Gulf Air and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority announced the activation of a number of unprecedented offers for passengers of the carrier. These offers will give Gulf Air’s passengers the opportunity to stop in Bahrain, obtain hotel reservations, and use tourist facilities through various tailored packages and offers, before continuing on to their final destinations. In this regard, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air, Captain Waleed AlAlawi stated: “The cooperation between the airline and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority comes within the framework of joint and integrated work to advance the tourism and travel sector as a whole in Bahrain, where Gulf Air will utilize all its capabilities and expertise to assure success of this cooperation and achieve its goals”. Captain AlAlawi added, “With the addition of more destinations on our network, these tourism packages will be promoted on a wider scale and attract more tourist travelers from various countries, especially with continuous updating and easing of restrictions on entry to Bahrain. Eligible passengers that can obtain visa on arrival for the Kingdom of Bahrain can book these packages on gulfair.com for a stopover of up to five nights whenever they fly through Bahrain International Airport”. Chief Executive Officer of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority, Dr. Nasser Qaidi said: “The aim of launching these offers is to attract more tourists and visitors to Bahrain, and to offer them a variety of tourism and entertainment activities that they can choose from to suit their tastes, needs and budget. We are pleased to cooperate with Gulf Air in order to achieve this goal, and to implement this exciting initiative that will revitalize the tourism sector in Bahrain …

The 200 luxury guest rooms at the new Waldorf Astoria Kuwait will be just feet away from world-class shopping and dining, thanks to its location in Avenues Mall — a destination with more than 1,100 shops and a movie theatre. The hotel will also be home to the award-winning Japanese restaurant concept ROKA and will feature an exclusive Club Lounge as well as an awe-inspiring 13,560 square foot Waldorf Spa.  Kuwait City Centre, historical and cultural sites, and the Grand Mosque of Kuwait are just a short 15-minute drive away.

Situated in the Old Salata district, Hampton by Hilton Doha Old Town will feature 221 modern guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, juice bar, 24/7 snack bar, work zone and fitness centre. It will be conveniently located close to Doha attractions such as the corniche, the Museum of Islamic Art, the National Museum of Qatar, and the famous Souk Waqif. It will also be in close proximity to the banking district and the Emiri Diwan Palace, and just 12 kilometres from Hamad International Airport

Oman Air has signed a service agreement with Paul Maxence Lounge at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, offering complimentary access for its business class passengers. The agreement coincides with Oman Air’s route resumption between Muscat (MCT) and Paris (CDG), which took effect on 31 October 2021. Business class passengers and Sindbad Gold tier members can access the lounge for free, while economy class passengers can purchase access to the lounge for USD 70. Stylishly appointed and equipped with a full range of amenities, Paul Maxence Lounge offers welcome respite from busy airport crowds and provides passengers a quiet, private space to dine, work or freshen up before their flight. “In signing this service agreement with Paul Maxence Lounge, Oman Air business class passengers and Sindbad Gold members flying from Paris can now enjoy an enhanced travel experience that combines comfort, elegance and convenience in an exceptionally relaxing space,” said Rocio Jolivet, Oman Air Country Manager for France. “Oman Air economy class passengers can also access the lounge for a fee and elevate their travel journey with the sophistication of French hospitality.” Complimentary WI-FI, à la carte menu prepared to Halal-certified standards offering hot and cold food and beverages, shower facilities, outdoor smoking terrace, and prayer room are just some of the amenities available to lounge visitors between 06:00 am and 10:00 pm daily in Terminal 2A.

Araba Fenice Services Srl, a spin-off of Italy Emotion Tour Operator, captivated the attention of a selected group of the UAE’s best travel agencies and wedding planners with a presentation of undiscovered treasures of the Region of Campania, Araba Fenice’s home. EXPO 2020 has been chosen by yet another international company to introduce its services to the region, using Dubai as the main platform. Through a virtual tour among the charms of Capri, the mysteries of Pompeii and the exclusivity of Positano, Araba Fenice offered the local agencies a new perspective on the entire Campania region and instruments to communicate its beauty to the UAE travel lovers. Araba Fenice will partner with local travel agencies to get an accurate understanding of the UAE’s customers’ preferences, requirements and goals with the aim to offer unparalleled experiences to tourists coming from the UAE. “Our agency is poised to become a point of reference for professionals and private customers traveling to Italy and, especially, Campania” commented Domenica Sannino, the Director of Araba Fenice after his meetings with the local counterparts. “We are extremely happy with the welcoming response of our colleagues in the UAE and we look forward to welcome tourists and visitors from this amazing country” concluded Sannino.

While travel restrictions continue for parts of the world, many of us are now able and willing to travel once again, with vaccine drives in many countries enabling open borders. As we become more open to taking vacations, a new global travel survey has found that UAE travelers seek a homely experience when staying in a hotel, with 36% saying they like to feel like they’re visiting a friend’s home.  Nearly a fifth (19%) said they are bothered when there aren’t personal touches in their hotel. Cleanliness and comfort were among the highest priorities for guests, with an uncomfortable bed rated the most disliked factor about a hotel stay (33%), while nice food and clean rooms or communal areas among the experiences most likely to make guests book again, at 49% and 43% respectively. On the dining front, 37% of those surveyed said they prefer it when there are a mix of cuisines on offer, while 36% would like more buffet or help yourself options.  And with an emphasis on feeling at home crucial to UAE hotel guests, it’s not surprising that 36% prefer when food is served for longer hours e.g. not just a two hour window for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  And with clean eating a key trend, 13% said they dislike it when there aren’t enough vegan or vegetarian options on hotel menus. Sustainability was also a key point of interest for UAE guests with nearly half (46%) keen to see hotels purchase more environmentally friendly products, for example, using glass instead of plastic, which 41% would support. However, the survey commissioned by voco hotels to launch their new Turn Up Service found guests’ experience with staff …

Hilton signed the latest property from LXR Hotels & Resorts, the company’s collection of independent luxury properties, in Diriyah, Riyadh, KSA. Projected to open by 2026, this captivating boutique resort represents the brand’s introduction to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and will be located within Diriyah, an 11-square kilometre development that is set to redefine luxury living complete with high-end retail offerings, lavish restaurants, residential and administrative buildings, educational institutions, recreational spaces, and galleries and museums. Nestled in the historic Wadi Hanifah, the retreat is to house 80 immaculately designed guest rooms and enchanting villas. Offering a nearby lush escape of tranquillity and relaxation for those looking to explore the vibrant Diriyah development, guests will enjoy easy access to the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, the home of the first Saudi State. Moreover, the annual ‘Diriyah Season’ will create a sought-after destination, hosting a myriad of sports and entertainment events, bringing together local and internationally renowned figures during the month-long festival. “Bringing the LXR Hotels & Resorts brand to Diriyah is yet another step in our ambitious growth plan Hilton has for the Kingdom. KSA is a strategic market for us within the Middle East, where we already have a strong presence and aim to further expand on it,” said Carlos Khneisser, Vice President, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton. “In the coming few years, we aim to have opened 75 hotels in the Kingdom, and we continue to look for more opportunities to expand our presence within the rapidly growing market of KSA.” Designed to be an oasis of serenity, the property will house more than 800sqm of spa for guests to rejuvenate through holistic healing and enjoy …

Hilton announced the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Jeddah Falastin, as it continues its expansion in destinations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The 176-guest room property will be developed in partnership with Ahmed Al Amoudi Group and is expected to open in 2025. Hilton Garden Inn Jeddah Falastin will be located on Prince Majid Road, offering ease of access to Jeddah International Airport and the City Centre.  The renowned commercial hub of Falastin Street will be a short walk away with its range of shopping malls, restaurants and commercial enterprises. Carlos Khneisser, Vice President, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said: “Saudi Arabia continues to be a major focus for us as we grow the Hilton Garden Inn portfolio in the Middle East.  The brand has the largest pipeline in Saudi Arabia according to a recent STR report and is an ideal fit for urban locations with strong commercial and business offerings.” Othman Al Amoudi of Ahmed Al Amoudi Group said: “We are proud to be partnering with Hilton in developing this new property, which will enhance the mid-market accommodation offering of this part of Jeddah.  Hilton Garden Inn is a renowned brand which is a great fit for the area and we look forward to welcoming our first guests in 2025.” Hilton Garden Inn Falastin guests will have access to fitness facilities and an indoor pool as well as an all-day dining F&B outlet and lobby juice bar. The property will also contain 314sqm of meeting space. Hilton currently operates 15 hotels in KSA, and already has another 46 under development. The company plans to expand its operations to more than 75 properties in the next few years …

Due to open in Q1 2022, the landmark hotel will stand as one of the tallest buildings in the city, spanning 66 floors, with 349 rooms and suites. The highly anticipated hotel is also expected to offer world-class dining outlets – including the renowned JW Steakhouse, along with exceptional facilities, spanning business, wellness and much more. Situated on King Fahad Road, a peaceful oasis amidst a dynamic city and just a 5-minute drive from King Abdullah Financial District, JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh resides in one of the most desirable addresses in Riyadh.

Brgy. Bojo in Aloguinsan, Cebu bags UNWTO best tourism village award The United Nations World Tourism Organization awarded a local suburb the Best Tourism Village Award following successful tourism promotion among local communities. The Philippine Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Tourism Secretary, Berna Romulo-Puyat, expressed her delight at the latest development, commending the “remarkable work” of the local community in Bojo through the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS) and the strong support of the municipality of Aloguinsan. “A local destination being inducted into the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Program in its pilot year is a testament to the Philippines’ commitment to sustainable tourism development from the national level down to the grassroots. The wealth of our natural resources and unmatched hospitality remains our key strength as we strive for the reopening of the industry to international travellers anchored on the principle of safe and sustainable tourism,” said Puyat. On behalf of the Philippines, Verna Buensuceso, Tourism Officer-in-Charge Undersecretary, and Philippe Jones Lhuiller, Philippine Ambassador to Spain, received the award on December 2. The UNWTO’s pilot initiative recognised 44 villages from 32 countries for their natural and cultural resources, as well as innovative and transformative efforts, and commitment to tourism development in line with the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Similarly, the programme was launched to promote tourism as a tool for rural development, with the goal of valuing and safeguarding rural villages, as well as their accompanying landscapes and knowledge systems, among others. Bojo is known for its river, hills, underwater natural riches, mangroves, birds, and responsible locals, and its main tourism activity is the Bojo River Eco-Cultural Tour, which is managed by the BAETAS. BAETAS provides an eco-cultural river tour that …