In line with its aim of attracting new markets, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman will take part in the roadshow in East Europe organised by UAE National Council of Tourism and Antiquities. The week-long roadshow will cover the cities of Prague, Czech Republic; Warsaw, Poland; and Budapest, Hungary. The delegation seeks to reinforce the UAE’s position as the leading travel destination in the Middle East, by showcasing the diverse offerings and attractions of the seven emirates. Iftikhar Hamdani, Cluster General Manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman, commented that they are keen to diversify the guest nationality mix by tapping tourists from East Europe in their properties. As these markets have excellent potential; they have seen an increase in arrivals from Hungary and Poland in 2015, and they have already started to sign contracts with some tour operators for the summer period.  Currently there is a robust competition within the hospitality sector therefore they will continue to explore new markets to maintain their strong performance.

Growing demand for halal-certified food by airlines is encouraging suppliers worldwide to develop new products and enhance their production capacities. Worldwide, the spending on global halal food and lifestyle products is estimated to rise by 10.8 per cent every year until 2019, creating an international industry worth  $3.7 trillion, according to a Global Islamic Economy Report. The halal food sector alone is estimated to grow to $2.537 trillion by 2019, up from $795 billion in 2014, which is 21.2 per cent of global food expenditure. Airlines worldwide have been eager to tap into this growing segment. World Travel Catering and Onboard Services expo Middle East (WTCEME) witnessed more than 70 exhibitors from 20 countries, utisiling the platform to introduce their new products and innovations to the aviation industry in the Middle East. Amid rising number of international passengers worldwide, estimated to cross 7 billion by 2030 according to IATA, airlines in the region are keen to ensure a comfortable and positive passenger experience. Catering to the food preferences of the passengers and providing them innovative and high quality food options is a critical factor determining happiness of passengers.

Turkish Airlines inaugurated its direct flight to Dubrovnik (Croatia). Introductory trip fares are available from Istanbul to Dubrovnik starting from 99 USD and from Dubrovnik to Istanbul 99 EUR (including taxes and fees). Additionally, for the first six months of operation to the new destinations, there is a special offer for Miles and Smiles members, with a 25% reduction in the miles needed to redeem either award tickets or upgrades. Dubrovnik is the second destination served in Croatia since May 10th 2016. With existing service to Zagreb, Turkish Airlines’addition of Dubrovnik,further expands its network. Three weekly flights are now operated to Dubrovnik and this number will be increased to five as of 31st May, and to six from 29th August.

In a bid to boost tourism, during the second half of the year The Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) will embark on a one week roadshow to three European countries starting 16th May 2016. Officials of ATDD headed by HE Faisal Al Nuaimi, General Manager, and Yamina Aoucher, Director of Tourism Development & Marketing Department, will be joined by representatives from Kempinski Ajman, Ajman Saray, and the Ramada Ajman in visiting Prague in the Czech Republic on 16th May, followed by Warsaw in Poland on 18th May and Budapest in Hungary on 20th May. The delegation will meet with potential partners and network with industry stakeholders to present the emirate of Ajman as a safe family, business and leisure destination. The group will highlight the many activities, events, attractions and accommodations that are available in Ajman to both business and leisure travellers from the continent.

The latest findings by a recent survey by Collinson Group shared that the UAE frequent flyer programme membership is over four times higher than 2014 whereas the hotel memberships have doubled during the past two years. The study reported that there has been a stark rise in loyalty programme membership among the UAE affluent middle class since 2014, particularly in hotel and frequent flyer programmes. Collinson Group surveyed attitudes to programmes run by supermarket and grocery stores, airlines, credit card providers, retailers, hotels, telecom and media companies, coffee shops, and banking. 35 percent are now members of hotel programmes, up from 8 percent and 43 percent hold frequent flyer memberships, up from 20 percent, 40 percent participate in credit card programmes, up from 36 percent and 39 percent are involved in banking programmes, up from 25 percent.

Contributing to the growing of mid-market segment, Al Khoory Hotels has announced their expansion plans. In addition to existing properties such as the Al Khoory Hotel Apartments in Al Barsha and Al Khoory Executive Hotel in Al Wasl; Al Khoory Hotels launched their latest mid-market proposition at this month’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) with the 227-room Al Khoory Atrium Hotel Al Barsha which is set to open in July 2016. Mohammed M T Khoory, Managing Director, Al Khoory Group, stated that they plan to offer 1,100 rooms in Dubai by end of 2019. During this time, they will explore opportunities internationally and create management contracts with stand-alone properties in the UAE and GCC market, where they can see long term growth opportunities.

Turkish Airlines, with the world’s most extensive route network, has added two more nations to its global reach by beginning its services to Bogota, Columbia’s capital, and Panama City, capital of Panama.The integration of these two cities, Panama City and Bogota, the flag carrier now operates to 14 destinations in 6 countries across the Americas. These new points join Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Toronto, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Boston, Montreal, San Francisco and Miami as Turkish Airlines rapidly grows its presence in the Western Hemisphere. The inaugural flight to Bogota and Panama City was highlighted by M. İlker Aycı, Turkish Airlines’ Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, with participation of protocol and media representatives and also Turkish Airlines’ employees at the El Dorado Airport in Bogotá. Andres Ortega, El Dorado Airport’s CEO and Gustauo Him, Republic of Panama’s Ministry of Tourism also welcomed the first flight to these cities. Both cities are home bases to Star Alliance partners, Avianca in Colombia and Copa in Panama, and the link to Istanbul and Turkish Airlines’ network will be of great benefit to travelers, adding even more connectivity. Beginning 10th May (today), Istanbul – Bogota (BOG) – Panama (PTY) flights will be operated 3 times per week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays in both directions. Round trip fares are available for the route of IST – BOG – PTY starting at 699 American Dollars (including taxes and fees). Additionally, for the first 6 months of operations to new destinations, there is a special offer for Miles&Smiles members, with a 25% reduction in the miles needed to redeem either award tickets or upgrades.* (Conditions apply)  

The recently concluded Arabian Travel Market (ATM) from April 25-28, 2016, at the Dubai World Trade Center declared an increase of 7 per cent in terms of visitor numbers and 9 per cent increase from 2015 in the number of Buyer’s Club members with over 28,000 trade visitors which included VIPs, sponsors and speakers attending the show released by Reed Travel Exhibitions. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, ATM has grown to become the largest event of its kind in the region and one of the biggest in the world. The 2016 edition had an additional hall, with 423 main stand holders representing 86 countries, 64 country pavilions and over 100 new exhibitors making their debut. Main focus was the mid-market segment targeted at various new markets with wellness and responsible tourism playing a key role as well. One of the most interesting seminars was the discussion on UAE being the global tourism hub.

Air Arabia has announced that they have exceeded analyst expectations and their turnover has increased by 7 per cent to AED 946 million with an increase of 17 per cent in passenger numbers to 2.1 million as well. The airline reported a net profit of AED114 million for the three months ending March 31, 2016, a 34 percent higher than the corresponding 2015 figure of AED85 million. In the same period, Air Arabia posted a turnover of AED946 million, an increase of 7 percent on AED886 million in the first quarter of last year. The airline flew more than 2.1 million passengers between January and March 2016, up 17 percent on the corresponding period of last year. The airline’s average seat load factor – or passengers carried as a percentage of available seats – during the first three months of 2016 stood at an impressive 81 per cent.

The national airline of the UAE, Etihad has partnered with MTT, a Travelport company and provider of digital solutions to the airline industry, to launch a mobile application for iPhone users. The App enables guests to organise and manage their journey with even greater ease as the airline continues to adopt innovative technology to re-imagine the flying experience. Etihad Airways guests will enjoy 10 per cent off flights, and members of the airline’s loyalty programme Etihad Guest, will receive 250 bonus miles for every booking made through the mobile app before 30 May 2016. The Etihad Airways mobile app is simple and enjoyable to use, providing comprehensive trip management capabilities by leveraging the latest innovations in mobile technology. Guests can pay for their tickets by scanning their credit card and can also check in for their flight by using their mobile phone to simply scan their passport page. Boarding passes can be viewed from the app or downloaded directly to iOS Wallet.