Tag Archives: Doha

flynas celebrated the opening of its office in Doha recently, after operating daily flights between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to be the first low-cost operator linking the two brotherly countries. HH Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan Al-Saud, and the officials of the Qatar Tourism, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Qatar. flynas is the first low-cost carrier linking the Kingdom and Qatar with daily flights to Doha from Riyadh and Jeddah, within the expansion strategy it launched early last year under the slogan “We Connect the World to the Kingdom”, and in line with the objectives of the Saudi civil aviation strategy to reach 330 million passengers and increase the international destinations connected with the Kingdom to more than 250 destinations by 2030. The Saudi carrier started last November operating up to 6 daily flights from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to Doha, providing its guests with multiple options with the launch of the FIFA World Cup 2022 hosted by Qatar.   It is noteworthy that Flynas has reported double annual growth in operation and performance in 2022, with increasing passengers by 91% to 8.7 million, flights by 45% to 66,000, and seat capacity by 46%, in addition to launching 16 destinations and 30 routes as fleet upscaled to 43 aircraft. The success of flynas was recognised with many international awards, including Skytrax International Award as the Best Low-cost Airline in the Middle East in 2022 for the fifth year in a row. It is the highest award given in the aviation sector worldwide since its launch in 1999. flynas was also ranked among the Skytrax top 10 low-cost …

flynas, the Saudi air carrier and the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East celebrated the opening of its office in Doha on January 30, 2023, after operating daily flights between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to be the first low-cost operator linking the two brotherly countries. flynas held a press conference and a dinner party in Doha, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Qatar, HH Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan Al-Saud, and the officials of the Qatar Tourism, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Qatar. flynas is the first low-cost carrier linking the Kingdom and Qatar with daily flights to Doha from Riyadh and Jeddah, within the expansion strategy it launched early last year under the slogan “We Connect the World to the Kingdom”, and in line with the objectives of the Saudi civil aviation strategy to reach 330 million passengers and increase the international destinations connected with the Kingdom to more than 250 destinations by 2030. The Saudi carrier started last November operating up to 6 daily flights from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to Doha, providing its guests with multiple options with the launch of the FIFA World Cup 2022 hosted by Qatar. It is noteworthy that Flynas has reported double annual growth in operation and performance in 2022, with increasing passengers by 91% to 8.7 million, flights by 45% to 66,000, and seat capacity by 46%, in addition to launching 16 destinations and 30 routes as fleet upscaled to 43 aircraft. The success of flynas was recognised with many international awards, including Skytrax International Award as the …

Italian Cruise Ship, ‘Costa Toscana,’ the flagship vessel of Costa Cruises, has arrived to Doha Port today January 15, 2023, as a part of its first maiden tour of the Arabian Gulf. Offering 3 to 7-day cruise itineraries around the region, the ship can accommodate around 6,500 passengers and features its own waterpark, 13 swimming pools and hot tubs, 13 restaurants and 19 entertainment lounges.  Italian Cruise Ship, ‘Costa Toscana,’ the flagship vessel of Costa Cruises, has arrived to Doha Port today January 15, 2023, as a part of its first maiden tour of the Arabian Gulf. Offering 3 to 7-day cruise itineraries around the region, the ship can accommodate around 6,500 passengers and features its own waterpark, 13 swimming pools and hot tubs, 13 restaurants and 19 entertainment lounges. Costa Toscana makes its debut as part of Qatar Tourism’s 2022-2023 cruise season, which kicked off in December 2022 with the arrival of French cruise ship, ‘Le Bougainville,’ and runs to April 2023. The season will see a grand total of 58 world-class cruise ships and four cruise liner maiden calls make their way to Qatar. Commenting on this occasion, Maryam Saoud, Head of Tourism Product Support at Qatar Tourism, said: “Our cruise season is off to a solid start with the latest expansion in our portfolio of cruise liners a testimony to our growth and diversification. This is also an LNG-powered cruise ship to Qatar, which highlights our commitment to sustainability in the development of the cruise sector. We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors and delighting them with the warmth, hospitality and range of experiences Qatar has to offer.” Qatar’s cruise sector, which was established in 2016, …

Membership Collective Group opens its doors to The Ned Doha in Qatar, its third Ned hotel and members’ club and its first location in the Middle East. Founded in London in 2017, The Ned expanded in the summer of 2022 to include The Ned NoMad in New York, and now The Ned Doha opens in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Set over five floors in the former site of the Ministry of Interior, overlooking the Arabian Gulf and Doha’s skyline, The Ned Doha features 90 bedrooms and suites, six public restaurants, a pool and club lounge, a health club with spa, salon, and fitness center, and a new 775sqm (8,350sq ft) event space for large-scale conferences, events, and receptions. “Five years after launching The Ned in London, we are excited to open in Doha. We are really excited to occupy one of the city’s most architecturally significant buildings, comprising of a hotel, multiple restaurants and its own private members’ club” said Gareth Banner, Group Managing Director, The Ned. “We look forward to providing our guests and members with a distinct experience, welcoming them to stay, connect, eat and have a good time.” Originally designed in the 1960s by Lebanese architect William Sednaoui, the building has been redesigned by David Chipperfield Architects of London with interiors by Soho House Design. Drawing inspiration from The Ned’s original address in London, there is a live performance stage beneath an atrium surrounded by a collection of restaurants and rich green marble sourced from the Greek island of Tinos. Set across five floors and facing the Al Corniche Waterfront, the arrival experience showcases a water feature, contemporary sculptures, as well as a striking, …

The ultra-luxury Raffles Doha and luxury Fairmont Doha – which herald the entry of the aspirational Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brands to Qatar –are now open exclusively FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ guests and VIP delegation. The dual-branded five-star properties, housed within Katara towers, have welcomed their first guests while supporting the nation’s historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ by delivering exemplary service and truly exceptional experiences in both hotels. Seven outstanding food and beverage outlets and restaurants have opened to the public, four located within Raffles Doha and three in Fairmont Doha. Through advanced reservation only, non-stay guests can now book to enjoy next-generation gastronomic experiences at Raffles Doha’s Alba, which is the first overseas outpost for the celebrated restaurant by three-star Michelin chef Enrico Crippa; L’Artisan, which celebrates the art of modern dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner; Blue Cigar, a lounge which boasts 6,000 literary classics including some first edition classics as well as bespoke cigar collection; as well as Malaki Lounge, which spans the atrium lounge and ground floor and is the perfect venue for afternoon tea. Diners can head to Fairmont Doha to savour the progressive Indian cuisine at Masala Library, the concept by restaurateur, television host, and author Jiggs Kalra, and Latin American cuisine of Vaya, a vibrant restaurant with open kitchens and interactive service stations and where south American inspired dishes and drinks are prepared table-side. Guests can also choose to visit Dôme, a stylish chic Tea lounge that is the perfect place for afternoon tea and French-inspired bites and sips. Raffles Doha, an opulent 132-key ultra-luxury property and Qatar’s only all-suite hotel, offers an awe-inspiring suite experience and décor, …

NH Collection Oasis Doha Hotel announces its opening early in 2023 as the first NH Collection property to open in Qatar. The new hotel comprises 299 guest rooms and suites and is situated in a prominent beachside destination along the Qatari capital’s eastern coast, with spectacular views of the Arabian Sea and city skyline. With versatile amenities and several signature dining venues, the hotel is set to become a truly distinctive destination in Doha. The property is ideally located along Doha’s eastern coast in the Ras Abu Abboud area, midway between the city centre and Hamad International Airport, well connected to Lusail in the north and to Saudi Arabia in the west. NH Collection Oasis Doha Hotel offers easy access to city centre attractions such as Souq Waqif, local museums, Westbay and Doha Corniche. The hotel is located close to business hubs and Governmental offices such as Qatar Free Zone, the Prime Minister’s office, the Council of Ministers, Qatar Central Bank and other banking institutions. Daniel Méndez, the hotel’s General Manager commented, “NH Collection Oasis Doha Hotel is a perfect starting point to discover and explore the city. The uniqueness of the property will be brought by carefully selected team members passionate about curating extraordinary experiences for all our guests.” “The uniqueness of the property will be brought by carefully selected team members passionate about curating extraordinary experiences for all our guests” “NH Collection Oasis Doha Hotel is steeped in history and has retained its local character. With its captivating atmosphere and versatile dining and entertainment options, the new hotel will elevate the destination and add to the ever-evolving hospitality scene of Qatar,” said Mr. Darwish, Chairman of Oasis Hotels. …

Qatar Airways will be increasing passenger capacity on its flights to and from Perth. Previously operated by the Boeing B777-300ER, passengers will now have a chance to journey on board the A380, featuring a three-class configuration of seating over two decks with a dedicated onboard premium lounge. The aircraft will accommodate an additional 163 passengers daily adding up to 517 seats spread across the three cabins: eight First Class seats, 48 Business Class seats and 461 Economy Class seats. This update is part of the recent strategic partnership between Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia. This expanded codeshare significantly expands the networks, lounges and loyalty programs of both airlines, bringing substantial benefits and new destinations to travellers. Launched in September 2022, the partnership opens seamless travel to over 150 destinations across the extensive Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia networks, creating a new gateway of seamless travel between Australia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, including popular destinations such as London, Paris, Rome and Athens. Perth is one of Australia’s most cultural cities, with its origins woven into many of its landmarks. The increased capacity extends Qatar Airways’ commitment to the Australian community by providing greater opportunities for connections to many destinations in its global network. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We want to demonstrate our commitment to Australia by continuing the work we did during the pandemic to keep Australians connected. It is imperative for Australian travellers to feel welcome in our city whether they are transiting or visiting Doha. During the much anticipated FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, all flights to and from Perth will be scheduled taking into consideration football match timings …

Launching in October, Steigenberger Residence Doha will include 278 uniquely furnished apartments offering the comforts of a home and a stylish space that allows guests to relax and recharge. Guest facilities include a rooftop swimming pool, gym, yoga room, the GOCO Spa and the culinary offer of five restaurants and bars. “The Qatar hotel segments have a lot of potential as it is accessible for all key tourism source markets, and with the country preparing to host one of the world’s largest sporting events in November, we believe the opening of Steigenberger Residence Doha will be a pivotal step in our expansion journey,” Nierhaus concludes. Deutsche Hospitality continues to strengthen its foothold in the Middle East to meet the ever-growing demand for hotel rooms in the mid to upscale segment in 2022 and coming year.  The group’s regional portfolio currently comprises 23 properties in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, UAE and Egypt. Its worldwide footprint extends to more than 160 hotels across three continents.    

Royal Air Maroc will resume its services between Mohamed Fifth airport in Casablanca and Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha with one daily flight, starting from 12th September. It will operate a Boeing 787-9 which has a capacity of 302 seats, including 26 Business class seats. Royal Air Maroc’s operation to Doha was suspended since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Flights will depart from Casablanca at 14h45 arriving in DOH at 00h15 the next day and departing DOH at 02h15 arriving Casablanca at 08h10. The Chairman and CEO of Royal Air Maroc insists on “the importance of this strategic partnership which will provide our customers with more connections both to Asian destinations from the extensive network of our partner Qatar Airways, and to our African destinations”. Mr. Hamid ADDOU also indicates that “this partnership will allow us to offer additional benefits to our customers in terms of quality of travel and service on board the planes of both airlines and on the most prestigious oneworld alliance network to which we are affiliated”. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are pleased to further expand our strategic cooperation with the resumption of flights of our fellow oneworld member, Royal Air Maroc. Qatar Airways and Royal Air Maroc have enjoyed a strong relationship since 2015 that is driven by a determination to deliver a strong network. This deeper partnership further cements our commitment to our passengers as we connect them through the World’s Best Airport at Hamad International Airport. Doha is firmly positioned as a leading oneworld hub bringing more airline partners together than ever before, allowing passengers to enjoy seamless global connectivity to …

As the countdown starts for the greatest football event of the year in the region, FIFA 2022 to be held from November to December this year, the accommodation in Qatar has already been reserved. The last quarter of the year will definitely see an increase of bookings in the GCC region alone. It was stated by professionals in the travel fraternity that Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi will be looking at some increased bookings and revenue in terms of accommodation. Shantanu S. Mehta, General Manager, Orient Tours CWT M&E, UAE, Sultanate of Oman and State of Qatar reiterated, “Our partners in Doha have informed us that 80% of the accommodation inventory has been blocked by the FIFA supreme committee and the remaining 20% can be released to the general public only after every individual booking receives their approval. In order to get this approval, local travel entities need to submit the complete itinerary for every applicant including a copy of the match ticket and arrival/departure flight information. After receiving approval from the FIFA supreme committee, visitors need to apply online for a special permit called the Hayya Card which will be granted to visitors who have a confirmed match ticket and accommodation. Apparently, during the FIFA World Cup tournament only visitors with a Hayya card can enter Qatar. Both Fly Dubai/Emirates and Etihad have announced multiple daily flights between their respective hubs and Doha. Whereas Fly Dubai launched a ‘AED 975 onwards’ promotion recently, Etihad is believed to be selling at AED 3,500 plus. Etihad senior members have verbally advised that a 45-minute quick departure process from check-in to boarding is being planned for passengers without check-in luggage. Many luxury hotels in …