Tag Archives: UAE

Cebu Pacific  hosted a thanksgiving dinner for their travel agency partners and Philippine government officials in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to celebrate the airline’s 10 years in Dubai. The event, held at Doubletree by Hilton M Square, is a celebration of CEB’s long-standing history of servicing the Dubai-Manila route and its partnership with the travel trade. It is also CEB’s way of expressing gratitude to its travel partners and Philippine government stakeholders for their support in the last 10 years. Philippine Consul General to Dubai Renato Dueñas Jr. graced the event along with representatives from the Al Rais Travel & Shipping Agencies LLC, and CEB’s General Sales Agent in Dubai and Northern Emirates. CEB flew its maiden Dubai-Manila flight on October 7, 2013, making it the airline’s first ever long-haul flight. It was also the first local carrier to land in Dubai in 15 years. “Cebu Pacific remains committed to continuously provide our kababayans in the UAE the easiest and fastest connectivity to the Philippines, and link tourists from all over the world to the best destinations in our country,” said Xander Lao, CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer. Arlene Tena, CEB Director for Passenger Sales and Distribution, recalled how the airline’s operation in Dubai has helped thousands of Filipinos to find greater pastures in the UAE and be reunited with their families and loved ones in the Philippines. “Indeed, Dubai holds a special place in our hearts. It is a city that embodies the spirit of adventure and the pursuit of dreams, and Cebu Pacific is proud to be a bridge that connects people to our beautiful homeland,” Tena said. CEB currently flies twice daily between Dubai and …

Visa and Etihad Guest have renewed their exclusive cobrand deal in the UAE for another 7 years. This partnership enables Etihad Guest to further grow its’ cobrand card portfolio with key financial partners in the UAE and drive innovation in the country’s payment ecosystem. Visa’s global platform, digital first approach, and unmatched card benefits will further augment the growth of the Etihad Guest programme. As global and UAE travel trends continue to be on the rise, this partnership will further provide Etihad Guest customers with market leading customer value propositions including a secure payment product with benefits of earning miles and enjoying rewards such as global lounge access. At the same time, cardholders benefit from convenient services like concierge and insurance. Etihad boasts six banking partnerships in the UAE which are enabled through its cobrand partnership with Visa. As a result, Etihad Guest cobrand cardholders can earn rewards through everyday spending on their credit cards, making travel even more attractive. The partnership complements Etihad’s current growth journey as the airline continues to expand its network, offering Etihad Guest members an even greater choice of destinations when spending their rewards. Arik De, Chief Revenue Officer, Etihad, said: “With more than 9 million members globally, the Etihad Guest programme offers our members and guests a richly rewarding travel and lifestyle experience. As two leading and trusted global brands, we’re proud to renew our exclusive partnership with Visa, giving us further ability to enhance and evolve the Etihad Guest programme for our members in the UAE both locally and as they travel the world with Etihad. These are part of the exciting array of offerings we are adding as we further cement Etihad …

In its latest campaign, Air India announced that it flies 79 times a week between the UAE and India. Apart from that a special promotional fare of AED 1430 (T’s & C’s apply)  on business class between the UAE and India on their latest dreamliner jets is the second campaign this week. There are several options travellers can pick from earning double frequent points to enjoying special fares on the UAE – India route. With its latest strategies Air India will continue its timeless hospitality with seamless connectivity and immersive experiences to all its passengers.  

Holiday Inn Dubai Business Bay will be the first in the UAE to bring to life the brand defining Open Lobby concept, which transforms the traditional hotel lobby into a flexible space, where the guests can connect, relax, socialise or work their way. IHG Hotels & Resorts will launch, by quarter four 2023, a new stylish dual-branded property in Dubai’s Business Bay. Located a short distance from key tourist and business spots, this cluster of hotels will offer modern and comfortable accommodations for travellers enjoying a short or longer stay in Dubai.The hotel will feature 275 rooms, modern meeting and recreational facilities including a fitness centre and an outdoor pool.  The naturally lit meeting and event spaces will offer state of the art technology with a capacity for up to 100 guests. The new Holiday Inn hotel will bring to Business Bay two new dining venues, a Mexican eatery, La Plancha – Terraza Mexicana, and a chic modern European restaurant and bar, Brasserie on One. It will embody all of its hallmarks, which our guests know and love us for including the brand’s signature “Kids Stay and Eat Free” program. The thoughtfully designed guest rooms will offer best in class features including a 55-Inch smart TV, contemporary furnishings, and high-quality bedding. Staybridge Suites is IHG’s upscale extended stay hotel brand that offers an elevated, residential-style hotel. The new hotel, Staybridge Suites Dubai Business Bay will offer 120 suites with options of studio, one, and two-bedroom suites to cater to varying guest needs. The all-suite hotel is perfectly designed to meet the needs of extended-stay travellers who seek a sense of community and home like warmth when traveling for days, weeks, …

Despite the widespread adoption of Airline Loyalty Programs (ALP), the results of the recent survey reveal passengers feel unable to make the most of them with over half (58%) unsure where they can redeem points and 64% unaware of the value of their points in the UAE and Singapore. A survey was conducted online by YouGov. The study polled 1500 travellers from Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore who have travelled by air in the last 18 months. In Dubai there is a high adoption of loyalty programs in general, with more than half of respondents here already a member of airline loyalty programs. More travellers prefer travelling for leisure with family/partners/alone. This market shows the highest willingness for ALP among the non-members, however, has the lowest awareness of the redemption process. There is a high adoption of loyalty programs in Dubai, with more than half of respondents are already a member of an ALP – with respondents citing class upgrades, discounts on travel experiences and exclusive lounge access as the most appealing elements of an ALP. However, of the markets surveyed, Dubai travellers were the least aware of the redemption process. Conversely, in Dubai non-members were the most willing to try an ALP. Infrequent flying and insufficient knowledge of ALP benefits were the top barriers to membership. Free seat reservation and great customer experience were deemed to be the main motivating factors to join. Overall, more than half of respondents said they are looking for more customised experiences – in particular flexible bookings, access to travel documentation and additional discounts. Almost six in ten (58%) agreed they are more likely to buy additional services from an airline when targeted with …

His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Head of the Emirates Tourism Council, emphasised the UAE’s commitment, under the guidance and vision of its wise leadership, to actively support global endeavors in promoting sustainable tourism. HE further highlighted the UAE’s dedication to contributing to initiatives that foster the formulation of sustainable tourism policies, facilitating the growth of international tourism. HE Bin Touq made these remarks during his participation in the G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting 2023, which was attended by over 20 decision-makers in the global tourism industry recently in Goa, India. HE asserted the significance of collaborative endeavors and proactive measures to propel the regional and global tourism sector in a way that supports achieving comprehensive economic and social development in line with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals. The G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting discussed several tourism topics and agendas related to tourism. One significant focus was on promoting sustainability in the tourism industry and harnessing the possibilities presented by digital transformation and smart applications, especially in the realm of tourism services. Additionally, the meeting addressed strategies for enhancing the tourism sector and making it appealing to global talent, especially through the development of innovative tourism products. The participants emphasised the necessity of fostering a supportive environment that embraces small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within the tourism sector. In his speech at the meeting, HE Bin Touq said: “In the present era, the development of the tourism sector heavily relies on sustainability, given the prevailing environmental and social circumstances. It has become crucial to raise awareness about the significance of sustainable tourism through the implementation of legislation and policies that safeguard natural resources, cultural heritage, and …

Massar Solutions (Massar) based in the United Arab Emirates, opened its first office in Saudi Arabia. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in Massar’s ongoing expansion across the Middle East, as it aims to become the largest vehicle leasing and mobility group in the region. With its deep expertise in mobility solutions, Massar Solutions has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses and individuals seeking reliable and efficient automotive services. The decision to expand into Riyadh aligns perfectly with Massar’s vision of providing comprehensive vehicle leasing, rental, passenger transport, logistics, and automotive technologies to corporate, government, and consumer markets throughout the Middle East. Massar is thrilled to reveal that it has already secured its first strategic customer account for vehicle leasing in Saudi Arabia, partnering with a large well-known entity. This collaboration demonstrates the diverse range of industries that can benefit from Massar’s flexible and tailored mobility solutions. Richard Sikkel, CEO of Massar Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm for the company’s expansion strategy, saying, “We are extremely proud to establish our presence in Riyadh, a city known for its vibrant business environment and dynamic market. This step solidifies Massar’s commitment to providing cutting-edge mobility services to the Middle Eastern region. By leveraging our significant market experience, we are poised to introduce leading solutions that will revolutionize the way individuals and businesses approach mobility in the Kingdom.” Mr. Eric van Vliet, Managing Director of Saudi Arabia, commented, “The opening of our office in Saudi Arabia represents a significant milestone for Massar Solutions in the Middle East. We are excited to bring our extensive range of mobility solutions to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we look forward to partnering with …

According to musafir.com, this summer around 50% of UAE residents are focusing on leisure holidays, while 25% are considering combining leisure travels with a visit to their home country, and 25% will be visiting their home countries. Despite the summer being a time when residents often visit their home countries, it does not deter them from planning leisure trips this year. Many individuals are also opting for two breaks: a short one for the upcoming Eid Al-Adha break at the end of June, followed by a longer one in July or August. There has been a significant increase in the demand for group tours and holiday packages during the upcoming Eid Al-Adha holidays. Compared to the Eid-Al-Fitr break, demand has risen by 47%, and it has surged by 35% compared to last year’s Eid-Al-Adha. This year, with Eid Al-Adha and the school summer holidays coinciding, more people are planning longer vacations. Leisure travelers prefer group departures due to well-designed itineraries, value-for-money deals, direct flights, visa assistance, and hassle-free booking. Taking advantage of their annual leave, people combine these long breaks to enjoy extended vacations. When it comes to exploring new places, travelers prefer visa-hassle-free destinations such as Kenya, Thailand, Singapore, and countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) like Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Another emerging trend is the preference for combo deals, where neighbouring countries or different locations within the same country can be visited together. Popular choices include Singapore-Malaysia, Bangkok-Pattaya, Switzerland-Paris or Italy, and Georgia-Armenia or Azerbaijan. Raheesh Babu, COO of Musafir.com said, “There is a significant increase in travel inquiries for European countries, with an expected 30% of leisure travelers heading to Europe. Switzerland, France, …

The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2023 Economic Impact Research (EIR) today reveals the UAE travel & tourism sector is projected to meet the 2019 peak this year. The sector is set to contribute AED 180.6 billion to the UAE economy by the end of 2023, almost matching the 2019 high AED 183.4 billion, only 1.5% behind pre-pandemic levels. This represents nearly 10% of the total economy. WTTC is also forecasting that the sector will create nearly 7,000 jobs this year, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 745,100, to reach more than 758,000 employed by travel & tourism. Last year, the travel & tourism sector’s GDP contribution grew more than 60% to reach nearly AED 167 billion, representing 9% of the country’s economy. The sector also created more than 89,000 more jobs from the previous year to reach more than 751,000 jobs nationally, surpassing 2019 levels by an additional 6,000 jobs. 2022 saw the return of international travellers to the UAE, with India (13%), Oman (8%), Saudi Arabia (8%), and UK (7%) leading as source markets for international arrivals. According to the data, in 2022, international visitors contributed AED 117.6 billion to the national economy, representing a year-on-year growth of 65.3%, although 19% behind 2019 levels. In terms of domestic spend, 2022 saw a 35.7% year-on-year jump, reaching AED 46.9 billion, 10.6% above its pre-pandemic counterpart. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The national Travel & Tourism sector is recovering at a rapid pace, proving the UAE continues to grow in popularity amongst international travellers. The UAE is home to one of the world’s busiest and successful airports, Dubai International, which acts as a gateway to the Middle East. “The …

GCC-based travel conglomerate Kanoo Travel and premium destination management company Desert Adventures Tourism have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a joint venture in Saudi Arabia at Arabian Travel Market 2023. The collaboration brings together two of the largest and most reputable travel trade organisations in the Middle East, aiming to create the most comprehensive destination services company in the region. The joint venture marks a significant milestone in both companies’ history as they combine their expertise, resources, and capabilities to provide travellers with unparalleled travel experiences in Saudi Arabia. Desert Adventures Tourism, managed by Thomas Cook India Group and wholly owned by Fairfax Financial Holdings Canada, has been a leading company and partner of choice for many worldwide tour operators with 25 years of experience in destination management in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Oman. The company has developed a reputation for providing stability, consistency, and quality of service that its partners have come to trust. Kanoo Travel, an esteemed travel company with a legacy spanning over eight decades, offers the most comprehensive and reliable travel solutions. With a focus on corporate travel, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE), leisure and holiday travel, airline representation, and marine travel, Kanoo Travel has established itself as a leader in the travel industry. The company’s commitment to delivering exceptional solutions and services has been consistently acknowledged, resulting in numerous regional industry awards. Peter Payet, CEO of Desert Adventures, expressed excitement about the new venture, saying, “We are delighted to partner with Kanoo Travel to provide the most comprehensive destination services in Saudi Arabia. With their extensive local knowledge and resources and our international expertise, we are confident that this …