Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the #DubaiDestinations initiative is continuing its campaign with a focus on highlighting the city’s exceptional experiences, and exciting events and activities during the summer. The campaign encourages Dubai’s diverse community to discover the city’s unique destinations in the summer and enjoy its distinctive offerings ranging from beach activities, dining and family-friendly activities at hotels, to waterparks, water sports adventures and indoor entertainment that capture the essence of Dubai’s summer experience. The initiative aims to create and disseminate to local, regional and global audiences engaging content that highlights Dubai’s unique character and identity as well as its emergence as the world’s best place to live and visit. The current season of the #DubaiDestinations campaign, running until the end of August, brings together a wide range of public and private sector stakeholders to showcase the emirate’s various exciting experiences. Key partners in the campaign include: the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai; Dubai Municipality; the Roads and Transport Authority; the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; Dubai Sports Council; Dubai Ladies Club; Emaar; Dubai Holding; Nakheel Properties; Majid Al Futtaim Group; and Merex Investment Office. Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), said: “Since its launch, the #DubaiDestinations campaign has focused on highlighting the quintessential Dubai experience and its uniqueness as a destination that offers a range of experiences that meet the tastes and interests of people across ages and nationalities. With the focus now on Dubai’s various summer destinations, the campaign will …

dnata has signed a partnership agreement with Deutsche Hospitality to serve as its exclusive representation partner across the GCC countries. The announcement comes as the German hotel group expands its GCC footprint with its recent opening of the Steigenberger Hotel Doha in Qatar, the opening of the IntercityHotel Dubai Jaddaf Waterfront and the takeover of the management of the Al Hamra Residences and Al Hamra Village Hotel in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The pipeline includes a further IntercityHotel in Muscat and a Jaz in the City Hotel in Dubai. Through extensive regional sales and marketing support dnata Representation Services will strengthen Deutsche Hospitality’s brand presence in the GCC market and drive business to its growing number of hotels. The hotel group currently runs more than 160 hotels in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe, with more than 40 in the planning and construction phases in locations of importance for business and leisure travel from the region. John Bevan, Divisional Senior Vice President at dnata Travel Group commented: “We look forward to bringing in dnata Representation Services’ regional expertise to support in Deutsche Hospitality’s expansion. A hotel group synonymous with high standards, Deutsche Hospitality is set to cater for the growing need for a range of hotel options across the region from economy to midscale to luxury. We are delighted to become an integral part of its journey.” Johanna Lamke, Vice President Sales at Deutsche Hospitality commented: “The Gulf region is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing markets for us. With dnata, one of the leading suppliers in the region represents us. We look forward to working together to expand the brand presence and commercial activities.” …

SAUDIA Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to collaborate on the development of products and services that will benefit and cater to guests coming to the Kingdom to perform Pilgrimage. The collaboration will encompass multiple of initiatives under four main tracks which are Digital Development and Integration, Training, Communication Awareness, and Measuring Satisfaction. The agreement was signed by His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rubaieh, and His Excellency the Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar. The signing ceremony was held during the first day of the Hajj and Umrah conference and exhibition in Jeddah. This agreement will lead to the development of the specialized online platform (www.umrahbysaudia.com) for marketing Umrah products and issuing electronic visas (eVisa). It will also enable the airline to host more guests from different countries by integrating the platform with the “Eatmarna” application for easier Umrah bookings. Areas of cooperation also include coordination with the Ministry to improve the performance of the Hajj pilgrim’s movement during the pilgrimage, coordination with organizations that campaign for Hajj education, as well as preparing a procedural guide for pilgrims. Other initiatives will focus on measuring the satisfaction of guests and building awareness programs for Pilgrims on board by establishing a “Hajj and Umrah” channel in the in-flight entertainment system. The signing of the memorandum between the two entities showcases SAUDIA’s disposition to stay aligned with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah plans of increasing the number of pilgrims through projects that are currently being implemented, such as adding new international destinations the Airline’s network and offering more flights and increasing seat capacity. …

StayWell Holdings announced the launch of a new hotel brand, Park Proxi, a unique hotel offering that has flexibility and hoteliers at its core. Park Proxi will allow hotel owners to co-create and customise the hotel they desire, by deliberately minimising the brand mandatories that usually accompany a hotel design. This approach creates space for true collaboration, and from room styling to flexible zones to the hotel logo, to a choice of 7 signature colours, Park Proxi offers owners the opportunity to develop a hotel that suits not just their personal tastes, but also cultural preferences. Designed to create a truly local hotel experience, the Park Proxi model welcomes collaboration with hoteliers to take advantage of the best that each location has to offer. Based on the understanding that no-one knows an area quite like a local, the Park Proxi hotel brand aims to partner with local businesses to create a true neighbourhood network that becomes available to guests through partnerships and recommendations. Integrating into its neighbourhood will be a core value of the brand, as will amplifying the businesses around each hotel. The first country in the world to sign a Park Proxi hotel is Egypt, with the Park Proxi EL Hayat Sharm hotel officially signed on the 10th June 2022. The 194-room resort style hotel located within Nabq Bay will boast a spa, multiple F&B outlets, nightclub, 3 swimming pools, and an amphitheatre. Known for its sheltered beaches, clear waters, and coral reefs, the Sharm EL Sheikh location includes rooms that overlook the Red Sea. Simon Wan, President of StayWell Holdings is excited to see the new brand come to life around the country and the world. “Our …

Amadeus is partnering with ATS Travel to launch its sustainable drive under the brand ‘ATS Go Green’ in collaboration with Olive Gaea, a Dubai-based start-up providing Net Zero solutions across the MENATI region. Amadeus is committed to working towards environmental sustainability, encouraging industry-wide progress to help achieve its net zero targets and securing long-term growth and prosperity for the travel industry. The company has set a target of zero emissions by 2050, with the ambition to achieve this by 2030. The ‘ATS Go Green’ initiative reiterates the commitment by all parties to reach their environmental sustainability goals and be the front runners in the travel industry providing tailor-made reports on Co2 emissions for corporates. Saleem Sharif, Deputy Managing Director at ATS Travel said, “The partnership will allow Amadeus, ATS Travel and Olive Gaea to work closely together and offer clients offsetting opportunities and inspire sustainable living. The collaboration saw all parties pledging to develop a more sustainable future with participants planting mangroves at the local Al Zohra mangrove ecosystem.  Participants were briefed on the sustainability project and taken on a Kayak tour to the mangrove plantation area with reusable water bottles and eco-friendly utilities. We invited our corporate clients and UAE National airlines representatives to join the event and support the cause.” “The increase of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere today is a growing concern within the travel and tourism sector. We aim to be the front runners in the travel sector providing custom carbon footprint reports for Air, Land, and hotels to our travel corporates. Our collaboration will enable us to go beyond just greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reports in the future, and provide cost effective offsetting options,” …

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), announced that leaders of the global aviation industry are gathering in Doha, Qatar, for the 78th IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and World Air Transport Summit (WATS), with Qatar Airways as the host airline. The event (19-21 June) attracts the industry’s most senior leaders from among IATA’s 290 member airlines, as well as leading government officials, strategic partners, equipment suppliers, and media. “In a few days, Doha will become the aviation capital of the world. The last time we met in Doha, in 2014, we were celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first airline flight. This year’s AGM is another momentous occasion: Airlines are simultaneously recovering from the COVID-19 crisis, setting the path to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, working to improve gender diversity, and adapting to a geopolitical environment that is undergoing its greatest shock in over three decades,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “It is an absolute privilege to be hosting our industry partners in Qatar Airways’ home city, particularly during our milestone 25th year of operations. Coming together face-to-face provides us with the opportunity to discuss lessons learnt from our recent years during the pandemic, global issues affecting us all in the here and now, and to plan the best way forward for the industry.” The WATS opens immediately following the AGM. A highlight will be the third edition of the Diversity and Inclusion Awards sponsored by Qatar Airways. These awards recognize organizations and individuals who are making a difference in helping to drive the industry’s 25by2025 initiative to make the aviation industry more gender balanced. …

Etihad Airways has confirmed it will return to London Heathrow’s Terminal 4 from 22 June 2022. Etihad is returning to Terminal 4 following a temporary home at Terminals 2 & 3 during the pandemic. Transport connections including the London Underground and Heathrow Express will also reopen. The Etihad Lounge will also re-open for Etihad’s First and Business class guests, as well as Etihad Guest Platinum and Gold members. The lounge has separate areas for relaxing and dining, as well as a children’s playroom to entertain Etihad’s ‘Little VIPs’. Etihad has also confirmed that from July to September 2022 it is increasing its current four daily flights from London Heathrow to five daily flights. Also from July, Etihad will increase its services into Dublin to offer a daily flight, and continue to operate daily to and from Manchester. Following the official opening of Terminal 4 on 22 June, London Heathrow is expecting a large number of guests for travel. To ensure a seamless and quick journey time, Etihad is asking all passengers to check in online, arrive at the airport early during this time – the Etihad check-in desks at London Heathrow will be open three and a half hours before departure – and also check whether they need to get Verified to Fly at etihad.com/destinationguide.

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism and Saudi Toursim Authority has announced the creation of  NFT (non-fungible token) souvenirs, in a move that reflects the Kingdom’s advancement in digital tourism. His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minster of Tourism of Saudi Arabia BoD Chairman of the Saudi Tourism Authority presented the personalized digital mementos in a first of its kind initiative to the heads of delegations participating in the 116th session of the Executive Council of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in Jeddah, as a token of appreciation for their visit to the Kingdom.​ ​Through NFTs, creators can tokenize real-world objects such as art, music, audio recordings, and an endless list of collectibles. With their ownership stored on the blockchain, this innovative technology allows some of the world’s most exciting new artworks to have a unique digital existence. The Ministry’s groundbreaking souvenirs blend the physical world and the metaverse, which is an immersive virtual reality world with a simulated digital environment that uses augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), blockchain, as well as digital media elements for social interactions. On the sidelines of the event, a virtual reality art show was held where an artist painted a collection of stunning 3D landscapes inspired by Saudi landmarks that exist within the virtual world. These paintings were then converted into NFTs and gifted to the guests along with a ledger wallet that provides an address on the blockchain to access their exclusively owned artworks. His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, said the NFT souvenirs embody the leadership’s vision for the future of the Kingdom. “As technology advances, it is important that we remain at the forefront of …

With Eid Al Adha around the corner, it is time to gear up for the holy festivity. A time of joy and peace, this occasion is best celebrated with family and friends, in a spirit brimming with the love of sharing. This Eid, between July 8th and 14th, Taj Hotels in the Maldives are all set to welcome you and your loved ones to live an exclusive experience and make timeless memories in the mesmerizing Indian Ocean. From family-friendly journeys to refined feasts bursting with succulent flavours, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa and Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa promise an unrivalled Eid vacation in a private haven of tranquility away from the hustle and bustle. Benefit from thrilling stay packages and Eid activities suitable for families and groups of friends, to enjoy quality time, indulge in luxury and wellness and entice your taste buds with gourmet halal meals. Spread across the Emboodhu Finolhu Island, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa offers you mind-blowing packages to match your vacation needs. You can choose “Suite Saver” to avail exclusive benefits, such as 25% off the best available rate, daily breakfast at 24 Degrees restaurant, personalized butler service, complimentary snorkeling equipment, a 45-minute spa treatment for two once during your stay, in addition to many other exciting inclusions. You can also opt for “Experience More” to avail 10% off the best available rate and benefit from a free daily breakfast and dinner at 24 Degrees restaurant, a free return combined speedboat transfer, among other fabulous benefits. For Eid Al Adha, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa  launched an extensive array of Eid activities and promotions, such as Shisha Promotion at Equator Bar. Satiate your …

Emirates adds another First Class experience with a new Home Check-in Service that offers customers the option to check in from home in a comfortable and convenient manner. This service is provided free of charge to Emirates’ First Class customers based in Dubai and Sharjah, where the Check-in Agents will visit their homes or hotels at pre-booked timings to complete all check-in formalities, including document verification, checking-in of baggage, and issuing boarding passes. There is an allocated counter at the airport for any last-minute extra luggage. The Check-in Agents will take the luggage directly to the airport, while customers can choose to go to the airport at their convenience using the pre-booked Emirates complimentary chauffeur-drive service. The complimentary Home Check-in service must be booked at least 24 hours prior to flight departure time and the latest check in for the home service is six hours before the flight’s departure. On arrival at Dubai International airport (DXB), which must be minimum of 90 minutes prior to the flight, customers can proceed directly to immigration and security, and then continue to Emirates’ dedicated First Class Lounge. All Emirates customers can experience a smooth and contactless experience at the airport by using the Emirates App to check-in and issue a mobile boarding pass and using the Emirates’ self-service bag drop. Registered customers can continue hands-free through the airport by using the integrated biometrics tunnel and smart gates at DXB. First Class customers can enjoy a full complement of trademark services located within the Emirates First Class Lounge, such as: a complimentary facial treatment at the Timeless Spa, complimentary services at Shoeshine by Mr Cobbler, four fine champagne vintages at the dedicated Moet and …