Tag Archives: qatar

Musafir.com inaugurated their new office in Doha, Qatar. The office was inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani, Co-founder, and Chairman of Musafir.com and a member of the Qatari House of Al Thani in presence of eminent guests from the travel fraternity. Musafir.com’s strong presence in Qatar is part of the organization’s regional growth strategy and commitment to boost travel and tourism in the country. It enables the organization to facilitate Qatar Tourism’s goal of attracting six million visitors by 2030 and raising the tourism industry’s contribution to the nation’s GDP to 10% by the same year. Musafir.com has seen two-fold growth post COVID and will invest in technology to drive seamless experiences for both leisure and corporate clients. Speaking at the opening of the office, Sheikh Al Thani said, “The new corporate office in Qatar is part of the company’s expansion within the region. The Middle East travel and tourism sector post-pandemic is gaining pace as pent- up desire to travel rekindles. Musafir.com has moved from strength to strength and this new office will help the company achieve long-term success.” The new office premises is centrally and strategically located in Al Emadi Financial Square, and includes a state-of-the-art, multilingual contact centre, which will offer Musafir.com’s customers dedicated 24 X 7 support. Sachin Gadoya, Co-founder, and CEO Musafir.com, said, “Qatar is an exciting and fast-growing travel market, and the opening of our office will allow us to better cater to the burgeoning travel and tourism demand while reinforcing our commitment to growth in the country.” With significant travel-intensive events such as the FIFA World Cup being held in Qatar, Musafir.com has plethora of exciting new offers for its customers …

According to the latest news shared by Visit Qatar, it stated that “there will be no standard visas issued for the period between 1 November 2022 and 23 January 2023. Instead you must have an approved Hayya Card to enter Qatar, which you will also need to present at the stadium along with your match ticket. Apply for your Hayya Card as soon as possible. Apart from having an approved Hayya Card, you will also need it to enter the stadiums for matches and for access to free public transport from 10 November to 23 December 2022. The Ehteraz app is a Covid-19 notification app that is mandatory when you prepare for your immigration at the airport. Your host just needs to register your stay with the Hayya portal website,” states Visit Qatar, Visit the Hayya portal for more information. TravTalk ME spoke to Ayman Al Qudwa Manager Falcon Travel Qatar for further information. He shared, “Visa requirements and Visa Procedures are a major challenge for any passenger as well as the Travel Service Provider. In Qatar we are proud that we are more modest, and we are conservative. And that’s how we respect and welcome all Fans to enjoy watching FIFA World Cup 2022, understanding, and respecting the culture in Qatar is the most important subject. Therefore, the rules and process are very systematic and simple, it is only 3 simple steps for Regional and International FANs: Buy Your Ticket Match from FIFA Official Website, buy your accommodation during your stay in Qatar, complete your Hayya Fan Card Registration and then you can finalize your travel arrangements and come to Qatar.” He further reiterated about the UAE and KSA’s …

Travelex in partnership with Hamad International Airport (HIA) announce the launch of their latest store concept in Qatar, “Mobile Foreign Exchange Stores”. Located around HIA’s Concourse C and Concourse D, the Mobile Store concept provides airport customers with the benefits of a full-fledged foreign exchange branch packaged in a movable kiosk, allowing foreign exchange services to be further embedded within the customer’s journey. This is in addition to the Travelex foreign exchange kiosks conveniently located across the airport terminal, accessible to departing, arriving and transferring passengers. At the launch of the Mobile Stores, Travelex’s Commercial Director for the Middle East & Turkey, Mr. Batu Dölay, stated: “Launching Mobile Stores in Qatar is a key milestone in the partnership between Travelex and HIA. As the World’s Best Airport, we know HIA expects retailers to bring only the best for their customers and our Mobile Stores provide an elegant option for Travelex to ensure our services are consistently available to passengers regardless of their journey through the terminal.” Ms. Sujata Suri, VP Strategy & Commercial Development, HIA said: “As Hamad International Airport proudly caters to millions of its passengers from across the world, it is our responsibility to be perceptive and anticipate our passengers’ need for convenience and consistency in service. HIA therefore forms strategic partnerships with service providers like Travelex, which caters to ever-evolving customer needs.  Travelex has been an airport partner for 10 years, since its operations at Doha International Airport, consistently providing its services to our passengers. Its latest concept store provides mobility and flexibility using innovation in forex services.”

Minor Hotels is pleased to announce the signing of an upcoming addition to its portfolio in Qatar. NH Collection Doha Oasis Hotel & Beach Club is slated to open in mid-2022 and will be the first NH Collection property globally with a beach club. The hotel is currently in the later stages of development and is located in the Ras Abu Abboud area along Doha’s eastern coast, midway between the city centre and Hamad International Airport. The previous Oasis Hotel, from where the new property takes its name, was in the same location and was Doha’s first ever hotel when it opened in the 1950’s. The hotel has a rich history and was a prominent destination for local Qataris, residents and state visitors, with many celebrations and official events having taken place there. The fully redeveloped hotel will have a total of 300 guest rooms, across a mix of Superior and Deluxe Rooms and over 50 suites, all with a design blending modern and classical elegance. The suites will include six 156 square metre Emiri Suites, a 193 square metre Presidential Suite and an impressive Royal Duplex Suite, offering 332 square metres of luxurious space. The F&B offering will be very strong, with six restaurants and bars, including two specialty restaurants and a rooftop bar. Additional facilities will include both male and female spas and gyms, a large ballroom totalling 1,200 square metres and divisible by two, and a mezzanine level with additional meeting rooms, a business centre and supporting conference space. The new hotel will also have a beach club with a swimming pool set amidst gardens and padel tennis courts, plus substantial parking. This will be the first …

Marriott Executive Apartments, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 leading brands, has announced its debut in Qatar with the opening of Marriott Executive Apartments City Center Doha. Owned by Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC), the elevated serviced apartments answer to the rapidly growing demand for longer stay accommodations which offer a sophisticated experience with amenities and services that mirror the comforts of home. “We are pleased to build on our fantastic relationship with ARTIC and open the first Marriott Executive Apartments in Qatar. With the current trend for ‘bleisure’ travel, we believe this opening will cater for guests looking to mix business and leisure travel by creating a ‘home from home’ feeling for their longer stay,” said Safak Guvenc, Area Vice President, Gulf, Levant and Turkey, Marriott International. “This opening reflects ARTIC’s investment strategy focused on high-quality hospitality assets in premium destinations that enable us to create significant additional value through redevelopment, rebranding, or reformatting in partnership with leading global operators like Marriott International. Marriott Executive Apartments City Center Doha enhances our extended stay and serviced apartment offering and underlines our commitment to providing a full range of accommodation at the highest quality and standards of service. This is one of six properties in Qatar that we plan to launch with Marriott International this year, as we continue to balance our growing portfolio of operating assets with a healthy future project pipeline and contribute to the continuing expansion and range of Qatar’s hospitality sector in the process,” said Tarek El Sayed, CEO and Managing Director, ARTIC. “We are excited to welcome guests to enjoy a premium and trusted home-away-from-home experience at Marriott Executive Apartments in Doha. Our team …

flydubai announced the resumption of flights to Qatar. A double daily service from Dubai International (DXB) to Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) will start from 26 January.Commenting on the announcement, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “with today’s announcement we see the flydubai network grow to 64 destinations.  Flights to Doha will start from 26 January and to meet expected demand we are pleased to launch operations with a double daily service.  We hope to be able to continue to grow the service.” Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) at flydubai, said: “flydubai offers convenient and reliable travel services between both countries.  Passengers have the opportunity to choose how they would like to travel whether it is in the comfort of Business Class or a customised experience in Economy Class. Tickets are available to book today on flydubai.com.” Passengers will have the option to experience Business Class enjoying space and privacy in the cabin, a comfortable spacious seat, inflight entertainment with films and TV shows available to watch and a range of delicious snacks and complimentary hot and cold beverages.Passengers travelling in Economy Class will enjoy a Recaro designed seat offering optimal levels of space and comfort in the air. flydubai continues to roll-out WiFi across its fleet enabling passengers to stay connected during their flight and can browse the web, send emails, use social networks and get the latest news. Passengers are able to choose between bundled (Flex/Value) or unbundled (Lite) fares depending on their travel needs.

General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced reopening of airspace and resuming of air traffic between the UAE and the State of Qatar, following the signing of the Al-Ula Declaration, which includes an agreement for permanent solidarity. The GCAA said that it will resume scheduled and unscheduled flights between the two countries, in coordination with the civil aviation authorities and national carriers in the UAE. Khalid Abdullah Belhoul, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, announced that the UAE will begin to end all measures taken against the State of Qatar according to the statement issued on June 5, 2017, following the signing of the Al-Ula Declaration. The Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation noted that the Al-Ula Declaration, and the associated permanent agreement of GCC solidarity, is considered a Gulf and Arab achievement that promotes and bolsters the cohesion of the GCC, Arab and Islamic unity. He indicated that the UAE will work to re-open all land, sea and air ports for inbound and outbound movement, and that all relevant authorities in the UAE have been notified of these measures which will go into effect as of 9 January. He added the UAE will work with the State of Qatar to resolve all other outstanding issues through bilateral talks.

Saudi and Qatar reached an agreement to reopen air space and land and sea borders between the two countries. According to the statement on state TV Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Ahmad Al Sabah said the desire for unity and reunification was emphasised during a phone call between Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Based on a proposal by Sheikh Nawaf, it was agreed that the borders between Saudi Arabia and Qatar would be reopened. Nayef Al Hajraf, Secretary General of the GCC, said the agreement to reopen borders between Saudi and Qatar was “a reflection of sincere efforts being made to ensure the success of tomorrow’s summit across all areas, despite the exceptional circumstances created by the pandemic”. “Today’s announcement once again proves that the GCC embodies a deep-rooted partnership that consistently overcomes challenges while advancing the interests of the GCC people thanks to the leadership and wisdom of its leaders,” Al Hajraf said. The UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, said the summit would be an historic event through which Gulf cohesion would be restored. “We are keen to ensure that the security, stability and prosperity of our countries and peoples are the first priority,” Dr Gargash said. “We have more work [to do] and we are [going] in the right direction.”

Azerbaijan has simplified its visa process by granting it online for citizens of 93 countries. Travellers will now be able to obtain visas to Azerbaijan within three hours, be it a weekend or a holiday. “This resolution will increase the tourists flow to the country not only for the beautiful autumn season but also for the rest of the year.” Rashid AL Noori, Chairman, Representative Office of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan in GCC Chairman said. He noted that the influx of tourists to Azerbaijan increased by 15 -20 percent this summer, compared to the same period of last year. Arab tourists take the first position among tourists visiting Azerbaijan, followed by travelers from Russia. In July only, 330,000 people visited the country, and we anticipate that the figure will go up significantly, considering we have direct flights from Kuwait, Qatar and Dubai and we expect to inaugurate direct flights from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia to Baku soon.” The decision comes as a positive gift to the visitors in GCC who love the country for its proximity and wish to visit more often on different purposes beyond its exquisite nature and Culture.

Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways have all been cleared to allow customers to bring electronic devices, including laptops, tablets and e-readers, on flights from the Middle East into the United States. The ban on electronic devices that was implemented on ME flights travelling to the United States since March 25, 2017 ended on July 5, 2017.