Oman Air has moved to the new Terminal 1 at King Abdulaziz International Airport, signaling the airline’s ongoing commitment to scheduled passenger service linking Muscat and Jeddah. The transition was marked by an official ceremony attended by His Excellency the Consul General of Oman Mr. Mubarak AlHanai along with a number of Omani and Saudi officials on 29 January 2022, and coincided with the arrival of Oman Air flight WY1675 which was welcomed with a traditional water salute. Passengers disembarking the flight were presented flowers while the flight’s crew had their photo taken with His Excellency during an Oman Air-themed cake cutting. Hamad Al Harthi, Oman Air Senior Manager of Sales (GCC, Middle East & Africa), said, “We’re delighted that our flights will now arrive and depart from the new Terminal 1 in Jeddah, which offers passengers a seamless travel experience in a truly state-of-the-art facility. Oman Air has a long-standing presence in Jeddah and this transition reflects our renewing of that presence as we look forward to growing our flight frequencies in the years ahead.” Originally launched in December 1998, direct wide body flights between Muscat and Jeddah have proved popular with passengers. Prior to the pandemic, Oman Air operated four daily flights between the two cities, a schedule that has since been scaled back to five weekly flights following decreased demand for travel resulting from COVID-19 restrictions in place around the world.

Capital Travel, part of Tourism365, owned by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) has been appointed as a promoter and distributor for Riyadh Season within the UAE, by the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA). Running until March 31 2022, Riyadh Season has welcomed more than 4 million monthly visitors since its opening in October 2020, providing visitors with the unmissable opportunity to enjoy a plethora of musical performances, concerts, cultural events and sporting activities as well as explore Saudi Arabia’s extraordinary capital. As part of its efforts to deliver exceptional and seamless experiences, Capital Travel has curated two exclusive packages for UAE citizens and residents. Starting from AED 3,150*, guests can stay at the 4 star Centro Olaya Hotel for four days and three nights with a double room, breakfast, return economy class air tickets, airport transfers and Riyadh Season tickets.  Starting from AED 3,600*, guests can stay at the 5 star Sheraton Riyadh Hotel for four days and three nights with a double room, breakfast, return economy class air tickets, airport transfers and Riyadh Season tickets. Riyadh Season offers visitors a diversity of entertainment experiences, for all ages and interests with 14 activity zones, 70 concerts, 350 theatrical shows, 18 Arabic theater shows, 100 interactive experiences, 6 international theatres, 200 international restaurant, 1 freestyle wrestling show, and 10 international expos taking place for the duration of the event. Roula Jouny, Executive Director for Tourism365 commented: “We are thrilled to have been appointed by the Saudi Tourism Authority as a UAE distributor for Riyadh Season, which showcases the very best of music, art, culture and sport, alongside a diverse mix of culinary and casual dining experiences.  This strategic appointment further cements …

Leading independent hotel management company, Aleph Hospitality, has entered the Ugandan market with the signing of a management contract to operate two boutique hotels; Masheda Palms in Buyala and A’lure Hotel & Suites in Kampala. Aleph Hospitality’s portfolio now stretches across six countries on the African continent. Bani Haddad, Founder & Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality said: “I am personally very excited to start operations in Uganda. This is a country that leaves an everlasting impression on visitors, a country with breath-taking scenery, exotic wildlife, kind-hearted people and cultural diversity. By welcoming Masheda Palms and A’lure Hotel & Suites to the Aleph family, we promise to share our regional knowledge and international best practices to help them reach their full potential and, at the same time, support the rebuilding of the tourism sector in Uganda.” The timing coincides with the Uganda Tourism Board’s launch of their new marketing strategy “Explore Uganda, The Pearl of Africa”. As Uganda is opening up again to international visitors, the country is focusing on rebuilding the tourism sector after the impact of the pandemic. Speaking at the launch, the country’s president, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni urged the world to explore Uganda and the uniqueness of her terrain. Uganda is home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and her diverse landscape include the immense Lake Victoria, birthplace of the river Nile, the Murchison Falls, the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains, and the remote Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, sanctuary to the world’s last mountain gorillas. Located in a leafy residential area in the capital, Kampala, in proximity to the Rubaga Cathedral and the Uganda museum, A’lure Hotel & Suites opened its doors in November 2020. The boutique hotel features all …

Leaders of transport in the MENA region discussed a host of vital topics relating to transport during the sessions of the 4th MENA Transport Congress 2022 held at the World Trade Centre, Dubai. Among events that took place in the Congress was a session entitled (Transport Leaders in the MENA Region) moderated by His Excellency Khalid Al Hogail, President of UITP, CEO & MD of SAPTCO (KSA). His Excellency DR. Rumaih Al Rumaih, President, Transport General Authority (KSA), and His Excellency Dr. Yousef Al Shawarbeh, Mayor of Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, took part in the discussions. Al-Hogail kicked off the session by pointing out that the MENA region is witnessing vibrant activities and racing against time to undertake a portfolio of giant transportation projects costing more than US$100 billion. He added that those in charge of these projects had access to generous support from governments of the region. Al-Rumaih started by thanking and greeting the organisers of the congress and paid tribute to the outstanding achievements made by Dubai highlighted by transport and infrastructure projects undertaken by RTA. He reviewed the transport sector of the region from inception up to the phenomenal growth currently in progress, thanks to the astonishing improvements associated with the use of high technology, which accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic. “We, at SAPTCO, have set out a clear vision aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to guide us to the global destinations that had preceded us in this field. We have also charted out several plans targeting improved living standards, logistical services and services for pilgrims. We have also identified clear goals such as increasing the share of mass transit from 1% to 15% by …

Philippines’ Pavilion ‘Bangkóta’ unveiled Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of the new seven wonders of nature. In his opening, New 7 Wonders Director Jean-Paul de la Fuente shared, “Palawan is an area with lots of coral reefs. Today we are unveiling one of the 7 wonders of nature, “the puerto princesa” which was voted by over six hundred million across the world in a global voting campaign as one of the 7 wonders of nature in the world. ” The occasion was graced by Philippine Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Hjayceelyn Quintana, Philippine Consul General to Dubai Honorable Renato Dueñas Jr., Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry Assistant Secretary for the Trade Promotions Group and PH Expo 2020 Dubai Alternate Commissioner General Rosvi C. Gaetos, and New 7 Wonders Director Jean-Paul de la Fuente. Philippine Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Hjayceelyn Quintana, in her remarks welcomed those who joined in person at Expo 2020 Dubai and the many others who joined online over social media. “Expo truly has an amazing way of bringing people together to celebrate the wonders of the world both man made and natural. We are standing at the plaza of the Philippine pavilion, this is named the “Bangota” which in our language means coral reef. With the back drop of the bangota, we unveil one of the seven wonders of nature, “the puerto princesa underground river joining other marvelous wonders of nature in the world.” The Puerto Princesa Underground River – an 8.2-kilometer natural subterranean river with limestone karst landscape – is one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature – and a new “Wonder Marker”. The unveiling activity honors and celebrates the Philippines’ distinct status …

Radisson Hotel Group is forging ahead with the expansion of its resort portfolio in some of the most exquisite leisure destinations in the Middle East. As international travel once again begins to accelerate globally, Radisson Hotel Group plans to debut at least five additional resort locations by 2025. Following the recent opening of its second resort in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah, Marjan Island – Radisson Hotel Group had also announced its first beach resort property in Dubai – Radisson Resort Dubai Palm Jumeirah – set to open on Palm Jumeirah Q2, 2022. The upscale hotel will have 389 rooms and is set to house five impressive Food & Beverage dining outlets and bars overlooking the Dubai Marina skyline and the Gulf. The resort is the Group’s first beach resort in Dubai and third Radisson branded hotel to open in the UAE. It is perfect for both leisure and business travelers and is ideally located on the trunk of the Palm providing travelers with easy access to the city and Dubai Media City, the region’s leading media hub, and a 30-minute drive from Dubai International airport. This opening will bring the Group’s total number of hotels in the UAE to 17 in operation and under development. The opening of the two UAE resorts, in addition to the existing Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi, reaffirms Radisson Hotel Group’s commitment to growing its resort portfolio in the region and globally, and aligns with the rising demand for beach resorts, catering to the ever-changing travel trends of guests opting for more laidback and retreat-style vacations. All properties offer access to top tourist destinations and serve …

Emirates will make a full return of passenger services to and from Casablanca from 8 February. The return of Casablanca in Morocco marks a full restoration of Emirates’ pre-pandemic African network including 21 cities spread across the continent. Customers flying to and from Casablanca can safely travel on Emirates to Dubai, and enjoy an array of onward connections to Europe, the Middle East and GCC, the Americas and West Asia. Emirates will operate to Casablanca with daily flights using its modern Boeing 777-300ER. EK 751 will depart Dubai at 0730hrs, arriving in Casablanca at 1315hrs. EK 752 will depart Casablanca at 1505hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0130hrs the next day.* Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, Emirates sales offices, via travel agents as well as online travel agents. *Subject to government approval

Khimji’s House of Travel has signed a multiyear agreement with Sabre Corporation, the leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry, to expand its operation and fuel its growth. The agreement has reaffirmed more than a decade of partnership between the two companies. Under this agreement, Khimji’s House of Travel will leverage Sabre’s broad portfolio of technology solutions, and deploy its industry leading platform, Sabre Red 360, to deliver an intelligent and consultative service to travellers and create highly personalised offers for its customers. It will utilise its management solutions, such as automated exchanges and refunds, to drive operational efficiency and excellence. “This challenging travel landscape has not deterred us from moving forward,” said Cashio Vettom, General Manager, Khimji’s House of Travel. “Our renewed partnership with Sabre will help us enable our growth and expansion plans, while deploying intelligent solutions to respond to the evolving market trends.” Sabre has been working to realise its long-term vision for a personalised travel marketplace and have announced last year the development of Sabre Travel AI ™, an industry-first technology that will utilize state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to deliver highly relevant and personalized content that better meets the demands of today’s traveller. “The current traveller demands a new level of personalization, increased choice, control and flexibility. We believe that Sabre has the experience, technology, innovation and support to help us better respond to these expectations”. Vettom added. Khimji’s House of Travel operates in both leisure and corporate sectors and will use Sabre’s marketplace of more than 400 airlines, 750,000 hotel properties, and hundreds of tour operators, rail, car and cruise providers, to sell customized travel packages from suppliers …

The Philippines invites all UAE residents and tourists, Expo visitors, and Filipinos from across the world to join the Philippines National Day on Feb 11 at Expo 2020 Dubai and to take part in its month-long festive celebrations. On February 11, Expo 2020 Dubai will host the Philippines National Day with the grandest presentation of music, dance, and colorful performances. The day-long celebrations will witness a country business briefing, a Philippines-UAE bilateral meeting, Country Pavilion tours, as well as its official flag hoisting ceremony both at the Philippines Pavilion and the Al Wasl Plaza in honor of the country’s National Day attended by delegations of notable officials from the Philippines and the UAE. The Philippines will also take its colorful parades and joyous dances in a superb and striking performance during the Philippines National Day Parade at the Avenue of Nations. Expo 2020 Dubai visitors will imbibe the fun-filled spirit of the Filipino ‘fiesta’ across back-to-back performances by skilled and talented Filipinos based across all parts of the UAE. Join thousands of Filipinos wave the Philippine’s flag at the Jubilee Park at 6:30 PM as they culminate the day-long celebrations with an awe-inspiring cultural and musical presentation titled “Tides of our Soul,” or “Daluyong ng Diwa.” Ten (10) lucky audience may also win a trip to the Philippines at the onset of the grand show with free roundtrip tickets (Dubai-Manila-Dubai) via Philippine Airlines.

Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Turespaña, Spanish Tourism Institute, to help boost trade and tourism to Spain. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group welcomed Her Excellency María Reyes Maroto Illera, Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, at the Emirates Group Headquarters. The MoU was signed by Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President, International Affairs at Emirates and Miguel Ángel Sanz Castedo, Director General of Turespana. The ceremony was also attended by Juan Ignacio Diaz Bidart, Cabinet Chief to the Minister, Ministry of Industry; Iñigo de Palacio, Spanish Ambassador to the UAE; Andres Salinero, Trade and Economic Counsellor, Embassy of Spain; and  Daniel Rosado Bayon, Director, Spain Tourism Office, Tourism Counsellor, Embassy of Spain. Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President, International Affairs at Emirates, said: “Emirates launched operations to Spain more than 12 years ago and the country remains an important market in our global network. We’re very happy to be exploring mutually beneficial initiatives that will drive tourism to Spain, and also offer Emirates more opportunities to serve the market. Thank you to our partners for their ongoing support and we look forward to continue growing our long-standing partnership.” Mr. Miguel Angel Sanz, Director General Tourspain Madrid said: “Spain and Emirates are strategic partners of the recovery of travel. Spain, as one of the most visited countries in the world, and Emirates, one of the world’s leading airlines, will work together to improve the connectivity and generate confidence, which are key factors for recovery.” Mr. Daniel Rosado Bayon, Director Spain Tourism GCC & Iran said: “We are happy to sign this MoU …