Category Archives: Agents

Jamaica has officially launched a new era in tourism, welcoming 160 global buyers from regions including the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Europe to JAPEX 2025. The event signals a fresh path forward for the island’s tourism sector, centered on innovation, inclusivity, and a powerful new “local first” approach.  Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett praised Nicola Madden-Greig, Chair of JAPEX Planning Committee for her leadership in helping the Caribbean achieve the fastest tourism recovery post-COVID. He also emphasised the role of tourism as a key driver of the economy, powering growth and opportunity across Jamaica.  “This is the year of new thinking in tourism,” said Minister Bartlett. “We want to make the next five years a time of serious growth, development, and inclusive tourism. We aim to deepen local involvement in the rich and lucrative tourism value chain, so that tourism works even more for the people of Jamaica.”  He added that new policies and legislation will support this “local first” approach, with global partners playing a key role in making tourism more beneficial for Jamaicans than ever before. With global tourism expected to reach 3 billion travellers by 2035, Jamaica is preparing to redefine its role on the world tourism stage.

Jamaica has officially launched a new era in tourism, welcoming 160 global buyers from regions including the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Europe to JAPEX 2025. The event signals a fresh path forward for the island’s tourism sector, centered on innovation, inclusivity, and a powerful new “local first” approach. Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Hon.Edmund Bartlett praised Nicola Madden-Greig for her leadership in helping the Caribbean achieve the fastest tourism recovery post-COVID. He also emphasised the role of tourism as a key driver of the economy, powering growth and opportunity across Jamaica. “This is the year of new thinking in tourism,” said Minister Bartlett. “We want to make the next five years a time of serious growth, development, and inclusive tourism. We aim to deepen local involvement in the rich and lucrative tourism value chain, so that tourism works even more for the people of Jamaica.”  He reiterated that new policies and legislation will support this “local first” vision, with global partners playing a key role in making tourism more beneficial for Jamaicans than ever before. With tourism expected to reach 3 billion travellers by 2035, Jamaica is preparing to rewrite tourism.

Shiji and Amadeus announced a new partnership to offer hotel companies a full range of technology solutions in one place. This includes Property Management Systems (PMS), Point of Sale (POS), Central Reservation Systems (CRS), and tools for sales, catering, and operations. Shiji, known for its fast-growing PMS and support for food and beverage outlets worldwide, is joining forces with Amadeus, a well-respected name in travel technology. Together, they will share one image database and provide smooth, reliable service to make hotel operations easier. This partnership is more than just connecting systems. It’s about working together to give hotels the best technology and support they need to operate well and serve their guests better. By combining their strengths, Shiji and Amadeus aim to help hotels run more smoothly and deliver better experiences with trusted technology and service.  

Visit Oman has announced the launch of its new trade partner travel course in partnership with OTT – Online Travel Training. The course will be available free of charge for one year to over 93,000 registered travel agents globally. This initiative is designed to boost awareness of Oman as a top travel destination and support the digital growth of the country’s tourism sector. By offering easy access to in-depth knowledge about Oman, Visit Oman aims to increase registrations on its platform and promote travel products from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the nation. The online course covers key topics such as “A Glimpse of Oman,” “Seasons,” “Culture & Heritage,” “Travel Tips,” the “Visit Oman Booking Engine,” and “How to Sell Oman as a Destination.” These lessons provide travel agents with the information they need to confidently market Oman to their clients and drive more bookings. Visit Oman hopes that this course will help position the country as a preferred travel destination while empowering the global travel trade with the tools to sell Oman more effectively. Travel agents can register now to take advantage of this unique learning opportunity

TUI Group and Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) announced a landmark partnership to position Oman as a leading sun-and-beach destination for European travellers. The alliance aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to diversify the economy and strengthen the tourism sector as a key pillar of growth. Under the agreement, the first cluster of five new hotels will be developed in the Dhofar Governorate. Operated under renowned TUI brands including ROBINSON, TUI Blue, RIU, Jaz, and The Mora, the properties are expected to welcome international guests starting from the winter of 2028. As part of the collaboration, OMRAN Group will acquire a 1.4% strategic shareholding in TUI Group, reinforcing a shared commitment to long-term, sustainable tourism development. Both partners emphasised that the joint venture would follow the highest sustainability standards, integrating economic, social, and cultural dimensions to ensure tourism growth benefits local communities and businesses. The initiative is expected to generate new employment opportunities, expand hospitality infrastructure, and increase Oman’s visibility on the global tourism map.

Cruise Master has successfully hosted the Middle East’s first-ever Polar Expedition Forum, setting a milestone for the region’s luxury adventure travel sector. The exclusive trade event, held at Shangri-La Dubai, brought together leading global expedition cruise brands and top Middle Eastern travel advisors. Designed as an industry-first platform, the forum highlighted the growing demand for polar exploration and its emergence as one of the fastest-expanding segments in luxury travel. The programme featured immersive product presentations, strategic networking sessions, and one-on-one business meetings, giving advisors the tools to better sell and promote polar voyages. Expedition brands including 66° Expeditions, Albatros Expeditions (soon to rebrand as Polar Latitude Expeditions), Celebrity Cruises, Oceanwide Expeditions, Silversea, and Swan Hellenic showcased their latest ships, itineraries, and sales strategies for the regional market. Ashok Kumar, Founder and Managing Director of Cruise Master, said: “Travellers today are seeking transformative journeys. Polar expeditions are not just about reaching remote destinations — they are about discovery, sustainability, and unforgettable memories.” An engaging panel, “Charting New Waters: Your Gateway to the Polar Expedition Market”, explored shifting traveller demographics and the unparalleled experiences awaiting in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Oman Air hosted a trade event in Dubai, bringing together key travel agents and industry partners to share updates on its latest product offerings and strategic developments. The session, led by Brajesh Kumar, Regional Manager – Sales (GCC & MEA), provided agents with an overview of Oman Air’s expanding global network and its milestone entry into the oneworld alliance, which offers guests seamless access to more than 900 destinations worldwide and enhanced benefits across partner airlines. In addition to the alliance, Oman Air shared key company updates including the launch of new European routes to Rome and Amsterdam, the introduction of double-daily flights to London, and its recognition as an APEX WORLD CLASS™ airline for excellence in guest experience. The airline also highlighted its efforts during Dhofar’s Khareef season – an enduring favourite among GCC citizens and residents – while promoting Oman’s year-round appeal through its stopover programme and new Oman Air Holidays platform. The presentation also touched on Oman Air’s cutting-edge NDC product, which empowers partners to offer seamless, dynamic and tailored travel experiences. The event underscored Oman Air’s dedication to its travel agent partners in the UAE, recognising their vital role in the airline’s commercial success. By fostering direct communication and providing comprehensive product knowledge, Oman Air aims to equip its partners with the tools needed to effectively sell the airline’s premium and value-driven offerings to their clients. Oman Air operates across the GCC region with 04 daily fights between Dubai and Muscat.

Sharaf Travel has renewed its strategic partnership with Amadeus Gulf, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and customer-centric travel experiences across the region. Through Amadeus technologies such as NDC-X, Fare Optimiser, and B2B Wallet, Sharaf Travel aims to deliver smarter retailing, secure payments, and highly personalized experiences for both corporate and leisure travelers. The collaboration underscores a shared vision to make travel more connected, efficient, and intelligent. The milestone was marked by a gathering of key leaders, including Jayaram Vaidyanathan, Managing Director & CEO at Sharaf Travel, and Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, Managing Director of Amadeus Gulf, alongside other senior executives from both organizations. Their presence highlighted the importance of the partnership in driving digital transformation and enhanced customer engagement in the travel sector. “This renewed collaboration enables us to leverage advanced technologies to meet the evolving needs of travelers and deliver seamless, personalized experiences,” said Sharaf Travel leadership. Together, Sharaf Travel and Amadeus Gulf are set to redefine the travel landscape in the region, combining innovation, operational excellence, and a strong focus on customer satisfaction. Tickets and travel services powered by these technologies are now available through Sharaf Travel’s booking channels.

The inaugural MICE Meeting Point 2025 kicked off in Beijing with TravTalkME as media partner. Two key MICE agents from the UAE attended with other agents from across the globe. Speaking at the opening David Axiotis, Managing Director, Messe Berlin – China shared, “China accounts to 25% of global business travel spending with conferences, exhibitions, incentive travel and events of all kind continuing to grow at an unprecedented pace. This two day event brings together organisations and companies from across the world, covering all segments of the MICE industry including conferences, event organisations, incentive travel, association meetings, overseas exhibition organisation, corporate travel and many others. It provides a unique platform to foster international collaboration, exchange industry insights and explore new business opportunities contributing to the growth and success of the MICE sector and its stakeholders.”

This collaboration aims to deliver comprehensive travel solutions to corporate clients across the region. Under this agreement, DW Travel will serve as Uniglobe’s preferred travel partner in the Middle East, providing end-to-end travel management services to Uniglobe’s clientele. This partnership leverages DW Travel’s regional expertise and Uniglobe’s global network to offer clients seamless and efficient travel experiences. Uniglobe Travel is a globally recognized travel management company (TMC), representing a network of independently owned and operated corporate travel agencies that collectively generate over USD 5 billion in annual revenue. While each agency operates autonomously, all adhere to Uniglobe’s high standards of professionalism, ensuring consistent service quality across markets. With a strong local presence in 60 countries and servicing clients in 90, Uniglobe currently manages travel programs for more than 10,000 corporate organizations worldwide. “We are excited to enter this strategic partnership with Uniglobe Travel,” said Bader Ahli, Director of DW Travel. “This collaboration not only strengthens our position in the corporate travel sector but also expands our ability to deliver world-class, tailored travel solutions to clients across the Middle East. By combining our deep regional expertise with Uniglobe’s global reach, we are set to redefine the corporate travel experience, offering seamless, efficient, and highly personalized services for businesses of all sizes. Whilst DW Travel has experienced 37% revenue growth year over year, our hope is that this partnership will provide opportunities for us to accelerate our growth even further in the future.” Patrick Hooft, President of Uniglobe BI and EMEA, commented, ‘Partnering with DW Travel is a pivotal step in strengthening Uniglobe’s presence in the Middle East. Their deep regional expertise and commitment to excellence perfectly complement our global network. By combining our …