Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) has collaborated with Marriott International to launch a new Hospitality Apprenticeship Programme for Emiratis, reinforcing their joint commitment to shaping the future of the UAE hospitality industry. This initiative, accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education, will provide students with a comprehensive education that blends theoretical learning with hands-on experience, setting them on a path to successful careers in the hospitality industry in Dubai and the wider UAE. The Diploma in Hospitality – Apprenticeship Programme for Emiratis will commence its first edition in May 2025 with 40 Emirati students who will be enrolled in DCT’s One Central campus, where the world-class vocational college delivers full-time certificate and advanced diploma courses in four core subject areas: tourism, hospitality, culinary arts, and events. This initiative is also in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, with a key D33 priority being to integrate the next generation of Emiratis into the private sector. Mariam Sultan Al Maeeni, Director, Industry Nationalisation at the Dubai College of Tourism, commented: “This new collaboration with Marriott International on the Diploma in Hospitality – Apprenticeship Programme for Emiratis stands as a testament to our commitment to developing a skilled and competent workforce for the tourism and hospitality sectors, in alignment with the aspirations of our visionary leadership to integrate new generations of Emiratis into the private sector, as part of the D33 Agenda. By blending theoretical learning with practical experience, we ensure that our students gain valuable industry insights and develop essential skills under the guidance of seasoned professionals. The initiative enables Emirati students to build …

According to recent data from the World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, an estimated 1.4 billion international tourists were recorded globally in 2024, an 11% increase from the previous year. In addition, total export revenues from tourism, including passenger transport, reached a record USD1.9 trillion last year. The report also indicated that the Middle East was the best-performing region compared to 2019, with international arrivals rising by 32% last year from pre-pandemic levels. The outlook is promising for international tourist arrivals in 2025, which are anticipated to grow by three to five per cent. Arabian Travel Market is set to welcome a diverse international presence at its upcoming edition, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April to 1 May. This year’s show will see notable growth in participation from key regions including Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the Americas, reflecting continued recovery and rising demand across the global tourism industry. “Asia is the fastest-growing region at ATM 2025, with a projected 27% year-on-year increase in exhibitors this year. This growth is largely attributed to enhanced regional connectivity and stronger links with international markets, driving expansion opportunities. It’s not only national tourism organisations that are contributing to this growth but also regional and city-level destinations, with private sector participation on the rise,” said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. Countries such as Japan, Macao, the Maldives, Mauritius, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, China, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India are playing a pivotal role. India is anticipated to witness a remarkable 41% increase in participation at ATM this year, which includes a stronger presence from the Ministry of Tourism and major national airline …

Sabre Hospitality shared plans to release SynXis Pay, its new solution that eases payment pain points for travelers and hoteliers alike. For travellers, SynXis Pay integrates with over 250 alternative payment methods, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Klarna, WeChat Pay and more, adding much needed flexibility when it comes to checking out on their favorite hotel websites. Additionally, it enables a new express checkout experience in SynXis Booking Engine if the guest selects Apple Pay or Google Pay. Those integrations are just one part of the equation. For hotels, SynXis Pay greatly reduces the complexity of managing multiple payment types in one place. SynXis Pay’s orchestration layer – powered by CellPoint Digital, the leader in payment orchestration –optimizes global payment acceptance by seamlessly connecting to multiple gateways and dynamically enabling the most relevant payment methods based on the guest’s location. In collaboration with other payment partners within the ecosystem, hotels can customize payouts in their local currency, converting from the guest’s preferred currency. This minimizes exposure to foreign exchange rates and simplifies reconciliation. Plus, the enhanced guest experience contributes to increased conversion rates. “At Sabre Hospitality, we love to solve complex travel challenges in ways that benefit both our customers and travelers,” said Juan Abello, Vice President of Product Management at Sabre Hospitality. “SynXis Pay is a prime example of that mission, offering travelers the flexibility and personalization they desire, while simplifying the resulting output and payout for our hoteliers. For some time, both sides of hospitality transactions have been hungry for improved payment processes. This is the truest definition of a ‘win-win’ scenario.” SynXis Pay will be released in phases over the coming months.

Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority recognised as the ‘Most Popular Luxury Family-friendly Island Destination’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “The Arabian Travel Awards held special significance, recognising the achievements of our clients. The event’s organisation and entertainment were of top-notch quality. Congrats to ATA team. Securing an ATA is a significant emotional milestone.”- Glenn Johnston – Vice President Middle East and Global Public Affairs – Aviareps (Representative of Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority)

The Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia, taking place in Riyadh, 11-13 May, will host the region’s first NextGen Investment Forum to address the challenges – and opportunities – surrounding education, training and talent retention in KSA’s growing hospitality sectors. Investing in the next generation of leaders in hospitality is fundamental to delivering KSA’s Vision 2030 goals, according to industry experts, who will come together at FHS to explore and discuss issues such as bridging skill gaps, creating new pathways to career growth, empowering Saudi nationals and encouraging more women to take up a career in hospitality. The event takes place on the first day of FHS Saudi Arabia, Sunday 11 May, from 3:00pm, with more than 30 speakers set to take part. Through a series of curated roundtable discussions, the forum will bring together key industry stakeholders to address the most pressing challenges in hospitality education and retention with a focus on solution-oriented conversations and actionable outcomes to help shape the future of hospitality education and workforce development. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of FHS organiser The Bench, said: “By 2030, KSA’s hospitality and tourism transformation will create more than a million new jobs, deliver 320,000 new hotel rooms, and inject around US$46 billion into the country’s economy. And with Saudi Arabia set to welcome 150 million annual tourists in the next five years, it goes without saying that the right investment today is key to creating the hospitality leaders of tomorrow. “We are proud to launch this first-of-its-kind initiative at FHS Saudi Arabia and look to drawing inspiration from highly respected industry experts during an afternoon of collaboration, insight and actionable solutions to shape the future of KSA’s hospitality industry.” The NextGen …

Taking as its slogan ’The World of Travel Lives Here’, ITB Berlin 2025 kicked off with fully booked halls and a record number of 5,800 national and international exhibitors (5 per cent more than in 2024) from over 170 countries underline the global reach of the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show, while the ITB Buyers Circle with its 1,300 senior buyers is an indicator of the industry’s upturn. Particularly in the key travel segments of Cruises and Travel Technology for example, but also in the dynamic markets of Southern Europe, Asia, Africa and the Arab states, there has been significant growth. Albania is presenting itself as the host country with the slogan ’Albania All Senses’. Taking as its heading ’The Power of Transition Lives Here’, the ITB Berlin Convention will address the challenges and opportunities of a changing market with high-profile speakers from companies including Expedia, DERTOUR, Google, Uber, Booking.com, Microsoft Advertising, Wyndham, UN Tourism, TUI, Ryanair and many more. The latest World Travel Monitor® findings of IPK International reflect the industry’s positive mood.

Emirates strengthens its presence across Asia with the launch of daily non-stop flights between Dubai and Shenzhen from 1 July 2025*. The airline will also introduce four weekly services to Da Nang on 2 June and three weekly flights to Siem Reap from 3 June with both cities connecting via Bangkok. The addition of Shenzhen, Da Nang and Siem Reap, puts Emirates ahead of the curve with the largest and most diversified route network among any non-Asian airline in East Asia, offering 269 flights per week from Dubai to 24 points. This latest expansion also marks Emirates’ fourth gateway into the Chinese mainland, third destination in Vietnam and second point in Cambodia. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer said: “We remain committed to offering business and leisure travellers unparalleled access to Southeast Asia and the broader East Asia region by delivering an extensive flight schedule. Our expansion into Shenzhen opens new doors for business and economic exchange between this technological powerhouse and global markets. As we prepare to launch operations, we extend our gratitude to the Chinese authorities and airport partners for their ongoing support and are committed to ensuring this route’s success while fostering cultural bonds and unlocking future economic potential.” He added: “Vietnam holds a strategic place in our Southeast Asia network. Our decision to expand operations to Da Nang as our third point in Vietnam comes at an opportune moment, following the landmark Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Vietnam. We are confident that our new service will elevate the existing bilateral trade and commercial collaboration between our nations. We extend our gratitude to our local partners and Da Nang International Airport …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is participating in ITB Berlin 2025 showcasing Abu Dhabi’s dynamic tourism landscape, DCT Abu Dhabi leads the delegation of 40 partners and stakeholders at the Experience Abu Dhabi stand, including Yas Island, Air Arabia, Ethara, ITL, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi, Orient Tours, Saadiyat Island, Al Dhafra Hotel, teamLab Phenomena and many more. DCT Abu Dhabi will also share expert insights on the MICE sector, with Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations, delivering a keynote and participating in a panel discussion on industry trends at 4:00 PM on 4 March at Hall 7.1b Green Stage. Located within Hall 2.2, at Stands 200 and 200A, DCT Abu Dhabi will make key announcements during the event, reinforcing its commitment to building a robust, future-focused tourism and cultural ecosystem. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Our presence at ITB Berlin reflects DCT Abu Dhabi’s commitment to promote, protect, and progress the emirate on a global stage, fostering key partnerships that bring tangible benefits to residents and visitors, as well as long-term opportunities within the industry. Each conversation and connection is an opportunity to highlight Abu Dhabi as a premier tourism and cultural hub, while paving the way for future collaborations that drive sustainable growth for our stakeholders.” One of DCT Abu Dhabi’s key launches is the Welcome Pass, delivered in collaboration with Alike, a social travel marketplace. Provided at Abu Dhabi airport on arrival, this fully digital, seamless booking and redemption solution will enable travellers to explore Abu Dhabi’s unique range of cultural sites and entertainment attractions and with greater ease and convenience. DCT Abu Dhabi is also …

Millennium Hail won the title of ‘Best Business Hotel – KSA’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Arabian Travel Awards 2024 is a tremendous honour that validates our commitment to providing exceptional guest experiences and setting new standards in the hospitality industry. This prestigious recognition highlights our dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences and redefining hospitality standards.”-Marc Sawaya, Cluster Commercial Director, Millennium Hotels and Resorts

Aldar has launched an in-house customer experience academy and have agreed a partnership with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches to establish and curate its courses. The Aldar CX Academy (“The Academy”) is part of the company’s strategy to enhance customer experience and instill a hospitality mindset across the organization. The Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches is a groundbreaking institution that sets a new standard in hospitality education by integrating global expertise with a deep-rooted emphasis on Emirati culture. This aligns closely with the ethos of Aldar’s CX Academy, which is founded on the philosophy of traditional Emirati hospitality, with every guest treated with unconditional welcome and care. The pillars of Emirati hospitality will also inform The Academy’s curricula with a key focus on selfless generosity, relationships over transactions, commitment to craft, excellence beyond expectations, respect for all cultures, and sustainable relationships. The Academy is designed to support the Abu Dhabi Customer Experience Strategy and contribute to the emirate’s reputation as a destination with world-class service across all sectors. With a mandate to establish an elevated signature experience at every touch point across, The Academy will train more than 30,000 direct and indirect employees from senior management to frontline staff. This will include employees across every Aldar asset, business, and function including sales, community management, facilities management, retail, hospitality, and schools. Courses are scheduled to commence by the end of Q1 2025, with plans for a purpose-built, state-of-the-art, facility on Yas Island. Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Aldar, said: “In line with our customer experience strategy and purpose to have a positive impact on people’s lives, we believe that hospitality is the universal language of …