Emirates has introduced a new service to enable customers to use their laptops and tablet devices until just before they board their flights to the US. Emirates customers travelling to the US via Dubai will be able to utilise their laptops and tablet devices on the first part of their journeys, and also during transit in Dubai. They must then declare and hand over their laptops, tablets, and other banned electronic devices to security staff at the gate just before boarding their US-bound flight. The devices will be carefully packed into boxes, loaded into the aircraft hold, and returned to the customer at their US destination. There will not be any charge for this service. Passengers on US-bound flights starting their journeys in Dubai are encouraged to pack their electronic devices into their check-in luggage in the first instance, to avoid delays. Customers should be aware that there will be a detailed search of all hand baggage on non-stop flights to the US from Dubai. They should therefore declare their devices before the search, or ensure their electronic devices are packed into their check-in luggage in the first instance. Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “Our aim is to ensure compliance with the new rules, while minimising disruption to passenger flow and impact on customer experience. Our new complimentary service enables passengers, particularly those flying for business, to have the flexibility to use their devices until the last possible moment. Once on board they can still stay connected on their mobile phones. Our historical data shows that on Emirates’ US flights, 90% of passengers using our onboard mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity services do so via their smart phones. Only …

Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) reported a 12 per cent year-on-year growth over the first two months of 2017, which saw Dubai welcoming just over three million visitors, nearly four times the rate of the previous year. Supported by growth in all key markets, China and Russia in particular drove the volumes and set the stage for a strong first quarter result. This period witnessed a 60 per cent growth in overnight tourists from China with January alone peaking at a dramatic 102 per cent, while attracting a total of 157,000 Chinese visitors across just the first two months. Reflecting an even more significant percentage increase, Russian visitation jumped 84 per cent over the same period last year with February delivering a massive 140 per cent volume increase to bring a total of 65,000 travellers in the first two months. Consequently, both contributing countries moved up in their rankings as key source markets for inbound tourism to Dubai with China entering the top 4 for the first time and Russia moving to just outside the top 10, up 4 places from 15. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Tourism, said: “As we continue to invest in raising consideration for Dubai as the destination of choice for global travellers, our focus at Dubai Tourism is equally on increasing Dubai’s accessibility and removing barriers to travel by working closely with partners and stakeholders in the public and private sectors on both a federal and emirate level. Ultimately our collective aim is to make it as easy and seamless as possible for any prospective tourist from our diversified base of source markets to visit and revisit Dubai. We …

Seeking to provide a more efficient and prompt service to its guests, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman recently inked a partnership with ProntoResolved, a software which manages propriety complaints and handles special requests. The contract was signed by Iftikhar Hamdani, general manager of Ramada Ajman, and Franco Moline, president of ProntoResolved. ProntoResolved allows hotels to have a paperless operation by electronically streamlining guest service issues and requirements. The software takes in and resolves the requests in a timely manner; then generates reports and tracks the proficiency of response of the departments involved. Hamdani commented: “Our property is pleased to partner with ProntoResolved in providing enhanced service to our clients, thus generating higher ratings in several platforms. In addition to its systematic and effective process, the software also enables us to have a paperless, sustainable operation, which is in line with our green vision.” Moline enthused: “ProntoResolved is happy to help Ramada Ajman take customer service experience to advanced level. We are confident that this will be a fruitful partnership, and boost the property’s satisfaction ratings in various booking engines and review websites.”

Travelport announced a new, multi-year agreement with Bin Ham Travel Group. The Bin Ham Travel Group will leverage Travelport’s innovative technology through the Travel Commerce Platform to gain access to the fares and ancillaries of approximately 400 of the world’s leading airlines. Also, through Travelport Smartpoint, travel agents have the capability to upsell more hotel rooms and car rentals with access to over 650,000 unique hotel properties and 36,000 car rental locations all through their preferred work flows. Established in 1979, Bin Ham Travel Group comprises three leading travel management companies: Al Amaan Travel and Holidays, Al Ain Express Travel and Bin Ham Travel. His Highness Sheikh Mubarak Bin Ham, CEO at Bin Ham Travel Group, remarked: “We are delighted to have signed this new partnership with Travelport. We have invested in their unique travel technology and wide range of tailor made solutions to strengthen our online presence and provide our travellers with the most travel options and the best traveller booking experience available.  Having superior travel booking technology and content is an important part of our growth strategy across the region.” Matthew Powell, Managing Director, Middle East & South Asia at Travelport, commented: “This new partnership with Bin Ham Travel Group, a celebrated travel industry leader in the UAE, is a great testimony to how our industry-leading Travel Commerce Platform, which offers unrivalled technology and travel content, is supporting the needs of our customers across the region as they target growth in their businesses.  We look forward to partnering with the Bin Ham Travel Group and helping them do exactly this.”

Under a new rule at Dubai Airports, bags without flat surfaces will be rejected at check-in effective from March 8, 2017. Dubai Airports has advised all airlines operating into DXB of the imminent change and has updated its website, mobile app and signage across the airport to help raise awareness. The rule is aimed to improve service, reduce the risk of mishandling and enhance the performance of its check-in and baggage operation at Dubai International. “Dubai International provides some of the most sophisticated baggage systems in the world,” said Ali Angizeh, Vice President of Terminal Operations at Dubai International. “However, even the most technologically advanced systems can be disrupted by irregular shaped or oversized bags. Bags that are round or do not have a flat surface of any kind are by far the largest source of baggage jams. These jams can shut down sections of our system, delay baggage delivery to the aircraft and inconvenience our customers.” “We are trying to get the message out there as much as possible,” added Angizeh. “Passengers, who show up at the airport with non-compliant baggage, will also be given the option to have it repacked in boxes for a fee.” Stretching 140 kilometres and covering a surface area of 75 football fields, DXB’s baggage handling system is among the largest in the world. It has 15,000 trays and is powered by 21,000 motors. DXB handled approximately 9.3 million bags in January this year. A bag spends an average of 29 minutes in the baggage system at DXB.

Tink Labs Limited, Hong Kong-based start-up, is bringing its mobile travel solution handy to the GCC as part of its global expansion. handy is an innovative smartphone provided as a complimentary amenity in partner hotel rooms, integrating with hotel services and offering travellers unlimited connectivity on the go, as well as tailored travel guides. The hand-held device helps to deliver hassle-free travels and meet a growing demand for Internet connection services from hotel guests. In the GCC, handy engaged in a pilot project with luxury hoteliers in Dubai with plans to launch in the rest of the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, among other markets in the region. In each market, handy helps to connect travellers with their destination by revealing local gems while on the go and tools they need to travel like locals. handy’s mission to make travel easier and destinations more accessible means it perfectly complements the smart tourism projects underway in gateway GCC cities, such as Dubai. “After proven success in international markets from Hong Kong to London, we see a tremendous opportunity to create more travel-friendly experiences and help boost tourism in key destinations in the GCC,” said Terence Kwok, Founder and CEO, Tink Labs. “Facilitating enduring, fun connections between tourists and their host cities plays a crucial role in creating an enriched experience for travellers and hoteliers and in boosting the city’s reputation as a must-visit tourist destination. This is why, in 2017, we plan to offer handy to travellers in dozens of new markets, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha among others,” he said. Spearheading launch operations in new markets and responsible for the business in the Middle East is Tink Labs Limited …

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has begun implementing the Kalba Kingfisher Lodge, its latest ground-breaking eco-tourism project, in collaboration with the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA). Shurooq said that the five-star hospitability project, featuring a tented camp that offers unique experiences within the mangrove nature reserve in the heart of Kalba’s natural beauty, is the perfect addition to its strategy of promoting environmentally friendly tourism. The Kingfisher Lodge, due to be completed by the end of the first half of 2017, will house 20 luxury tents. With a private swimming pool for each tent, the accommodation is designed to provide guests with comfort, privacy and amazing views overlooking the Indian Ocean and a forest of mangrove (Qurm) trees surrounding the lodge – also home to a number of kingfishers and a host of flora and fauna. With an ambience of luxury and convenience, the Kingfisher Lodge will include an outdoor yoga and wellness centre and a range of public facilities, including an information desk, a reception lounge, restaurants and outdoor recreational areas.  The tented lodge is being constructed in compliance with the highest global standards of green and sustainable building in order to have minimal impact on the surrounding environment. H.E. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, Shurooq, said: “There are so many parts of Sharjah which qualify as outstanding areas of natural beauty and we have identified that there are numerous hospitality opportunities which could cater to that market. We understand that there are a growing number of eco-tourists, and a shift in trends towards visitors who want to enjoy incredible natural surroundings in a luxury environment. The Kalba Kingfisher Lodge is an ideal fit …

The Ascott Limited (Ascott) will manage another Citadines-branded property located in central Al Khobar in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).  Citadines Al Khobar will comprise 54 one-bedroom apartments with various layouts. Managed and operated by Ascott, facilities will include a breakfast area, residents’ lounge and fully equipped gym, making it an excellent choice for accommodation amongst business and leisure travellers. “We are delighted to have signed an agreement to manage Citadines Al Khobar,” commented Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s Country General Manager of Middle East & Turkey. “KSA remains a highly significant growth market and this latest signing will not only expand our presence in KSA but also reinforces our leadership position in the Middle East.” “Citadines Al Khobar is the third property, together with Citadines Abha and Somerset Al Khobar, that we will be working with developer AREIC (the real estate arm of Al Mutlaq Group) and we are pleased to strengthen our partnership with them.” Citadines Al Khobar is situated in central Al Khobar, in a highly sought after location between King Salman and Prince Fawaz streets on the 4th main street in Al Khobar Al Shamaliah, which offers numerous dining, shopping and leisure options.

STR’s February 2017 Pipeline Report shows 153,460 rooms in 540 hotel projects Under Contract in the Middle East and 58,374 rooms in 309 projects Under Contract in Africa. Two key markets in the Middle East and Africa region reported more than 10,000 rooms In Construction: Makkah, Saudi Arabia (22,370 rooms in 17 projects) and Dubai, United Arab Emirates (19,578 rooms in 64 projects). Under Contract data includes projects in the In Construction, Final Planning and Planning stages but does not include projects in the Unconfirmed stage. The Under Contract total in the Middle East represents a 1.3 per cent increase in rooms Under Contract compared with February 2016. Specifically in the In Construction phase, the Middle East reported 83,106 rooms in 263 hotels. Based on number of rooms, that is a 3.4% increase in year-over-year comparisons. The Under Contract total in Africa represents a 6.1% decrease in rooms Under Contract compared with February 2016. In the In Construction phase, Africa reported 29,084 rooms in 159 hotels. Based on number of rooms, that is a 1.6 per cent decrease in year-over-year comparisons.

Dubai World Central (DWC), Dubai’s second international airport, achieved a new milestone when it welcomed its first scheduled A380 passenger flight – Korean Air’s flight KE9951 from Incheon International Airport in South Korea. The flight was the first of series of scheduled charter flights the carrier will operate to DWC in addition to their existing scheduled operations at Dubai International. The scheduled charter operations serve seasonal demand for Dubai cruise. The first flight was given a traditional water salute on arrival. DWC welcomed a total of 850,633 passengers in 2016 and is currently served by 27 passenger carriers, operating an average of 108 flights weekly to 44 international destinations.