Emirates will resume its passenger operations between Dubai and Nigeria from 5 December 2021, offering customers enhanced connectivity to and through Dubai. The world’s largest international airline will operate to and from its Nigerian gateways with daily flights, providing travellers from Nigeria convenient access to Dubai, which remains a highly popular holiday and business destination. It’ll also enable travellers to safely connect via Dubai to the Emirates network of over 120 global destinations. Emirates will operate to Abuja with EK 785 and 786. EK 785 will depart Dubai at 1100hrs, arriving in Abuja at 1540hrs. The return flight, EK 786 will take off from Abuja at 1900, arriving in Dubai at 0435hrs the next day. Emirates flight EK 783 to Lagos will depart Dubai at 1030hrs, arriving in Lagos at 1540hrs. The return flight EK 784 will depart Lagos at 1810hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0415hrs the next day. All flights can be booked on emirates.com, with OTAs and via travel agents. Throughout the pandemic, Emirates has been helping its customers travel safely and confidently, implementing industry-leading health and safety measures at every point of the travel journey, helping communities reconnect faster and facilitating economic recovery. The airline has also been working hard to provide up to date, comprehensive travel information to its customers, as well as speeding up processes on the ground through digital verification for Covid-19 via the IATA Travel Pass, as well as touchless check-in and biometrics processing. Ensuring the safety of travellers, visitors, and the community, Covid-19 PCR tests are mandatory for all inbound passengers arriving to Dubai, including UAE citizens, residents and tourists, irrespective of the country they are coming from. Travellers coming from Nigeria …

As part of the UAE’s 50th National Day celebrations, the Dubai Council for Border Crossing Points Security in collaboration with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, is offering inbound travellers to the emirate free Expo 2020 tickets. The tickets, which will be offered for two weeks from Wednesday, 1 December, will enable travellers to visit the mega global event that features the participation of 192 countries. All inbound travelers entering Dubai through its various ports, including tourists, residents and citizens, will receive the free tickets. The initiative is part of the Council’s efforts to promote events in Dubai, showcase the emirate’s capabilities, and encourage travelers to explore Dubai’s diverse events and attractions. Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 highlights music, architecture, technology and culture from around the globe as part of its packed events calendar. The global event provides visitors the opportunity to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of countries across the world. The event also brings together the world’s brightest minds through its Programme for People and Planet, which offers a platform for the free and open exchange of new ideas and innovation. Expo 2020 Dubai is the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region.  

Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA, one of the fastest-growing hotel management companies in the region, has announced the signing of a new hotel management agreement for Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA – Copthorne Al Basateen Jeddah Hotel in partnership with Hussain bin Yousef bin Ali Nazra. Hamid Sidine, Chief Operating Officer of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa, said: “This expansion comes as part of our ambitious expansion plans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supporting Saudi Vision 2030. We are delighted to expand in Jeddah and contribute to the city’s hospitality offerings.” Copthorne Al Basateen Jeddah is conveniently located 10 minutes away from King Abdulaziz International Airport. The newly-built hotel will feature 232 rooms and 20 suites, meeting rooms, a business centre, swimming pool, gym, and various dining outlets. Copthorne is a renowned brand that provides quality service with tremendous value, offering convenient locations around the globe for business and leisure travelers. Millennium Hotels and Resorts currently operates 25 hotels under the Copthorne brand globally in Asia, Europe, and New Zealand, including five hotels in the MEA region. And a pipeline of five hotels across the MEA region.

Part of the charm of Filipino hospitality is making sure that visitors have their fill of the best food that their home can offer. The first thing a Filipino will ask their guest is, “have you eaten?” Wherever you go in the country, the dishes offered will vary since each region has something unique to offer. The Philippines Department of Tourism (PDOT) highlights the country’s food traditions through different programs that encourage new dining discoveries. Launched in July 2021, the Halal Culinary Heritage Series showcases food in Mindanao through a video series posted on the DOT’s social media platforms. “Food is a vital part of a tourism experience. It gives us a glimpse of a place’s culture and heritage. Through the development of Halal Culinary Tourism, we encourage the culinary Muslim traditions in the Philippines,” says Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat. The Mindanao Halal Culinary Tourism is a project of the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). Besides promoting the heritage of Mindanao and its culture, the project aims to document culinary practices of the region through food mapping. Halal-certified food – Halal food takes on many forms throughout the Philippines. In Manila, there are restaurants and eateries that offer Halal-certified food, ranging from the stalls located at the area known as Muslim Town near the Golden Mosque in Quiapo. It offers several culinary delights. For Halal-certified Filipino fare in the Makati district, the El Prado dining outlet of Berjaya Hotel Makati is the best bet for travellers. Eat like a local – It is not an understatement that Filipinos love to eat. Travellers to get a Filipino picnic feel should pack a coffee break in a handcrafted rattan …

dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, has signed a concession agreement with The Government of Zanzibar, along with Emirates Leisure Retail and SEGAP, a joint venture between airport infrastructure and operations specialists Egis, and private equity fund manager AIIM. Under the partnership, dnata will oversee the operations of Zanzibar Abeid Amani Karume International Airport’s (ZNZ) newly-built international terminal (T3), with SEGAP supporting the Zanzibar Airports Authority (ZAA) in a management capacity. Emirates Leisure Retail will partner with MMI as master concessionaire for all food and beverage, duty free and commercial outlets at T3. dnata will provide its globally renowned, quality ground and passenger handling services to airline customers at ZNZ, ensuring safe and timely operations of flights and an excellent travel experience for passengers. dnata expects to handle over 4,000 flights annually at the airport.  dnata will also invest in a state-of-the-art cargo centre to establish cargo operations at the airport, supporting local trade and businesses. The facility will comply with the highest industry standards ensuring efficient and safe handling of a broad range of cargo, including perishables, pharmaceuticals, dangerous goods, live animals, aircraft engines and vehicles. In addition, dnata will launch meet & greet and lounge services through its airport hospitality brand, marhaba, to help passengers further enhance their experience and enjoy a smooth airport journey from check-in to boarding. dnata’s expansion into Zanzibar represents an investment of over US$ 7 million and will create up to 400 direct local jobs with the company. Including this latest investment which is dnata’s first operation in Tanzania, dnata now provides quality and safe ground handling, cargo, catering and travel services in 36 countries. Steve Allen, Executive Vice President …

Dubai Airports has issued a passenger advisory alerting travellers about Dubai International (DXB) getting exceptionally busy over the coming days and weeks. According to the operator, as many as 1.8 million passengers are expected to pass through DXB between November 25 and December 5 with average daily traffic reaching 164,000 passengers. December 4 is expected to be the busiest day during this period with passenger numbers likely to surpass the 190,000 mark. Essa Al Shamsi, Vice President of Terminal Operations at Dubai Airports said, “As always, Dubai Airports is working with airlines, control authorities, and all our other commercial and service partners to ensure a smooth and comfortable experience for our customers. Those travelling during this peak period can make their journey smooth and comfortable by following a few simple tips.” Considering that travel requirements have changed globally due to the pandemic, Dubai Airports strongly urges all customers to: – Be aware of the latest travel regulations for the destination you are travelling to. We urge passengers to get in touch with their respective airlines and ensure that they have all the necessary documents with the required validity before reaching the airport. – Plan some extra time to get to and through the airport as the roads to DXB could get busy during peak times. – Arrive at the airport no earlier than 3 hours before your departure if you are flying out of Terminal 1. Those departing from Terminal 3 can beat the queues by check-in up to 24 hours ahead of their departure. – Use online and self-service options wherever available to get off to a smooth start to your journey. – Say your goodbyes at home as …

Radisson Hotel Group and REALITES Group announced the signing of Lincoln Casablanca, a Radisson Collection Hotel.  This historic signing, debuting Radisson Hotel Group’s third brand in Morocco, Radisson Collection, also marks the Group’s ninth hotel signing in Morocco this year, bringing its portfolio in the country to 11 hotels in operation and under development, and setting the Group firmly on track to exceed its ambition of reaching 15 hotels by 2025. “The Lincoln Hotel”, the oldest hotel in Casablanca and a prime example of the city’s Art Deco heritage, was built in 1916 by the renowned French architect, Hubert Bride. The Lincoln Hotel is a key landmark in Casablanca around which the city was originally developed. REALITES, a French territorial development group and the owning company, aims to revive the iconic hotel with a sensitive restoration that preserves the façade, a historic architectural monument being carefully preserved. Scheduled to open early 2025, the hotel is situated in the heart of Mohammed V Avenue in the historical city center, a well-developed area currently undergoing a full restructuring and recognized as a prominent corporate, financial, and entertainment district. It is also within proximity to the city’s major attractions, such as the Casablanca Marina and Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa, just 3 kilometers away. The hotel is also close to the Old Media, which is 1.5 kilometers from the Old Medina, and within walking distance from the tram line and the closest train station, Casa Port. The hotel will comprise of 120 contemporary standard and superior rooms, as well as Junior Suites, all carefully curated with impactful touches that leave guests with an authentic impression of Casablanca. Promising a vibrant …

Pleased to share this latest IATF Resolution 150-A, s. 2021 stipulating that effective 1 December 2021, fully vaccinated nationals of non-visa required countries under Executive Order No. 408 (s.1960), as amended, shall be allowed to enter the Philippines until 15 December 2021, subject to the following conditions: A. Holders of passports valid for at least six (6) months at the time of arrival, and with a return or outbound ticket to their country of origin or next country of destination. B. Prior to arrival in the Philippines, the foreign national should have stayed exclusively in Green List countries/territories/jurisdictions for fourteen (14) days. C. Must have the following proofs of vaccination against COVID-19 recognized under existing IATF regulations: – World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis; VaxCertPH; or – National/state digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted – VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF. A negative RT-PCR test shall be required to be taken within seventy-two hours (72hrs) prior to departure from the country of origin. Upon arrival, no facility-based quarantine and no on-arrival RT-PCR test will be further required but the passenger is enjoined to self-monitor for any symptoms until the fourteenth (14th) day with the first day being the date of arrival. The testing and quarantine protocols of minors shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent/guardian traveling with them, regardless of the minor’s vaccination status, and country of origin.

With a diverse calendar of international sports events combined with a range of world-class infrastructure and facilities, Dubai’s sports sector has emerged as a key driver of growth for the city’s tourism industry, attracting both players and fans from around the world and further enhancing Dubai’s position as a multi-faceted destination. What sets Dubai apart as an attractive sporting hub is the superior spectator excitement and experience shared by visitors and residents from over 200 different nationalities; access to tournaments featuring the world’s best sporting icons; year-round availability of world-leading sports venues such as stadiums and golf courses; tourism infrastructure such as hotels catering to the varied visitor profile, in addition to the unique destination offering. As a testament to the growth of sports tourism, even international sports brands continue to choose Dubai as the launchpad for major initiatives. Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and top global brand, adidas, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that enables Dubai’s residents and visitors to access a range of lifestyle, retail and sports events and activations to encourage everyone to adopt a healthier lifestyle while prioritising their safety and well-being. His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, said: “Dubai, without a doubt, is a leading sports destination – not just in the region, but also globally, thanks to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, …

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and Gulf Air’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, the National Carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, H.E. Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani met with the Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Mr. Willie Walsh at the Association’s headquarters in Geneva, where they discussed a number of aviation related issues, and elements of this vital economic sector to various revenue-generating fields such as tourism and investment. During the visit, H.E. expressed how he values IATA’s efforts in supporting and developing the  ever-changing aviation industry; noting the importance of the Association’s role in sustaining aviation, especially amidst the great impact of the recent pandemic. Mr. Walsh expressed his thanks and gratitude to H.E. and to the National Carrier as the airline operations continued during the pandemic to help solve some of the global problems during that time. Additionally, he highlighted that Gulf Air remained one of the few airlines that kept operating and never stopped flying during the pandemic, and wishing the National Carrier success and prosperity. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) was established in 1945, and is one of the most notable associations in the aviation industry, connecting many commercial airlines through its membership, and is also involved in setting aviation related policies and regulations in which Gulf Air has been a member since 1981.