RwandAir, the national carrier of the Republic of Rwanda, will commence three weekly flights to London Gatwick International Airport, in the United Kingdom effective 26th May, 2017. London, one of the world’s leading financial centers becomes RwandAir’s first European and second long haul route. The destination will be served by the newly acquired state of the art Airbus A330 fleet in a triple class configuration with inflight connectivity. “We are delighted to enable new and seamless connections between London and the whole of our network offering our esteemed customers a differentiated product in terms of comfort, good customer services and affordability,” said John Mirenge, the Chief Executive Officer of RwandAir. RwandAir has already announced that flights to Mumbai, India and Harare, Zimbabwe will commence in the first week of April 2017. London, will be RwandAir’s twenty second (22) destinations.

CharterClick, an online booking service for renting a yacht or boat, has announced that its boats outside of the UAE are going to be available from Q2, 2017. The website works in real time and eliminates any need to make additional phone calls or write follow up emails as the booking can be done start to finish from the convenience of a laptop or mobile phone. The service started with only four boats in their fleet and a single partnership agreement with a charter provider, but now has 34 boats available on its Dubaian website, along with more than 10 charter companies, who have signed an agreement to be represented on CharterClick.com. “Because of our mantra (Convenience through simplicity), we had to make sure from the very beginning, that everything both our clients and partners deal with is very easy to execute, and simple to understand,” said Michael Siyatskyy, Head of Content Curation, CharterClick.

UAE residents and nationals travelling to Turkey in 2016 reached around 300,000 tourists, according to new figures released by the Turkish Consulate General Cultural and Information Office in Dubai. The figures show a 27 per cent increase in tourists travelling to Turkey from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries over the 2014-2016 time period. “This growth shows the Turkey is culturally and economically interesting for GCC travellers,” said Salih Ozer, Attaché of Culture and Information, Turkey to the UAE. “Over the past year, we have conducted many workshops and seminars for our GCC travel agents to get them better acquainted with what Turkey has to offer the GCC traveller.” Turkey has strengthened its position as a top holiday destination for GCC nationals and residents. From January to December 2016, a total of 822,849 holiday makers from the GCC visited Turkey’s many destinations. “We attach a great level of importance to these deepening relations between Turkey and the Gulf countries,” continued Ozer. “The UAE, in particular, continues to contribute heavily to Turkey’s tourist numbers, and we have taken many steps to simplify GCC tourist access to Turkey by facilitating visas for them in a quicker fashion.” Turkey is one of the top tourism destinations in the world based on the number of tourists and revenues. Whether its nature and the outdoors, history and archeology or beaches and relaxation, travelers from everywhere in the GCC can find their unique experience in Turkey. From Istanbul to Pamukkale, Cappadocia and Bursa in the west, Trabzon and Ayder on the shores of the Black Sea, to Antalya, Bodrum and Maramis to the south the country, Turkey’s unique offerings are unparalleled in the region. The Turkish …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), which develops the emirate’s tourism infrastructure and initiates its domestic and overseas promotions, has expanded its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the opening of a new representation office in the country’s capital, Riyadh. Marking its sixth international representation office, the Riyadh opening will support the tourism body’s promotional activities and trade partnerships to penetrate the Kingdom’s high potential outbound market. A team of dedicated trade promotion, MICE and business development staff will manage various in-market promotions and initiatives to drive further awareness of Ras Al Khaimah as a multi-faceted business and leisure destination to Saudi travellers. The move comes as Saudi Arabia produces more hotel guests to the emirate than ever before. According to recent RAKTDA data, tourist arrivals from Saudi Arabia increased by 71.28 per cent year-to-date, with further growth expected during the course of 2017. Commenting on the new office opening, RAKTDA CEO Haitham Mattar said: “This market on our door-step is extremely important to us. The UAE has long been a favourite destination for Saudi tourists and our new our new representative office will further cement our promotional presence in the Kingdom. Through this representation we will build upon current travel trade partnerships, explore further opportunities and continually position Ras Al Khaimah as a year-round destination through targeted campaigns.” RAKTDA’s policy of positioning the emirate as more than a sun, sea and sand destination, driven by the implementation of the Destination Ras Al Khaimah 2019 strategy, has resulted in attracting 820,772 visitors in 2016, placing it in a strong position to achieve its target of one million visitors by the end of 2018.

AccorHotels signed a hotel management agreement with Arabia Group to open Fairmont Pyramids Hotel & Residences, slated to open by 2022. The property will have 250 rooms and 200 branded residences. Spanning 20 floors, the hotel will form the highest tower in 6th of October, a city in the Giza Governorate, and will constitute the majority of the hospitality component within the upcoming Madinat A’Shamss development – a mixed-use project spanning over 56 hectares within close proximity to the Pyramids of Giza. Designed in accordance to a blend of Pharaonic and modern design aesthetics, the hotel is located just four kilometers from the Great Pyramids with unobstructed views of the wonders of the World as well as direct access to the new pyramids entrance. The hotel is only three minutes away from the new Egyptian grand museum with easy access to the new ring road connecting to the new capital city, and is also a short 15-minute drive from the new Sphinx International Airport. Sami Nasser, Chief Operating Officer, Luxury Brands, Middle East, AccorHotels, said: “We are excited to announce the addition of Fairmont Pyramids Hotels & Residences to our Egypt luxury portfolio.” He added, “This announcement further underscores the Group’s commitment to the destination and its envisioned potential, evident with our existing portfolio of luxury properties including seven operational hotels under the Fairmont, Sofitel and Sofitel Legend brands and a robust pipeline to open within the next five years.” “We look forward to playing an integral role in re-energizing the country’s tourism infrastructure,” said Frank Naboulsi, Regional Vice President and General Manager, Fairmont Nile City. “The destination has demonstrated positive growth over the past few years which has also …

More than 20 industry experts are set to speak in Abu Dhabi this year at the GCC Patient Experience Summit. The two-day event, which will be held on 18-19 September, is the region’s only forum dedicated to patient experience that will feature CEOs, Patient Experience Directors and Chief Quality Officers from organizations such as HAAD, DHA, Cleveland Clinic, Hamad Medical Corporation, King Fahad Medical City and many others.  The summit aims to offer access to a unique learning opportunity that sets the tone for establishing excellence benchmarks, effective communication and leadership strategies in customized care delivery. “To be successful in the new era of challenging and promising healthcare, organizations will have to take engagement to a new level and consider patients central to the care team. Strategic focus on patient feedback all along the care continuum will be essential to continually improve the health of populations. Wellness and prevention are key. We are moving from an era of treating disease to engaging patients in healthy behaviours that maintain their highest quality of life,” Samer Ellahham, Chairman of the Summit and Chief Quality Officer at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, said while stressing out the importance of patient-centred care. The UAE healthcare market is estimated to reach Dh71.56 billion by 2020, achieving an annual average growth of 12.7 per cent, marginally higher than the GCC growth average, propelled by medical tourism and a higher than ever demand for new facilities & technologies. With its vision to develop world-class healthcare infrastructure, expertise, and services, the UAE government is extensively expanding and upgrading its healthcare systems to match international standards by developing the best care and wellness for exceptional patient experience. Patient experience elevation …

Minor Hotels (MH) has announced the signing of a management agreement for a new AVANI property in the United Arab Emirates – AVANI Al Marjan Island Ras Al Khaimah Resort. The 225-key AVANI Al Marjan Island will be located on View Island. Facilities at the purpose-built resort will include a selection of King, Twin and Disabled Access guest rooms and AVANI Suites, an AVANI Living Space and Pantry. The resort will also host all-day dining and poolside restaurants, meeting and event facilities with a capacity of 200 people, a kids’ club and a spa. In addition, the new resort will have an outdoor swimming pool and beachfront access with 360 degree views. Minor Hotels’ luxury Anantara brand already has a new resort under development in the emirate – the 225-key Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort is scheduled to open in 2019. Minor Hotels currently operates 10 properties across four of its brands in the UAE in the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The group’s pipeline for AVANI hotels includes two other upcoming properties in the UAE – the 372-key AVANI Ibn Battuta Dubai Hotel and the 230-key AVANI Jebel Dhanna Resort in the coastal area of the Al Gharbia region of Abu Dhabi, both scheduled to open in 2019. Ramzy Fenianos, VP Development, Minor Hotels Europe, Middle East and Africa, commented, “We are delighted to announce the signing of this management agreement with Crowngate International to bring AVANI to the fast developing tourism destination of Ras Al Khaimah. We see a lot of potential in the emirate, both for our upscale AVANI brand and in the luxury segment, where we already have an Anantara resort under …

Saudi Arabia-based Almosafer has released its new flight reservation feature for both their web and mobile App platforms. The service is valid for customers travelling to and from the Kingdom through more than 500 airlines globally. Farooq Aljeraisy, the founder and CEO of Almosafer, said, “The Kingdom is currently undergoing a revolutionary transformation under the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to achieve sustainable development to build a brighter economy. One of the key sectors witnessing this change is travel and tourism. We are in sync with all the progress in this sector and are positioning Almosafer as a spearhead in this development. ” Aljeraisy confirmed that users can now compare flight rates and instantly get the best possible rates through the mobile application, making it easier, safer and more convenient than traditional booking channels. Once the booking is confirmed, customers will instantly receive their ticket and confirmation through email. The portal also provides a call center to re-confirm any amendments and address any inquiries about the booking. Since it was established in 2013, Almosafer has successfully enabled customers across the world to choose from over 500,000 hotels and resorts seamlessly in the most convenient manner through its website, call center (920000997) and other digital platforms. Customers have also taken advantage of the “book now and pay later” service the portal offers, which has disrupted the e-booking service across the industry.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has inked an agreement with the Civil Service Employees Pension Fund to operate its first property in Oman’s capital city, Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Azaiba Muscat. Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Azaiba Muscat will feature 274 guest rooms and suites and 50 serviced apartments. Standout facilities will include six market-oriented food and beverage outlets, a rooftop restaurant, swimming pool, meeting and event space, a ballroom, a rooftop gym with spa, executive lounge and a residents’ lounge. “This new property will be a welcome addition to our already extensive portfolio of hotels in the Middle East,” said Andreas Mattmüller, Chief Operating Officer, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Middle East and Africa. “With Muscat undergoing rapid development and significant funds being invested into major tourism infrastructure projects, the time is right to put the Mövenpick brand on the map in this important regional city.” Oman is considered a market brimming with opportunities for the hospitality sector, with some $640 million ploughed into travel and tourism projects in 2015, or 3.1% of total investment, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) statistics reveal. In 2016, the Sultanate was on track to receive more than 1.8 million international tourists – a figure expected to almost double to 3.34 million by 2026. “Oman’s tourism industry is flourishing, and we are enormously encouraged by the government and private sector’s commitment to exploit its true potential,” said Amir Lababedi, Vice President Development – Middle East and Africa. “This management agreement consolidates Mövenpick’s position as one of the region’s leading hotel operators and marks another milestone in our strategy to maximise our exposure in every major Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) market.”  

Rotana has signed an agreement with RSG International, a UAE-based global conglomerate, for a new five star hotel and serviced apartment project in Dubai, located in Sufouh Gardens on Sheikh Zayed Road. Named Sabah Rotana, the 54-storey, 534-room property will be managed by Rotana on behalf of RSG International and is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2020. The agreement was signed by Raj Sahni (Abu Sabah), Owner and Chairman of RSG International, and Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman of Rotana. Also present at the signing ceremony were Sabah Sahni, Vice Chairman of RSG International, Sumeet Sahni, Deputy Vice Chairman of RSG International and Jasjit Singh Jaaj, Group CEO of RSG International, Selim El Zyr Vice Chairman of Rotana and Omer Kaddouri President & CEO of Rotana. “We are very pleased to partner with RSG International, that brings over 25 years of experience in real estate and property development, on this new venture,” said Nasser Al Nowais. “Sabah Rotana has been designed keeping in mind the comfort and flexibility that today’s modern traveller demands, and will offer guests an enriching experience. The project continues Rotana’s strategy of centrally locating its properties in prime city areas in order for guests to enjoy greater convenience and easy accessibility.” Raj Sahni (Abu Sabah) said, “We are proud to award management of one of our distinguished projects to the region’s premier hotel management company. Set in a prominent location in one of Dubai’s most vibrant and dynamic communities, on Sheikh Zayed Road, we hope to create an iconic hospitality landmark in Dubai. RSG International has long been a trusted name in the region’s property development market, and our collaboration with Rotana on this …