Travelex has partnered with Heathrow to provide a convenient way for VAT refund to the travellers reclaiming their tax when leaving the UK. Customers flying from Heathrow Terminal 5 can now book appointments for a fast, efficient VAT refund process at a time convenient to them. The VAT Refund by Appointment service offers one-to-one consultations at a screened desk within the VAT refund appointment office, with no waiting time – all appointments at a fixed time arranged in advance; meet-and-greet welcome at the door; help with form filling, if needed; English, Arabic and Chinese speaking hosts (subject to availability) and personal reminder by phone 24 hours before the appointed time (where possible). John Rayment, UK Commercial Director, Travelex, explains, “Tax-free shopping is one of the great benefits of coming to the UK. But we recognise that our customer’s time is precious. This new, exclusive experience will ensure customers can complete their VAT Refund in a relaxed environment, with the assurance that it will be completed in a timely fashion.”

The German airline Hahn Air announced the start of an interline partnership with Mauritania Airlines International. This agreement enables the national flag carrier of Mauritania to tap into new markets where they are not a member of the local Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP). Thereby, Mauritania Airlines International expands its commercial reach to over 100,000 travel agencies in 190 markets worldwide while its flights are now available on the HR-169 ticket in the Global Distribution Systems (GDSs) Amadeus and Galileo. Steve Knackstedt, Vice President of the Airline Business Group at Hahn Air, said, “We are proud to welcome Mauritania Airlines International into our network of partner carriers, further broadening our presence in the African market with now 49 partners connecting destinations across all 54 countries on the continent. Under the agreement, Mauritania International Airlines will benefit from additional ticket sales and our travel agent partners will have access to yet another carrier whose tickets they would normally not be able to issue.”

Tink Labs Limited has appointed a GCC Management Team to drive the rollout of its mobile travel solution ‘handy’ across the region. ‘handy’ is an innovative smartphone provided as a complimentary amenity in partner hotel rooms. It integrates the hotel services as well as offers travellers unlimited connectivity on the go, free-of-charge international calls and tailored travel guides. Heading the management team is Sverre Christiansen, who joins here as General Manager – GCC, Tink Labs Limited. Talking about the product, Christiansen explains, “handy not only helps hotels with providing their guests with a device that assists them in travelling across new destinations through tailored city guides but also in extending their in-house marketing and concierge facilities via an easy-to-use smartphone. Moreover, available with pre-installed mobile applications, it can show details of discounts and promotions and allow visitors to remain in contact with their hotel and personal network at all times.” With the support of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Tink Labs has already delivered a successful pilot project in Dubai in association with Fairmont The Palm, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, The Westin Dubai and Dusit Thani Dubai.

The 2016-17 season of Dubai Cruise Tourism (DCT) officially concluded with the departure of the season’s final ship, the C.S. Sea Princess, from Port Rashid recently. This season of Dubai Cruise Tourism saw over 625,000 cruise tourists visit the city via 157 ship calls, reflecting an increase of 15 per cent in the number of tourists and 18 per cent in the number of ship calls when compared to the 2015-16 season. The season also saw Thomson Cruises, the first UK-based cruise line home porting in the region, in addition to inaugural visits from TUI’s Mein Schiff 1 Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star and MSC’s MSC Fantasia among the eight other maiden ship calls. Commenting on the success of the 2016-17 season, Jamal Humaid Al Falasi, Director of Dubai Cruise Tourism said, “We are very pleased with the success of our 2016-17 cruising season and with the city’s sustained popularity as a winter cruise destination. We are grateful to DP World, Dubai Airports, Dubai Immigration, Dubai Customs, Emirates Airlines and our other key public and private sector stakeholders for their continued cooperation which has led to an ever-increasing number of cruise operators looking to anchor in the emirate.”

Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 has announced the introduction of biometric system and automated border control gates within 12-18 months to make the check-in and immigration processes there smoother and quicker. The biometric system will help the travellers register and store their biometric data using a facial recognition solution integrated with the UAE Wallet, and that data can then be utilised to ease their journey through immigration at T3 departures, and later on, at other touch-points throughout the airport. It will also help to provide automated access to Emirates’ First- and Business-Class lounges. The smart border control or immigration gates will supplement the existing e-gates and manned immigration counters and help to skip the manual checking of travellers’ passports and boarding passes as they would use the biometric data to validate all the information.

Etihad Airways and China Southern Airlines have announced a new codeshare partnership, taking the number of codeshare agreements signed by the Abu Dhabi based airline to 53. Under the new agreement, China Southern Airlines will put its ‘CZ’ code on Etihad Airways’ daily services between Beijing (PEK)/Shanghai (PVG)/Chengdu (CTU) and Abu Dhabi. The codeshare partnership will give China Southern guests the opportunity to book codeshare flights to and from Abu Dhabi, and connect on to Etihad’s network of over 100 destinations worldwide. Mohammad Al Bulooki, Etihad Airways’ Executive Vice President Commercial, said, “With this partnership, either airline can use its strengths to benefit the other and offer more choices, with enhanced connectivity, to all the guests, alongside world-class services and products offered by both the airlines.”

Gulf Air recently celebrated the launch of its thrice-a-week direct service to the Georgian capital Tbilisi. The celebration took place at Bahrain International Airport, in the presence of the Georgian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, H.E. George Janjgava, along with Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs officials, Bahrain International Airport officials and members of Gulf Air’s executive management team. Commenting on the launch of Gulf Air’s newest destination, Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer, Mr Maher Salman Al Musallam, said, “I am delighted Gulf Air is directly connecting Bahrain and Georgia; and witnessing such a high demand as we commence operations is a positive indication of what is to come. I look forward to seeing passengers from across the GCC and MENA regions fly with us.”

Now skip the queues and experience a completely relaxed exit from one of the world’s busiest airports, Dubai International Airport. The 530-key Dubai International Hotel, located at Terminal 3, invites passengers to experience a luxurious and hassle-free departure from the Airport, with Ahlan Services. Ahlan Services, DXB International’s concierge service, has now expanded its services to include ‘Deluxe’ and ‘Premium’ Departure Services for passengers looking for a luxurious exit from Dubai, from Terminals 1 and 3. Passengers need not be guests of the hotel to opt for this service. Also to be noted is that the services are not available at Terminal 2 or Dubai World Central (DWC). Priced at AED 150 per person, the Deluxe Meet and Greet Departure Service provides a Guest Services Agent and a Bellboy who meet the guest at the airport’s departure drop-off point. The guest is then fast-tracked through the Check-in Counter, towards Immigration/Passport Control, through Security Check, and finally guided to the boarding gate of their flight. This service is priced at AED 315 for a family of four, with additional AED 85 per additional member. Ahlan’s Premium Meet and Greet Departure Services, priced at AED 295 per person, offers a guest, in addition to all the features offered with the Deluxe Services, the opportunity to relax at the plush Ahlan Departures’ Lounge at Terminal 1 or 3, with complimentary refreshments (hot and cold buffet), a wide selection of beverages, access to the Business Centre facilities, and also shower facilities to freshen up. Guests can also avail a complimentary 15-minute foot massage, back massage or Indian head massage at the Timeless Spa.

Spectrums Residence, the new 69-unit residence is located on Prince Sultan Road in the Al Salamah district, near shopping malls, schools, entertainment parks and hospitals, making it the perfect location for family living. Close to amenities that support business services, this is also an ideal location for business travelers looking for flexible pricing options. The Ascott Limited (Ascott) is expanding its presence in Jeddah with the opening of Spectrums Residence. It will be the fourth property, a local that complements the Ascott Sari, Ascott Tahlia and Citadines Al Salamah Jeddah. “We are honoured to have the opportunity to manage Spectrums Residence, which complements our existing properties in Jeddah. With a fourth property in the city, Ascott has strengthened its position as the leading international serviced residence operator in Jeddah” says Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s Country General Manager, Middle East & Turkey. Residents can choose from a range of furnished two-bedroom apartments, each of which has separate living, dining, kitchen and work areas. The property features 24-hour reception, housekeeping services, breakfast room, gymnasium, children’s playroom, prayer rooms and smoking lounge. The property also offers meeting and events facilities as well as complimentary parking on-site and easy access to the property.

AirWayBill, the peer-to-peer shipping platform, has partnered with Careem, the region’s favourite car-booking app to be its official transportation partner in the Middle East and support carriers in getting their items to recipients, quickly and more efficiently. Users can avail of up to $15 off their rides from the airport when they’re connected through both apps. AirWayBill will send the promo codes of Careem to buyers and carriers whenever they have a shipment in process as a bonus to their agreement. Khaled Sehly, co-founder and managing director AirWayBill, said, “Careem is renowned in the region for their innovative approach to getting people to their destinations in style and comfort, and we’ve opened a door to buying and receiving items in a more cost-effective manner than traditional methods. This all relies on the trust and honesty of a community of shoppers and travellers; it’s a mutual relationship that gets things and people moved around in comfort and with efficiency.”