Travelport released the below trend data highlighting that the United Arab Emirates has recovered to 110% of its 2019 levels, based on point of destination travel. This makes the U.A.E. currently the most recovered country in the world. Contributing to the U.A.E.’s strong recovery is Dubai, which has currently recovered to 114% of its 2019 levels. This makes it the second most recovered city in the Middle East and the fifth most recovered city in the world. Dubai is also currently ranked as the top global destination for corporate travelers, who currently make up nearly one-third (29%) of all 2022 bookings to the city. Global Recovery Update To date, the global travel industry has recovered more than two-thirds (67%) of its gross activity, a 14% growth in the first three months of 2022 alone. At 110% recovered, the U.A.E. is currently the most recovered country in the world. Dubai (114%) is the second most recovered city in the Middle East, following Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (115%). Dubai is also the fifth most recovered city in the world: 1. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (136%) 2. Montego Bay, Jamaica (132%) 3. Cancun, Mexico (124%). 4. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (115%) 5. Dubai, U.A.E. (114%)   United Arab Emirates Travel Trends The top nine countries traveling to the U.A.E. are: 1. The United Kingdom 2. Bangladesh 3. India 4. Pakistan 5. Germany 6. Saudi Arabia 7. France 8. United States 9. Italy The top nine international destinations for travelers from the UAE are: 1. India 2. Pakistan 3. The Philippines 4. Saudi Arabia 5. Bangladesh 6. China 7. Egypt 8. Turkey 9. United Kingdom Corporate travelers are returning in high volumes to Dubai, making up …

Musafir.com announced they are seeing a rise in inquiries from UAE residents (by 50% percent) ahead of Eid and summer (as schools will close). The agency sees pent-up demand for travel, as regulations ease and travellers prefer taking short trips to other destinations besides their home country. These summer and Eid packages include – airport transfers, flights, insurance, breakfast, free visa, and entrance to certain local spots. Raheesh Babu, COO, Musafir.com said, “There has been a pent-up demand for travel and UAE residents have been eager to travel to other destinations besides their home countries. There is a strong desire among travellers to take big bucket list trips this year, particularly to safer and closer international destinations. We have worked with our partners to offer these 8 destinations like Georgia, Baku, Serbia, Armenia, Turkey, Kenya, Phuket and Bishkek.” Musafir.com offers a hassle-free booking experience to book flights, visas, insurance, hotel stays etc. to over 50 destinations worldwide. In addition, it provides a flexible rescheduling policy – allowing customers to modify their travel package free of charge up to 6 business days from the travel date with a 24/7 customer care team to get assistance.  

Radisson Hotel Group announced the launch of the Group’s newest brand, Radisson Individuals, in Egypt with the opening of Marina Resort Port Ghalib, a member of Radisson Individuals. This brings the Group’s portfolio in Egypt to eight hotels in operation and under development and the first Radisson Individuals in Africa. Marina Resort Port Ghalib, a member of Radisson Individuals is set in an ideal location along the desert coastline of the Red Sea, next to Port Ghalib’s palm tree-lined promenade and popular yacht-docking harbor, with direct beach access and its own water park. Port Ghalib is located in Marsa Alam on the Southern Red Sea Coral Coast of Egypt, 67 km south of Quseir City. The resort is conveniently situated close to a range of attractions including the popular nearby dive site Marsa Mubarak where visitors can get up close to fish, sea turtles, and local marine mammals. Each of the 159 spacious and stylish hotel rooms and suites has a balcony overlooking the pool or the marina. The hotel’s two-bedroom duplex suite is a perfect home away from home that stretches across 160 square meters and features a kitchen, living room, dining room, and reception area as well as two master bedrooms, each with their own en-suite bathroom. The hotel’s food & beverages venues are set in stylish indoor and alfresco surroundings along the coastline. La Brasserie, the hotel’s restaurant, is located just above the lobby area and offers a buffet with live cooking stations. The hotel’s Lobby Bar is the perfect place to satisfy coffee cravings or grab a light bite at any time of the day, while the Marina Beach Bar, Splash Bar, and The Nest Bar …

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) has marked the 50th anniversary of the airline’s first passenger flight to Dubai, which arrived on 5th April 1972. The anniversary flight was greeted on arrival at Dubai International Airport by airport representatives and KLM staff, who joined a ceremony to mark the milestone. KLM started services to Dubai on 5th April 1972 with a once-a-week connection via Athens and Dhahran, operating an extended Douglas DC-8 jet aircraft. The flight returned from Dubai on April 6th. At that time, Dubai International airport handled around 500,000 passengers per year (1970 figures) and Schiphol Airport more than 5 million. In 2021, Schiphol welcomed 25.5 million passengers (in 2019 pre-Covid the total was almost 72 million); Dubai International welcomed 29.1 million people in 2021, and 86.4 million in 2019 (pre-Covid). Speaking about the 50th anniversary of KLM’s first flight to Dubai, Simon Scholte, General Manager Middle East, Air France KLM said: “This is a very special occasion marking the amazing milestone of KLM’s first passenger service to Dubai. We have the additional honour of celebrating this anniversary during the UAE’s ‘Year of the 50th’ and at the conclusion of this extraordinary global event, Expo 2020 Dubai. It’s a time to pause briefly and reflect on Dubai’s remarkable progress over the last 50 years and to express our gratitude to Dubai government and the airport authorities for their tremendous support. It’s also a time to look ahead at the strong and growing relationship between Dubai and KLM, and our shared commitment to innovation and sustainability.” Air France KLM offers flights from various cities in the Middle East to the airline’s two hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol, connecting …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) concluded its first-ever Visit Abu Dhabi Roadshow event in Tel Aviv, Israel, with the successful two-day event hosted in partnership with Etihad Airways and Experience Hub. The roadshow saw key stakeholders join DCT Abu Dhabi representatives to showcase the UAE capital as the leading tourism destination for families and couples in the Middle East region. Paving the way for long-term partnerships in the sector, members of DCT Abu Dhabi met with tour operators and key stakeholders to promote and discuss the unique and diverse experiences the destination offers Israeli travellers. Nabeel Al Zarouni, Travel Trade & Market Development Regional Section Head – Domestic & Middle East Region at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Over the last 50 years of the UAE’s growth, Abu Dhabi has played an integral role in shaping the tourism offering of the region and we’re delighted to have been able to showcase this, and upcoming announcements, to our valued travel trade partners in Israel. Abu Dhabi is a destination that offers the world in one place – culture, entertainment, relaxation and amazing natural landscapes from deserts to beaches. There is something for everyone to enjoy at your own pace, whether it’s the tranquillity of Al Ain to the thrills of Yas Island. We look forward to welcoming more Israeli travellers this year, particularly with the exciting calendar of events we have in 2022 and beyond.” The official visit started on 23 March when the roadshow welcomed industry leaders, Israeli senior management, diplomats, and Abu Dhabi tourism stakeholders at an exclusive networking dinner held at the Hilton Tel Aviv hotel. This was followed by a DCT …

As Indian flight queries for the UAE and Egypt witness a significant uptick, and the country retains its position as Dubai’s biggest source market, India’s tourism sector will be a key focus for delegates, exhibitors and attendees at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from Monday 9 to Thursday 12 May. With India’s travel industry projected to account for 29 million outbound trips per year by 2025, according to analysis from GlobalData, and ResearchandMarkets.com predicting its outbound tourism market will surpass $42 billion by the end of 2024, ATM 2022 will offer a timely opportunity to explore the vast potential offered by the country’s travel, tourism and hospitality sector. Data from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) shows that the country ranked top of the emirate’s source market list for 2021, accounting for 910,000 inbound visitors, and short-haul flight queries for destinations including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Egypt have witnessed a 30 percent uptick among Indian tourists, according to Thomas Cook (India). Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME – Arabian Travel Market, said: “The global pandemic had a major impact on India’s travel sector but, as our industry’s global post-pandemic recovery continues to gather pace, Indian tourists appear eager to return to their favourite Middle Eastern destinations. We are excited to explore the vast potential of this vital source market as part of our dedicated buyer forum at ATM 2022.” The number of inbound tourists travelling from India to the UAE has witnessed a 50 percent increase of late, with VFS Global processing 40,000 travel visas since Dubai reopened its borders following the pandemic. With a buyer forum dedicated exclusively to …

Cruise Saudi welcomed Viking Star from Viking to Saudi for its inaugural visit on 30 March. The ship called at Jeddah Islamic Port where a plaque and key exchange ceremony took place before traveling on to call at Yanbu Port. The visit from Viking Star marks the fifth ship to sail Saudi waters as part of Cruise Saudi’s mandate to build a world-class cruise industry in the country, opening up a new gateway for tourism in line with Vision 2030, Saudi’s transformation blueprint. Viking Star is one of Viking’s award-winning ocean ships. Relatively small in size, with a capacity of 930 guests, the ship is able to dock where other larger ships cannot and provide a smooth embarkation and debarkation process. The interior and facilities on the cruise ship are in line with Viking’s Nordic theme – the award-winning spa has been designed with the holistic wellness philosophy of Scandinavia in mind. The Explorers’ Lounge and Mamsen’s gourmet deli are thoughtful spaces located at the bow of the ship and designed to represent the Scandinavian spirit for complete relaxation and for marveling at sweeping views through double-height windows. Commenting on the Viking Star visit, Cruise Saudi’s Chief Executive Officer, Lars Clasen said: “Viking Star’s visit is an important milestone for Cruise Saudi in welcoming a new cruise line to Saudi. We are proud to have hosted ships from some of the biggest and most renowned international cruise lines including Viking. We are excited to offer tourists a new and exciting opportunity to discover all that Saudi has to offer from pristine islands and beaches of the Red Sea to unique culture and heritage – all underpinned by the quintessential Saudi …

Being the largest foreign carrier covering major cities of Iraq, RJ serves five Iraqi cities with multiple flights to/from Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Najaf and Sulaymaniah, with over 30 frequencies per week. Additionally, RJ will offer complimentary hotel accommodation in Amman to transit passengers who are traveling from Iraq via Amman to other worldwide RJ destinations in Europe, USA, Canada, and the Arabian Gulf. Royal Jordanian’s Chief Commercial Officer Karim Makhlouf said: “We are committed to offer our passengers in Iraq the best connectivity with our global network via Amman to over 32 worldwide destinations. To cater for their needs, passengers will receive free visa and hotel accommodation for any connecting flight via Amman exceeding 8 hours.” In line with RJ’s expansion plans in Iraq, the airline and the National Bank of Iraq (NBI) sealed an agreement to introduce the first co-branded credit card in Iraq under RJ’s frequent flyer program “Royal Club”. This co-branded credit card allows its holders the opportunity to earn additional miles on each payment when using the bank’s credit card, whilst exchanging these miles against many rewards that the program offers ranging from flight tickets, upgrade on their travel booking class, extra baggage allowance and many other benefits. Karim Makhlouf said: “In line with its five-year plan, RJ will double its fleet and expand its route network; it is also placing Iraq as a key market in its growth plan. For this end, we are signing different partnerships with Iraqi institutions, among which is our partnership with the National Bank of Iraq. We are delighted to cooperate with NBI and introduce the first co-branded credit card in Iraq.” He added that this partnership will increase Iraqi …

For those seeking out to a hassle free getaway, Atmosphere is the destination to be in your bucket list. Conveniently accessible from Dubai by a four-hour flight, the magical private islands of the Maldives offer something for everyone – whether you are a couple seeking a secluded romantic retreat from the buzz of daily life, or a family looking for fun-filled adventures. The four and five-star luxury resorts provide an incredible island escape surrounded by some of the world’s most splendid natural settings, which the Maldives is famous for. A luxury paradise is what comes to mind with the mention of the stunning islands of the Maldives. Sparkling white beaches, crystal clear waters, islands surrounded by coconut trees, and exquisite coral reef systems, this beautiful Indian Ocean destination gives you unparalleled reasons to make it to the top of your Eid Al Fitr getaway! Iconic water villas beckon travellers to the magnificent Island nation, where the splendors of the turquoise ocean, stunning sunsets, and silhouettes of coconut and palm trees create an enchanting atmosphere, offering the perfect escape for the entire family. Families can also enjoy a hassle-free stay as children indulge in scheduled activities within monitored play areas offered at most of the By Atmosphere and COLOURS OF OBLU resorts. From hosting birthday parties to offering babysitting services, the resorts’ have it all to ensure that your children are well taken care of while you soak in the goodness of the picturesque island setting.

Ski Dubai welcomed the world’s greatest snowboarder Shaun White, who took to the slopes and hosted a once-in-a-lifetime training session with its cohort of Sponsored Athletes. The three-time Olympic gold medalist also shared his experience of competing at the Winter Olympics and offered advice to the talented young snowboarders. Amongst the 15 young athletes was Emirati snowboarder Amenah Almuhairi (13), fresh from her victory at the FIS (International Ski Federation) Platak Open 2 Competition in Croatia where she won a total of 11 medals and became the first female athlete to represent the UAE at an international freestyle snowboarding competition. Speaking at the event, Mohammad El Etri, Vice President, Global Snow, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas said, “Shaun White has catapulted snow sports to new heights throughout his decorated career and it was a privilege to welcome him to Ski Dubai. Our aspiration is to be a global hub for snow sports and build a national team who can represent the UAE at the world’s most prestigious sporting events. We believe that this begins with having a sustainable grassroots development programme and, through our Sponsored Athletes initiative, we are establishing a snow sports community in the region and producing a steady pipeline of athletes. Shaun is an inspiration and role model to the next generation of snowboarders and his visit to Ski Dubai is a further step in our ongoing commitment to nurture emerging athletes. We hope this is the first of many trips to Ski Dubai and the Emirate!” Olympic snowboarder Shaun White added, “I am incredibly excited to be in Ski Dubai and to meet with its team of Sponsored Athletes. Having recently retired from competitive …