With ease of travel restrictions, Oman Air Holidays has partnered with National Bank of Oman (NBO) to offer cardholders an exclusive 10% discount on packages and services. Valid across an extensive network of domestic and international destinations, and including accommodation, flight tickets, car rental, tours, and airport transfers, the discount can be attained simply by using any NBO card when booking and paying through the Oman Air Holidays call centre. Mundher Al Shaikhani​, Senior Manager Oman Air Holidays, said, “As Oman’s leading ‘Fly & Stay’ travel gateway, we offer a wide variety of holiday tours and packages that combine the best in hospitality, leisure and tourism and offer exceptional value-for-money. NBO shares our customer-centric vision and we are looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership that provides our customers with even more rewarding travel experiences.” Maha Al Raisi, Head of Products at NBO, added, “At NBO, we strive to provide our customers with unique lifestyle benefits, simply for banking with us. We’re excited to have partnered with Oman Air Holidays, as a brand that our customers know and love. With people starting to travel again, the options and discounts provided is one way of helping them enjoy their holiday a little bit more.” Oman Air Holidays offers unique Oman experiences and other exciting Oman Air destinations, and is committed to providing the best holiday experience for guests through a range of diverse, fully customizable packages. Services include accommodation, air tickets, car rentals, FITs (foreign independent tours) adventures and sports activities, tour guide, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), special event tickets and services, tours and sightseeing, airport transfers, and many more. Oman Air Holidays Stopover Packages offer transit passengers a taste …

From 16 to 23 September, Etihad Airways will host a pop-up stand at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, showcasing the award-winning Etihad experience, and offering incredible discounts. Located in the lower ground floor of Mall of the Emirates, Etihad’s stand is giving customers an exclusive taste of what to expect when flying with Etihad. The stand is open daily from 10am to 10pm on weekdays and until midnight on weekends offering activities to entertain children too. Those itching to travel again can get an incredible 50% discount on their next flight by booking at the stand. Amina Taher, Vice President Brand, Marketing and Sponsorship at Etihad Airways, said: “Etihad introduced this unique initiative to give customers of all ages the opportunity to learn more about Etihad’s award-winning inflight experience. Following the government’s announcement to remove the quarantine requirement for all vaccinated travellers arriving in Abu Dhabi from abroad, we are taking the opportunity to inspire guests to travel again. Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re excited to give an incredible 50% discount on all tickets booked at the stand to make this as rewarding as possible.” Visitors to the Etihad stand can also receive unique discount codes of up to 25% for future bookings. Discounts are available for bookings in Economy, Business and First class for travel until 8 December 2021. To celebrate this initiative, between 16 and 30 September, all members of the SHARE prorgamme can transfer SHARE points to Etihad Guest Miles and earn 50% bonus miles. Customers who are not yet members of the airline’s loyalty programme can scan the QR code to become an Etihad Guest Member and earn 1,000 welcome bonus miles. …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in collaboration with globally renowned creative experience company Semi Permanent, has unveiled the full line-up for a first-in-region creativity festival, which is set to host an array of global talent from the design, retail, branding, fashion and technology industries.  Tickets are now available for Semi Permanent Middle East, which will run from 14 – 16 October 2021 at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and feature world-renowned performers including Mark Ronson, the Oscar and Grammy-winning songwriter, record producer and DJ, who will perform an exclusive DJ set. The event will also house an array of inspiring, immersive and multi-sensory experiences, including the first international pop-up by famed New York restaurant and bar The Flower Shop; La Rosa Social Club, an exhibition of works by leading contemporary, US-based artists, including Kahlil Joseph, Ryan McGinley and Johanna Jackson; and Refik Anadol, the Turkish-American new media artist, will debut a mesmeric, data-driven digital artwork in a stunning, all-encompassing LED format. Accompanying the stellar international line-up will be many of the Middle East’s standout creative talents, including musician Dana Hourani, artist Jason Seife, Les Benjamins founder and creative director Bunyamin Aydin, and photographer Hussain AlMoosawi, adding a local flavour to the event. “Our strategic partnership with Semi Permanent will unite a who’s who of international talent and cutting-edge powerhouses from across the world’s creative landscape, right here in Abu Dhabi,” said HE Ali Hassan Al Shaiba, Executive Director of Tourism and Marketing at DCT Abu Dhabi. “This exciting new addition to Abu Dhabi’s increasingly diverse events calendar underlines the emirate’s role as both an enabler and a beacon of innovation for the regional design, business and …

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arms of the Department of Tourism (DOT), announced the opening of registration for the 20th edition of the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX), known as the biggest government organised travel trade event in the country. For the second year in a row, PHITEX will be held as a hybrid event in light of the pandemic with Subic Bay as the new venue for the online business-to-business (B2B) sessions and networking scheduled to take place on September 19-23. This year’s theme will highlight safe, smart, and sustainable tourism as part of the TPB’s strategic marketing plan for the new normal. “Last year’s PHITEX was about pivoting as we had to face the challenges of going hybrid and leveraging on technology more than ever to conduct our business. Thankfully, it was a resounding success, so we are very much excited to pick up where we left off but with a clearer perspective this time around because we are not longing to adjust. We are about moving forward and making significant decisions that will create a better normal for the industry,” TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones said. PHITEX 2020 was held as a hybrid event for the first time in Panglao, Bohol being one of the first tourism destinations to reopen during the pandemic. Apart from the virtual B2B sessions, the event featured online games, quizzes, and a curated virtual tour of the City of Manila. The event also established 3,946 contacts, generated 1,205 leads, and secured 76 on-site bookings with a projected revenue of over PHP 42 million. This year, PHITEX is targeting more than a hundred buyers and sellers. Philippine …

Emirates has announced it has resumed scheduled passenger services to Manila, Clark and Cebu. With the lifting of the ban on travellers from the UAE by the Philippines authorities, which took effect on September 6, the airline has resumed seven weekly services to and from Manila, while five weekly flights to Clark and twice weekly flights to Cebu are available for Filipinos and foreign nationals to book. Services to all three gateways in the Philippines are operated with the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, in a two-class configuration for Manila and offering seats in Business Class and Economy Class, while for Clark and Cebu flights seats in First Class, Business Class and Economy Class will be available for passengers. As mandated by the authorities, restrictions apply on the number of passengers per flight to points in the Philippines, remaining in effect until further notice. Passengers can book tickets on www.emirates.com/ph, Emirates mobile app, via Emirates sales offices or preferred travel agents. For more details on entry protocols and requirements to destinations in the Philippines, customers are encouraged to check the travel requirements page on emirates.com/ph. In addition to the commercial flights, Emirates has also obtained the approval from the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines to operate Special Commercial flights in September to Manila. The airline will be operating special “Bayanihan” flights on EK332 on September 18 and 25, to provide additional capacity for citizens wishing to fly home from the UAE. For bookings, customers in the UAE can contact +9714 274 9199. Only Filipino citizens currently in the UAE will be eligible to book seats on the special flights, and the following requirements will apply: All passengers …

Radisson Hotel Group, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has set a record in its North African expansion, with the signing of nine hotels, to date this year. This has boosted the Group’s North Africa portfolio, comprising of of the Maghreb countries along with Libya and Egypt, to over 30 hotels in operation and under development, placing them firmly on track to reach over 50 hotels by 2025. Alban Mabille de Poncheville, Director, Development, North Africa at Radisson Hotel Group says, “We are delighted to be leading the market in North African hotel expansion, setting a record for ourselves and the industry. Our flagship brand, Radisson Blu, has been one of the leading brands in the region and as we continue to grow and diversify across North Africa, we look forward to capitalizing on our brand name and introducing new brands in the area such as Radisson, in the upscale segment and Radisson Collection, our entry level luxury brand. The market has shown a great potential in various segments but also in different product types, from resorts to city hotels but also serviced apartments and boutique hotel offerings. We aim to further accelerate our presence across all North African countries and key cities and also expand in new touristic areas as recently announced with the launch of our resort offerings across Morocco.” In response to the need for independent hotel owners to gain further brand exposure and consumer confidence, the group launched a new brand, Radisson Individuals, aimed at individual hotels with strong service scores and existing hotel identities who wish to remain independent or may be considering overtime transitioning to one of the group’s core brands. Mabille de …

Swan Hellenic announced that it has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Al Tayer Travel to provide direct representation through its Al Tayer Holidays brand, a division of Al Tayer Travel. Al Tayer Holidays will represent Swan Hellenic in UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Al Tayer Holidays offers the highest standard of service and efficiency with over 40 years’ experience across the travel sector, representing many of the world’s leading brands in the Middle East through its office in the United Arab Emirates. The partnership is a strategic agreement in line with Swan Hellenic’s long-term approach of establishing a direct presence in every market worldwide to offer the close personal service to which it is committed. Manu Mehrotra, General Manager of Al Tayer Travel, remarked: “We are truly honored to represent Swan Hellenic Cruises, a pioneering cultural expedition cruise leader that provides extraordinary experiences in relaxed and elegant comfort. The growing aspirations of adventurous Middle East travelers to visit amazing and relatively unexplored territories can now become a reality.” Swan Hellenic Senior Vice president of Global Sales and Marketing Alfredo Spadon commented: “Al Tayer’s length and depth of experience, dedicated to the highest service standards, make them a perfect match for Swan Hellenic in the exacting Middle East markets they know so well. We look forward to an exciting new chapter in the history of cultural expedition cruising as we offer enriching exploration experiences directly to the curious and adventure-minded in this part of the world.”

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Cairo West. The 250-room hotel marks Hyatt’s return to Cairo and strengthens its growing brand footprint in North Africa. As part of the Hyatt Regency brand, the hotel is designed with productivity in mind to deliver seamless experiences and an energizing hub for both business and leisure travelers alike. Hyatt Regency Cairo West is conveniently located within the well-established Pyramid Heights Business Park. Its closeness to business hubs, mega malls, and some of Egypt’s top tourist attractions such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum make it a premier destination for meetings, events, and travelers. “We are proud to be opening our doors and we look forward to welcoming guests to our contemporary spaces and versatile venues,” said Tarek El Masry, general manager at Hyatt Regency Cairo West. “Hyatt Regency Cairo West is situated on a high hill that overlooks the city and the Great Pyramids of Giza, providing the perfect setting for business meetings, relaxing stays and everything in between.” Featuring 250 contemporary guestrooms that include 26 suites, for the first time in Cairo, Hyatt Regency Cairo West introduces Spa Rooms that offer in-room massage and amenities such as an in-room hot tub, a sauna and a massage table. The interior of each room is inspired by Egyptian culture with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the Pyramids of Giza or the hotel’s beautiful pool and gardens. Equipped with the latest technology and amenities, every room has smart mirrors and sensor LED lighting controls. Guests can also book a Regency Club room and upgrade their stay by gaining exclusive access to the Regency Club Lounge. At the Regency Club …

Wego is working closely with Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB) to propel more Middle East travelers to visit Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s response to the pandemic has been phenomenal. They have adopted the robust strategy to fight the COVID-19 and to minimize the impact of the pandemic on tourism. Most international airlines have resumed flights to Azerbaijan. The country is a perfect vacation choice for travelers who want to visit less crowded, off-the-beaten-path destinations where it’s easier to socially distance and maintain health protocols. Attracting all the nature lovers to this pristine haven it is ethereal to experience the untouched natural beauty of the Caucasus Mountains, Caspian Sea, subtropical zone in the south, lakes, forests, and semi-deserts. Mamoun Hmedan, Managing Director, MENA and India, said: “It’s great to collaborate with Azerbaijan Tourism Board again. The country is progressing towards becoming one of the biggest destinations for safe and sustainable travel post COVID-19. We have been seeing a great interest from the GCC to Azerbaijan and the searches on our platform recorded around 115,000 in July and August, a 50% growth compared to the previous months.” Wego and ATB will be promoting this marvelous destination to GCC travelers through tailored marketing campaigns featuring the best things to do and explore. This charming country is now welcoming citizens and residents of 29 countries including UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. To enter the country, citizens and residents of these countries need to submit an official document issued by the relevant country (COVID passport) on complete vaccination or recovery from COVID-19 and a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before the flight. For passengers aged from 1 to 18 years, it is sufficient to submit a negative …

Accor has signed an exclusive partnership with celebrity Chef Maroun Chedid. Famous for his many culinary achievements and concepts, such as Georgette or Ritage Garden, TV appearances on Lebanese station MTV, and more recently on MBC as jury of the internationally acclaimed show Top Chef. The partnership illustrates Accor’s strategy to consolidate its position as the leading hospitality group in the region, thanks to its diverse portfolio added to a wide range of experiences it offers. Since the launch of ALL- Accor Live Limitless, the group has taken a step forward to deliver limitless experiences, and this partnership will contribute greatly to not only provide exceptional dining offerings across its hotels, but also to position Accor as more than just a traditional hospitality group in the region. “We are very excited to welcome Chef Maroun to Accor! We are confident that this partnership will bring a valuable addition to the dining scene across our properties in the region. His expertise as a Chef, also as a businessman and entrepreneur, makes him the perfect partner to elevate the culinary experiences in our hotels”, says Mark Willis, CEO of Accor India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey. With over 30 years of experience in the culinary world, Chef Maroun Chedid accumulated skills and achievements across the Middle East region. Originally from Lebanon, Maroun grew up in the Lebanese village of Saghbine, located in the West Bekaa, an area known for its nature’s beauty and the richness of its soil, it has always been a continuous source of inspiration to him. In effect, nature was his mentor, opening his eyes at a young age not only to the diversity and specificities of each product …