Antics Land, the first and one of the largest indoor family theme parks at Sharjah Mega Mall is celebrating its 20 year anniversary. The amusement park is offering special packages throughout December 2021. Visitors can purchase game cards for AED 250 and enjoy any games or rides at Antics Land worth AED 600. They will also receive 2 free McDonald’s meals & a Bubee drink from the Mega Mall branch outlet.  Visitors can also enjoy a special stage show every Friday until the end of the month. Various popular mascots will also be a part of the action-packed day to make sure everyone has a good time. Offering grand excitement and fun for every member of the family, it introduced education and entertainment as a concept. A Roller Coaster, Monorail, 5D & 7D Cinemas, Bumper Cars & Bikes, the Haunted House, Flying Fish, Twister, Tube Town, Carousel, Pirate Ship, VAR Zone and Family Bowling Centre are just some of the many kids choose from. Experiencing 20 exciting rides and attractions along the way. Commenting on the milestone, Dr J.S. Datta Kumar, Director of Operations, Antics Land said, “We are proud to serve the UAE for 20 years and would like to see our family growing along with the fun. Antics Land has always provided the best entertainment activities for all ages be it, toddlers, teenagers or parents and hopes to expand to more regions soon.” At 75,000 sq.ft Antic’s Land is located on the third level of Sharjah Mega Mall in Al Bu Daniq – Sharjah. Apart from the thrilling adventures to enjoy at the amusement park, the mall offers a wide range of activities from lifestyle, leisure to sports.

Oman Air has resumed with effect from 1st December 2021 direct service on its Muscat-Zurich-Muscat route. The route resumption coincides with Oman Air’s 10th anniversary flying to Zurich (ZRH) from its base in Muscat (MCT). Initially introduced on 2nd December 2011, the route was paused temporarily due to the unprecedented pandemic and subsequent downturn in global aviation and travel. Due to strong demand for the route, however, and with the reassurance of its 5-Star COVID-19 Airline Safety Rating from Skytrax, Oman Air is once again delighted to welcome its valued guests on board. In a scaled-down, socially distanced ceremony held at Zurich Airport, Lina Samman, Oman Air Country Manager for Switzerland, accompanied by several Zurich Airport officials, spoke to passengers, local press, and airline partners ahead of the departure of flight WY 154 from Zurich to Muscat. “This evening’s flight from Zurich to Muscat not only resumes scheduled passenger service, but also marks ten years of exceptional service, connecting travellers to the Sultanate of Oman’s natural beauty, its cultural richness, and the genuine kindness and openness of its people.”

Dubai-based luxury hospitality developer Seven Tides will open the first resort on The World Islands in Dubai, UAE in just a few days, on 18th December 2021. Situated on Clarence Island, the five-star Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort will feature its own stunning 2,000 square metre private beach. The resort’s 142,000sqm host island is itself located within the South American continent of the World Islands development – a remarkable offshore archipelago of 300 man-made isles, just four kilometres from the coast of Dubai. Seven Tides CEO, Abdulla Bin Sulayem, said: “The Anantara hotel on Clarence Island will set the bar for exclusivity and a luxury lifestyle, while remaining in harmony with nature. Without a doubt, this will become one of the most sought-after leisure and lifestyle destinations in the Middle East, if not the world. “Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort is unique. It will offer genuine island tranquillity despite its close proximity to major retail destinations, gourmet restaurants, golf courses and the emirate’s lively nightlife,” Bin Sulayem added. The upscale hospitality project boasts a total of 70 rooms, suites and villas, which combine island living with contemporary luxury. Guests will be able to choose from rooms and suites with ocean views and beach access, while spacious villas with private pools will also be available. Accessible exclusively by boat, just a 10-minute ride from Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, the development will feature a gymnasium and a guest pool, as well as a series of private infinity pools for the exclusive use of those staying in villas. Food lovers will be able to choose from the resort’s five restaurants and bars, which will offer everything from fine dining to chilled-out eats. …

The 12th edition of the Yasalam After-Race Concerts, Abu Dhabi’s favourite music festival, brings a captivating calendar of world-class musical entertainment around the highly anticipated FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2021 from 9-12 December at Etihad Park. From rap to rock, there is something for everyone this year. The highly anticipated return of the Yasalam After-Race Concerts represents a landmark moment in Abu Dhabi’s reopening and recovery, as the first major, live music event since the start of the pandemic. With a diverse line-up of musical talent, the weekend of world-class live entertainment and sport reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s standing as an international destination for world-class entertainment, culture, and leisure events with a commitment to the highest standards of health and safety. With a thrilling weekend revving into view, here are the top reasons not to miss Yasalam After-Race Concerts 2021. Four nights of AAA artists Six-time Grammy Award-nominated artist Khalid will headline the opening Yasalam After-Race Concert on Thursday 9 December, followed by triple BRIT award-winning rap artist Stormzy on Friday 10 December, multi-platinum certified ‘Someone You Loved’ singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi on Saturday 11 December, and American rock legends Foo Fighters will bring the curtain down on the music extravaganza with a storming closing show on Sunday 12 December. Feel the thrill of live events again – at full capacity Following a challenging 18 months for the world, the Yasalam After-Race Concerts 2021 marks the first major live music event, and the first event at Etihad Park (formerly du Arena) since the start of the pandemic. This is an opportunity not to be missed, a chance to feel the thrill of live events once again and celebrate …

Laundryheap has strengthened its B2B linen rental services by rebranding its specialised vertical as ‘Laundryheap Linen’ and investing in a new 3,000 sq ft warehouse in Dubai, UAE to drive the operations. Serving the significant demand for bed linen, towels, accessories and other related rentals for the hospitality sector in the UAE, ‘Laundryheap Linen’ is the new brand identity of ‘NestAngel,’ which was launched by Laundryheap in Dubai earlier this year. NestAngel was first launched by Laundryheap in the UK six years ago and continues to operate successfully under the same brand name and has serviced over 300,000 guests. Laundryheap Linen in the UAE, will allow businesses – including hotels, short-term rentals, Airbnb operators, holiday home companies, and others to save in the long-term on laundry, depreciation, logistics and storage costs by using this clever solution to service all linen needs. The Laundryheap Linen service will be especially useful to the hospitality industry while managing the increased occupancy during the upcoming Expo 2020 season. The service operates as a one-stop-shop for all services relating to linen and towel rentals as well as accessories. It avoids the hassle that many holiday home and apartments face in managing inventory and having to buy, wash, store and deliver to guests. With Laundryheap Linen, its customers can focus on their core competency of operating their properties, getting more bookings and improving customer service while the firm takes care of all the requirements with ready-made linen sets. Adding to this, businesses can also access a wide range of toiletries and welcome kits effortlessly. The new brand creates strong synergies with the organisational brand, Laundryheap, thereby enabling customers to instantly connect to it. Unlike most other …

GCC travellers looking to gain authentic winter experiences should look no further than Germany’s expansive seasonal activations and incredible roster of family-friendly offerings. The south German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are popular for its charming snow-capped mountaintops and alpine ski trails, and while the temperatures often average 0°C, the exciting sporting activities available will warm skiers up in no time. Ski lovers can enjoy an array of Bavarian Alpine resorts with options for beginners, families, and sporting pros. The town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, only an hour outside Munich, features an array of outdoor activities perfect for winter strolls amid mountainous views, crystal clear lakes, and fresh pine forests. For those looking for a more calming scene, cable car trips in Baden-Württemberg offer incredible views of the magnificent Black Forest dotting the mountain range. “Germany’s luscious winter landscapes are the perfect backdrop for long walks, bike rides, and exciting sports such as skiing and snowboarding. We welcome GCC travellers to wrap up warm and explore the bountiful countryside vistas afforded by the cooler temperatures,” said Yamina Sofo, Director of Sales and Marketing of the German National Tourist Office. Tourists who would rather view winter landscapes from the warm indoors, the German.Spa.Tradition. campaign which highlights Germany’s traditional health resorts and spas from across the nation, offers a plethora of opportunities to enjoy health and wellness retreats amid stunning natural wonders. Visitors can engage the mind, body, and soul across the country’s traditional wellness spas. The campaign focuses in five essential themes: Breathe, Renew, Enjoy, Feel, and Taste. For an authentic German experience and the chance to grab some holiday gifts or shop for loved ones, traditional festive shops are perfect for presents …

Following nearly two years of negotiations, Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority formally initialed a Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement with the European Union and its Member States signalling the Sultanate of Oman’s ambitions for a more liberalized air traffic accord with the European Union. The initialed agreement strengthens both parties’ commitment to fair access to markets for Oman and all EU Member States and is an important first step in a planned 5-year implementation leading up to a fully formalized open skies accord. The initialling was witnessed by Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority President His Excellency Eng. Naif Bin Ali Al Abri, His Excellency Najeem Sulaiman Al Abri, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Kingdom of Belgium, and Head of the Omani Mission to the European Union, and Mr. Henrik Hololei, Director-General for Mobility and Transport of the European Commission. The Sultanate of Oman holds bilateral third and fourth air freedom rights with several EU Member States, including France, Germany and Italy. The Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement paves the way for the Sultanate of Oman to increase flight frequencies on existing European routes and add other European destinations for the national carrier Oman Air (WY) and Salam Air (OV). Reciprocally, the Agreement will allow EU airlines to fly to all Omani airports from their home country or from any other EU Member State. Currently, Air France and KLM are the only EU airlines that fly direct to Muscat International airport (MCT) — the Agreement effectively aims to ease market access to Oman for more EU airlines. Besides market access, the Agreement also contains provisions on a number of other important aspects of aviation including commercial opportunities, doing business, safety, security, air …

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) emphasised its strong commitment to the retail sector and the ongoing growth of Dubai as a global retail destination with a stellar line up of festivals throughout 2022. Focusing on experiences that enhance the city’s retail proposition and drive footfall from citizens, residents and visitors alike, the 2022 programme of events and activities has been designed to support Dubai’s economic and tourism development goals. The iconic Dubai Shopping Festival starts the retail calendar year, running from 15 December 2021 to 29 January 2022 with a diverse calendar of innovative events, world-class entertainment, mega raffles and incredible promotions across a range of homegrown and global brands. Other major festivals include the return of Dubai Food Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises, as well as Dubai Fitness Challenge which has grown its affinity with sports and lifestyle retail over the last five years. Retail celebrations will also take place in support of all major cultural events in the city, including Chinese New Year, Ramadan, Eid in Dubai and Diwali as well as in support of key retail sectors including fashion, homeware and interiors. Special super sales will complete the line up with incredible deals and offers across a three-day period. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “As we head into 2022, we have a great opportunity to further strengthen our position as a retail destination globally and support a sector that’s strategically important to the ongoing growth of the Dubai economy.  Working in partnership with both homegrown and global retailers and the malls across the city, we are creating experiences that complement e-commerce and enhance the physical retail offering to drive footfall …

Emirates will resume its passenger operations between Dubai and Nigeria from 5 December 2021, offering customers enhanced connectivity to and through Dubai. The world’s largest international airline will operate to and from its Nigerian gateways with daily flights, providing travellers from Nigeria convenient access to Dubai, which remains a highly popular holiday and business destination. It’ll also enable travellers to safely connect via Dubai to the Emirates network of over 120 global destinations. Emirates will operate to Abuja with EK 785 and 786. EK 785 will depart Dubai at 1100hrs, arriving in Abuja at 1540hrs. The return flight, EK 786 will take off from Abuja at 1900, arriving in Dubai at 0435hrs the next day. Emirates flight EK 783 to Lagos will depart Dubai at 1030hrs, arriving in Lagos at 1540hrs. The return flight EK 784 will depart Lagos at 1810hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0415hrs the next day. All flights can be booked on emirates.com, with OTAs and via travel agents. Throughout the pandemic, Emirates has been helping its customers travel safely and confidently, implementing industry-leading health and safety measures at every point of the travel journey, helping communities reconnect faster and facilitating economic recovery. The airline has also been working hard to provide up to date, comprehensive travel information to its customers, as well as speeding up processes on the ground through digital verification for Covid-19 via the IATA Travel Pass, as well as touchless check-in and biometrics processing. Ensuring the safety of travellers, visitors, and the community, Covid-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound passengers arriving to Dubai, including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from. Travellers coming from Nigeria …

As part of the UAE’s 50th National Day celebrations, the Dubai Council for Border Crossing Points Security in collaboration with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, is offering inbound travellers to the emirate free Expo 2020 tickets. The tickets, which will be offered for two weeks from Wednesday, 1 December, will enable travellers to visit the mega global event that features the participation of 192 countries. All inbound travelers entering Dubai through its various ports, including tourists, residents and citizens, will receive the free tickets. The initiative is part of the Council’s efforts to promote events in Dubai, showcase the emirate’s capabilities, and encourage travelers to explore Dubai’s diverse events and attractions. Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 highlights music, architecture, technology and culture from around the globe as part of its packed events calendar. The global event provides visitors the opportunity to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of countries across the world. The event also brings together the world’s brightest minds through its Programme for People and Planet, which offers a platform for the free and open exchange of new ideas and innovation. Expo 2020 Dubai is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region.