In line with the summer season, Visit Qatar has launched its Qatar calendar of events and ‘Your Summer Starts Here’ campaign, including a host of offers, events and fun activations targetting the GCC visitors. Curated for people of all ages, the ‘Your Summer Starts Here’ campaign showcases what the country has to offer from outdoor acitivities to exclusive offers in iconic locations. The campaign video shows Bahraini influencer and film-maker Omar Farooq head to Doha for a 24-hour visit where his friend, renowned Qatari athlete, Mutaz Barshim meets him. Together, both Barshim and Farooq experience Qatar’s curated summer offerings. Following its success last year, the Qatar Toy Festival returns to Qatar this summer in its second edition from July 15 to August 14 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). The Qatar Toy Festival will be an unforgettable experience for families of all ages. Qatar is also home to several indoor parks including Doha Quest, Virtuocity, Angry Birds World and Trocadero. With world-class private beaches, Qatar is set to welcome GCC visitors to its shores. West Bay Beach, 974 Beach, Doha Sands Beach, Banana Island Resort, Doha Beach Club, Katara Beach and many others will be operating throughout the summer with special events and offers. GCC visitors can benefit from Visit Qatar’s promotions, including up to 40% in multiple locations by Katara Hospitality. Some of these promotions include a festive brunch, lunch or dinner, hotel stays among other exciting offers. Additionally, families with children can visit Inflata City at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) until July 13 for fun activities on inflatables. Msheireb Downtown Doha is hosting ‘Summer Nights’ until August 31 with immersive festivities catered to all …

Sobha Realty has commenced the construction of first of its kind Mall for its flagship community Sobha Hartland in the heart of Dubai. With an estimated cost of AED 210 million, the project blends the vibrancy of retail space with the serenity of an urban park, while ensuring exceptional experiences for residents and visitors. The mall is scheduled to be completed in second half of 2026. The new mall is being meticulously designed to set new standards for a luxury mall, which perfectly combines nature, culture, gastronomy and recreation. The mall’s exquisite features will provide an inspiring and memorable experience, promoting a sense of community and elevating the quality of life for residents of Sobha Hartland. Ravi Menon, Co-Chairman of Sobha Group, said: “We are delighted to unveil our new mall, which is a testament to our long-standing commitment towards elevating living experiences for our residents. The project underscores our vision to create integrated and community-focused spaces that seamlessly combine convenience while offering multi-tier retail stores, gourmet dining and diverse entertainment options. Beyond a retail space, the mall is designed to be a pivotal hub for community engagement that offers an ideal blend of nature, culture and recreation that will elevate the living quotient of community members and visitors.” With a built-up area of approximately 339,000 square feet and a gross leasable area of around 115,000 square feet, the project will house a variety of amenities, including a supermarket, gym, play courts, a soft play/entertainment zone and diverse restaurants offering a wide range of food choices. It will feature 35 retail shops and F&B outlets, along with over 10 unique dining options, establishing a new gastronomic destination for the community. …

According to Skyscanner Egypt, United Kingdom, Thailand, Turkey and Everywhere are the most popular searches by UAE travellers this summer. As residents begin planning their summer holidays, global travel marketplace, Skyscanner reveals the top destinations offering great price deals for UAE travellers. Findings also revealed that June is the most popular month for travel searches during the summer, in comparison to July and August. This summer, UAE residents are exploring a variety of captivating destinations that offer a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural enrichment. Whether you’re seeking a quick getaway or a longer vacation, these trending spots* promise unforgettable experiences. 1. Egypt Discover the magic of Egypt, a destination offering rich history, ancient treasures and a vibrant culture. This summer, explore the majestic pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the world’s longest river, Nile. Whether you’re a history buff, a beach lover or a foodie, Egypt promises an experience like no other. Prices starting from AED 329 2. United Kingdom Explore the allure of the United Kingdom, a trending destination for summer 2024. From the iconic landmarks of London, such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the vibrant West End, to the historic charm of Edinburgh with its majestic castle and the enchanting Royal Mile, the UK offers a blend of history, culture, and modern attractions. Enjoy world-class museums, quaint villages, and lively festivals that bring the streets to life. Prices starting from AED 376 3. Thailand Embark on an unforgettable journey to Thailand, and discover the country’s pristine beaches, lush forests, and vibrant cities. Thailand offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural discovery. Dive into the azure waters of the Andaman Sea or the …

Taking a significant step toward environmental responsibility, Amsa Hospitality announced an initiative to promote recycled products by providing backpacks made from recycled plastic bottles for its employees and business partners. Creating backpacks from recycled plastic bottles is an innovative process that involves collecting used bottles, shredding them into flakes, and then melting them into polyester fibers. The fibers are woven into a fabric, then cut and sewn into backpacks. Amsa Hospitality is a pioneering Saudi hospitality company aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, including ensuring a greener future for the Kingdom and the planet. Aamir Riaz, Chief Operating Officer of Amsa Hospitality, said, “Environmental sustainability is a must-have in Amsa Hospitality’s daily operations. Using products created from recycled waste promotes resource conservation and energy efficiency. Indeed, producing recycled PET fabric consumes less energy than producing new polyester from petroleum.” The first 500 backpacks were given to visitors at last month’s Arabian Travel Market. Amsa Hospitality aims to further its dedication to sustainability by exploring additional recycling possibilities.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that a Hyatt affiliate has acquired the ME and all hotels brand from Lindner Hotels AG (Lindner) to unlock growth in new European markets and build on Hyatt’s strong momentum in the region. This move builds on the successful strategic collaboration that Hyatt and Lindner entered into in 2022, which significantly increased Hyatt’s brand footprint in Germany and Europe, with the subsequent integration of most Lindner Hotels & Resorts and me and all hotels into the World of Hyatt loyalty program. Following the transaction, me and all hotels, which is currently a nested brand within Hyatt’s JdV by Hyatt brand, will become a standalone brand within Hyatt’s global lifestyle portfolio, which has quintupled in rooms between 2017 and the end of 2023. Since launching in 2016 as Lindner Hotels & Resorts’ urban lifestyle sister brand, the me and all hotels portfolio has grown to six hotels and 1,000+ rooms in central city locations across Germany, which are currently included in Hyatt’s inventory. The brand has a healthy pipeline, combining conversions and new builds in key destinations including Berlin (slated to open in 2024), Hamburg, Leipzig and Stuttgart (all expected to open in 2026). Hyatt’s pipeline includes 1,000 me and all hotel rooms, with additional development deals in various stages of negotiation for destinations outside of Germany. The me and all hotels brand combines outstanding guest satisfaction with a conversion-friendly development model in the desirable upscale lifestyle space, positioning it for scale and accelerated expansion across Europe and beyond. “The Lindner team has built an incredible brand with me and all hotels, and we believe the brand has great potential for expansion across Europe and other global …

Starting from 1st July 2024 to 21st July 2024, travellers who purchase an Emirates return ticket in First Class or Business Class will be able to enjoy a two-night stay at 5-star luxury hotel JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai. Customers booked in Premium Economy Class or Economy Class can enjoy a complimentary one-night stay.* This special offer is valid for all return tickets to or stopping over in Dubai for more than 24 hours, for customers traveling between 4th July 2024 and 15th September 2024. Emirates is helping holidaymakers planning to visit or stopover in Dubai make the most of their summer with complimentary stays at one of the city’s most iconic hotels. Whatever their preferences, visitors to Dubai can enjoy the city’s beautiful beaches, futuristic architecture, cutting-edge shopping concepts, a rich gastronomy scene, and much more. Dubai serves as the perfect summer destination with a plethora of indoor activities across every part of the city. Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates Airline said: “Visitors to Dubai are really spoilt for choice in the summer. With the city’s annual entertainment and shopping festival, Dubai Summer Surprises underway, shoppers and tourists will get to experience an endless array of activities and attractions. As an added incentive, Emirates is providing complimentary hotel stays for customers traveling to and through Dubai, giving travellers another reason to visit our home city, whether for the first time or on repeat. It’s also part of our commitment to supporting Dubai’s solid growth trajectory as a year-round, world-class tourism destination.” Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: “Dubai is on an unstoppable journey to elevate our global tourism …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to facilitate the sharing of expertise and to promote and boost visitation to their respective museums, aiming to increase tourism and drive economic growth in both emirates. Signed by HE Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, and Saeed Al Samahi, General Director of Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Department, the strategic partnership will allow the entities to exchange knowledge and expertise, develop joint training programmes and engage local and global tourists through joint marketing and promotional activities. In addition to enhancing tourism growth, this collaboration underscores a shared commitment to promoting the cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi and Fujairah through the exchange of artefacts and artworks. By collaborating on resources and expertise, DCT Abu Dhabi and the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Department will amplify the impact of their museum offerings and attract greater numbers of visitors and will deepen public appreciation and understanding of their respective histories. HE Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The partnership with Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Department enables collaboration between our museums across joint programmes and promotions. Highlighting the rich artistic and cultural heritage of both emirates will foster pride in our national identity and promote cross-cultural understanding between the UAE and visitors from the region and around the world. The partnership will enhance the museums’ visitor experience, deepening appreciation of Emirati heritage and values and increasing tourism numbers and economic impact.” For his part, His Excellency Saeed Al Samahi, General Director of the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Department, added: “The agreement constitutes a …

Sabre Corporation and Spotnana announced a significant expansion of their existing partnership with the integration of Sabre’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) content. This extended collaboration empowers travel management companies (TMCs) and corporate travelers with a wider range of travel options, including personalized offers and bundled services. This not only simplifies the booking experience but also provides TMCs and corporate buyers with increased flexibility in choosing how to source and manage NDC content. The integration seamlessly blends NDC content with existing booking functionalities within Spotnana’s Travel-as-a-Service platform. TMCs can effortlessly compare and book NDC offers alongside traditional options, streamlining the entire booking process. Spotnana’s platform also supports comprehensive NDC servicing capabilities, ensuring a smooth post-booking experience. “Spotnana is committed to delivering a frictionless travel experience for corporate travelers, and this expanded partnership with Sabre is a significant step forward,” said Bill Brindle, Vice President, Content and Commercials at Spotnana “By integrating Sabre’s NDC content, we’re empowering travel management companies to offer their clients a wider variety of flight options, including more choices for amenities and preferred seating, while streamlining the shopping booking process..” This partnership reinforces both companies’ commitment to an open platform approach. Spotnana’s travel platform works with any source of content, including NDC content from multiple providers, allowing TMCs to thrive in a dynamic landscape. Sabre’s API-first approach allows travel agencies, corporations and online booking tools to flexibly access the content from leading airlines, striking the right balance between personalization, policy and price. “Sabre is a leader in NDC adoption, and we are constantly seeking new ways to bring the benefits of this technology to the corporate travel sector,” said Kathy Morgan, Vice President, Product Management at Sabre Travel Solutions. …

Philippines welcomed over 600 global delegates of the inaugural UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific as it formally opened on Wednesday (June 26) at The Marquee of Shangri-La Mactan. Philippines successfully hosts first UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific Courtesy of the Department of Tourism – Office of Public Affairs and Advocacy. Co-organized by the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), the UN Tourism, and the Basque Culinary Center, the event gathered participants from UN member-states, affiliate members, and tourism stakeholders from national and international organizations. A first of its kind in Asia and the Pacific the forum seeks to become a platform to celebrate the power of gastronomy tourism by bringing together destinations and international experts in an exchange of knowledge and best practices, in order to fully harness the transformative power of gastronomy tourism, especially its benefits to local communities and the environment. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, BCC Director of Masters and Courses Idoia Calleja, Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King Chan, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan, UN Tourism Ambassador for Gastronomy Tourism Chef Vicky Cheng of VEA Restaurant in Hong Kong, and foreign dignitaries led the ceremonial pouring of rice into a giant pusô, a rice cake made by boiling rice in a woven pouch of palm leaves that serves as a major culinary pride of Cebuanos, one of the diverse gastronomic offerings that can be found in the Philippines. The Philippines holds the honor of hosting this inaugural UN Tourism forum, after its election as Chair of the Commission for East Asia and the Pacific during …

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) revealed that the sector’s contribution to Egypt’s GDP grew almost 24% last year to reach a record E£953BN – nearly 21% ahead of the previous peak. The data also shows that across sector jobs, international and domestic visitor spending, the sector fully recovered last year to reach record-breaking levels. Domestic visitor spending grew almost 9% year-on-year to reach more than E£328.5BN, while spending by international visitors saw a strong 38.5% year-on-year growth last year, to reach E£470.4BN. Jobs supported by the sector grew almost 10% to reach more than 2.5MN, representing one in 12 jobs across Egypt. Although this is strong recovery, it continues to lag previous record job numbers for the sector, set 15 years ago in 2008, when job numbers reached 3.7MN. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said; “Egypt’s Travel & Tourism sector has made an extraordinary recovery, surging past previous records, highlighting the sector’s resilience and its vital role in Egypt’s economy. “The Egyptian Government recognises the value of Travel & Tourism to the Egyptian economy and jobs, placing it at the forefront of the agenda, with a real focus on investment.” This year, the sector’s GDP contribution is forecast to reach almost E£988BN, accounting for 8.1% of Egypt’s economy. International visitor spending is anticipated to grow 6.2% to reach just under E£500BN this year, with domestic visitor spending expected to reach over E£340BN. Sector jobs are projected to grow 5.7% to reach 2.67MN, to account for almost one in 11 jobs in Egypt, although still below the previous peak.With the right government support, WTTC is forecasting that the sector could grow its annual GDP contribution to E£1.57TN by 2034, representing …