Kuwait Airways announces the launch of its scheduled flights to Nice in the French Republic, commencing from 15th June, with two flights per week, on Sundays and Wednesdays. Kuwait Airways Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Maen Razouqi stated that Nice is one of the new destinations that Kuwait Airways is including to its network of routes around the world, pointing out this particular destination is among the important and preferred destinations for the passengers of the Blue Bird, due to its attractive touristic locations, especially as it is located on the Mediterranean coast and is considered as a major tourist center, which is famous for its beautiful and picturesque beaches. Razouqi mentioned that Kuwait Airways’ selection of Nice as a destination came after comprehensive research of the feasibility of this destination with its multiple advantages for tourism, especially during the extended summer season. He noted that Nice is an excellent addition to the National Carrier’s schedule of operations and its upcoming plans to diversify its destinations, as well as venture into new markets with positive economic feasibility. In addition, Chief Executive Officer, Maen Razouqi, received the Ambassador of the Republic of France to the State of Kuwait, HE Claire Le Flecher, where the two parties discussed methods to enhance joint cooperation in areas related to the commercial aviation sector and means to develop them for the benefit of both sides, in addition to achieving the desired objectives and aspirations. Razouqi added, “We are honored and delighted by the visit of the Ambassador Claire Le Flecher to the Kuwait Airways’ headquarters, where the Ambassador was briefed on the history of the Blue Bird with its achievements and accomplishments, spanning over 68 years …

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, launched the Marmoom Reserve project, the first unfenced desert conservation reserve in the country. The Marmoom Reserve is an environmental, touristic and sporting addition to the UAE. It aims to provide a fertile and robust environment for plants, a natural reserve for animals, and an important destination for tourists and families. Al Marmoom is located 40 kilometres from the heart of Dubai, and is regarded as one of the promising areas, as it is an environmental centre and a tourist attraction in a unique natural setting. The activities in Al Marmoom include driving cars on the desert sand, cycling, falconry, camel riding, relaxing in a Bedouin environment, traditional camel races in the Al Marmoom Camel Race Track and others. Al Qudra lakes, a network of man-made lakes in the desert, is popular among visitors and residents. The area is home to over 170 species of birds, some of which are endangered, such as the steppe eagle and the Asian Houbara. Bird watching is a popular activity in this area. Based at the Dubai Camel Race Club, which hosts traditional camel races, the Dubai Camel Racetrack is located right next to Al Marmoom Heritage Village. There is also the cycling track on Al Qudra road that attracts professional and amateur cyclists. Work is constantly being undertaken to drive a sustainable planning approach to create human-friendly urban environments, focusing on improving the economy, energy, housing, health, quality of life, entertainment and digital technology that suit the needs and aspirations of individuals and families. A report issued by the Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) sector …

Emirates will soon launch NFTs and exciting experiences in the metaverse for its customers and employees.  The airline, which has earned a reputation for its innovative products and customer-centric services, today unveiled its plans to build signature brand experiences in the metaverse, alongside both collectible and utility-based NFTs. The first projects are already underway, with launch anticipated in the coming months. Emirates also announced that its Emirates Pavilion at the Expo 2020 site will be repurposed into a centre for innovation, bringing talent from all over the globe to bring to life the airline’s future-focused projects including those relating to the metaverse, NFTs and Web3. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group said: “Dubai and the UAE are blazing the way in the digital economy, having a clear vision supported by practical policies and regulatory frameworks in areas such as virtual assets, artificial intelligence, and data protection. “Emirates has always embraced advanced technologies to improve our business processes, enhance our customer offering, and enrich our employees’ skills and experiences. We are excited about the opportunities in the digital space of the future and are committing a significant investment in financial and resourcing terms, to develop products and services using advanced technologies that will deliver on revenue, brand experience, and business efficiencies. “It is fitting that our future-themed Emirates Pavilion at Expo is being repurposed as a hub to develop cutting-edge future experiences aligned with the UAE’s vision for the digital economy.” Emirates continues to engage with industry partners on its Web3 strategy, and recruit talent for its pipeline projects. No stranger to delivering experiences and engaging with customers in the digital world, …

Emirates has launched Dubai Experience, its powerful and intuitive platform for customers to easily browse, create and book their own customised itineraries including flights, hotel stay, visits to key attractions, and other dining and leisure experiences in Dubai and the UAE. Customers can choose from pre-curated itineraries if they are first-time visitors, or if they have specific interests in sports, culture, adventure, or entertainment and the arts. They can also have fun creating their own unique itineraries from scratch, pulling from an extensive list of recommended activities and dining options, or mix and match, using pre-curated itineraries as a starting point. Whether it is one of the many popular free attractions across the UAE, or one that requires pre-booking and payment, the easy-to-use itinerary planner provides details such as estimated duration, location map and cost, allowing customers to confidently plan and maximise their Dubai and UAE visit. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “We are proud to promote the very best that Dubai and the UAE have to offer on Dubai Experience, which is fully integrated with emirates.com. This powerful platform offers our customers the ability to plan their Dubai journeys and stopovers, and benefit from exclusive rates and expertly curated recommendations. “Through the Dubai Experience platform, Emirates aims to add value to our customers and enrich their journeys, and ultimately drive more people to visit our beautiful home and hub in the UAE. We will continue to add more exciting content on Dubai Experience, and look at opportunities to launch it to customers in more markets.” Today, Emirates’ customers in 19 countries* can build rich and customised itineraries from a selection of over 100 hotels and 200 activities …

IHG Hotels & Resorts debuts a new global loyalty program: IHG One Rewards, as it welcomes guests to the next chapter of travel.  With nearly 6,000 hotels in over 100 countries, IHG Hotels & Resorts has been hard at work while the world was on hold – building its portfolio, repositioning itself in the industry with exciting new brands and partnerships, investing significantly, and taking loyalty to new heights. Today, as travelers pack their bags, dreaming of their vacations or the satisfaction of successful business trips, IHG is launching a best-in-class loyalty program, IHG One Rewards, which is centered around its guests – giving them richer benefits, more ways to earn, and a new premier credit card, all powered by leading technology on its new mobile app. The reimagined program connects IHG One Rewards members to IHG Hotels & Resorts’ growing portfolio of 17 brands, including one of the largest Luxury & Lifestyle collections in the world. The launch of IHG One Rewards follows the announcement in January 2022 of the program’s new tier and bonus point earning structure – designed to help members earn more points faster and have more ways to use them. IHG One Rewards will offer industry-leading value and relevant benefits for members to enhance their stays. Highlights of the program include: Faster Earn: A new tier and bonus point earning structure will allow members to earn more points faster and gain rewards sooner. The new tier and bonus point earning structure starts on April 13, 2022 and will be reflected in all member accounts on or before April 17, 2022.   Richer Benefits: Further enhancements and member benefits include: o             Free Breakfast for Diamond Elite …

Germany has long been a popular destination for Eid travellers because of the variety of vacations the country has to offer: From city breaks to naturistic explorations, adventure holidays to sporting experiences. Now this year, with restrictions having eased, the country is gearing up for an influx of visitors once more – including a considerable number from the Gulf region. While Germany has countless attractions, some of the key inspirations for Eid travel include the town of Marburg, which is celebrating its 800th anniversary this spring, so culture vultures have the chance to revel in a tour that spans eight centuries of history and includes important figures such as Saint Elisabeth, Landgrave Philipp, and Emil von Behring. Other events the town has encountered over the years are also highlighted. With the weather warming up, outdoor activities in Germany are also set to enjoy popularity, like the Romantic Road in Möttingen. With a minimum of three-day itineraries encouraged to revel in all the beauty of the 350km route through forests, mountains and villages seeped in half a century of history, the trip is perfect for those looking to soak up both nature and culture. With many mosques throughout Germany open to tourist visits throughout the year, the Blue Mosque in Hamburg is one of the oldest Islamic sites in the country. Renowned for its exceptional structural design, its beautiful shades of turquoise blue accompanied by Arabic calligraphy wrap around several prayer rooms, which together can hold up to 1,500 people. The mosque also features one of the world’s largest carpets – it took three years to complete and required 22 people hand-tying 80 million knots. “Germany’s longstanding ties with various international …

marhaba and Plaza Premium Group (PPG) have entered into a joint venture agreement to expand their international offering. The partnership brings together two leading brands to combine knowledge and resources, and bring airport hospitality to the next level through excellent and innovative airport concierge and lounge services as travel demand increases globally. The first project under the agreement will see the development of the new marhaba Plaza Premium Lounge at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan. With the lounge development already in progress, the new marhaba Plaza Premium Lounge at Queen Alia International Airport is expected to open in July 2022. The lounge will have a capacity of 140 guests and is inspired by the beautiful landscape of Amman, with subtle inclusion of the local culture and heritage in its design. Steve Allen, CEO of dnata Group, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with PPG to bring our globally renowned airport hospitality services to more travellers across the world. Our joint commitment to quality and service excellence will ensure first-rate customer experience for travellers throughout their journey. We look forward to opening the first, best-in-class marhaba Plaza Premium lounge in Amman and further enhancing our joint offering in the coming years.” Mr. Bora Isbulan, Deputy CEO of Plaza Premium Group said, “This is truly an exciting opportunity for PPG. Our global agreement with marhaba is a testament to our shared commitment to providing the best-in-class airport hospitality for travellers to enjoy. We expect to yield more opportunities in the future through this collaboration. Meanwhile, we are also excited to announce our first venture through the PPG and marhaba’s global agreement, the launch of the new marhaba Plaza Premium …

Dubai Next, the digital crowdfunding platform that has attracted many young innovators and start-up ideas, is anticipating an increase in fund-seekers and contributors following the country approving a federal system for such platforms recently. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the new federal framework that will allow operators from the government and private sectors to back crowdfunded projects. Dubai Next was launched in May 2021 by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council, The platform, which is managed by Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai, is attracting  innovators and has already enabled eight start-up concepts raise the required funds. “Crowdfunding has had a significant impact in ushering in a new generation of entrepreneurs in the UAE. It provides an alternate financing option, and an ideal opportunity to turn start-up ideas into viable projects. Students aged 12 and above can create campaigns on Dubai Next and the campaigns seen so far are diverse and innovative” said Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME. Crowdfunding involves small amounts sourced towards financing of a single commercial venture. Anyone with an innovative idea or project can create a campaign on Dubai Next and seek funds from contributors. The not-for-profit platform is open to people of all nationalities. “The Dubai Next experience confirms that crowdfunding can motivate our growing youth population to pursue entrepreneurship, thus ushering in a new generation of entrepreneurs and eventually positioning Dubai as the global hub of innovative enterprise,” Al Janahi said. Currently, Dubai Next …

Industry experts will gather to discuss ‘the Middle East as a financial hub for future worldwide tourism investment’ during the upcoming ITIC-ATM Middle East Summit at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from Monday 9 to Thursday 12 May. Hosted jointly by ATM and the International Tourism & Investment Conference (ITIC), this year’s summit will be held on Tuesday 10 May 2022, shining a spotlight on access to project finance in the post-Covid era. According to analysis from BNC Network, hotel contracts worth US$4.5 billion are expected to be awarded in the GCC during 2022, representing year-on-year growth of 16 percent. The UAE generated the highest value of cumulative hospitality-related contracts in the GCC last year, followed by Saudi Arabia. The combined value of UAE and KSA projects accounted for more than 90 percent of all hospitality contracts awarded in the region during 2021, according to the research. On a regional level, data released by STR shows that more than 169,000 pipeline rooms are currently under contract across the Middle East, the three most active cities being Dubai, Makkah and Doha, respectively. This year’s ITIC-ATM Middle East Summit therefore represents a timely opportunity for travel and tourism professionals to explore regional investment opportunities, discover new modes of financing and network with peers from around the world. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME – Arabian Travel Market, said: “Development in the Middle East is progressing at a rapid pace. Fuelled by ambitious national initiatives such as Expo 2020 Dubai, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Saudi Vision 2030, our region is witnessing significant levels of tourism-related investment, and this trend shows no sign …

Cruise Saudi welcomed MSC Cruises’ flagship MSC Virtuosa making it the line’s second vessel to visit Jeddah Islamic Port. The newly launched cruise ship, part of the world’s third largest cruise line, spent around 17 hours at the port before continuing its voyage along the Red Sea. MSC Virtuosa joined MSC Bellissima at Saudi’s largest and busiest port, where the latter ship has been homeporting throughout the 2021/2022 Summer and Winter Seasons. The visits are part of Cruise Saudi’s efforts to build a fully integrated, world-class cruise industry in the country, elevating tourism in line with Vision 2030 – the Saudi leadership’s transformation plan to diversify the economy. MSC Virtuosa entered into service in May 2021 and is one of the two largest ships in MSC Cruises’ fleet. It features the longest LED dome and largest shopping area at sea. Featuring the very latest in environmental technology, MSC Virtuosa is a modern and innovative ship with an incredible choice of onboard features including 11 boutiques, five swimming pools and a waterpark on board. Commenting on MSC Virtuosa’s visit, Lars Clasen, Chief Executive Officer of Cruise Saudi, said: “We are proud to host the flagship of one of the world’s most established and popular cruise lines. MSC Virtuosa’s visit highlights Saudi as an exciting cruise destination for international cruise lines and travelers. At Cruise Saudi, we look forward to welcoming more guests and operators to experience the glistening waters of the Red Sea as the tourism industry gathers pace. “By supporting Saudi’s tourism industry, we are not only enabling the world to experience Saudi’s pristine islands and beaches as well as unique culture, heritage and hospitality – but we are also …