Tag Archives: UAE

Air Arabia has announced the launch of a new direct route connecting Sharjah to Sochi, Russia. This latest addition to Air Arabia’s growing network will begin operations on June 27, 2025, with three weekly flights between Sharjah International Airport and Sochi International Airport.  Sochi marks the sixth Russian destination served by Air Arabia from Sharjah, joining Moscow, Kazan, Samara, Ufa, and Yekaterinburg. The airline also operates non-stop services from its UAE hubs in Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi, strengthening ties between the two nations and promoting tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. With a modern fleet of 79 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, Air Arabia offers passengers a top-tier experience, including free in-flight streaming with ‘SkyTime,’ affordable catering through ‘SkyCafe,’ and access to the ‘Air Rewards’ loyalty program for earning and redeeming points.  Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: ” We are delighted to announce the launch of our new route to Sochi, further expanding our presence in Russia and reinforcing the strong ties between the UAE and Russia. This new connection reflects our commitment to providing customers with more travel options and contributing to the growth of tourism and trade between the two countries. We look forward to welcoming customers onboard this exciting new service.” Travelers can now book flights from Sharjah to Sochi through Air Arabia’s website, call center, or travel agencies.

Minor Hotels is breaking new ground in the Middle East with a collection of luxurious branded residences in the UAE, Oman and Bahrain.  As one of the pioneering forces behind the branded residences concept, Minor Hotels introduced this model in Thailand in the late ‘90s and has since expanded this luxury offering internationally. Building on its strong hotel heritage, Minor Hotels seeks to meet the increasing demand for premium lifestyle residences across the GCC. By embedding the exceptional service standards and luxury offerings of its world-class hospitality brands into these upscale homes, Minor Hotels is not only delivering elevated living experiences but also positioning the Middle East as a global destination for discerning buyers. Key Developments: • Anantara Mina Al Arab, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE Recently announced as part of Minor Hotels’ partnership with RAK Properties, Ras Al Khaimah’s leading property developer, Anantara Mina Al Arab Residences will represent a new chapter in luxury coastal living for the emirate with 94 residential apartments and 20 overwater villas. JT&P will spearhead the design process integrating traditional Thai features into sustainable developments that blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Residents will relish world-class amenities and direct access to pristine beachfront and lush mangroves while enjoying the comfort and hospitality of Anantara’s signature style. • Anantara Sharjah, UAE Announced in May 2024 and slated to open in 2027, this 100-key collection will be set within the grounds of the upcoming Anantara Sharjah Resort. Offering fully furnished residences designed to established Anantara styles and standards, these striking smart homes feature incredible views across the Arabian Gulf and UAE skyline plus access to the five-star facilities and services of the adjoining hotel. • Tivoli Muscat …

marhaba has seen the biggest, 65% growth in passengers travelling to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, demonstrating a solid demand from business travellers this year. marhaba is gearing up to assist a record 500,000 travellers at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) airports this festive season, offering a range of convenient services to ease their journeys*. Jaffar Dawood, dnata’s Divisional Senior Vice President, UAE Airport Operations, said: “As more travellers head home or embark on holiday trips this festive season, demand for seamless airport services continues to rise. Whether reuniting with loved ones or heading off on new adventures, our marhaba team is here to make every journey smoother and more enjoyable with our range of personalised services. Our helpful agents look forward to contributing to a memorable experience for both leisure and business travellers, at every stage of their journey.” In 2024, marhaba has experienced a significant surge in demand for its premium airport hospitality services, with passengers from the UAE, UK, India and USA leading the way in enhancing their airport journeys. Key highlights include a 43% increase in USA passengers choosing marhaba’s Meet & Greet, Lounge, and Chauffeur Services, reflecting a growing preference for convenience among long-haul travellers who prioritise time and comfort. marhaba’s personalised approach to hospitality also continues to resonate with elderly passengers and families, particularly among UAE customers travelling in large groups. marhaba’s services are often booked by relatives eager to provide their loved ones with a smooth airport experience. Key markets for such bookings include India with over 20,000 passengers taking advantage of marhaba’s services every month. marhaba’s services are designed to offer maximum convenience …

Etihad Airways celebrated the launch of its new service to Nairobi marking the airline’s latest milestone in a remarkable year of network expansion. Operating through the state-of-the-art Zayed International Airport, the service creates a vital connection between the UAE’s capital and one of Africa’s most dynamic cities. “The introduction of our Nairobi service enhances our growing network while responding to strong travel demand between the UAE and Kenya, as demonstrated by today’s completely full inaugural flight,” said Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways. “As both Abu Dhabi and Kenya experience remarkable tourism growth and set ambitious targets for the future, this route creates valuable opportunities for both destinations. The service strengthens the important ties between our regions, supporting Abu Dhabi’s position as a global aviation hub while providing enhanced access to Kenya’s thriving tourism market.” The launch comes at a significant time for Kenya’s tourism sector. With visitor numbers expected to reach 3 million in 2024 and targets of 5 million visitors in the coming years, Kenya’s tourism industry is on a strong growth trajectory. The Nairobi launch follows the successful introduction of services to Antalya, Bali, Boston, Jaipur, Kozhikode, Mykonos, Nice, Qassim, and Thiruvananthapuram in 2024. Looking ahead to 2025, Etihad will continue its expansion with thirteen new destinations: Warsaw and Prague in June; Al Alamein and Atlanta in July; Taipei in September; Medan, Phnom Penh, and Krabi in October; and Tunis, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Hanoi, and Algiers in November. The Abu Dhabi-Nairobi route connects two destinations known for their distinctive offerings. Abu Dhabi welcomes visitors with its blend of modern attractions and rich heritage, from the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to the Louvre Abu …

FITUR 2025, taking place from 22 to 26 January, organised by IFEMA MADRID, will be highlighting the strong tourism potential between Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where around ten companies will be exhibiting their tourism offers at the trade fair, mainly tour operators and Dubai’s iconic Atlantis Hotel, among others. The recovery of the Persian Gulf has been faster and stronger than that of other markets, with an economy that is growing above the OECD average and with higher spending and disposable income per consumer. Thus, the tourism sector in both territories has significant potential for developing specialised products. Spain experienced a record year for tourism in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region in 2023 with unprecedented growth in both the number of travellers and tourism expenditure. The total number of GCC residents visiting Spain in 2023 reached 434,000, 33% more than in 2022, with an average stay of 8.6 days. Specifically, visitors from the UAE totalled more than 140,000 and spending grew by 37.8%, with an average spend of 2,668 euros, 26% more than in 2022. According to industry sources, around 200,000 Spanish tourists visit Dubai every year. In 2023, tourists from the Gulf region spent more than 1.138 billion euros in Spain, 64.7% more than in 2022, according to Turespaña estimates based on INE data (Frontur and Egatur). These travellers are considered as “large consumers”, with spending well above their European counterparts. Connectivity with Spain is very good and airlines have increased in all the countries of the Persian Gulf, both in terms of frequency and new routes. In the forecasts for flights from the UAE between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2025, capacity to Spain has …

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has opened an expanded office in Abu Dhabi featuring a new training center. This demonstrates IATA’s commitment to supporting the Middle East’s growing aviation sector and fostering the next generation of industry professionals. Taking advantage of the UAE’s strategic location and excellent connectivity, IATA’s Abu Dhabi office will provide services to airlines, trainees, strategic partners and governments in the Middle East and beyond. His Excellency (H.E.) Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) General Civil Aviation Authority, officially opened the facility, joined by the first cohort of trainees and IATA representatives. “The expansion of IATA’s presence in the UAE with a new training center reinforces the country’s position as a global aviation hub. Having a key international organization like IATA expand its footprint here also demonstrates the attractiveness of Abu Dhabi and its value proposition as a preferred destination for global organizations,” said H.E. Al Suwaidi. “We are proud to expand our presence in the UAE, with our office in Abu Dhabi. Over the past 18 Months our team in Abu Dhabi has grown by 140%. By expanding our physical presence in this global aviation hub, we will be able to support our airline members, trainees from across the aviation value chain and the industry’s many stakeholders more efficiently. Our aim is to facilitate the further successful growth of the region’s aviation sector, which is a strategic contributor to the region’s social and economic development,” said Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East. As the global aviation sector expands, there is a growing need for highly skilled aviation professionals. IATA’s new training center in Abu …

According to the latest report from Skyscanner ahead of the Oman national day long weekend it was revealed that India emerged as the top destination country, with Mumbai leading as the most popular city. This trend is driven by the strong cultural and familial ties between Oman and India, as well as the diverse attractions that Mumbai offers. Oman itself ranked second, with Muscat being a favored destination, reflecting the growing interest in domestic travel and the rich cultural heritage of the capital city. The UAE, particularly the city of Dubai, continues to attract travelers from Oman due to its proximity and the allure of its luxury shopping, entertainment, and modern architecture. Thailand, with Phuket as a key destination, appeals to travelers seeking exotic beaches and vibrant street life. Türkiye and Egypt, with Istanbul and Cairo respectively, are seeing increased interest for their historical sites and unique cultural experiences. Italy and the United Kingdom round out the top ten, being perennial favorites for their rich history and cultural offerings. Based on the orders of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Wednesday and Thursday, November 20-21, 2024, have been declared official holidays for public and private sector employees to commemorate the 54th National Day. The data, collected from January 1, 2024, to November 1, 2024, highlights the most popular destinations and significant year-over-year (YoY) increases in search and redirect volumes, providing valuable insights for travelers planning their holiday getaways. Emerging travel hotspots with remarkable YoY search increases include Giza (1241%), driven by its iconic pyramids and historical significance, and Mopa (369%), likely due to new travel routes and increased accessibility. Yangon (268%) and Pristina (220%) are gaining popularity for their unique …

Rotana announced plans to open Bloom Arjaan by Rotana on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, and Yasmina Rayhaan by Rotana in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), in 2025. The latter will contribute to Rotana’s goal of tripling its current key count in the Kingdom to 6,000 over the next three years. In addition, work is also underway on another six Edge by Rotana properties in the MENAT region. Launched as a new brand in 2022, Rotana currently operates seven Edge by Rotana properties in the UAE and KSA, with plans on track to reach a target of operating 30 Edge by Rotana properties across the region by 2027. Rotana unveils its ambitious regional and international expansion plans at the World Travel Market (WTM) London. Driving the group’s global expansion is the development of 43 new properties in 24 cities in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Türkiye. The new properties will add 9,049 rooms to Rotana’s inventory, taking its total keys to 30,301 globally. Commenting on Rotana’s expansion plans, Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana, said: “Rotana’s ambitious development plans underscore our commitment to expediting growth in the sector and developing offerings to suit ever-changing customer demand. Drawing on our rich heritage, we look forward to welcoming more guests to Rotana properties across the globe soon to experience our signature hospitality offering and enjoy moments of treasured times.”  

Hamad International Airport (DOH) has reported serving 13.7 million passengers in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, reflecting a robust 7.9 per cent growth compared to the same period last year. Point-to-point traffic also experienced growth by 11.7 per cent, contributing to the airport’s overall performance. The passenger traffic growth was driven by strong demand for air travel, with July marking the airport’s busiest month ever, handling 4,742,068 passengers followed by 4,717,885 passengers in August and 4,246,742 in September. In the Middle East, the key growth countries were Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain while in Europe, the growth was led by Spain, United Kingdom and Germany. China market grew by over 43 per cent compared to the previous year. The number of aircraft movements at Hamad International Airport reached 71,425 during Q3 2024, which is 6.2 per cent more that the same period in the previous year. This included 24,179 take-offs and landings in July, 24,329 in August, and 22,917 in September. This strong performance highlights the airport’s growing role as a major global aviation hub, handling increased volumes of air traffic with efficiency and precision.

The National Aquarium, located at Al Qana, is thrilled to announce a spectacular Diwali celebration, presented by ‘Mermaids of Arabia.’ For the first time in the UAE, the event will feature ‘Hydroman’, the Guinness World Record-holding underwater dancer. From October 31st to November 3rd, visitors will have the unique opportunity to witness a mesmerizing underwater dance and acrobatic performance. Designed to enchant audiences of all ages, this Diwali celebration features a breathtaking underwater spectacle that combines artistry and acrobatics. It’s a one-of-a-kind event where families and friends can come together to share in the festive spirit, creating joyful memories in a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. The National Aquarium offers visitors a blend of entertainment, education, and adventure. Home to a diverse array of marine life and engaging exhibits, the Aquarium invites families and the local community to explore the wonders of the underwater world through unique experiences that create lasting memories. With immersive displays and interactive activities, it stands out as a top choice for those seeking memorable outings, making it a must-visit destination.