UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today announced that UFC will return to the UAE capital for a series of thrilling fan events that will be headlined by UFC 267 on Saturday, October 30. The return of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, a series of events set to run alongside UFC 267, will feature city-wide activations including  fan events, fitness showcases and much more. Fans are encouraged to register their interest in UFC 267 and the surrounding fan events to be the first to find out about tickets going on sale, event news and to receive special offers. This second edition of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week comes as part of the groundbreaking five-year partnership forged by UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi that called for UFC to bring championship events to Abu Dhabi until 2023. The inaugural Abu Dhabi Showdown Week was held in September 2019 and culminated with the thrilling UFC 242: KHABIB vs. POIRIER in front of a sold-out crowd of over 14,000 fans on Yas island. Abu Dhabi went on to cement its position as the international fight capital of the world and further strengthen its partnership with UFC by becoming the official home of UFC Fight Island, the combat sports phenomenon that captured the imagination of the sports world. A total of 12 UFC FIGHT ISLAND events have been held  on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi since July 2020, allowing for UFC athletes from all around the world to compete in a safe and secure bubble during the pandemic. As Abu Dhabi gradually reopens to welcome tourists once again, UFC will be able …

Temperatures may be soaring outside but, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas has plenty of cool indoor activities to beat the heat in Dubai. From virtual reality to snow sports and cinema in -2⁰C, these must-do activities should be on your bucket list if you’re planning a summer filled with family fun! Dreamscape is the ultimate destination for virtual reality entertainment and combines the emotional power of cinematic storytelling with the thrill of theme-park rides. Taking experiential entertainment to the next level, guests can choose from three original and critically acclaimed epic immersive adventures including Alien Zoo, Curse of the Lost Pearl: A Magic Projector Adventure and The Blu: Deep Rescue. Dreamscape uses the very latest free- roaming virtual reality, which means you can move around a magical world that lets you fly alongside a dragon, explore alien zoos or soar through breathtaking landscapes filled with fantastic beasts. Simply slip on a set of VR goggles and you will be immersed in a completely different world. Tickets for each experience cost AED 78.75. Dreamscape is located at Mall of the Emirates (Level 2 next to the Apple Store). For more information and to book your tickets visit www.dreamscapemena.com. Snow Cinema in partnership with Liv is the world’s only cinema in an indoor ski resort and the coolest way to watch movies this summer. Cinemagoers can kick back and relax on lounge-style seating while watching their favourite films on the big screen surrounded by real snow on the slopes of Ski Dubai. Snow Cinema hosts several screenings a day and is currently showing family-friendly films and blockbusters such as Space Jam: A New Legacy, Jungle Cruise and Spirit Untamed. Ticket …

Mantis has opened its newest property in Tanzania: the Siringit Migration Camp by Mantis. The mobile camp moves every few months to follow the wildebeest herds, zebra, Thomson’s gazelles, and the predators that the Great Migration attracts within the Serengeti National Park. Mantis, a leading conservation-focused hotel group with luxury hotels, eco-lodges, waterways and impact experiences located across the globe has opened its newest property in Tanzania: the Siringit Migration Camp by Mantis. Paul Gardiner, CEO of the Mantis group comments: “The Great Migration is known as one of the greatest shows on earth and is on the wish-list of many international travellers. The Siringit Migration Camp by Mantis returns to the roots of safari: where sustainable, intimate, mobile camps move in symbiosis with wildlife. The unique shape of the tents – octagonal with transparent sides – is designed to dissolve the division between indoors and outdoors, allowing guests to be closer to nature. We look forward to welcoming guests and offering them the chance to witness nature at its best.” The Siringit Migration Camp by Mantis opens in the Kogatende region (Northern Serengeti) where it will remain until 15 November 2021. The camp will then move to the Ndutu region (Southern Serengeti) reopening on 15 December 2021, where it will remain until 31 March 2022, which is when the herds start their migration North again. Both locations have their own private airstrip for guest arrivals and departures. There are daily scheduled flights from Arusha or Seronera to Kogatende, and the airstrip is only a short 10-minute game drive direct to the camp. The Bedouin style camp has eight luxury guest tents, positioned on raised platforms to provide guests with …

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi announced it is adding a new GCC route to its flight roster, Manama in Bahrain. Set to commence on 9th of September, the route will strengthen connectivity within the GCC and will bring Wizz Air Abu Dhabi’s destinations to a total of 32 since launching in January 2021. The flight to Bahrain International Airport (BIA) will operate three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and tickets are on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app (also available in Arabic), with fares starting at AED 129*. BIA is one of the most modern boutique airports in the Gulf and recently underwent comprehensive redevelopment as part of a USD1.1. billion Airport Modernisation Programme. The airport has a catchment area of 3.2 million people in Bahrain and a further 5.2 million in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Bahrain is well known for pearls and pearl diving. It is also home to the exhilarating FORMULA 1 in March. Just a one-hour flight away from Abu Dhabi and being on the “Green List”, Bahrain is ideal for an exploratory weekend getaway. Kees Van Schaick, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi said: “Increasing the connectivity of the GCC by offering more affordable travel options has always been a priority for us at Wizz Air Abu Dhabi. We are excited to offer an alternative travel option for the short flight to the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is an appealing destination given its proximity to the UAE, friendly locals and wealth of history and culture – we are confident that Bahrain will be a welcome addition to our flight roster.” BAC Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah said: …

Gulf Air announced that it will resume its direct operations to Moscow Domodedovo International Airport in Russia starting with 2 weekly flights, beginning from 14th August 2021. On this occasion, Captain Waleed Abdulhameed AlAlawi, Acting Chief Executive Officer, said “Month by month, we are resuming services to more destinations of our pre-pandemic network and we can see the world slowly recovering as more people are confident to travel again. We have been operating direct flights between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Russian Federation since 2014 and it is one of the airline’s main destinations. Now is the time that we connect both countries with this direct service and offer our passengers the opportunity to travel to and from Russia for leisure or business.” Gulf Air began the summer season with flights to 80% of its pre-pandemic network and it continued to resume operations and restore services to cities of its original 2019 destination network. The airline has also announced that it has successfully launched all of its seasonal destinations for the summer of 2021 with direct flights to Mykonos and Santorini in Greece, Malaga in Spain and Alexandria and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt as well as recently resuming Tbilisi in Georgia. The airline currently flies to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, Muscat, Cairo, Amman, Casablanca, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Athens, Istanbul, Tbilisi, Larnaca, Bangkok, Manila, Singapore, Dhaka, Colombo, the Maldives and several destinations in India and Pakistan. Back in May, the airline announced that all its flights would be operated by 100% vaccinated crew including pilots and flight attendants. The airline has started its internal vaccination campaign for its operating crew and front line …

Make the most of this summer by booking an escape on the shores of the Arabian Gulf with the beach at your doorstep and nature as your backdrop.  Embrace the urban escapade of its unparalleled beachfront location mixed with a touch of tradition leaving you relaxed and rejuvenated this summer! Summers are made much cooler as the Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection has put together an incredible value-added staycation deal for the UAE Residents. Those looking for a staycation can now experience breathtaking views of the Arabian ocean from their modern chic rooms with guaranteed room upgrades while enjoying an extensive F&B credit starting at AED 150 in the resort’s delicious managed outlets. What’s more! Rejuvenate at the Elixir Spa with a 30% discount on selected treatments or take a dip into the resort’s one of the sparkling pools. The resort boasts a private beach, ideal for those who want an uninterrupted and secluded experience. Families with kids can make themselves comfortable and enjoy privacy at the spacious connecting rooms that the resort has to offer. That’s not it, the family resort has a unique kids pool section which is equipped with water slides for the kids to bounce and splash while the adults take a plunge in the main pool. The adventure is not over yet you get 2 bronze tickets to the amazing La Perle show when you book the UAE Residents Summer Staycation Offer. All this can be yours at prices starting at AED 700 per night. This bumper offer is valid till 31st August 2021. What: UAE Residents Summer Staycation Offer When: Valid till 30th September Where: Habtoor Grand Autograph Resort, Autograph Collection, Marriott Lifestyle Resort …

Located on Dubai’s iconic Sheikh Zayed Road at the heart of the city’s technology, media, and creative free zone, this iconic 46 story tower’s is surrounded by business towers and hubs which are home to top-tier regional and international Fortune 500 companies. A plethora of nearby leisure destinations await guests, including the world-famous architectural icon of Palm Jumeirah, along with many  local attractions, pristine beaches, and dining destinations. The metro station is only a few steps away, for guests to conveniently connect to the rest of the city, t the airport or to venue for the highly anticipated Expo 2020. IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG®), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has further expanded its Staybridge Suites footprint in the region with the opening of Staybridge Suites Dubai Internet City, on 1 August 2021. Renowned globally since 1997, Staybridge Suites is IHG’s upper-upscale extended stay hotel brand that offers an elevated, residential-style hotel designed for multi-night business and leisure travellers looking to break from the travel norm while on the road, be it for days or even months at a time. Guests will have a choice between studios, one- and two-bedroom suites. All 225 suites feature spacious and comfortable living, working, and dining spaces and a fully equipped kitchen with top-of-the-line home appliances including a dishwasher and washer/dryer. Every detail from the Nordic-style furniture to the elegantly designed kitchen utensils is there to make guests feel right at home. Many of the apartments feature their own balcony to enjoy some spectacular views of the cityscape and the Arabian gulf. Several interconnecting units offer greater flexibility for families or small groups traveling together. Guests can start the day with a …

Scheduled to open in 2024, Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort and Tivoli Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort will be part of Bilaj Al Jazayer, a new waterfront leisure mixed-use masterplan owned by Edamah, the real estate arm of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat. The new development will offer resorts, residential villas and apartments, food and beverage outlets, retail, offices and entertainment. Minor Hotels, a hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with a portfolio of 527 hotels and resorts in 54 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean, is pleased to announce its strategic entrance into Bahrain with the upcoming debut of its Avani and Tivoli brands. Bilaj Al Jazayer is located on the south-west coast of Bahrain and encompasses 1.3 million square metres of land with a three-kilometre beachfront. Manama, the capital and main city of Bahrain, is a 25-minute drive and Bahrain International F1 Circuit and Dilmun Waterpark are in close proximity. The new Avani and Tivoli hotels, each with 110 keys, will be located along the main boulevard of Bilaj Al Jazayer on the waterfront. Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer will offer a selection of guest rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, an Avani Pantry and a pool bar, in addition to an outdoor swimming pool, a gym and meeting space. Tivoli Bilaj Al Jazayer’s facilities will include guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, two bars and a café, an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, plus spa and wellness facilities. In addition, the hotels will share a beach club within the Bilaj Al Jazayer development. William E. Heinecke, Chairman and Founder, Minor International, commented, “Minor Hotels’ entry into Bahrain …

Hilton announced plans to bring its DoubleTree by Hilton brand to the Kingdom of Bahrain. DoubleTree by Hilton Al Sayh Residences has been signed together with Al Sorouh Hospitality Development Real Estate and is due to open its doors in 2022. Board Member of Al Sorouh Hospitality Development Real Estate and CEO of Mabanee Kuwait, Mr. Waleed Alsharian said: “We believe this is a great partnership that will add a valuable offering to the area. We are very pleased to be working with Hilton and bringing DoubleTree by Hilton to the Kingdom of Bahrain and look forward to further partnerships with Hilton in the Kingdom and the region.” Carlos Khneisser, Vice President, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said: “Following the recent opening of our first hotel in the country, Hilton Garden Inn Bahrain Bay, this signing brings us to four properties trading or in the pipeline in the market.  It sees us continue to expand our offering in the serviced apartment segment, which is an area of the market where we see growing demand from long stay visitors.” Featuring 113 serviced apartments, 61 one-bedroom and 52 two-bedroom apartments, DoubleTree by Hilton Al Sayh Residences will be located just a short drive from Bahrain International Airport. Situated close to Bahrain Bay, a waterfront business district and mixed use community with unique offerings of dining,, and nearby several other attractions including The Avenues Bahrain mall which holds 120 stores and F&B outlets at its seafront location. Guests will be able to enjoy uninterrupted ocean views in a number of apartments, an all-day dining restaurant and a sophisticated rooftop café and outdoor pool with views across Bahrain.  The hotel will be located …

Qatar Airways enhanced its presence in Southern Africa with the launch of a new linked service between Doha and Lusaka, Zambia and Harare, Zimbabwe. To mark this milestone, the new linked service was inaugurated by the airline’s state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 featuring 36 seats in the award-winning Qsuite Business Class and 247 seats in Economy Class.   Qatar Airways now operates to Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN). The country’s largest city and commercial centre, Lusaka is the gateway to experiencing Zambia’s legendary tourist attractions from the Victoria Falls which it shares with Zimbabwe, to game reserves and a variety of wildlife. Meanwhile, Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, will be served via Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) is also a destination with rich culture, World Heritage–listed archaeological sites, and diverse natural landscapes. The aircraft was greeted in Lusaka and Harare by traditional water cannon salutes upon arrival.   The airline has demonstrated its steadfast commitment to Africa throughout the pandemic having significantly grown its network by adding four routes to Accra, Abidjan, Abuja, Luanda and restarting services to Alexandria, Cairo and Khartoum bringing its footprint to 27 destinations in 21 countries. Earlier this month, Qatar Airways also signed an interline agreement with RwandAir giving customers greater access to the combined networks of both airlines.   Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We have ambitious plans for Africa which is one of the fastest-growing economic regions of the world, with rising consumer demand and an abundance of natural resources. We see enormous potential in not just outbound travel from Zimbabwe and Zambia, but also inbound traffic from India, UK, and Americas. We look forward to …