Wizz Air Abu Dhabi celebrating its one-year anniversary announced their new services to Nur-Sultan (Kazakhstan), Yerevan (Armenia), and Krasnodar (Russia) from February 2022. Travellers of all ages and backgrounds can fly on the expanding Wizz Air Abu Dhabi network, enjoying a range of attractive destinations both in the UAE and abroad. To thank customers who have chosen to fly with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, 50 free return tickets will be made available to winners of a competition on social media. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi trip in the comments on the Wizz Air Abu Dhabi birthday post starting from the 15th of January on the airline Facebook or Instagram and the winners will be randomly selected within 7 days. Kees Van Schaick, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, commented: “We are delighted to offer a one-time 20 per cent promotion and encourage adventurous travellers to explore our expanding route network. We thank all our customers in the past year and look forward to rewarding 50 lucky winners of our social media competition. We are ambitious and want to continue expanding our network to encourage tourism with affordable packages for all, and delighted to be announcing an additional three new routes. After a challenging and uncertain period, we look forward to connecting people to create great memories. We are also proud to have been the latest UAE national airline to launch, creating an exciting new travel segment for the UAE and wider region.” According to GlobalData’s Q3 2021 Global Consumer survey, 53 percent of respondents said affordability was the biggest influencing factor when choosing a holiday, while 51 percent said that accessibility was the most important. Consequently, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi …

The first webinar of the year is to kick off tomorrow 18th January 2022 at 12noon GST to discover Northern Germany virtually. It is about the pristine sandy beaches, white chalk cliffs, sophisticated Baltic seaside resorts, cozy fishing villages, sky high brick churches and fairy tale castles of Meckenburg-Vorpommem. Germany is one of the most popular vacation destinations for the travelers in the Middle East as it has a diverse offering catering to each traveler from the Middle East, whether it be family, millennial, leisure, MICE etc. Meckenburg-Vorpommem located between the metropolises of Berlin and Hamburg in the northeast of Germany, the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has fascinated guests from all over the world for centuries. It is time once again for the agents in the region to take a quick peak at the destination to offer a new area to explore to those yearning to discover. Yamina Sofo Director Sales and Marketing German National Tourist Office GCC shares the importance of attending this event and invites all trade partners to join and learn about the novelties of this destination virtually at first. “We are looking forward welcoming our valued trade partners to ´The Gems of Northern Germany` where we will inform and update the GCC trade about Destination Germany and shed a special light to the beautiful federal-state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, one of Germany´s leading tourist destinations. We see immense potential of Germany`s Northern regions for our GCC guests and therefore wish to showcase the special natural wonders and cultural offering there are to experience. From pristine beaches to cozy fishing villages, fairy tale castles to sophisticated seaside resorts the destination has a treat for all age groups.” The region …

Reed Exhibitions (RX) the organiser of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has announced that this year’s four-day event will now open on Monday 9 May 2022 and close on Thursday 12 May 2022, to fall in line with the UAE’s new Monday-to-Friday working week. Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the revised dates are also expected to complement international markets, the majority of which also follow the Monday-to-Friday working week. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME – Arabian Travel Market, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the global travel and tourism community to the UAE on Monday 9 May 2022. Made possible by the UAE’s forward-thinking decision to transition to a 4.5-day, Monday-to-Friday workweek, we are confident ATM 2022’s updated timings will benefit both exhibitors and attendees by offering improved alignment with international markets.” Endorsing ATM’s position, UAE business sentiment is certainly very positive. According to a poll conducted by management consultancy Mercer, overall, 84% of private sector firms welcomed the initiative and 37% would adopt a long-term flexible approach, particularly those with close trading links with other Gulf countries. Now in its 29th year and working in collaboration with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) – previously known as the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), ATM 2022 will feature a broad selection of show highlights. Travel Forward, the leading global event for travel technology, will shine a spotlight on next-generation innovations for tourism and hospitality. ATM buyer forums and speed networking events will take place during the four days of the show. After joining remotely for ATM 2021, this year will see both the ARIVALDubai@ATM forum and …

A high-level government and tourism delegation from the Republic of Mauritius visited the United Arab Emirates this week (10 – 13 January, 2021), as part of a week-long promotional and business development mission to position Mauritius as the destination and partner of choice for the UAE’s travel agents, tourism industry partners and leisure-seeking residents. Led by the Honourable Louis Steven Obeegadoo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, and supported by H.E Showkutally Soodhun, Ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius to the UAE, as well as Mr. Arvind Bundhun, Director, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), the delegation included 25 tour operators and hospitality representatives from Mauritius eager to reconnect with the UAE’s leading travel agents, and grow visitation from the UAE and Gulf region to Mauritius. The delegation heads met with Dubai and UAE government officials, private companies and airline representatives to strengthen established partnerships and seek new opportunities that position Mauritius as a safe, exciting and rejuvenating destination for all residents of the Gulf region. A number of key events were held as a platform to bring the tourism industries together to create innovative and enticing holiday packages to Mauritius. A travel agent workshop was held on January 11th, 2021 at the One and Only Royal Mirage Dubai, that saw 110 leading travel agents and outbound travel professionals from Dubai and the Northern Emirates hold one to one meetings with sales representatives from Mauritius’ preeminent hotels, resorts, and tour operators. On January 12th, 2021, a similar workshop was held at the same venue for 80 travel specialists from Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, that were especially invited by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority. The promotional week concluded with a …

Dubai Parks and Resorts, by Dubai Holding, has announced that opening on 21 January MOTIONGATE™ Dubai, the region’s largest Hollywood-inspired theme park, will become home to the world’s first rollercoaster inspired by Lionsgate’s global hit action John Wick franchise and the world’s fastest single-car spinning rollercoaster inspired by the popular twists and turns of heist thriller franchise Now You See Me, both in the Lionsgate Zone. Thrill-seekers and fans of Lionsgate’s major motion picture franchises John Wick and Now You See Me, will be able to experience the two record-breaking new rides later in January. The launch of these two, world first rollercoasters earn MOTIONGATE™ Dubai the impressive record for the most rollercoasters in a single theme park in the Middle East. Dubai Parks and Resorts will also become home to the region’s only LEGOLAND® Hotel, set to delight families and transforming LEGOLAND Dubai into a LEGO® themed Resort offering an all-encompassing LEGO adventure, including a LEGOLAND Theme Park, a LEGOLAND Water Park and a 250 room Hotel offering fully themed rooms that can accommodate a family of five. Fernando Eiroa, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Holding Entertainment commented: “Dubai continues to be a leader in the travel and tourism sector, with a reputation for delivering pioneering projects and landmarks. The opening of the world’s first John Wick rollercoaster, the world’s fastest spinning rollercoaster and the region’s only LEGO themed Hotel are an example of the breadth and diversity of entertainment experiences in Dubai. We are confident that these new offerings will contribute to further enhancing Dubai’s competitiveness as one of the leading international tourism destinations in the world.” With more than 100 thrilling family friendly rides, record-breaking attractions and roller …

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has trained over 30,000 tourism professionals, surpassing its targets for such in 2021. Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat expressed her satisfaction with the latest numbers noting their continued commitment to support the tourism industry towards its recovery and sustainability. As of 23 December 2021, the DOT has already surpassed its targets, providing necessary training to 30,680 tourism professionals, higher than its 16,000 target threshold.“Through these training programs, the DOT is capacitating our tourism workforce, maintaining service quality and ensuring that that their skills can match the requirements in the new normal” Puyat said. Still, the Department’s target of having at least 45 percent of women trained was likewise achieved with 58 percent while the remaining 42 percent were men. In addition, data from the DOT-Office of Industry Manpower Development or OIMD showed the total number of training in 2021 stood at 677, higher than the recorded 558 year-ago. Advocacy trainings conducted The trainings, which are conducted in coordination with the DOT regional offices also included the Department’s advocacy programs such as Barrier Free Tourism and TourISM WoRCS (Tourism Integrates, Supports and Minds Women’s Rights and Child Safety). Barrier Free Tourism training include topics about disability and autism sensitivity in the industry among others while TourISM WoRCS is designed as a preventive program to mitigate the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the tourism industry. Further, the Department held a webinar entitled TOPCOP in the New Normal 2.0–which focuses on the safety and security of tourists from COVID-19 pandemic where protocols in public areas are discussed. To ensure that our tourism workers and frontliners are also safe during this pandemic and beyond, Basic Occupational Safety and Health Trainings …

The Dubai Accessible Tourism International Summit, opened in Dubai on January 12, 2022, called for joint international cooperation to make service facilities such as airports, airlines, hotels, various means of transportation and communication, websites, shopping malls and other facilities and services friendly to People of Determination whose number is expected to double to 2 billion by 2050 from the current one billion, according to the statistics of the World Health Organization. The summit, attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, President of Dubai Airports, Supreme President and CEO of Emirates Airlines and Group, recommended 20 measures for smooth travel for travellers of determination to face challenges faced by people of determination in terms of movement, residence and travel worldwide. The summit was also  attended by  His Excellency Hessa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, His Excellency Awad Al Sagheer Al Ketbi, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority,  His Excellency Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General of Dubai Customs and CEO of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation in Dubai, His Excellency Jamal Al Hai, Vice President of Dubai Airports,  and His Excellency Majid Al-Osaimi, Chairman of the Asian Paralympic Committee, member of the International Paralympic Committee, Executive Director of Dubai Club for People of Determination, His Excellency Mohammed Abdalla Ahli, Director General of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) and a number of senior officials. The summit was held with the objective to shed light on the challenges faced by about a billion people who have a certain type of need for assistance,  during their movement as residents, visitors or tourists in the cities of the world, and the need to strengthen …

Travellers from the UAE are hoping to head abroad this winter to make up for a lack of summer holidays over the past two years. Furthermore, most would like to go away with their wider family to make up for time apart. This is according to research from Marriott Bonvoy, the travel loyalty programme. The figures show that over eight in ten (83%) people in the UAE are planning to head away on holiday over winter this year, with the vast majority (87%) saying they would like to travel to a different country. For many, a winter holiday will be breaking with tradition – just 24% of those planning to go away this winter say they usually go away at this time of year. Nearly one in five (19%) say this would be the first time they have ever gone on holiday over winter. This new trend for winter holidays has very much been as a result of the pandemic – a third (32%) say they plan to go away because they couldn’t over summer, whilst a further 36% say they are wanting to ‘binge’ on holidays to make up for not being able to go away during the pandemic. Turkey (9%), Egypt (8%) and Maldives (7%) are the key destinations travellers from the UAE would like to head to this winter. The research reveals another trend as a result of the pandemic – a large surge in people who would like to go away with their wider family. Nearly nine in ten (87%) of those planning to go on holiday this winter say they would like to go away with wider family members. This compares to just a quarter …

The Italy Pavilion hosted a forum ‘Lazio, a Luxury Destination’ discussing the culture, wellbeing, fashion, sport and world-class ingredients that are on offer to visitors from the Gulf region. Attracting millions of tourists each year, Italy continues to be one of the world’s leading luxury destinations for travellers. Luxury tourism is a key strategic growth area for Italy and Lazio was the subject of yesterday’s forum at the Italy Pavilion Amphitheatre, and how the central region will play a crucial role in attracting more wealthy travellers from the Arabian Peninsula and wider Middle East. Organised by Lazio’s Regional Department for Tourism, ‘Lazio, a Luxury Destination’, was also attended by Paolo Glisenti, Commissioner-General for Italy’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai; Valentina Corrado, Lazio Regional Minister for Tourism, Local Agencies, Urban Security, Local Police and Administrative Streamlining; Quirino Briganti, Responsible for Lazio Region activities at “Expo 2020 Dubai”; Matteo Caroli, Tenured Professor of Economics and International Enterprise Management at LUISS University, Rome; Giorgio Palmucci, ENIT President; Marco Misischia, National President of CNA (Confederation of Craftsmen and SMEs); Lavinia Biagiotti, President and CEO of Biagiotti Group; Fausto Palombelli, President of Unindustria Association – division for tourism and leisure, and Carlo Acampora, CEO of Grand Hotel Via Veneto. A high-end tourism survey conducted in May 2021 by Bain & Company on behalf of the Altagamma Foundation (a luxury brands committee) revealed that in 2019, the year before the outbreak of the pandemic, the luxury tourism sector in Italy still generated an overall turnover of 25 billion Euros (pre-pandemic this figure is around 60 billion Euros). This included both direct and indirect revenues from 1% of accommodation facilities and 3% of overnight stays in Italy, …

The France Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai records its first million visitors since it’s opening on October 1st, 2021, boosted by events dedicated to international visitors and B2B audiences. With three months left, the France Pavilion is more involved than ever to provide a memorable experience for all visitors. Alongside the permanent exhibition, two temporary exhibitions are in the pipeline, each one dedicated to an artistic expertise: “Grand Paris Express” under the theme of architecture from January 20th to February 21st (by the Société du Grand Paris x Dominique Perrault) and “Jean Paul Gaultier from A to Z”, an exceptional retrospective of the enfant terrible de la mode’s 50 years of career from February 28th to March 31st. The first three-months were kicked off with France National Day on October 2nd, a special day confirming that the pavilion is an unforgettable showcase for French excellence, promoting innovations, talents and assets of our sponsors and stakeholders. For several years now, the Pavilion has been supported by the best representatives of French savoir-faire through our ambassador sponsors ENGIE and Orange, with the ambition of transmitting to visitors from all over the world French values of being bold, optimistic, and ensuring a sense of community. This special day was then followed by many events structured around twelve themed fortnights to raise public awareness about the challenges of tomorrow and to highlight French initiatives in terms of biodiversity, climate, peace, space, and consumption, to name a few. In result to these fortnights, the France Pavilion also organized panel discussions in collaboration with the French community, the UAE University, French institutions such as OFB and CEREMA; masterclass; workshops and photo exhibitions: throwback in our newsroom …