Etihad Airways has signed a strategic codeshare agreement with Taipei-based STARLUX Airlines, expanding customer access to Northeast Asia and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a gateway between East and West. The partnership, announced at the International Air Transport Association Annual General Meeting in New Delhi, enables Etihad customers to connect seamlessly to key Japanese cities including Nagoya, Sapporo, and Fukuoka via Taipei, whilst offering STARLUX passengers direct access to Etihad’s European network through Abu Dhabi. Etihad will launch daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Taipei on 7 September 2025, operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The new route creates the foundation for the codeshare partnership, positioning Taipei as a gateway for Etihad’s expansion into Northeast Asia. Etihad customers booking through etihad.com and the airline’s mobile app will benefit from streamlined travel with single-ticket bookings, coordinated check-in processes, and automatic baggage transfers to final destinations across STARLUX’s Asia-Pacific network. The agreement also opens new pathways for STARLUX passengers to reach European destinations including Prague, Madrid, and Barcelona via Abu Dhabi, positioning the emirate as an attractive transit hub for Asian travellers bound for Europe. Both airlines will launch joint marketing initiatives in Taiwan and establish a reciprocal frequent flyer programme by year-end, allowing Etihad Guest members to earn and redeem miles across both networks. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “This partnership with STARLUX Airlines opens new market opportunities in Northeast Asia, giving our customers access to Japan’s key business and leisure destinations through Taipei. STARLUX Airlines’ reputation for premium service aligns perfectly with our standards, and together we’re offering travellers more choice and convenience when connecting across three continents.” Simon Liu, Chief Strategy Officer of …

marhaba has partnered with PRIME Health to provide premium travel services for passengers arriving in Dubai for medical treatment. Driven by a commitment to patient well-being, the partnership ensures a smooth and stress-free travel experience that complements the quality of care provided by PRIME Health. marhaba will provide its full airport hospitality offering to support medical travellers, including its signature Meet & Greet, Chauffeur and Lounge services. In addition, its recently announced Check-in Anywhere and Land & Leave solutions will further enhance the journey, enabling a smooth, hands-free experience from arrival to departure. Jaffar Dawood, dnata’s Divisional Senior Vice President – UAE Airport Operations, said: “We are pleased to partner with PRIME Health to further enhance the medical tourism experience in Dubai. With marhaba’s personalised service and Arabian hospitality, twinned with Dubai’s world-class infrastructure, we ensure medical travellers feel looked after from the moment they land. This partnership reflects our shared focus on care, comfort and service excellence.” Dr. Jamil Ahmed, Founder and Managing Director, PRIME Health, said: “At PRIME Health, we believe exceptional care starts well before a patient enters the hospital. Our partnership with marhaba ensures international patients receive a warm, stress-free welcome the moment they land. By combining world-class hospitality with trusted medical expertise, we are redefining the healthcare journey — making it as seamless and supportive as possible from arrival to recovery.” Dubai welcomed over 691,000 people for medical treatments in 2023, with spending on healthcare services exceeding AED 1.03 billion (US$ 280 million). The emirate is rapidly positioning itself as a leading global destination for medical tourism, combining advanced healthcare with world-class luxury and personalised care. According to PRIME Health, international patient flows to Dubai …

The Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) announced that the hospitality sector welcomed 820,365 guests across its hotel portfolio in 2024 — a 6% increase compared to the previous year. The portfolio achieved an average occupancy rate of 45%, marking a 2.6% increase year-on-year. A major milestone was achieved with the official opening of JW Marriott Muscat, further enriching the luxury hospitality landscape in the Sultanate of Oman. As part of its efforts to position Oman as a premier luxury tourism destination on the global map and to attract the world’s leading hospitality brands, OMRAN Group announced several strategic projects, most notably the Middle East’s first Club Med Resort that will be developed in Musandam, and the signing of a strategic partnership with Santani Wellness Resorts to introduce wellness tourism in Al Dakhiliyah Governorate. The Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) has announced strong financial and operational results, underscoring the Group’s sustained efforts and corporate excellence in advancing tourism development and supporting sustainable economic growth in the Sultanate of Oman, in close collaboration with key stakeholders. In 2024, the Group recorded a net profit of OMR 25.2 million and total revenues exceeding OMR 58.3 million, reflecting operational efficiency and the high standards of excellence embraced across its business operations. These achievements were presented during the Group’s recent Board of Directors meeting, where the Board reaffirmed its continued commitment to reinforcing the Group’s role in advancing economic diversification and amplifying its impact as a key catalyst for tourism development and investment in the Sultanate. Demonstrating its ability to attract high-quality investments, OMRAN Group secured over OMR 156 million in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during 2024. This achievement aligns with Oman Vision …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Rotana unveiled the first phase of their joint initiative to boost summer tourism to the emirate. This partnership aims to address seasonal travel lulls and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s positioning as a dynamic, year-round destination. With Rotana’s strong regional appeal and global loyalty network, the collaboration is primed to drive bookings across Abu Dhabi’s diverse source markets, particularly the GCC. From June through August, guests staying at Rotana properties in Abu Dhabi can enjoy an exclusive ‘Stay 3, Pay 2’ summer offer. This campaign is a key activation of the DCT-Rotana partnership, designed to stimulate travel during the traditionally quiet summer months, reinforce Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a family-friendly destination, and encourage direct bookings through exclusive incentives. Eddy Tannous, COO, Rotana said: “As a homegrown brand deeply rooted in the region, we are proud to partner with DCT Abu Dhabi on a campaign that supports the broader vision of positioning Abu Dhabi as a year-round destination. Through this initiative, we are combining strengths to deliver both economic impact and exceptional guest value, reaffirming our commitment to driving tourism growth in the emirate.” As part of DCT Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, the partnership with Rotana underscores the emirate’s commitment to sustained, collaborative growth. It is one of several recent alliances formed to enhance Abu Dhabi’s global profile, increase visitor numbers, and deliver seamless, tailored experiences across key international and regional markets. For every three consecutive nights booked, the third night is free. For longer stays, the offer continues (e.g., stay 6, pay 4), creating greater value the longer guests stay. The summer promotion also includes: • Free stays …

Etihad Airways celebrated the launch of flights to two new destinations in Central Europe – Prague and Warsaw. The UAE’s national airline operated its inaugural flight to the enchanting Czech capital Prague, one of 16 new destinations the airline will add this year. Next the airline touched down in Warsaw for the first time, adding the vibrant Polish capital to its expanding European network. “Our new Prague and Warsaw services open doors to countless possibilities,” said Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways. “These new routes create a bridge between two remarkable regions, connecting travellers from the Middle East to the heart of Central Europe, while offering seamless connections via Abu Dhabi to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Australia.” Often called the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’, Prague captivates visitors with its stunning Gothic architecture, centuries-old squares, and lively cultural scene. The Czech capital’s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcases architectural treasures spanning eight centuries, while its modern districts pulse with innovative cuisine, art, and design. Beyond the city, the surrounding region offers picturesque landscapes, from historic castles to renowned spa towns. In Poland, the modern city of Warsaw captivates with its distinctive contrasts – elegant architecture and contemporary skylines, traditional markets and inspired dining scenes, historic parks and cutting-edge cultural venues. This diversity is complemented by Poland’s enticing array of experiences, from medieval cities to pristine forests and mountain ranges. Visitors to the UAE from Czechia and Poland, can enjoy Abu Dhabi’s distinctive blend of tradition and modern luxury. The UAE capital offers everything from the serenity of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the artistic masterpieces of the Louvre Abu …

K.I.T. Group announced a strategic joint venture with GD+, a leading integrated communications and event management agency based in Dubai, operating as a division of Gulf Dunes. Through this alliance, K.I.T. Group will enhance its operational presence in the Middle East, delivering services through GD+’s extensive network of offices in the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah), Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Jordan, as well as in Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. GD+, with 30 years of regional expertise will expand its portfolio of international conferences by leveraging K.I.T. Group’s PCO services, including delegate services, scientific content management and industry sales. This partnership combines K.I.T. Group’s international expertise, technological tools, and global client network with GD+’s in-depth local market knowledge, cultural fluency, robust infrastructure, and multilingual staffing capabilities. The joint venture is poised to offer comprehensive solutions for conferences and events, ensuring seamless experiences for clients and delegates alike. This collaboration, operating under the joint brand name “K.I.T. Group by GD+,” was officially unveiled at IMEX Frankfurt 2025, a leading global exhibition for meeting and event professionals. The partnership aims to deliver exceptional conference and event services across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The global sales team at K.I.T. Group will collaborate closely with GD+ to target the GCC market, sharing valuable business leads and jointly deciding on event bids. This cooperative approach aims to secure new business opportunities and deliver high-quality events that meet international standards while catering to regional nuances. K.I.T. Group will focus on its core PCO competencies, such as managing services like registration, scientific content management and exhibition/sponsorship sales, while GD+ will concentrate on delivering specialized production and hospitality management services. This clear division of responsibilities …

Travel Designer Group announced the relocation of its Technology Division to a brand-new, state-of-the-art office at Mondeal Heights, which also houses the company’s corporate headquarters. This strategic expansion comes as part of Travel Designer Group’s ongoing commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and delivering best-in-class solutions to its partners worldwide. The new tech office is designed to foster collaboration, boost productivity, and provide a modern, dynamic environment for the company’s expanding tech team. “As our business continues to scale across markets, this new office is a reflection of our commitment to investing in people, technology, and infrastructure. It marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we focus on developing cutting-edge travel solutions that power the future of our industry,” said Jaal Shah, Founder, RezLive.com & Group Managing Director, Travel Designer Group.  The new facility will support the Group’s mission to enhance its technological capabilities and drive transformative innovation in the B2B travel space.

Sabre Corporation has announced a partnership with SalamAir, aiming to strengthen SalamAir’s global footprint by leveraging Sabre’s marketplace and worldwide distribution capabilities. Under the new agreement, SalamAir’s full range of flights and services will be accessible to travel agencies across the globe through Sabre’s advanced global distribution system (GDS). The move is expected to significantly enhance the airline’s international visibility, attract new customer segments, and accelerate revenue growth. “Our partnership with Sabre marks a significant milestone in SalamAir’s growth journey,” said Steven Allen, Chief Commercial Officer at SalamAir. “By utilising Sabre’s robust global distribution platform, we aim to achieve greater global visibility, reach new markets, and offer our affordable travel options to a wider audience.” For Sabre, the collaboration highlights its ongoing commitment to supporting airline partners in the Middle East with cutting-edge travel technologies. Recently, SalamAir renewed its long-term agreement with Sabre for the Radixx Reservation System, further reinforcing Sabre’s credibility and reliability as a technology partner.

Travel spending in the Middle East is on course to surge by 50% by the end of the decade, reaching nearly USD 350 billion by 2030, according to the newly released ATM Travel Trends Report 2025. The report, developed by Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in partnership with Tourism Economics, highlights that the inbound travel to the Middle East is forecast to rise by 13% annually between 2025 and 2030, with Asia and Africa emerging as key source markets and outbound business travel forecast to surge at 9% per year. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The report’s findings confirm that travel growth in the Middle East is incredibly strong, with annual growth averaging more than 7% through 2030. Bold national visions, game-changing developments, and enhanced connectivity are some of the key factors driving this momentum.” Leisure travel from Europe continues to dominate, accounting for half of all visitors, with India and the UK leading as top international source markets. China is also a rising force, with Chinese leisure spending projected to increase by an impressive 130% by 2030.

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has strengthened its presence in East Asia with the launch of two new routes connecting Da Nang, Vietnam, and Siem Reap, Cambodia, via Bangkok. This expansion brings the airline’s East Asian network to 23 destinations, reinforcing its commitment to growing connectivity across the region. The inaugural flight to Da Nang took off on 2 June, followed by the first flight to Siem Reap on 3 June. Operated by the airline’s wide-body Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the new services provide passengers with Emirates’ signature in-flight experience and seamless connectivity through its global hub in Dubai. Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President, Passenger Sales and Country Management, said that these new services are a significant milestone in our strategy to support travel and trade in East Asia during a time of rapid regional development.  The move underscores Emirates’ ongoing investment in East Asia, reflecting a broader ambition to cater to increasing demand and deepen ties with emerging travel and economic hubs across the region. He added, “Launching two new routes via Bangkok marks a significant milestone in strengthening Emirates’ presence in Southeast Asia and reinforces our long-standing commitment to Thailand as a strategic gateway to the region.”