Category Archives: Agents

The latest phase of the #DubaiDestinations campaign, focused on highlighting the city’s exceptional summer experiences, has kicked off, inviting local and international audiences to enjoy an epic summer in the emirate. Running till the end of August, the new campaign encourages residents and travellers to discover the city’s diverse leisure, dining, adventure and family-friendly activities that make Dubai a one-of-a-kind summer destination. Aligned with the vision of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make Dubai the world’s best city to live and visit, the #DubaiDestinations initiative was launched in December 2021. The start of the latest phase of the campaign was marked by the release of two interactive #DubaiDestinations summer guides focused on children’s activities. The first guide lists a vast range of indoor destinations for children and adults who want to rediscover their inner child. From having breakfast with penguins and riding on giant rollercoasters to painting up a storm in art cafes, the activities featured in the guide offer something for all children. The list covers activities offered at 115 destinations spread across malls, retail complexes, theme parks, beaches and esplanades, among other locations, making it a handy reference for families to plan their leisure activities during the Eid-Al-Adha holidays and the rest of the summer season.  A total of 20 theme parks and 28 retail complexes are covered by the guide. The second guide features a list of around 40 exciting summer camps for children that will enable them to challenge themselves, forge new friendships and pick up a new skills. The release of the guides coincides with the start of school …

As it finally starts to emerge from crisis mode, new predictions from Aruba reveal how businesses in the hospitality sector will proactively leverage technology to deliver enhanced total guest experiences across the next decade. Following a transformative few years, which saw the entire industry adopt critical technology solutions in order to survive, hotels and venues have grown increasingly adept at offering seamless digital-first experiences. As they look ahead, however, this reliance on digital technology poses potential challenges to an industry that is built on human-to-human experiences. Aruba worked with global trends agency Foresight Factory to uncover five ways in which hospitality businesses will adapt to evolving consumer demands to offer the perfect balance between the digital and physical worlds. HOSPITALITY COMPANIES WILL BE SERVING UP PRESENCE-FREE OPTIONS Building on current contactless trends such as digital check-in and biometric payments, hospitality companies will be able to welcome guests that are not present at their venue at all, using innovative technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and the metaverse to offer presence-free experiences to “visitors” anywhere in the world. THE GUEST EXPERIENCE WILL START WELL BEFORE THEY ARRIVE AND CONTINUE LONG AFTER THEY LEAVE (AKA THE RISE OF ‘PRETAILTAINMENT’) Forget looking at photos or scanning the menu. In the future, guests will no longer do anything without first trying out the fully interactive, immersive digital option. As the virtual experience becomes a non-negotiable precursor to the real event, companies will begin to offer more creative, elaborate and personalized “pretailtainment” options. Meanwhile ‘post-stay’ services will also be available, rounding out the total experience.   THE GUEST EXPERIENCE WILL HAVE BECOME A COMMUNITY UNDERTAKING The future will see hospitality companies form …

Bahrain’s Al Dana Amphitheatre unveiled more exciting details about its upcoming calendar of events for the 2022 season. Among the world-renowned names confirmed to perform at the open-air venue in October and November are renowned DJ Tiësto, Scottish singer-songwriter and musician Lewis Capaldi, and a much-loved regional icon –Abdulmajeed Abdullah. The venue kicks off its second season on 5th October with a sell-out show by global star Justin Bieber. Later that month, on Friday, 21st October, Al Dana Amphitheatre will welcome another international headliner: Grammy® Award-winning, platinum-certified DJ and producer Tiësto, who is the only artist to ever hold the titles of “#1 DJ” from Rolling Stone and “The Greatest DJ of All Time” courtesy of Mixmag. Also in the line-up is Lewis Capaldi, whose hugely successful single “Someone You Loved” is the longest song ever to remain in the UK Top Ten singles chart. Capaldi is the first artist in history to sell out an Arena tour prior to the release of a debut album (tickets sold out in 1 second). Fans are expected to travel from overseas to see him in action on Al Dana Amphitheatre’s stage on Saturday, 26th November. The calendar also features iconic artists from closer to home. Last season the venue hosted regional stars including Ahlam and Hussain Al Jassmi, continuing this stellar theme by welcoming Abdulmajeed Abdullah, known as the “Prince of Tarab”, who will also be lighting up Al Dana Amphitheatre’s stage this season, with a show on Friday, 14th of October. Tickets to these events will go on sale at a later date via Al Dana Amphitheatre’s official website, www.aldana.com.bh. Shane Chalmers, Chief Executive Officer of Al Dana Amphitheatre, said, “Everyone …

At the press conference along with its partners, Miral and DCT Abu Dhabi announced a stellar calendar of events running from July 2022 until February 2023 on Yas Island. Promising memorable moments at each event for every guest, the unmissable line-up features everything from global sports championships and family-friendly excitement to top-artist concerts and exhilarating adventures. An extensive line-up of events awaits with the return of Abu Dhabi Showdown Week featuring Ultimate Fighting Championship event UFC 281, National Basketball Association (NBA) pre-season games at Etihad Arena, and a stellar performance by Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman as part of Diwali celebrations. Also coming to Etihad Arena is the awe-inspiring on-stage adaptation of Disney’s The Lion King in November, adding another level of entertainment for Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix guests! Returning to Abu Dhabi, Disney On Ice will surprise fans from all ages with new show ‘Mickey and Friends’ in October at Etihad Arena. In addition, Andrea Bocelli, the world’s most-loved tenor, is set to perform in November at Etihad Park. 2023 will also see the return of the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) in February, the biggest celebration of the Indian film industry. Welcoming the new year with a bang, the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship weekend will see comedian Kevin Bridges take the stage in January for the highly anticipated DP World Tour golf tournament. More exciting sports events will also be taking place in November and December which include the World Triathlon Championship Finals and the FIBA 3×3 World Tour final. His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “Whilst announcing the calendar of events on Yas Island …

As Eid-al-Adha and summer break fast approaches Skyscanner can reveal strong demand for summer travel; with Saudi bookings for travel this July and August increasing by 325% in May compared to the previous month and UAE bookings up by 156% for the same period.* In line with Eid-al-Adha holiday period, week commencing 4 July is the most popular week for travellers to depart both the UAE and Saudi Arabia this summer as travellers look to maximise the public holiday: heading off on holiday and visiting friends and family. Top trending destinations this summer:   Top trending redirect (booking) destinations for UAE travellers in summer 2022:** Manila Cairo Amman Mumbai Istanbul The top trending redirect (booking) destinations for Saudi travellers for summer 2022:*** Cairo 2. London 3. Bangkok 4. Baku 5. Hyderabad   Skyscanner’s Travel Expert, Ayoub El Mamoun, comments: “As travel restrictions have eased and traveller confidence returns, we’ve witnessed a travel revival with pent-up demand turning into millions of travellers enjoying their much longed for trips again.    “Flights to popular summer destinations don’t have to cost a fortune if you know how to search for the best prices – in fact Skyscanner helps travellers filter all the options of 1,200+ travel providers to find the best option for you.  UAE travellers can find economy return deals to holiday favourites including Manila for AED 2,181 and Istanbul from AED 1084 this July whilst Saudi travellers can find deals to Cairo from SAR 855 and London for SAR 3,648.   “Setting up price alerts on Skyscanner is a great way for travellers to be the first to know as prices drop with any additional discounts or added supply.  You can …

Wego and German National Tourist Office for the GCC sign new partnership to inspire travellers to visit the country post COVID-19. The German.Local.Culture. campaign promotes Germany focusing on four themes: ‘Flair, Craft, Taste and Green’. The campaign will be marketed to Wego’s wide user base to bring more travellers from the MENA region. Wego’s data shows that Germany is in the top 10 destinations for MENA travellers looking to travel to Europe in 2022. The campaign will be launched digitally through social media networks for a broader reach to establish an authentic image of Germany as a sustainable travel destination. The country attracts tourists for its historic architecture, picturesque Old Towns, urban city vitality, impressive industrial monuments, castles and palaces and unspoiled nature. The ‘Flair’ theme showcases the architectural styles of the German cities and places of cultural interest to the tourists. The theme highlights the regional roots of small towns with fascinating historical stories. GNTB, through the campaign, aims to reignite the love of architecture among foreign tourists. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and India of Wego, said: “Following the successful campaigns, we’re partnering with the German National Tourist Board for the third year running. We are looking forward to inviting even more travellers to this preferred European destination through this campaign.” The campaign also focuses on enjoyable travel experiences even under covid-19 circumstances. These experiences include Germany’s classical and world-famous opera houses attracting about one-third of worldwide operatic performances. The famous opera houses have historic concert halls, ornate stucco, and plush furniture. Yamina Sofo, director of sales and marketing at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO GCC), said: “The GCC …

To mark the United Nation’s Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day, and the vital role these enterprises play in post-pandemic recovery, Emirates is empowering MSMEs to seek growth opportunities with an attractive incentive for new members who enrol into the Emirates Business Rewards programme. Eligible businesses around the world who sign up for a first-time account anytime from 25 June to 10 July 2022, will receive a joining bonus of 10,000 Emirates Business Reward Points – the equivalent of one Economy Class return ticket between most destinations in the Middle East, Africa/WAIO and Dubai, a city that offers world-leading support programmes and infrastructure for entrepreneurs and SMEs. Emirates’ offer aims to support MSMEs and recognise the integral part they play in sustainable development, and the global economy and communities. There are currently more than 30000 micro, small and medium sized businesses participating in the Emirates Business Rewards programme, taking advantage of a wealth of benefits including easy enrolment, accessible earning and redemptions, and flexibility and upgrade opportunities – even on last minute bookings. With a goal of ‘making business travel seamless’, Emirates Business Rewards enables organisations to earn points on business travel, which can be spent on future flights and upgrades on any Emirates flight, in any class, subject to availability. Organisations are eligible to earn points whenever their employees or guest travellers fly on Emirates, which can then be spent on dynamic reward flights and upgrades. Individuals can also earn Skywards Miles on the same flight if they are an Emirates Skywards member. There’s no limit to how many employees can join the programme and no minimum spend is needed. Emirates Business Rewards is free to join and …

Tawfeeq Travel opened the doors to yet another Travel Hub at the Hamad International Airport (HIA) Metro Station. Not only residents of Qatar, but visitors from all over the globe can now experience world class travel services & products while travelling through Qatar’s Award-winning Hamad International Airport. HIA offers global travelers convenient connectivity through its strategic location, with 80% of the world’s population able to connect with the World’s Best Airport through 6-hour flights. Additionally, HIA delivers a mosaic of cultural, retail, and hospitality offerings encompassed in a secure and efficient airport experience. The new Travel Hub at HIA offers Qatar’s first baggage drop off and storage solution to the travelers. This service is available 07 days a week from 10am till 8pm, Saturday to Thursday with prices starting as low as Qar.30 per day per bag. The storage facility boasts of CCTV monitored rooms with state-of-the-art electronic locks for safety of the baggage which are sealed with tamper proof security seals. Delivery options include transportation of the luggage to your home, office, or any choice of destination in Doha. Rehan Ali Syed, CEO of Tawfeeq Travel Group, said “I am extremely delighted on the opening of our 17th outlet offering our customers a unique, new service, delivered by our experienced teams who aim to support Qatar’s vision of welcoming tourist from across the globe. Working closely with Qatar Rail, Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways, and other key strategic partners, we are able to deliver innovative services to customers. We look forward to your visit to explore the wonders of Qatari culture while we make your visit handfree.”

Al-Hashar Tourism and Travels LLC selected  Amadeus technology to offer its customers a range of new technology-driven solutions. The multi-year partnership with Amadeus will deliver increased productivity, optimized customer service, and time-saving reporting solutions. Muslim Mahmood Mohammad Ahmed, General Manager of Al-Hashar Travel, said: “Our customers deserve and expect outstanding services from Al-Hashar. This new partnership with Amadeus will propel the company firmly into a brighter, technologically advanced future of enhanced productivity and customer service, ensuring we remain the leading travel provider in the Sultanate, while improving our efficiency and profitability.” Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, Managing Director, Amadeus Gulf, adds: “Today, the overall travel dynamic has evolved due to the pandemic. We must adapt to the emerging needs of the travel industry as we seek to renew travel and build it back better than it was before. Sitting at the heart of the travel ecosystem, Amadeus is committed to supporting forward-thinking customers such as Al-Hashar Travel to reconnect with travelers and bring back the joy of travel. By working together, we can get the world traveling again.” “Al Hashar’s trust in Amadeus is another milestone in our growth and further evidence of our strong commitment towards all the travel agencies in the sultanate,” he added. The solutions being adopted by the Muscat-headquartered firm include the cloud-based Amadeus Selling Platform Connect, a powerful and customizable online booking and fulfillment platform designed to meet Al-Hashar’s specific needs. Implementing Selling Platform Connect enables Al-Hashar’s travel counselors to service travelers around the clock, via any web-connected device. Additionally, Amadeus Master Pricer, a powerful search tool, will assist Al-Hashar staff in sourcing the lowest fares online, while Amadeus Dynamic Travel Documents conveniently collates a traveler’s complete …

Following the launch of Abu Dhabi’s ‘Summer Like You Mean It’ campaign at Arabian Travel Market this year, the innovative Abu Dhabi Summer Pass is now live on summerpass.visitabudhabi.ae. Developed by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the pass rounds up the top sights and experiences of the UAE capital in an exclusive all-access bundle, and is valid until 31 August 2022. Offering world-class hospitality, family fun, and entertainment to residents and visitors, Abu Dhabi is making the destination even more accessible with the new Abu Dhabi Summer Pass, which is priced at AED 599 for adults and AED 499 for children between 4 and 17 years of age. The pass is complimentary for children aged 3 and below. Holders of the Abu Dhabi Summer Pass can ride the world’s fastest roller coaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, meet their favourite DC Superheroes at Warner Bros. WorldTM Abu Dhabi, and enjoy more than 40 rides and slides at Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi. The pass also includes a one-day visit to Louvre Abu Dhabi, as well as discounted access to 13 cultural landmarks and institutions across Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, including Qasr Al Hosn, House of Artisans, Qasr Al Watan, Al Ain Palace Museum, Al Jahili Fort, and Qasr Al Muwaiji. The Abu Dhabi Summer Pass also covers complimentary transportation within the city on the Visit Abu Dhabi Shuttle Bus network and within Yas Island on the Yas Express. Visitors can also obtain the Abu Dhabi Summer Pass, saving up to 50 percent, when booking their stay from a selection of 40 world-class hotels on summer.visitabudhabi.ae, that includes W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, …