Hilton and Mabanee announced the signing of Hilton Kuwait Resort, marking a transformative renovation of the iconic property in Mangaf. Scheduled to open in 2026, Hilton Kuwait Resort will be the largest coastal resort in Kuwait boasting a serene seaside setting spanning 1.3 kilometers of beach, positioning it as a premier getaway for both residents and international business and leisure visitors. The extensive renovation will include a comprehensive upgrade of the property, featuring energizing spaces such as enhanced guest rooms, chalets, and villas, as well as new amenities such as outdoor sports areas, a beach club and spa, and multiple dining options. Carlos Khneisser, Vice President, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said, “We are pleased to be furthering our partnership with Mabanee, working together to deliver an elevated stay experience at Hilton Kuwait Resort. With its beautiful setting and extensive offerings, the resort will bring the features of our iconic flagship brand to life, contributing to Kuwait’s budding tourism industry and connecting travelers in this sought-after location on the coast,.” Hilton Kuwait Resort will offer approximately 330 modern guest rooms, including 80 chalets, 64 villas and 36 studio apartments. Guests will have a range of world-class dining options featuring the best of local and global flavors to choose from. Leisure facilities will include an indulgent spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools. Chief Executive Officer of Mabanee, Waleed Khaled Alsharian said, “We look forward to opening the fully renovated Hilton Kuwait Resort, welcoming residents and visitors to a modern property with an uplifted room mix, additional facilities and Hilton’s renowned hospitality. The opening will further our hospitality footprint in Kuwait, where we have already partnered with Hilton to …

The fourth edition of  Cruise Travel Mart 2025, Middle East’s premier cruise trade event concluded with over 200 travel agents from across the UAE. Ashok Kumar, Convener of Cruise Travel Mart shared that this has become one of the main B2B events which provide an opportunity for travel agents to connect with partners on one on one basis. Established in 2022 by leading GSA heads of the region’s top cruise lines, the event has grown into a vital platform for fostering industry collaboration, raising awareness, and equipping travel agents with the insights needed to drive cruise sales. With an exclusive focus on cruise travel, Cruise Travel Mart 2025 will gather over 100 top-tier travel agents from the UAE and neighbouring GCC markets, alongside senior representatives from the world’s most prestigious cruise lines. Participating CTM member cruise lines include Celebrity Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, Cunard, Disney Cruise Line, Explora Journeys, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, and Windstar Cruises.

GlobalStar Travel Management has expanded its network across the Middle East region with longstanding Partner Dadabhai Travel adding additional businesses to the GlobalStar network. James Stevenson, CEO at GlobalStar comments: “It is a real pleasure to strengthen our longstanding Partnership with Dadabhai Travel as together we extend our footprint to other key countries in the region, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. We are seeing a surge in demand on travel requirements throughout the region from corporates focused on finance, property management, energy and marine travel.”  “In welcoming these Dadabhai Travel markets to the GlobalStar network, we add not only additional likeminded and ambitious travel businesses but also the very best regional knowledge, significant manpower and wealth of experience.” Nitin Menon, Executive Director of Dadabhai Travel UAE, Oman, and Iraq, commented: “Expanding our partnership with GlobalStar beyond Bahrain to include KSA, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Iraq is a significant milestone for Dadabhai Travel. This partnership enhances our global connectivity, enabling us to provide even greater value to our clients through improved supplier relationships, advanced technology, and access to a worldwide network of travel expertise. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration will bring for our clients and our business.”

VFS Global to showcase Czechia’s diverse travel experiences and unique attractions catering to the Middle East travellers. Travelers from Middle East can experience Czechia’s exciting outdoor activities and rich cultural heritage—featuring majestic castles, chateaux, seventeen UNESCO monuments, historic cities and Czech cuisine in traditional and modern form with a glass of premium Czech beer or local wine. With this strategic collaboration, CzechTourism and VFS Global are poised to elevate Czechia’s presence on the global tourism map, inspiring more travelers to explore the country’s extraordinary beauty and cultural richness. Jana Štumpová Konicarová, Marketing Director and Director of Foreign offices at CzechTourism, expressed, “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with VFS Global to promote Czechia’s rich cultural and natural attractions to travelers from Middle East. In 2024, Czechia welcomed over eighty thousand Middle East basedvisitors, reflecting a growing interest in our vibrant cities, historic landmarks and serene countryside. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire even more travelers to explore and create lasting memories in one of Europe’s most captivating destinations.” Leveraging its extensive reach and expertise, VFS Global will represent CzechTourism to drive marketing, public relations and trade engagement efforts to boost visitor numbers and enhance overall awareness of Czechia as a premier destination. Barbara Andelová, International Marketing Manager – New Markets at CzechTourism, added, “Partnering with VFS Global presents a tremendous opportunity to amplify Czechia’s presence in the Middle East. With a strategic focus on PR and marketing initiatives, our goal is to showcase Czechia’s deep-rooted heritage, diverse landscapes and unique travel experiences to a broader audience. Through this collaboration, we look forward to building stronger connections with the travel trade and media fraternity, inspiring more visitors to …

Trippido has officially launched its online platform, offering a streamlined approach to travel bookings for travel professionals and individual travellers. The platform provides comprehensive services, including activity and event tickets, visa processing, accommodations, transportation, and vacation rentals—making trip planning more accessible and efficient.  Established in 2021 as an offline service provider in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah, Trippido has since expanded its operations globally. It now serves Thailand, Turkey, Malaysia, Singapore, and other destinations. “Trippido was born out of a need to simplify a fragmented industry,” said Tushar Kharbanda, Founder and CEO of Trippido. “As a traveler myself, I noticed how scattered travel services were—multiple platforms, inconsistent pricing, and complicated processes. We built Trippido to address these inefficiencies, offering a unified platform where travelers and agents can access everything seamlessly. Our goal is to simplify travel and give our partners better margins and control over their bookings.” For individual travelers, Trippido simplifies the process of booking experiences and essential travel services in one place. With its user-friendly interface, travelers can easily access a variety of curated experiences, from adventure activities to cultural tours, while enjoying transparent pricing and reliable customer support. As Trippido transitions online, it continues to uphold the same level of service that has earned the trust of its customers.

His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, highlighted the continued growth and robust performance of the UAE’s tourism sector. H.E. said: “Hotel revenues in the UAE reached approximately AED 45 billion in 2024, reflecting a 3% year-over-year growth. Hotel occupancy rates also climbed to 78% last year to rank among the highest both regionally and globally. This growth was supported by the opening of 16 new hotels across the seven emirates in 2024, taking the total number of hotels in the country to 1,251 by the end of the year. In addition, the number of hotel rooms also grew, reaching 216,966 by the end of 2024, up 3%. H.E. attributed this growth to the directives of the wise leadership and its forward-looking vision, which led to the development of sustainable policies, strategies, and initiatives that drive the sector’s progress. Tourism remains a key pillar in strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of the national economy, supporting the country’s transition toward an economy driven by knowledge and innovation. H.E. Bin Touq added: “The UAE continues to advance its national efforts to develop innovative tourism initiatives and projects, while strengthening collaboration with all relevant local and international tourism bodies. These efforts aim to elevate the UAE’s status as the best tourism identity globally by the next decade, offering world-class experiences that further enhance the country’s appeal to visitors from around the world. We are also focused on diversifying special interest tourism offerings, building the sector’s capacities, fostering the participation of Emirati talent, and driving greater investment across all areas of the tourism ecosystem.” H.E. noted: “The number of hotel guests across the UAE …

Tourism from the GCC is expected to significantly boost the UK economy in the coming years. Forecasts estimate visitor spending from the GCC will reach £4.5 billion by 2030, while India is projected to contribute £1.4 billion over the same period. Gary Robson will now oversee VisitBritain’s operations in India and the Middle East, calling them “exciting markets with massive growth poten2030tial.”

Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the opening of Radisson Hotel Madinah, marking the debut of the Radisson brand in one of Saudi Arabia’s most revered destinations. Strategically located in the city of Madinah, this upscale hotel offers a modern, elegant sanctuary for business travelers, leisure guests, and visitors on their spiritual journey. With 165 well-appointed rooms, including, 53 business units, Radisson Hotel Madinah offers a sophisticated blend of Scandinavian-inspired hospitality and modern elegance. The hotel’s sleek design and calming color palette create a tranquil retreat, whether guests are unwinding after a busy day or preparing for their Umrah journey. Badr Abdulaziz, General Manager, Radisson Hotel Madinah said: “The hotel team and I are proud to welcome guests to the first Radisson-branded property in Madinah. We are fully committed to delivering world-class service to all our guests, whether they’re here for business, leisure, or as part of their Umrah trip.” Guest can enjoy a wide variety of premium amenities, including a contemporary lobby café, a full-serviced restaurant, and a revitalizing poolside juice bar. With thoughtfully designed spaces that invite guests to relax and unwind, every detail has been crafted to inspire and delight. Ideally located outside the Al Haram area, the new hotel enjoys proximity to significant landmarks, sitting just 3 km away from the Prophet’s Mosque and 750m from Quba Mosque, the oldest mosque in Islamic history. Moreover, it is conveniently located 16km away from Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport and 10km from Madinah train station, with convenient links to Jeddah and Makkah. This prime location makes it easily accessible and an ideal hub for both business and leisure travelers. Madinah, also known as Al Madinah Al …

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) announced its diverse calendar of events for April 2025, welcoming a dynamic mix of global exhibitions and conferences across sectors including energy, geospatial technology, real estate, art, education, healthcare, travel, air cargo logistics and more. These events underscore Dubai’s pivotal role as a global hub for knowledge exchange, innovation, and economic opportunity. With 16 events taking place across the month, highlights include flagship mega event, Arabian Travel Market (28 April – 1 May); health sector events, the pan Arab Interventional Radiology Society Annual Congress (9-12 April) and Dubai Derma (14-16 April); global aviation summit the IATA World Cargo Symposium (15-17 April); leading energy sector gatherings Middle East Energy (7-9 April) and GoTech Gas and Oil Technology Showcase & Conference (21-23 April); plus future focused forum ISPRS Geospatial Week (6-11 April). The full line up for April features: Middle East Energy: 7-9 April Returning for its 49th edition, Middle East Energy 2025 brings together energy professionals and decision-makers from over 170 countries. The event will spotlight five core sectors shaping energy transition – smart solutions, clean and renewable energy, backup generators and critical power, transmission and distribution, and energy consumption and management. With its strategic focus on sustainability and innovation, the show is expected to facilitate transformative partnerships for a low-carbon future. ISPRS Geospatial Week: 6-11 April Hosted at Sheikh Maktoum Hall, this academic and industry-driven event features 16 workshop themes covering cutting-edge topics such as Earth Observation, Geospatial AI, and disaster management. Organised by the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS), Geospatial Week fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between technology developers, data scientists, and application users. Dubai Entertainment, Amusement & Leisure Expo (DEAL): 8-10 April The …

Building upon its commitment to digital transformation and customer-first innovation, SalamAir announced the launch of its dedicated WhatsApp service. Passengers can now receive their tickets and boarding passes directly via WhatsApp, ensuring a smoother and more connected travel experience.​ This initiative follows a series of enhancements introduced in the last few months to provide travellers greater flexibility and personalization, which included the launch of the Express Bag and Priority services. These offerings reflect SalamAir’s dedication to reforming the airline experience by combining low fares with enhanced flexibility, allowing passengers to tailor their journeys to their needs.​ Steven Allen, Chief Commercial Officer of SalamAir, emphasized the airline’s vision:​”At SalamAir, we believe passengers should have the freedom to choose the services that matter to them. As part of our broader digital transformation strategy, we’re introducing smart, customer-focused tools, like our new WhatsApp service, to enhance flexibility and control. This is just the beginning; the WhatsApp platform will continue to evolve, offering even more features to make the travel experience seamless and personal.” ​The introduction of the WhatsApp service marks another milestone in SalamAir’s journey towards delivering seamless, tech-driven solutions that prioritize customer convenience and satisfaction.