Marriott Hotels announced the opening of Cappadocia Marriott Hotel. Nestled within the moonscape landscapes of Cappadocia, the property is the largest and newest hotel in the region with 298 guest rooms, offering travellers a gateway to the storied destination. Ideally situated near the town of Göreme, guests can easily explore Cappadocia’s top attractions, including the UNESCO-listed Göreme National Park, the Open-Air Museum, and the renowned underground cities. The hotel’s prime location also places guests close to the area’s famous hot air balloon launch sites, providing a breathtaking opportunity to experience the dramatic vistas from above. “We are thrilled to introduce the first Marriott Hotel in Cappadocia, a sought-after destination, renowned for its unique beauty and cultural significance,” said Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Vice President, Premium & Select Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “This property not only marks our debut in Cappadocia, but also underscores Marriott International’s ongoing commitment to the Turkish market. Guests can expect our hallmark of heartfelt service, elevated experiences, and the timeless hospitality that defines Marriott Hotels. We aim to create unforgettable stays, inviting travellers to immerse themselves in unique history, awe-inspiring scenery and diverse experiences.” The architecture and design of Cappadocia Marriott Hotel are deeply inspired by the region’s distinctive appearance. Built using locally sourced natural stone, the hotel’s colour palette reflects the earthy tones of its surroundings, with shades of terracotta, soft beige, and muted green evoking a sense of tranquillity and creating a warm atmosphere for guests. Handmade artwork by local artisans, including a unique collection from Venessa Ceramics, further enhances the connection to Cappadocia’s rich cultural heritage and creates a welcoming atmosphere that is both sophisticated and rooted in tradition. Reflecting Marriott …

Al Naboodah Travel and Tourism Agencies walked away with ‘Best GSA’ award at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024.  “It’s a wonderful experience. It’s a moment of pride, and it’s a moment of recognition for all those who have worked hard, who have worked smart, who have performed well. And I think this recognition will add a lot of value, confidence, and inspiration for all of us to do even better and better for the coming years. I am overexcited, and I am looking forward to winning more than three awards next year.” Nasir Jamal Khan, CEO, Al Naboodah Travel & Toursim Agencies

Jumeirah Group announced the appointment of Thomas B. Meier as their new Chief Executive Officer. With extensive industry experience, Meier has been instrumental in guiding Jumeirah through several important milestones and will now lead the next stage of the Brand’s sustainable growth under its Mission 2030 strategy. As Chief Executive Officer, Meier will spearhead Jumeirah’s bold plans to double its portfolio by 2030, focusing on international expansion and solidifying its position as a global leader in luxury hospitality. Under his leadership, Jumeirah aims to continue setting new standards for the industry, building on its strong legacy and reinforcing its commitment to deliver enriching guest experiences rooted in culture and connection. Meier, who served as Chief Operating Officer since October 2021 and most recently as Interim Chief Executive Officer, takes on the role during a pivotal time for the brand. During 2024, Meier led milestone achievements, including Jumeirah’s entry into Africa with the launch of Jumeirah Thanda Island in Tanzania and Jumeirah Thanda Safari in South Africa as well as other upcoming launches, while also strengthening the leadership team with several senior appointments. With a distinguished career spanning several decades, Thomas has also led operations and global expansion for renowned brands, including Raffles. In line with its global expansion vision, Jumeirah recently unveiled several high-profile properties, including the two new iconic destinations in Africa; Jumeirah Red Sea in Saudi Arabia; Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in the United Arab Emirates, and Jumeirah Le Richemond Geneva in Switzerland. Today, Jumeirah operates a portfolio of 30 properties across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Asia. The brand is actively pursuing owner and operator opportunities in major gateway cities and resort destinations worldwide, further strengthening …

Jyoti Panchmatia, Regional General Manager, Travco, in a special interview with TravelTV shared that 2025 will see a growth in term sof cruise business in the Arabian Peninsula. “Cruise lines are planning itineraries for 2025 and 2026, reflecting a strong advance booking trend. There are two key aspects to this. The resort world’s positioning as a home port is primarily aimed at attracting both the local market and the GCC market. This includes two- and three-day cruises, offering a convenient staycation option that has become increasingly popular since COVID, with the term ‘workation’ gaining prominence. Additionally, we are introducing Celestial Cruises, which Travco represents in the local market. These cruises offer short, immersive experiences—ranging from two nights to three days—allowing guests to enjoy multiple destinations in a single trip, such as a breakfast in one location, lunch in another, and dinner in yet another. This new offering will provide exciting opportunities for outbound travel, with options to visit Mediterranean and Greek islands, fostering a fresh dimension to the cruise market from this region.” Overall, the cruise sector remains optimistic about long-term growth, particularly with expanded seasons and increased tourist activity expected from 2025 onward.

Air Arabia announced the launch of its new non-stop flights to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Starting 30th January, the new service will connect Sharjah International Airport with Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with a frequency of three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: ” We are delighted to add Addis Ababa to our growing network of destinations. This new route reflects Air Arabia’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and fostering economic and cultural ties between the UAE and Ethiopia. By expanding our destinations from Sharjah, we aim to boost trade and tourism while continuing to offer affordable and convenient travel options to our customers.” This latest addition to Air Arabia’s growing network underscores the airline’s commitment to expanding connectivity between the UAE and Africa, facilitating increased opportunities for tourism, trade, and investment. Air Arabia operates a modern fleet of 81 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. Offering passengers, a value-added onboard experience, the aircraft is equipped with ‘SkyTime’, a free in-flight streaming, and ‘SkyCafe’ an onboard catering service at affordable prices. In addition, Air Arabia offers ‘Air Rewards’ an innovative and generous loyalty program through which passengers can earn, transfer, and spend points. Customers can now book their direct flights between Sharjah and Addis Ababa by visiting Air Arabia’s website, or by calling the call centre, or through travel agencies.

Plaza Premium Group (PPG), Egypt Aviation Services (EAS), and Cairo Airport Company (CAC) announced a strategic joint venture. They will manage six lounges across various terminals at Cairo International Airport (CAI), leveraging PPG’s global expertise in creating award-winning airport hospitality experiences. Under this collaboration, PPG will manage, operate, and commercialise six lounges across various terminals at Cairo International Airport (CAI), leveraging PPG’s global expertise in creating award-winning airport hospitality experiences. The Lounges will be rebranded as Plaza Premium Lounge by CAC and EAS. CAC has assigned the full management of CAC VIP Lounges to a joint venture formed between EAS and PPG, who have taken over six Lounges in Terminals 1, 2, 3 and the Seasonal Terminal of the Cairo International Airport. Furthermore, a new lounge by the F Gates of Terminal 3 is being developed. This landmark partnership marks the official market entry of PPG into Egypt, another important milestone in the company’s expansion in the MENA region, alongside its recent expansions into other key markets in the region, such as Saudi Arabia, Kenya and Abu Dhabi. Cairo International Airport (CAI) is a pivotal hub for air travel in Egypt and the broader region, playing a significant role in the country’s economy and connectivity. It is the busiest airport in the country and Africa, handling 26.4 million passengers in 2023 and has non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 125 destinations in 62 countries. “This unprecedented partnership with Egyptian Aviation Services (EAS), and Cairo Airport Company opens up exciting opportunities for our first entry into the Egyptian market through this strategic partnership, bringing our global standards and expertise in delivering award-winning airport hospitality experiences to Cairo. We are committed to our …

It was announced that Anantara Sharjah is slated to open in 2027. This 100-key collection will be set within the grounds of the upcoming Anantara Sharjah Resort. Offering fully furnished residences designed to established Anantara styles and standards, these striking smart homes feature incredible views across the Arabian Gulf and UAE skyline plus access to the five-star facilities and services of the adjoining hotel.

voco Bonnington Dubai was awarded ‘Best Corporate Hotel’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Winning the Best Corporate Hotel of the Year award at the Arabian Travel Awards is an incredible milestone for voco Bonnington. This recognition validates the trust and commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences, particularly to our corporate partners. This win is both a proud achievement and a motivating challenge, inspiring us to strive even higher. We believe that excellence is a continuous pursuit. Moving forward, we’ll continue to nurture our people and empower them to create memorable experiences for every guest.” Giacomo Puntel, General Manager, voco Bonnington

‘Discover Aseer’ one of the distinctive new destinations in Saudi Arabia’s tourism scene focusing on the cultural heritage and natural diversity of the region showcased its unique offerings for the first time at the third edition of Saudi Tourism Forum. Hatem Al-Harbi, Chief of Tourism at ASDA, said: “We are happy to announce the participation of ASDA through its tourist identity, “Discover Aseer”, for the first time at the STF to highlight Aseer’s unique offering as a tourist destination. We aim to create authentic and sustainable tourism experiences that strengthen our past and shape our future. Our participation today also sheds light on Aseer as an all-year-round tourist destination where the region aims to activate three seasons throughout the year, namely Spring, Summer and Winter seasons, in addition to its natural and cultural elements, various activities and activations, and ambitious future projects. We are also supporting and empowering destination companies, hospitality companies and owners of heritage villages, by enhancing their presence within the “Discover Aseer” pavilion to enhance tourism development opportunities of various kinds in the region.” By 2030, the region’s annual number of visitors is expected to reach 9.1 million, with 26 billion riyals contributing to tourism GDP. It also aims to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders, both locally and internationally in the tourism sector, and will support opportunities that are aligned with the region’s economic and sustainable growth strategy.  

The Madinah Region Development Authority announced a strategic partnership with Almosafer to enhance tourism in Madinah. Unveiled during the Saudi Tourism Forum 2025, this collaboration aims to position Madinah as a premier destination for visitors from within the Kingdom and beyond. The partnership leverages Almosafer’s extensive travel services and diverse marketing capabilities to accelerate tourism growth in Madinah while delivering enriching and varied experiences for visitors. Almosafer’s market expertise and digital solutions will provide a seamless cultural and entertainment experience at competitive prices through its comprehensive portfolio for corporate, governmental, and individual clients. This initiative aligns with efforts to elevate Madinah’s tourism offerings and attract a broader audience locally and internationally. Commenting on the partnership, Mr Bandar Naqro, General Manager of Strategic and Corporate Communications at the Madinah Region Development Authority, said: “The unique historical and cultural heritage of Madinah makes it one of the most visited cities in the Kingdom, especially with the development of numerous archaeological sites and the activation of diverse tourism destinations. Our partnership with Almosafer will strengthen the city’s offerings and marketing initiatives, contributing to increased visitor numbers and enriched experiences, thereby achieving the objectives of Vision 2030.” Muzzammil Ahussein, CEO of Almosafer, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with Al Madinah Region Development Authority to help evolve and further promote one of the Kingdom’s most culturally rich heritage sites. Almosafer’s on-ground expertise, innovative technological solutions, and extensive reach enable us to offer a bespoke holistic experience for travellers from across the world. We look forward to further positioning Madinah as a wholesome tourist destination that provides an immersive cultural experience that is bound to be an unforgettable core memory for visitors. Saudi Arabia’s rich …