In GCC the UAE was the biggest climber across Q3 2021, moving up four places to the number one spot. Over the last quarter other GCC nations remain in similar rankings. As the UAE opens its doors to the world for the start of Expo 2020, the world’s ultimate real-time tool on global mobility, the Passport Index, has revealed a 14.8 per cent increase in the World Openness Score (WOS) at the start of Q4, since the beginning of the year. While up nine percent on the last quarter, the average global mobility score (MS), across all 199 states measured by the index, is 89; based on a total of visa-free or visa-on-arrival access provided. The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect travel and mobility and it is testament to the many countries around the world that have managed to take a lead in seeing the world opening up once more. In July 2021, Bloomberg’s Covid tracking data reported that the UAE was the most vaccinated country, in the world, with over 73.8 per cent of the population vaccinated. The UAE has not one but two powerful passports – the yellow “Expo 2020 passport,” which gives you access to 191 countries – but only at Expo 2020 Dubai and over the next six months. Expo 2020, dubbed the World’s Greatest Show hosted a lavish opening ceremony on Oct 30, 2021.   Based on a mobility score that totals the number of visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries a passport currently grants the holder, the Passport Index also notes Covid-related restrictions that are changing by the day. This allows travellers and governments to have the most up to date information on …

With its winning combination of excellent safety measures, competitive packages and record-breaking attractions, Experience Hub demonstrated Yas Island’s position as one of the preferred destination for GCC travelers at the third virtual iteration of the Gulf Travel Show. Joining six stakeholders at Yas Island’s special virtual pavilion, Experience Hub, the trade and promotion arm of Yas Island Abu Dhabi, engaged with the attending travel trade to reveal Yas Island’s enhanced product offerings aimed at attracting regional travelers. At the pavilion, attendees are able to access the latest content, products and pricing. Liam Findlay, General Manager, Experience Hub said: “We are delighted to be participating in Gulf Travel Show (GTS) and look forward to connecting with our valuable travel trade partners throughout this important virtual event. In light of the recent Abu Dhabi announcements, it is crucial for Yas Island to work together with the travel trade industry to highlight our shared appetite and ability to welcome new and returning visitors.  We are dedicated to being a competitive family fun destination and so travel agents can now book Yas Island hotel stays, inclusive of theme parks access, with savings of up to 45% until December 2021.” “Now with smooth access via land or air, Yas Island makes for the perfect destination for hassle-free vacations and convenient short breaks, as Abu Dhabi is now quarantine free for fully vaccinated travellers. With around 95% of employees vaccinated, Yas Island is one of the safest places in the world for travel and has also proven popular for extended stays thanks to its diverse mix of award-winning leisure and entertainment experiences.” As recognition of the Yas Island’s exemplary safety enhancements and commitment to its visitors, …

Sabre Corporation and Emirates have signed a new multi-year, worldwide distribution agreement. The new agreement will provide Sabre-connected travel buyers and agencies with access to Emirates’ content, through Sabre’s global distribution system (GDS), with immediate effect.  Further to this, Emirates will create and distribute NDC offers through the Sabre GDS. “We are delighted to reestablish our long-standing partnership with Emirates,” said Roshan Mendis, Chief Commercial Officer, Sabre Travel Solutions.  “The agreement demonstrates our commitment to creating a sustainable distribution model that benefits all constituents across the travel value chain.  Resulting from thoughtful discussions between both parties, our new agreement will provide both Emirates and travel buyers with immense value, removing complexity in the buying process, which is crucial to the recovery of the industry.” The new contract will connect Emirates to a global network of travelers, while supporting its global vision to provide travel buyers and travelers with personalized offers. “We are pleased to have reached this distribution agreement with Sabre,” said Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates. “The new contract will support us to meet the needs of our agency partners. Providing agencies with flexibility, choice and efficiency will help them to thrive in the current climate and will help us drive revenue and growth.” In addition to the new agreement, Sabre will continue to partner with Emirates on advanced retailing, data and analytics capabilities through a number of its industry-leading solutions in areas such as network planning, revenue optimization and market intelligence.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA announced the opening of its second property in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Grand Millennium Gizan.  The hotel was inaugurated by His Royal highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Governor of Gizan Region, in the attendance of His Excellency Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sheikh, Minister of Education and Chairman of Higher Education Fund, and His Excellency Dr. Marie bin Hussein Al-Qahtani, president of Gizan University and the Secretary-General in charge of the Higher Education Fund Turki Al-Zamie and the Deputy Emirate of Jazan Region, Dr. Abdullah Al-Sager and a number of officials. Hamid Sidine, Chief Operating Officer of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa, said: “We are thrilled to open this new hotel in Gizan in line with Saudi vision 2030. We at Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA are always keen on our expansion plans in the region and we trust that we are filling a market gap with Grand Millennium Gizan.” Jalal Nasser, General Manager of Grand Millennium Gizan, said, “We look forward to welcome our esteemed guests in our new hotel right in the heart of this new fascinating area. And with the offerings we have, we are confident that we will be the hotel of choice for family and business travellers alike.” The new hotel is conveniently located on the beach within the Gizan University Complex. Those traveling between the hotel and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport can enjoy a 20 minute drive along a straight road. The hotel is also only 10 minutes away from the shopping centres in the city. Grand Millennium Gizan will be the biggest hotel in the vicinity …

Dubai Airports launched an exciting new customer proposition, set to revolutionise the DXB guest experience. DXB&more is a regional first mobile food, beverage and retail ordering service that provides a smooth, convenient alternative to dining in or waiting for an order to go, without the need to download an app. The development of DXB&more has been in partnership with US-based Servy, an enterprise self-service platform for hospitality which launched in 2015 as an airport digital commerce solution. The company provides technology which aims to enhance the hospitality experience, not replace it, and has been adopted by a number of companies including airports, railway stations and sports arenas across North America. For Dubai Airports, the creation of DXB&more was in direct response to the ever-evolving needs of the busy traveller, providing a convenient alternative to shopping and dining before a flight. The service is available to guests of DXB’s Terminal 3 and can be accessed via the WiFi landing page, through QR codes around the airport or by visiting DXBmore.com. Plans to extend the offering to the airports other terminals are in place and will be announced in 2022. Eugene Barry, EVP Commercial at Dubai Airports, who championed the implementation of the proposition said; “At Dubai Airports, we are focused on improving our guests’ experience across all physical and digital touchpoints through DXB. Clearly, the events of the past 18 months have accelerated key consumer trends and raised customer expectations around choice and convenience.   He continued; “Our objective is to create and test new ways of communicating with travellers before, during and after their journey with us, and raise awareness of the full range of shopping, dining, and hospitality experiences …

Club Med announced its return to Spain after over 20 years, with its new resort, Club Med Magna Marbella. The property, which will be nestled at the foot of the Sierra Blanca Mountains, will open its doors to guests on May 14, 2022. Conveniently located near Spain’s south coast, in the region of Andalusia, which is often referred to as “the garden of Europe”, Magna Marbella is just a 20-minute walk from both sandy Mediterranean beaches and Marbella’s city centre. It is also just a one-hour drive from Gibraltar, Ronda, and Malaga or two hours from Granada, Seville, and Cadiz, making it the ideal base to explore the rich Arab-Andalusian history and natural wonders of the region, including the Doñana Natural Park and Caminito del Rey. Club Med Magna Marbella boasts 14 hectares of lush garden, five swimming pools including a family waterpark and adult-only Zen Zone, two restaurants, Suenos and the Tierra Gourmet Lounge, and three bars for guests to try local food and drinks. The resort will also offer Club Med’s world-class children’s clubs for all ages (from 4 months to 17 years of age), where kids will be able to enjoy Andalusian inspired art and culture activities. The Family Fun Zone will feature water games, a playground, mini-golf and a zipline with Magna Marbella offering a wide array of activities, including golf, archery, tennis, flying trapeze, and more. Six padel tennis courts will be available within the resort’s grounds. For those looking to relax and unwind, a wellness area with 14 treatment rooms, including a double indoor-outdoor relaxation room and steam room, will feature treatments at Spa by CINQ MONDES. Guests will also be able to enjoy fresh …

Qantas and Emirates have announced they will extend their cornerstone partnership for another five years, meaning customers and frequent flyers of both airlines will have access to an expansive joint network, and millions of reward seats to travel across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the UK. The agreement was signed by Emirates President Tim Clark and Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce at the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting in Boston. The airlines have existing approvals from regulators to operate a joint business until March 2023. Qantas and Emirates will seek re-authorisation from relevant regulators, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, to continue the core elements of the partnership including coordination of pricing, schedules, sales and tourism marketing on approved routes until 2028. The deal includes an option to renew for another five years beyond that. Together, both airlines are making millions of reward seats available for frequent flyers to access more than 100 destinations to using their Qantas Points or Skywards Miles, which many have been stockpiling throughout the pandemic. For Emirates customers, the deal provides access to over 55 Australian destinations that Emirates does not fly to, and Qantas customers are able to fly on Emirates to Dubai and access over 50 cities in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, that Qantas does not fly to. As Qantas and Emirates recover from the impact that COVID-19 has had on their respective businesses, the partnership will continue to deliver financial upside for both airlines. Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said: “The extension of our partnership with Qantas is testament to its success. It also reflects our commitment to ensure customers travelling to and from Australia, a market which we …

Qatar Airways in partnership with Discover Qatar has launched the World’s Best Value Stopover packages consisting of up to a 4 night stay in Doha, Qatar. The packages allow vaccinated travellers to purchase the World’s Best Value Stopover with Qatar Airways, for a chance to experience the World’s Best Airline and Qatar’s renowned hospitality, before continuing on to their final destination from the World’s Best Airport, Hamad International Airport (HIA). Starting at 14 USD per person per night, travellers can now experience Qatar’s famous hospitality by staying in a selection of luxurious 4-star and 5-star hotels, and make their journey even more memorable. The themed stopover packages are designed to cater to different interests: Travellers can experience a thrilling desert safari, disconnect and enjoy luxurious resorts, spas and restaurants, admire museums, galleries,  and various public art installations in the country’s thriving arts scene. Additionally, stopover passengers can witness the country’s exciting preparations to host the much anticipated FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, as the entire population gears up for the world’s most prestigious sporting event. Further details on how to book stopover packages can be found at www.qatarairways.com/stopover. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “With our great value stopover packages, we look forward to welcoming visitors to experience Qatar’s unrivalled hospitality from anywhere on our global network. Working closely with Discover Qatar, we have designed unique and personalised experiences for travellers to enjoy two holidays in one journey, where we aim to showcase our world renowned service and authentic culture to the world. As our passengers plan their journeys across our network of over 140 destinations, we hope this exciting opportunity enriches them with a combined …

The wait is finally over; with the Expo 2020 taking place from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022, Rove Hotels is excited to invite Rovers (guests) to grab the best seats in the house at the event’s only on-site hotel: Rove Expo 2020 – now open. Located adjacent to Al Wasl Plaza, Rove Expo 2020 will offer Rovers (guests) from across the globe, the perfect gateway to regroup, recharge and re-think the future, completed with all of the Rove-brand favourites under one roof. Bookings can be made via www.rovehotels.com, or by calling +971 4 561 9999 and are inclusive of Expo 2020 tickets, which can be used for the full duration of the stay. Funky interiors, sustainable amenities, and fuss-free hospitality entails the entire #RoveExperience. Rove Expo 2020 features 312 king, twin and accessible Rover Rooms, as well as 19 Rover suites. It will also boast of several dining and social outlets, including The Daily, a grab&go Rove Café and The Bar, along with a rooftop swimming pool and sundeck overlooking Al Wasl Plaza. Hosting a District 2020 space showcasing the future of the Expo 2020 Dubai site and the MENASA Emirati design platform featuring contemporary design products. Rovers can expect 100% sustainable in-room amenities, late check out times, self-service locker rooms, and much more. Recipient of the prestigious Green Key certification, Rove Expo 2020 has been built with strict environmental guidelines as well as the latest technologies in energy efficiency, food waste reduction solutions and so much more – all in line with Rove’s strong spirit of #sustainability. Connectivity as a cornerstone of the brand, The Expo 2020 Dubai site is very well connected to the rest of …

BTB Tours celebrates its fifth anniversary this month. With tailored group and individual tours facilitates leisure travel in UAE, Czech Republic, Turkey, Egypt and Azerbaijan. Since the inauguration in 2016 in Dubai by Salih Gozcu, the company welcomed around 300,000 guests coming from 23 countries. BTB partners with 500 hotels and resorts in the UAE alone and over 2,000 hotels across the all other destinations. Even during the challenging times of the pandemic, BTB Tours welcomed 150,000 guests that position themselves as the no. 1 inbound producer to the UAE.  Next year they are planning to bring 200,000 guests, as BTB Tours is entering two new markets – Hungary and Israel. In just five years, BTB Tours has bagged the prestigious Arabian Travel Awards as Best Innovative DMC and The Face of the Future award for their chairman, Salih Gozcu. Salih Gozcu, Chairman of BTB Tours, said: “Here at BTB Tours, we celebrate diversity and are inspired every traveling season by the seemingly limitless creativity of the people we welcome to the UAE from around the globe. That’s why we want to ensure that we celebrate our 5th anniversary with the best travel packages that we will offer our guests. As part of the celebrations, BTB Tours has launched new offerings to accommodate the continuous increase of the travel demand to the UAE” In the last year during the pandemic, BTB Tours growth rate was by 300% and to expand their team to 150 employees across all their 5 offices worldwide. To add to the celebrations, BTB Tours has announced the launch of “BTB Luxury” to cater to high-end guests to Dubai and the UAE.