Sabre Corporation announced the successful migration of GOL Linhas Aéreas, Brazil’s largest domestic airline, from their legacy reservation system onto the SabreSonic passenger service system (PSS). The well-executed cutover now enables the airline to expand GOL’s global reach, offer exceptional personalized passenger experiences, and propel its growth plans. With the recent migration, Sabre’s highly-scalable technology will collectively manage the large number of passengers that travel on GOL each year. The two companies will continue to work closely to expand the airline’s operations and evolve its retailing, distribution and fulfillment capabilities. “At GOL we have taken significant steps to ensure the company is well-positioned for growth in the post-pandemic cycle. Innovation and technology are key components of our strategic growth plans,” said Eduardo Bernardes Neto, Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Clients at GOL. “We are confident that the flexible and intelligent nature of Sabre solutions, including the PSS, will enable us to be more efficient and offer a modern retail experience that enables personalized travel at scale to better serve our customers.” Headquartered in São Paulo, GOL began operations in 2001 and has quickly grown to become one of largest airlines in South America, carrying more than 36 million passengers per year to over 100 destinations in Brazil, South America, the Caribbean and the United States. “We are proud to become GOL’s trusted travel technology partner as it embarks upon the next phase of its journey,” said Dave Shirk, President of Travel Solutions at Sabre. “We are excited to have successfully completed GOL’s migration to SabreSonic and see that Sabre’s differentiated set of solutions delivers value to the airline.” Sabre’s robust PSS has already allowed Sabre’s valued partners to realize increased …

The Lufthansa Group airlines and Travelport announced a new distribution agreement that enables modern airline retailing as well as technology innovation. Under the agreement, which covers the carriers Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS and Air Dolomiti, Travelport will distribute Lufthansa Group airlines’ NDC content through the next-generation content distribution and travel retailing platform, Travelport+. This agreement builds on the ongoing distribution of Lufthansa Group airlines’ content through traditional EDIFACT channels. Both companies are already in the process of implementing end-to-end NDC functionality. The launch, expected in the first half of 2022, also lays the foundation for a diversified NDC program giving Travelport-connected travel agencies the ability to access Lufthansa Group airlines’ content through Travelport+ by signing up to one of the two available commercial NDC models, the NDC Public model or NDC Bilateral model. “Lufthansa Group is firmly committed to delivering superior customer experiences along the entire travel journey, increasing reach of our most attractive offers and enabling a diverse travel ecosystem. Especially in these times of crisis and when creating additional customer value through advanced technology proves to be more important than ever, we are doubling down on our long-term NDC strategy”, says Tamur Goudarzi Pour, Senior Vice President Channel Management at Lufthansa Group Network Airlines and Chief Commercial Officer SWISS. “This future-oriented agreement allows a maximum level of flexibility, and confirms that Travelport and Lufthansa Group airlines are teaming up to drive change in our industry towards true retailing capabilities and implementing customer-centric processes that together elevate the customer experience to new levels.” Jason Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer, Travel Partners at Travelport, says: “Expanding our longstanding partnership with Lufthansa Group airlines to include NDC content, with the …

Singapore Tourism presents “Hala Singapore” a three day one-of-a-kind hybrid event from 16th to 18th September at Nakheel Mall especially designed for the Middle East travellers to reignite and reimagine travel to Singapore. The event promises to take the audience on an exhilarating and exciting journey to the Garden City using the latest technology Be ready at this immersive event to experience and explore Singapore’s distinctive tourist landmarks, stunning architectures, breath-taking greenery, vibrant food culture and much more, like never before. Join us at the in-mall activation which will bring to life Singapore’s diverse culture and heritage. Also explore Singapore in the comfort of your home on www.halasingapore.com by watching various exciting virtual tours, workshops, learning how to cook Singaporean cuisines and much more. Audiences can also participate in many exciting competitions and win fabulous giveaways.

Rove Hotels has just opened Rove City Walk, crossing 3,000 operational rooms in the Emirate of Dubai. Rove City Walk is the brand’s latest property, located in Dubai’s coolest creative lifestyle community, home to the latest and most popular hangouts. The hotel offers Rovers (guests) the perfect excuse to experience City Walk’s iconic urban lifestyle by being at the heart of it all – directly opposite to the biggest event arena in the city – Coca-Cola Arena Dubai. This makes it the ideal  spot for those attending or organising events, shopping at high-end retail stores, experiencing some of the hottest dining outlets, cinema, family-friendly attractions and, even an indoor tropical forest full of exotic plants and creatures, among others. “At Rove, we believe in offering Rovers – the modern global nomads, a fun, fuss-free and affordable accommodation while they explore without borders. With convenience and great service as the key to everything the brand has to offer, we are always looking for well-connected locations to add to our collection of ever-growing hotels. The latest addition – Rove City Walk, brings Rove’s much-loved concept and accessible hospitality to one of Dubai’s most premium locations, and gives visitors an unbeatable jump-off point to start their Dubai adventure from.” says Paul Bridger of Rove Hotels. Rove City Walk features artsy modern design themed around music. The hotel’s instagrammable interiors include musical instruments, a collection of vinyls and references to regional and international artists, both past and present, at every corner. Furthermore, Rovers checking into Rove City Walk will be greeted to the tune of local DJ’s and musicians, who will be performing at the hotel lobby at key times. The hotel features a …

Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall unveiled a brand-new extension, making it the largest Premier Inn hotel in the Middle East, recently. The new facilities were officially unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by Omar Khoory, Nakheel Chief Assets and Hospitality Officer and Mark Whitlock, Regional Operations Director, Premier Inn Middle East, reinforcing the world leading property developer’s growing partnership with Premier Inn Middle East. The new development at Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall has seen the extension of the hotel’s family-friendly all-day dining restaurant, Nuevo, and an enhanced room offering, increasing the number of guest rooms to 594. Rooms have been refurbished in a contemporary, refreshed style, while ensuring the brand’s signature comfy Hypnos bed is included to guarantee the same great night’s sleep the global Premier Inn brand is famed for. As one of the closest hotels to the site of Expo 2020 Dubai, guests have the option to be part of the magic and visit the biggest showcase the world has ever seen with direct access from the Dubai Metro, connected to the property, or jump in a taxi straight to the venue within just 20 minutes. Omar Khoory, Nakheel Chief Assets and Hospitality Officer, said: “The award-winning Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall has gone from strength to strength since it opened in 2016, and the new extension highlights just how popular this hotel is – with holiday makers, business travellers and the long-term guests who call it home. With its convenient location and modern facilities, the hotel is a firm favourite for mid-scale accommodation in Dubai. We are proud that Ibn Battuta Mall is the home of what is now the largest Premier Inn in the …

Experience Emirates’ fully-enclosed Gamechanger First Class Suites, explore the airline’s signature A380 Onboard Lounge, or check out the cabin around your own seat in row 77 from the comfort of your home, with the airline’s award-winning and industry-leading virtual reality (VR) experiences. Available on emirates.com to anyone with an internet connection, via the Emirates app, and now on the Oculus Store for Oculus Rift users, Emirates has taken the next step in its ambition to reach and engage audiences around the world with cutting-edge VR technology. Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand, said: “Emirates aims to provide innovative and outstanding customer experiences whether onboard, on the ground, or in the digital space. In 2018, we were the world’s first airline to introduce advanced web VR technology on our digital platforms, offering our customers an immersive opportunity to learn about the fantastic Emirates experience that awaited them before they stepped on board. We’ve continued to invest and develop that experience, and today we are delighted to be the first airline to launch a fully-fledged Oculus VR app. “This initiative expands our global reach and ability to engage with our audiences across digital platforms. It is also particularly relevant right now, as many people have not travelled for a while due to the pandemic, and are seeking inspiration and researching and rediscovering their flight options.” Created in partnership with technology company Renacen, Emirates’ customers can navigate through Economy, Business and First Class cabins, explore their seats, as well as the iconic Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa on the Emirates A380 using navigational hotspots. Emirates is working on an updated version featuring its Premium Economy cabin and …

Kanoo Travel has marked a new milestone by rolling out the new Sabre Red 360 (SR 360) across its offices in the Middle East in attempt to fuel its ambitious growth plans by enabling intelligent retailing to improve efficiency and boost recovery. With access to a full spectrum of travel booking and merchandising through an intuitive and customizable user interface, the next generation travel agency desktop SR 360, will help Kanoo Travel address industry challenges and respond to ever changing traveller demands. It will further enhance Kanoo Travel’s consultative service delivery by equipping travel consultants with insightful data and search tools to keep up with the savvy traveller and will give clients worldwide an even greater choice of airfares, hotel rates and booking options including NDC content. The new integration will take Kanoo Travel’s shopping experience to the next level and empower travel consultants to close the deal. “Kanoo Travel has been always at the forefront of offering the best travel services by adopting the latest technology and solutions,” said Ramzi Al Qassab, senior director global partners, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “Kanoo’s unique product offering, and innovative approach has established its position as a key industry player, as is evident by its performance over the past year. Migrating to SR 360 and recruiting some of Sabre’s intelligent solutions will enable Kanoo Travel to deliver its ambitious growth plans and continue to deliver a highly consultative service to its travellers. We are looking forward to supporting Kanoo Travel through the recovery and beyond.” Kanoo Travel has positioned itself as the corporate travel leader across the Middle by deploying superior products and solutions. “Kanoo’s leadership and team’s achievements combined with Sabre’s …

Antigua and Barbuda marks a milestone in its history as it participates for the first time in Expo 2020 Dubai. Positioning itself as the emerging economic powerhouse of the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda hopes its first ever pavilion at a World Expo will showcase its booming investment and tourism industries as well as its rich history and culture to the world, as more than 20 million people are expected to visit Dubai for the six-month duration of the event. Equally significant, the country’s participation at Expo 2020 Dubai coincides with its 40th year of independence and will also include a trade office to be located a floor just above its pavilion, to facilitate trade missions and leverage opportunities over the course of the Expo. “The essence of Antigua and Barbuda lies in its culture and people. Steeped in history and wrapped in a culture of warmth and vibrancy, we are excited to welcome guests from across the globe to experience our traditions, taste our delicacies and witness how a rapidly progressing nation is becoming a key business and tourism destination,” said His Excellency Gilbert Antione Boustany, non-resident Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda in the UAE. The 2500 sq ft Antigua and Barbuda pavilion will showcase the nation’s vibrant, high-end tourism sector, which supports 80% of its GDP. “While that will be a highlight in our pavilion, our focus right now is to showcase the country’s logistical geographical location, and its potential as a trading hub between the Middle East and the Caribbean along with Central and Southern America, connecting the Eastern region with 700 million people,” His Excellency added. Antigua and Barbuda welcomes over a million visitors annually to its …

The Arabian & African Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC) returns to Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai live in person from 20-22 September 2021, bringing together four powerful, active investment communities from across the region. For the first time, AHIC 2021, organised by Bench and MEED, will house the four close-knit investment communities of the Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC), Saudi Arabia Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC), Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) and the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) under one roof. United by the theme Rise Together, investors, owners, private equity firms, financiers, franchise owners, innovators, developers, and government entities will meet to network, share insights and do business, with the potential for partnerships greater than ever. Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench and founder of AHIC, says: “To be able to bring together these four major hospitality investment communities for the first time, at our first live, in person event for this sector in the Middle East and Africa post-pandemic, is truly special. We have created a robust buyer and seller platform teaming with opportunity and developed a unique programme inspired by the key themes of ‘innovation, sustainability and the future’. With less than a month until we kick-off AHIC 2021, we are now working closely with our moderators, speakers and sponsors to ensure we spark conversations that will help this resilient and innovative industry rise from this pandemic towards a bright, successful future,” says Worsley. The AHIC 2021 programme combines on-stage one-to-one interviews, roundtables, discussions and workshops with innovation pitches, off-stage individual meetings and networking experiences. AHIC Intelligence Many of these sessions will be underpinned by AHIC Intelligence, with industry data, insights and predictions for the region’s pipeline, performance and profitability expected …

Following the overwhelming positive response from consumers and stakeholders to the Emirati Cuisine Programme, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is launching its second phase. The programme was launched in 2020 with the aim of making Emirati food more accessible to visitors and residents by training hotel chefs to prepare and serve authentic dishes. In the initial phase of the cultural campaign, 30 hotels in Abu Dhabi gained certification in Emirati cuisine. Now, more than 20 other hotels will participate in the second phase, with their chefs being virtually trained by Emirati culinary talent Chef Khulood Atiq. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas will host the filming of the classes, in which Chef Khulood will teach authentic Emirati recipes including favourites such as the luqaimat dessert and machboos. “The success of the Emirati Cuisine Programme demonstrates the appetite for more authentic Emirati experiences across the capital,” said HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi. “We are delighted to see such immense interest from the public to explore this exceptional culinary journey, as well as the industry’s support in making this the success that it is. We hope that more and more people taste delicious Emirati dishes for the first time to learn about the ingredients and experience the flavours and beauty of the country, where they are always warmly welcomed.” Inspired by the UAE’s diverse population, the second phase of the programme will feature new fusion recipes that intertwine Emirati cuisine with classic dishes from other cultures. The culinary experiences will be created by chefs from some of the emirate’s favourite restaurants, such as Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi at Louvre Abu …