Accor expands its footprint in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the signing of Rixos Obhur Jeddah, the first Rixos property in the Kingdom. The group is partnering with Dur Hospitality to manage the upcoming luxurious resort which will upgrade and restyle the Makarem Annakheel Village, transforming it into a full-fledged tourist resort with a 5-star luxury hotel. In addition, a water park, swimming pools, and villas with private pools will be featured, all of which will be developed in line with the Rixos brand standards. “We are pleased to partner with Dur Hospitality as we truly value their long-standing experience in the Saudi hospitality sector,” says Mark Willis, CEO of Accor India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey. “We are confident that Rixos Obhur Jeddah will become an outstanding destination taking the hospitality and tourism services in Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea and the Kingdom, to the next level. This resort is Rixos first project in the Kingdom and we hope this will be the first of several projects on which the group collaborates with Dur Hospitality across the Kingdom.” Rixos Obhur Jeddah will become the first luxurious integrated resort in Jeddah, specifically designed to keep up with the increasing demand from guests looking to experience true luxury while enjoying high-end hospitality services, as well as a range of exceptional and memorable leisure activities. On the significance of this development, Dur Hospitality’s Chairman of the Board Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Issa stated: “The partnership with Accor is aligned with our strategy to enhance our capabilities and cement our leading position in the Kingdom’s hospitality sector by offering our guests the best services and experiences available in the hospitality industry …

As the Department of Tourism (DOT) launches the balikan.ph website – a one-stop shop for Balikbayan-exclusive promos with up to 50 per cent off hotel and resort rates and worry-free, value-for-money vacation packages – big discounts and great deals from airlines, accommodation establishments, tour operators, and travel agencies await Balikbayans who will return to the Philippines this season. The campaign of the DOT, ‘Balikan ang Pilipinas’, encourages overseas Filipinos (OFs) and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to return home for the holidays and rediscover the Philippines with their loved ones through the Balikan.ph website. “Through the balikan.ph website, we can offer great travel deals from airlines and DOT-accredited hotels, resorts, and tour operators to our Balikbayans and their families. This is one way to make their visit here more affordable and fun, especially after a long separation caused by the pandemic,” says Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Tourism Secretary, the Philippine Department of Tourism. The balikan.ph page serves as an information aggregator where different travel promotions and packages are posted for returning Balikbayans to avail. The posts will direct them to the merchant’s websites to learn more about the deals and discounts. The packages have been curated in collaboration with several airlines, DOT-accredited establishments, the Philippine Tour Operators Association Inc. (PHLTOA), the Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc. (PHOA), and the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association International Inc. (HSMA). Balikbayans are encouraged to regularly check the site for updated list and details of travel deals. The campaign will run until March 2022.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai launched the second season of the World’s Coolest Winter campaign. Launched at a special event at Expo 2020 Dubai site, this year’s edition will expand on last year’s campaign and will cover both domestic and foreign tourism. The launch ceremony was attended by Lieutenant General His Highness Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, alongside other ministers and officials from local tourism authorities and federal entities. In a series of tweets through his official account, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “Today, we launched the second season of the World’s Coolest Winter campaign, in collaboration with federal entities and local tourism departments, reinforcing the UAE as one destination, as we outlined in the Principles of the 50.” His Highness then tweeted: “The primary target audience of the campaign is domestic and family oriented, with the aim of gathering our families in our beautiful nation. We want families from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to enjoy Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, and families from other emirates to experience Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Everyone should enjoy the Emirates.” His Highness noted that the UAE’s winter is pure as the soul of the nation’s people, noting that “the world’s coolest winter is in the world’s most beautiful country among the world’s …

marhaba, part of dnata and a leading airport hospitality brand, has launched its globally renowned Meet & Greet Services in Australia to help travellers enjoy a safe and seamless travel experience throughout their journey. Starting from this December, both arriving and departing passengers can take advantage of marhaba’s services at Sydney Airport (SYD), Melbourne Airport (MEL), Adelaide Airport (ADL) and Brisbane Airport (BNE). marhaba’s dedicated agents, who have all been thoroughly trained on health and safety protocols, will welcome customers and escort them through the airport formalities right up until the arrival area or the departure gate. Where possible, marhaba’s agents will also provide hand baggage trolleys or, for an additional fee, arrange porter service. In Melbourne, customers can further enhance their experience by booking the ‘Gold’ package and relax and recharge in marhaba’s popular lounge before their flights at a special bundled rate. Located at the International Terminal (T2), the spacious lounge features comfortable seating for 200 guests, a quiet zone for relaxation, and shower facilities. It offers superfast Wi-Fi and all-day dining with premium Hudson’s coffee and international cuisine catering to a wide range of dietary and ethnic requirements. Customers can book marhaba’s services on marhabaservices.com or by calling 800 627 4222. Meet & Greet Service fees start from AUD 250 while lounge access can be purchased from AUD 64. Steve Allen, dnata’s Executive Vice President, said: “Over the past three decades marhaba has earned the trust and loyalty of travellers by consistently delivering safe and reliable airport hospitality services in Dubai and beyond. “Having been successfully operating a popular lounge in Melbourne for over four years, we’re now delighted to offer Australian travellers a broader range of …

Marriott International, Inc. signed an agreement with Diriyah Gate Development Authority to open two luxury hotels as part of the Diriyah Project in Saudi Arabia. Located in Diriyah around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, the properties will bring modern and distinct views on luxury to the historic town of Diriyah, set to become one of the world’s most forthright cultural and heritage cities. “We are delighted to be working with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority and look forward to elevating the luxury experience of the Diriyah Project with these two iconic and celebrated brands,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. The Ritz-Carlton, Diriyah, Riyadh – Renowned for its legendary service and refined design, the iconic Ritz-Carlton brand is the epitome of modern luxury. Slated to open in 2025, The Ritz-Carlton, Diriyah, Riyadh is expected to feature 195 guestrooms including 34 suites along with a specialty restaurant, an all-day dining venue, meeting rooms, an outdoor pool and fitness center. Ritz Kids, the brand’s signature kids club and programming is part of the vision, as is a signature spa and immersive guest programs. The Luxury Collection in Diriyah, Riyadh – The Luxury Collection offers global travelers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations, with each hotel serving as a unique and cherished expression of its location. Situated in the district of Samhan, the hotel is expected to welcome its first guests in 2022 with 141 guestrooms, including 27 suites. Design plans are slated to feature two signature restaurants, an all-day-dining restaurant, coffee and juice bar, fitness center, pool and spa. The property is also expected to offer meeting and event …

Delivering on its mandate to transform Abu Dhabi into a leading centre for maritime activities and to support the growth of the local marine community, Abu Dhabi Maritime, the primary custodian of Abu Dhabi’s waterways and marine ecosystems, has revealed it will now provide jet ski licencing services within the emirate. Assuming the role previously held by Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Maritime will assist members of the public and commercial marine service providers with the registration of new jet skis, annual license renewals, and booking technical inspections. As an added premium offering, the organisation’s inspection teams will also be able to conduct technical examinations of a user’s jet ski at a location selected by them, including from the comfort of their own home. Accessible via Abu Dhabi Maritime’s website and from a dedicated web portal, the new streamlined process will not only make licencing services more efficient and less time consuming, but it will also enhance maritime safety and security across Abu Dhabi’s waterways by ensuring all jet skis operating within the emirate are well-maintained and seaworthy. Capt. Saif Al Mheiri, Managing Director, Abu Dhabi Maritime, AD Ports Group, said: “As the primary custodian overseeing the management, regulation and safe use of Abu Dhabi’s waterways, it is only natural that the responsibility of handling jet ski licencing falls under our remit. “In addition to demonstrating our readiness to respond to the needs of Abu Dhabi’s long-standing and thriving maritime community, we are also keen to elevate our community’s overall user experience and streamline the process by which jet ski licensing is managed in order to be faster and more efficient. It is our strong belief that the provision of …

Expo 2020 Dubai visit numbers have increased significantly to a total of 7,167,591 visits in the period up to 20 December, as organisers continue to maintain robust COVID-19 measures, ensuring a safe and exceptional event for all attending. The largest major global event to be held since the start of the pandemic, Expo 2020’s latest COVID-19 measures include the expansion of the number of on-site PCR testing facilities to four, and free testing for all Country Pavilion staff. While all frontline workers and entertainers continue to be tested on a regular basis, some close contact events, such as parades and roving entertainers, have been temporarily suspended as a short-term precautionary measure. With more than 90 per cent of the UAE population fully vaccinated, Expo 2020 Dubai has required mandatory vaccination and boosters of all Expo and International Participant staff, volunteers, contractors and service providers. Visitors ages 18 and above are required to present proof of any vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within the previous 72 hours. In addition, Expo 2020 maintains on site sanitisation stations and mandatory face-masks both indoor and outdoor. Expo 2020 Dubai was honoured to receive His Holiness Sultan Al Bohra and members of the Bohra community, while other recent high profile events included an appearance from footballing great and Expo Ambassador Lionel Messi; a concert by multitalented Egyptian star Mohamed Ramadan; electrifying science show Brainiac Live and plenty more live entertainment, buoyed by enthusiastic uptake of the Expo 2020 Festive Pass. Knowledge & Learning Week, the latest engrossing Theme Week under Expo’s Programme for People and Planet, presented a three-day global education summit, a number of World Majlis events, an interactive workshop-style event around …

In line with the restoration of Emirates’ network and upsurge in travel demand, passengers traveling in premium cabins as well as Skywards members in select membership tiers will have access to more than 120 lounges by February. Emirates, which has resumed operations to over 90 percent of its pre-pandemic network, currently flies to more than 120 destinations worldwide via its hub in Dubai. Customers travelling in First Class and Business Class will be able to complement their travel experience with Emirates’ signature premium lounge service at over 20 airports in its network, comprising popular destinations across Europe, Africa, US and Asia. By late December, Emirates lounges at a host of airports in the UK will have re-opened their doors for customers to immerse themselves in the pre-flight premium experience, including London Heathrow, Birmingham, and Manchester while the lounges in London Gatwick and Glasgow will welcome customers in January 2022. In Europe, Emirates lounges in Germany, namely Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Dusseldorf, in addition to lounges in Milan and Rome, have already re-opened for passengers to enjoy their premium facilities, while the lounge in Paris is scheduled to open later this month. In the US, travellers on Emirates flights can access the premium lounge experience at Los Angeles International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport as well as New York JFK, with Emirates’ San Francisco lounge to re-start its services in February 2022. An additional Emirates Lounge, to serve passengers travelling through Cairo, has resumed operations earlier, while premium class customers and eligible Skywards members will soon be able to relax and dine in its lounges in Colombo and Bangkok prior to flights. At Emirates’ exclusive Terminal 3 at Dubai International airport, …

This newly built 20+ storey hotel is located in the upscale residential and diplomatic district of Maadi with direct access to the Nile Corniche. Hotel guests will be able to enjoy the spectacular views of the Nile river while sunbathing by the outdoor pool. Perfect for both leisure and business, Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi will feature a large health club and spa, an outdoor swimming pool, two restaurants, an executive lounge, as well as fully-equipped meeting and event spaces.

Following the opening of the final phase of Concourse A at Dubai International’s (DXB) Terminal 3, the world’s busiest international airport is 100% operational with all terminals, concourses, lounges, restaurants, and retail outlets now open. Terminal 3 is expected to serve more than 1.6 million passengers in the second half of December during the month’s peak seasonal travel period. Visitors to Dubai exceeded 1 million during the month of October and DXB reached the important milestone of 1 million passengers per week in November, with origin-destination passengers reaching 94% of pre-pandemic levels. “Reaching the point where 100% of our facilities are now open and serving customers, plus the huge resurgence in passengers arriving into Dubai marks an important milestone for the aviation sector as well as for the city of Dubai and its economic growth. We took early steps to implement best-in-class hygiene and health protocols, fast track PCR testing facilities, and enhanced customer service and guest support resources to ensure the comfort, convenience and safety of travelers – and this has resulted in a strong recovery towards pre-pandemic levels of passengers,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. He added: “This has been an enormous team effort and our employees and stakeholders have responded magnificently to the significant challenge of getting DXB back up and running at 100% capacity.” The journey back to full operations following the closure in March 2020 began with the reopening of Terminals 2 and 3 and Concourses B and C for normal inbound passenger operations from June 22, 2020, following the easing of international travel regulations for residents by UAE authorities. Outbound travel for UAE citizens and residents was opened on June 23 while …