As part of its ambitious strategy to enhance its position on the global tourism map, the Ajman Department of Tourism Development has signed a Cooperation Agreement with Schauinsland-Reisen, one of the leading travel and tourism companies in Germany and Europe. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen Ajman’s tourism promotion efforts in the European market through integrated marketing and promotional campaigns, including digital advertising, event organisation, and tailored media programs. The collaboration will also involve the development of innovative travel packages that meet the preferences of European tourists. The initiative is expected to attract more European visitors to Ajman and introduce them to the Emirate’s diverse tourism offerings, which combine rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and a modern hospitality infrastructure. Commenting on the agreement, His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi said: “This step reflects our unwavering commitment to implementing a comprehensive strategy that enhances Ajman’s competitiveness on the global tourism stage and targets new, high-potential markets. Partnering with a reputable company like Schauinsland is a real asset, given their extensive experience and wide-reaching network in the European market, which will help us reach targeted tourism segments.” Mr. Eken also praised Ajman’s tourism potential, stating: “We are delighted to be part of this valuable cooperation. We believe this partnership will open new doors for German and European tourists to discover a unique destination like Ajman, which blends authenticity with modernity and offers warm Arabian hospitality.” This agreement comes as part of a series of initiatives launched by the Ajman Department of Tourism Development this year, including the establishment of a new representative office in the Federal Republic of Germany. This office was unveiled during the department’s participation in ITB Berlin 2025, one of …

Ishraq Hospitality announced a new strategic partnership with Samco Holding, one of Egypt’s leading investment and development companies. The signing ceremony marks a significant milestone as both organisations embark on the development of two landmark hospitality projects in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. The first of the two properties will be Holiday Inn Express Cairo New Capital, set within the heart of the city’s premier business and residential district. Featuring 125 smartly designed rooms, the hotel will cater to the needs of modern travellers seeking comfort, simplicity, and efficiency. With its flexible workspaces, contemporary interiors, and energising public areas, the hotel will provide a seamless stay for both business and leisure guests in one of Egypt’s most dynamic new destinations. In parallel, The Five Hotel Apartments will offer 100 stylish serviced apartments designed for long-term stays and extended business visits. The property will combine the comfort of residential living with the convenience of hotel services, featuring wellness facilities, co-working zones, and social lounges. Positioned within “The Five,” a mixed-use development envisioned by Samco Holding, the hotel apartments will benefit from proximity to commercial centres, government offices, and lifestyle amenities, making it an ideal choice for professionals, families, and relocating executives. Sherif Beshara, Group CEO of Mohamed & Obaid AlMulla Group, commented: “We are pleased to join hands with Samco Holding, a company known for its pioneering role in Egypt’s urban transformation. The New Administrative Capital is a visionary project, and our collaboration reflects Ishraq Hospitality’s ambition to deliver world-class hospitality experiences in emerging destinations. We are confident that these properties will contribute meaningfully to the region’s development and become benchmarks of quality service in the market.” Hisham Taha, Chief Commercial Officer …

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has expanded its fleet with the addition of two Airbus A320 aircraft, bringing its total fleet size to 12 aircraft. This expansion is part of the airline’s ongoing growth strategy. The carrier also announced plans to add two more Airbus A320 aircraft before the end of the year. This planned fleet increase will boost total capacity by 40% in 2025, further reinforcing Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s commitment to the growth of Abu Dhabi’s aviation sector and the emirate’s broader economic development. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: “The addition of new aircraft and our strategic fleet expansion reflect our ongoing commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and expanding our network reach. This growth supports the rising demand for air travel to and from Abu Dhabi.” He added: “The planned capacity increase in 2025 will further contribute to the capital’s broader economic and tourism vision while continuing to offer value-driven air travel to our customers.” Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s recent network expansions include new routes to Yerevan, Almaty, and Sialkot, further broadening its reach. The airline now connects Abu Dhabi with non-stop service to over 30 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and Eastern Europe, offering seamless travel options for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Since its launch in 2020, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has emerged as a key enabler of air connectivity from the UAE capital, providing its customers with affordable and reliable air travel.

As Samsonite celebrates 115 years of redefining travel, the iconic luggage brand looks to the future with an unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and consumer-centric design. TravTalk ME sat with Subrata Dutta President APAC and Middle East, Samsonite to find out about their journey – the past, present and future. Founded by Jesse Shwayder with a visionary focus on durability and conscious consumption long before sustainability became mainstream, Samsonite continues to lead by example. Its latest experiential store not only showcases innovative, eco-conscious products but also serves as a reflection of its deep-rooted philosophy: creating long-lasting travel solutions that align with the evolving needs of global travellers. From recycled materials to tech-forward features, Samsonite remains a timeless yet forward-thinking companion for modern, mindful travellers. For over a century, Samsonite has stood as a trusted name in travel, championing the founder Jesse Shwayder’s belief in durability, comfort, and responsibility. The brand’s philosophy has always centered around creating luggage that endures — not just in quality but in purpose. Today, as sustainability and innovation become global imperatives, Samsonite is more committed than ever to doing business responsibly. At the heart of this commitment is a new experiential retail concept that embodies the brand’s eco-conscious values. Beyond sleek displays and product range, the store educates consumers on sustainable materials, responsible manufacturing, and innovation — all designed to encourage more mindful purchasing without being overly didactic. Customers can explore the stories behind the materials — from recycled PET bottles turned into linings to reclaimed yogurt cups and washing machine tubs re-engineered into hard-shell cases. Since 2019, Samsonite has repurposed more than 250 million plastic bottles and introduced proprietary materials like Roxkin™, offering unmatched strength-to-weight …

Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers announced that it has joined Viya, the UAE’s leading lifestyle and rewards app. Through this partnership, guests and visitors can now enjoy exclusive offers and privileges at the hotel’s award-winning Conrad Spa, while earning rewards with every visit. Viya members will be able to access Conrad Spa’s bespoke treatments, state-of-the-art facilities, and tranquil surroundings, all while earning up to 10% back in rewards points on every transaction. Points can be redeemed on a variety of luxury experiences, including the spa’s signature treatments, dining venues, and other facilities at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. Viya is a free-to-download app that connects members with more than 400 premium leisure, wellness, dining, and lifestyle destinations across the UAE. With Viya Access, the app’s luxury leisure pass, members also benefit from unlimited entry to selected fitness, entertainment, and wellness destinations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers is proud to be part of this exclusive membership network, offering Viya members a seamless way to enjoy some of the capital’s most exceptional hospitality and wellness experiences.

Mercure Dubai Barsha Heights Hotel Suites and Apartments has enhanced its sustainable credentials by achieving platinum certification from the internationally renowned Green Globe Certification (GGC). The hotel is now one of only three hotels throughout the UAE that has achieved platinum certification and is in the top 5% globally, within the Green Globe programme, which is specifically designed for the travel and tourism industry. During an independent audit and assessment carried out by Green Globe’s preferred partner in the Middle East, Dubai-headquartered sustainability consultancy Farnek, the property had complied with or exceeded more than 380 rigorous sustainability indicators. Farnek’s dedicated team also supported hotel management with its Hotel Optimizer, a comprehensive and data-driven energy performance monitoring software tool. Through efficient measuring, tracking, monitoring, and benchmarking of energy and water consumption, as well as waste management, the hotel was able to calculate its carbon footprint during 2024 and then make an accurate comparison with its 2014 performance. • Total Energy Consumption reduced by 18.02% • Water Consumption trimmed by 4.1% • Total Utility Costs cut by 12.61% • CO2 emissions from utilities lowered by 6.53 % • CO2 emissions per guest reduced by 30.46% • Total waste generation slashed by 72.48% • Waste rebates increased by 48.08% • Waste diversion rate improved by 178.2% To achieve this outstanding performance, the hotel carried out multiple retrofits, such as chiller optimisation, frequency controls for fresh air handling units, and LED light installation. The hotel also managed to reduce water consumption by fitting 300 tap aerators and diverting its waste from landfills through innovative reduction and recycling initiatives. The hotel also offset 100% of the carbon emissions generated from business travel made by its management team. …

flynas announced launching a new route between Jeddah and Prishtina in Kosovo, further consolidating its position as pioneering air carrier connecting the two countries, in line with flynas growth and expansion plan, launched under the title “We Connect the World to the Kingdom,” in parallel with the objectives of the National Civil Aviation Strategy to enable national air carriers to contribute to connecting KSA with 250 International destinations and to accommodate 330 million passengers and to host 150 million tourists yearly by 2030. Starting 1st October, three weekly flights will be operated between King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prishtina International Airport “Adem Jashari” on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. flynas is the first airline listed on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) operates 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations in 30 countries with more than 2000 weekly flights and has flown more than 80 million passengers since its launch in 2007, with the aim to reach 165 domestic and international destinations within its growth and expansion plan, and in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. Passengers traveling with flynas can book their flights through all flynas booking channels: www.flynas.com, the flynas app, the call centre (920001234), or travel agents

Between 1 January to 30 June 2025, Abu Dhabi Airports welcomed over 15.8 million passengers, a significant 13.1% increase over figures from the first half of 2024. Zayed International Airport (AUH), Abu Dhabi’s flagship gateway, played a pivotal role in the increase, with 15.5 million passengers walking through its gates until the end of June – up 13.2% year-on-year. This rise in passenger traffic was also supported by 133,533 total flights across the five airports in the first half of 2025, representing a 9.2% rise from the same period last year. AUH registered 93,858 aircraft movements, 11.4% over H1 2024 when it recorded 84,286 flights. Abu Dhabi Airports continues to cement its position as a key enabler of economic growth and global connectivity, reporting double-digit passenger traffic growth for a 17th consecutive quarter as well as strong flight movement and cargo growth in the first half of 2025. Expanding its global footprint remains central to Abu Dhabi Airports’ growth strategy. In the first half of the year, the network added 16 new destinations and welcomed new airline partners. Notable additions include China Eastern Airlines’ four-times-weekly Shanghai service (with daily service commencing in September), Air Seychelles’ six weekly flights, and Fly Cham’s service to Damascus. IndiGo also strengthened its presence at AUH with new routes to Madurai, Bhubaneswar, and Vishakhapatnam, further cementing AUH as the airline’s most connected hub in the UAE. Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “The first six months of this year have posed some operational challenges, yet our expectational mid-year results demonstrate the resilience of our network and the collaborative partnerships that underpin our growth. Consistently delivering positive growth for the …

Etihad Guest partnered with the multinational neobank, Revolut, to offer worldwide loyalty members more ways to earn Etihad Guest Miles internationally. Millions of Revolut customers worldwide can transfer their RevPoints earned through everyday spending to Etihad Guest Miles via the Revolut mobile app. RevPoints can be transferred into Etihad Guest Miles at a one-for-one ratio, with no minimum transfer amount – making rewards more accessible and allowing members to unlock Etihad Guest benefits with the tap of a button. Etihad Guest members can use RevPoints to boost their Etihad Guest Miles balance and redeem their miles on flights to more than 100 spectacular destinations within Etihad’s expanding global network, upgrades, worldwide hotel stays and holidays, and a huge range of items from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop. With 27 new destinations joining the Etihad network this year, such as Phnom Penh, Sumatra and Hong Kong, members can utilise their spending to earn a ticket to see the world. Mark Potter, Managing Director Etihad Guest, said, “We’re excited to offer new and existing members even more opportunity to earn Etihad Guest Miles internationally through this partnership with Revolut — unlocking a world of rewards and benefits for members to choose from and enjoy. The collaboration will give flight to the travel ambitions of Revolut’s customer base, making it easier for them to explore the world and maximise their rewards. “As the Etihad network continues to expand rapidly, adding 27 new routes this year alone and expanding our presence across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, we’re determined to offer guests more from their Etihad Guest memberships and reward everyday spending to make travel more accessible to members around the world.” Christopher …

Loco Bear, the UAE’s leading indoor play destination, is set to launch an all-new immersive experience with a Labubu-themed adventure quest hosted at its vibrant Al Quoz 2 location. Taking place on Saturday 26th July from 4 PM to 7 PM, the thrilling activation brings together physical play, storytelling, and collectible culture in a uniquely Loco Bear format, designed to entertain young adults, and delight the local community. This high-energy event highlights Loco Bear’s growing reputation for creativity and innovation, offering an exciting fusion of gameplay and pop culture that’s never been seen before in the region. An Adventure Quest Like No Other In partnership with the global phenomenon Labubu, a mischievous collectible character adored by children and adults alike & regional distributor, NE, Loco Bear is transforming its space into a multi-zone adventure challenge where participants must complete a series of physical and skill-based games to win limited-edition rewards. The adventure quest will span five distinct zones across the Loco Bear premises: ● Climbing Zone – A vertical timed challenge that tests agility and confidence ● Ninja Course – A dynamic obstacle sprint designed for speed and precision ● Parkour Track – A freestyle test of stamina and movement ● Laser Tag Arena – A high-score mission with neon-lit thrills ● Bowling Lanes – A family-favorite zone with a points-based twist Each participant will be given a map of the zones, and upon successfully completing a challenge, will earn a Pass or Fail stamp at that station. Those who collect all five Pass stamps will successfully complete the quest. The first 10 winners will walk away with official Labubu dolls, while additional winners will receive Loco Bear or Loco …