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 …

Orient Travel  announced a new strategic partnership with Middle East Airlines – Air Liban (MEA), becoming the official General Sales Agent (GSA) for MEA in Sharjah. This collaboration represents a key milestone in Orient Travel’s continued expansion in airline representation, underscoring its commitment to offering comprehensive travel solutions and strengthening regional connectivity. The official inauguration of the MEA office in Sharjah was marked by a ceremonial event attended by key stakeholders from both organizations. The partnership is expected to enhance MEA’s visibility and accessibility in the northern emirates, providing customers and travel partners with greater convenience and improved service. Orient Travel expressed gratitude to the MEA team and Mohamad Cheaib for their confidence and collaboration. With this agreement, Orient Travel reinforces its position as a trusted aviation and travel industry partner in the UAE, while MEA strengthens its footprint in a vital regional hub. The teams at Orient Travel and MEA look forward to a successful and mutually beneficial journey ahead, working together to deliver seamless travel experiences to customers across the region.

Gulf Air announced its expansion in North America with the launch of its direct flights to New York (JFK) from 1st October 2025. This new service establishes a new and additional connection to a key global commercial and cultural hub. Gulf Air will operate three weekly flights to New York (JFK). These flights will be operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. Gulf Air will initially operate its flights from the current Terminal One at JFK. The airline intends to transition its operations to JFK’s New Terminal One in June 2026, offering passengers seamless and modern travel experience aligned with Gulf Air’s premium service standards. Gulf Air Group Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Goh stated: “We are excited to announce the launch of our direct flights to New York’s JFK and our return to the North American market. This service aligns with Gulf Air’s strategy of calibrated expansion and serving strategic markets, providing passengers with greater choice and convenience for travel, through Bahrain International Airport, between Bahrain and North America, and beyond, supporting the connectivity strategy of the Kingdom.” Passengers can book their flights to/from New York and stay updated on flight timings by downloading the Gulf Air mobile application, visiting Gulf Air’s website gulfair.com or through travel agents.

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s Directorate of Career Guidance and Student Counselling, celebrated the successful conclusion of the first edition of the “Summer Camp” — a unique initiative aimed at introducing school students to real-world career opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sector. Held over 10 days, the program welcomed 50 students from grades 10 and 11, who participated in a series of immersive activities, including site visits to various OMRAN Group-affiliated entities across sectors such as hospitality, tourism experiences, and visitor services. In addition, the students took part in interactive workshops and career guidance sessions, providing them with valuable exposure to professional work environments and deepening their understanding of the tourism industry. The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of H.E. Professor Abdullah Khamis Ambusaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education, and attended by Dr. Hashil Obaid Al Mahrouqi, CEO of OMRAN Group, along with a number of officials from both sides. Maha Al Farsi, HR Business Partner at OMRAN Group, said: “We’re pleased with the success of the first edition of the summer camp, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education’s Vocational Guidance Centre. We were truly impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and commitment throughout the program. The camp offered a practical learning experience that introduced participants to the key pillars and diverse fields of the tourism sector. We believe initiatives like this play a vital role in building early career awareness and inspiring youth to explore the sector’s promising opportunities.” Mr. Zahran bin Nasser Al-Maghadri, Assistant Director of Studies and Entrepreneurship at the Vocational Guidance and Student Counseling Centre, Ministry of Education, stated: “The summer camp …