Etihad Airways is prepared for a boost in travel to and from Abu Dhabi following the government’s announcement to remove the quarantine requirement for all vaccinated travellers arriving from abroad. Fully vaccinated travellers (with vaccines approved by the World Health Organization) can arrive from all international destinations without the need to quarantine. All travellers will require a PCR test within 48 hours of departure, a test on arrival and retesting on select days depending on the country they have travelled from. Unvaccinated travellers, however, should follow the rules according to the destination they are arriving from. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad, commented: “The news is perfectly timed to begin welcoming the world back to Abu Dhabi. We expect a huge surge in demand from tourists and visiting friends and relatives from around the world. This will also give UAE residents greater flexibility and peace of mind when travelling globally. “The emirate has delivered one of the world’s best public health programmes to protect the population with an extremely high vaccination rate, and smart technologically-driven solutions such as the Al Hosn app to ensure the safety of residents and visitors.   “This is a huge step forward as the UAE prepares to host the EXPO 2020, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and many more global events over the coming months. “Etihad is currently operating to 65 passenger destinations with one of the world’s youngest and most sustainable fleets. We look forward to welcoming our guests to Abu Dhabi with Etihad to enjoy this world-class destination – an emirate and capital city we’re so proud to call our home.” Flying with Etihad is supported by the …

Following the updated international entry guidelines recently announced by the Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announces Abu Dhabi is set to welcome all fully vaccinated tourists and residents travelling from all countries around the world, as well as unvaccinated visitors from ‘Green List’ countries, with no quarantine measures. Vaccines must be approved by the World Health organisation (WHO). This will take effect starting 5 September 2021. Registering International vaccinations or exemption documents In order to support seamless entry for international travellers and enable visitors to safely enjoy the the UAE capital’s diverse experiences through the Abu Dhabi Green Pass, DCT Abu Dhabi has outlined a simple process to enable tourists to register their international vaccination certificate or vaccination exemption document for verification 5 days before their travel date, via the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) Smart app or via ica.gov.ae website. Applicants will receive an SMS confirmation that will include a link to the Alhosn app, which must be downloaded prior to travel. The Alhosn app displays users’ vaccination status and PCR test results, which are required to activate the Abu Dhabi Green Pass. Upon arrival, travellers will receive a Unified ID number, from airport immigration, or via the ICA Smart app or website; this will complete the registration on the Alhosn app. Following a PCR test at the airport, visitors can activate the Green Pass, allowing them entry to all public spaces in the emirate. Children under 12 and People of Determination (POD) with moderate and severe disabilities are exempt from COVID-19 PCR testing. Entry for vaccinated travellers from Green List countries Under …

VOX Cinemas, the dedicated cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and Africa, is proud to announce a partnership with Akira Back, world-renowned Michelin star chef. The highly-anticipated culinary collaboration, which launches in the United Arab Emirates in September, will see the global restauranteur curate a special menu for THEATRE, VOX Cinemas’ luxury cinema concept, so moviegoers can enjoy an unparalleled dining experience. Guests at THEATRE can expect a modern Japanese menu which features a dynamic combination of Akira Back’s signature dishes as well as culinary creations exclusive to VOX Cinemas. Famed for his sense of adventure and creativity, Akira Back has enjoyed an illustrious career bringing his culinary expertise and artistry across the globe, with a portfolio of critically acclaimed restaurants and lounges in destinations like Beverly Hills, San Diego, Seychelles North Island, Toronto, Singapore, Seoul, Dubai and more. VOX Cinemas’ THEATRE combines film with fine food and provides guests with the option of dining in an exclusive private lounge area or having their food delivered straight to their seat through the in-theatre waiter service. Redefining the luxury cinema experience, THEATRE boasts reclining leather seats, plush blankets and pillows and cutting-edge audiovisual technology in a stylish and intimate setting. Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas said, “Cinemagoers in the region are becoming increasingly discerning and we are extremely excited about collaborating with Chef Akira Back to introduce a new era in fine dining and film in response to rising expectations. At VOX Cinemas, we offer more than just movies and, are continuously diversifying our offering so guests can enjoy an …

Dubai Holding, a diversified global investment company with operations in 13 countries confirmed the appointment of Ronald Drake as General Manager of Ain Dubai as the Emirate’s newest landmark and world’s largest and tallest observation wheel gears up for a highly anticipated public opening in Q4 this year. A specialist in commercial entertainment project revitalisation, Drake brings over 35 years of extensive experience developing global tourist attractions, retail, and live entertainment projects. He is responsible for creating and delivering the strategic vision of Ain Dubai through its launch and operations, as well as developing and nurturing growth for Ain Dubai, establishing it as one of Dubai’s iconic landmarks on the global stage. Set to become the ‘must-visit’ venue for views, sunsets, entertainment and celebrations, Ain Dubai re-imagines the traditional observation wheel experience, translating it into a world-class entertainment hot spot that delivers bespoke experiences suited to all types of celebratory occasions for people of all ages to enjoy. Mohamed Sharaf, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Holding Entertainment said: “The highly anticipated Ain Dubai is ready to open to the world in the next few months as the newest skyline-defining landmark and the latest offering by Dubai Holding to elevate the Emirate’s rich and vibrant leisure and entertainment landscape. Ain Dubai holds ever so true to fortifying Dubai’s leading position as a key international tourism destination and serves as testament to the grand vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.” “We are extremely proud of Ain Dubai as we endeavor tirelessly to ensure innovative concepts are brought to life in Dubai, building on our track record …

Emirates and Visa are making paying for your next holiday or trip to visit loved ones much more rewarding with tremendous savings potential for future travel plans. Customers booking their travel on emirates.com who use their Visa credit or Visa debit card from today until 18 September 2021* in any class of travel using the promotional code EKVISA1 to any destination from Dubai on the Emirates network, will have a chance to win an AED 1,000 discount to redeem on their next Emirates ticket. Emirates and Visa will randomly choose over 400 lucky winners from the eligible entries to benefit from the generous discount. Customers who don’t want to miss this offer should visit emirates.com to check the airline’s latest featured fares to their next destinations here Commenting on the partnership, Kalika Tripathi, Visa’s Head of Marketing for MENA, said: “With tourism slowly returning to normal, people are eagerly looking for deals and offers to make their long-awaited trip worth it. We are delighted to join our longstanding partner Emirates in this campaign to enhance our valued cardholders’ experience by making their travel journey more rewarding. The launch of this promotion is a great opportunity for us to give our Visa cardholders exclusive benefits and also help motivate repeat travel.” As always, Emirates customers can rest assured while travelling that their health and safety continued to be a top priority with the latest health and safety measures in place. If they change their mind at any time, they will always have peace of mind in knowing that Emirates’ priority is to make travel planning stress free with even more generous and flexible booking policies, multi-risk insurance cover, and helping loyal …

YouGov’s latest study among 1028 respondents in the UAE reveals half (51%) of the respondents are likely to hop on a suborbital flight if price wasn’t a constraint, the rest remain indecisive (25%) or are unlikely to buy a ticket even if they could afford it (24%). Once regarded as a topic reserved for science fiction, space tourism may very well soon be offered by private companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic. Interest in being a space tourist is higher (54%) among younger adults (18-44 years), whereas older adults (45 years & above) are comparatively less likely to be interested (41%). Similarly, men when compared to women are more likely to get themselves a ticket for a suborbital flight, provided money wasn’t a concern (55% vs 43%). Billionaires like Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos have marked a major milestone in space tourism, with their recent space tours and plans of flying passengers to space in suborbital flights by early next year. But it’s not an excursion that appeals to everyone. The survey also shows that residents from high-income groups (earning AED 25,000+) are more inclined towards space travel compared to the other income groups. Among those interested in traveling into space, the most common reason given to do so was to experience something unique (53%). Many claimed their reason to go to space would be to see the view of earth from space, view other planets or to experience weightlessness in zero gravity conditions (43% each). For some it seems to be a lifetime dream or goal (34%). Out of those who were undecided or unlikely to board a space flight even if money wasn’t a constraint, …

Air India is scaling up its services to Dubai International ( DXB ) with additional route resumption on Dubai-Indore-Dubai sector effective 01st September 2021.This is in response to the easing of international entry protocols and upsurge in passenger demand. Indore becomes the 14th destination of Air India on UAE-INDIA-UAE network and shall operate on every Wednesday of the week. AI 955 will depart Indore at 12:35 p.m. and arrive in Dubai at 3:05 p.m. Similarly, AI 956 will depart Dubai at 4:05 p.m. and arrive in Indore at 8:55 p.m. Further, Indore is one of the premier educational hubs of India and is the only city to host Indian Institute of Management and Indian Institute of Technology. It is also the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh and is well connected by road to the nearby border states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Overall Air India has achieved an impressive load factor of over 90% on the UAE-India sectors during the last quarter. We are thankful to our esteemed clients, especially the Indian diaspora in UAE who have helped us in achieving high seat occupancy. With clear signals that passenger confidence for international travel is returning, the airline is advancing its plans to increase its capacity and services on the UAE-India-UAE network. Air India takes this opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Dubai Airports for their unstinting support and cooperation in this endeavour. Air India looks forward for the continued support of all agencies at Dubai International (D

Mantis ‘brand to debut on Bahrain’s Hawar Island, merging luxury with eco-tourism, while redefining adventure. Mantis was founded in 2000 by global entrepreneur and conservationist Adrian Gardiner, and features a diverse collection of extraordinary destinations around the globe. Since joining forces in 2018, Accor and Mantis have worked together to take on new opportunities to welcome guests in authentic curated Hotels, Eco-Lodges and Waterways while prioritizing the cause of sustainability and to promote further appreciation of the natural environment across every unique destination. The group is partnering with Edamah (Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company), the real – estate arm of Mumtalakat Holding Company, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Incorporated in 2006, Edamah manages a dynamic portfolio of real estate projects within the Kingdom, ranging from commercial and retail, to leisure and hospitality. The Mantis project will be based on Hawar Island, which is a 45-minute boat ride from the Bahrain mainland and enjoys recognition from UNESCO for its natural history. Guests will have the chance to stay in overwater villas offering direct access to the sea while experiencing superior service, quality, and the beautiful island nature. “We are looking forward to partnering with Accor to open the first Mantis brand in Bahrain on Hawar Island and welcoming visitors from across the region with the traditional warm hospitality that Bahrain is known for”, said Edamah CEO Amin Alarrayed. “The island’s pristine environment has been virtually undisturbed, resulting in a vibrant ecosystem which will appeal to nature lovers. Our aim is to showcase this natural beauty while focusing on sustainability to preserve it for future generations.”   Situated on the West coast of the Hawar Island, the property will …

The Al Kharj Chamber of Commerce has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with VFS Global for the latter to provide visa services for its members on its premises. Leveraging its doorstep visa service, VFS Global will visit the Chamber’s headquarters in Al Kharj upon request to provide end-to-end visa services to members, bringing the process to them so they do not have to visit a Visa Application Centre. VFS Global’s range of optional services such as form filling assistance, travel insurance, document scanning and uploading (for UK visa applications), among others, will also be available to members. “This partnership with VFS Global is an accelerant to positioning Al Kharj as an epicentre for trade, industry and businesses by bringing visa services closer and at further convenience to our members. We look forward to working closely with VFS Global in the coming months,” said Mr. Amash bin Al-Dafin, President, Al Kharj Chamber of Commerce. Vinay Malhotra, Regional Group Chief Operating Officer – South Asia, Middle East & North Africa and Americas, VFS Global said, “Al Kharj is the fourth Chamber of Commerce VFS Global has partnered with in the past one year, and we are proud to be supporting the Kingdom’s 2030 vision through our services. We are excited about this new association and look forward to providing the Chamber members our best-in-class services.” VFS Global provides visa services for 30 countries for the citizens and residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since 2005 through a network of 85 Visa Application Centres.

Hospitality brand Stella Stays has launched operations in Bahrain ahead of a major expansion in the region. The firm’s expansion plans seek to take advantage of Bahrain’s booming real estate sector, with $12 billion worth of real estate projects in the pipeline. Stella Stays operates a portfolio of managed properties scattered around UAE, Bahrain and Canada. Positioned to rival traditional hotel chains, the company is targeting tourists and residents who want short, medium, and long-term stays in well designed, furnished, regulated apartments, townhouses, and villas. Each of Stella Stays’ units is designed by its in-house interior design team and features stylish modern furniture, pre-loaded Netflix accounts, PlayStations, espresso machines and 100+ on demand services in addition to standard hotel like facilities. The start-up launched in late 2019, and has grown to manage nearly 300 properties as of August 2021. “We have an aggressive growth plan and the new properties being built in Bahrain will play a crucial role in our strategy.” said Mohannad Zikra, CEO and Co-founder at Stella Stays. “Our expansion into Bahrain coincides with the Kingdom’s major real estate developments. Our model is the perfect fit for the Bahrain market and will be an excellent stepping stone in rolling the concept out to key locations in the region and eventually expanding to Europe and North America.” Despite the onset of the pandemic, Stella Stays was able to pivot from targeting tourists to offering residents and inbound travellers places to work remotely and undergo quarantine. The company has already secured one round of initial funding. Now the business aims to achieve a comparable level of success to a similar firm in the US; Sonder, which announced earlier this year …