Category Archives: Technology

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Amadeus have announced the integration of IATA CO2 Connect’s flight-specific emissions data into the Amadeus Travel Platform, a move that enhances transparency and sustainability in air travel. Through this integration, airlines, travel agents, corporate travel managers, and online travel platforms can now access and display accurate CO2 emissions data at the point of booking. This new functionality allows travellers to make more environmentally informed decisions based on a trusted data source.  Willie Walsh, Director General, IATA, stated, “Our agreement with Amadeus will help fulfil traveller expectations for greater transparency as airlines progress towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050. IATA surveys reveal that close to 90% of passengers expect airlines or travel agents to provide carbon emission data for flights they have booked. Yet, 79% highlight that the carbon calculations provided are not always consistent. Making IATA CO2 Connect data available through the Amadeus platform will help users make more informed travel decisions using accurate emissions data.” IATA CO2 Connect leverages real-world operational data — including aircraft type-specific fuel consumption — directly provided by more than 70 global airlines. The data is calculated using a globally standardised methodology, ensuring reliability and comparability across different carriers and flight routes.

Sabre Corporation announced the renewal of its long-standing partnership with Fahad Express Travel & Tourism in Muscat, Oman. Under the renewed multi-year agreement, Fahad Express will continue using Sabre’s technology, including Sabre Red 360, Automation Hub, Automated Exchange and Refund, and Sabre APIs with E-ticket Reports to help boost its operational efficiency, unlock new revenue opportunities, and reduce costs. The agency will also retain access to Sabre’s global marketplace of over 400 airlines, 750,000 hotel properties, and hundreds of other travel providers, enabling it to deliver personalized, end-to-end travel experiences. “With the ongoing transformation of the travel landscape across the region, our focus remains firmly on enhancing the customer experience,” said Ramzi Al-Qassab, Managing Director of Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “Fahad Express is a major player in Oman’s travel industry, and we are excited that their renewed commitment reflects the trust they place in Sabre. By extending our partnership, Fahad Express is utilizing Sabre’s technology to elevate and evolve their corporate travel business towards the customer journey. We are proud to continue supporting their vision with innovative technology and consultative services.” A trusted Sabre partner for more than 13 years, Fahad Express relies on Sabre’s technology and expertise to support its day-to-day operations and future growth strategy. “We are proud to continue our partnership with Sabre, which has played a key role in our success and growth over the years,” said Juliet Irwin, General Manager, Fahad Express Travel & Tourism. “With Sabre’s ongoing support and technology, we are well-positioned to deliver even more value to our customers and advance our strategic goals.”

Wego revealed new travel insights showing a shift in Kuwaiti travellers’ preferences for summer 2025 with Munich and London emerging as the most popular. The summer travel period this year is expected to coincide with Eid al-Adha, which may further encourage outbound travel as residents take advantage of the holiday to plan extended getaways. The latest platform data shows a notable rise in international searches, especially toward destinations in Europe and Asia, with family travel seeing increased interest compared to solo trips. Kuwaiti travellers are showing strong interest in European destinations, with Munich and London emerging as the most searched cities on Wego. Among these, Milan has seen the most significant year-on-year growth, with a remarkable 66.34% increase in interest, followed by Paris at 40.17%. Other European cities also witnessed impressive growth, with Tbilisi City recording a 19.92% rise and Vienna experiencing an 8.34% increase. These destinations continue to captivate Kuwaiti travelers with their unique charm and relatively budget-friendly travel options available on Wego. Asian destinations are gaining traction among Kuwaiti travelers seeking value-driven experiences. Kuala Lumpur saw a notable 28.24% increase in searches, driven by its vibrant mix of urban excitement and family-friendly attractions. Jakarta attracted solo travelers with its affordable and immersive experiences, achieving a 22.66% growth. Meanwhile, Bangkok maintained its popularity, recording a 12.98% rise in interest, offering travelers unbeatable deals on accommodations and cuisine through Wego. Additional destinations including Manila, Cochin, Dhaka, and Colombo also ranked prominently among Wego users, with many searches attributed to expatriates planning family reunions during the school summer break. These trends reflect a purposeful approach to travel, balancing emotional ties with cost efficiency. While overall searches to MENA destinations saw mixed …

ExploreTECH and Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) announced that they have signed an agreement to make ExploreTECH’s White Label Solution available to its 45 brands around the world to help streamline and simplify hospitality tech search. ExploreTECH’s new White Label Solution offers hotel groups and global hospitality brands a customised digital marketplace that empowers them to harness the full power of its robust B2B SaaS platform — customised under their own brand. This turnkey and first of its kind solution integrates a brand’s operating tech alongside approved and preferred suppliers, delivering a personalised tech discovery and procurement experience. Mona Faraj, CEO of ExploreTECH commented: “Over the past 12 months we have built what arguably solves the biggest pain point for hotel brands and groups in hospitality technology procurement, which is to digitally manage their bespoke hotel tech stacks based on their brand standards, in one place. Our White Label Solution gives hotel teams access to the latest brand-approved tech solutions while enabling corporate IT departments to track the uptake of technologies at property level in real time. In addition, brand-approved vendors can distribute their news and product updates easily across a group’s full hotel portfolio, keeping all stakeholders up to date on the latest features and technologies available.” By adopting this solution, hotel brands can offer their hotel portfolio, franchisees, and partners a streamlined path to explore, evaluate, and procure technology — all without the complexity, cost, or resource investment required to build and maintain their own platform or marketplace. “Partnering with ExploreTECH and being selected as a launch brand for their new platform is a significant step for Global Hotel Alliance,” said Folker Heim, COO of Global Hotel Alliance. “We …

IDeaS announced the launch of IDeaS Spotlight, a first of its kind demand intelligence solution that empowers marketers to generate the right demand at the right time. Spotlight helps both single properties and portfolios to identify and act on high-value opportunities for deploying impactful, demand-generating marketing tactics informed by advanced analytics and AI. The solution brings IDeaS’ robust demand forecast and price sensitivity capabilities together to help hoteliers allocate marketing spend for the greatest impact on incremental revenue. In a time of uncertainty, rising marketing expenses, and increasing operational costs, hotel marketers are challenged to act quickly to translate every dollar spent into measurable revenue growth. Spotlight brings IDeaS’ unmatched forecasting capabilities into the mix, empowering marketers to optimize spend and unify commercial strategies, providing a vital competitive advantage. Additional key benefits of IDeaS Spotlight include: ● Translate forecast data into marketing action with a focused dashboard that automatically identifies periods of high revenue potential to help launch timely, impactful campaigns. ● Increase campaign conversion and influence guest behavior by leveraging price sensitivity signals. ● Respond faster with unparalleled foresight into future marketing opportunities. Powered by IDeaS G3 RMS’ advanced forecasting engine, Spotlight enables teams to proactively adjust strategies and take a surgical approach to demand generation. ● Spur collaborative action by streamlining communication between marketing and revenue management teams with intuitive workflows that ensure no revenue opportunity is left behind. Mike Chuma, vice president of global marketing, IDeaS, said: “For years, IDeaS solutions have served as the source of truth for future demand. With the introduction of Spotlight, hotel marketers can now drive their campaigns with that same state-of-the-art demand-driven forecasting. Spotlight is a purpose-built performance intelligence tool designed …

Sabre Corporation will showcase how its technologies are redefining the travel and hospitality landscape—across the region and around the world at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025. With Sabre and its hospitality division, Sabre Hospitality, participating in five high-impact panel sessions, the company will showcase how its technologies are redefining the travel and hospitality landscape—across the region and around the world. Reaffirming its commitment to transforming the future of travel through intelligent retailing, hyper-personalization, AI-driven innovation, and sustainable practices. As a sponsor of the ATM Future Stage for several years—ATM’s hub for travel technology thought leadership—Sabre continues to lead the industry dialogue, hosting key debates and discussions on the transformation of travel retailing, operational efficiency, and the smarter adoption of emerging technologies across airlines, hotels, and travel sellers. “ATM is a key platform for Sabre to share our vision for a smarter, more connected travel ecosystem,” said Ramzi Al Qassab, Managing Director, Sabre Travel Network Middle East. “From AI and automation to personalized offers and seamless servicing, our focus is on helping travel businesses in the region grow stronger, more agile, and be future-ready.” Among the featured sessions is “Turning Fragmentation into Opportunity for Smarter Retailing,” on Tuesday, April 29 from 15:15–16:00 at the Future Stage. Frank Trampert and Ramzi Al Qassab will be joined by senior leaders from Saudia, Jumeirah, and Almatar to discuss how the industry can overcome technology and content fragmentation. The panel will highlight how collaboration and innovation can turn complexity into opportunity—delivering seamless and connected travel experiences. “Today’s guests are no longer just booking rooms—they’re booking experiences,” said Frank Trampert, Global Managing Director, Community Sales, Sabre Hospitality. “At Sabre Hospitality, we’re empowering hoteliers to rethink …

The transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be under the spotlight at Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which takes place from 28 April to 1 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The international travel event will gather experts and thought leaders in AI from around the world to explore how AI is changing the landscape of leisure and business travel, streamlining operations and improving the customer journey. According to recent research by Statista, AI and machine learning have accounted for approximately two-thirds of global technology investment deals by travel and mobility companies since 2020. Across the travel industry, AI is being embraced at every level, from customers using AI-powered tools to plan their journeys to tourism providers leveraging AI to improve resource management and deliver more personalised guest services. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “At ATM 2025, we are thrilled to announce an exciting lineup of visionary speakers. Attendees can expect engaging discussions that delve into the latest technological advancements, ethical considerations, and real-world applications. In addition, we will showcase groundbreaking developments across the exhibition, from sophisticated booking solutions to data analysis tools that empower organisations to make informed decisions. This is an unparalleled opportunity for travel industry professionals to be at the forefront of AI and gain actionable insights that can drive business success.” On the opening day of ATM, Cassie Kozyrkov, CEO of Kozyr and a globally renowned speaker in AI, will lead an insightful session on “AI adoption: From Buzzwords to Business Strategy”, where she will outline how companies in the travel industry can identify genuine opportunities to improve their businesses. Kozyrkov will delve into why organisations struggle, uncover the biggest threats …

Amadeus announced a significant expansion of its collaboration with Omeir Travel Agency, aimed at fostering growth through productivity and advancing seamless travel solutions. The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to providing smart, personalized travel experiences, transforming how we travel over the next few years. With this renewed partnership, Omeir Travel Agency leverages Amadeus’ cutting-edge travel technology solutions to enhance its service offerings significantly for travelers’ convenience and engagement. The partnership will see the implementation of the New Distribution Capability (NDC) aggregator solution that provides Omeir with access to richer airline content and personalized booking options, as well as an easy comparison of offers and streamlined booking process across different providers. As part of the expanded agreement, Omeir will now access hotel content through Amadeus Value Hotels — a net rate program available via Amadeus Hotels API, designed to support competitive pricing and flexible travel offerings. Amadeus also supplies Omeir Travel with crucial data analytics capabilities through Agency Insight Productivity Tracker, providing the agency with access to valuable and actionable insights, empowering them in the decision-making processes. Ernesto Sánchez Beaumont, Managing Director of Amadeus Gulf, shared his enthusiasm about the partnership. “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Omeir Travel Agency, a distinguished leader in the UAE’s travel sector. This partnership is a testament to our shared vision of transforming travel through innovative technology, ensuring that we continue to meet the demands of modern travelers.” Abdulla Bin Omeir, CEO at Omeir Travel Agency, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “The extension of our partnership with Amadeus marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards delivering exceptional travel experiences. By harnessing Amadeus’ innovative technology, we are set to redefine what …

Wego announced its partnership with Waves, the innovative experience app and aggregator that seamlessly connects users with yachts and chalets. This collaboration brings an unparalleled luxury experience to travelers looking to explore coastlines, indulge in water activities, or celebrate special occasions in style. With this partnership, Wego customers can now easily book family friendly yacht trips ranging from 2 to 6 hours, accommodating an average of 25 guests for bespoke journeys across Dubai, Kuwait, Jeddah, and Qatar. Whether it’s a tranquil coastal escape, an adventurous boating experience, or an exclusive celebration, Wego and Waves together offer the perfect setting for unforgettable moments at sea. Mr. AbdulRahman AlSaadoon, CEO of Waves added: “By integrating Waves with Wego, we are bringing our world class yacht experiences to a broader audience. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to redefining travel by seamlessly connecting land and sea.” Waves has quickly established itself as a regional leader, beginning its journey in Kuwait before expanding to Qatar during the World Cup and further into Saudi Arabia and Dubai. The platform is known for its hassle-free booking experience, ensuring reliability, convenience, and premium service for all users. Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego, said: “We are excited to partner with Waves to offer our customers exclusive luxury experiences. This partnership enhances our mission of providing travelers with unique, hassle-free travel options that go beyond conventional tourism.” Through Wego’s extensive reach and seamless technology, travelers now have easier access to Waves’ fleet of luxurious yachts, making premium water experiences more accessible than ever. The collaboration aligns with both companies’ missions to enhance travel convenience and elevate experiential tourism in the region. Travelers can now access …

Riyadh Air and IBM partner to build AI-driven enterprise, to elevate guest and employee experiences. Agreement will see Riyadh Air leverage IBM watsonx and IBM Consulting solutions to drive Riyadh Air’s vision as the world’s first digital native airline. The collaboration aims to help power the Saudi Arabian airline’s mission to launch flights in 2025 while offering an elevated guest experience. IBM announced a new agreement with Riyadh Air, which will integrate watsonx, IBM’s portfolio of AI products, and IBM Consulting AI solutions to establish an enterprise-wide AI capability to elevate Riyadh Air guest and employee experiences. As Riyadh Air prepares for its inaugural flights in late 2025, the new Saudi Arabian airline sets another key building block of its journey in redefining air travel as the world’s first digital native carrier. The announcement took place at the third edition of The FII PRIORITY Miami 2025 Summit, where senior executives from both IBM and Riyadh Air, including Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer, and Mohamad Ali, SVP and Head of IBM Consulting, reaffirmed their commitment to driving innovation in the aviation sector. Building a world-class airline requires more than just aircraft and infrastructure; it demands an intelligent digital foundation that anticipates passenger needs, streamlines operations, and empowers employees. Riyadh Air is embracing this challenge by making AI the driving force behind its transformation. Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer, said: Riyadh Air is more than just an airline; it is a gateway to new opportunities for travelers from the Kingdom and beyond. As we move closer to our first flight later in 2025, our vision is to deliver a seamless, world-class travel experience by expanding our reach, pioneering innovations, and …