The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the launch of the first official Public Profile for a tourism board on leading social media platform Snapchat – giving potential travellers the chance to explore everything that the capital of the UAE has to offer in a new and immersive way. Public Profiles give brands the ability to have an organic presence on Snapchat, housing all their unique content in one discoverable place. Acting as a portal to unlock everything the region has to offer, the Visit Abu Dhabi Public Profile will provide subscribers with exclusive travel information for Abu Dhabi, showcasing the wide variety of things to do during a stay in the emirate, whilst bringing the beauty of the destination to life in an interactive new format. At a time when travel is slowly opening up, the new official Public Profile is ideal for those planning an upcoming trip to Abu Dhabi, offering a glimpse of the destination from the comfort of their own homes – and phones. There will be a wealth of content to explore, be it uncovering the beauty of Al Ain via the Highlights section or simply experiencing the capital in real-time via Stories or Community Snaps. Public Profiles were launched by Snapchat in 2020 and have had great success in bringing a brand’s story to life. The move from DCT Abu Dhabi marks the launch of the first official tourist board profile and it’s likely other tourist boards will follow suit as they look to welcome tourists back. Social channels have been a popular vehicle to engage potential travellers – inspiring wanderlust by making global destinations accessible to …

The UAE welcomes a new experience-driven, hospitality group to the market, Limestone Lab, a company with a vision of introducing new and innovative hospitality concepts to the UAE social and dining scene. With the notion of “re-imagining” hospitality experiences, Limestone Lab is set to roll out a lineup of unique concepts to the market between Q4 of 2021 and Q4 of 2023, with a disruptive approach to the traditional brick-and-mortar models. The company’s solid pipeline of bespoke F&B venues will be nothing short of innovative and cultural, boasting of interactive experiences, socially-elevated ambiances, which will be paired with culturally-infused cuisines and themes. Limestone Lab will also bring together a team of prominent designers, architects, hospitality experts to create thoughtfully designed properties located in unexpected destinations. All the venues will be unified by a common goal: to create spaces and experiences that hold lasting memories. Founded by Dubai-based serial entrepreneurs, Hassan Ballout and Hani Doueik, the formation of the company was an inherent process sparked by the passion of these two businessmen, accompanied by their extensive hospitality expertise, to bring truly inspirational F&B and nightlife concepts to the UAE. Ballout, CEO of Limestone Lab, is most known for his recent position as Chief Growth Officer for Seven Management, where he launched and managed Seven Sisters and Antika Bar in Dubai. Ballout has in addition co-created and rolled out 12 virtual restaurant brands in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait & Saudi Arabia, including Tawook Nation, Luca, Japang and Vigilante, to name a few. Alongside Ballout, Hani Doueik will also serve as the Co-Founder and COO of Limestone Lab. Doueik prides over a decade of experience in consulting multiple international brands within creative advertising …

Yas Island Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s leading leisure and entertainment destinations has launched the new marketing campaign ‘Stayin’ On Yas’, encouraging staycationers and vacationers to ‘break like you mean it’ in a brand new integrated roll-out. Offering a glimpse of holiday promise, the campaign celebrates everything holidaymakers seek during a staycation and more; from record-breaking theme parks, racing, climbing and flying to world-class shopping, dining, golfing and luxury hotels, all packed into one 25 km2 destination. The new campaign, ‘Stayin’ On Yas’, features three holiday-makers channeling the Bee Gees on a staycation like no other, as they experience the wide range of activities on Yas Island in style. The re-imagined campaign is styled in the format of music video, taking viewers on a lyrical journey with the new Yas Island anthem ‘Stayin’ On Yas’, a modern day tribute to holidays, inspired by the hit Bee Gees classic. Set against a backdrop of Yas Island’s most iconic attractions including world-class theme parks Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, and Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi; shopping haven Yas Mall, Yas Links Abu Dhabi golf course and record-breaking adventure hub CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi, the campaign redefines what it means to be on a staycation. With a range of safety and wellness guidelines firmly in place, the 70’s inspired ode to fun celebrates the rejuvenating power of staycations and reminds audiences of how important it is to take a break, whilst providing a message of positivity and hope as well as a snapshot of holidays past, present and future. Released to complement summer holiday packages, the campaign brings fun-starved holidaymakers a glimpse of blue skies, sunshine, wave machines and theme …

Mauritius has opened its borders to international travellers, both vaccinated and non-vaccinated, from 15 July 2021. Phase 1 of reopening of the borders for the Indian Ocean Island will run until 30 September 2021 and allows vaccinated guests to stay in one of 14 chosen “resort bubbles”. Holidaymakers will have access to all facilities of the chosen hotel including the swimming pool and beach. If guests stay for 14 days and have negative PCR tests during their stay, then they may also travel around the island freely for the rest of their stay. However, for shorter stays, they may leave the resort earlier and travel back home. The approved Covid-19 safe resorts is available on: www.mauritiusnow.com The decision to reopen Mauritius came following the successful acceleration of the country’s vaccination programme. International tourism represents a large amount of the nation’s GDP and the Mauritian government took the decision in January to include tourism workers and hotel staff as frontline workers to ensure visitors will be welcomed into a safe and secure environment. Hon. Steven Obeegadoo, Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius and Minister of Tourism, said: “Mauritius is delighted to be welcoming international visitors into our safe and secure environment on the island. We are in a unique position to be able to allow international visitors, both vaccinated and non-vaccinated, to our resort bubbles and quarantine hotels before allowing guests to experience the island’s attractions. “The safety and security of Mauritian citizens, residents, and those visiting the island is paramount and we are grateful to those who have cooperated throughout the pandemic to make this possible. The acceleration of our vaccination programme has enabled us to partially reopen our borders and …

Umbrella Beach, an ambitious tourism project now underway on the eastern coast of the UAE, appears set to put the Emirate of Fujairah on the international tourism map. Slated for completion later this year, the project’s first phase will include at least 15 storefronts, to be eventually followed by a range of upscale retail outlets, restaurants, and other tourist-friendly attractions. “As one of the UAE’s smaller emirates, Fujairah is frequently overlooked by tourists and visitors to the country,” project manager Abdullah Taleb says. “The Umbrella Beach project plans to rectify this by drawing attention to Fujairah’s vast tourism potential, including its striking modernity, impressive work ethic, and breathtaking natural beauty.” ‘Something for Everyone’ Located on the Fujairah corniche, Umbrella Beach will afford visitors access to the area’s pristine beaches on the scenic Gulf of Oman. Promising an all-in-one leisure experience, the project is spearheaded by a team of leading brands and developers, all of whom are keen to present Fujairah as a world-class tourism and shopping destination. In addition to high-end retailers, restaurants, and cafes, Umbrella Beach will ultimately feature a drive-in cinema, wall-climbing area, basketball/volleyball courts, and jogging trails, along with recreational spaces for children and adults. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a multitude of beachside activities, including watersports, jet skiing, parasailing, and more. “Umbrella Beach will have something for everyone, regardless of age, nationality or background,” Abdullah Taleb explains. “Along with local visitors from Fujairah and the next-door Emirate of Sharjah, we hope to draw tourists from all over the region – and the world.” UAE Tourism: ‘More than Just Dubai, Abu Dhabi’ With the launch slated for later this year, the project hopes to combine …

Following the much-awaited resumption of its Dubai route in May, Cathay Pacific continues to stay true to its brand ethos and is ‘moving beyond’ to offer a series of enhancements. Customers can now experience and travel the popular – Premium Economy cabin on-board the Airbus A350-900. Starting 06 August, 2021, passengers can experience luxury on one of Cathay Pacific’s most modern long-haul fleets. The technologically advanced Airbus A350-900 provides travellers with an unsurpassed cabin environment on its Dubai – Hong Kong route. The aircraft is configured in a three-class layout with 280 seats, comprising of 38 Business Class, 28 Premium Economy and 214 Economy seats. Each state-of-the-art cabin class on the A350-900 provides a whole new experience for passengers, with its extra-wide cabins including new seats, innovative inflight entertainment interface, inflight connectivity, and, where passengers can bask in a new level of comfort and convenience when travelling. “We are thrilled to not only announce the operation of the Airbus A350-900 to the UAE, which will allow us to cater to the wider cargo and passenger demand, but also the introduction of a brand new cabin class on this route,” Vishnu Rajendran, Area Manager, Middle East, said. “Given the current situation, we would like to give our customers a choice to travel in a more spacious cabin, while also providing a premium product with features such as an immersive inflight entertainment system, LED mood lighting, 50 per cent quieter cabins, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling our guests to have a luxurious and worry-free travel experience.” The highly anticipated Premium Economy Class comes with more space and comfort. All Premium Economy seats on the Airbus A350-900 are equipped with a full-length …

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Philippines has pledged its support for the continuity of the infrastructure programme of the Duterte administration, saying it is a big boost to tourism activities in the country. Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat made the commitment recently, as she joined President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Senator Bong Go, Secretary Arthur Tugade, and Secretary Vince Dizon in inspecting the completed New Terminal Building of the Clark International Airport, which is considered to be part of the legacy of the Duterte administration’s ambitious Build, Build, Build programme. “Having world-class air, land and sea infrastructure such as the Clark Airport will help Philippine tourism bounce back sooner,” Puyat said. The operations and management of the Clark Airport will be overseen by the Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corporation (LIPAD), a consortium between Changi Airports Philippines Pte. Ltd., Filinvest Development Corporation, JG Summit Holdings, Inc., and Philippine Airport Ground Solutions (PAGSS) Inc. Boosting air connectivity is classified as one of the priorities of the DOT under the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) for 2016 to 2022, hence the significance of Clark Airport’s new terminal building completion, Puyat added. Tourist arrivals in Clark Airport totalled 1.98 million in 2019, which dropped to just 494,387 in 2020 and 51,584 in the first half of 2021 because of travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Estimated tourist receipts stood at just Php 6.23 billion in 2020 and Php 2.32 billion for far in 2021, a notable reduction from the recorded Php 19.66 billion in 2019. The Department stressed that the fastest way to restore tourism to pre-pandemic levels is to ensure that tourism destinations and establishments comply with the necessary …

It is once again an exciting time as Middle East’s only virtual travel show is back with its third edition. Connecting the trade digitally, the Gulf Travel Show will introduce new features in this edition including a day focused only on buyers from Saudi Arabia.  Partnering for the third edition, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority commented: “The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority is looking forward to participating in the upcoming Gulf Travel Show 2021, an event that complements our commitment to positioning Sharjah as the ideal global destination for family holidaymakers, while also emphasizing the emirate’s status as a well-known cultural hub for historical and natural heritage. The Gulf Travel Show is an ideal platform to forge new collaborations while showcasing the emirate’s dedication to moving forward safely and successfully after the events of Covid-19 and highlighting Sharjah’s many new projects and attractions as well as our beautiful beaches, museums, wildlife reserves and other favorite destinations.” The Gulf Travel Show 3.0 announced that there will be a special day dedicated to VIP buyers from the region and a day focused to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Back with its third edition on popular demand, Gulf Travel Show promises to be bigger and better with focused prescheduled meetings.  SanJeet, Director, Gulf Travel Show shared, “the success of the first two editions in November 2020 and March 2021, led to its third edition of the Gulf Travel Show 3.0. We are making this edition unique from the earlier editions hence we are launching for the first time a special day dedicated to buyers from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to meet with …

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain resumed its direct operations to Tbilisi International Airport in Georgia starting with 3 weekly flights from 15 July 2021. On this occasion, Captain Waleed Abdulhameed AlAlawi, Acting Chief Executive Officer, said “We have been operating direct flights between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Georgia since 2017 and it is one of the airline’s main destinations in the Caucasus region. We are extremely happy to see a much healthier trend in summer traffic and the resumption of some of our most popular destinations as the global vaccination program continues to bring a sense of normalcy back into our routine.” The airline currently flies to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, Muscat, Cairo, Amman, Casablanca, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Athens, Istanbul, Larnaca, Bangkok, Manila, Singapore, Dhaka, Colombo, the Maldives and several destinations in India and Pakistan. The airline has also successfully launched all of its seasonal destinations for the summer of 2021 with direct flights to Mykonos and Santorini in Greece, Malaga in Spain and Alexandria and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. Recently, Gulf Air announced offering complimentary COVID-19 travel insurance coverage to all ticket holders including health and quarantine expenses in the unexpected circumstances of being diagnosed with or contracting COVID-19 during passengers’ journeys. All tickets booked, including redemption tickets, on Gulf Air flights for travel until 10 November 2021 are automatically covered with COVID-19 insurance at no extra cost. All passengers, according to the newly announced insurance policy and in the unfortunate event of being diagnosed with COVID-19 while traveling abroad, will be covered for repatriation assistance, medical and hospitals costs abroad as well as quarantine accommodation …

Emirates launched Emirates Pay, a new account-based payment method for purchasing air tickets. Emirates Pay is now available for Emirates customers in Germany and the UK who are purchasing tickets via emirates.com. Emirates is the world’s first airline to launch this payment alternative powered by a white-label solution jointly developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in partnership with Deutsche Bank. Michael Doersam, Chief Financial Officer at Emirates said: “We’re pleased to be the first airline to roll out this new account-based solution for our customers. Our aim is to provide our customers with choice, convenience, and the best possible experiences at every touchpoint. Customers who don’t have a credit card, and those already using direct payments for other purchases, will welcome the simplicity and security of this method when making travel purchases. When it comes to payments solutions, we’ve always kept close to the latest innovations so that we can offer our customers in different markets the most secure and convenient options.” Christof Hofmann, Global Head of Corporate & Payment Solutions at Deutsche Bank said: “We are very proud that Emirates, which is widely recognized as one of the world’s best airlines, is the first airline to implement the new payment solution. The launch of Emirates Pay not only sends a very positive message to all of us that the airline industry is putting COVID behind, but more importantly that Emirates is clearly focused on improving client experience at the transactional level when moving into a brighter, post COVID world.”  Emirates Pay is an alternative method for travellers to pay for air tickets purchased online by directly debiting their bank account. It is based on real time payments …