As Indian flight queries for the UAE and Egypt witness a significant uptick, and the country retains its position as Dubai’s biggest source market, India’s tourism sector will be a key focus for delegates, exhibitors and attendees at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from Monday 9 to Thursday 12 May. With India’s travel industry projected to account for 29 million outbound trips per year by 2025, according to analysis from GlobalData, and ResearchandMarkets.com predicting its outbound tourism market will surpass $42 billion by the end of 2024, ATM 2022 will offer a timely opportunity to explore the vast potential offered by the country’s travel, tourism and hospitality sector. Data from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) shows that the country ranked top of the emirate’s source market list for 2021, accounting for 910,000 inbound visitors, and short-haul flight queries for destinations including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Egypt have witnessed a 30 percent uptick among Indian tourists, according to Thomas Cook (India). Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME – Arabian Travel Market, said: “The global pandemic had a major impact on India’s travel sector but, as our industry’s global post-pandemic recovery continues to gather pace, Indian tourists appear eager to return to their favourite Middle Eastern destinations. We are excited to explore the vast potential of this vital source market as part of our dedicated buyer forum at ATM 2022.” The number of inbound tourists travelling from India to the UAE has witnessed a 50 percent increase of late, with VFS Global processing 40,000 travel visas since Dubai reopened its borders following the pandemic. With a buyer forum dedicated exclusively to …

Cruise Saudi welcomed Viking Star from Viking to Saudi for its inaugural visit on 30 March. The ship called at Jeddah Islamic Port where a plaque and key exchange ceremony took place before traveling on to call at Yanbu Port. The visit from Viking Star marks the fifth ship to sail Saudi waters as part of Cruise Saudi’s mandate to build a world-class cruise industry in the country, opening up a new gateway for tourism in line with Vision 2030, Saudi’s transformation blueprint. Viking Star is one of Viking’s award-winning ocean ships. Relatively small in size, with a capacity of 930 guests, the ship is able to dock where other larger ships cannot and provide a smooth embarkation and debarkation process. The interior and facilities on the cruise ship are in line with Viking’s Nordic theme – the award-winning spa has been designed with the holistic wellness philosophy of Scandinavia in mind. The Explorers’ Lounge and Mamsen’s gourmet deli are thoughtful spaces located at the bow of the ship and designed to represent the Scandinavian spirit for complete relaxation and for marveling at sweeping views through double-height windows. Commenting on the Viking Star visit, Cruise Saudi’s Chief Executive Officer, Lars Clasen said: “Viking Star’s visit is an important milestone for Cruise Saudi in welcoming a new cruise line to Saudi. We are proud to have hosted ships from some of the biggest and most renowned international cruise lines including Viking. We are excited to offer tourists a new and exciting opportunity to discover all that Saudi has to offer from pristine islands and beaches of the Red Sea to unique culture and heritage – all underpinned by the quintessential Saudi …

Being the largest foreign carrier covering major cities of Iraq, RJ serves five Iraqi cities with multiple flights to/from Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Najaf and Sulaymaniah, with over 30 frequencies per week. Additionally, RJ will offer complimentary hotel accommodation in Amman to transit passengers who are traveling from Iraq via Amman to other worldwide RJ destinations in Europe, USA, Canada, and the Arabian Gulf. Royal Jordanian’s Chief Commercial Officer Karim Makhlouf said: “We are committed to offer our passengers in Iraq the best connectivity with our global network via Amman to over 32 worldwide destinations. To cater for their needs, passengers will receive free visa and hotel accommodation for any connecting flight via Amman exceeding 8 hours.” In line with RJ’s expansion plans in Iraq, the airline and the National Bank of Iraq (NBI) sealed an agreement to introduce the first co-branded credit card in Iraq under RJ’s frequent flyer program “Royal Club”. This co-branded credit card allows its holders the opportunity to earn additional miles on each payment when using the bank’s credit card, whilst exchanging these miles against many rewards that the program offers ranging from flight tickets, upgrade on their travel booking class, extra baggage allowance and many other benefits. Karim Makhlouf said: “In line with its five-year plan, RJ will double its fleet and expand its route network; it is also placing Iraq as a key market in its growth plan. For this end, we are signing different partnerships with Iraqi institutions, among which is our partnership with the National Bank of Iraq. We are delighted to cooperate with NBI and introduce the first co-branded credit card in Iraq.” He added that this partnership will increase Iraqi …

For those seeking out to a hassle free getaway, Atmosphere is the destination to be in your bucket list. Conveniently accessible from Dubai by a four-hour flight, the magical private islands of the Maldives offer something for everyone – whether you are a couple seeking a secluded romantic retreat from the buzz of daily life, or a family looking for fun-filled adventures. The four and five-star luxury resorts provide an incredible island escape surrounded by some of the world’s most splendid natural settings, which the Maldives is famous for. A luxury paradise is what comes to mind with the mention of the stunning islands of the Maldives. Sparkling white beaches, crystal clear waters, islands surrounded by coconut trees, and exquisite coral reef systems, this beautiful Indian Ocean destination gives you unparalleled reasons to make it to the top of your Eid Al Fitr getaway! Iconic water villas beckon travellers to the magnificent Island nation, where the splendors of the turquoise ocean, stunning sunsets, and silhouettes of coconut and palm trees create an enchanting atmosphere, offering the perfect escape for the entire family. Families can also enjoy a hassle-free stay as children indulge in scheduled activities within monitored play areas offered at most of the By Atmosphere and COLOURS OF OBLU resorts. From hosting birthday parties to offering babysitting services, the resorts’ have it all to ensure that your children are well taken care of while you soak in the goodness of the picturesque island setting.

Ski Dubai welcomed the world’s greatest snowboarder Shaun White, who took to the slopes and hosted a once-in-a-lifetime training session with its cohort of Sponsored Athletes. The three-time Olympic gold medalist also shared his experience of competing at the Winter Olympics and offered advice to the talented young snowboarders. Amongst the 15 young athletes was Emirati snowboarder Amenah Almuhairi (13), fresh from her victory at the FIS (International Ski Federation) Platak Open 2 Competition in Croatia where she won a total of 11 medals and became the first female athlete to represent the UAE at an international freestyle snowboarding competition. Speaking at the event, Mohammad El Etri, Vice President, Global Snow, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas said, “Shaun White has catapulted snow sports to new heights throughout his decorated career and it was a privilege to welcome him to Ski Dubai. Our aspiration is to be a global hub for snow sports and build a national team who can represent the UAE at the world’s most prestigious sporting events. We believe that this begins with having a sustainable grassroots development programme and, through our Sponsored Athletes initiative, we are establishing a snow sports community in the region and producing a steady pipeline of athletes. Shaun is an inspiration and role model to the next generation of snowboarders and his visit to Ski Dubai is a further step in our ongoing commitment to nurture emerging athletes. We hope this is the first of many trips to Ski Dubai and the Emirate!” Olympic snowboarder Shaun White added, “I am incredibly excited to be in Ski Dubai and to meet with its team of Sponsored Athletes. Having recently retired from competitive …

Armani Hotels & Resorts and Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) announced plans for a signature Armani Hotel to be built in the city of Diriyah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an area set to become an extraordinary international cultural and lifestyle destination inspired by the rich heritage of the country. With resemblance to Armani Hotels & Resorts’ current hotels in Dubai and Milan, the property will be managed by Emaar Hospitality Group. The 300 year-old site located just 15 minutes from Riyadh is the birthplace of the Kingdom and the capital of the First Saudi State. The area is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, At-Turaif, the valley and lush palm groves of Wadi Hanifah, and will soon include the Diriyah development, an acclaimed pedestrian-centric project that preserves the rich history and culture of Saudi Arabia. Upon completion, Diriyah will comprise 13 unique districts inclusive of museums, cultural institutions, fine dining, residences, hospitality offerings, office space, retail, and outdoor attractions. The development is a key driver of the Kingdom’s Saudi Vision 2030. Giorgio Armani said, “This is a pioneering project that was born from rediscovering Saudi Arabia’s roots: a dialogue between history and the present that I find very fascinating. Armani Hotel Diriyah allows me to interpret my idea of lifestyle and hospitality in a particularly subtle and embracing way. After celebrating the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Armani Hotels in Milan and Dubai, I am ready to take on this exciting new challenge. I am inspired by this initiative and delighted to be part of a project of such wide geographical and cultural scope.” Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority commented, “It is an …

Gulf Air participated in the Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from 25-27 March. The national carrier hosted its VIP guests, partners and travel agents at its Paddock Club at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Gulf Air Acting CEO, Captain Waleed Al-Alawi, praised the organization and the quality of performance that he witnessed in the race, adding, “We were pleased to welcome our customers in the Saudi market, which is of special importance to Gulf Air. As the official sponsor of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which was the inaugural race of the Formula 1 season in 2022, we are pleased with the success of the stc Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, especially in view of our strong relationship with the Saudi market and our partners in it, and the long historical relations linking the Kingdom of Bahrain with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Congratulations to Saudi Arabia for another successful race, and we wish Formula 1 more success in the future.” At the 2022 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Bahrain, and for the second Formula 1 race in a row, Gulf Air performed a low-emission flypast over the Bahrain International Circuit. Gulf Air is the official sponsor of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix since its historic launch in Bahrain in April 2004 as the first ever Formula 1 race in the Middle East; and has been contributing to the success of this sporting and social event and ensuring its excellence at all levels.  

Emirates is introducing 25 mobile Check-in Ports at Dubai International airport Terminal 3 as part of its commitment to continuously innovate at every customer touchpoint and improve the journey experience. These portable units will be deployed throughout the check-in halls at Dubai Airport Terminal. Agents at the Check-in Ports, which were developed in the UAE, will help check-in customers, weigh the bags, tag them, and will also provide boarding passes. Once tagged, porters will place luggage on a dedicated belt destined for each passengers’ aircraft. Each Check-in Port has a scale attached to it for weighing luggage and Emirates’ agents will be also on hand at each station to provide assistance and answer any queries passengers may have. Passengers with two or less bags checking in at Economy, Business and First Class will be encouraged to use the service, which will help cut down on queues and reduce waiting times during peak hours. Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer, said: “The use of advanced technologies and robots will continue to be introduced in our operational and customer touchpoints. We are committed to continually uplift our services and provide our customers a seamless experience and better journeys. Our latest Check-in Portals are a step in this direction and we are also working on other initiatives that rely on technology and artificial intelligence, to be introduced in the near future at different areas. We are fortunate to work with partners who share the same vision in utilising digital platforms and advanced technologies to improve processes and ultimately, customer experience.” Emirates’ drive for ceaseless innovation and unrivalled customer experience has seen the airline previously launch an integrated biometric path at Dubai International …

According to a new survey by leading online travel agency Wingie, Istanbul was the MENA region’s most popular tourist destination in the first quarter of 2022. Driven by increased vaccination rates and the removal of travel restrictions, the global tourism and aviation sectors appear to be making a rapid recovery. This is especially the case in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where Istanbul has emerged as a leading flight destination, according to leading flight-booking website Wingie. “Despite continued concerns over Omicron, international air travel in the MENA region showed major signs of recovery in this year’s first quarter,” Wingie Commercial Director Orkun Ozkan says. “Istanbul, meanwhile, topped the list of the most preferred destinations among MENA travelers.” According to first-quarter data compiled by Wingie.ae, most of the flight tickets purchased in MENA were to Istanbul, followed by Khartoum, Manila, Dhaka, Baku, Lucknow, Entebbe and London. Wingie’s survey also found that, most flights originating from MENA departed from the Saudi cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Abha. During the first several weeks of the year, numerous flights also departed from Dubai, Kuwait City and Cairo. “Throughout the period, travelers from Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Oman mostly traveled to Istanbul,” Ozkan says. The three most popular air routes were Riyadh-Khartoum, Jeddah-Khartoum and Riyadh-Baku. Wingie’s survey found that, following Istanbul, the most popular destinations among the same demographic were Khartoum, Manila, Baku and London. “More than 15 million people use Wingie each month to book their flights, so it can provide a very good picture of overall travel trends and consumer preferences,” Ozkan says. According to the survey, the average age of those booking tickets through Wingie is 34, and roughly …

Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), the government of Uganda’s destination marketing organization, launched its new destination brand Explore Uganda, The Pearl of Africa, as part of a tourism and media event held at the Sheraton Jumeriah Beach Resort in Dubai. The launch was conducted in the presence of the Honorable Tom Butime, Uganda’s Cabinet Minister for Tourism, and resulted in the United Arab Emirates becoming the first international market to experience the launch of Uganda’s new and improved brand. The extravagant open air evening event saw an impressive turnout with more than 90 key industry stakeholders, professionals, media and travel bloggers flocking from around the Emirates and GCC countries, to learn more about the intriguing destination that is Uganda. Speaking at the launch and heading a delegation of tourism officials and key professionals from the Ugandan tourism industry, the Minister for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the Honorable Tom R Butime said: “Uganda is extremely excited to launch our revitalized brand and travel offering to the world, and we are thrilled to do that here in Dubai, where the UAE and surrounding Gulf States are a priority tourism market for Uganda. Through our continuous promotional efforts in the region and participation in Expo 2020 Dubai over the last six months, we have developed the necessary networks and offerings to ensure Uganda is positioned as a top holiday destination for travelers from the UAE and GCC seeking meaningful and unique once in a life time experiences.” Ms. Lilly Ajarova, Chief Executive Office, Uganda Tourism Board added: “The new brand promise seeks to re-emphasize Uganda’s rare and precious range of tourism attractions that can all be found in one destination and based on pillars …