Qatar Airways landed its first resumption flight at Yanbu, the airlines’ eighth connection in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The non-stop service will operate two weekly flights on Wednesday and Sunday. To mark the resumed operations, passengers onboard the aircraft received special menu cards with exclusive design that reflects the distinctiveness of the occasion. Upon touchdown at Prince Abdul Mohsin bin Abdulaziz International Airport, water cannons saluted Qatar Airways flight QR1216 with showers of affection, signifying the renewed connection between Yanbu and Doha. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Yanbu back into our extensive network, comprised now of eight Saudi cities. This highlights our commitment to increasing travel options for passengers in the Saudi market, which remains one of the key global markets for Qatar Airways. We look forward to connecting travellers to and from Yanbu to over 170 destinations across the globe, while offering them an unrivalled travel experience onboard our state-of-the-art aircraft and through our multiple award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport.” Offering two weekly flights to Yanbu, the new route aims to facilitate both business and leisure travel, further reinforcing Qatar Airways’ dedication to connecting travellers from six continents to some of the most sought-after destinations across Saudi Arabia. The addition of Yanbu operations compliments the airlines’ over 120 weekly flights to eight Saudi cities including AlUla, Dammam, Gassim, Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh, and Taif, Yanbu. Located on the Western Coast of Saudi Arabia, Yanbu, a coastal gem on the Red Sea, is renowned for its rich history, archaeological sites, and serene beaches. Known as the “Capital of Diving”, Yanbu represents a haven for all divers thanks to the vibrant underwater world …

STR data year-on-year up to September 2023 shows that average hotel occupancy in Manama is up by 5.9% compared to the same period in 2022, with RevPARs also up 4.9% YoY. This is despite average daily rates (ADRs) falling slightly at 1.0%. In July, it was announced that Edamah broke ground on two boutique hotels at Bilaj Al Jazayer – the four-star Avani and five-star Tivoli, both scheduled to open in 2025. Upon completion, the Bilaj Al Jazayer mixed-use 1.3 million square metre development master plan will also comprise residential villas and apartments, retail and F&B, entertainment and offices along the 3km beachfront. Fraser Suites is expanding its offering in Bahrain, signing with Seef Properties to operate in Al Liwan in Hamala. The new offering will provide 63 serviced apartment units, with a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, over three floors. The serviced apartment component is expected to open in Q4 2023. Heather Longden, Director – Advisory & Transactions, at CBRE in Bahrain comments: “We’ve seen slight uplifts in Bahrain’s hospitality and residential sectors in Q3 2023. In the residential market, although performance was mixed and quoted apartment sales rates dropped marginally year-on-on year, average quoted residential rents increased along with villa sales rates across the geographies. In the hospitality sector, occupancy rates increased by 5.9% compared to the same period in 2022 and RevPARs also grew by 4.9% in Manama. Other aspects of the market remained stable, as the commercial office and retail sectors continue to witness development with prominent projects due to complete soon, which will add to existing stock.”

Jannah Burj Al Sarab Hotel won ‘Best Luxury Halal Hotel’ at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Philistine Kharbouch – General Manager – Jannah Burj Al Sarab Hotel shared, “From the warm welcome to the meticulously planned program, every detail was handled with care and professionalism. It was evident that a tremendous amount of effort and dedication went into organizing such a successful event. Winning an Arabian Travel Award is a significant achievement and can instil a sense of pride. It reflects recognition for the hard work, dedication, and excellence of service performed by Jannah Burj Al Sarab Team. Definitely winning such Award is powerful motivator to strive for setting high standards, benchmark for excellence , responsibility which is driven by a commitment to maintaining and enhancing this positive image and reputation.”

Virgin Atlantic and Travelport announced a renewed agreement. The deal includes distribution of all Virgin Atlantic content, including, subject to implementation, future distribution of NDC through the Travelport+ platform. This renewed agreement strengthens the ongoing travel retailing relationship between Travelport and Virgin Atlantic, ensuring that Travelport-connected agencies have continued access to Virgin’s most robust, enriched content in the Travelport+ platform. Additionally, Virgin Atlantic is using Travelport’s complete branding solution to enhance the way products and ancillaries are displayed on agents’ screens with rich graphics and detailed descriptions, so that agents can seamlessly shop, compare and personalize options for travelers. “Our renewed agreement with Travelport, along with Virgin Atlantic’s future delivery of NDC content, illustrates our commitment to drive value and deliver modern retailing experiences for the agency community and our travelers,” said Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic. “Travelport+ offers retailing and merchandizing capabilities that ensures travel retailers can provide our customers with more choices and the best options from Virgin Atlantic.” “With this new deal, we will support Virgin’s modern retailing strategy with NDC collaboration and Travelport+ capabilities that make it easy for agents to search, sell and service the best offers,” said Jason Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer, Travel Partners at Travelport. “Our long-standing partnership with Virgin Atlantic will bring more value to the industry as we focus on delivering the seamless experiences agents need to provide travelers with personalized offers and the superior service that they expect.”

NEOM unveiled an exclusive tourism escape Siranna a sustainable regional development evolving in northwest Saudi Arabia. This ultra-luxurious destination will be home to a 65-key hotel and 35 exclusive residences. Siranna is a space where elegant and innovative living meet to facilitate a lifestyle without compromise, situated on the Gulf of Aqaba coastline. The destination offers uninterrupted views of the Red Sea, with its tiered design offering diverse views and perspectives. Emerging from the rugged coastal terrain, the hexagonal pillars are distinctive, yet complementary to the surrounding mountains and flora. Arriving via waterborne transportation to the secluded bay, guests will journey through the natural rock formations before reaching the enchanting entrance of the property. With a focus on fostering original thinking and relaxation, Siranna will offer visitors and residents the opportunity to escape the noise and disruptions of everyday life and surround themselves with like-minded people in an effortlessly chic setting. A signature beach club, spas, and state-of-the-art wellness facilities will be on offer for visitors to unwind. Those seeking a connection with the landscape during their stay will enjoy the winding discovery trails via foot or horseback to explore where the sea, mountain, and wadi meet. Sophisticated dining and entertainment options will also satisfy a wide range of tastes and interests among guests. The guiding principle underpinning the development is to ensure minimal intervention in nature, where thoughtful and deliberate techniques will be used to preserve the surrounding landscape. The architecture will pay homage to the heritage of the local area and seamlessly blend into the adjoining mountain and wadi. Siranna is another example of NEOM’s uncompromising efforts to create spaces in nature that support sustainable future living and …

McArthurGlen Group’s Serravalle Designer Outlet presented on 6th December the closing forecasts for the year 2023, with outstanding results that confirm the Center as an internationally significant shopping and tourism destination. The estimated data shared anticipate a return to pre-pandemic levels with an influx of 6 million visitors and a double-digit growth forecast in turnover compared to 2019. Building on these results, McArthurGlen Group has announced a new investment plan of 20 million euros for the 2024-2025 biennium, dedicated to the Piedmont Center. The funds, in line with the Group’s values and a focus on continuous improvement, will be primarily allocated to enhancing the visitor experience and further reducing the Outlet’s environmental impact, demonstrating an increasingly deep and explicit commitment to sustainability. Among the projects in the new investment plan, to make the tourist experience more enjoyable and fulfilling, a new Tourism Hub will be built to welcome international guests and facilitate tax refund procedures. Significant expansions of the existing hospitality areas are also planned, including tripling the size of the Guest Lounge, introducing a dedicated space for conventions, and enhancing Guest Services through the extension and creation of a specific area for organized groups. The planned works also include the refurbishment of parking lots, with the aim of optimizing traffic flow and guiding guests to available parking areas through the implementation of digital signage. The “Green Oasis and Urban Furnishing” project, already initiated in 2023 to facilitate guest orientation and enhance storefront visibility, will be further implemented in a sustainable manner by reducing paved surfaces in favor of green spaces. Five squares have already been completely renovated with the addition of numerous trees and perennial plants, as well as …

Al Rostamani Travel announced a strategic partnership with Cutting Edge FZ LLC to reshape the landscape of global sports travel. This partnership aims to redefine regional sports travel by providing sports enthusiasts with immersive and unforgettable experiences at premier global events. The collaboration is set to offer sports enthusiasts an all-encompassing sports travel solution, including hospitality tickets, full travel support, and coveted access to premier global events. The initial offerings have already garnered attention with exclusive travel packages for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, setting the stage for a series of exceptional sports travel experiences. By managing all travel arrangements, including tickets and access to VIP areas, customers can enjoy the events without the hassles of administration. It is about delivering unforgettable experiences that exceed expectations. Bimal Jain, General Manager at Al Rostamani Travel, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Our primary objective is to establish ourselves as leaders in sports travel services within the UAE. Collaborating with Cutting Edge FZ LLC, the official partner of sporting events ensures our customers an authentic and genuine experience, working directly with governing bodies. It creates a one-stop-shop for fans seeking the ultimate sports travel adventure.” Echoing this sentiment, Raj Khandwala, CEO at Cutting Edge FZ LLC, affirmed: “Our collaboration with Al Rostamani Travel is a natural fit for us. We are confident that this partnership will lead us to become one of the Global Leaders in Sports Tourism, setting new benchmarks of excellence and innovation.” Looking ahead, Al Rostamani Travel and Cutting Edge FZ LLC are dedicated to expanding their portfolio of sporting events. Their sporting events calendar already includes iconic events such as the Formula One Grand Prix and …

Swissotel Al Ghurair Dubai won the title as ‘Best Family Friendly Hotel’ at Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Amal El Ansari – General Manager – Swissotel Al Ghurair Dubai shared, “It was an extremely well organized event, bringing together and recognizing industry leaders and innovations. Swissotel Al Ghurair and the team is extremely thrilled to win the Best Family-friendly hotel, third year in a row, proving that the efforts of the hotel and its colleagues in making it the best family-friendly destination in Dubai.”  

The Ajman Department of Tourism Development showcased the emirate’s unique attractions, its natural features and tourist potential at a strategic roadshow across key destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to promote and market tourism in the Emirate of Ajman. The roadshow itinerary included visits to Oman that started on December 4 and continued to Al Riyadh, KSA on December 5-6, and Jeddah, KSA on December 7. The initiative aimed to tap into new tourist markets, attract more visitors and tourists, facilitate the exchange of experiences and expertise, and establish valuable partnerships with companies and travel agencies through meetings and the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). On this occasion, His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of the Ajman Department of Tourism Development said: “This tour underscores our dedication to showcasing the unique cultural and natural treasures that define the Emirate of Ajman. As we embarked on this strategic journey, our goal was not only to introduce potential visitors and partners to the distinctive offerings of Ajman but also to forge meaningful collaborations with industry operators. We believe that by engaging with key markets in Oman, and Saudi Arabia, we can tap into new tourist segments, attract a diverse range of visitors, and strengthen our position as a leading tourism destination in the region.” The GCC market has been a pivotal contributor to Ajman’s tourism sector, witnessing consistent growth year over year. The influx of visitors from Gulf Cooperation Council countries saw a significant uptick of 12% from the third quarter of 2022 to the start of 2023, marking a notable increase compared to the preceding year. KSA, holding the position of the 9th top source market for Ajman, …

dnata has partnered with Malaysia-based Batik Air, formerly known as Malindo Air, to bolster the airline’s newly launched route between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. Batik Air began operating four weekly services from Dubai to Malaysia’s capital city in November 2023. This marked the airline’s second route launch in the Middle East this year, following its successful introduction of flights between Jeddah (KSA) and Kuala Lumpur in August. dnata Representation Services will act as the airline’s general sales agent (GSA) in the UAE, providing a comprehensive range of travel services and local infrastructure for sales, marketing, and distribution support. Drawing interest from UAE-based travellers, Batik Air has introduced attractive fares starting at AED 1,299 for Economy Class and AED 3,499 for Business Class return flights. Simon Woodford, Vice President Global Air Services at dnata Travel Group, commented: “The reopening of Asia has sparked a rising trend in travel from the UAE, with a growing number of people seeking to explore the diverse landscapes and cultures of the continent. In Malaysia, cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur and the beautiful coastlines beyond – including Langkawi – are increasingly popular. We are delighted to support Batik Air locally, as it opens more options for travel between the UAE and Malaysia.” Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, Group Strategy Director of Batik Air, added: “Malaysia is rapidly gaining recognition as a vibrant destination, known for its natural beauty, cultural richness, and warm hospitality, with a growing significance for business partnerships and cultural exchanges. With the launch of our direct flights from Dubai to Kuala Lumpur, travellers now have easier access to explore the country. Whether planning a leisurely getaway, a family vacation, or an important business trip, our affordable …