Category Archives: Agents

Sabre Corporation announced a multi-year renewal agreement with lastminute.com N.V. Under the long-term technology agreement, lastminute.com expects to drive a better customer experience with Sabre’s advanced shopping and virtual payments solutions. Using Sabre’s rich GDS content and Bargain Finder Max shopping API, lastminute.com will be able to build and display compelling itineraries for travelers in seconds. This will help enable the OTA to customize booking experiences by tailoring search results for the most relevant fares, based on itinerary preferences. “Sabre is foundational to lastminute.com’s technology strategy, and the support of our shopping and payment capabilities are areas that are keys in our partnership,” said Luca Concone, CEO, lastminute.com. “We are in a strategic partnership that drives technology innovation to help travel companies increase customer loyalty and drive revenue, and in turn are creating a turn-key travel planning and booking experience for the end user.” As a B2B payments provider to lastminute.com, Sabre Virtual Payments technology offers increased flexibility and control, enhanced fraud protection and security, accurate reconciliation, and better payment automation and efficiency.   “Lastminute.com has the ability to provide a seamless customer experience from shopping, booking and payment and that translates into the ability to gain more share of wallet for the online travel agency,” said Roshan Mendis, Chief Commercial Officer for Sabre Travel Solutions.  “We help drive conversion with customer-centric technology and cloud-native microservices enabling more agility and shopping products to turbocharge the retailing experience.”   Through the Sabre GDS, lastminute.com will have access to more than 400 airlines, 1.6 million lodging options, and hundreds of tour operators, rail, and car rental providers to sell customized travel packages from suppliers around the world.

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority will kick off its 10th edition of Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum under the theme “Sustainable Tourism: The Way to Improvement”will kick off today at Expo Center Sharjah. The forum serves as a nod to Sharjah’s efforts in developing environmentally and socially responsible travel practices, its thriving eco and adventure tourism sector, as well as the emirate’s growing reputation as a global example of sustainable solutions.  A highlight of SITTF’s dynamic agenda will be a series of engaging discussions, presentations and interactive workshops, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities within the travel and tourism sector. In the panel discussion ‘Sustainability Practices – Innovate for Impact, Collaborate for Change’, notable participants include HE Dr. Nawal Al Hosany, Permanent Representative of UAE IRENA, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Green Development and Climate Change at the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; and HE Ahmed Al Qaseer, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). These experts will share their insights on sustainable tourism trends, government policies, economic benefits, the role of technology, and the significance of collaboration in achieving sustainable tourism goals. The panel on ‘Strategies for Sustainable Travel and Tourism’ will bring together industry leaders, including Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of HMH Hotel Group; Koko Tang, GSTC Board Member, Founder of Colorful Earth Co-Founder of Vinetree Tourism; Paul Bridger, COO of Rove Hotel and moderated by Doug Lansky, Destination Advisor and Tourism Expert. The panel will explore eco-tourism, waste reduction, and the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable tourism, providing valuable perspectives on shaping the industry’s future. SITTF 2023 will feature several expert-led presentations by Koko Tang, GSTC Board Member, Founder of …

Tawfeeq Travel, Holidays and Ezytrip Qatar achieved triple crowning glory as ‘Fastest Growing DMC – Qatar,’ ‘Best TMC Qatar’ and ‘Fastest Growing B2B Online Travel Portal Qatar.’ at the sixth edition of Arabian Travel Awards. Rehan Ali – CEO – Tawfeeq Holidays shared, “The event was very well planned and organised. The overall setup was very lively and gave a good opportunity to network and connect with industry leaders across the region. These awards encourage business to continuously improvise and innovate. Travel awards can help acknowledge and promote businesses and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the travel and tourism sector. This recognition can lead to increased visibility and credibility within the industry and among travellers. Winning an Arabian Travel Award is a thrilling achievement, signifying recognition for excellence in the travel industry and a sense of pride and accomplishment. This award works as a powerful motivator to excel in 2024 and maintain or surpass the award categories. This will help us to drive and provide better travel experiences to our travellers.”  

Satguru Travel clinched titles as ‘Best Corporate TMC’ and  ‘Fastest Growing GSA’ at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards. Dinkar Dasaur – General Manager UAE – Satguru shared, “A Prestigious platform to nominate, appreciate & honor the top performers in the travel sector & an opportunity for experts to network. Winning an award with ATA is a testimony of being one of the best in the nominated category considering validation from the customers and Jury. It elevates & validates the efforts of our teams who strive hard for excellence. Sharing the platform with the best in the industry through the nominations of ATA, is a motivating factor in itself.  The categories of nominations at ATA signifies the market trend and client preferences & gives us the opportunity to invent & innovate new products in the Travel space.”  

Mohamed Al Rais, Deputy Managing Director at Al Rais Travel highlighted UK and China has once again become the key source markets responsible for the growth of tourism in GCC.  According to the insights from Al Rais, Dubai’s reputation as a safe and secure destination and trusted brand has resulted in an uptick from key source markets. “Brand Dubai is trusted by people around the world. The country has rebounded incredibly well since COVID-19, with the latest figures for the first half of 2023 the best on record. As a travel company, our figures are very much representative of this. In terms of inbound markets, we’ve seen the top five markets shuffle to some extent, with Saudi dropping slightly and increases in British tourists. “The return of the Chinese market, which, despite only coming back in Q1 of this year, has already moved into a top five position,” said Mohamed Al Rais, Deputy Managing Director- at Al Rais Travel. These trends are certainly borne out by the latest figures released by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and no doubt experienced by ATM’s other partners, such as Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts. According to the latest statistics from DET, Dubai’s top source markets include India, which has seen a 44% increase between January and August 2023 compared to the same period last year; Saudia Arabia, which has seen a nominal 5% decrease during the same period; the UK, up 14%; and the Chinese market, which according to the data has witnessed a 309% jump in the first eight months of 2023 when compared to the same period in 2022. The tourism expert also believes Saudi Arabia and UAE, …

Turning Point Tourism clinched the ‘Fastest Growing DMC – UAE’ title at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards. Ali Asgar Hussain – Managing Director – Turning Point shared, “The event was meticulously organized and radiated a highly positive atmosphere. From the moment we arrived, Mr. Sanjeet, an exceptional host, personally welcomed and attended to every guest, ensuring that each of us felt truly cherished. We must express our sincere gratitude to him for his tireless dedication and exceptional hospitality.  It was as if I had won an Oscar, and I thoroughly enjoyed mingling with industry veterans. Moreover, I had the privilege of interacting with renowned figures and market leaders who have played pivotal roles in shaping the tourism industry. This award will undoubtedly serve as a valuable asset for us to showcase our achievements to our dedicated trade partners who have steadfastly supported us. It is with deep gratitude that we dedicate this award to them, as well as to my hardworking team who have put in tireless efforts day and night. This award rightfully belongs to them, and it will act as a powerful source of motivation, inspiring them to strive even harder to achieve such accolades every year.”  

Almosafer and Trip.com Group are expanding collaborations to pioneer unique holistic travel experiences for tourists and visitors to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and make the destination more accessible to global markets. The collaboration aims at enhancing inbound travel by promoting the Kingdom as a top-tier travel destination in the region. The collaboration will also fortify corporate travel across the Middle East and boost inbound tourism from Asian markets. Leveraging the comprehensive range of travel services offered by Almosafer, together with the global reach and cutting-edge technology and data aggregation abilities of Trip.com Group, both industry giants will open exciting opportunities for travellers and strengthen the tourism landscape of Saudi Arabia. Building on Almosafer’s regional expertise and deep understanding of the needs and preferences of visitors in the region and beyond, Trip.com Group will increase visibility of the immersive and enriching tourism experiences in Saudi Arabia across its data-led and technology-driven platforms. Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO, Almosafer, said: “As Saudi Arabia’s leading travel company, Almosafer remains committed to bring guests and visitors seamless travel experiences and support them in making informed decisions to easily access the Kingdom’s unique attractions. In line with our digital first approach, we are excited to expand cooperation with Trip.com Group to further this goal and support the ambitious tourism mandate of Saudi Vision 2030. The partnership will give Saudi Arabia higher visibility in both regional and global markets and together, we aim to elevate Saudi Arabia as a captivating destination for all age groups and interests.” Boon Sian Chai, Managing Director and Vice President of International Markets at Trip.com Group, said: “We are excited to increase cooperation with Almosafer, to attract tourists to the beautiful destination of …

ATS Travel bagged triple awards with Saleem Sharif, Deputy Managing Director ATS Travel honoured as DDP Gamechanger, ATS Travel as ‘Best TMC UAE’ and Travelclub as ‘Most innovative start up B2B Travel Portal at the 6th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards. Saleem Sharif, Deputy Managing Director ATS Travel shared, “Today I stand with lot of gratitude to DDP for having extended this honour to me. I thank my stakeholders who have always been supportive and encouraged me to do whatever I’ve done for my organisation and for the trade. And of course, my excellent team, who has always been of big support. I dedicate this award to each one of you from the travel trade who has always encouraged me and helped me to reach where we’ve reached today.”

“Visit Saint Petersburg!” conducted a special roadshow showcasing its many offerings to the travel trade in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The two days included B2B meetings, presentation, classical music and Anna Pavlova dessert masterclass – all that was in the roadshow organized by the Committee for Tourism Development of St. Petersburg and the City Tourist Information Bureau in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, bringing 12 representatives of the travel sector – Pulkovo Airport, DMCs, hotels, Vodokhod river cruise company and Faberge museum – to present their programs and establish direct contacts with the local colleagues. In UAE’s capital city of Abu Dhabi, more than 65 representatives of local travel sector took part in the presentation of the first day of the road show and over 120 participants attended from Dubai from the region’s tourism industry, covering a wide variety of issues from the Russian recent e-visa program to the presentations of St. Petersburg major travel players. The representatives of the tourist business of the region got acquainted with the novelties of St. Petersburg, classic programs, the new tourist geography of the city on the Neva river. Road show visitors learned about the historical sights of St. Petersburg, architectural masterpieces, the event calendar, educational and religious routes, and much more. Particular attention was paid to the organization of direct flights to the northern capital. The presentation attracted the attention of representatives of tour operators and professional associations, airlines, organizers of MICE events and specialized media from the Middle East. The road show has become part of a holistic information campaign of the city’s Tourism authorities, which also included presence at travel exhibitions, running a Visit Petersburg representative office in Dubai and other …

It was a dual win this year for Akbar Travels with Ashiya Nazar, Director Akbar Travel was recognised as the ‘Face of the future’ whilst Akbar Travels won the title of ‘Best B2B Travel portal’ at the 6th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards. Nazar commented on her personal achievement, “The Arabian Travel Awards was a celebration of excellence in the travel industry, and I’m honoured to be part of it. Winning the Arabian Travel Award is a testament to our commitment to exceptional travel experiences, and it’s truly gratifying and encouraging for young innovators like myself.” The sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards concluded at Sofitel downtown Dubai graced by HE Datuk Seri Ahmad Fadil bin Shamsuddin, Ambassador of Malaysia to the UAE as Chief Guest presenting the awards to the stars of the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. An exclusive invitation only event gathered all the key leaders from travel, tourism and hospitality across the GCC.