Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) announced the award of a SAR 2.8 billion ($750 million) contract to build Saudi Arabia’s first and the region’s largest water theme park. The contract was awarded to ALEC Saudi Arabia Engineering & Contracting and El Seif Engineering Contracting, in a joint venture between the two companies. The Qiddiya Water Theme Park will be one of the key entertainment attractions at Qiddiya, the future capital of Entertainment, Sports and Culture. The agreement was formally signed between Qiddiya’s Managing Director Abdullah bin Nasser Aldawood, ALEC’s CEO Kez Taylor and El Seif’s CEO Ahmed Al-Bassam at a ceremony held at the Qiddiya Experience Center, followed by a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of construction. The park will cover 252,000 square meters of land and will be home to 22 rides and attractions – including nine that will be world firsts. Visitors will also be able to enjoy nine innovatively designed zones – the Entry Gate, Camel Rock, Dub Grotto, Wave Wadi, the Den, Viper Canyon, Arabian Peak, the Herding Grounds and Surf Lagoon – inspired by the native animals that inhabit the area around Qiddiya. At the signing ceremony, Abdullah bin Nasser Aldawood, Board Member and Managing Director, QIC, commented: “The Qiddiya Water Theme Park will be a year-round immersive family entertainment destination, the first of its kind and offering experiences that have never before been offered in Saudi. We are pleased to be working with industry leaders like ALEC and El Seif, who will be using the latest in guest experience technologies to create what is certain to be one of the world’s greatest water theme parks. The park will offer our guests a chance to …

Global augmented hospitality group, Accor, through its loyalty program ALL-Accor Live Limitless, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), to announce the launch of the ALL-ADCB Infinite and Signature Credit Cards for consumers in the UAE. The official signing of the partnership took place today at the ADCB Head Office in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Mr. Ala’a Eraiqat, the ADCB Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mehdi Hemici, Chief Loyalty & Partnership Officer at Accor, and Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Visa Group Country Manager, and Senior Vice President in GCC, in additions to senior management members from all parties to mark the significant milestone. This formidable agreement brings together ALL – Accor Live Limitless, Accor’s lifestyle loyalty programme, and ADCB to create a co-branded Visa credit card that rewards cardholders with elevated experiences to enjoy in the UAE and globally. Drawing on the rich experience and comparative advantages of three leaders in hospitality, banking and payments, the ALL-ADCB Infinite and Signature Credit Cards will provide holders with a gateway to endless privileges and benefits. With an unrivalled portfolio of 28 Accor properties, guests can enjoy a wide range of service options that complement their lifestyle in the UAE. In 2020, Accor announced its global partnership with Visa, to bring new payment experiences to loyalty members of ALL – Accor Live Limitless, through the ALL Visa credit card. The introduction of the ALL Visa card enables the Accor Group to engage customers beyond their stay, via an industry leading loyalty program, offering ALL members the ability to earn points, enjoy new experiences and even more hotel nights. The success of Accor’s global partnership with Visa …

City Centre Al Zahia, the newest lifestyle and retail experience in the Northern Emirates by Majid Al Futtaim, has transformed its outdoor carpark into an immersive Winter Garden experience. Running until 15th March from 4pm to 12am, the latest experience has already attracted 165,000 visitors with its various F&B outlets, entertainment, and fun-filled activities to create endless memorable moments with loved ones. Designed to bring the Sharjah and wider UAE community together, City Centre Al Zahia is offering the very best al-fresco entertainment with its very own outdoor cinema complete with lounge-style seating. Screening a selection of family blockbuster hits, movie lovers can look forward to Dumbo, The Incredibles 2, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and more, completely free of charge. To ensure customers experience great moments in the cinema, visitors can indulge in a selection of delicious drinks, popcorn, sweets, and nachos from VOX Cinemas. This season, visitors at City Centre Al Zahia can immerse themselves in a world of fun and excitement enlivened by the latest games, rides and attractions including ice skating, carnival games, cyber jet, arcade Games, a Snow Park Zone, a zipline complete with a bouncy castle and a carousel – guaranteed to keep each member of the family entertained. In addition, the super-regional mall offers a range of F&B options to choose from including authentic Chinese cuisine at Asian Wok, mouth-watering burgers at Burger 28 and Mini BBQ, Mexican dishes at Senor Gonzales, to tantalising Italian flavours at Coppasta, street food at Kris Kros Lebanon and over 20 years of flavour at Wing Stop. Those looking for sweet treats can look forward Churros, Korean desserts at Cake Bloom and Yamanote, inspired by the flavours …

SriLankan Airlines adorns one of its aircraft with customized livery to reaffirm its status as the official airline of the much-awaited ‘Raid Amazones 2022.’ Raid Amazones 2022 is an annual sporting event that features a large number of French female athletes competing their way to victory through multiple sports events and activities against the backdrop of an iconic tourist destination. Every year, the event highlights an attractive tourist destination through inherent features such as its ecological beauty, citizens’ way of life and culture, which are prominently showcased to the world through global media that follow the athletes in their trail. The 20th edition of the event will take place in the areas surrounding the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress, rich in ecological beauty, cultural heritage and attributes of authentic village life in Sri Lanka.  The first leg will take place from 13 – 23, March 2022 and the second leg is scheduled from 27 March – 6 April 2022. Over 550 participants are expected to join the event, including athletes and officials. The SriLankan aircraft with the special livery features iconic Sigiriya, the vibrant and unique backdrop of this year’s event. This aircraft will be deployed to bring in athletes and officials from Paris to Sri Lanka for the event and would also continue to fly to many of the airline’s other destinations in its scheduled operations, thus portraying Sri Lanka’s stature as a sports and adventure destination. SriLankan Airlines, a forerunner in the country’s tourism promotion endeavors, expects this to inspire many discerning travellers from France to explore Sri Lanka in the future, supported by the airline’s direct connectivity between the two countries.

The Sri Lankan Pavilion situated in the Opportunity District is set to be a buzz on Saturday, 26 February 2022, where visitors will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the largest single assortment of sapphire masterpieces from The Island of Gems, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, with its vibrant past in the gem and jewellery trade, will for the first time, display an extraordinary selection of its most exclusive sapphires for public viewing, showcasing its rich national wonders and artistry. There are consistent records in history of Sri Lanka’s prominent position as an Island of Gemstones. Already by the first century AD, the western Roman Empire was trading in Sri Lankan gems. References to the gem riches of Sri Lanka – including sapphire, beryl, topaz, amethyst and garnet – are made bythe Greek astronomer Ptolemy in 2nd century, the Italian adventurer Marco Polo in 12th Century, the famous Arab explorer Ibn Battuta in 14th century and English sea captain Robert Knox in the 17th century. “The country’s precious gems and ornate jewellery were amongst the oldest items traded over the years. Renowned for its sapphires, these precious stones have adorned some of the world’s most famous jewellery pieces and have found their way to museums around the world. We are now on a journey to give the Sri Lankan sapphire the prominence it deserves in the global arena with the goal of increasing the appreciation and desirability toward our gems’, commented a spokesperson from the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association. ‘Day of Sapphires’ is set to transport visitors across the ages, through surviving treasures, like one engraved 14th century ring which adorns a sapphire from the 10th …

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the Museum of the Future, as Dubai’s new iconic landmark officially opened its doors to the world with a new message of hope for all humankind. The 77-metre tall architectural marvel will provide the largest platform in the region to study, envision and design the future. It is a novel scientific and intellectual centre where the brightest talents in the fields of science, technology, research and innovation will converge to discover solutions to tomorrow’s world. During the opening ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said: “The Museum of the Future is a message of hope … a global scientific platform … and an integrated institutional framework to shape a better future for all of us.” His Highness continued: “It embodies the active human imagination and the Emirati will that continues to excel the world. The Museum will be a forum for great minds, scientists, thinkers and experts from around the world.” His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Dubai Future Foundation, said: “The Museum of the Future will be an intellectual laboratory for cities of the future and governments of the future … it will play a key role in strengthening Dubai’s future position. The Museum will provide a clear roadmap for Dubai’s vital sectors.” His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, said: “Through the Museum of the Future, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum aims to instutionalise future …

Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines Berhad announced a new chapter in their long-standing relationship by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The new agreement will further facilitate a strategic cooperation that will see both airlines working closely together across multiple areas of the business to offer an unrivalled and range of value-added services to passengers. With the enhanced partnership, both airlines will leverage each other’s network strengths and provide more access for passengers to travel to new destinations beyond their individual networks while offering new and exclusive product to their customers soon. Qatar Airways’ passengers will gain better access to the wider domestic Malaysia market and key destinations in Asia such as Penang, Langkawi and Medan, Indonesia. Operated by Malaysia Airlines via its hub, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Passengers will enjoy seamless connectivity to popular destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas with Qatar Airways’ extensive network via Doha. Building on the close links between Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines’ networks and rapid expansion of codeshare flights, the two oneworld partners have also agreed to maximise synergies in other areas of the business such as air cargo, operations or commercial services, that will create a game-changing innovative synergy for both carriers in leading the new travel demand ahead. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “This is a significant moment for us as we have just celebrated 20 years of serving Malaysia, and this new strategic cooperation with our oneworld partner, Malaysia Airlines, further cements our commitment to the country. This partnership will serve to link both our networks and allow us to work together across different aspects of the business …

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of Crowne Plaza West Cairo- Arkan – its first hotel in Egypt. Located in the west of the Egyptian capital, Crowne Plaza West Cairo-Arkan is the first premium hotel in the heart of Sheikh Zayed and is in a prime position for locals and those travelling to Cairo for business, leisure or a combination of the two. Designed to meet the needs of the modern business traveller, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts deeply understands work/life blend and this is brought to life at the brand’s hotels worldwide through a modern, distinct and purposeful design featuring multi-functional zones, great food and drinks, and a warm and engaging approach to guest service. Engineer Amr Badreldine Chairman of El Badr Commercial Developments, commented: “Arkan Plaza is pleased to welcome its newest addition an IHG hotel, the first Crowne Plaza hotel in Egypt, one of the fastest growing hotel brands globally. Perfectly located within Arkan, Crowne Plaza – West Cairo will provide an exemplary experience. Arkan’s strategic location and wide range of facility services & offerings will meet every guest’s needs creating an exceptional experience at Crowne Plaza – West Cairo Arkan.” Haitham Mattar, Managing Director IMEA at IHG Hotels & Resorts said: “We are excited to open our first Crowne Plaza hotel – Crowne Plaza West Cairo-Arkan, in Egypt, and expand our brand portfolio to offer world-class hospitality options to travellers with diverse needs. Crowne Plaza is known to be an international premium hotel brand which is loved by business travellers across the globe. We are confident that this new addition to our portfolio in the region will be a popular choice with both domestic and …

The ninth edition of the Arab Aviation Summit (AAS), the region’s leading aviation and tourism industry event, has announced the participation of a top-notch panel of global experts, which will take place from February 28 to March 2nd at Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Ras Al Khaimah. Following the overwhelming success of the eighth edition, which was also the first in-person aviation industry event held after the pandemic in the region, this year’s summit focuses on the theme, ‘The Roadmap to Recovery.’ With the global aviation and tourism sector gaining traction, the high-level event will underline the opportunities and challenges in ramping up the sector’s growth, with a particular focus on the Middle East region. Ahead of the Summit on March 1, extensive workshops will be held to discuss the regional trends in aviation and tourism. Referred to as the ‘voice of the industry’, this initiative will also bring the largest assembly of Arab media together and top executives from the aviation and tourism sector. The Summit will also reiterate the strong linkages between tourism, aviation and hospitality, three core growth sectors, which have a dominant role in post-pandemic recovery for local economies. Experts will discuss global best practices, and measures taken to build the resilience of the aviation and the tourism sector. A white paper, based on deliberations of participants, will be created post the Summit as a data bank on the insights shared during the event. The keynote speakers, with several more coming on board, include CEOs, Presidents, global aviation & tourism experts, distinguished airline officials, policy makers and representatives. They include: Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General, Arab Air Carriers Organisation; Kamil Al-Awadhi, Regional Vice …

Qatar Airways announced that it will be adopting Avios as the reward currency for all members worldwide from late March 2022. All Privilege Club members will experience a seamless transition into the loyalty programme’s new reward currency, Avios, with their existing Qmiles balances changing automatically to Avios on a 1:1 ratio basis. Privilege Club members will be provided even greater opportunities to accumulate rewards and leverage exciting new innovations in managing and spending with the change to Avios. In addition, members will retain their well-earned rewards balance and will be able to continue enjoying the redemption opportunities they currently have. Further details are available on www.qatarairways.com/Avios and more will be announced by Qatar Airways Privilege Club next month. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, stated: “The transition from Qmiles to Avios marks a ground-breaking new era for Privilege Club, enabling our loyal members to participate in the most compelling loyalty network and the largest portfolio of partners in the industry. “As the World’s Best Airline, Qatar Airways continues to redefine loyalty through the adoption of exciting digital innovations to create unique world-class experiences for our members. We look forward to revealing more details of this exciting change over the coming weeks, as we explore even more ways to reward our valued members both on and off the ground.” IAG Loyalty owns and manages the Avios currency. CEO of IAG Loyalty, Mr. Adam Daniels, said: “Qatar Airways have recognised the power of Avios. By adopting Avios they will be able to offer their customers a wider range of benefits and support their business development ambitions. It’s an exciting step for IAG Loyalty as we extend our …