In their latest trend report by Travelport it is shared that there has been a rise in international travel to the Southeast Asian region as borders have reopened. Philippines and Thailand account for over half (51%) of all international flight bookings to the region in Q1 2022. Manila, Singapore and Bangkok rank as top three destinations for international travelers from the top five countries such as Saudi Arabia, United States, United Kingdom, Australia and South Korea. As borders begin to reopen across Southeast Asia, increased flight bookings show how excited travelers are to return to the region. All countries in Southeast Asia, with the exception of Brunei, have started to remove their travel restrictions and are reopening their borders to international tourists in hopes of rejuvenating the industry that was hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic: tourism. Travelport released the below trend data showing how the easing of restrictions has affected the international demand for travel to Southeast Asia. Hot Spots According to Travelport’s booking data, the top ten destinations in Southeast Asia for international travelers to visit in 2022 are: Manila (Philippines) Singapore (Singapore) Bangkok (Thailand) Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) Jakarta (Indonesia) Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) Hanoi (Vietnam) Phuket (Thailand) Bali (Indonesia) Angeles/Mabalacat (Philippines) For the first quarter of 2022, international flight bookings to Southeast Asia overall have increased and have showed upward trajectory with the Philippines taking the lead by achieving 42% of its international bookings in the first quarter of 2019 prior COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippines and Thailand were among the earliest countries in Southeast Asia to reopen their borders, and travelers are already clamoring to visit. In the first quarter of 2022, these two countries alone …

After its successful start in Europe, with more than 40 affiliated hotels in just 5 months –including the first hotel affiliated in Northern Cyprus, Celebi Garden Hotel, in Famagusta– the European hotel group Quartz Inn Hotels & Resorts arrives in the Middle East to help hotels and independent establishments boost their sales under the umbrella of a sustainable brand. Egypt, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar will be the first countries in which the group plans to develop its operations. Quartz Inn was presented last year at the World Travel Market in London, with great media coverage, after being the first European hotel chain made up entirely of independent and sustainable properties. The idea is based on facilitating access to technology for those independent hotels that do not have sufficient means to compete with the large chains. Direct sales is one of the factors on which they have put their main focus, in order to avoid the high commissions paid to OTAs. The properties that join the group must commit to comply with a series of standards in terms of respect for the environment, such as the elimination of single-use plastics in the rooms, saving energy and water or minimizing food waste, among others. The group carries out different sustainability programs, to which the affiliates can join. According to Ignacio Merino, co-founder and Managing Director of the London-based group, “We are very excited to be able to contribute to the development of independent hotels and the local communities in the Middle East that need help in terms of technology, marketing and sales, as well as in the implementation of sustainable policies. In Europe, more than 40 establishments in 10 …

As the most important month of the Islamic calendar, signifying a period of reflection and spending time with loved ones. Ramadan is also the time to experience the true essence of Arabian hospitality in addition to the diverse attractions Dubai is known for. With a number of events, iftars and activations taking place during Ramadan, the city welcomes residents and visitors to enjoy the abundance of activities taking place during this special time. Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has curated a list of some of the best ways to observe the month of Ramadan with family and friends. Family friendly attractions The architecturally impressive Museum of the Future recently opened its doors to the public, welcoming guests to explore, learn and create. The attraction focuses on different elements including the ecosystem, bioengineering, outer space and transportation, in addition to exciting exhibitions offering an insight into the future. An iconic, cultural landmark and centre for future innovations, Museum of the Future is a must-visit attraction. Located along the waterfront of Deira Islands and home to over 400 shops, Souk Al Marfa is among the city’s newest shopping centres. The wholesale market sells everything from carpets and spices to clothing and electronics, with stores and kiosks run by both local and international businesses. Sky Views Dubai at Address Sky View is the city’s newly opened attraction that takes city sightseeing to new heights. Adventure seekers can take on the Edge Walk and Sky Glass experience located on the 52nd and 53rd floors of the iconic twin-towered Address Sky View hotel. Guests can also brave their fears and ride the breath-taking Sky Slide in which you hurtle from floor-to-floor more than …

Air Arabia Egypt, has announced the introduction of a new service to Dammam in Saudi Arabia with direct flights from Cairo International Airport to King Fahd International Airport, commencing on April 26, 2022. Schedule to Dammam, effective April 26, 2022 (all times local):   Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency E5 1315 Cairo 22:30 Dammam 02:10+1 Airbus A320 Tuesday, Friday E5 1316 Dammam 03:10 Cairo 05:15 Airbus A320 Wednesday, Saturday   Dammam, the capital of the breathtaking Eastern Province, has several landmarks and a wonderful tourist infrastructure with an abundance of activities as well as cultural sites to visit. This beautiful coastal city is the home to a huge sea and known for its wonderful beaches with exceptional fishing spots and it is considered the eighth route that Air Arabia Egypt flies to after Riyadh, Jeddah, Tabuk, Taif, Al Jouf, Hail and Gassim in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Customers can now book their direct flights between Cairo and Dammam by visiting Air Arabia’s website, calling the call centre or through travel agencies.    

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 …