NASA for eight days of specialised testing to enhance …

Akhom Consulting and Crown & Champa Resorts, a luxury collection of island resorts in the Maldives announce their partnership effective from April 2022.Akhom Consulting will be responsible for the sales & marketing representation of this unique and diverse brand in the Middle East region, more strongly in the GCC countries. Throughout 2022, the Maldives will be celebrating 50 years since tourism to this spellbinding island-nation began. Crown & Champa Resorts, the leading local hospitality group of Maldives, boasts with a legacy of strong ownership which forms part of the pioneers bringing the very first Tourists to the destination. Crown & Champa Resorts are part of this 50 years journey , which is what leaves this brand with  a well-known reputation of strong and reliable business practices in Maldives. One is spoilt by choice with over several unique resorts in the Maldives. The Crown & Champa Resorts collection leads the destination with continuously developing and growing the resort portfolio. CCR strives to constantly deliver great quality, value for money, and authentic Maldivian experiences across all their resorts. Following the very well-known Maldivian concept of one island one resort, each resort has its very own unique design which reflect their surroundings and heritage, creating getaways filled with authentic beauty and allure. There is a unique resort within the CCR collection for every purpose including choices from romantic, relaxing holidays to adventurous water sports and beach family escapes. With adult-only and family-friendly resorts to luxury and more affordable resorts , CCR is bound to deliver  a wide selection of accommodation options. Within the luxury resort selection of Crown & Champa, Kudadoo Maldives Private Island, Hurawalhi Island Resort and Kagi Maldives Spa Island are …

At the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) global summit in Philippines, they  launched its ‘Hotel Sustainability Basics’, a globally recognised and coordinated set of criteria that all hotels should implement as a minimum to drive responsible Travel & Tourism. The initiative was launched today at its prestigious Global Summit being held in Manila this week and will help every hotel address and improve their environmental impact. Developed by the industry for the industry, it highlights 12 actions which are fundamental to hotel sustainability and will help raise the base level of sustainability across the entire hospitality industry by providing every hotel a starting point on their sustainability journey. The initiative has already gained support from major global groups such as Jin Jiang International (Holdings) Co., Ltd. including their affiliates Jin Jiang Hotels, Louvre Hotels Group and Radisson Hotel Group, Accor, Barceló Hotel Group, Meliá Hotels International, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), as well as key hotel associations around the world like the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the Hotel Association of India (HAI), Huazhu Hotels Group, and many more. Collectively this represents more than 50,000 hotels around the world. WTTC’s ‘Hotel Sustainability Basics’ provides the global hospitality sector with a baseline of positive actions to be taken to ensure they meet at least the minimum sustainability requirements. However, this is just the beginning of their journey, and WTTC urges the sector to seek constant improvements beyond the 12 basic criteria so that every hotel, whether an individual business or part of a larger group, moves on to more advanced frameworks and greater sustainability. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “We are launching the Hotel Sustainability Basics to …

In response to growing passenger demand for air travel, Emirates will double its flights between Algiers and Dubai from two to four weekly, starting 1 May 2022. The service currently between Algiers and Dubai will no longer be linked with Tunis, offering more flexibility and convenience to travel to Dubai and onwards to Emirates’ extensive network of more than 130 destinations. Emirates is also the only airline serving Algeria with private, enclosed First Class cabins, offering premium customers an enriched experience across every touchpoint of the journey. Emirates will utilise its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft between Algiers and Dubai, and the new flights will operate on Saturdays and Sundays, in addition to the current Tuesday and Thursday services. Flight EK758 departs Algiers at 15:45hrs, arriving in Dubai at 01:05hrs the next day. EK757 departs Dubai at 08:45hrs, arriving in Algiers at 12:55hrs. Omar Alhemeiri – Manager Algeria commented on the boost of services: “We have seen a marked increase in passenger demand to and from Algiers, especially to Dubai and onwards to other destinations that are gradually opening or easing their restrictions across our network.  We hope that by increasing our frequency into Algeria, we are able to support traffic flows in and out of the country as it continues its post-pandemic economic recovery, and it is also a testament to our commitment to Algeria. We have been operating flights for almost 10 years, connecting Algerians to the world and offering a world-class experience onboard, whilst prioritising the health and safety of our customers. We look forward to boosting our services further in the future to provide better travel options for our customers as they take to the skies again.” Since …

SAUDIA Airlines resumes direct flights to Mauritius 3 times a week. With the resumption of flights Saudis are now able to travel again into this magnificent destination, and enjoy what this paradise island has to offer. From the start Saudis visiting Mauritius will instantly feel welcome, they are treated to a warm attitude by locals, the Mauritian hospitality, rooting from an extraordinary mix of cultures, religion and ethnicities. All the communities live in harmony by nurturing their own culture and heritage, and sharing them with visiting guests. Mauritius has plenty to offer to the Saudi travelers be it families, couples, adventure travelers, or Saudis who wish to see this paradise island and all it has to offer. Here are some of the most unforgettable experiences you will have on your stay in Mauritius. The island is surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches and cliffs that offer, together with the blue lagoon, an extraordinary scene that varies according to the seasons and the time of the day. The coastal landscapes also change according to the region, they are nothing alike. A sight to behold for sure! Mauritius is an island, and water sports is a must. Whatever the age or fitness level, you will surely find an activity that will suit you. Activities such as pedalo, kayak, stand-up paddle, and glass-bottom boat, there are also operators for specific outings such as dolphin viewing or big-game fishing, Submarine ride, the undersea walk, the underwater scooter and the parasailing for those looking for more thrilling activities. Aside from the water activities, Mauritius also has plenty to offer adventurous travelers in both air and land, trekking, quad biking, Safari, horse riding, double zip lines …

Medyaf, the industry nationalisation initiative at Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), part of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, has launched the ‘Explore the Tourism Industry in Dubai’ initiative, designed to empower Emirati talent seeking to join the tourism workforce with the fundamental knowledge and skills through an immersive programme of interactive workshops, field trips, vocational experiences and hands-on training. The goal of the Medyaf initiative is to provide students with a better understanding of opportunities within the tourism and hospitality sectors, attracting new talent and supporting their continued professional development, in addition to contributing towards further enhancing the visitor experience. Mariam Al Maeeni, Director of Industry Nationalisation at Dubai College of Tourism, said: “We are delighted to launch the Medyaf ‘Explore the Tourism Industry in Dubai’ initiative, inspired by the constant efforts of our visionary leadership to boost the economy by providing opportunities for Emirati talent to excel across sectors. The initiative is also in line with the important role played by Medyaf in supporting the UAE’s industry nationalisation strategy, which aims to support and bolster Emirati talent and increase the number of UAE nationals entering the tourism sector. Medyaf is a comprehensive public-private collaboration which includes a plethora of immersive workshops, training events, and industry activities contributing to the growth of the tourism sector, in addition to supporting the diversification of the national economy.” As part of the initiative, two workshops were hosted by Medyaf last month; the first was conducted in Al Seef Heritage Hotel and attended by 10 participants, whilst the second was held in Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, and welcomed 11 participants. Both workshops contained theoretical and practical activities in an engaging, interactive environment, and provided …

flydubai announced that it will resume operations to Ha’il and Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, which will bring the number of destinations served by the carrier in the Kingdom to ten. Flights to Ha’il and Tabuk will commence on 09 May with five weekly flights.  flydubai has built a network of more than 95 unique destinations in 50 countries served by a young fleet of 63 Boeing 737 aircraft. With the resumption of flights to Hail and Tabuk, flydubai’s network in Saudi Arabia has now grown to ten destinations including AlUla, Dammam, Gassim, Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh, Taif and Yanbu. Flights to Ha’il Airport (HAS) and Tabuk Airport (TUU) will operate five times a week from Dubai World Central (DWC). Following the completion of the northern runway refurbishment project which is scheduled to take place in Dubai International (DXB) from 09 May to 22 June 2022, flights to Ha’il and Tabuk will resume from Terminal 2 from 23 June. Return Business Class fares from DXB to HAS start from AED 4,500 and Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 1,375. Return Business Class fares from HAS to DXB start from SAR 4,500 and Economy Class Lite fares start from SAR 1,425. Return Business Class fares from DXB to TUU start from AED 4,500 and Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 1,500. Return Business Class fares from TUU to DXB start from SAR 4,500 and Economy Class Lite fares start from SAR 1,330.

The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has launched free intensive training programs for leisure and fishing boats. This is a part of the Ministry’s ‘Sail Safely’ initiative, which aims to enhance maritime safety and security, protect people’s lives, and the marine environment. The training courses target leisure marine enthusiasts in preparation for the upcoming summer watersport activities. Participants in the training courses can apply for a license to sail a leisure boat, after fulfilling the fitness and medical examinations. The Ministry has announced the dates of these sessions and has confirmed that the training will be carried out virtually on its digital and social media platforms on a regular basis. These courses will be offered in both, Arabic and English, in order to cater to a larger number of users. The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure’s initiatives in preparing and educating the maritime community have resulted in a remarkable reduction in maritime accidents. The free courses are amongst the Ministry’s various initiatives aimed at qualifying sea lovers to sail leisure boats and enjoy maritime activities safely. This is achieved by empowering them with basic knowledge and skills to practice their maritime hobbies. Sheikh Nasser Al-Qasimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Transport at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said, “The leisure marine sector in the UAE is gaining a lot of popularity thanks to the UAE’s world-class facilities and modern infrastructure. This has made the UAE a global hub for boats and yachts, and a leading destination for leisure marine activities globally. Additionally, the luxury yachts and leisure boats sector is witnessing significant growth in the UAE, which is home to over 310 marinas for boats, yachts, and ships, …