The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arms of the Department of Tourism (DOT), announced the opening of registration for the 20th edition of the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), known as the biggest government organised travel trade event in the country. For the second year in a row, PHITEX will be held as a hybrid event in light of the pandemic with Subic Bay as the new venue for the online business-to-business (B2B) sessions and networking scheduled to take place on September 19-23. This year’s theme will highlight safe, smart, and sustainable tourism as part of the TPB’s strategic marketing plan for the new normal. “Last year’s PHITEX was about pivoting as we had to face the challenges of going hybrid and leveraging on technology more than ever to conduct our business. Thankfully, it was a resounding success, so we are very much excited to pick up where we left off but with a clearer perspective this time around because we are not longing to adjust. We are about moving forward and making significant decisions that will create a better normal for the industry,” TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones said. PHITEX 2020 was held as a hybrid event for the first time in Panglao, Bohol being one of the first tourism destinations to reopen during the pandemic. Apart from the virtual B2B sessions, the event featured online games, quizzes, and a curated virtual tour of the City of Manila. The event also established 3,946 contacts, generated 1,205 leads, and secured 76 on-site bookings with a projected revenue of over PHP 42 million. This year, PHITEX is targeting more than a hundred buyers and sellers. Philippine …

Emirates has announced it has resumed scheduled passenger services to Manila, Clark and Cebu. With the lifting of the ban on travellers from the UAE by the Philippines authorities, which took effect on September 6, the airline has resumed seven weekly services to and from Manila, while five weekly flights to Clark and twice weekly flights to Cebu are available for Filipinos and foreign nationals to book. Services to all three gateways in the Philippines are operated with the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, in a two-class configuration for Manila and offering seats in Business Class and Economy Class, while for Clark and Cebu flights seats in First Class, Business Class and Economy Class will be available for passengers. As mandated by the authorities, restrictions apply on the number of passengers per flight to points in the Philippines, remaining in effect until further notice. Passengers can book tickets on www.emirates.com/ph, Emirates mobile app, via Emirates sales offices or preferred travel agents. For more details on entry protocols and requirements to destinations in the Philippines, customers are encouraged to check the travel requirements page on emirates.com/ph. In addition to the commercial flights, Emirates has also obtained the approval from the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines to operate Special Commercial flights in September to Manila. The airline will be operating special “Bayanihan” flights on EK332 on September 18 and 25, to provide additional capacity for citizens wishing to fly home from the UAE. For bookings, customers in the UAE can contact +9714 274 9199. Only Filipino citizens currently in the UAE will be eligible to book seats on the special flights, and the following requirements will apply: All passengers …

Radisson Hotel Group, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has set a record in its North African expansion, with the signing of nine hotels, to date this year. This has boosted the Group’s North Africa portfolio, comprising of of the Maghreb countries along with Libya and Egypt, to over 30 hotels in operation and under development, placing them firmly on track to reach over 50 hotels by 2025. Alban Mabille de Poncheville, Director, Development, North Africa at Radisson Hotel Group says, “We are delighted to be leading the market in North African hotel expansion, setting a record for ourselves and the industry. Our flagship brand, Radisson Blu, has been one of the leading brands in the region and as we continue to grow and diversify across North Africa, we look forward to capitalizing on our brand name and introducing new brands in the area such as Radisson, in the upscale segment and Radisson Collection, our entry level luxury brand. The market has shown a great potential in various segments but also in different product types, from resorts to city hotels but also serviced apartments and boutique hotel offerings. We aim to further accelerate our presence across all North African countries and key cities and also expand in new touristic areas as recently announced with the launch of our resort offerings across Morocco.” In response to the need for independent hotel owners to gain further brand exposure and consumer confidence, the group launched a new brand, Radisson Individuals, aimed at individual hotels with strong service scores and existing hotel identities who wish to remain independent or may be considering overtime transitioning to one of the group’s core brands. Mabille de …

Swan Hellenic announced that it has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Al Tayer Travel to provide direct representation through its Al Tayer Holidays brand, a division of Al Tayer Travel. Al Tayer Holidays will represent Swan Hellenic in UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Al Tayer Holidays offers the highest standard of service and efficiency with over 40 years’ experience across the travel sector, representing many of the world’s leading brands in the Middle East through its office in the United Arab Emirates. The partnership is a strategic agreement in line with Swan Hellenic’s long-term approach of establishing a direct presence in every market worldwide to offer the close personal service to which it is committed. Manu Mehrotra, General Manager of Al Tayer Travel, remarked: “We are truly honored to represent Swan Hellenic Cruises, a pioneering cultural expedition cruise leader that provides extraordinary experiences in relaxed and elegant comfort. The growing aspirations of adventurous Middle East travelers to visit amazing and relatively unexplored territories can now become a reality.” Swan Hellenic Senior Vice president of Global Sales and Marketing Alfredo Spadon commented: “Al Tayer’s length and depth of experience, dedicated to the highest service standards, make them a perfect match for Swan Hellenic in the exacting Middle East markets they know so well. We look forward to an exciting new chapter in the history of cultural expedition cruising as we offer enriching exploration experiences directly to the curious and adventure-minded in this part of the world.”

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Cairo West. The 250-room hotel marks Hyatt’s return to Cairo and strengthens its growing brand footprint in North Africa. As part of the Hyatt Regency brand, the hotel is designed with productivity in mind to deliver seamless experiences and an energizing hub for both business and leisure travelers alike. Hyatt Regency Cairo West is conveniently located within the well-established Pyramid Heights Business Park. Its closeness to business hubs, mega malls, and some of Egypt’s top tourist attractions such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum make it a premier destination for meetings, events, and travelers. “We are proud to be opening our doors and we look forward to welcoming guests to our contemporary spaces and versatile venues,” said Tarek El Masry, general manager at Hyatt Regency Cairo West. “Hyatt Regency Cairo West is situated on a high hill that overlooks the city and the Great Pyramids of Giza, providing the perfect setting for business meetings, relaxing stays and everything in between.” Featuring 250 contemporary guestrooms that include 26 suites, for the first time in Cairo, Hyatt Regency Cairo West introduces Spa Rooms that offer in-room massage and amenities such as an in-room hot tub, a sauna and a massage table. The interior of each room is inspired by Egyptian culture with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Pyramids of Giza or the hotel’s beautiful pool and gardens. Equipped with the latest technology and amenities, every room has smart mirrors and sensor LED lighting controls. Guests can also book a Regency Club room and upgrade their stay by gaining exclusive access to the Regency Club Lounge. At the Regency Club …

Wego is working closely with Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB) to propel more Middle East travelers to visit Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s response to the pandemic has been phenomenal. They have adopted the robust strategy to fight the COVID-19 and to minimize the impact of the pandemic on tourism. Most international airlines have resumed flights to Azerbaijan. The country is a perfect vacation choice for travelers who want to visit less crowded, off-the-beaten-path destinations where it’s easier to socially distance and maintain health protocols. Attracting all the nature lovers to this pristine haven it is ethereal to experience the untouched natural beauty of the Caucasus Mountains, Caspian Sea, subtropical zone in the south, lakes, forests, and semi-deserts. Mamoun Hmedan, Managing Director, MENA and India, said: “It’s great to collaborate with Azerbaijan Tourism Board again. The country is progressing towards becoming one of the biggest destinations for safe and sustainable travel post COVID-19. We have been seeing a great interest from the GCC to Azerbaijan and the searches on our platform recorded around 115,000 in July and August, a 50% growth compared to the previous months.” Wego and ATB will be promoting this marvelous destination to GCC travelers through tailored marketing campaigns featuring the best things to do and explore. This charming country is now welcoming citizens and residents of 29 countries including UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. To enter the country, citizens and residents of these countries need to submit an official document issued by the relevant country (COVID passport) on complete vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 and a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before the flight. For passengers aged from 1 to 18 years, it is sufficient to submit a negative …

Accor has signed an exclusive partnership with celebrity Chef Maroun Chedid. Famous for his many culinary achievements and concepts, such as Georgette or Ritage Garden, TV appearances on Lebanese station MTV, and more recently on MBC as jury of the internationally acclaimed show Top Chef. The partnership illustrates Accor’s strategy to consolidate its position as the leading hospitality group in the region, thanks to its diverse portfolio added to a wide range of experiences it offers. Since the launch of ALL- Accor Live Limitless, the group has taken a step forward to deliver limitless experiences, and this partnership will contribute greatly to not only provide exceptional dining offerings across its hotels, but also to position Accor as more than just a traditional hospitality group in the region. “We are very excited to welcome Chef Maroun to Accor! We are confident that this partnership will bring a valuable addition to the dining scene across our properties in the region. His expertise as a Chef, also as a businessman and entrepreneur, makes him the perfect partner to elevate the culinary experiences in our hotels”, says Mark Willis, CEO of Accor India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey. With over 30 years of experience in the culinary world, Chef Maroun Chedid accumulated skills and achievements across the Middle East region. Originally from Lebanon, Maroun grew up in the Lebanese village of Saghbine, located in the West Bekaa, an area known for its nature’s beauty and the richness of its soil, it has always been a continuous source of inspiration to him. In effect, nature was his mentor, opening his eyes at a young age not only to the diversity and specificities of each product …

Emirates announced that it will introduce the first scheduled commercial Airbus A380 service to Istanbul, Turkey from 1 October. For the first time, travellers to and from Turkey will have the opportunity to regularly enjoy the experience of flying on this iconic double-decker jumbo jet. Emirates will operate the A380 on its daily EK123/124 service. Flight EK123 will depart Dubai at 10:45 and arrive in Istanbul at 14:25. The return flight EK124 will depart Istanbul at 16:25 and arrive in Dubai at 21:50. All times are local. Deploying its three-class A380, Emirates will offer a total of 517 seats, with 14 private suites in First Class, 76 mini pods with lie-flat seats in Business Class and 427 spacious seats in Economy Class, increasing capacity per flight by more than 150 passengers compared to the current Boeing 777-300ER. First Class customers can look forward to Emirates’ private suites and signature onboard Shower Spa, while First and Business Class customers can relax in the popular Onboard Lounge on the upper deck. Passengers in all classes enjoy free Wi-Fi to stay in touch with family and friends, the industry’s largest seatback screens and Emirates’ multi-award winning ‘ice’ inflight entertainment which currently boasts over 4,500 channels. “We are excited to finally bring our flagship to Istanbul to join many other top cities we currently serve with the A380. Since Emirates started operating to Turkey 34 years ago, we have carried six million customers on more than 23,000 flights. Bringing the A380 service to Turkey is a major milestone for Emirates and we would like to thank all our partners and stakeholders for their support in making this a reality,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial …

Etihad Airways is set to embark on a major digital transformation following the signing of a landmark multi-year deal with Amadeus. As part of the deal, Etihad Airways will implement the full Amadeus Altéa PSS suite, including web booking, revenue management and merchandising, data management and passenger servicing solutions. These technology products will be customised for Etihad over the coming years and will improve the experience of guests, staff, travel agents, Etihad Guest members, and corporate customers. Etihad’s guests will see new web and mobile channels powered by Amadeus Digital Experience suite, offering the simplest user experience possible to purchase flight tickets and manage bookings. Advanced retailing capabilities will be developed collaboratively using machine learning to provide guests with bespoke offerings and personalise their travel experience. To modernise retailing capabilities across sales channels, Etihad has also signed for Amadeus Altéa NDC (New Distribution Capability) and will work with Amadeus to distribute personalised travel offers to guests. Etihad will make its full range of NDC offers available to Amadeus travel sellers, allowing agents to see the features of Etihad’s award-winning product more transparently and the ancillaries that can be bought. The airline will, in addition, implement the Altéa Departure Control Customer Management component of the suite, providing guests with real-time, personalised alerts of offers, services, and flight changes. The system will offer a higher level of service customisation and provide guests with a faster and simpler check-in process, which is more important than ever as travel rebuilds. Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer, Etihad, says: “The aviation industry is going through a digital revolution, and Etihad Airways is committed to staying at the forefront of that change. With Amadeus as a …

The Tourism Development Fund (TDF) and Seera Group signed a financing agreement to establish and operate the Raghadan Tourist Resort, the first sustainable tourism project in the Al Baha region – one of the main investment destinations identified under Saudi Arabia’s National Tourism Strategy. The agreement was signed during an event at the Al Baha Principality Building by Qusai Al-Fakhri, CEO of TDF and Majed Al Nefaie, CEO of Seera Group. The Raghadan Tourist Resort project represents the beginning of a new era in Al Baha’s history and will be a major boost for tourism in the region. Al-Fakhri expressed his happiness with the support that the project, located in the famous Raghadan park, has received from His Royal Highness Prince Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Al Baha Region, and the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, represented by the Al Baha Municipality. This support reflects the strong integration between government sectors to serve tourism investments in Saudi Arabia and reinforces the cooperation between TDF and Seera Group to transform the Al Baha region into one of the leading tourist destinations in the Kingdom. Al-Fakhri also expressed his confidence in Seera Group and its capabilities to develop the project – which aims to attract domestic and international tourists – to the highest engineering and environmental standards. Al Baha’s rich history, cultural heritage, climate, topography and geographic location in the south-west of Saudi Arabia make it an attractive area for tourism and one that will further diversify the country’s offering. Majed Al Nefaie, CEO of Seera Group, said: “Developing tourist destinations based on unique experiences will be an important priority for the Saudi tourism sector over …