Speaking at the special press conference at ASEAN Tourism Forum, Mohd Amirul Rizal Bin Abdul Rahim, Head of Visit Malaysia 2026 Secretariat shared that Middle East is a very important source market and they will be focusing on two key aspects family and GenZ or millennials. He further stated that the new campaign will be announced in a number of road shows in the Middle East over the next few months to share more details on the extensive programme that they have prepared to welcome visitors to Malaysia. He reiterated that Visit Malaysia 2026 will be unique as they target high yield tourists as well as tourists who seek sustainability when they travel. However, the theme for the year will be ‘Malaysia: a sustainable destination and rich in culture”.

Grand Millennium Gizan won the title of ‘Best business and leisure hotel, KSA’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. One of the premier luxury 5 Star Hotel in Gizan, it is the most preferred hotel for leisure and business traveller conveniently located in the South of KSA within Gizan University complex, just 20 minutes away from Gizan International Airport. The award was received by Marc Sawaya, Cluster Commercial Director, Millennium Hotels and Resorts and Houssam Chaouachi, Senior Sales Manager, Millennium Hotels and Resorts.

Hilton and the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) partnered to showcase the diverse travel experiences tourists can enjoy in Saudi Arabia through an engaging creative content campaign. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, short films and photos have been creatively produced to promote Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Ula, Makkah and Madinah. These captivating visuals transport viewers to discover the country’s distinctive destinations. The campaign builds on last year’s successful partnership between the two entities, in which they created engaging seasonal content for viewers, and is now being rolled out internationally, including across the Middle East, South Africa, UK, Germany, Italy, France, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The announcement also follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Hilton and STA in 2023 to explore cooperation opportunities to promote Saudi Arabia and attract visitors to the Kingdom, in line with Vision 2030. It also comes as Hilton continues its plans to more than quadruple its presence with over 70 hotels under development – adding more than 18,000 keys to its growing portfolio, introducing more of its award-winning brands, and creating over 15,000 jobs for hospitality professionals across the Kingdom– with more than half of new hires being Saudi nationals. The content, which can be viewed here, serves as a window that immerses visitors in Saudi experiences before their arrival. It brings to life the Kingdom’s must-visit hotspots and dives into the heart of its welcoming cities. From the spiritual significance of its holy cities, and highlighting the historical treasures of Diriyah, to revelling in the beauty of ancient oases and the stunning topography of the country. It invites visitors to experience the very best of Saudi Arabia with Hilton, highlighting the global hospitality company’s hotels …

Fly Khiva Group announced Almosafer as its exclusive general sales agent (GSA) in the country. The partnership highlights the growing significance of Saudi Arabia as a primary market for Fly Khiva, as both parties align to meet the needs of travellers to the Kingdom. With Fly Khiva set to operate its maiden flight to Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, in January 2025, the Kingdom is all set to welcome more Hajj and Umrah pilgrims from the Central Asian country. The strategic partnership showcases Uzbekistan’s prominence as a source market for religious tourism, and the newly launched flight service facilitates easy and direct access to the Holy Land. Almosafer’s robust market presence and reach in Saudi Arabia will help Fly Khiva expand its operations in the region and ensure seamless service for passengers. Almosafer will leverage its Destination Management Company, Discover Saudi, and its Hajj & Umrah tour operator, Mawasim, to boost Fly Khiva’s sales across the Kingdom. Dilshod Hodjaev, CEO of Fly Khiva, said about the partnership, “We look forward to offering our passengers exceptional travel experiences through this exciting new collaboration. Almosafer’s market expertise and technological prowess will enable us to reach newer markets and offer a seamless experience for all.” Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Almosafer, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, “We believe strategic alliances are key to the success of our travel journey and are excited to welcome Fly Khiva to our portfolio of esteemed partners to enable an increase in air connectivity for Uzbek pilgrims seeking to visit the Kingdom for Hajj and Umrah.” The airline is set to deploy a Boeing 757-300, equipped with spacious seats and an advanced entertainment …

Qatar Airways will resume operations to Malta with four weekly flights from 2 July 2025. The resumption to Malta will expand Qatar Airways’ network to nearly 50 destinations in Europe. Bookings are now open for travellers from Australia, China, India, Japan, and the Philippines seeking the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Passengers can plan their summer holidays with Qatar Airways to travel through Hamad International Airport, the World’s Best Airport as voted by Skytrax in 2024, to Malta International Airport and visit the capital city of Valletta – a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and Gozo and Comino – the sister islands of Malta. Similarly, travellers from Malta can benefit from Qatar Airways’ extensive network of more than 170 global destinations, including Australia, where it currently operates 42 weekly flights. Qatar Airways’ proposed partnership with Virgin Australia, pending final regulatory approval, will also boost connectivity. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to announce the resumption of our flights to Malta, which marks a vibrant addition to our robust European network. Qatar and Malta enjoy staunch economic ties, and our operational relaunch to the country only furthers our relationship.” Engr. Al-Meer continued: “We are proud to continually offer our global community of adventurers and leisure travellers new destinations to discover and explore. From historic and cultural sites and attractions, sun and sea activities, to cities serving as locations for Hollywood movies and TV shows, Malta offers an exciting blend of memorable experiences for travellers – all set against the backdrop of the azure Mediterranean Sea.” The Renaissance city of Valletta – the capital of Malta and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – …

In a special interview with Eddy K Soemawilaga – President – ASEANTA – ASEAN Tourism Association shared that the Middle East market is an important market for them and that they have restarted the ASEAN pass which enables easier accessibility to hitherto explored destinations across the region. This is also a platform where OTAs, and travel agents could provide a more seamless service to their customers. “To attract Middle Eastern tourists, ASEANTA collaborates with airlines and promotes initiatives like the ASEAN Pass, which offers affordable inter-ASEAN travel options. The pass, implemented via AirAsia’s platform, encourages multi-destination travel and invites participation from other airlines and travel agents. Partnerships with NGOs, governments, and organizations like PATA are in discussion to broaden ASEANTA’s scope. Future plans include engaging more stakeholders to foster regional and global cooperation.” As sustainability is an important aspect for travellers today, Soemawilaga added, “ASEANTA recognizes sustainability as a priority. Efforts include awarding businesses that implement sustainable practices and advocating for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and efficient navigation systems to reduce carbon emissions. In Indonesia, airlines are advocating for a 1% SAF adoption while promoting efficient navigation systems as a cost-effective alternative to reduce emissions post-COVID financial constraints.”

Rezlive.com was awarded “Best online travel booking platform” at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2025“Winning this award is extremely important to me and the team. It serves as a recognition of our hard work and dedication, and it motivates us to continue striving for excellence. This award has a significant impact on our company. It enhances our reputation within the industry and validates our efforts, which in turn can inspire others to pursue similar achievements. After this win, we plan to leverage the recognition to further innovate and improve our services. We will also focus on maintaining the high standards that led to this achievement.” Jaal Shah, Group MD, Rezlive.com

Almosafer (part of Seera Group) announced its partnership with Tasheer at the Hajj Conference and Exhibition 2025 in Jeddah. The two companies will collaborate on various initiatives to enhance the travel booking experience for travellers visiting the Kingdom. As the official travel partner, Almosafer will provide comprehensive travel solutions to Tasheer’s customers, ensuring a seamless and convenient booking experience. The agreement, signed at the Hajj Conference & Exhibition in Jeddah, expands on both parties’ ongoing collaborations, which currently serve pilgrims, to offer a seamless travel experience for all visitors utilizing Almosafer’s diverse offerings. The partnership will focus on three key verticals, with the streamlining of flight bookings through digital platforms at the forefront. Hajj & Umrah packages and leisure travel bookings will also play an important role, whilst Almosafer and Tasheer will further collaborate on travel management solutions. Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Almosafer, said; “We are proud to partner with Tasheer to expand our collaboration by leveraging Almosafer’s strengths as a holistic travel platform. With our market leadership, advanced technological innovations, and seamless travel solutions across booking channels, we aim to deliver exceptional experiences to travelers visiting the Kingdom. This partnership aligns with the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030, supporting the national agenda to welcome more visitors and enhance their journeys to Saudi Arabia.” Eng. Fahad Al-Amoud, CEO of Tasheer, commented on the partnership, saying: We at Tasheer take pride in providing innovative and reliable services to visitors coming to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across various segments. Our partnership with Almosafer will support the delivery of value-added services, enabling visitors to benefit from Almosafer’s extensive expertise in the travel sector, innovative booking solutions, and comprehensive services. Together, we aim to …

Visit Qatar hosted the Arabian Luxury Travel Show 2025, which was held for the first time in Doha from 12 to 15 January 2025. The event was designed to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading luxury tourism destination in the Middle East, with more than 160 luxury tour operators and MICE agents from key markets, including Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and the Baltic States. More than 50 prestigious hotels, destination management companies and tourism authorities from across the region also participated in the event, including Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and the Indian Ocean. Participants showcased world-class luxury offerings and highlighted the Middle East’s world-class luxury offerings, reinforcing the region’s position as a hub for luxury tourism. The event included an intensive four-day schedule at The Ritz-Carlton Doha, which included two days of bilateral meetings aimed at facilitating important business deals. The last two days were also dedicated to networking events between buyers and exhibitors. Commenting on the event, Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, said: “Hosting the Arabian Luxury Travel Show 2025 in Doha is the perfect platform for Visit Qatar to present the unique luxury offerings that characterize Qatar, and through direct communication with influential buyers and travel professionals, we seek to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading tourist destination for discerning travelers seeking luxury, as this event is in line with our strategic vision to establish Qatar’s presence in the global luxury tourism sector and strengthen our presence in key markets.” The successful hosting of the event underscores Visit Qatar’s commitment to strengthening Qatar’s position as a global luxury destination, in line with the objectives of …

Servantrip has announced an impressive 82% year-on-year increase in B2B bookings for 2024, marking a 1.5x acceleration compared to the growth recorded in 2023. Servantrip grew across the Middle East, Europe, LATAM and the USA connecting over 12,500 points of sale by Q1 2025, highlighting the growth in channel distribution across retail, OTAs, and wholesalers. The company plans to focus on activating over 10,000 additional points of sale between 2025 and 2026, either already connected or nearing connectivity, from the 2,850 active points of sale in 2024. This milestone reflects the company’s ambitious trajectory toward global leadership in the travel sector, underpinned by three transformative achievements in 2024: 1. Advancing technology: Enhancing the industry’s most sophisticated and seamless API for tours, activities, and transfers. 2. Expanding the ecosystem: Establishing the largest network in the transfers and activities sector, with over 60 API integrations and agreements to onboard 5,000 additional points of sale. 3. Strategic expansion: Launching an operational hub in Buenos Aires and initiating U.S. operations through a subsidiary in Miami. In 2024, the transfer services business was a standout success, recording a 109% increase in bookings. Supplier connections to Servantrip grew by 78%, while the number of buyer nationalities expanded by 20% to include travellers from 132 countries. Destinations offering booked services also grew by 10%. Manuel Núñez, Founder and CEO of Servantrip, highlighted the pillars driving the company’s success: “Our growth in 2024 was built on three key strengths: highly scalable, advanced technology; the world’s most comprehensive portfolio of qualified suppliers; and the dedication of the Servantrip team to providing an outstanding customer experience. Many of our clients were introduced to us through recommendations, a testament to our impact in …