With the holiday season approaching, 97% of UAE Consumers plan to travel during the upcoming winter and spring holidays and plan to spend an average of AED 7,7641. Key motivations for travelling include for leisure (61%), exploring new destinations (56%), and visiting family and friends (48%). While on their trip, travelers are willing to spend more for personalized experiences (78%), private transportation (74%), and first-class/luxury accommodations (66%). American Express Middle East has unveiled the results of its Trendex Survey*, painting a vivid picture of the travel, shopping and entertainment trends for the upcoming winter and spring holidays in the UAE. The survey reveals that there is a strong demand for luxury and personalized travel experiences amongst majority of UAE consumers, with experiential gifting also highly popular. Saud Swar, American Express Middle East’s Chief Business Officer, shared his insights on the findings, “Our Trendex Survey reveals a strong interest among UAE Consumers for high-end travel during the upcoming winter and spring holidays, with respondents willing to spend more on leisure, premium services, exploring new destinations, and visiting family and friends. Physical gifts are popular, but we are also seeing a strong interest in experiential gifts, particularly in entertainment and travel. American Express Middle East is following these trends to offer benefits and services that align with our customers’ expectations and aspirations. Whether it’s everyday purchases or a luxury holiday, our Card Members can rely on American Express for world-class benefits and customer service.” Key Findings: • Holiday Travel: Luxury and Personalized Experiences prioritized With the holiday season approaching, 97% of UAE Consumers plan to travel during the upcoming winter and spring holidays and plan to spend an average of AED 7,7641. …

flynas launched three weekly direct flights between Prince Muhammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah and Sphinx Airport in Cairo, adding one more route to its flight network connecting the two countries, within flynas growth and expansion plan and in parallel with the national goals in the aviation sector. Three weekly flights will be operated on the new route on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday to expand further the flynas flight network served from its newest operations base at Madinah Airport, in line with flynas expansion strategy, 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. flynas connects the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with more than 120 weekly direct flights from 5 Saudi cities, namely Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah, and Al-Ula, to Cairo, Sohag, Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada and El Alamein. The Egyptian capital of Cairo is connected to the Kingdom with flynas direct flights to both Cairo International Airport and Sphinx International Airport, which is now served with direct flights from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Madinah. flynas connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations with more than 1500 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, with the aim to reach 165 domestic and international destinations, in line with the objectives of the Vision 2030. The inaugural flight ceremony at …

Cruise Saudi announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Prince Mugrin (UPM) in Madinah. The MoU, which was formally signed on 15th December at Cruise Saudi’s office in Jeddah, aims to enhance the development of specialized training programs, curricula and internships aligned with the needs of the rapidly growing cruise industry in Saudi. As part of the agreement, Cruise Saudi will provide vital industry insights and inputs to guide the development of training programs and curricula at the University of Prince Mugrin. This partnership will ensure that these educational initiatives are specifically tailored to meet the evolving demands of the cruise industry. The University of Prince Mugrin will leverage its educational resources and expertise to create high-quality training programs aimed at equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge for a career in cruise tourism. This partnership will also include the creation of internship opportunities for students, providing practical experience and fostering connections between academia and industry, and creating job opportunities. This MoU is the fruit of continuous collaboration between Cruise Saudi and The University of Prince Mugrin. In 2021, the first MoU was signed, with the University playing a key role in the success of Cruise Saudi’s “Ambassadors Program”. 56 Saudi Hospitality and Tourism department students participated in training onboard MSC Cruises, enabling the students to gain practical skills through onboard training from industry experts with decades of experience. Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, commented: “This collaboration with the University of Prince Mugrin is a significant step towards shaping the future workforce for the cruise industry in Saudi. This partnership will help create valuable opportunities for Saudis and contribute to the success of …

Miral unveiled its comprehensive Sustainability Strategy across the group, a milestone in Miral’s ongoing environmental and social commitment. It outlines Miral’s ambitions to become a regional benchmark for sustainable leisure, entertainment, and tourism (LET) experiences by 2030. Building on years of experience in sustainable business practices, Miral will place a strong emphasis on its responsibility to provide a brighter future for generations to come. The long-term strategy underscores Miral’s commitment to positioning its destinations and attractions as regional references for sustainable practices. Commenting on the strategy, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Miral’s Group CEO, said: “Miral is pursuing a major milestone in its advancement by putting sustainability at the core of everything we do. Our Sustainability Strategy will guide this evolution, ensuring responsible growth and innovation while delivering lasting value for our stakeholders and the community. It also demonstrates our commitment to contributing to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy to address climate change, while driving sustainable tourism in Abu Dhabi.” Miral’s Sustainability Strategy is the result of a comprehensive assessment of its current operations and future vision, identifying key areas of focus with ambitious targets and timelines. Set to impact current and upcoming attractions across Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, Miral’s commitment to sustainability is driven by three key objectives: • Develop the most sustainable LET experiences in the region. • Operate LET experiences in the most sustainable way in the region. • Position its destinations as the most sustainable in the region. Rooted in the belief that sustainability is a catalyst for positive change, the strategy relies on four pillars: • Experiences for a better world: Miral aims to foster cultural enlightenment through attractions like Qasr al Watan and …

Cruise Saudi announced the soft launch of Saba Beach on Jabal AlSabaya – Cruise Saudi’s newly developed private island for cruising in the heart of the Red Sea. Saba Beach on Jabal AlSabaya welcomed the first cruise passengers on 21 December 2024 as part of a soft launch that offers guests an exclusive first experience of the private island. The soft launch of Saba Beach marks a significant milestone for Cruise Saudi, and the development of the private island is a natural progression in Cruise Saudi’s mission to position Saudi as a prominent destination for cruising. Just a short sail from Jeddah, roughly 220 Nautical miles, Jabal AlSabaya will be exclusively accessible to all cruise line passengers, offering an unparalleled Red Sea experience that combines luxury, local culture, and the natural beauty of Saudi’s coastline. Upon completion of the first phase, facilities will include a floating park, full-service restaurant, retail shops, a VIP beach and VVIP beachfront villas. Visitors can also treat themselves to a spa experience, a shisha lounge and a range of land and water activities that cater to all kinds of travelers. Guests can relax on beachside cabanas at Saba Beach or explore the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea with a snorkeling excursion. Designed to integrate seamlessly with the natural environment, the island’s development represents the best of Saudi culture, with influences from the Aseer and Hijaz regions, coastal Roshan designs, and patterns inspired by Sadu and AlKhous. The project’s development began in 2024 – from the start the island’s facilities were also built with sustainability at the forefront. Construction was undertaken with minimal impact, using local materials and craftsmanship along with off-site prefabrication, whilst measures …

Moscow and London top destinations for UAE travellers this festive season, according to Wego. They revealed the most popular European destinations during Christmas and New Year’s Eve for UAE travellers, along with suggestions on the best things to do this time of year. Top on the list of searches from UAE, Moscow retains its position as the most-searched European destination during the festive season. Moscow winter is best enjoyed in its festivals and the brightly decorated streets. The most popular event celebrating the season may be the citywide event Journey to Christmas, where shows, concerts, and fun workshops are held at different points of the city. Don’t miss out on Christmas markets popping up in the Red Square to hunt for gifts and souvenirs. Keep warm by making spins on ice skating rinks that are set up around the city. You may also want to sit down for special opera or ballet performances at halls across Moscow. “The Nutcrackers” is usually the city’s favorite show this season. The city is a perennial favorite, showing up annually on the list of most-searched year-end destinations from the UAE. Christmas in London means a lot of things, including Christmas markets, ice skating, theatre shows, and musical concerts. Wander through Leicester Square or Covent Garden Christmas markets for luscious dishes and charming treats. Or enjoy classical concerts at St Mary Le Strand, which showcases Vivaldi’s iconic masterpiece, The Four Seasons. During New Year’s Eve, watch the iconic fireworks on the Thames or enjoy dinner cruises offering spectacular views. “Cold Hands, Warm Hearts” is an annual Baku winter event, which enchants the visitors with a variety of stalls providing books, craftworks, delectable foods, and so …

The Grand Hyatt brand continues its expansion in the Middle East with Grand Hyatt The Red Sea (expected to open in Q4 2025). It will be the first Grand Hyatt property on Shaura Island, serving as the hub of the ambitious Red Sea Project on Saudi Arabia’s west coast and offering 430 guestrooms, along with state-of-the-art meeting and event venues in a stunning seaside setting. Welcoming guests with dramatic architecture, bold design, expansive lobbies, well-appointed guestrooms and luxurious event spaces, the Grand Hyatt brand will reach more travelers with new hotels in exciting destinations across the globe. The new openings will continue the growth momentum following the April 2024 opening of Grand Hyatt Barcelona, which marked the brand’s first hotel in Spain, offering 465 meticulously curated guestrooms and world-class wellbeing and meeting facilities, as well as the December 2023 opening of Grand Hyatt Kuwait Residences, which extends luxurious touches throughout the 33-floor residential offering, minutes away from all that the vibrant Sabah Al Salem area offers.

flydubai unveiled its new Business Class Lounge at Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB) underscoring the carrier’s commitment to offering an enhanced travel experience for its customers. The modern 900-square-metre Business Class Lounge can accommodate more than 200 passengers. The lounge is conveniently located after the passport control and security lanes at Dubai International’s Terminal 2 Departure area. The boarding gate for Business Class passengers is located in the lounge where passengers can board the dedicated Business Class buses for their flights. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The official opening of the lounge was attended by Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, H.E. Major-General Obaid Muhair bin Suroor, Deputy Director-General of the General Directorate of Residence and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), Major-General Talal Ahmed Al Shanqiti, General Director Assistant of the GDRFA, Major-General Ali Atiq bin Lahej, Acting Assistant Commandant for Ports Affairs, H.E. Jamal Al-Hai, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Airports and Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports, along with other key stakeholders and members of the media. Commenting on the opening of the new Business Class Lounge, Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: “this year, flydubai is celebrating a milestone in its journey marking 15 years of operations. We remain committed to constantly evolving and investing in enhancing customer experience whether in the air or on the ground. The new lounge will provide an enjoyable and seamless travel experience for our Business Class passengers from Terminal 2 in Dubai. We would like to thank the airport authorities for their support to officially welcome customers to the new beautifully designed space.” The new lounge features modern …

SAUDIA has signed an agreement with the Saudi Ministry of Media to strengthen coordination and collaboration across various sectors, including both ground and onboard services. The agreement was finalized during the inaugural ImpaQ Impact Makers Forum and signed by Khaled Tash, SAUDIA Group Chief Marketing Officer, and His Excellency Mishaal Al-Tuwaijri, Assistant Undersecretary for Shared Services at the Ministry of Media. Under this agreement, a dedicated channel for the Ministry of Media will be added to SAUDIA’s in-flight entertainment systems and displayed in Al Fursan lounges. This channel will provide regular updates on the Ministry’s initiatives. Additionally, SAUDIA will offer fast-track and business-class services to the Ministry’s guests and sponsor its events. Khaled Tash, SAUDIA Group Chief Marketing Officer, stated: “In line with SAUDIA’s new identity, we are committed to strengthening our relationships with various government entities to support their objectives. The Ministry of Media plays a pivotal role in showcasing the programs of Saudi Vision 2030 and its ambitious projects across various media channels. Displaying the Ministry’s initiatives on Saudia’s screens will significantly boost their visibility, supported by our daily operations of over 600 flights connecting the world to the Kingdom and over 100 destinations worldwide. This agreement aligns with Saudia’s largest project to enhance the guest experience by delivering quality services at every stage of travel and integrating the latest innovations in aviation.” The ImpaQ Impact Makers Forum, a visionary initiative by the Ministry of Media, serves as a premier platform for exchanging expertise and celebrating successful endeavors. The forum spans 14 key areas of influence, including media, artificial intelligence, sports, tourism, entertainment, and culture. It aims to redefine paradigms of media collaboration and create interactive platforms that tell …

Situated for both business and leisure travellers, voco hotels brings its unstuffy charm and hosted service to its first location in Jeddah with the opening of a brand-new contemporary hotel voco Jeddah Gate, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium portfolio. Located in Ahmed Mohamed Ali Street in the heart of Jeddah with close proximity to the Corniche and Al Balad, the new property spans 7442 square metres (sqm) and accommodates 706 contemporary deluxe, grand rooms, and suites, the biggest in Jeddah. voco Jeddah Gate has the brand’s three hallmarks – ‘come on in,’ ‘me time,’ and ‘voco life’ – woven into its DNA. Upon arrival, guests will experience the brand’s ‘Come on in’ philosophy with a special welcome treat Hijazi Mamoul. Guests will enjoy ‘Me time’ with each of the rooms providing a combination of modern and thoughtful amenities including a 55-inch Smart TV and a Nespresso machine, with spacious spaces ranging between 28 to 38 sqm, and suites from 48 to 114 sqm. The hotel’s vibrant restaurant spaces, are where guests can experience the ‘voco life.’ Offering an unparalleled blend of modern, comfort and convenience, guests at voco Jeddah Gate can look forward to enjoying authentic and exquisite tastes of Japanese, Italian and Steaks at its bespoke restaurants while its all day dining restaurant serves a range of Arabic, Moroccan and Turkish dishes – all crafted using the finest ingredients. Furthermore, its lobby lounge, terrace and pool cafes provide a wide range of delicious beverages. The hotel is also equipped with advanced facilities including 17 versatile meeting rooms, a business centre, and a grand ballroom capable of accommodating up to 700 guests, making it an ideal place to …