Qatar Airways  is growing its operations in Amsterdam from 10 weekly flights to 14 with the launch of four additional weekly flights from Amsterdam starting 12 November 2024 until 29 March 2025. These 14 weekly flights will enable 40,000 additional passengers to travel between Amsterdam and Doha through its hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH). Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to witness and serve the growing travel demand in the Dutch capital, which is an integral destination in our European network. We look forward to offering our world-class product and seamless service to travellers from Amsterdam seeking to experience the world through Qatar Airways’ extensive network of more than 170 global destinations.” With the additional flights, travellers will have more opportunities to soak up the winter sun at their favourite destinations including Bali (Denpasar), Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City. Amsterdam, also known as the city of historic canals, is one of the leading destinations for passengers travelling from Asia and Australia.   Qatar Airways flights to Amsterdam (AMS) New winter schedule, starting 12 November 2024 The flights will depart every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday: ·       Doha (DOH) to Amsterdam (AMS) – Flight QR275: Departure 07:55; Arrival 13:00 ·       Amsterdam (AMS) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR276: Departure 15:20; Arrival 23:30   Existing winter schedule, starting 27 October 2024   The flights will depart daily as follows: Doha (DOH) to Amsterdam (AMS) – Flight QR273: Departure 08:15; Arrival 13:20 Amsterdam (AMS) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR274: Departure 15:05; Arrival 23:15 Departing every Monday, Friday, and Sunday: Doha (DOH) to Amsterdam (AMS) – Flight QR275: Departure 06:10; Arrival 11:15 Amsterdam (AMS) to Doha (DOH) – …

Taraf and Marriott International, Inc. announced a landmark project, W Residences Abu Dhabi – Al Maryah Island. This collaboration will mark the first branded residences of the renowned W Hotels brand in Abu Dhabi and represents an exciting milestone for both stakeholders, with Taraf expanding its impressive lineup of luxury property developments, and Marriott adding this project to its W Residences portfolio that continues to set new standards and offer the bold, unexpected design and luxury hospitality the hotel brand is known for. Located in Abu Dhabi, a city rapidly emerging as a global real estate powerhouse and the new destination for the world’s elite, The Residences will be located in Al Maryah Island, the city’s premium address and home to the international financial center. Recognized and celebrated for its dynamic community, visionary development, luxury retail and dining options, and an exciting project pipeline, Al Maryah is rapidly becoming the destination of choice for the world’s leading brands. The project’s design will not only add to Abu Dhabi’s iconic skyline but will also feature cutting-edge interiors, world-class amenities, and the signature W hotels Whatever/Whenever© concierge service, providing residence owners their personal oasis to retreat, relax and feel energized. Low Ping, Group CEO, Yas Holding commented: “The branded residence market continues to grow, internationally and locally, with Abu Dhabi’s real estate market a particular hotspot. Our collaboration with Marriott International aligns not only with our prime goal of continued growth within the UAE’s luxury real estate market, but also our commitment to partnering with top global luxury brands. W Residences Abu Dhabi – Al Maryah Island will also complement Taraf’s portfolio which also includes high-profile developments across Dubai, showcasing our commitment to …

Nikki Beach Hospitality Group announced the grand reopening of Nikki Beach Dubai on 1 October 2024. Situated on the exclusive Pearl Jumeira, Nikki Beach Dubai is a chic sanctuary that perfectly blends beachside relaxation, vibrant music, and gourmet dining. The recent refresh, led by award-winning Global Interior Design Architect Rémi Viale, will introduce a larger air-conditioned restaurant with floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors that open to the vibrant beach club. Upgraded bars, new murals, and refreshed daybeds will provide a more stylish and comfortable experience. The updated DJ booth stands out, now shaded by a wooden pergola in a new location closer to the restaurant for a cohesive energy throughout the property. The redesigned pool layout now provides both high-energy and serene zones, enhancing the overall experience. Additionally, five new daybeds, elevated above the water, offer a sense of weightlessness as they seamlessly blend with the pool’s surface. The beach club is set to enhance its dining experience with an expanded restaurant, continuing to redefine Dubai’s beach club cuisine. This season, award-winning Executive Chef of Nikki Beach Dubai, Kavish Chimajee, and Nikki Beach Hospitality Group’s Corporate Executive Chef, Alessandro Pizza, will unveil new menu items for both poolside and restaurant dining. As part of Nikki Beach’s global philosophy to source locally whenever possible, the location will continue its long-standing relationships with regional suppliers like Al Ain Farm and Dibba Bay. The venue is renowned for its exceptional entertainment and this season will not disappoint. Upcoming Events at Nikki Beach Dubai include: ● Opening Day (October 1): The beach club unveils its stunningly refreshed property, setting the stage for a new chapter. ● Grand Reopening Party (October 12): A vibrant celebration with …

Etihad Airways announced that they will be boosting services between Abu Dhabi and European destinations such as Paris, Milan, Rome, Manchester, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Barcelona, and Madrid with double daily flights for Summer 2025 schedule. The newly enhanced schedule, now open for booking, offers increased flight frequencies and convenient 2pm departures to many European destinations, further boosting tourism to Abu Dhabi. Etihad Airways is significantly boosting its services to popular European destinations, offering year-round double-daily flights between Abu Dhabi and major cities such as Paris, Milan, Rome, Manchester, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Barcelona, and Madrid. Additionally, seasonal flights to Malaga will increase to five times per week, giving travellers even more flexibility for their summer plans. The new daily European flights are conveniently timed for morning and evening departures and arrivals, offering travellers the flexibility to choose the schedule that suits them. There are also more flights to key destinations across the airline’s growing global network, including daily flights to Bali for the summer season, and Sydney rising to 10 flights a week. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, said: “We are delivering on our strategic promise to serve more key destinations twice daily as fast as we can, and our summer schedule underscores our commitment to growth and further supporting tourism in Abu Dhabi. By aligning our schedule to offer 2pm departures from Abu Dhabi, we provide guests with convenient check-out times from their hotels, allowing them to make the most of their stay in our beautiful city. “Morning arrivals offer tourists the benefit of early hotel check-ins and extra time to explore the city’s attractions, and evening arrivals are ideal for those who prefer a seamless …

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Emaar Hospitality Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure that Dubai remains at the forefront of global hospitality trends and continues to offer unparalleled services to guests. Underlining DET’s commitment to building relationships with homegrown and international hotel groups, and to foster growth and innovation within the hospitality sector, the MoU exemplifies the robust public-private partnerships that are pivotal to Dubai’s tourism success and instrumental in creating unique experiences that attract visitors from around the world. The MoU further strengthens the ongoing partnership between DET and Emaar Hospitality Group and aims to enhance marketing and promotional efforts, develop tourism products and experiences, provide training and capacity building. It was signed at DET’s headquarters by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Mark Kirby, Head of Emaar Hospitality Group. Increasing collaborative efforts between DET and Emaar Hospitality Group will further bolster Dubai’s tourism sector, in line with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, driving visitation growth and consolidating Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Inspired by the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and guided by the goals of the D33 Agenda, this new MoU between DET and Emaar Hospitality Group marks another important milestone for Dubai’s tourism industry. Hospitality has been a cornerstone of Dubai’s journey towards becoming one of the most visited and most popular …

Emirates and the Museum of the Future will host the first Aviation Future Week, taking place from 15-17 October 2024 in Dubai. UAE ministers, senior government officials, industry leaders from across the aviation and aerospace, airfreight, Maintenance, Overhaul & Repair (MRO) and logistics ecosystem, will converge in Dubai for the inaugural event. The event presents a platform for unparalleled insights and discussion opportunities around the passenger journey and future traffic demand, airfreight and logistics, as well as the latest developments in AI and XR. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “It is fitting that Dubai is setting the stage for visionary global leaders and decision makers in aviation and aerospace to gather for key discussions and powerful collaborations to help redefine what the future could look like for the industry at Aviation Future Week. Dubai’s strategic commitment to leveraging technology and innovation and embracing the digital revolution is fertile ground to pioneer new approaches and push the boundaries of what is possible for more efficient and sustainable operations, and reshaping the passenger journey and experience as the industry forges ahead.” Aviation Future Week will include key notes, panels and workshops over three days. The first day includes a packed programme led by speakers and industry experts who will address air travel demand and airport infrastructure and how airports, airlines, aerospace manufacturers and other stakeholders can deliver an enhanced passenger experience using technology. The second day will be dedicated to developments within airfreight and logistics, while the second half of the day with focus on MRO development within the region. The third and final day will navigate the boundary-breaking potential …

flydubai inaugurated its operations to Kish Island and Kerman marking the start of the carrier’s direct services to these destinations in Iran from Dubai International (DXB). Senior airport officials and local dignitaries welcomed both inaugural flights with traditional water cannon salutes at Kish International Airport (KIH) and Kerman International Airport (KER). flydubai will operate a four-weekly service to Kish Island and a twice-weekly service to Kerman, enhancing connectivity between these cities and Dubai. The new routes add to flydubai’s extensive network and strengthen connections between Dubai and Iran, providing greater opportunities for customers whether they are travelling for business, leisure or to visit relatives and friends. Commenting on the start of operations, Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said: “we are delighted to expand our network in Iran where we now serve eight destinations across the country, reinforcing our commitment to providing our passengers with more options to travel, more conveniently and more often. This expansion also significantly contributes to the growth of trade and tourism through Dubai’s aviation hub, enhancing global connectivity.” “At flydubai, we are committed to exploring new growth opportunities, removing barriers to travel, and opening up markets and destinations that were previously underserved. By offering direct flights to these destinations, we are enhancing connectivity between different cultures, all while providing convenient travel options to passengers across our expanding network,” added Obaidalla. With the launch of flights to Kish Island and Kerman, flydubai has strengthened its position as one of the key operators in the Iranian market, now serving eight destinations with 61 flights a week. The airline began its services to Iran on 10 August 2014 with flights to Mashhad and its network has since expanded …

140 leading policy makers from UN Tourism’s Committee met to discuss global challenges of tourism and the path towards more sustainable, desirable and resilient development. The 19th meeting of the Committee (CTS) brought together the elected members of the Committee from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Americas. Over the course of two days, special Thematic Sessions focused on the key sustainability challenges posed as the sector continues to grow, with an expected 35 billion domestic, same-day and international visitors expected to travel annually by 2030. A total of 140 leading policymakers and experts reflected in-depth on pathways for balancing growth and prosperity with inclusiveness and sustainability. UN Tourism Executive Director Zoritsa Urosevic emphasized the significance of the meeting, noting, “This is the first time that the committee has met for two days to reflect and deeply discuss strategic topics for a science based global tourism agenda, its sustainability, and future resilience.” William Rodríguez, Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism, added, “Costa Rica is honored to host the representatives of the UN Tourism’s Committee on Tourism and Sustainability. We see it as a great challenge to lead discussions on issues that are so relevant to the environmental, social, and economic future of the member countries, always striving for tourism to follow a model of sustainable, inclusive, and innovative management, as promoted by our country.” Towards Collective and Consistent Actions The Committee on Tourism and Sustainability put the spotlight on the key sustainability-related challenges facing tourism today, drawing on the expertise of the experts and committee members under the leadership of Costa Rica. Structured in five thematic sessions, the discussions focused on: The Future of Tourism: The Committee addressed the critical balance …

IndiGo has reached an agreement with travel technology leader Amadeus to provide travel sellers around the world with access to the airline’s NDC content via the Amadeus Travel Platform. IndiGo has decided to rely on Amadeus for its unique and robust offering, which combines state-of-the-art airline and distribution technology with an unmatched market reach. The airline, which will carry more than 110 million passengers in 2024 and has growth ambitions backed by one of the largest aircraft order books in the industry, will strengthen its competitive edge through access to new markets and customer segments, thanks to Amadeus’ 96% global market coverage of NDC-ready travel sellers across the globe. NDC technology, with its standardized messaging is a game changer in the distribution landscape. It opens up new opportunities for airlines to distribute their content to travel sellers even more efficiently and elevate their retailing to the next level. For corporate clients and travel agencies, NDC simplifies the booking process by providing direct access to IndiGo’s full range of products. This not only streamlines operations but also delivers the ability to offer exclusive deals and promotions tailored to individual traveler profiles. With the Amadeus NDC capabilities and the seamless integration with the airline’s IT systems powered by Navitaire, IndiGo is able to build dynamically price-tailored offers and expose them to customers – boosting ancillary sales and optimizing the customer experience, regardless of which sales channel they choose quickly and efficiently. Indigo is already live with NDC booking and servicing capabilities in UAE and Singapore with other markets to follow. IndiGo’s commitment to embracing NDC technology reflects its dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction. By providing greater access and reach of its products …

Ajman is currently witnessing a substantial increase in tourists from the CIS countries, recording an exceptional increase of 12 per cent visitors and 12 per cent increase in nightly accommodations. This is a testament to the growing attractiveness of the emirate as a tourist destination. There has been a marked increase of 3 per cent in hotel occupancy rate, along with a 5 per cent increase in room revenues as compared to the previous year. The Ajman Tourism Department has launched a promotional tour to the CIS under the leadership of His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director General of the Ajman Tourism Development Department. The tour, which is being held from September 14 to September 21, has been organised to reinforce collaborations with representatives from the tourism sector of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan in a move to attract more tourists to the emirate of Ajman. The promotional tour includes visits to Almaty, Tashkent and Baku, during which the Department is highlighting Ajman’s latest tourist destinations and new projects which aim to enhance the Emirate’s position as a global tourist destination. His Excellency Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi said: “The key goal of the promotional tour is to enhance Ajman’s position as a leading tourist destination at a regional and global scale. Our visit to the CIS is aimed at deepening strategic relations with our key partners, and further explore newer avenues for cooperation ad exchange of expertise.” He added: “During the promotional tour, we are showcasing Ajman’s rich heritage and ongoing transformation as a unique cultural and tourist destination within the UAE, enabling us to draw more visitors. We are confident that all these efforts will create new opportunities for sustainable economic …