In a move to attract more visitors from the GCC Visit Qatar recently launched ‘Visit Qatar Pass’ which allows GCC visitors to redeem exclusive offers and discounts on a variety of services throughout Qatar until 1 September 2024. The Pass provides 30-50% discounts and buy-one-get-one deals across categories such as Food & Drinks, Beauty & Spa, Health & Fitness, Fun & Leisure, Room Nights, and Services and Retail. Available on the Visit Qatar mobile application, signing up to the Pass is free and requires only an email address for registration. The offers can be redeemed for advance booking services or at the destination during payment. The Visit Qatar app offers insights into Qatar’s travel, tourism, and hospitality offerings and is available in 8 languages. Qatar inaugurated new hotels and attractions in 2024, including the country’s largest waterpark, Meryal Waterpark, and a new resort experience, ‘Our Habitas Ras Abrouq’ at the edge of the UNESCO protected Al Reem Biosphere. Earlier this year, Visit Qatar and Qatar Airways launched the ‘Stopover in Qatar’ packages, offering five exciting options for travellers with limited time to explore the country. It is imperative to highlight that in 2023, the number of travelers and hotel room nights for stopovers in Qatar more than doubled compared to 2022. These events, initiatives, and attractions underscore Qatar’s commitment to diversifying its events calendar and offering unparalleled experiences for all kinds of tourists. In the second half of 2024, Qatar aims to further elevate its touristic landscape with exciting events, including the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2024 and the highly anticipated unveiling event for the Michelin Guide Doha 2025. Outdoor Cooling Technologies in Qatar Qatar’s innovative and …

flydubai touched down in Basel becoming the first national carrier from the UAE to operate direct flights from Dubai. This marks the start of the carrier’s four-times weekly service to EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) from Dubai International (DXB). The inaugural flight touched down at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL) and was met with a traditional water cannon salute. Senior airport officials welcomed the delegation led by Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai. With the start of flights to Basel, flydubai has grown its network in Europe to 29 destinations including Budapest, Catania, Krakow, Milan-Bergamo, Prague, Salzburg and Zagreb. Speaking at the press conference, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “at flydubai, we are committed to opening up underserved destinations and creating free flows of trade and tourism and we are pleased to add Basel to our network in Europe. EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg serves Switzerland, France and Germany, making it an important hub for travel, trade and tourism in the tri-border region that will benefit our customers from the UAE and beyond.” “We also look forward to welcoming more travellers from Europe to Dubai and beyond on the flydubai network. Through Dubai’s aviation hub, passengers travelling from Basel can enjoy convenient connections to holiday destinations including Kenya, the Maldives, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand,” added Efendi. Located on the banks of the river Rhine, Basel is renowned as Switzerland’s cultural capital and features interesting museums and historic and modern architecture and serves as a gateway to the verdant landscapes of the Swiss countryside. Situated on the borders of northwest Switzerland, the Alsace historical region in France and Baden-Württemberg in Germany, EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg serves as a unique …

VFS Global’s Visa At Your Doorstep solution shared that it has witnessed a 20% growth in demand from travellers, both from Middle East and within the UAE, in the first half of 2024. This year, VFS Global added Bulgaria, Croatia and Japan to the list of countries it offers the service for. The service entails trained professionals visiting the applicant’s preferred location to accept the documents and enrol biometrics and has been popular globally among corporate and student groups, providing convenience to those applying with a higher number of co-passengers. However, this trend has recently been shifting towards families and individual travellers, with Dubai leading in demand from the UAE. Monaz Billimoria, Regional Head, VFS Global, said, “The Visa At your Doorstep service witnessed an uptick in demand during the pandemic because of health and safety precautions, but today’s growing trend of families and individuals opting for Visa At Your Doorstep shows a shift in the traveller sentiment towards choosing comfort and convenience over cost. With demand for international travel ever-increasing, we look forward to providing all our customers best-in-class service.” The Visa At Your Doorstep solution is an optional service and can be booked online on www.vfsglobal.com. Opting for this service does not have any bearing on the processing timeline or decision made on a visa application. This remains the sole prerogative of the respective client governments. In the UAE, the service is available for Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine and UK visa services.

The Ministers’ Summit at World Travel Market in association with UN Tourism and WTTC will see more than 50 tourism dignitaries and leaders from across the globe debate the potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies to transform the tourism industry. With an increasing demand for innovative solutions that can revolutionize how we experience and interact with destinations, the industry is on the brink of profound change as a result of technological advancements. The Ministers’ Summit, which takes place on Wednesday 6th November, will debate the transformative potential of AI and emerging technologies in shaping the future of travel and hospitality against the ethical implications of its deployment. This year the Summit, run in association with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNTourism) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), will be moderated by a well-known BBC journalist, bringing together both the public and private sector, to ensure a fair but thought-provoking discussion. Now in its 18th year, this year’s Summit aligns with World Travel Market’s TravelPower campaign, which aims to convey the potential of tourism industry to drive positive change. Ministers will discuss how AI promises enhanced experiences and streamlined processes, and how to ensure that these advancements align with ethical standards. Another key discussion point will be how equitable access to AI technology is essential to prevent existing socio-economic disparities from becoming even further entrenched. Ministers will debate the best ways to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that all stakeholders, regardless of their background or resources, have access to the benefits of AI in tourism, one of the main priorities laid out in the UN Secretary-General’s report on Science, Technology and Innovation for sustainable development. WTTC …

Etihad Airways announced it will start flying its A380 double-decker to Singapore (SIN) from 1 February, 2025 . The Asian-Pacific powerhouse becomes the fourth major city to enjoy the Etihad A380 experience in addition to London and New York, as well as Paris which will be served by the A380 from 1 November. It means Etihad will have its sixth A380 in operation by the start of 2025. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We are thrilled to announce that our iconic A380 aircraft will begin serving the Singapore route early next year. This aircraft provides our business and leisure travellers with an exceptional flying experience and seamless connections to our Middle East, European, and North American networks. It highlights Etihad’s dedication to optimising travel to Abu Dhabi and beyond, ensuring more convenience and comfort for our guests. We will have our sixth A380 online next year as we build our capacity further to cater for the travel needs of our guests.” The A380 brings a special touch to air travel. Economy passengers enjoy a warm welcome with comfortable seating arrangements, including 68 seats offering four inches more legroom and 337 Smart seats featuring Etihad’s innovative fixed-wing headrests and large pillows. On the upper deck, Business Studios™ feature 70 private spots, complemented by The Lobby lounge area. Each Business Studio is equipped with premium amenities designed with Armani/Casa and Wi Fi connectivity, ensuring a productive and luxurious travel experience. First Apartments are luxurious with nine private spaces, designer tableware, leather chairs, and a large ottoman-bed. First-class guests also receive personal amenities and can enjoy an exclusive shower room.  

The General Entertainment Authority (GEA) announced that the number of visitors to events during the second quarter of this year reached more than 16 million visitors, an increase of about 130% over the same period last year, when the number of visitors reached 7 million visitors. The total number of licenses reached 1,529, an increase of 7.3 percent compared to the second quarter of last year 2023, when the total number of licenses issued reached 1,425. The largest number of licenses was for live shows in restaurants and cafes with 523 licenses, followed by entertainment events with 433 licenses, then entertainment shows with 322 licenses, 93 licenses for entertainment cities, and then crowd organization and management with 60 licenses. In its second quarter report, the Authority stated that the number of licensed entertainment destinations reached 97 in the second quarter. In terms of oversight, the number of field visits for the year 2024 achieved a 301% jump compared to the second quarter of 2023, when the number of visits was 5,200 visits, while the number of visits in the second quarter reached 20,880 field visits during the second quarter of 2024. Those wishing to issue licenses of various types can access the “Entertainment Portal,” which facilitates the provision of entertainment services. It can also be used to view the requirements and controls necessary to work in the sector. The Authority issues licenses for entertainment centers, operating entertainment facilities, certificates of accreditation for selling tickets for entertainment activities, managing and developing entertainment artistic talents, and certificates of accreditation for organizing and managing crowds. Entertainment event permits, entertainment show permits, live show permits in restaurants and cafes, in addition to entertainment city licenses.

Accor together with executive travel managers and buyers from 17 leading international corporations, have launched the Accor Global Leadership Council (GLC), an innovative advisory board aimed at reimagining the future of corporate travel and meetings. Established to create a forward-looking vision for business travel and corporate meetings, the GLC connects business leaders responsible for corporate travel across diverse industries with senior executives from Accor. Council delegates include representatives from sectors such as financial services, engineering, manufacturing, transportation, energy, professional services and technology. The GLC discussed shifting corporate and traveller expectations; the importance of recognition, personalisation and B2B-focused loyalty; the evolving importance of sustainability; emerging traveller trends; the role and impact of distribution and pricing; and a deep-dive on areas of Accor’s business and brands. The Global Leadership Council delegates, who have a combined employee base of over 2.7 million travellers, unanimously agreed the top three priorities for business travel are: 1. Traveler experience and well-being – including corporate employee engagement, wellness, traveller security and digital efficiencies. 2. Cost management and optimization – including program compliance, pricing, cost-reduction and cost avoidance. 3. Sustainability – including sustainable action, carbon budgets and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) Antony Meguerdijian, SVP Sales, Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific at Accor said: “The dynamics of international and corporate travel in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific region are evolving rapidly. It is essential for both our clients and hospitality businesses to adapt to new demands and priorities. The new GLC, and the program of client and commercial partner events we host across the region, are critical forums for sharing insights and collaborating on solutions that meet the changing needs of travellers and delegates. Travel and tourism …

Riyadh Air fully committed to sustainable aviation practices launched the first in a fleet of electric coaches for employee transport. These efforts reflect the carrier’s firm commitment to adopt all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development goals having signed up to the UN Global Compact earlier in 2024. Launched in partnership with National Transportation Solutions Company, “NTSC,” a division of the Petromin Corporation and TAM-Europe, a provider of digital solutions to enable sustainable public transport. The fleet of electric buses will facilitate the convenient and eco-friendly daily commute of Riyadh Air staff and aircrew across the Saudi capital as part of an effort to lower the airline’s environmental footprint. The launch of the state-of-the-art fleet was attended by Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air; Mr. Kalyana Sivagnanam, Group CEO of Petromin Corporations; and Gary B. Flom, CEO of Petromin National Transportation Solutions Company. Every effort we make to champion sustainable practices counts in our collective fight against climate change, said Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air. Sustainability is embedded in our DNA and we will reflect this across all Riyadh Air’s operations, from managing fuel efficiency in the sky to reducing carbon emissions on the ground. Investing in electric coaches is just one early initiative we can introduce to offset our environmental footprint as we demonstrate we will be a leader in helping achieve the aviation industry’s global net-zero agenda. Mr. Kalyana Sivagnanam, the Group CEO of Petromin Corporation, voiced his pride in the strategic partnership with Riyadh Air and stated: We are proud to have this partnership for sustainable mobility with Riyadh Air and contribute to their efforts to reach sustainability goals. This is a remarkable airline with environmental responsibility embedded …

Oman Airports launched new e-gate system at Muscat International Airport to enhance the travel experience and streamline travel procedures in collaboration with Royal Oman Police. This includes smart electronic gates for departing and arriving passengers so that it will significantly improve and smoothen the travel experience. This project comes within the plans of Oman Airports to accelerate travel operations and procedures as part of its goal for Oman Vision 2040.

Reinforcing its commitment to enhancing the travel experience, Oman Air has resumed three seasonal routes for winter; Zurich (starting 5 October), Malé (starting 27 October) and Moscow (starting 29 October). With fares starting from just OMR 88 one-way, it’s the perfect time for travelers to start planning their winter getaway. With direct flights from Muscat to over 40 destinations across Europe, the Far East, Indian Subcontinent, Africa and Middle East, and more frequencies than any other airline, guests can enjoy unmatched choice and convenience. Oman Air is also looking into increasing frequencies on its most popular routes, which will be announced soon. Gearing up for the peak winter season, the airline offers an exciting range of travel experiences for the whole family, from the sun-soaked shores of the Maldives to the snow-capped slopes of Switzerland and the cultural and historical riches of Russia, as well as many more. Whether traveling for business or leisure, guests can take advantage of affordable fares, seamless connectivity and award-winning service.