OceanAir’s camel riding and desert BBQ offering winning the top global award for Experiences in Tripadvisor’s 2020 Travellers’ Choice Awards. An initiative of Tripadvisor and its subsidiary company Viator, the 2020 Travellers’ Choice Awards saw OceanAir’s much sought after activity, the Premium Red Dunes & Camel Safari with BBQ at Al Khayma Camp taking the No.1 spot in the Top 5 experiences worldwide. The Awards recognise the world’s top experiences featuring tours and activities as decided by Tripadvisor and Viator travellers. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DCTCM) said, “Dubai Tourism congratulates OceanAir for this significant achievement, as well as for the package of experiences it provides to attract tourists to the city. The Award is testament to the strength of the relationships we have built with our stakeholders and partners, both in the domestic and key international markets.” Essam Salah, OceanAir Travels, Co-Founder & CEO, said, “OceanAir would like to dedicate this Award to the government and people of the UAE and extends its heartfelt thanks to all guests for their endorsement of our desert offering, and to the company’s dedicated team of tourism professionals for working hard to ensure that visitors are able to enjoy the best handpicked destination experiences in Dubai.” Jasem Al Shehhi, General Manager, OceanAir Travels assured that the company is going ahead with its future projects to expand in safari projects and heritage restaurants serving locals and tourists alike, focusing specifically on sustainable tourism projects and preserving environments, which is one of the vital sectors that Dubai Tourism places special priority on, ahead of preparation for Expo 2021. He pointed out that OceanAir established Al Khayma Company, which refers …

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is organising the maiden virtual roadshow on August 31, 2020. Beverly Au Yong, Area Director, Singapore Tourism Board, Middle East shares with TTME the importance of connecting the regional stakeholders with Singapore service providers for business and networking purposes. She reiterated that the main objectives of the virtual trade show is to connect local and Singapore based travel stakeholders for business and networking opportunities, Maintain market presence and continue to strengthen their relationship with travel trade partners. The roadshow will focus on outbound travel agents/tour operators from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain while the second one will be focused on MICE intermediaries. Au Yong stated, “The roadshow is part of STB’s regional B2B engagement effort, under the theme #UnitedWeStand with focus on the GCC countries. It aims to provide one-to-one networking and foster business opportunities for the local travel trade stakeholders with Singapore service providers. This platform will also allow the Singapore service providers to share the key initiatives taken by their organisations, under the government’s directive, once the borders are open for international visitors.” She further stated that “the registration will be open for travel trade stakeholders managing outbound travel services from the GCC countries on a first come first service basis. Interested outbound agents will be able to register their interest to meet selected set of Singapore service providers on the registration link published and promoted on TravTalk Middle East B2B platforms. Each agency is allowed a maximum of 2 attendees. The local agents who are able to secure highest number of virtual meetings will also get a chance to win exciting gifts.” It is an opportunity for travel trade professionals …

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) announced a strong upturn in the Emirate’s tourism and hospitality performance during the initial phase of recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic. The Authority had launched a range of far reaching support initiatives, aimed at its hospitality, leisure and development partners, during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis to lay the strong foundations for future recovery. Moreover, stringent safety measures were implemented across the Emirate to safeguard guests and residents leading to internationally renowned certifications and a quick bounce-back of its tourism industry. Ras Al Khaimah’s key performance highlights during the initial phase of recovery include: Ras Al Khaimah reported an average ADR increase of 12.9% over Eid Al Adha break, the highest average room rate, compared to the last three years under normal (non-pandemic) travel circumstances; Despite the regional effects of the pandemic, Ras Al Khaimah leads in RevPAR in the UAE. The ongoing ‘Shortcation’ Campaign, which was launched in early June targeting domestic travel, drove bookings of almost 7,000 nights during the first eight weeks of the campaign; During Eid Al Adha holiday, Ras Al Khaimah hotels and resorts welcomed over 18,000 guests who chose the Emirate as their preferred staycation destination; The Jais Adventure Peak which has welcomed over 52,000 thrill seekers to date, reopened with strict sanitary measures and continues to receive visitors; Ras Al Khaimah becomes the first city in the world to be certified as safe by Bureau Veritas and the first Emirate to receive the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp. RAKTDA partners with the National Crisis & Emergency Management Authority and Ras Al Khaimah Preventive Medicine Department provide free COVID-19 PCR testing for …

flydubai announced the resumption of flights to Almaty and Nursultan in Kazakhstan from 18 August. Earlier this week, the carrier also resumed flights to Dhaka, Djibouti and Kuwait, bringing the total number of operational routes on its network to 24 destinations.Starting from 18 August, flydubai flight FZ 1735 to Almaty International Airport (ALA) will operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays. From 19 August, flydubai flight FZ 1705 to Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays. flights to Almaty and Nursultan will operate from Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB). flydubai’s passenger experience has been redesigned to enable travel in a safe environment that minimises crew and passenger contact. Every passenger will receive a complimentary snack or meal onboard. During a flight, air is exchanged in the cabin every two to three minutes and is sterile when it enters the cabin after passing through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. flydubai’s aircraft are disinfected every day with manufacturer-certified cleaning products. The airline offers the flexibility to make a change to the date of travel, rebook to another flight or destination without any penalties. Any differences in fare may apply and tickets are subject to flydubai’s terms and conditions. flydubai has operated 831 repatriation flights since March, enabling more than 100,000 passengers to return home to 40 countries. flydubai continues to support government efforts to operate repatriation flights and more than 240 repatriation flights are scheduled in the upcoming weeks. Passengers are required to make sure that they are up to date with the regulations from the IATA Travel Centre for their whole journey, and follow the guidance issued by the authorities and the airline.

Air Astana will resume direct flights from Kazakhstan’s capital Nur-Sultan to Frankfurt on 18th August 2020, with services initially being operated four-times a week, increasing to a daily frequency by September. Flights will be operated using the latest Airbus A321LR aircraft, with flight times being 6h 20m outbound to Frankfurt and 5h 45m on the return to Nur-Sultan. Almaty to Dubai and Atyrau to Amsterdam services will be added on 17th August, together with Almaty to Kyiv on August 19. The flight schedule has also been updated to a morning arrival in Frankfurt, enabling maximum connectivity with partner airlines across Europe and North America. Air Astana’s fleet of A321LR aircraft boast 16 flat-bed Business Class seats and 150 economy class seats furnished with personalised inflight entertainment screens. The flight between Nur-Sultan and Frankfurt is operated in a codeshare partnership with Lufthansa. Basic Economy class fares departing Kazakhstan start from KZT 215,191 (Euro 440) and from KZT 1,065,418 (Euro 2,172) in Business Class return (inclusive of governmental taxes, airport fees and charges). Passengers with tickets for flights that had been cancelled owing to the earlier flight suspension can be re-booked onto flights from 18th August, without penalty. In accordance with German health regulations, all passengers (except those in transit) travelling to Germany from Kazakhstan must undertake a COVID-19 test at the point of departure within 48 hours of departure, or within 72 hours of entering Germany. Passengers will also be required to fill out two copies of a ‘passenger locator card’ during the flight. Passengers arriving to Kazakhstan should familiarise themselves with government health and quarantine regulations. Air Astana resumed its domestic network in May. Services to several international destinations recommenced …

As of early August, 45 airlines already connect Munich with 140 destinations, including 13 destinations in Germany, 18 destinations in Greece, 15 in Spain, 13 in Italy, 9 in Turkey, 7 in France, 5 in Croatia, 4 in Portugal, and 3 in Bulgaria. The North African destinations of Cairo (Egyptair) and Tunis (Tunis Air) are once again in Munich’s flight plan, along with two destinations in Canada, six in the USA, three in the Arabian Gulf, and three in the Far East. Air Canada, Emirates, Etihad, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines have once again included Munich in their intercontinental route networks. This brings the non-European route network back to 14 destinations. The number of weekly departures in August has now reached 1,100 take-offs. Since the relaxation of travel restrictions throughout Europe, traffic at Munich Airport has been picking up again. This clearly shows peoples’ desire to travel again after the lock-down. In this context, the safety of passengers and employees is Munich Airport’s top priority. In addition to the mask mandate in effect in the passenger buildings, many measures contribute to enforcing social distancing and hygiene rules for extensive infection protection. With Lufthansa ramping up their hub operation step by step, hub traffic is also increasing again – already one in three passengers currently use Munich as a transfer airport again.

The Health Tourism Department of the Dubai Health Authority organised a webinar on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, under the theme ‘Re-energizing Medical Tourism in Dubai’. Featuring an informative session targeting the health tourism sector, the panellists included Mohamed Al Mheiri, Director, Health Tourism Department, Dubai Health Authority; Shehzad Jamal, Partner, Healthcare and Education, Knight Frank Middle East; Dr. Mohaymen Abdelghany, CEO of Al Zahra Hospital, Dubai; Andre Daoud, CEO of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centers, Dubai; and Joe Hawayek, Senior Director, Head of Health (MEA), Aetna. During the webinar, Al Mheiri said that the healthcare providers in Dubai have exemplified their strengths and capabilities to lead the fight against COVID-19, and this is highly visible in the results of the very high rate of recovery in the emirate and in the UAE. The pandemic has paved the way for the healthcare industry to take a closer look at its capabilities to curb the spread of the disease, including the use of telehealth and the implementation of higher safety measures in hospitals to resume full outpatient and inpatient activities. The panel of experts in the webinar also discussed the opportunities available in key sources markets as the world continues to navigate the uncertainties brought about by COVID-19. It further explored the discussions on the value of second medical opinion through telehealth from the UAE’s perspective and raised the matter on international medical tourists’ coverage and the inclusion of wellness services. “The Health Tourism Department continues to raise its level of support to Dubai’s efforts of becoming the world’s most preferred health tourism destination and centre of excellence for accredited healthcare facilities. As we look beyond the COVID-19 crisis, we are poised …

Singapore Food Festival (SFF) will take on a virtual format this year. Themed “Rediscover the Foodie in You”, SFF 2020 will see more than 25 F&B partners coming onboard to serve up gastronomic experiences for festival goers to enjoy at home. Taking place across two weekends in August (21–23 August and 28–30 August), Singapore’s dining scene will come to life in the form of virtual food tours, live masterclasses and chef collaborations. SFF also encourages the rediscovery of our local cuisine – from the rich depth of foodie traditions to innovative new takes on Singapore cuisine that continue to shape the past, present and future of our food culture. During this challenging period for the F&B industry, SFF 2020 also aims to be a platform for chefs and local F&B businesses to collaborate and showcase their culinary passions and products. Ranita Sundra, Director of Retail and Dining, Singapore Tourism Board (STB), said, “While we are unable to host SFF in its usual form, we are excited about the possibilities that the festival’s very first virtual edition will bring. This year’s programming aims to bundle the joy of feasting with interactive and engaging experiences. We encourage everyone to support our chefs, bartenders and food personalities, while rediscovering the foodie in them through the exciting gastronomic activities we have planned.” Through these virtual tours, audiences will learn more about the history and heritage of the precincts and the food secrets they keep. With SFF going virtual this year, popular mobile app Snapchat will also join in the fun with their launch of an exclusive foodie-themed filter lens that participants can use to record and share their favourite SFF moments. This will be …

Travelport signed a new multi-year content agreement with Air New Zealand. The agreement also includes the continued use of Travelport Rich Content and Branding, the company’s leading airline merchandising tool.Under the agreement, Travelport will continue to support Air New Zealand by providing more than 68,000 Travelport-connected agencies around the world with real-time access to search, sell and book the airline’s content and inventory. With Travelport’s Rich Content and Branding solution, worldwide agencies will also be enjoying greater access and a graphically rich experience when searching and booking the branded fares and ancillary products of Air New Zealand.Commenting on the new agreement, Andrew Dale, Regional General Manager Sales & Alliances said, “We are looking to the future with this new agreement. Putting Air New Zealand’s award-winning and innovative products in front of the world’s travel agents, in a manner which does them full justice, will play a crucial role in the recovery of travel. Travelport has been a trusted partner with a proven track record for years, and we are happy to extend our partnership.” Sue Carter, Head of Asia Pacific, Air Partners at Travelport, commented: “In 2015, Air New Zealand was the 100th carrier to launch Travelport Rich Content and Branding, which is now being used by more than 300 airlines globally to differentiate their branded fares and increase upselling. Retailing excellence is more important now than it has ever been, and we are delighted to build on our partnership with Air New Zealand.”

The First Group is making rapid progress in the development of Ciel with the high-profile Dubai Marina property’s foundations nearing completion. The Dubai-headquartered firm, which ranks among the city’s fastest-growing developers of upper midscale hotels, is building the future icon with development partner China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC). More than 11,800 cubic metres of concrete and in excess of 3,000 tonnes of steel are being used to construct the building’s foundations, highlighting the sheer scale of the project. The largest concrete pour, completed this week, comprised 7,000 cubic metres of concrete over a continuous 48-hour period. A final pour consisting of 1,000 cubic metres of concrete is scheduled for September 3. “We are proud to mark this important milestone in the development of Ciel, which is set to become one of Dubai’s most iconic buildings and a landmark hotel of global significance,” said Rob Burns, CEO of The First Group. “Ciel is The First Group’s 18th project in Dubai and our largest and most complex undertaking to date. This spectacular tower will truly be a jewel in the crown of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Ideally located in Dubai Marina, Ciel guests will enjoy world-class hospitality, F&B and entertainment facilities.” “Having worked with The First Group constructing major hotel projects in Dubai for more than a decade, we are proud to partner with the firm in the development of Ciel, the world’s tallest hotel,” commented Gao Jinping, General Manager of China Railway 18th Bureau Group. “I am confident our partnership will continue to go from strength to strength in the years ahead.” “Ciel will set a new benchmark for innovative design in super-tall buildings, not just in Dubai, …