Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) and PCMA have signed a strategic training and partnership agreement at the PCMA Convening Leaders 2020 conference, which was held this week in San Francisco, USA.  As part of the agreement, PCMA will support ADCEB, which is part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in three key areas, including Convention Services Manager Training (CSM training) for elected event executives from the emirate. The agreement also entails hosting an Abu Dhabi Advisory Summit, which is set to take place later this year, as well as the introduction of a series of educational programmes and membership to help build the knowledge base and event management capabilities within the M!CE industry in Abu Dhabi. Mubarak Al Shamisi, Director of ADCEB, said, “Abu Dhabi is strengthening its industry capabilities to serve the global community of business event strategists, planners and organisers through education and knowledge sharing, and partnering with an esteemed global entity such as PCMA is key to achieving that. We are very excited about this partnership and look forward to the successes it will bring in 2020 and beyond.” Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA President and CEO, said, “Abu Dhabi and PCMA are perfectly aligned as we both recognise that the business events industry can play an instrumental role in economic and social transformation. Abu Dhabi also realises that this requires the development of their most important asset – their citizens and this is where PCMA can bring tremendous value as the global leader in the business events industry.”

Travelport confirmed that the company is now the sole global distribution system (GDS) provider of Air India’s domestic flight content in India. The contract, which was awarded to Travelport following a competitive bidding process, came into effect in November 2018 and was fully implemented as of January 1, 2020. It means, Travelport is now the only GDS provider through which travel agents in India can receive both Air India’s domestic and international flight content. The company also continues to provide all domestic and international flight content from the carrier to its wide network of travel agents across the world. As Air India is signed up to Travelport’s leading merchandising solution, Travelport rich content and branding, travel agents booking through its platform benefit from a graphically rich experience when searching for and booking the airline’s branded fares, as well as greater access to its ancillary offers. The milestone comes just one month after Meenakshi Malik, Executive Director of Commercial Operations at Air India, revealed that the carrier had already seen ‘growth of 22 per cent’ in operational profit and ‘cut down cost by around ₹300 crore’ since it began changing its distribution strategy. Malik also projected a saving of ‘₹3200 crore in five years’. Martin Herbert, Regional Managing Director for India and Sri Lanka at Travelport, said, “Wide and cost-effective distribution, coupled with impactful merchandising, are important to all airlines and we’re proud we are now the sole GDS provider of these services to Air India when it comes to both domestic and international content in India.” Sandeep Dwivedi, Chief Operating Officer at InterGlobe Technology Quotient, said, “Now that we have had a glimpse of last year’s performance, with respect to …

Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman, Ramada by Wyndham Beach Hotel Ajman and Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche, organised a roundtable with a focus on the correlation between sustainability and profitability. The panel, composed of seven experts in the field of sustainability and hospitality shared their respective insights on the topic. With the theme ‘Sustainability: responsibility or profitability?’, they discussed the commercial advantages of different eco-friendly practices, and deliberated on the challenges of getting all industries on board. The discussion also included the importance of creating awareness across all stakeholders, aligning the company’s vision vis-à-vis the projected benefits, and the long-term financial gains of sustainable schemes and their effect on overall business model.   Iftikhar Hamdani, Cluster General Manager, The Ramada Hotel and Suites by Wyndham Ajman, highlighted, “Ramada Ajman has been campaigning for sustainability since 2012 and we have established an outstanding case study on its commercial benefits within our operations. We have an annual savings of AED120,000 from our zero landfill initiative, and  have proven that it is possible to have a profitable and socially-responsible business. Another point that we want to highlight is the value of staff retention in the success of any campaigns related to sustainability, which equates to higher profit for the business.” The other panellists are John Arnold, director of GreenGood Eco-Tech; Harbinder Singh, managing director of Sudeku; Rafik Kamel, director for franchise operations for Middle East and Africa of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Khadeeja Balkhi, CEO and editor-in-chief of The CSR Journal; Fraz Ajmal, chief services officer of Qissa’ Go.

Miral finalised a partnership with Etihad Airways, to secure exclusive naming rights of Yas Bay Arena. As part of the agreement, Abu Dhabi’s first-of-its-kind multi-purpose, indoor entertainment venue will officially be named Etihad Arena. With Etihad Airways’ track record for connecting Abu Dhabi to the world and promoting the UAE as a vibrant and growing hub for culture, business and tourism, the airline is the perfect partner to help further raise the profile of this unique venue and Yas Island as a destination. With both companies playing a key role in the emirate’s economic diversification and development strategy, the new partnership will help position the Etihad Arena as one of the leading entertainment venues in the region and an important addition to Yas Island and Abu Dhabi’s entertainment and tourism offering. Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group commented, “It’s an honour to partner with an Abu Dhabi institution such as Miral on this joint venture, that will further promote Abu Dhabi and Yas Island as a hub for entertainment, tourism and culture. Etihad Arena complements our global presence at a number of sporting and entertainment venues, most notably Etihad Stadium in Manchester, home of Manchester City Football Club.” Commenting on the agreement, Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, said, “As our national airline with international reach, Etihad Airways is the ideal partner to help position the newly named Etihad Arena competitively on the local and regional map of live entertainment destinations. The new venue will be a significant addition to the unique offerings on Yas Island and in Abu Dhabi, creating unforgettable experiences, and helping us deliver on our vision to position Yas Island as …

Millennium Central Mafraq is now open for leisure and business travellers. Comprised of 242 rooms and apartments featuring modern Arabic décor and unmatched essence of traditional Arabian hospitality, the hotel includes 6 restaurants and bars, temperature-controlled swimming pool, designated gym and spa facilities for men and women, flood-lit tennis courts, children’s play area and a recreation centre. Managed by Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA, the fastest-growing hotel management company in the Middle East & Africa, the hotel is the second property to join the newest brand addition to Millennium Hotels & Resorts portfolio ‘Millennium Central’ after Millennium Central Downtown in Dubai. Osama Ibrahim, General Manager of Millennium Central Mafraq, said, “We are thrilled to announce the opening of Millennium Central Mafraq that represents a one of a kind oasis. The hotel provides comfort, relaxation and entertainment with customised services to meet the different needs of all our guests.” Millennium Central Mafraq is perfectly set to attract both leisure and business travellers and demonstrates the brand concept and positioning of being centrally located. It is just 5-minutes away from Bawabat Al Sharq Mall, 10 minutes away from Abu Dhabi International Airport, 15 minutes away from Abu Dhabi landmarks including Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Yas Island and Saadiyat Island and 20 minutes away from Abu Dhabi City.

Millennium Resort Salalah announces its partnership with Fly Dubai. This partnership is aimed at promoting the laudable services of the resort and the airlines, and to boost tourism in the region at the same time. The partnership favors not only guests but also the airline staff with several benefits, offering them a convenient and hassle-free travel experience. Fly Dubai passengers and the airline staff can take advantage of the facilities that come along with this partnership. Starting with a complimentary airport transfer, to a 24-hour check-in check out, guests won’t have to shell out an extra dime to avail these conveniences. Along with this, up to two kids can go free with one adult. Commenting on the partnership with Amr Hussein, Fly Dubai, General Manager of Millennium Resort Salalah, said, “Our partnership with Fly Dubai comes as part of our striking efforts in building tactical partnerships intended to drive footfall to our resort. The association does not limit the benefits just to the Fly Dubai passengers, but it also allows the airline staff to enjoy the same complimentary facilities. Upon their stay, the guests will enjoy incredible hospitality and an unforgettable stay experience at our resort. We are positive about this partnership and are looking forward to receiving more bookings in the following months.” Further, Hussein commented, “We are excited about this strategic partnership that will not only help to boost passenger booking but will also allow Millennium Resort Salalah to endorse its exemplary property and services. Allowing the passengers to enjoy a 24-hour check-in check out with few more added benefits, fittingly promotes both partners.”

Amadeus and Air India have announced signing the new distribution agreement. The airline will benefit from the world’s largest and most diverse travel seller community, using the best professional sales technology underpinned by the Amadeus Travel Platform. Travel sellers in India will have access to the airline’s pure full international content only, while travel sellers in the rest of the world will have access to the full range of Air India’s content, both domestic and international. Working with Amadeus will help accelerate the airline’s growth in 2020 and beyond, an important step in the airline’s vision and renewed relationship with Amadeus. Meenakshi Mallik, Commercial Director, Air India, said, “We are pleased to renew our relationship with Amadeus to support our growth strategy globally and hope that this is the first step in our new journey together. We look forward to working closer with Amadeus to support agencies and travellers in the future.” Cyril Tetaz, Executive Vice President, Airlines, Asia Pacific, Amadeus, said, “We are glad to once again work with Air India and play a positive role in the airline’s growth strategy. Amadeus’ simple, open and agile system will allow Air India to innovate, experiment and collaborate to create new products which will add value to customers and create upsell or cross-sell opportunities.”

The Bicester Village Shopping Collection is pleased to announce a GCC roadshow across four key cities, commencing on February 10 from 10 am to 3 pm at The St. Regis Doha, the team will travel to the JW Marriott Hotel Kuwait City on February 11, followed by the Fairmont Dubai on 12 February and will conclude the roadshow at the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche on February 13. The roadshow will allow the collection of villages to showcase their exceptional offering to the Middle East and also provides an opportunity to establish face-to-face relationships with travel partners in order to give Middle Eastern guests the best shopping experience possible.  The roadshow aims to attract around 200 travel trade professionals, all of whom will gain an in-depth understanding of the experience-led luxury retail offering and the culturally rich regions in which these villages are located. The collaboration of tourism boards, travel partners and travel trade media also provides an outstanding opportunity to promote the nine villages in Europe and the regional treasures on their doorsteps. Not only will the roadshow increase awareness of these picturesque European shopping destinations and their associated regions in this important market, but it will also furnish the Collection’s travel trade partners with a suite of exceptional value-added incentives that they can pass onto the travellers. Unifying nine distinctive destinations across Europe (and two in China), The Bicester Village Shopping Collection offers a personalised and differentiated luxury shopping experience – one that has significant appeal to the discerning Middle Eastern guest. Through an incomparable edit of leading brands, culturally-rich settings and unparalleled levels of service and dining, these global shopping destinations contribute to the experience economy by engaging …

Holders of US, UK or Schengen visas can now obtain a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia, it has been announced recently. The move comes in line with the Kingdom’s recent implementation of tourist visas. While holders of American, UK and Schengen visas will now be able to obtain a tourist visa on arrival, they are not eligible for the electronic visa system. However, the visitor must have already used his US, UK or Schengen visa to visit the respective countries before arriving in Saudi Arabia.

As part of the agenda of the meeting, the UAE Cabinet approved Air Arabia Abu Dhabi as a national carrier airline for the UAE in order to enhance civil aviation in the country and to allow the aviation sector to keep pace with future development plans and directions.  The resolution reflects the importance the government attaches to the aviation sector. The UAE government invested considerable efforts to improve this sector and support all the businesses working in it. The government gives the aviation sector all forms of support in line with the comprehensive development plans occurring in the country.