The city’s first and only Bvlgari branded hotels is to open in the fourth quarter of the year followed by a select number of apartments and mansions shortly thereafter at the man-made Jumeirah Bay Island being built by Meraas. Having a hotel and residential element attached to it is now a proven business model, according to a senior official. “Financially this works out faster — with the super-long payback you have with the hotel, residential helps,” said Silvio Ursini, Executive Vice-President. The six, seven-storey apartment buildings will be clustered around a marina. There will be 165 apartments and eight penthouses plus 15 mansions. Private sales of the residences have started, but the property prices have not been officially announced. The project will also encompass a 50-berth marina and a yacht club. “In the 15 years since Bvlgari Hotels was created, we’ve only had three hotels — London, Milan and Bali,” said Ursini. “We have been extremely selective with the cities we want to be a part of. And we certainly didn’t want to be a brand associated with launching hundreds of properties. There will not be a second Bvlgari property in Dubai … nor do we have any plans for Abu Dhabi.”

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has approved Cabinet Resolution No (24) for 2017 on granting citizens of the Russian Federation visas at all UAE’s entry points. The resolution states that citizens of the Russian Federation are to grant a 30 days entry visa at first time, renewable one time only for another 30 days, and subject to applied UAE regulations. The resolution will enhance strategic co-operation and the common ambitions of the two countries. It will also create new horizons of economic and touristic co-operation serving common interests and goals, as it strengthen the UAE’s international competitiveness as a vibrant economic, commercial, and tourist hub in the region. Official information shows that Russia and the UAE have always benefitted from a strong bilateral relationship in all aspects. This cooperation appears in the strategic partnerships between the two countries, and the various agreements covering economy, tourism, and clean energy co-operation. The UAE ranks first in the GCC states as Russia’s most important business partner, and is considered the tenth largest foreign investor in Russia, with projects valued at Dhs66 billion up to 2014. During 2015, the non-oil trade between the UAE and Russia reached Dhs9 billion, and the UAE is investing around Dhs18 billion in infra-structures in Russia. The average growth of foreign non-oil trade between the UAE and Russia over the past 5 years is 31 per cent. The UAE has received more than 600,000 Russian tourists in the past two years, and there are 56 weekly flights between the two countries by UAE National carriers. This number is expected to rise after the issuance …

Desert Adventures, part of the Kuoni Destination Management Specialists division, has appointed Discover The World-Germany as its representative in the country. The appointment is part of an overall strategy by the Middle East’s leading Destination Management Company of strengthening its foothold in key source markets such as Austria, Switzerland and Germany, and further enhancing its business performance. With ITB Berlin scheduled to take place on March 8-12, 2017, Desert Adventures and Discover The World-Germany will be working closely on a persuasive sales pitch to existing customers and prospective clients during the event. “The places within which Desert Adventures operates – the UAE, Oman, Jordan and Qatar – have remained as among the most sought-after destinations for German-speaking guests,” said Fabio Prestijacopo, Head of Sales & Marketing, Desert Adventures Tourism. “We are therefore delighted to have appointed Discover The World-Germany as our representative in this market and look forward to making such partnership work to the advantage and benefit of customers.” For her part, Margit Schwarz, Director, Discover The World Germany commented: “We are pleased to have been provided this opportunity to further develop Desert Adventures‘ business in the leisure and group segment. Our synergies will certainly bring about a rejuvenated feeling of enthusiasm among customers looking to travel into any of Desert Adventures’ destinations because they know that they will be taken care of by two of the most trusted brands in the travel & hospitality industry.” Discover The World Germany is known for its market-leading and innovative sales and marketing solutions aimed at helping solve market expansion challenges to a diverse client base. The combined strength of talented local travel professionals and existing online technologies enable clients to increase …

Al Tayyar Travel Group, as part of its sustained efforts to contribute to the development of the corporate travel sector, has signed a new partnership agreement with Amadeus. The agreement extension till the year 2020 will transform the existing relationship between Amadeus and Al Tayyar to a strategic partnership, and expand their cooperation from the local level to the Middle East and North Africa. The signing of the agreement marks a step forward in ensuring the delivery of quality services to a wider customer base across the region. Al Tayyar Group’s decision to upgrade the partnership with Amadeus to the regional level is in line with its intensive projects and investments in the e-commerce, travel and tourism industries, as well as its global expansions. Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Dawood, Managing Director & CEO of Al Tayyar Travel Group, said, “As a major company in the regional travel sector, Al Tayyar has been building on the solid foundation of our existing relationship with global travel solutions providers like Amadeus. Our vision is to find innovative ways to meet the needs of the market and create new avenues for growth. The expansion of our strategic partnership with Amadeus to the regional level will further strengthen our relationship and infuse fresh energy to the corporate travel sector in the region.” Amadeus is one of main leading innovators in the travel sector; it has been empowering the regional travel industry with next-generation products and services to help it overcome rising costs, unpredictable market conditions and changing business models. Its integrated and comprehensive suite of solutions allows travel agencies to streamline and enhance the corporate travel process, enabling them to leverage the opportunities offered by automation …

First Central Hotel Suites, managed by Dubai-based Central Hotels group, has been awarded Green Key Certification 2016-2017 for its green practices that include a host of environment-friendly energy, water and waste management initiatives. Green Key is a sustainability certification program for hotels and accommodation that was developed by the Foundation for Environment Education. As non-governmental, non-profit and independent program, Green Key is recognized by the World Tourism Organisation and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and is the largest global eco-label relating to accommodation. Since 2013, Emirates Green Building Council acts as Green Key National Operator in the United Arab Emirates. Commenting on the achievement, Wael El Behi, General Manager, First Central Hotel Suites, said, “We believe in responsible and sustainable practices without compromising on guest comfort, personal service, or value. In line with the commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, we are delighted to receive the Green Key Certification that is recognised worldwide. It is a great environmental initiative that has been instrumental in mobilizing global action on raising awareness about the need to conserve our environment and we are proud to be part of it. We have had an overwhelming response from our staff and guests who are enthusiastically participating and engaging in green initiatives. From conserving water to recycling materials and saving energy, they are keen to assert their green credentials. Our energy efficiency best practices helped us to reduce the energy bill by 4 per cent in 2016 compared to 2015. We are now using LED lights all over the hotel with over 5000 bulbs changed last year to meet Green Key objectives. By changing day to day habits we could all make the world a better …

This month Dubai welcomed over 50 delegates from across the GCC in two familiarisation trips including travel and tourism industry VIPs and representatives. From January 12-14, Dubai Tourism hosted owners, CEOs and Managing Directors of the top travel and trade agencies from across the GCC. The VIPs represented leading regional travel companies including Al Muftah Travel, Marmul Travel, Yrbooking and Orange Travel. The trip gave the VIP guests and their families the chance to be amongst the first to experience the newly launched Dubai Parks and Resorts in its full capacity, as well as the opportunity to stay at the Marriott’s brand new Polynesian Lapita resort right in the heart of the parks. Dubai Tourism also held a private dinner for the city’s stakeholders to network with the 15 delegates from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. Other key industry partners included Emirates Airlines, Alpha Destination Management and GTA. With the GCC contributing 24 per cent of all visitors to Dubai from January – November 2016, it continues to be a key focus for the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism). The VIP and industry familiarisation trips highlight the significance of GCC outbound travel to Dubai, and form part of the ongoing efforts of Dubai Tourism to promote the emirate’s tourism offering to each of the markets in the GCC. Hoor Al Khaja, Manager, China, International Operations at Dubai Tourism, added: “The GCC remains a key priority for us as a top source market for visitors to Dubai. We are also enhancing Dubai’s tourism offering further with new attractions like IMG Worlds of Adventure and Dubai Parks & Resorts which offer new and exciting experiences for visitors, not …

By reorganising the hall sections and reallocating hall space at the World’s Largest Travel Trade Show ITB Berlin (March 8-12, 2017) has taken travel industry changes into account. “In recent years there has been an increase in demand for more floor space and two-tier stands for certain markets which up to now we have been unable to satisfy. Several display halls already have waiting lists. By reorganising the halls to suit the market we are now able to meet this demand,” commented David Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin. The new hall concept makes it possible for the fast-growing markets of the Arab states to enlarge their displays. There is now a better concentration of markets, which makes it easier for trade visitors to plan their visit. The major tourism destinations in the Mediterranean, including France, Gibraltar, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus and Spain, as well as Serbia and Hungary, have relocated to the entrance areas in Halls 1.1 and 2.1, directly next the South Entrance. The United Arab Emirates have moved to a new central location in Hall 2.2. Egypt, Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and newcomer Saudi Arabia are in Hall 4.2 as of 2017. Central America and the Caribbean are now directly next door in Hall 22, with South America in Hall 23. Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia and Poland had already moved to Hall 15.1 at ITB Berlin 2016, where they can be found again next year.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya, the first Hyatt Regency hotel to open in Riyadh, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya offers 261 spacious guestrooms, including 40 suites, spread across 28 floors. All guestrooms and suites feature panoramic views of the vibrant city of Riyadh, and incorporate subtle local touches and design elements, including patterned leather panels that are embroidered with a contemporary interpretation of a middle eastern mashrabiya motif. Developed by Mohammed A. Al-Swailem Co. for Commercial Investment, Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya is the third Hyatt-branded hotel to open in the KSA, joining Park Hyatt Jeddah Marina, Club and Spa and Hyatt Regency Makkah Jabal Omar. “We are delighted to announce the opening of the first Hyatt-branded hotel in the capital of Riyadh. We are confident that the globally recognized Hyatt Regency brand will resonate with business and leisure travelers visiting Riyadh,” said Peter Fulton, group president – Europe, Africa and Middle East, Hyatt. “Along with Mohammed A. Al-Swailem Co. for Commercial Investment, we look forward to expanding Hyatt’s brand presence throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya has been designed to connect today’s travelers to who and what matters most. With its prime location in Olaya, a growing financial district in Riyadh, the hotel is in close proximity to the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) and the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center, and is a less than 40-minute drive to King Khalid International Airport. Located on the 26th floor with spectacular views, the hotel’s Regency Club offers guests exclusive services, including complimentary internet access, use of the lounge meeting room, breakfast, …

Dubai tops the list of timeshare destinations for Africans, driven by its world-class shopping malls and traditional attractions. Africa represented 5 per cent of the total inbound tourism source market of Dubai in 2015 and the potential to develop this segment appears lucrative due to the government’s effort to encourage economic ties with the African continent. The survey was done by Arabian Falcon Holidays (AFH), the independent timeshare player in the Middle East. According to Arabian Falcon Holidays, the timeshare market is expected to grow strongly, surpassing the average growth rates of 15 per cent to 20 per cent per year, with 2017 heralding a new era that will witness 50 per cent growth as new tourists visit theme parks and attractions such as Dubai Opera.A recent report by Interval International, a world renowned exchange company with over 2,500 resorts worldwide, stated that Dubai has the potential to become the new Orlando or Las Vegas of timeshare. Analysing the figures in Dubai, the report found out that if 5 per cent of the emirate’s 100,000 hotel rooms and serviced apartments are converted to timeshare, with an estimated average sale price of AED73,400 ($20,000) for each week’s vacation ownership, it could result in a whopping AED18.35 billion ($5 billion) in sales volume. Mohannad Sharafuddin, Founder, Arabian Falcon Holidays, said: “Dubai is the top destination amongst our timeshare owners from Africa. Efforts of the UAE government in strengthening its economic ties with the African countries proves to yield mutual benefits. One of the vital reasons behind the dynamic UAE-African relations is the robust role of Dubai. This is reflected through an increase in a number of African tourists coming to the country …

Travelport and Flynas, a low-cost carrier from Saudi Arabia, have announced the signing of a multi-year, full content agreement. Launched in 2007, Flynas operates nearly 1,000 weekly flights to 30 destinations within and outside Saudi Arabia. The new agreement will see Flynas’ full content and inventory, including its branded fares and ancillaries become available to over 68,000 travel agencies, across 180 countries through Travelport’s Travel Commerce Platform. Furthermore, the airline now joins over 180 airlines which are currently live on Travelport’s merchandising technology solution for airlines, Travelport Rich Content and Branding. Through Travelport, the airline will be able to effectively promote Flynas’ products and services, including its dedicated Business Class Cabin, which has seen a significant investment from Flynas since 2013. Agents will also be able to access naSmiles, the frequent flyer program of Flynas, through which travellers can earn SMILE Points when booking flights and ancillaries. Also, Rich Content and Branding will enable the airline’s content to appear on travel agents’ screens, with rich, graphical product descriptions, boosting upselling opportunities for the travel agent community at the time of booking. Paul Byrne, Chief Executive Officer at Flynas, commented: “This new agreement with Travelport will provide the platform for our business to further improve our customer service, expand our presence across the globe and grow our revenues. Travelport’s industry leading Travel Commerce Platform has impressive capabilities and we are pleased to have signed this partnership. “ Matthew Powell, Managing Director, Middle East and South Asia, Travelport said: “We are delighted that Flynas has seen the value in our innovative Travel Commerce Platform. Our platform enables travel providers and their evolving technologies to deliver the widest choice of relevant content for …