The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Pavilion on Friday marked Saudi Day at Expo 2020 Dubai with a spectacular shows, performances and activities that highlighted the country’s rich cultural heritage. The celebration included an official opening ceremony attended by high-ranking Saudi and Emirati government officials. The January 7 occasion included a total of 18 events across the Expo site, all carefully curated to embody the Kingdom’s opportunities, innovation, culture, and creativity – exploring its heritage, celebrating the present and looking ahead to its bright future under the country’s ambitious national transformation program, Vision 2030. The remarkable celebrations are taking place at a time when the country is extending an invitation to the world to experience Saudi Arabia’s authentic culture first-hand through its state-of-the-art Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The official ceremony saw the raising of the Saudi and the UAE flags at Expo’s Stage of the Nations, a moving spectacle for all in attendance. This was followed by a VIP visit to the Saudi Pavilion, which is among the most popular attractions at Expo 2020 Dubai. The Saudi delegation included H.E. Faisal Al-Ibrahim, Minister of Economy and Planning; H.E. Mohammed Al-Tuwaijri, advisor to the Royal Court; H.E. Hamed Fayez, Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Culture; Turki bin Abdullah Aldakhil, the Saudi Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates; Amin H. Nasser, President and CEO of Saudi Aramco; and Hussain Hanbazazah, the General Commissioner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. The members of the delegation received an exclusive tour of the building, which is Expo’s largest guest nation pavilion. The UAE delegation included H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General …

The Malaysia Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai celebrated Malaysia Day by paying tribute to the nation’s achievements and progress across key sectors including economic, social, cultural, science and technology, at the honour day accorded by Expo 2020 Dubai to participating countries. It is also the 100-day milestone of Malaysia’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai, which takes place from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022. Leading the high-level delegation from Malaysia is Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), The Honourable Datuk Haji Ahmad Amzad Hashim, who was welcomed by His Excellency Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of State. Bearing the ‘Energising Sustainability’ concept of the Pavilion, Malaysia Day illustrates the country’s commitment to international collaborations, long-standing interest in global conversations, and to participate in dialogues on important topics including climate change and sustainability. Through its Net Zero Carbon Pavilion, Malaysia aims to convey its success stories in adopting a resilient, low-carbon, resource-efficient and socially inclusive framework to address climate change and sustainability that are firmly anchored on the principles of sustainability and planetary health. “Expo 2020 Dubai, with the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”, has unlocked many new and exciting market opportunities for Malaysia to enhance trade, investment and cultural exchanges. Malaysia’s participation at the Expo 2020 Dubai is a momentous platform for the nation and we are proud to be part of this historic event, as together with the rest of the world we are curating the future in an inclusive and sustainable manner,” said Datuk Haji Ahmad Amzad Hashim who delivered the speech at the ceremony on behalf of the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, The Honourable Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham bin …

Iraqi Airways has taken delivery of its first out of five A220-300 aircraft from Mirabel, Canada. Upon entry into service, Iraqi Airways will become one of the first airlines to operate the A220 in the Middle East region. With the A220, Iraqi Airways will benefit from the aircraft’s exceptional technical, economic and environmental performance. Iraqi Airways’ A220-300 features a modern and highly comfortable dual-class cabin that seats 132 passengers; 12 in business class and 120 in economy class. The state of the art aircraft will play an integral part of Iraqi Airways fleet renewal and modernization plan. The A220 is the only aircraft purpose-built for the 100-150 seat market and brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines. Featuring a 50% reduced noise footprint and up to 25% lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft, as well as around 50% lower NOx emissions than industry standards, the A220 is a great aircraft for regional as well as long distance routes operations. As of the end of November 2021, over 180 A220s had been delivered to 13 operators, from  Asia, North America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East – proving the great versatility of Airbus’ new generation single-aisle family member.  

Royal Jordanian and Tamatem Inc., a Jordanian based leading mobile games publisher in the region, sealed a contract to launch in-flight games on RJ flights, aiming to enhance passengers’ experience onboard. RJ Vice Chairman/CEO Samer Majali and Tamatem founder/CEO Hussam Hammo signed the agreement, whereby Tamatem will integrate several games on RJ’s wireless inflight entertainment system – SkyConnect, and set up arcade machines, tablets, and charging stations in the Crown Lounge at Queen Alia International Airport. Majali expressed satisfaction with such partnerships, through which RJ both exercises its corporate social responsibility by lending support to pioneering Jordanian companies as well as takes part in the scalability of innovative Jordanian companies.

The countdown has begun for the comprehensive webinar to be hosted on Tuesday 18th January 2022 from 12 noon GST 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. The region welcomes its guests with 2,000 kilometres of Baltic Sea coasts and 2,000 glistening lakes. It is also known as the sunniest region in all of Germany with 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Also more than 30% of the whole region is under conservation. The unspoiled nature of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern inspired famous painters throughout the centuries and is best explored by foot, bike or boat says the experts. In terms of local wellness they offer such as Thalassotherapy and the so called healing forests or for those who want to let loose with all kinds of activities on land or on water you can take up kitesurfing, stand up paddling or Jeep Safari on an island. Virtually you can immerse yourself in the culture of a historical region and enjoy the local cuisine with freshly caught …

FORM Hotel, the luxurious boutique hotel located in Al Jaddaf is offering a 25% discount for all Saudi Nationals along with other amenities. FORM Hotel, Design Hotel’s first property in the middle east is welcoming all Saudi Nationals to celebrate the upcoming holidays from January to March 2022. With a 25% discount on all stays during their visit at the hotel, all Saudi Nationals travelling to Dubai can look forward to exceptional service, high-quality amenities and a hand-picked experience with every stay. Located in the Al Jaddaf neighbourhood, FORM Hotel stands out in the market with luxurious amenities, contemporary surrounds and offers something for everyone. Whether it’s for family trips full of fun to entertain the kids, a romantic getaway for couples or a weekend escape with friends to get away from the busy city life, FORM Hotel is where you should be. Make every visit memorable at FORM Hotel with a temperature-controlled pool on the rooftop terrace accompanied by scenic views of the Dubai Creek, the Salus Housetop Lounge, a rooftop gym, tennis facilities at the Clark Francis Tennis Academy and other personalized experiences that help in customizing every stay. The 25% discount is valid only through phone call or email. For queries or reservations, please call +971 4 317 9000 or email reservations@form-hotel.com

Moscow City Tourism Committee is set to hold its first on-ground roadshow in the UAE after the pandemic, within an ongoing initiative to promote Moscow as a leading tourism and business destination to the region. The first roadshow will take place in Dubai on the 10th of January 2022, at the Shangri-la Hotel Dubai, followed a second roadshow in Abu Dhabi on the 11th of January 2021, at Sofitel Corniche Abu Dhabi Hotel. Each roadshow is expected to attract a total of 90 attendees, while making sure all health and safety regulations are in place, as required by the local health authorities. it is expected that the key players from Moscow will come to have one-to-one meetings with the best representatives of the UAE tourism, hospitality, and aviation industries. The roadshow will also demonstrate the tourist potential of Moscow in the gastronomic sphere: this fall, the capital of Russia became the first city in the post-Soviet space to be included in the Michelin Red Guide. Commenting on the upcoming roadshows in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Head of International Division Anastasia Popova said: “Moscow City Tourism Committee is really excited to host its first live roadshow since the breakout in the UAE, as part of our efforts to further engage with the GCC market and develop our connections with the region. As means to broaden the connections between the UAE’s outbound travel professionals, MICE specialists and Mosturizm travel industry partners, the roadshows will prove a great opportunity to enhance relationships, develop new opportunities, and provide more options for Emirati customers.” In addition to the two upcoming roadshows, the Moscow City Tourism Committee is continuously developing and implementing highly-targeted marketing and public …

IHG® Hotels & Resorts further expands its footprint with voco Bonnington Dubai, marking the brand’s second voco hotel in Dubai. As one of IHG’s newest hotel brands, voco combines the reassurance of a global brand with the informality and charm of an individual hotel. The former Bonnington Hotel Dubai rebranded recently under IHG’s upscale brand voco, offering a modern, stylish and unstuffy hotel experience for guests. The 208-room hotel embodies the characteristics of voco with exclusive features and distinctive hallmarks, setting it apart for a memorable stay. Every guest will experience the voco signature ‘come on in’ warm welcome, promising a swift and simple check in, with dedicated voco hosts available throughout the guest’s stay as resident experts, and a locally inspired welcome treat. As part of the transformational works carried out at the property, the refurbished guest rooms benefit from the voco design concept with thoughtful comforts like cosy bedding made from 100% recycled materials, Antipodes high quality organic amenities in larger dispenser bottles, and high-speed Wi-Fi, Smart TVs, executive desks and in-room refreshments. So, guests can relax and indulge in some ‘me time’ when they stay at voco. Business travellers can use an array of meeting rooms at voco Bonnington Dubai, that can easily cater to a wide range of events and conferences from small and smart meetings and workshops. The Leisure Deck offers sweeping views of the Dubai Marina skyline where guests can enjoy the swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna and steam rooms, and as an added perk our beauty salon and pool bar have enticing daily offers for guests. If you are craving for something special on the menu, voco Bonnington Dubai hosts a range of vibrant …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced a further update to the ‘Green List’ of countries for inbound travel into Abu Dhabi, as it supports the easing of travel restrictions whilst maintaining safety protocols. All travellers arriving from the updated ‘Green List’ destinations will be exempt from mandatory quarantine measures after landing in Abu Dhabi. Travellers will be required to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test result valid for a maximum of 48 hours before departure, and undergo an additional PCR test upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Vaccinated passengers from the updated ‘Green List’ countries will take another PCR test on day 6 (the day of arrival into Abu Dhabi counts as day 1). Unvaccinated travellers arriving from ‘Green List’ countries will must take PCR tests on days 6 and 9. Countries, regions, and territories included on the ‘Green List’ will be regularly updated based on international developments. Inclusion on the list is subject to strict criteria of health and safety protocols for travel, ensuring and prioritising the well-being of the UAE community. To note, the countries on the ‘Green List’ have been given the green light for travel and refer to inbound travel origin, not citizenship of passenger. Below is the updated ‘Green List’ as of 3 January 2022 – 12:01 AM: 1. Albania 2.Algeria 3.Armenia 4.Australia 5.Austria 6.Azerbaijan 7.Bahrain 8.Belarus 9.Belgium 10.Bosnia and Herzegovina 11.Brazil 12.Bulgaria 13.Burma 14.Cambodia 15.Canada 16.China 17.Croatia 18.Cyprus 19.Czech Republic 20.Denmark 21.Finland 22.France 23.Georgia 24.Germany 25.Greece 26.Hong Kong (SAR) 27.Hungary 28.Indonesia 29.Iran 30.Iraq 31.Israel 32.Italy 33.Japan 34.Kazakhstan 35.Kuwait 36.Kyrgyzstan 37.Laos 38.Latvia 39.Luxembourg 40.Malaysia 41.Maldives 42.Netherlands 43.Morocco 44.Norway 45.Oman 46.Papua New Guinea 47.Philippines 48.Poland 49.Portugal 50.Republic of …

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi announced a new agreement with Manchester City, which establishes the legendary hotel as the Club’s Official Luxury Hotel Partner. The partnership will see the Emirates Palace brand featured across Manchester City’s facilities, including Etihad Stadium, its training ground, and on the team’s training kit. The hotel has previously been used by Manchester City’s first team as a base during warm weather training visits to the country. In addition, City Football Schools based in Abu Dhabi currently use the pitch facilities at the hotel to host educational and community sessions with children in the region. The English Premier League club, founded in 1880, has won the European Cup Winners’ Cup; seven League Championship titles, including five Premier League titles; and six FA Cups. “The partnership with Manchester City reinforces Emirates Palace’s position as the ultimate destination for sports, leisure and recreational facilities in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. With our FIFA-approved football pitch and other award-winning facilities, we are excited to be the training ground for the English Premier League Club and to host educational and training sessions for sports enthusiasts and children and of the region,” said Michael Koth, General Manager & Area Vice President Operations Middle East, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. In addition, as part of its community outreach programmes, Emirates Palace will continue to welcome Abu Dhabi-based City Football Schools to use the resort’s pitch facilities, and will host educational and training sessions for children of the region. Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace is the ultimate destination for sports and recreational facilities in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Complementing the professional football pitch is a 1.3km …