Radisson Hotel Group announced the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Sahafa, further strengthening its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in the lively Sahafa District, the new hotel blends modern luxury with Saudi hospitality and marks another step forward in the Group’s strategic expansion, with over 50 hotels now in operation and under development across the Kingdom. Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Sahafa is a striking architectural landmark, offering 171 stylishly appointed rooms and suites with extensive views of the King Abdullah Financial District and northern Riyadh skyline. Just 20 minutes from King Khalid International Airport, the hotel enjoys proximity to key leisure and business attractions, including Riyadh Boulevard, King Salman Social Center Park, and Vox Cinema Riyadh Park. Guests can indulge in a variety of dining experiences. Al Diwan Restaurant offers international cuisine and themed nights, while The Terrace Restaurant and Lounge, will feature Mediterranean flavors in a vibrant open-air setting. Al Multaqa Café welcomes guests to unwind with freshly brewed coffee and handmade pastries in a relaxed lobby atmosphere. Hazem Ibrahim, General Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Sahafa, commented “We’re thrilled to welcome guests to a destination that truly captures the spirit of modern Riyadh. From our carefully designed rooms to our world-class culinary and meeting experiences, every detail has been created to exceed expectations. Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Sahafa blends the city’s vibrant energy with the comfort and excellence that define the Radisson Blu experience.” With a dedicated Kids’ Club catering to children aged 4 to 10, and a fully equipped fitness center, the hotel ensures a well-rounded stay for all guests. The Sidra Grand Ballroom spans 560 square meters for …

Biannual World Parity Monitor reveals the scale of price pressure on hotel direct channels — and where hotels still hold the advantage. In 75% of hotel rate searches, at least one OTA displays a lower price than the hotel’s own website — a stark finding from the H1 World Parity Monitor 2025 by 123Compare.me. Chronicling the first six months of 2025 — the H1 World Parity Monitor looked at parity on a per-search basis — discovering OTAs undercut the hotel’s own website in 33% of comparisons. The hotel direct channel beat third parties in 45% of cases, while parity was maintained in just 22% of occasions. But when all available offers for the same room are taken into account — an average of more than 20 per search — the picture shifts dramatically: in three out of four searches, at least one OTA shows a lower rate than the official site. Mapping rate integrity across leading global destinations and shedding light on the behaviors putting the direct channel under pressure — the biannual World Parity Monitor interestingly concluded that the share of searches where OTAs publish lower rates has remained stable compared to 2024. In both January and April, undercutting occurred in 35% of cases. By June, this figure dropped to 28% — the lowest value so far this year. Mobiles amplify the rate parity issue — OTAs undercut the official site in 38% of searches, versus 31% on desktop. Faster decision-making, exclusive discounts, and optimized user experiences make mobile a more vulnerable space for hotels. According to Roberto Gobo, Director of Digital Strategy and Technology at Valamar, these disparities often stem from operational blind spots: “Disparity mostly happens when …

Air Arabia announced the expansion of its flight services to Bangkok, Thailand with the addition of a third daily flight starting from 26 October 2025. The increase to three daily flights between Sharjah International Airport and Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok underscores Air Arabia’s commitment to offering its customers enhanced connectivity, greater convenience and more flexible travel options between the UAE and Thailand. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: “We are glad to expand our service to Bangkok, which reaffirms our ongoing commitment to meeting customer demand and strengthening connectivity to key global markets. We remain dedicated to enhancing the travel experience of our customers while also contributing to the growth of trade and tourism ties between the UAE and Thailand”. Enabling passengers to experience convenient and affordable travel opportunities, Air Arabia operates a modern fleet of 83 Airbus A320 and A321 neo-LR aircraft, the most efficient and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. The cabin configuration across the fleet provides added comfort with one of the most generous seat-pitch of any economy cabin. In addition to ‘SkyTime’, its complementary in-flight streaming service, and ‘SkyCafe’, its onboard menu. Passengers can also benefit from ‘Air Rewards’, the most generous loyalty program in the region. Customers can now book their direct flights from Sharjah to Bangkok by visiting Air Arabia’s website, calling the call centre, or through travel agencies.

Etihad Airways and Azul Brazilian Airlines have launched a frequent flyer partnership agreement. The agreement enables members of both Etihad Guest and the Azul Fidelidade programme to earn and redeem their respective loyalty currency on either carrier. Etihad Guest members can redeem their miles on flights, worldwide hotel stays and holidays, or shop from a variety of products from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop. Azul Fidelidade member miles can be spent on hotel stays, car rentals, products and services at Azul Fidelidade Shopping. Mark Potter, Managing Director Etihad Guest, said: “Signing this frequent flyer agreement with Azul Brazilian Airlines is both exciting and significant for Etihad Guest. The partnership opens up Azul’s impressive network for our members to be rewarded for their travel adventures, offering more ways to earn and redeem their miles when exploring destinations across the Americas. We also look forward to welcoming Azul Fidelidade members onboard Etihad Airways, showcasing our signature Emirati hospitality and offering them the ability to earn or redeem their miles when they choose to travel across our rapidly expanding global network, also bringing more people to our home in Abu Dhabi.” The partnership transforms how members explore South America. Etihad Guest members can now use their miles to discover Brazil’s cultural capitals – from the bustling streets of São Paulo to the colonial charm of Salvador and the beaches of Recife. The agreement also unlocks Azul’s routes to popular destinations like Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Curaçao, creating new possibilities for onwards travel throughout the Americas. For Azul Fidelidade members, the partnership opens doors to Etihad’s rapidly expanding network. Members can earn miles exploring Asia’s emerging destinations including Krabi’s pristine beaches, Phnom Penh’s vibrant night …

Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Integrated Tourism Complex project in Salalah, Oman, with a total investment of AED764.5 million, underscoring its ongoing commitment to enabling key development projects in the tourism sector. The project aligns with the Fund’s broader strategy to foster sustainable growth in partner nations through high-impact projects that promote economic diversification and strengthen tourism infrastructure. Spanning across a total area of 2.5 million square meters in Jinawf, Oman, the development aims to significantly enhance the city’s tourism infrastructure and capacity through the construction of world-class hospitality facilities. Additionally, the project promotes the national goal of economic diversification and reinforces Oman’s position as a leading tourism hub regionally and globally. Attending the investment’s groundbreaking ceremony ceremony was attended on the Omani side by His Excellency Azzan Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism for Tourism, and the Manager of Dhofar Municipality. Representing Abu Dhabi Fund for Development were Eng. Rashid Al Kaabi, Executive Director of the Investment Sector, and Eng. Mohammed Al Hamedi, Technical and Admin Support Manager. Reinforcing the project’s role as one of the most significant UAE investments in Oman’s tourism sector. The first phase of the project spans approximately 604,000 square meters, including the construction of a luxury resort which comprises over 120 rooms and chalets, as well as the developments of the marina, the rehabilitation of coastal and beachfront areas, and the implementation of essential infrastructure works, including roads and public utilities. These integrated components aim to deliver a seamless visitor experience, enhancing Salalah’s tourism profile and contributing significantly to the sector’s sustainable development. H.E. Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi …

Dubai International (DXB) welcomed 46 million guests in the first six months of 2025, marking its busiest first half on record. The 2.3% year-on-year growth underscores DXB’s resilience, the continued strength of Dubai’s aviation sector and the airport’s ability to maintain high performance despite temporary regional airspace disruptions in May and June. This achievement reinforces DXB’s vital role in connecting Dubai to the world and supporting the city’s broader economic progress. In the second quarter alone, DXB served 22.5 million guests, an increase of 3.1% over the same period last year. April emerged as the busiest month of the quarter and the most active April on record, with 8 million guests passing through the terminals. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “DXB’s continued growth through a period of regional challenges highlights the strength of Dubai and the UAE, the agility of our operations, and the commitment of our airport community. The oneDXB mindset once again enabled us to manage disruption while elevating the guest experience and ensuring seamless global connectivity. As we enter the second half of the year, travel activity is expected to accelerate, beginning with the late-summer peak and leading into a winter season filled with high-profile events across entertainment, sport, and business. A standout moment will be the Dubai Airshow 2025, which is set to surpass previous records and showcase the bold vision shaping the future of aviation and aerospace. Based on our performance to date and a positive outlook, we expect the annual traffic to reach 96 million this year, bringing us closer to the symbolic 100 million milestone.” Average monthly traffic in H1 stood at approximately 7.7 million, with daily volumes averaging 254,000. January was …

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) announced robust H1 2025 results for its Hospitality division, serving over 527,000 guests across 1401 events, a year-on-year increase of 11.8% in guests and 6.7% in events catered. This continued growth reinforces DWTC Hospitality’s position as a leading provider of large-scale and bespoke catering services in the UAE, renowned for operational excellence, culinary innovation, and customer-centric service delivery. Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, Executive Vice President at Dubai World Trade Centre, said “In a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape, our H1 2025 performance reflects DWTC Hospitality’s agility and ambition in reimagining the guest experience. By combining operational scale, culinary creativity, and strategic partnerships, we are proud to support Dubai’s growing events economy with hospitality experiences that set new benchmarks.” Exhibition catering witnessed standout growth, serving 132,146 guests across 50 events, more than double the number of guests served in H1 2024, marking a 105% increase. This surge reflects DWTC’s ability to cater to increasingly complex and large-scale exhibitions, reaffirming its status as the region’s leading exhibition catering provider. The conferences and associations segment also recorded strong growth, with DWTC Hospitality serving 57,289 guests across 30 events, marking a 23% increase from 46,500 guests in H1 2024. While event count remained consistent, the rise in attendees underscores DWTC’s growing appeal as a preferred partner for business events focused on networking and knowledge exchange. DWTC’s diverse catering portfolio continued to deliver strong results as Non-exhibition DICEC events increased 38%, with 477 events catered while External events rose 4% to 687, including high-profile events such as the Dubai International Boat Show and Meydan Dubai World Cup. These figures highlight the division’s capacity to deliver seamless, high-volume catering across both DWTC venues as …

Emirates marks the arrival of its new-generation A350 aircraft at Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi Airport. With this milestone, Bologna becomes the first Italian city – and one of the first ten worldwide – to welcome the Emirates A350, marking a new chapter in the direct connection between the capital of Emilia-Romagna and Dubai. Emirates selected Bologna as one of the first airports in the world to welcome the new Airbus A350, recognizing its strategic location – Marconi Airport is in fact a key regional hub that serves a much wider area beyond the city itself, including Modena, Parma, Ferrara, and Rimini – the efficiency of its infrastructure, and the dynamism of its local economy. This choice reaffirms the value of a solid, decade-long partnership, which began in 2015 with the launch of the direct flight to Dubai and has since been strengthened through a series of significant achievements. “We’re pleased to be back here to celebrate an important milestone that confirms the strategic role of this gateway within Emirates’ global network” – said Flavio Ghiringhelli, Country Manager of Emirates in Italy. “Our partnership with Bologna is a story of shared success and steady growth. Just last year, we joined the airport in celebrating the 10-million-passenger milestone, and two years ago we celebrated together the one-millionth Emirates passenger flying through this gateway. Today, we mark a new chapter with the arrival of the A350, a true symbol of innovation and excellence. We firmly believe that this next-generation aircraft will not only enhance the travel experience for our passengers but also act as a catalyst for increased commercial and cultural exchanges, further strengthening the ties between Bologna, Italy, and the rest of the world”. …

A new global study commissioned by Sabre  reveals that more than 91% of agencies operate with four or more booking systems, and over half are managing seven or more – a sprawl that is directly impacting productivity, profitability, and agent satisfaction. Travel agencies are facing growing pressure from fragmented content systems that are increasing operational costs and making it harder to deliver a consistent customer experience.  As a direct response to these mounting challenges, Sabre is introducing SabreMosaic™ Travel Marketplace, which brings together the industry’s widest breadth of travel content in one place, with built-in AI efficiencies and flexible connectivity. “Every industry faces fragmentation in the digital age,” said Jen Catto, Chief Marketing Officer at Sabre. “In advertising, it’s fragmented attention. In broadcasting, it’s fragmented programming. In finance, it’s fragmented data. Travel has never been simple, but in today’s multi-sourced content environment, fragmentation is creating new levels of complexity — and it’s starting to take a real toll. Agencies told us clearly: they want simplicity. They want unified access. And they want technology that helps them serve travelers, not slow them down.” Highlights from the survey include: 75% of agencies say the number of content connections has grown over the past three years 80%+ believe unified access through a single platform would reduce technology costs Nearly 90% manage four or more API integrations, with over half citing the tech burden as a challenge At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is seen as a powerful remedy, with 91% of agencies believing it can enhance both productivity and the customer experience. Yet, 41% remain concerned about AI’s long-term implications for the workforce, reinforcing the need for smart, responsible implementation. With the evolution …

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a management agreement for voco Muscat Al Mouj, a 251-key beachfront hotel set to open in Q4 2025. Alongside Golden Group Holding, the deal marks the first signing of the voco brand in the Sultanate of Oman, further expanding IHG’s premium portfolio across the Middle East. Centrally located in the Omani capital’s Al Mouj Muscat neighbourhood, a vibrant waterfront development known for its luxury residences, yacht marina, championship golf course, and high-end retail offerings, the new hotel will cater to both leisure and business travellers. Its prime location offers easy access to Muscat International Airport and proximity to the city’s cultural landmarks, making it a strategic addition to Oman’s evolving hospitality landscape. Launched in 2018, voco is IHG’s fastest-growing premium brand, already making its mark with openings and signings across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Known for its bold identity and thoughtful touches, the brand blends the character of individual hotels with the benefits of a trusted global name, offering guests a reliably different experience. Upon opening, voco Muscat Al Mouj will join the brand’s growing portfolio of more than 100 open hotels globally and a robust pipeline of more than 95 properties. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, IHG Hotels & Resorts, India, Middle East & Africa, said: “We are delighted to bring the voco brand to Oman in partnership with Golden Group Holding. Al Mouj Muscat is one of the region’s most exciting lifestyle destinations and we believe voco’s distinctive charm and premium hospitality offering makes it a perfect fit for the destination. This signing reflects our commitment to supporting Oman Vision 2040, by contributing to the country’s tourism and economic …