The DAMAC Group is excited to announce the official launch of Paramount Hotel Midtown following the success of Paramount Hotel Dubai. Synonymous with entertainment, bold imagination, and, above all, creativity, Paramount Hotel Midtown is steeped in the rich 110-year history perfected by Paramount Pictures. Set in the heart of Business Bay, Dubai, Paramount Hotel Midtown held its soft opening in February offering timeless Hollywood elegance. Perfectly located at a stone’s throw from Sheikh Zayed Road, the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and The Dubai Mall, the hotel is poised to be a haven for the young at heart. Commenting on the second launch, Jean Faivre, Senior Vice President Hospitality, DAMAC Hotels & Resorts, said: “The Paramount proposition is special, with rich history to live up to. We’ve been immensely successful with our first property and we are now looking forward to our second opening, which will without doubt be a unique addition to Dubai’s vibrant hospitality scene.” Paramount Hotel Midtown brings to life contemporary Californian magic with its Hollywood-chic styles and impressive views. Exuding grandeur, the hotel’s gold-dipped lobby is splashed with retro artwork, a perfect grand entrance in true Hollywood star style. Designed for high-life lovers, the hotel offers 281 elegantly decorated contemporary rooms and suites including Scene Rooms, A-List Suites and a Paramount Suite, decked out with balconies overlooking the Dubai coastline or Burj Khalifa. The hotel offers unique gastronomic experiences at its restaurants designed to delight every palette, featuring Paparazzi Tuscan, CineScope and Melrose Bar & Lounge. Raising the bar with panoramic skyline views, Malibu Sky Lounge and Pool Bar are set to be the talk of the town. Pleasure meets business in the …

Tourism Malaysia is participating for the fourth consecutive time at the Gulf Travel Show (GTS) on 22nd and 23rd March 2022 from 10am to 3pm. As a platinum partner, Malaysia is having its own virtual pavilion with 15 booths consisting of tourism boards, tour operators and hotels and resorts such as Tourism Malaysia Dubai, Tourism Malaysia Jeddah, Sabah Tourism Board, Sarawak Tourism Board, Tourism Selangor, Asian Overland Services, Universal Holidays travel and tours, World Express tours Malaysia, Sunway hotels and resorts, Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur, New World Petaling Jaya hotel, Dash Box Hotels, Lexis hotels and resorts, Berjaya hotels and resorts and Gembox. Following this year’s participation, Mirza Ghalib, Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia, Dubai office says that GTS 2022 is a platform that allows industry players to re-establish the travel trade connections for the Middle East market. “Malaysia has successfully completed the COVID-19 vaccination of more than 97 per cent of its adult population and as a result, the country is all set to welcome back international travellers starting on 1st April 2022,” says Mr Mirza. This announcement was made by the government after almost two years of closure due the COVID-19 related pandemic and it is the beginning on the endemic phase. It will be an opportunity to network with travel agents and tour operator partners from the Middle East. Travel products from across the world have signed up to participate. Find out what is trending in the region with the auditorium special sessions with a host of speakers who will share the latest happenings in the region. Focused on business meetings, the digital event will host buyers from across the region. After the success of the first …

Gulf Air has started its countdown to be the title sponsor of the most important sporting event in the Kingdom – the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2022, which will take place between 18-20 March 2022. Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Captain Waleed Al Alawi, said: “We have always been extremely proud to be the long title sponsors of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The success of this event is a testament to the commitment and efforts of our leadership and the Bahraini people as a whole. As the world begins to open up again, we are delighted to welcome fans from all over our network and beyond once again to Bahrain as the race continues to prove to be a firm global favourite; garnering our global recognition as a business and tourism destination in the Gulf as well as the home of motorsport in the region.” Gulf Air has been the title sponsor of the Bahrain Grand Prix since it made history in April 2004 as the first Formula 1 Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East. Since then, the airline has been instrumental in the success of the event and the benefits it has brought to Bahrain’s economy. Gulf Air is a proud ambassador for Bahrain and takes its role in supporting the Kingdom’s diversification in areas such as tourism very seriously.

Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA is expanding the Studio M brand with a new property now open in Al Barsha neighbourhood, in partnership with Jersey Properties LLC. Studio M is a standout lifestyle concept that embraces technology and allows people to socialise and interact, offering a unique place to rest and play. Studio M is one of Millennium’s newest brands providing an alternative lodging experience with a vibrant design and technology integrated into cool spaces to help guests unleash their sense of creativity. Hamid Sidine, Chief Operating Officer of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa, said: “We are delighted to introduce Studio M Al Barsha that comes as part of our continuous efforts to provide innovative lifestyle concepts that address the guests’ changing expectations and contemporary functionality.” “Studio M brand founded in Singapore and Studio Al Barsha is the second hotel in Dubai under this brand after Studio M Arabian Plaza Hotel & Hotel Apartments. Studio M Al Barsha will offer a chic urban concept featuring thoughtful and well-designed spaces with the “cool” factor combined with stylish rooms and fuss-free technology”, he added. Studio M Al Barsha offers 155 rooms and has been thoughtfully designed with vibrant colours, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and premium amenities that will suit the guests’ all needs. The hotel is within two minutes walking distance to the Mall of the Emirates and close to various attractions in Dubai. The nearest metro station is the Mall of the Emirates station. The hotel F&B offering includes Hello Grab N Go which provides an innovative and convenient way to dine in or out with a variety of freshly prepared and pre-packaged foods, Level ONE that offers tasty …

Wizz Air announced three new routes that will connect Italy with Greece. Starting from June, passengers can travel from the international airports of Rome Fiumicino, Bari Karol Wojtyla International Airport and Naples International Airport to Skiathos, the majestic island in the northwestern Aegean sea. These new routes mark an important seasonal start for Wizz Air, which landed for the first time in Italy in 2004, and which today has a fleet of 150 aircraft, operates from 25 Italian airports in Italy, including 7 bases. Paulina Gosk, Corporate Communication Manager of Wizz Air, said: “Today’s announcement demonstrates Wizz Air’s commitment to offer more travel opportunities to Italian passengers. Italy is an important market for us that needs new possibilities and on which we have focused a lot of efforts. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board with great service to the beautiful island of Skiathos in Greece as we strive to become Europe’s greenest choice for air travel.”

Emirates and Garuda Indonesia announce the launch of their codeshare partnership. The new partnership allows customers of the world’s largest international airline, based in Dubai, and Indonesia’s national carrier, to enjoy seamless connectivity on routes across the Americas, Middle East, Africa and Europe. Under the new codeshare partnership forged, customers will be able to enjoy seamless connectivity on 16 routes, including popular European destinations, in addition to other travel benefits that will introduce additional levels of convenience. Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by both airlines in November of last year, regulatory approvals have been secured to operate routes that are included under the codeshare partnership. Tickets can be booked immediately on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents, with codeshare flights open from 16 March. Tickets can also be secured via Garuda’s side through garuda-indonesia.com, the Fly Garuda app, contact center at +62 804 1 807 807 or + 6221 2351 9999, as well as travel agents. Garuda Indonesia will place its code on routes operated by Emirates, between Jakarta and Dubai, in addition to onwards flights to Paris, London Heathrow, Manchester, Milan and Barcelona from Emirates’ hub. Emirates will place its code on Garuda Indonesia operated flights on ten routes via two of its hubs, both Jakarta and Denpasar. Emirates passengers are able to travel to seven additional domestic points in Indonesia, beyond Jakarta and Bali, and enjoy the convenience of seamless booking, easy connections, one baggage policy and baggage-check through to the final destination. Domestic points which Emirates customers can travel to include Denpasar, Surabaya, Makassar, Balikpapan, Manado, Medan, Padang and Solo from Jakarta, while, from Denpasar, customers can fly …

As the Tourism and hospitality industry recovers, Namibia is looking to showcase the country’s unique attractions and heritage with a high-level government and tourism delegation visiting the UAE to communicate and engage with partners, media and agents about the travel opportunities offered by Namibia as well as strengthen crucial relationships. Led by Hon. Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and Mr. Digu Naobeb, CEO of Namibia Tourism Board, the delegation reinforces the country’s alluring attractions as a must-see tourist destination nestled along the southwestern coast of the African continent with a large land surface, known for clear blue skies and sunshine, unpolluted air, memorable wildlife encounters and the best destination for star gazing. A land of remarkable contrasts, with breathtaking views, desert landscapes, woodlands and waterways, the delegation will highlight the best places to visit and the destination’s positive, social, economic and environmental approach for the tourism industry that meets the needs of travellers from different backgrounds. Hon. Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said, “We are delighted to share our new developments for tourism and efforts to help rebuild trust in travel and showcase our country’s appeal to potential visitors around the globe. We are in the UAE to highlight our country’s strengths and offer a short glimpse into our culture and our common interests, as we have a lot to offer in terms of exceptional service and experiences” Digu Naobeb, CEO of Namibia Tourism Board, said, “The pandemic put a reset on where people go and what they do, focusing on wellbeing, seeking space and opportunities to reconnect with nature. We offer the perfect fit for the kind of traveller seeking these experiences and …

Taking place on the Travel Tech Stage at Arabian Travel Market 2022, the inaugural competition will give up to 15 start-ups from travel and transportation, hospitality tech, and experiences and attractions the opportunity to pitch to industry judges and investors Up to fifteen start-ups from across the tourism and hospitality sector will be given the opportunity to pitch for up to half a million dollar of funding, thanks to a brand-new competition that will take place at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME – Arabian Travel Market, which will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 9-12 May 2022, said: “The ATM Draper-Aladdin Start-up Competition offers an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs from across the industry to pitch their business plans in front of our expert judges, not to mention a global audience of industry professionals and investors. “In addition to pitching for up to $500,000 of investment at ATM 2022, the winning start-up will be given the chance to compete for a further $500,000 of funding on Tim Draper’s hugely popular television show, Meet the Drapers.” The inaugural ATM Draper-Aladdin Start-up Competition, which will take place on the ATM Travel Tech Stage on Tuesday 10 May 2022, will see 15 start-ups go head-to-head. Spanning the segments of travel and transportation, hospitality tech, and experiences and attractions, each pitch will last for five minutes and will be followed by a five-minute Q&A session with ATM’s panel of industry judges. The overall winner will receive a minimum of $30,000 up to a maximum of $500,000 investment, a DASC Certificate and the chance to appear on Tim Draper’s TV show, Meet the Drapers, where they compete for …

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has launched an exciting new route from Abu Dhabi to Mattala, Sri Lanka. The new destination provides affordable, hassle-free travel for tourists and residents in both the UAE and Sri Lanka with unique travel opportunities and a convenient WIZZ flight schedule on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Tickets are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app with fares starting as low as AED 179 *. The airline introduces a new segment of travel by adding its first destination to South Asia which will allow customers from across the broader Wizz Air network to travel via Abu Dhabi to the exotic destination of Sri Lanka. Mattala, nestled in pristine natural beauty, enjoys a tropical climate with easy access to neighbouring wildlife. Ideally located with easy access to Sri Lanka’s most famous tourist attractions, including stunning coastlines and abundant nature, adventurous travellers can sample the best of the famed attractions. CNN voted Sri Lanka one of the best destinations to visit in 2020 and Mattala is the gateway to the island’s ancient, beautifully complex civilization with over 2,000 years of history. Michael Berlouis, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, said: “Sri Lanka is an exciting destination that has everything; beautiful beaches, a diverse cultural heritage, historical sites dating back 1000s of years and even a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is truly a must-see travel destination.  We are proud to be providing our customers ever more convenient, affordable opportunities for relaxation and adventure and look forward to seeing you on board our aircraft to the island paradise soon.” Hon. D. V. Chanaka, State Minister of Aviation and Export Zones Development, said: “It is indeed …

After signing a CFM56-7B support contract by the hour in 2016 with AFI KLM E&M, Oman Air is expanding its relationship with the MRO to perform shop visits on 9 additional engines. In order to be able to take care of these visits scheduled over the whole year 2022, AFI KLM E&M has adapted its production schedule to free up slots and take these engines into account. As a result of their established cooperation, Oman Air has developed a fruitful relationship with AFI KLM E&M and is familiar with the level of service delivered by the MRO Group, as well as its ability to deliver on its performance and TAT commitments. Beyond the trusting relationship between the two groups, AFI KLM E&M has developed a commercially and technically competitive solution to outperform its competitors at the finish line. AFI KLM E&M has also worked to ensure that the workscope meets Oman Air’s operational requirements, including deadlines, by adapting its production schedule to accommodate the engines on time. According to Captain Nasser Al Salmi, Oman Air’s Chief Operating Officer, “the quality and reliability of the services offered by AFI KLM E&M, as well as the professionalism and availability of their teams, have given our company complete satisfaction. All this know-how is once again expressed in their response to our request to take charge of these nine new engines, and AFI KLM E&M is the natural choice for us.” Pierre Teboul, SVP Commercial at AFI KLM E&M, commented: “It is always a source of pride and satisfaction to have a long-standing customer like Oman Air renew its trust in us. It illustrates the ability of our teams to develop mutually beneficial relationships …