The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Premier Inn Middle East to further diversify the city’s tourism offering and enhance the overall visitor experience. A joint venture in the Middle East between Emirates and Whitbread PLC, Premier Inn is known for its high-quality, high value service and accommodations, and shares DET’s vision to cater to the needs and preferences of all international travellers. DET and Premier Inn will work together to boost tourism growth, enhance hospitality training, and develop unique travel experiences, underlining DET’s commitment to drive industry momentum through stakeholder collaborations. Aligned with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, the agreement establishes a framework for DET and Premier Inn to showcase Dubai’s diverse destination proposition to global audiences. One of the key focuses of the MoU is joint marketing campaigns. Through targeted advertising, participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, and dynamic social media strategies, Premier Inn will actively promote Dubai as a must-visit travel destination. These efforts will target both B2C and B2B markets, ensuring maximum reach and impact. In addition to marketing, the two organisations will work together to develop unique tourism products that highlight Dubai’s cultural heritage, seasonal attractions, and other distinctive features. These offerings will be incorporated into tailored packages aimed at specific markets, providing travellers with memorable and personalised experiences. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Guided by the city’s visionary leadership, this strategic alliance with Premier Inn supports our broader efforts to meet the diverse needs of …

Stirling Hospitality Advisors highlights that by 2027 Ras Al Khaimah’s total hotel inventory is expected to double with 7,537 new rooms added to the existing 7,144, bringing the total to over 14,600. Notably, 71% of this pipeline falls within the five-star category, further cementing RAK’s status as a premier luxury hospitality destination. The latest research showcases the Emirate’s growing tourism sector, which has seen a robust increase in visitor numbers, a rapidly evolving hotel pipeline, and the emergence of branded residences as a key investment asset. With tourism at an all-time high, Ras Al Khaimah’s hotel sector is poised for significant expansion. The Emirate is set to welcome over 15 international hotel operators across all segments, from luxury to midscale. New entrants such as Wynn, Millennium, Radisson Red, Ushuaïa, and Rove Al Marjan underscore RAK’s growing and diversified hospitality landscape. Providing valuable insights into market performance, supply trends, and investment opportunities, the report also highlights a shift in market leadership among hotel operators, with Accor surpassing Hilton in 2024 due to strategic rebranding initiatives. This transition was fueled by the conversion of Al Marjan Resort into Pullman and the rebranding of Hilton Beach Resort into Rixos Al Mairid, reflecting the Emirate’s dynamic hospitality landscape and commitment to delivering world-class guest experiences. Meanwhile, Marriott is rapidly catching up – the operator currently has the largest pipeline in RAK with major developments like The Westin, W Al Marjan, and JW Marriott Al Marjan all scheduled to open by 2027. Commenting on the report’s findings, Tatiana Veller, Managing Director of Stirling Hospitality Advisors, said: “Ras Al Khaimah’s hospitality sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation. The combination of strong government support, ambitious development plans, and …

Radisson Hotel Group announced the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel Ankara Çankaya. The hotel offers 162 spacious rooms, including 156 Standard Rooms and six suites, designed for comfort and relaxation. Located in Çukurambar, Ankara’s bustling business district, Radisson Blu Hotel Ankara Çankaya provides a stylish retreat for business and leisure travelers alike. With modern décor, thoughtful amenities, and easy access to ministries, corporate centers, shopping malls, and cultural landmarks, it ensures a seamless stay in the heart of the capital. A sophisticated property in the heart of Türkiye’s capital. Located in Çankaya, the hotel offers modern elegance and seamless access to Ankara’s key attractions, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers. Strengthening its presence in the Turkish market, this opening aligns with the Group’s commitment to reaching 100 hotels in Türkiye by 2030. Guests can enjoy breakfast with stunning views of Ankara at Sky View Restaurant or return later for a variety of à la carte options. For a more international flair, Basilico Restaurant offers international dishes paired with an extensive selection of both hot and cold beverages. For a more relaxed atmosphere, guests can unwind at Globe Lounge Bar, the ideal spot for coffee breaks, social gatherings, or evening drinks, with a tempting array of pastries, coffee, fresh juices, and tea. ‘’We are proud to introduce Radisson Blu Hotel Ankara Çankaya, where guests can experience the warmth of Turkish hospitality combined with world-class comfort. With its prime location in the heart of the capital, elegantly designed accommodations, and exceptional dining and wellness offerings, our hotel is set to become a preferred destination for business and leisure travelers seeking an authentic and welcoming stay in Ankara,” said …

Grand Millennium Al Wahda Abu Dhabi won the title of ‘Best Business Hotel, UAE’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Winning the Best Business Award at the Arabian Travel Awards is a testament to our commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer-centric services. This recognition underscores the hard work of our team and validates our vision of setting new standards in the industry. It is an honour that not only celebrates our achievements but also motivates us to continue striving for greater heights. This award has had a profound impact on us, boosting our team’s morale and reaffirming our belief in our mission.”-Fadi Ammache, General Manager, Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi

The United Nations has taken a major step in recognizing tourism’s role in sustainable development by adopting a new tourism employment indicator as part of the official Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Indicator Framework. Endorsed at the 56th session of the UN Statistical Commission, this landmark decision means that—for the first time—global data on tourism employment will be systematically monitored within the SDG monitoring process. It also increases the number of official tourism SDG indicators from two to three, raising recognition of the sector’s global contribution to economic and social progress. What gets measured, gets done. As part of Goal 8, we strive for sustainable tourism that creates jobs. The new tourism employment indicator goes beyond GDP to enhance our understanding of tourism’s potential for social progress UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “What gets measured, gets done. As part of Goal 8, we strive for sustainable tourism that creates jobs. The new tourism employment indicator goes beyond GDP to enhance our understanding of tourism’s potential for social progress. Policymakers will be better equipped to identify gaps, address inequalities, and maximize tourism’s social and economic benefits—ensuring no one is left behind.” UN Tourism’s most recent survey of Member States’ priorities revealed a strong preference for the Organization to work towards ensuring tourism contributes to the achievement of the SDGs. The new indicator, with UN Tourism as its custodian, delivers the evidence to advance on this priority. The indicator responds to a critical policy issue in many countries. Together with the existing SDG indicator on tourism’s GDP, the new indicator offers a broader perspective on tourism’s sustainability that better considers social progress. With this recognition, tourism employment will now be officially integrated into the …

Emirates has joined forces with Parsys Telemedicine to introduce next generation equipment that will enable customers to receive high-quality, speedy medical care in the air. Emirates has invested more than USD2.4 million in co-designing the new equipment set with Parsys, which will be rolled out to 300 aircraft over the next few years. The groundbreaking ‘telemedicine station’ has advanced features such as high-definition video conferencing, remote passenger assessment, secure data transmission and 12-Leads Telecardia ECG – enabling Emirates’ highly trained cabin crew to save lives in emergency situations. Emirates has always invested in high quality medical equipment, but the new Parsys kit is the result of a yearlong collaboration between Emirates and Parsys to create a bespoke inflight tool that is more efficient and reliable, more connected, and ultimately safer for Emirates’ customers . The best-in-class new system includes the Parsys Telemedicine Kit for Emirates and the Parsys Cloud. The kit is an integrated, portable telemedicine station designed for cabin crew to gather important information and vital signs, which can then be transmitted to Emirates’ Ground Medical Support – a dedicated team of medical professionals who sit in Emirates Group Headquarters in Dubai and are contactable 24/7. The kit includes several medical devices like a pulse oximeter, thermometer, blood pressure monitor, glucometer, and electrocardiogram (ECG). Emirates customers who need medical support onboard flights can now have their vital signs or readings automatically transmitted to the Medcapture© device via Bluetooth, eliminating any need for cabin crew to take notes and relay information manually. The Medcapture© device is a tablet which contains a new software application, customised to align with Emirates’ comprehensive medical procedures. The interface has an intuitive and easy-to-use design …

Riyadh Air and IBM partner to build AI-driven enterprise, to elevate guest and employee experiences. Agreement will see Riyadh Air leverage IBM watsonx and IBM Consulting solutions to drive Riyadh Air’s vision as the world’s first digital native airline. The collaboration aims to help power the Saudi Arabian airline’s mission to launch flights in 2025 while offering an elevated guest experience. IBM announced a new agreement with Riyadh Air, which will integrate watsonx, IBM’s portfolio of AI products, and IBM Consulting AI solutions to establish an enterprise-wide AI capability to elevate Riyadh Air guest and employee experiences. As Riyadh Air prepares for its inaugural flights in late 2025, the new Saudi Arabian airline sets another key building block of its journey in redefining air travel as the world’s first digital native carrier. The announcement took place at the third edition of The FII PRIORITY Miami 2025 Summit, where senior executives from both IBM and Riyadh Air, including Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer, and Mohamad Ali, SVP and Head of IBM Consulting, reaffirmed their commitment to driving innovation in the aviation sector. Building a world-class airline requires more than just aircraft and infrastructure; it demands an intelligent digital foundation that anticipates passenger needs, streamlines operations, and empowers employees. Riyadh Air is embracing this challenge by making AI the driving force behind its transformation. Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer, said: Riyadh Air is more than just an airline; it is a gateway to new opportunities for travelers from the Kingdom and beyond. As we move closer to our first flight later in 2025, our vision is to deliver a seamless, world-class travel experience by expanding our reach, pioneering innovations, and …

ATS Travel won the title of ‘Best Travel Management Company in the UAE’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Winning the Arabian Travel Awards is significant as it has become a prestigious benchmark within the industry. The recognition is not only a testament to the excellence of the winners in their respective categories but also serves as a validation of their consistent efforts and contributions to the travel sector. As the awards have evolved into an industry standard, they are eagerly anticipated each year.”-Saleem Sharif, Deputy Managing Director, ATS Travel.

This Ramadan, Arada is introducing Alsimrah, the largest Ramadan tent in Sharjah, which is located in the heart of Aljada, the Emirate’s premier lifestyle destination. Alsimrah offers a blend of tradition and luxury – inspired by the rich Emirati tradition of “Simrah,” a time-honoured gathering of warmth and connection – providing an exceptional culinary and cultural experience that features a premium Iftar and Suhoor that embody the true spirit of the Holy Month. What to expect at Alsimrah: • Premium signature offerings: o Iftar buffet at AED195 per person: Savor a lavish spread of Emirati and international delicacies o À la carte Suhoor with a minimum spend of AED80 per person: Enjoy a relaxed, customized dining experience o Exclusive group suhoor set menus at AED175 per person for min of 15 guests: For exclusive corporate iftars and family gatherings o VIP Majlis Iftar Package at AED3,500 per Majlis accommodating 12 guests: For private and intimate dining experience o Corporate bookings and exclusive tent hire available on demand • Cultural entertainment: o Live Oud & Qanun performances o Arabic calligraphy and henna artistry o Traditional storytelling sessions • Exclusive guest amenities: o Dedicated prayer area o Complimentary valet parking o VIP lounge for an elevated experience Timings & reservations: Join us at Alsimrah for a Ramadan celebration filled with flavours, tradition and togetherness. Reservations are now open: Book through https://arada.com/ramadan/ or by contacting: ramadan@arada.com / +97147020600. • Iftar: Sunset–8.30pm (Doors open at 5.30 pm) • Suhoor: 9.30pm–2am

Singapore Airlines announced that they will return with First Class and Premium Economy Class experience on flights between Singapore and Dubai from 30 March 2025, operating 7 times weekly, the flights will be operated by the Boeing 777-300ER, which features a four-class cabin configuration – First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Class – ensuring an unparalleled travel experience for all their customers. Unwind in Premium Economy Class’ spacious cabin – Their Premium Economy Class offers customers a contemporary and stylish travel experience, designed to provide heightened comfort throughout their journey. Each Premium Economy seat boasts a width ranging from 18.5 to 19.5 inches, an 8-inch recline, and a seat pitch of 38 inches. Customers can look forward to an enhanced in-flight entertainment experience with active noise-cancelling headphones and a sleek 13.3-inch full HD touchscreen monitor. Enjoy priority treatment throughout the journey Premium Economy Class customers enjoy priority check-in at dedicated counters, as well as priority boarding. Checked baggage have priority tags, ensuring smooth and efficient travel. Elevate dining experience with Book the Cook Customers can enjoy a dining experience with an improved and expanded selection of food and beverage options. Customers have the option to pre-select and reserve their main course from the Premium Economy Class Book the Cook2 menu up to 24 hours before flight departure. Exclusive in-flight amenities In collaboration with Out of the Woods, a US-based manufacturer of eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle products, SIA offers amenity kit3 for Premium Economy Class customers. The kit includes eyeshades and slippers made from recycled PET material, as well as a lip balm packaged in biodegradable material. Access to unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi KrisFlyer members travelling in Premium Economy Class have the …