Oman Arab Bank (OAB) and Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) have sealed a strategic partnership to solely finance the upcoming Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat, currently being developed adjoining the Sustainable City – Yiti. This marks the latest landmark project that the bank has financed in the Sultanate of Oman, further supporting the country’s advancement across developmental, economic and sectors. Sulaiman Al Harthi, CEO of Oman Arab Bank, said: “We are proud to partner with OMRAN Group to bolster the nation’s hospitality sector. The bank has a proven track record of handling large-scale, complex projects and catalyzing economic diversification efforts that are aligned with the objectives of Oman’s Vision 2040. Economic diversification is vital to stimulate Oman’s sustainable development at a global level and this project represents another step forward on that journey.” OMRAN Group’s CEO, Hashil Al Mahrouqi, said: “We are excited to be working with Oman Arab Bank to see the Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat project through to its successful completion. This resort is part of our continued endeavor to build on the nation’s position as a preferred global destination for tourists. It is a landmark development widely considered to be one of the most significant additions to Oman’s luxury hospitality sector. It will undoubtedly play a vital role in pushing Oman’s tourism sector to reach its full potential, which aligns with OMRAN Group’s commitment to developing exceptional and sustainable destinations.” Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat will feature 140 hotel rooms and 30 villas with private pools. Facilities will include the beach club, three signature restaurants, three swimming pools, a spa, gym and marina. Founded in 1998, Nikki Beach is a global concept …

Qatar Airways announced a new codeshare partnership with Xiamen Airlines, the first Chinese airline to operate passenger nonstop flights from Mainland China to Qatar. Under the cooperation agreement, Xiamen Airlines will launch daily flights between Beijing’s Daxing International Airport and Hamad International Airport with its modern and state-of-the art Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The flights, which will commence on 20 October 2023, arrive in Doha at 22:45 and leave at 02:00 providing passengers optimal connections to key markets in Qatar Airways’ leading global network beyond Doha, in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. In addition to the flights from Beijing, Xiamen Airlines will also launch two weekly flights from Xiamen, the special economic zone of Fujian Sheng province, to Doha. The flights commence on 31 October 2023 and offer the same seamless connectivity to Qatar Airways’ network as the Beijing flights, arriving to Doha from Xiamen at 05:00 and departing in the evening at 19:30. Qatar Airways will codeshare on these new flights, which will greatly enhance its presence in Mainland China, that comprises 6 destinations with a total of 31 weekly flights operated by Qatar Airways followed by double daily flights to Hong Kong. As part of the new agreement, Xiamen Airlines will place its marketing code on Qatar Airways flights to and from Beijing. Xiamen Airlines was founded in 1984 and is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance. The Five-Star airline has a reputation for its high service standards and operational excellence, offering customers a dense network of 105 destinations in China and around the world. The new direct services from Beijing to Doha will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 that features a two-class configuration for 287 passengers, …

Rove Hotels announced that it’s bringing its exciting residential concept, Rove Home, to Dubai, signifying an important step in the brand’s journey. The project features 348 fully-furnished studios, one and two-bedroom apartments designed to embody Rove’s unique look and feel, as well as an impressive list of amenities to keep residents engaged from dusk to dawn. Its first project in the city, Rove Home Downtown is located within the Burj Khalifa District and merges Rove’s vibrant spirit with an enviable location and a playlist of amenities to create a unique living proposition at the heart of Dubai. Rove Home’s debut in the city represents a significant milestone for the brand, with further growth planned in the coming years. Rove Home Downtown represents a significant milestone for the Rove brand, solidifying its stance in the residential property market and showcasing its commitment to offering practical, convenient, and comfortable living experiences. The project will offer thoughtfully designed fully-furnished studios, 1, and 2-bedroom apartments featuring contemporary finishes and state-of-the-art smart home features. Key consultants on the project include architect Archcorp, landscape architect SCLA, interior design by Zebra, and art by Studio Feel to infuse this new development with the brand’s unique look and feel and create captivating living spaces that blend aesthetics with functionality. The building will feature one of the highest ratios of amenities to living space in the Downtown Dubai area, designed to keep residents engaged from dusk to dawn. Facilities will include an outdoor infinity pool and a lap pool, co-working spaces, basketball and padel courts, a jogging track, a Rove café, a rooftop deck with stunning views of the Burj Khalifa and more! Rove Home Downtown will be situated …

Qatar Tourism  announced that Olympic and world champion Mutaz Barshim has been named its new brand ambassador, with Barshim, the only high jumper to recently set a record of five medals at the World Championships, being the new face of Qatar Tourism’s promotional campaigns between now and September 2024. Commenting on the announcement, Sheikha Hessa Al Thani, Head of Marketing and Planning at Qatar Tourism, said: “At its core, the tremendous sporting achievements of our global champion Mutaz Barshim reflect Qatar’s ambitions on the world stage. A name that has become synonymous with victory, dedication to work and the constant pursuit of more glory, this partnership stems from our shared values and commitment to excellence. We are extremely proud to have Barshim as one of Qatar Tourism’s brand ambassadors and to be a true embodiment of Qatar’s limitless capabilities.” Olympic and world champion, Mutaz Barshim, said: “I am very honoured and proud to be a brand ambassador for Qatar Tourism. My country has supported me since the beginning of my career, and this is an opportunity to express my deep gratitude and give it back some favor. This partnership reflects a kind of complementarity between my ambitions and Qatar Tourism’s goals, which promote the rich cultural heritage of our beloved country and highlight leading global events. I am very excited to take on this responsibility and represent my country and very excited to introduce the world to Qatar’s attractions and destinations.” Following the successful conclusion of the ‘Summer in Qatar’ season, which was packed with events and entertainment, which also saw the launch of the Qatar Games Festival, the first of its kind in the country, as well as the …

Cruise Saudi announced its collaboration with exceptional sector leaders in cruise ship outfitting, MJM Marine and DE Wave. This partnership has been specially created for its new premium owned cruise line AROYA Cruises, as a crucial part of Cruise Saudi’s commitment to create exceptional passenger experiences. MJM Marine is the globally renowned name in marine outfitting services. Its scope of work for AROYA Cruises includes upgrades to all existing cabins and suites, the creation of multiple culinary, retail and relaxation venues, steelwork modifications, upgrades to on-board electrical and mechanical services, and the manufacture and installation of bespoke furniture, finishes, ceiling features and seating. DE Wave is a leading contractor for cruise ship and yacht interior outfitting. It will outfit AROYA Cruises’ upper deck areas, including new super suites, public areas, and catering areas. Together, both MJM Marine and DE Wave will refurbish 98% of the guest-facing venues. Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, said: “The creation of a premium cruise experience starts from the design phase and by working with two of the cruise sector’s most well-regarded outfitters, we’re demonstrating our commitment to making AROYA Cruises an exceptional product. We look forward to seeing the knowledge, passion and creativity that MJM Marine and DE Wave bring to the first AROYA Cruises ship.” Unveiled in June 2023, AROYA Cruises is Saudi’s first cruise line, designed for nationals, expatriates and regional guests. All elements of AROYA Cruises are being designed to suit Arabian tastes and preferences, from the design of cabins to the on-board food and beverage offering. For more information about Cruise Saudi, visit www.cruisesaudi.com. For more information about AROYA Cruises, visit www.aroyacruises.com.

ADNEC  Group, through its tourism arm Tourism 365, has launched new charter flight services in the UAE, enhancing travel options for international tourists from multiple destinations while propelling the UAE’s hospitality offering and reputation as a premier global destination. This premium new service, available from Europe and central Asia, is poised to increase visitor arrivals to the UAE, while further solidifying ADNEC Group’s position as a key player in the regional tourism sector. The new charter service complements the group’s wider hospitality offering, supporting the travel industry’s role in the nation’s economic growth, a sector expected to represent nearly 10 per cent of the UAE’s total economy in 2023. Charter flights have been launched by Tourism 365 in August from high demand and non-commercially operated international markets. Hundreds of thousands of travellers are expected to experience Tourism 365’s new service this year alone. Emerging source markets boosting arrivals into Abu Dhabi include Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Tajikistan through its tour operator, Easy Booking, in Central Asia. This October, the German market will also benefit from the launch of weekly charter operations to Abu Dhabi from airports including Leipzig, Nuremberg and Cologne through its own tour operator, Capital Holidays. The charter flights will complement the existing direct commercial flight network. Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, said: “Our strategic ongoing goal is to boost the UAE tourism sector’s contribution to national economic growth through enhancing the offering and capabilities of the sector. Tourism 365’s ongoing growth and service diversification has the power to further increase tourist arrivals and diversify the source markets, increasing the international footprint of travellers visiting the UAE. ADNEC Group …

The new partnership will drive towards achieving a zero-carbon footprint in the destination; Red Sea Global (RSG), Amaala and The Red Sea, has entered into a 25-year concession agreement with the French multinational electric utility company EDF (Électricité de France) and leading clean energy company Masdar on a multi-utilities infrastructure facility to service the Amaala destination. Like its sister destination, The Red Sea, Amaala will be powered entirely by solar energy, saving the equivalent of nearly half a million tons of CO2 emissions every year. The new facility consists of an optimized off-grid renewable energy system, which generates energy from photovoltaic technology, and a battery energy storage solution that enables 24/7 power, plus a desalination plant and wastewater treatment plant, both powered by renewables. “Sustainability is a cornerstone of Amaala, and our new partnership with EDF and Masdar will drive us towards achieving a zero-carbon footprint once fully operational. The project follows the template for success provided by The Red Sea, where we recently completed the build of five solar farms, procuring a destination-wide utility system that enables us to operate with no connection to the national grid,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. Amaala’s renewable supply system has the capacity to generate up to 410,000 MWh per annum – enough to power 10,000 households for an entire year. The system includes a 700 MWh battery storage facility, which ensures Amaala will be powered by renewables, day and night. There will also be a water desalination plant that uses reverse osmosis technology and has a capacity of 37 million liters of water per day. The contract was procured in the model of an independent public-private partnership (PPP), …

The Emirates Group and Microsoft have joined forces to train, mentor and transform high-potential UAE Nationals to become future leaders. The curated, high-impact programme is designed around Microsoft’s technology courses, including digital transformation and driving business impact with AI, as well as the development of soft and leadership skills. The shared vision is to educate and inspire these future leaders of the Emirates Group as well as to carve out a clear career roadmap based on their business and cultural transformation. With over 120 hours of classroom workshops within a hybrid setting, the programme is underpinned by mentorship led by Microsoft’s leadership team in the UAE, as well as an opportunity for participants to meet and learn from senior leaders at Microsoft Headquarters in Redmond, USA. Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Chief Operating Officer, said: “We value our historical collaboration with Microsoft, and we are delighted to extend it to opportunities for our future leaders to develop their careers and gain wider knowledge. We cherish our common vision centred on developing and empowering our people for a better future, and we rely on their potential and contribution to benefit our businesses and communities. This new initiative is a first step, and we look forward to strengthening our collaboration to support our Emiratisation strategy.” Speaking on the occasion, Naim Yazbeck, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, said: “The rapid pace of digital transformation across key industries, such as the aviation sector in the UAE, means that it is more important than ever for young professionals to hone the digital skills they need to succeed in the workforce of tomorrow. We are excited to collaborate with the Emirates Group on this new programme to …

It’s time again to applaud the stalwarts of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry with the return of the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards to take place on Wednesday 25th October with the Sofitel Downtown Dubai as the hospitality partner (attendance by invitation only). These awards are supported by Tourismbreakingnews.ae, TravelTVmiddleeast.news and TravTalk Middle East who are premier media partners for the coverage of the event. The awards will be divided into four categories: Personal Awards, Business Awards, Trending Awards and Partner Awards. They will include awards for Best Business Hotel, Best Family Friendly Hotel, Best City Hotel, Best Green Hotel, Best Leisure Hotel, Best Destination Management Company, Best Hotel Apartments, Best B2B Travel Portal, and Best Luxury Hotel to name a few. The Arabian Travel Awards are fair and unbiased, following a systematic method of internet-based voting. San Jeet Director Arabian Travel Awards shares, “Our awards have been evolving over the years to recognize the untiring efforts of the industry experts. This year will be the first time that we can finally say that we are back on track, especially with the UAE recording numbers higher than the pre-pandemic era. In today’s travel, tourism and hospitality landscape there are many changes and new trends that have emerged. As UAE declared this year as the year of sustainability and carrying forward their legacy to become the host nation for COP28, this is indeed a time when responsible travel, tourism and hospitality also steps in to make it a more conscious destination. Applications are still open to vote for those in the industry and who have been in the forefront of promoting and working to go over and beyond …

Dubai World Trade Centre will be hosting over 100 events business and consumer events in the last quarter. It will include recognised meetings, exhibitions and conferences, as it gears up for what is anticipated to be one of the city’s busiest events seasons, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for business tourism with over 100 business and consumer events spanning vital sectors including technology, sustainability, food and beverage, healthcare, green economy, among others over the last quarter. Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, Executive Vice President at DWTC, said: “DWTC plays a crucial role in furthering the emirate’s position as the global Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) capital. We are witnessing substantial growth of flagship events like GITEX Global, ArabLab+, Big 5 Global, World Radiocommunication Conference among others and are equally excited to host new events at the venue. The upcoming events season will offer an unrivalled opportunity for exhibiting companies, participants, and the business communities at large to network and collaborate, provide access to global markets, while facilitating foreign investments into the emirate and contributing to the ongoing growth of Dubai as a business tourism destination in line with Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33)”. September opens with Plastics Recycling Show ME, Sleep Expo, ME Foam & Polyurethane Expo, Adhesives Sealants, and Bonding Expo ME from (5 – 7 September), followed by Gulf Bride Show (13 – 17 September), Frozen Musical Celebrations (16 September), Sign and Graphic Imaging ME Exhibition, Connecting Trade Worldwide (18 – 20 September), the Annual Dermatology Conference and Exhibition MEIDAM (22 – 24 September) and the Forex Exhibition (26 – 27 September). The leading platform for the laboratory and analytical industry ArabLab+ will take place between (19-21 September) …