Emirates will operate a special one-off A380 service to Amman on September 25, marking 30 years of commitment to Jordan. The airline’s flagship double-decker, with the ability to carry over 500 passengers at a time, will make history when it becomes the first-ever scheduled A380 service to Queen Alia International Airport, and it will also be the first time the A380 commercially operates to the Levant. On September 25, the Emirates A380 service will operate EK 901 and EK 902, departing Dubai at 0725hrs and arriving in Amman at 0930hrs. The flight will then depart Amman at 1300hrs arriving in Dubai at 1700hrs on the same day. This year is a milestone for Emirates as it celebrates 30 successful years of operations to Jordan. With the support of the Jordanian Authorities and Airport International Group, the deployment of the one-off Emirates A380 operation has been made possible through significant infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the aircraft. Since its introduction to the Emirates fleet in 2008, the A380 has proved tremendously popular with customers, and the upcoming service next month will give travellers the chance to experience this revolutionary aircraft and the best service in the sky.

Following explosions in public areas in some Thai provinces during August 11-12, 2016, the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has issued a statement advising international stakeholders that Thailand’s MICE industry continues to operate as normal, and all public and private sector stakeholders are working together to monitor the situation. It said that all hotels, venues and attractions are open and ready to welcome business travellers. Transportation links, major roads and airports continue to operate, including Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain and MRT services and both Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports. However, business travellers are advised to prepare adequate travelling time to avoid getting caught in traffic due to large movements of people during this long-weekend holiday period. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed local authorities to step up security at key locations throughout Thailand as preventive measure and to ensure safety and security for business travelers and local residents. Meanwhile planned events and business events activities continue in Thailand as the nation celebrated the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and Mother’s Day on August 12, 2016.  

Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in association with the Ministry of Tourism is hosting Sheikh Majed Al Sabah, renowned social media personality, on a unique ‘Discover Oman’ programme. During the week-long stay, Sheikh Majed will explore Oman to discover the country’s well-kept secrets covering natural attractions, vibrant heritage and culture. Sheikh Majed has over six million followers on social media such as Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram. He travels widely and engages in open communication with people through social media posts to highlight unique Arab traditions and values as well as remarkable social and economic developments across the world. The bank hosted a grand reception in honour of Sheikh Majed at the head office, attended by dignitaries led by H.E Maitha al Mahrouqi, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, senior Management Team of the bank, social media enthusiasts and bloggers. The event evocatively showcased the country’s rick folklore music, traditional crafts and costumes, offering the opportunity for Sheikh Majed to interact with veteran craftsmen pursuing some of the country’s popular traditional crafts. Popular fashion designers engaged in designing traditional costumes for men and women also presented their latest offerings at the event. In his characteristic vibrant style, Shaikh Majed utilised the opportunity to whip up an air of friendship and bonhomie.

Car booking app CAREEM has announced its partnership with Etisalat as it launches its new payment platform – CAREEM Wallet – for booking car rides. CAREEM Wallet allows the company’s customers to pay for car rides using Etisalat’s Reward points or choose to earn Etisalat Reward points as they use CAREEM services. Etisalat, the leading telecoms operator in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, is the first partner to integrate into the ‘CAREEM Wallet’. The announcement is the first of its kind in a series of several partnerships which the car hailing booking app is currently working on to integrate into its new platform. Khaled ElKhouly, Chief Consumer Officer, Etisalat said that they are excited to offer their Rewards members an innovative means to earn and burn Etisalat Reward points in partnership with CAREEM. Now their members can enjoy free taxi rides by simply redeeming their accumulated reward points or earn more reward points every time onboard a CAREEM taxi. This is yet another endeavor from them to provide enhanced value to their customers for being with Etisalat. Selim Turki, Product Market Fit Director , Careem, stated that they were delighted to have Etisalat on board as one of their key partners. Both CAREEM and Etisalat are on the same page when it comes to understanding the need for innovative new products that meet the unique needs of the consumer. CAREEM will continue to work with leading partners in the region such as Etisalat to offer ground-breaking solutions that aim to simplify our people’s lives,” said Selim Turki, Product Market Fit Director, CAREEM. The process is simple, all customers have to do is go to the ‘Wallet’ screen inside their …

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced its further expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the signing of a new Sheraton in the holy city of Makkah. Owned by Altayyar Travel Group Holding Company, Sheraton Makkah Jabal Al Kaaba is scheduled to open by the end of the year.  The hotel is located close to the new expansion of the mosque and will provide guests with special access and views of the holy Haram.  Sheraton Makkah Jabal Al Kaaba will feature 414 rooms and branded service apartments, all outfitted with the Sheraton brand’s signature amenities and services, including its premium sleep experience. The hotel will also offer four dining experiences, as well as ample meeting and events space. Altayyar Travel Group has recently taken a strategic direction to integrate and expand its business into the hospitality sector, and to build a solid portfolio complementing its current business of travel-related services and e-commerce. Starwood operates more than 50 hotels and resorts across the Middle East under eight of the company’s 10 distinct lifestyle brands, including: The Luxury Collection, St. Regis, Sheraton, Westin, W, Le Méridien, Four Points by Sheraton and Aloft.  The company is on track to operate 100 hotels in the region by 2020.

An announcement was made by the Ministry of Tourism in Oman that the first air charter service Salalah Air, also the first entirely Omani owned company chaired by Ali Masoud Al Khashoub, will soon begin operations in the Sultanate.  H.E. Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, met the founder and CEO of Salalah Air, Sam Owen, to understand the airline’s vision for future cooperation in the tourism sector. The meeting was focused on the development of Salalah Air’s charter services in Oman and between Governorates of the Sultanate. The presentation by the CEO introduced the concept of Oman’s first Flying Club and Adventure Sports Centre that forms part of Salalah Air’s development strategy. The Flying Club and Adventure Sports Centre will be headquartered in Salalah and have an operational base located at Sharbitat, which will provide opportunities for aerial sports such as para-motoring and parachuting, together with opportunities for diving, deep sea fishing and sailing. Culture, which is the first principal of Salalah Air, represents the heritage of the Sultanate.  Owen described how Salalah Air was inspired by the rich culture of Oman and in particular the ancient frankincense routes out of which Oman’s rich history of trade by sea and land has evolved. In this context, Salalah Air is envisaged first and foremost as a way of linking the people of Oman with their traditional connections. Commitment, the second principle of Salalah Air, is a fundamental part of the vision where the company is committed to providing new initiatives in the Oman’s tourism market. It will take into consideration Omanisation and will be dedicated to providing a high level of customer satisfaction, while placing the highest …

Golden Sands Hotel Apartments, part of A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises and pioneered the concept of hotel apartments in the region, announced its participation in a 10-day roadshow to India to promote Dubai as a key destination for Indian travellers. From August 22 to 31, the team of Golden Sands Hotel Apartments will join Lama Tours in visiting nine well-known cities in India such as Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Pune, Cochin, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh and Jalandhar to build awareness and boost inbound tourism. Shaza Ahmed, Sales Manager, who will head the team will meet with key travel agencies and tour operators that bring large groups of Indian travellers to the UAE and secure a strong customer base. The team will update potential partners about the refurbishment projects at Golden Sands 3 and certain public areas in Golden Sands 10, in its continuing effort to maintain high standard product, service and facilities. They will also present their attractive promotions for the winter season.    

IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park, will open on August 31, 2016, in Dubai. IMG Worlds of Adventure is currently fine-tuning the last remaining details and is committed to offering its guests the best experience possible when the park welcomes everyone later in August.  Lennard Otto, Chief Executive Officer of IMG Worlds of Adventure, said that they are excited about launching the world’s largest indoor theme park which will be a major tourism attraction for Dubai, the surrounding regions and the rest of the world. They have partnered with some of the biggest global brands in the industry, including Marvel and Cartoon Network and they have secured exceptional sponsors. There are many spectacular one-of-a-kind rides and attractions and they are now completing the final touches. Guests who have already purchased tickets prior to the new opening date will be issued new tickets for a chosen date. In addition, guests will receive a complimentary Ultimate Fast Track pass, which will provide priority access to the rides and attractions.

The much awaited Dubai Parks and Resorts the region’s largest theme park destination will open its gates to the public on October 31, 2016. This unique destination will be comprised of three theme parks – Bollywood Parks Dubai, MOTIONGATE Dubai, and LEGOLAND Dubai, together with LEGOLAND Water Park.  The destination will also include Riverland  Dubai, a themed retail, dining, and entertainment experience, along with the Lapita Hotel, a Polynesian-themed family resort. The entire range of products and prices will be announced soon. Annual passes are currently on sale at dubaiparksandresorts.com, and daily passes will be announced soon.

Emirates Airlines has enhanced its presence in Southeast Asia with the launch of a new daily linked service from Dubai to Yangon (RGN) in Myanmar, and onwards to Hanoi (HAN) in Vietnam. This new service, which is being operated with a Boeing 777-300ER, expands the airline’s network in Southeast Asia to 12 cities in seven countries and offers more choices and convenience to passengers travelling between Hanoi and Yangon to Dubai and beyond. Yangon, the first destination within Myanmar to be served by Emirates, is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. As the country’s largest city and the most important commercial centre, Yangon contributes approximately one fifth to the country’s GDP. The previously undiscovered country offers visitors a rare glimpse of ancient Asia, and since the opening up of tourism, has witnessed an increase in foreign tourist arrivals. Meanwhile, Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam and also a destination with rich culture and heritage for over a thousand years, becomes Emirates’ second gateway within the country following the launch of services to Ho Chi Minh City in 2012. As with all Emirates flights, passengers travelling on the Yangon and Hanoi service will be able to take advantage of the generous Emirates baggage allowance of up to 35kg in Economy Class, and 40kg in Business Class, and 50kg in First Class. Flights to Yangon and Hanoi will depart daily from Dubai as EK388 at 03:30hrs arriving at Yangon International Airport at 11:40hrs. The service will then depart from Yangon at 13:00hrs and arrive at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport at 15:30hrs. The return flight, EK389 will depart Hanoi at 22:50hrs, arriving at Yangon at 00:20hrs the next day. The …