Category Archives: Govt

Etihad and Ethiopian have joined forces in a landmark Joint Venture (JV) that will transform connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. As part of this collaboration, the airlines are launching new flights between Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa, strengthening ties between the two regions. Ethiopian Airlines will commence services from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) to Zayed International Airport (AUH) on 15 July, while Etihad Airways will introduce daily flights to Addis Ababa starting 1 October. Subject to regulatory approval, the Etihad – Ethiopian JV will enable both airlines to collaborate in developing and expanding routes between the UAE and Ethiopia, as well as enhancing connectivity across their respective networks. This partnership is designed to deliver greater value to passengers by strengthening links between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, resulting in a more seamless and comprehensive combined network. Signed at Ethiopian Airlines’ headquarters in Addis Ababa, this strategic partnership also includes a codeshare arrangement, unlocking greater travel opportunities for passengers across both networks. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways said: “This Joint Venture is great news for customers of both airlines. The start of flights between the two great cities of Addis Ababa and Abu Dhabi connects our expanding networks, giving our customers seamless access to a growing list of destinations via our extensive hubs. It also paves the way for deeper discussions on working together across our respective regions on other cooperation, including frequent flyer programmes, training and cargo. “We are excited to extend a warm welcome to Ethiopian travelers visiting Abu Dhabi, where they can experience our renowned hospitality and immerse themselves in the rich culture of our city. From breathtaking beaches …

SPARK in partnership with EYouth and with support from Google.org, has launched the Maharat for Tourism E-Learning Hub in Egypt – a pioneering platform designed to equip 25,000 individuals across the MENA region with essential skills for the tourism industry. The launch event, held at the Triumph Plaza Hotel in Cairo, welcomed over 100 stakeholders, including representatives from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism, industry leaders, and digital learning experts. The initiative aligns with Egypt’s national priorities to enhance workforce competitiveness and drive tourism sector growth. With the tourism sector rapidly evolving, Maharat for Tourism offers free, high-quality training tailored for both aspiring and experienced professionals. The platform provides interactive courses on digital skills, business management, and customer service, ensuring users stay competitive in a dynamic job market. By bridging the skills gap and building a digitally empowered workforce, this initiative directly contributes to Egypt’s economic resilience and job creation in one of its most vital industries. Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism is an active supporter of the platform, recognising its role in modernising workforce training and driving long-term industry sustainability. “We are proud to launch the Maharat for Tourism E-Learning Hub, which will provide thousands of individuals with the opportunity to develop essential skills for success in the tourism sector,” said Dina Almasaeid, SPARK’s Regional Programme Director “The support from Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism further emphasises the industry-wide commitment to fostering talent and innovation.” Join the Movement The Maharat for Tourism E-Learning Hub is now live and available in both English and Arabic, offering tourism professionals and job seekers the opportunity to advance their careers in the industry. To learn more and enroll in courses, visit: https://maharat.spark.ngo/.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Etihad Airways have  launched the new Abu Dhabi Pass at ITB Berlin. The new Abu Dhabi Pass transforms the visitor experience into a fully digital journey, simplifying access to the emirate’s offerings. Etihad passengers will receive an email with a link to access the Abu Dhabi Pass through a dedicated website, with no additional cost or app download required. The free Abu Dhabi Pass unlocks a range of benefits for Etihad passengers and all visitors to the emirate. These include a tourist SIM card with 10GB data to stay connected, unlimited access to public buses, and 24-hour unlimited access to the hop-on-hop-off tourist bus network exploring key city attractions. Abdulla Yousuf, Director of International Operations at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The launch of the new Abu Dhabi Pass reflects our commitment to enhancing the visitor experience by providing seamless access to the emirate’s diverse, world-class attractions, cultural landmarks, and entertainment offerings. Through this partnership, we aim to introduce Abu Dhabi as a top global destination to a wider audience, making it easier for our travel and tourism stakeholders to showcase the very best the emirate has to offer.” Aysha Al Kaabi, Vice President Commercial Enablement & Engagement at Etihad Airways, said: “Our collaboration with DCT Abu Dhabi makes experiencing the emirate’s attractions more appealing than ever. By combining transport, connectivity, and attraction discounts in one digital pass, we’re making it simpler for visitors to enjoy Abu Dhabi’s diverse experiences, from cultural discoveries to family entertainment.” The agreement builds on the success of Etihad’s stopover programme, which welcomed 85,000 international visitors in 2024, compared to 12,000 in 2023. …

Sharjah is set to participate at ITB Berlin, taking place from 4- 6 March 2025. The Sharjah Pavilion, spearheaded by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), will feature a robust delegation of 19 government and private entities. These representatives will showcase the wide-ranging tourism offerings of Sharjah, spanning various sectors of the tourism and hospitality industries, as well as experiential staycations including culture, entertainment, environment and adventure. This participation underlines Sharjah’s dedication to bolstering its reputation as a top-tier tourism destination in the region. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, stated, “Our involvement in ITB Berlin 2025 reaffirms our commitment to enhancing Sharjah’s status as a prime tourism destination in the region. Through strategic alliances and innovative initiatives, we aim to underscore Sharjah’s contribution to the future of sustainable and responsible tourism while emphasizing our commitment to providing genuine and enriching tourism experiences.” The Sharjah delegation comprises government bodies such as the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), Sharjah International Airport Authority, Sharjah Museum Authority, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Sharjah Institute of Heritage, Sharjah Sports Council, Sharjah Classic Cars Club, and Sharjah International Marine Sports Club. Private sector participants include Air Arabia, Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA), ARADA Real Estate Development Company, Sharjah National Hotels (SNH), Sharjah Coral Beach Resort, Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa, Occidental Sharjah Grand, Sharjah Golden Sands Hotel, Sharjah Golden Tulip Hotel, and TravTalkME Magazine. The objective of this participation is to enhance Sharjah’s global visibility, increase awareness about its diverse products and tourist attractions, boost Sharjah’s status as a leading destination for family and leisure tourism, exchange best practices with global tourism sector decision-makers and experts, and explore …

Tourism Ministers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries met in Kuwait within the framework of joint efforts to enhance tourism cooperation among the GCC countries, as it represents an important preparatory step aimed at coordinating tourism policies and enhancing integration among member states, which will positively reflect on the development of the Gulf tourism sector. The meeting was a platform for dialogue and exchange of experiences, which contributes to the development of joint tourism strategies that support tourism diversity and enhance cooperation in organizing events and activities that highlight the tourism potential of the GCC countries. The meeting discussed ways to develop joint tourism events among the GCC countries, enhance efforts to stimulate inter-tourism and raise the rates of demand for Gulf destinations. This meeting comes as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance the integration of Gulf tourism, by launching strategic initiatives that contribute to the development of the sector and enhance the position of the GCC countries as integrated tourism destinations that attract visitors from around the world.

After another record event in 2024, Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World, will return to Dubai from 27-29 October 2025 for what will be a milestone event for organisers The Bench, marking 20 years in the UAE for the region’s leading hospitality and tourism investment event, previously known as AHIC. FHS World 2024 saw a record 1,596 attendees representing 735 companies from 60 countries, of which over 550 were women faciliated by the organiser’s #FHSWomenPower initiative. The FHS World Advisory Board convened in Dubai last week to discuss and shape the vision and agenda for this year’s event. The Advisory Board comprises some of the hospitality industry’s most prominent leaders, including Anthony Costa, Head of Hospitality & Lifestyle, Candy Capital; Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Modon Hospitality; Amit Arora, Chief Executive Officer, Arada; Dinky Puri, Founding Partner, Eagle Wing; Othmane Jabri, Principal, Real Estate and Hospitality (Investment), Investment Corporation of Dubai; Nicolas Mayer, Partner, Global Industry Leader Tourism, PwC; Philipp J. Klohr, Senior Vice President, Mubadala Investment Company; Jeff Tisdall, Chief Business Officer Accor One Living, Global Head of Mixed-Use, Ahmed Nazim, Managing Director, Maldives Fund Management Corporation; Aboudi Asali, Executive Vice President, Hotels & Hospitality MENA, JLL, and Saahil Lalit, Vice President | Lodging Development EMEA, Marriott International. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, said: “This will be a very exciting year for us as we celebrate our 20th anniversary in the UAE, and at Madinat Jumeirah where it all began in 2005, and we’re thrilled to have Jumeirah as our Host Sponsor again to mark this milestone moment.” Thomas B. Meier, CEO of Jumeirah, said: “It’s a pleasure to once again sponsor and host FHS World at Madinat …

The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism (MHT) has launched its promotional campaign ‘Live The Vibe’ to highlight the heritage and tourism assets of Al Batinah South Governorate. This campaign coincides with the activities of ‘Explore Al Batinah South 2025,’ organised by the Office of the Governor of Al Batinah South. Raiya bint Salim Al Maskeri, Assistant Director of the Tourism Marketing Department at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, said, “The campaign aims to boost tourism activity in Al Batinah South Governorate, introduce its heritage and tourism sites, and enhance tourist visits during the event period. This is expected to positively impact the partners of the tourism sector in the governorate.” She added, “The campaign’s objectives include promoting the governorate’s tourism sites, such as Bald Sayt Village in Wadi Bani Awf, Wakan Village, Al Ulya, Ain Al Kasfa, Ain Al Thowarah, Wadi Al Hoqain, Wadi Al Sahtan, and Wadi Bani Kharus. It also aims to introduce the governorate’s castles and forts, including Al Hazm Fort, the Wall and Tower of Al Khamis, Rustaq Fort, Nakhal Fort, Al Awabi Fort, and Bait Al Ghasham Museum, among others. Additionally, the campaign highlights the governorate’s beautiful beaches, such as Al Musannah Beach, Barka Beach, and more, as well as destinations for marine excursions and adventure tours.” Al Maskeri emphasised that the Ministry’s participation in the ‘Explore Al Batinah South 2025’ activities seeks to promote the governorate culturally and touristically. The ministry plans to offer a diverse range of events to attract visitors from within and outside Oman, aiming to position Al Batinah South as a distinctive tourist destination. The initiative also aims to achieve synergy by enhancing diversity, attracting more visitors, and boosting tourism …

Almosafer announced a strategic partnership with Jisr to integrate the Almosafer Business travel management portal on its platform to enable clients and partners to book their business travel, with flights, hotels, and other services available through Almosafer’s proprietary channel. The strategic integration underscores Almosafer’s commitment to supporting local startups and expanding their digital offerings across a wider platform. By joining forces with Jisr as a leading HR software platform in the Kingdom, Almosafer reinforces its position as a trusted partner for Saudi companies seeking seamless digital-first travel and booking services. Khalid Alyahia, VP of Almosafer, said: “At Almosafer, collaborations and partnerships are key to driving our strategic agenda to reinforce our leadership in the digital travel sphere. By aligning Almosafer Business with Jisr, a company focussed on leading the digital transformation of HR across Saudi Arabia, we are reaffirming our commitment to be at the forefront of driving Saudi Arabia’s digital-first agenda, while providing state-of-the-art travel management services to Jisr’s wide portfolio of clients in the Kingdom.” Mohammed Akkar, CEO of Jisr, said: “In our ongoing commitment to delivering a 360-degree comprehensive platform that empowers HR benefits and finance departments to manage all their needs in one place, we have elevated our enablement efforts and expanded our services from just handling travel requests for business trips and expats home visits to enabling HR teams and employees to directly book their preferred tickets on the same platform, through our partnership with Almosafer, the leading travel partner in the region. Our collaboration with Almosafer marks a significant step toward satisfying a critical business need across all sectors in Saudi Arabia, and offers a user-friendly solution, marking this service’s first time in the …

Strengthening its position as a global leader in smart technologies and innovation, Dubai and Abu Dhabi announced a high-speed train project between the two emirates. The project will enable seamless connectivity between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, significantly reducing travel times. It will also enhance the quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors while strengthening socioeconomic ties between the two emirates. Additionally, the high-speed train will reinforce infrastructure to drive business growth and unlock new investment opportunities across key sectors such as logistics and tourism, contributing to sustainable development for generations to come. The project further strengthens the UAE’s position as a global leader in smart transportation. By integrating cutting-edge and innovative technologies, the project elevates the nation’s transport infrastructure, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to sustainable economic growth and environmental stewardship, while contributing significantly to achieving the objectives of the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy. Under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, have witnessed the announcement of a new high-speed train project linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai, in an official ceremony organised by Etihad Rail at Al Faya Depot. H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised that this ambitious project reflects the UAE leadership’s vision to advance national infrastructure and elevate mobility services to the highest standards. He also underscored that the high-speed train aims to bolster the UAE’s global competitiveness, support sustainable …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has signed an agreement with ne’ma – the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative to promote responsible consumption across the tourism and hospitality sectors, reflecting its commitment to supporting sustainability across the emirate’s tourism, hospitality and events sectors. The agreement was signed by His Excellency Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, and Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, Chief Sustainability Officer of Emirates Foundation and Secretary-General of the ne’ma National Steering Committee. The national food loss and waste initiative is at the core of the UAE’s efforts to ensure food security and address climate change, and this collaboration aims to drive transformative change in the travel and hospitality sectors, contributing to the National Food Security Strategy 2051 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, aiming to reduce food loss and waste in the UAE by 50 percent by 2030. His Excellency Saleh Mohammed Al Geziry, said: “As Abu Dhabi continues to grow as a leading global destination, it is essential that we advance our commitment to sustainable development, establishing our emirate as a responsible hub for tourism and events. The partnership with ne’ma sets out a roadmap for meaningful action to reduce food loss and waste while creating awareness among travellers and stakeholders about responsible consumption.” As part of the agreement, DCT Abu Dhabi will encourage restaurants, hotels, and tourism establishments, to adopt sustainable practices such as portion control, menu optimisation, and creative use of surplus food; and develop educational campaigns for tourists and residents to highlight the environmental impact of food waste and the importance of responsible consumption. Khuloud Hasan Al Nuwais, said: …