A short haul destination from the UAE, Albania announced it has opened for tourism and started welcoming travelers especially from the GCC. The Republic of Albania further announced its participation to Expo 2020 Dubai, aiming to reintroduce the country’s culture, heritage, traditions, economical opportunities, and tourism to the United Arab Emirates and other international attendees of the rescheduled global event from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 in Dubai, UAE. In an interview with Iris Media, Mr. Taulant Balla, the Majority Group Leader of the Parliament of Republic of Albania shared the views and goals of Albania in attending Expo 2020 Dubai. “We have faced the same economic and tourism impact that the world experienced. As we understood how nobody knows when will this last, we are aiming to have the world expo as a platform to place Albania back to its position. It is a challenging goal but through partnerships with international relations and strengthened cooperation with the UAE, our aim is to go at the same level we were in 2019 before the pandemic.” One of the primary goals of Albania is to boost the tourism sector after it has re-opened its borders and started welcoming back international tourists. Through an effective vaccination program implemented in the country where every citizen and resident of Albania are obligated to be dosed with their choice of vaccines from Pfizer, Astrazenica, Sputnik, and Sinovac, the country has taken control of the spread and is now included in the green list of countries to safely visit. “We have done things that are going in the right direction. We are still cautious, but we are already enjoying the fruits of our effective …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has issued the updated list of “Green List” destinations. Vaccinated travellers arriving from these destinations will be exempt from mandatory quarantine measures after landing in Abu Dhabi and will be required to undergo PCR testing upon arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, as well as another PCR test on day 6. Unvaccinated travellers arriving from these countries are exempt from mandatory quarantine but will also need to undergo PCR testing on arrival, as well as two further PCR tests on day 6 and 12.   Countries, regions, and territories included within the “Green List” will be regularly updated based on international developments. Inclusion in the list is subject to strict criteria of health and safety to ensure the well-being of the UAE community. The list also only applies to countries travellers are arriving from, rather than citizenship.   Please note below the updated “Green List” as of 31 July 2021 at 14:00pm UAE local time:   Albania Armenia Australia Austria Bahrain Belgium Brunei Bulgaria Canada China Czech Republic Germany Hong Kong (SAR) Hungary Israel Italy Maldives Mauritius Moldova New Zealand Poland Romania Saudi Arabia Serbia Seychelles Singapore South Korea Switzerland Taiwan, Province of China Ukraine United States of America   More information on the “Green List” can be found on www.visitabudhabi.com. DCT Abu Dhabi will also continue to issue updates on the list and overall travel status in the coming months.  

Following successful trials, Etihad Airways has expanded IATA Travel Pass on flights between Abu Dhabi and seven destinations across its network as it continues to implement digital solutions to simplify the travel experience in the wake of the pandemic. IATA Travel Pass is available for guests on all Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and Bangkok, Barcelona, Geneva, Madrid, Milan, New York and Singapore and offers the convenience of a one-stop platform for managing COVID-19 documentation.   Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Aviation Group, said: “The feedback from the IATA Travel Pass trial has been positive, with Etihad’s guests appreciating its ease-of-use and data security. Etihad is pleased to now make IATA Travel Pass available on flights to and from seven major global cities, providing more guests with the option of simplifying their journey and airport experience.”   Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, said: “Etihad’s decision to expand IATA Travel Pass based on positive customer feedback is a strong endorsement of the solution. IATA Travel pass was designed to provide a one-stop-shop solution for travellers to safely and efficiently manage their COVID-19 documentation and generate an ‘OK to Travel’ which airlines can trust. It’s great to see the app in use facilitating the restart of international travel.”   Etihad Airways was one of the first airlines globally to begin testing IATA Travel Pass in April 2021 in support of a global, standardised solution for travellers to validate their documents and navigate COVID-19 travel requirements.   To access the IATA Travel Pass, guests simply need to download the IATA Travel Pass app for Android or iOS, where they can add their Etihad Airways …

flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, announced the start of its three-times weekly service to Hargeisa Egal International Airport (HGA) from 10 August. This will bring the number of destinations flydubai operates to in Africa to 12 points in nine countries including Sohag International Airport (HMB) and Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) which started earlier this summer. Commenting on the relaunch of the route, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, said: “we are committed to provide underserved markets with direct air links to Dubai. We are pleased to restart our operations to Hargeisa which will provide the Somali diaspora with a convenient option to visit their families and friends in their home country. With the codeshare agreement with Emirates and the interline agreements we have in place more than 200 destinations can now be reached through Dubai’s aviation hub.” Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) at flydubai, said: “flydubai is committed to creating free flows of trade and tourism between the regions we fly to and we believe that our reliable and convenient passenger and cargo services will help to open up the trade opportunities between Hargeisa and Dubai and onward destinations. We are sure that both our Economy Class and Business Class will exceed the passengers’ expectations and we look forward to welcoming passengers from Hargeisa on board again soon.” flydubai will become the first carrier to operate to Hargeisa, Somaliland from Dubai. The carrier continues to open up underserved markets and expand its network in Africa. flydubai also has plans to relaunch its operations to Uganda in the coming few weeks. flydubai currently operates to 12 points in …

GCC is one of the main markets for Turkey especially during summer. This year Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul is inviting guests from the region to immerse themselves in Turkish culture, art and natural beauty with a range of new city experiences with their new campaign. When it comes to cities that combine history, beauty and culture with art, style and creativity, there are few places on earth that can compete with Istanbul. And there are few people who know the city like the team of local experts at Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul. Tapping into these deep-rooted connections throughout the city,  Shangri-La has created a series of curated experiences that invite guests to rediscover the best of Istanbul this summer. The new experiences make every Istanbul adventure even richer for guests, whether they’re jewellery lovers, art aficionados, or just love getting out on the water. Loved by celebrities including Elizabeth Hurley, Halle Berry and Whoopi Goldberg, Sevan Biçakçi launched his first collection of extraordinary jewellery in 2002, having spent years working as an apprentice with master craftsmen in Istanbul’s famed Grand Bazaar. His unique pieces are a reflection of Istanbul in miniature, incorporating Ottoman history, art and traditional motifs, with one of his most famous pieces to date incorporating a miniature of the Hagia Sofia mosque embedded into a ring. On this Shangri-La-curated half-day tour, guests will visit Biçakçi’s store deep in the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar for a close-up look into the intricacies of his designs, including one unique and highly desirable piece that is usually under wraps and off-limits to visitors. A must for lovers of jewellery and Ottoman style, the experience is priced at EUR 250 per person for a minimum …

Kuwait Airways launched its first scheduled commercial flight to Munich, Germany, operating two flights per week from Kuwait to Munich on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 17th July 2021. The first flight to Munich witnessed convenient travel procedures for passengers and fulfilling their requirements to the fullest, who in turn appreciated the services extended by its employees to them, from the entrance of Terminal 4, to the check-in area, until reaching the boarding gate, as well as providing them with the best services on board. This is in addition to the keenness of Kuwait Airways to maintain its schedule in the departure and arrival of its flights, as passengers expressed their satisfaction for choosing Kuwait Airways for their travel which had previously stopped operating to some of their favorite destinations. Kuwait Airways said in a press statement that this comes within the framework of providing passengers on board with extensive options, to meet their travel requirements, with improved services by introducing new and diverse destinations. Kuwait Airways also continues to gradually reintroduce its routes in accordance with the decisions of the Cabinet and the Ministerial Committee for Coronavirus Emergency to allow direct flights to 12 countries.   Kuwait Airways’ customers can book their tickets through several different methods by visiting the Companys offices at the Avenues Mall, the Ministries Complex, the Farwaniya Office and the Terminal 4, which provide numerous services, including reservations, amending, upgrading and canceling tickets as well as receiving all inquiries, complaints and comments from customers and working to assist them or by contacting the Call Center on 171 or by downloading KAC’s application or by visiting the website.   Kuwait Airways concluded its statement by emphasizing its …

dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, announced the promotion of David Barker to Divisional Senior Vice President (DSVP) for Airport Operations. David has been with dnata for over six years, currently leading the company’s extensive airport operations in the USA as Chief Executive Officer. In his new role David will oversee dnata’s global ground handling and cargo business at 91 airports in 14 countries, managing a team of over 23,000 customer-oriented aviation professionals. David will be based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and report to Steve Allen, dnata’s Executive Vice President. He will take on his new role on 1 August, replacing Stewart Angus who decided to leave dnata for family reasons, after 16 successful years. Steve Allen said: “I’m delighted to welcome David to dnata’s global management team. Over the past years, David has made outstanding achievements as our regional leader, playing a key role in the expansion of dnata’s operations and customer base in the United States. His passion for service excellence will ensure the highest level of quality and safety across our global airport operations. “I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank Stewart for his hard work and significant contribution to dnata’s development over the past 16 years. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.” David joined dnata in 2015 with over two decades of experience in the aviation industry. In his current role as dnata USA’s CEO, he has more than doubled the size of the company’s business in the country, won many new customers, and successfully integrated a highly motivated team into the global dnata community. Previously, he held C-suite roles at JetSource and various general manager …

After captivating the imagination of the world, Deep Dive Dubai, the home of the world’s deepest swimming pool for diving is announcing that public bookings are now open online at deepdivedubai.com. It is the first time that members of the public can book to explore the world-record-breaking, 60-meter-deep pool, and its sunken city, since it was first unveiled to the world in early July.  Along with scuba diving and freediving, a Discover Snorkeling experience has also been added to the list of awe-inspiring experiences available for adventure seekers from the 28th of July.   “Deep Dive Dubai allows thrill-seekers of all ages and abilities to dive into another world of possibilities in a safe, controlled, and exceptional underwater environment,” said Jarrod Jablonski, Director of Deep Dive Dubai.  “Since unveiling Deep Dive Dubai to the world, we have been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from both our invited guests as well as beginner and experienced divers from all corners of the globe who are excited to visit. We’re now thrilled to invite the world in to experience it for themselves.”   Deep Dive Dubai’s pool features a sunken city that divers of all levels can engage with and explore, complete with an abandoned streetscape and featuring a fully furnished apartment, garage, and arcade, amongst other surprises.  All courses and experiences are delivered by a hand-picked team of international diving professionals and supported by the latest equipment, technology, and facilities including what will be the region’s most advanced hyperbaric chamber*.   Freediving, Snorkeling and Scuba Diving experiences and courses are now available to book online and start from 400 Dhs per person. Designed for everyone of all ability levels, aged 10 and …

IHG Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is expanding its presence in Egypt with four new Hotel Indigo branded properties. As part of a Management Agreement signed with real-estate specialists Mountain View, IHG will introduce the world’s first globally branded boutique hotel brand, Hotel Indigo, to Egypt with Hotel Indigo Mountain View North Coast, Hotel Indigo Mountain View iCity New Cairo, Hotel Indigo Mountain View iCity  6th of October City and Hotel Indigo Mountain View Ain El Sokhna. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, and Dr. Assem el Gazzar, Minister of Housing and Development.   The four new hotels will reflect the unique ethos of Hotel Indigo – to serve the curious – by creating an immersive hospitality experience that draws on the history, rhythm and pulse of each of the four distinct neighbourhoods, providing diverse vantage points to view the country and its culture. All new built properties will cater to a broad range of travelers as leisure and business tourism rapidly rebounds across the country.    Speaking on the agreement, Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “Egypt is one of the most dynamic tourism markets in the region with a great vision for the future of leisure and business travel. We have a long-standing legacy in the country and are proud to continue to support the development of its hospitality sector through the introduction of our boutique, lifestyle brand, Hotel Indigo. Our partnership with Mountain View, one of the most forward-thinking developers in Egypt, is testament to our continued commitment to bolstering the hospitality sector with more versatile properties, diverse offerings and immersive experiences for domestic as well as new segments of international visitors that are expected to visit Egypt as travel returns. Through …

München Tourismus, the official tourism office of Munich, is enticing GCC nationals and residents to explore its hidden gems and cultural experiences as part of the German National Tourism Board’s (GNTB) German.Local.Culture. campaign. The campaign highlights Germany’s unique cultural flair through four essential elements including craft featuring traditional customs and craftsmanship; taste where travellers are encouraged to explore regional cuisine, flair including historical culture of the city, and green which deep dives into pure nature and green sustainability offerings. “The German.Local.Culture campaign provides travellers with a range of ideas to explore new regional cultural traditions, cuisines, and a diverse range of activities,” says Yamina Sofo, Director Sales & Marketing at the German Tourism National Office. “We look forward to welcoming travellers from across the Gulf region to experience Germany’s wealth of offerings.” Germany began welcoming European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved, fully vaccinated travellers on 25 June. All travellers are advised to check individual German states entry requirements before travel. “Following the news that fully vaccinated international travellers can now fly to Germany, the summer presents an ideal opportunity to explore Munich’s rich, cultural history, which provides something for everyone to enjoy,” says Clemens Baumgärtner, governing member of Munich’s city council and responsible for the activities of München Tourismus. “We encourage travellers to experience the city’s traditional professions and the people who are redefining their centuries-old craft, as well as enjoying views from vantage points across Munich.” Travellers can enjoy the summer breeze above the city lights of Munich at a range of rooftop lounges, perfect to watch the colourful German sunsets. The Blue Spa Lounge Terrace at the Five Star Hotel Bayerischer Hof is a classic hotspot where guests can …