Almosafer has partnered with MoEngage, a marketing automation and customer engagement platform, to drive meaningful engagement with its travellers using an insights-led strategy. Almosafer’s consumer travel platform offers travelers seamless experiences for domestic and international travel bookings through its omnichannel offerings. Currently catering to KSA and other GCC audiences, the brand will leverage MoEngage’s platform to create personalized messaging, ensuring continuous customer engagement at the right place and time. “We understand the importance of trust when it comes to booking travel services. Our customers can rely on us to deliver on our promises, ensuring they receive the services they booked with confidence and peace of mind. Additionally, we also realize the research that goes behind booking a service, and we intend to provide assistance there as well with the help of MoEngage”, said Pallav Singhvi, VP Consumer Travel – Almosafer. Apart from meaningful customer engagement, Almosafer will leverage MoEngage’s capabilities, such as advanced segmentation, automation, and personalization capabilities. This will enable the brand to craft highly relevant and impactful campaigns whilst delivering the right messages to the right customers, maximizing the effectiveness of engagement efforts. Almosafer joins the growing list of 1200+ global companies across 35 countries, such as Azadea Group, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Landmark Group, Apparel Group, Airtel, Ola, Oyo, and Mashreq, that trust MoEngage to deliver a consistent experience across multiple devices and touchpoints. “We are excited to join hands with a leading brand that focuses on engagement across the customer journey lifecycle. Establishing a sound customer customer engagement strategy can lead to a long-term relationship and MoEngage will be more than happy to assist Almosafer in doing so”, said Sweta Duseja, Director of Customer Success, META …

As the aerospace and defence industries continue on their pathways to net zero, this year’s Dubai Airshow will be the ultimate platform for players from across these industries to convene, bringing the latest solutions that will help advance these crucial economic sectors towards a sustainable future. The industries have taken bold steps towards decarbonisation, with innovation accelerating at an exponential rate. As Dubai Airshow leads up to the United Nation’s annual global climate change conference, COP28, which is also taking place in Dubai towards the end of the year, industry stakeholders will take the opportunity to showcase their latest solutions towards net zero emissions, discuss collaborations and gain new insights. The aviation industry contributes approximately 2% to 3% of all global CO2 emissions but with a constant increase in passenger demand, this could rise to 25% to 30% by 2050 if no actions are taken, according to a new report by Frost & Sullivan titled ‘Sustainable Technologies in Aviation’, which raises the urgency on manufacturers, airlines and airport operators to undertake sustainability initiatives. Additionally, global production capacity for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) needs to exceed 30 billion litres by 2030 and 450 billion litres by 2050  for airlines to be able to achieve net zero targets. In 2020, SAF production was just 450 million litres, according to IATA, which is less than 0.05% of the global demand of jet fuel. However, several initiatives are already underway in the Middle East region. Recently, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) signed an agreement with Airbus, to support the development and growth of the global SAF market. The agreement will also see the entities collaborate on Green Hydrogen, and Direct Air Capture technologies. …

With 3203 issued visas per 100,000 inhabitants, Kuwait has the highest number of approved visa applicants for 2022, with the visa approval rate being 93.4 per cent, while 3.2 per cent of the population obtained a Schengen Visa in 2022. Schengen Statistics reveals that approximately every 31st applicant from Kuwait received a positive answer for their application, while every 39th applicant from Qataris, which is the second nationality for the highest number of approved applications last year. More specifically, 2,556 positive applications per 100,000 people were recorded in Qatar, indicating that 2.56 per cent of the population has received a positive answer for their visa application, while the visa approval rate reached 86.95 per cent, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. The third nationality with the highest rate of visa approval per 100,000 people was Surinamese, with 2,145 issued visas. This means that every 46th Surinamese applicant was issued a visa, taking the visa approval rate to 78.7 per cent, and the share of people with approved visa applications was 2.15 per cent. The three following nationalities with the largest number of issued visas per 100,000 were Cape Verdeans, Armenians and Emiratis, with 2,097, 1,933 and 1,489 visas issued per capita, respectively. While the share of the population with approved visa applications is 2.1 per cent for Cape Verdeans, 1.93 per cent of all population in Armenia has received a positive answer on their application in 2022. In addition, 1.49 per cent of Emiratis were issued a Schengen visa last year. This means that the visa approval rate for Emiratis was 75.7 per cent, while Cape Verdeans and Armenians had 71.45 and 86.61 per cent of their applications approved. Every 47th Cape Verdean national …

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi announced the launch of its new route from Abu Dhabi to Lar city in Iran. The new direct flights will connect Abu Dhabi International Airport to Larestan International Airport with a frequency of three flights weekly, starting from September 14, 2023. Schedule to Lar, effective September 14, 2023 (all times local): Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency 3L 536 Abu Dhabi 10:10 Lar 10:45 Airbus 320 Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 3L 537 Lar 11:25 Abu Dhabi 13:10 Airbus 320 Tuesday/Thursday/Friday By launching the new route to Lar, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi now extends its wings to 33 destinations including Tashkent, Alexandria, Sohag, Cairo, Dhaka, Khartoum, Chattogram, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Muscat, Salalah, Trabzon, Tbilisi, Faisalabad, Multan, Kochi, Calicut, Trivandrum, Istanbul Sabiha, Chennai, Mumbai, Lar, Ahmedabad, Bahrain, Beirut, Amman, Baghdad, Baku, Kuwait, Tehran, Yekaterinburg, Thiruvananthapuram, Moscow, and Kazan. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi operates a fleet of 10 Airbus A320 aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single-aisle aircraft in the world. The cabin configuration across Air Arabia’s fleet provides added comfort with one of the most generous seat-pitch of any economy cabin. The aircraft is also equipped with ‘SkyTime’, a free in-flight streaming service that will allow passengers to stream a wide selection of entertainment directly to their devices in addition to Air Arabia’s ‘SkyCafe’ which provides passengers with a variety of snacks and meals at affordable prices. Customers can now book their direct flights between the two cities by visiting Air Arabia’s website, or by calling the call centre or through travel agencies.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation KSA announced the adoption of a new regulation to protect the rights of travelers, to replace the executive regulation to protect the rights of customers, and the new regulation will be effective from November 20, 2023 with some compensation amounts to 150% and 200% of the ticket value.. The regulation guarantees passengers, upon loss of baggage, a financial compensation equivalent to approximately 6568 Saudi riyals, and in the event of damage, defect or delay, a financial compensation not exceeding approximately 6568 Saudi riyals. The new regulation aims to contribute to upgrading air transport services, enhancing its efficiency, and improving the traveler’s experience to, from and within the Kingdom, by providing the necessary care and support tools. The regulations included (30) articles that guarantee the traveler access to care, support and compensation in the event of advance, delay or cancellation of flights, as well as in the event of refusal to board due to overbooking or downgrade. The regulation also guaranteed compensation to travelers in the event of adding a stopping point that was not announced when creating the reservation. The regulation also clarified the obligations of both the passenger and the air carrier. The regulation dealt with the rights of travelers with disabilities and special requirements, and the regulation also guaranteed the rights of travelers in cases of accidental transportation, including, for example, the seasonal Umrah and Hajj trips. The Vice President of the General Authority for Civil Aviation for Quality and Traveler Experience, Eng. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Dahmash, confirmed that the new regulation reflects the authority’s interest in the satisfaction of travelers, and its keenness to improve the travel experience in the Kingdom’s …

As Formula 1 prepares to return for the second half of the 2023 season, and with a limited number of experience packages remaining, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 is set to feature an award-winning line-up of international cuisine and incredible dining experiences for fans to enjoy while the 10 teams race around the Yas Marina Circuit track in November. With a number of new additions for 2023’s event, the 15th edition of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 weekend sees 15 exciting hospitality experiences placed across the iconic track, including the all-new Deck at Two, a VIP-viewing platform at Turn 2, with exclusive menus from Nobu Dubai, estiatorio Milos and Hakkasan Dubai of Atlantis Dubai. Renowned for its premium sushi and grilled Japanese offerings, Roka also makes a debut this year at Club 58. Bringing its world-renowned Japanese cuisine with a Peruvian twist, F1 fans will be wowed by the event’s exclusive menu curated by Head Chef Damien Duviau of Nobu Dubai for #AbuDhabiGP weekend. Simultaneously, guests can also choose to indulge in the one Michelin-starred Hakkasan Dubai, featuring a tailored blend of Cantonese recipes as part of an “Only At” collection, designed exclusively for the F1 weekend on Yas Island by Chef Andy Toh. With one of the finest Greek Mediterranean restaurants in the world, estiatorio Milos, the Deck at Two is being touted as the place to be for this year’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023. Motorsport fans looking to enjoy the thrilling high speeds in a luxurious setting can enjoy the party atmosphere at this year’s event from the new Hillside Terrace. With a …

My Second Home, the world’s largest indoor dog park and Dubai’s first and largest luxury pet resort, is gearing up to launch a new daycare and boarding facility exclusively for small dogs as part of its US$10 million expansion plan. Schedule to open in time for the festive season, the 46,000 sq ft pet destination will be the third resort-style venue for My Second Home, which launched its first luxury home-from-home dog care brand in Dubai Investments Park in 2015, followed by a sister venue in Al Quoz in 2021. Located at DIP 2, the new facility will feature indoor pools , relaxation areas and extensive play space. Its launch comes in response to customer demand for a dedicated venue for small dogs – such as toy breeds and small spaniels – after extensive research and input from hundreds of My Second Home’s 4,000 members.  As with My Second Home’s existing destinations, pet pick and up and drop off services will also be available. Sean Parker, General Manager at My Second Home, said: “All of our dogs are allocated a daycare group to suit their size and temperament, but the reality is that our first two facilities were originally built on the premise that one size would fit all. In our new, small dog venue, every feature – from the pool depth to the low-rise chill-out ledges – will be designed with the smaller breeds in mind. “The upsurge in pet ownership during the pandemic – particularly of smaller dog breeds and cats – has created huge demand – which we met by building more boarding suites. Across the DIP and Al Quoz facilities, boarding capacity has now reached 250 …

The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY), represented by represented by Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries (JCPDI), and Cruise Saudi signed an MoU with a shared objective to develop the accessibility and the experiences in this region on a local, regional, and international level. RCJY is underway with bold ambitions to develop JCPDI as an important entry point for international and domestic tourists thanks to its infrastructure and strategic location, effectively positioning the city as the main destinations gateway of Saudi Arabia’s southern region, with Cruise Saudi playing a crucial role in acting as a conduit between Jazan and the cruise lines. From knowledge transfer to aligning on mutually beneficial opportunities, the two entities a joint vision based on destination establishment and positive local impact. The event, which took place at Grand Millennium Jazan Hotel, welcomed His Royal Highness Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammad bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Jazan region, His Excellency the President of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Eng. Khaled Al-Salem, Acting CEO of Jazan City for Primary and Downstream Industries, Dr Hussain bin Yahya Fadhli, leaders of the tourism sector, along with a key delegation from Cruise Saudi including Managing Director, Fawaz Farooqui and CEO, Lars Clasen. Fawaz Farooqui addressed the attendees in a speech which emphasized Cruise Saudi’s enthusiasm to collaborate with RCJY in the aligned vision to create a sea gate which welcomes international tourists to explore the Southern Region as part of the Saudi cruising ecosystem. With pristine beaches, azure seas, verdant forests, and craggy mountain peaks, Jazan is a hidden gem nestled on the tip of Saudi’s Red Sea coast. Stretching over 200 kilometres along the sparkling …

As the global anticipation for Expo 2023 Doha rises, Qatar Airways announce its role as the official strategic partner for the landmark event. Set to be the first A1 International Horticultural Exhibition in Qatar, the Middle East, and North Africa, the prestigious partnership underscores Qatar Airways’ commitment to bringing global attention to Expo 2023 Doha and promoting Qatar as a premier travel destination.  Expo 2023 Doha, which is expected to attract an estimated 3 million visitors from around the globe, will take place in the picturesque Al Bidda Park, overlooking the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf. The six-month event will run from October 2023 to March 2024 and will offer visitors rich experiences, from beautiful gardens and thought-provoking talks, to arts and cuisine, as well as a focus on innovative solutions to mitigate desertification. To celebrate the partnership, adorned with the Expo 2023 Doha emblem, an exclusive aircraft livery is set to be unveiled by Qatar Airways in the coming month. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “The upcoming months promise an array of cultural, environmental, and innovative experiences in Qatar for visitors from around the globe. As the Official Strategic Partner for Expo 2023 Doha, we look forward to welcoming international guests to Qatar, offering them our signature hospitality and connecting them to this monumental event.” Travellers onboard Qatar Airways will also be treated to an unforgettable experience that starts with a horticultural welcome video and continues throughout their inflight journey, providing them with celebratory artwork and exclusive healthy dining options, which will be rolled-out across both Premium and Economy Cabins on select routes. Discover Qatar, the Destination Management Company of Qatar …

Hamad International Airport continues to provide a seamless and convenient arrival experience by implementing several procedures to welcome arriving citizens and residents. For the convenience of passengers, the airport advices passengers who are eligible to use the e-gates at the arrival immigration hall. Passengers are reminded that checked-in luggage that are oversized or of irregular shape will arrive at separate dedicated baggage reclaim belts. It is also advisable to securely pack fragile items in hard-shell case bags and check the bag tag to verify ownership before reclaiming the bags. Hamad International Airport offers passengers a wide variety of ground transport options that seamlessly connect the airport and the city. The bus pavilion and taxi pavilion are located on either side of the arrival hall. Passengers are advised to use taxis from the taxi pavilion as these authorized taxis are subject to high quality & performance standards and a robust lost and found policy. The metro station is a short indoor walking distance from the airport terminal and operates every 3 minutes, connecting the airport to popular spots around the city. The short-term car park can be utilized for smooth passenger pick up from the terminal. Car rental and limousine services are all conveniently located close to the arrival hall. Passengers that availed the valet service will be able to pick up their vehicles at the departure’s curbside, upon their arrival. As always, airport staff are available to assist passengers round the clock. Hamad International Airport welcomes residents back and wishes all its little passengers an enjoyable return to school.