Category Archives: Agents

Philippine Airlines announced the top performers of its recently concluded joint travel trade campaign with Emquest Sabre, recognizing Geoffrey Salatan of Geof Travel and Rocell Duenas of Tabeer Tourism for securing the first and second top seller positions, respectively. The campaign ran from 01 September to 15 November 2026, with both agencies standing out for their strong sales performance, market engagement, and consistent support of Philippine Airlines through the Sabre platform. Reflecting on the success of the campaign and the commitment of PAL’s travel partners, Josh Vasquez Regional Head – EMEA for Philippine Airlines, International Passenger Sales shared “Philippine Airlines is pleased to congratulate Geof Travel and Tabeer Tours for emerging as the top-performing agencies in our recently concluded trade campaign in partnership with Emquest Sabre. Their outstanding results reflect the strength of our collaboration and the growing support of our valued travel partners. This successful campaign reinforces our shared commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences and driving continued growth for Philippine Airlines across the EMEA region.” Andrew Dowling, GM EmQuest, commented: “On behalf of EmQuest, I would like to congratulate the winners of our Season 3 promotion. Geof Salatan of Geof Travel accepted the award for the highest volume of Philippine Airlines bookings, and Rocell Duenas of Tabeer Tourism accepted the award for the second-highest bookings. Both travel agency partners benefit from using the Sabre Mosaic Marketplace, the only true multi-source solution featuring the latest AI capabilities that brings together traditional Air, NDC, LCC and lodging content to enable our customers to drive more revenue through cross-selling and upselling”.

Over 60 speakers from Russia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, India, China, Malaysia, South Africa and other partner markets will discuss global trends, destination marketing, and the role of innovation in shaping future growth. In a special interview with TravTalkME, Anastasia Popova, Head of the Business Tourism Development Department, Moscow City Tourism Committee shared that they are looking at one of the largest MICE events in Moscow over the next two days bringing over 2000 delegates across the globe with Middle East as a key partner. The programme includes 15 sessions in various formats: strategic panels, expert lectures, case presentations, and practical masterclasses.  The first day focuses on strategy: organising large-scale international exhibitions, personalisation and gamification in event design, and how major events can become catalysts for destination development. The second day is dedicated to applied solutions — working with VIP clients, engaging Asian markets, scaling corporate projects, and exploring the future of MICE 5.0, including AI and neurotechnology. MGMC 2025 also offers strong networking opportunities. More than 3,200 B2B meetings are planned, while the exhibition zone will feature over 100 exhibitors from Russia, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, presenting venues, service providers, and destination capabilities. https://business.russpass.ru/en/projects-events/meet-global-mice-congress/mgmc-2025 Business tourism is a core pillar of Moscow’s Tourism Strategy 2030. The city is investing in the renewal of cultural and historical sites, expanding its portfolio of high-quality visitor attractions and launching large-scale, seasonally driven event programmes. These initiatives are designed to reinforce Moscow’s position as a leading global hub for international meetings and professional dialogue. As the city upgrades its MICE infrastructure, deepens international partnerships and introduces more innovative event formats, demand for major congresses in the Russian capital continues to …

The Jamaica Tourist Board continues with its “Discover Jamaica” webinar series for GCC-based travel professionals. Tune in tomorrow 16 December at 13:00 UAE Time. Designed exclusively for travel agents in the Gulf region, this session provides a comprehensive overview of Jamaica as a viable destination, equipping agents with the knowledge they need to confidently sell the island. The webinar will cover essential facts about Jamaica, including its key resort areas – Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Negril, Kingston, Port Antonio, and the South Coast, highlighting their unique selling points, top hotels and resorts, and must-see attractions, from Dunn’s River Falls to the Blue Mountains. This webinar is a valuable resource to help travel agents design unforgettable Caribbean itineraries for their clients. Register in the link below : https://event.webinarjam.com/n7kng/register/6v7qri5xg

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched two new e-learning modules for its Experience Abu Dhabi Experts Platform. The Official Abu Dhabi Pass and Ramadan in Abu Dhabi online modules are designed to equip travel trade industry professionals with the insights and tools they need to deliver exceptional travel planning and guest experiences and further reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading year-round destination.  The e-learning platform provides travel trade industry professionals with an extensive range of destination-related information about the emirate and has become one of DCT Abu Dhabi’s most successful trade engagement initiatives. The new Abu Dhabi Pass and Ramadan content has a strong focus on destination insights that ensure agents have the necessary understanding they need to promote the region and what it has to offer. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “These new modules reflect how the Experience Abu Dhabi Experts Platform continues to evolve and how we prioritise providing our partners with practical, hands-on tools that make a real difference to how they sell the destination. Whether it’s helping them package the emirate’s leading attractions through the Abu Dhabi Pass or giving them the cultural insight to guide visitors respectfully during the holy month, this expansion ensures the knowledge they gain translates directly into stronger product design, more memorable experiences, and greater visitor satisfaction.” Issued by DCT Abu Dhabi’s official digital pass for Abu Dhabi offers guests savings of up to 50% across more than 70 of Abu Dhabi’s top attractions, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and SeaWorld Yas Island Abu Dhabi. The module provides an overview …

Oman Air hosted an official signing ceremony with Fun & Sun to formalise their new strategic partnership aimed at expanding direct access between Moscow and Salalah. The partnership forms part of Oman Air’s broader commitment to enhancing point-to-point connectivity and supporting Oman’s growing tourism sector. Expected to draw thousands of visitors during its inaugural season, the initiative contributes directly to Oman’s national tourism objectives and supports the continued development of Dhofar as a year-round destination. The seasonal charter flights between Moscow and Salalah will operate between 26 December 2025 and 9 May 2026. Meanwhile, the airline, which flew more than 200,000 guests into Salalah during khareef’s peak period alone – a 15% increase over 2024 – continues to work closely with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism and Dhofar Municipality to promote the destination and support sustainable growth in domestic and inbound tourism. The event brought together senior representatives from both organisations, including Mike Rutter, Chief Commercial Officer at Oman Air, and Yaroslav Stepanyuk, Commercial Director at Fun & Sun. Journalists from the Russian media and members of the local Omani media were also in attendance. Speaking at the ceremony, Mike Rutter, CCO of Oman Air, emphasised the significance of the collaboration, noting that strengthening direct routes from high-potential markets such as Russia aligns with the airline’s long-term commercial strategy and ongoing transformation. Yaroslav Stepanyuk, Commercial Director at Fun & Sun added, “Salalah is rapidly emerging as one of the most desirable winter-sun destinations for Russian travellers. Through this partnership, we are opening the door to a new chapter of growth and strengthening the bridge between our markets.” Oman Air’s ongoing focus on point-to-point growth has resulted in an increase …

The Arabian Travel Awards concluded its First Edition in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step forward in recognising and honouring top achievers within the Kingdom’s fast-growing travel, tourism, and hospitality sector. The event celebrated trailblazers, innovators, and organisations whose contributions are driving Saudi Arabia’s transformation into a world-class global destination. With the Kingdom’s tourism landscape evolving at record pace under Vision 2030, the inaugural edition aimed to spotlight excellence across airlines, hotels, travel agencies, technology providers, tourism boards, and service partners — shaping the future of travel in the region. The event was supported by TravTalk Middle East as the official media partner, bringing regional coverage and industry visibility to the award winners, participating brands, and the broader travel community. TravTalk Middle East’s partnership reinforces the shared mission of empowering industry talent, encouraging innovation, and amplifying Saudi Arabia’s tourism potential to global audiences. The First Arabian Travel Awards in Saudi Arabia represents the beginning of a new chapter — one that celebrates success stories, elevates standards, and strengthens the Kingdom’s position as a leading tourism hub.

Daniel Ponzo Group Managing Director of Zahid Travel Group entered the Gallery of Legends at the First Edition of the Arabian Travel Awards in Saudi Arabia. Ponzo is a distinguished global travel executive with over 30 years of leadership across Europe and the GCC. As Group Managing Director of Zahid Travel Group in Saudi Arabia, he has played a pivotal role in transforming corporate, luxury, and destination management during a defining era for the Kingdom. An Italian-Swiss leader based in Jeddah, he speaks five languages and is known for driving growth, operational excellence, and digital advancement. He built Zahid Travel Group’s destination management arm from inception, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 tourism ambitions. Passionate about cultural connection and innovation, Ponzo continues to shape the future of travel across the region.

Saleem Sharif Deputy Managing Director, ATS Travel, a travel industry leader with over 30 years of experience in transforming travel management companies across the Middle East, was recognised as the DDP Gamechanger at the inaugural Arabian Travel Awards in Saudi Arabia. Known for his innovative and strategic foresight, Sharif has successfully built and scaled verticals, including Corporate Travel, MICE, Luxury, Leisure, DMC, Charters, Logistics, Automation, and IT Solutions. He is especially recognised for driving market growth in Saudi Arabia, securing prestigious PIF-linked and multinational accounts, and redefining service standards. He has led the shift from traditional models to advanced automated platforms, enhancing cost efficiency and client control. A respected speaker and thought leader, he continues to influence future-focused travel strategy in the region.

According to RateHawk the number of bookings for ground transportation services has doubled, and the gross booking value has increased by 130% compared to last year. While road trips and car rental services remain especially popular in Europe and North America, demand for transfers is surging amid the growing popularity of Asian destinations. RateHawk registered the 100% growth of transfer services in the first ten months of the year compared to the previous year. Every third agent who booked a hotel via RateHawk for clients also booked a transfer service. The top five destinations where transfers are the most popular include Italy, Spain, the USA, France, and the UK. Moreover, following the global trend toward travel in Asia, there has been significant growth in demand for transfers in Asian destinations such as Japan, Vietnam, China, and Singapore. Other rapidly growing markets include Egypt and Qatar. “Overall, our partners can book transfers from 19 trusted suppliers in 165 countries. In many locations, transfers are a more convenient and cost-effective alternative to taxis. Offering transfers to their clients, travel agents ensure a more pleasant experience from the very beginning of their trip: the price is set in advance, the driver arrives at the required time, even at night, and travellers don’t need to download new apps or look for a driver after a long flight. At RateHawk, we provide travel agents with a carefully curated selection of accommodation and transport options, enabling them to book an entire trip for their clients in one place, rather than switching between multiple platforms,” says Fredrik Bonnalt, Head of Non-Accommodation Supply at Emerging Travel Group, RateHawk’s parent company. Car rentals also have shown steady growth throughout …

Satguru Travel & Tourism was honoured as ‘Best Corporate Travel Management Company’ at the 8th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards in Dubai. Satguru Travel & Tourism is one of the world’s largest travel management company established in 1989 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE. We have successfully celebrated over 35+ years in the travel industry and have established more than 140+ branches in 80+ countries with 4000+ satisfied employees and a large number of pleased customers. Satguru Travel specializes in corporate travel management; Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE); International & Domestic Holiday Packages; Worldwide Visa Assistance, Activities & Excursions, Worldwide Hotel Bookings Airline Representation, Cruise Packages, Travel Insurance and Airport Transfers & Transportations. It has been consistently recognized for its premium solutions and service excellence, winning many regional & global industry awards.