Emaar Hospitality Group announced the opening of its first resort under the Vida Hotels and Resorts brand in Umm Al Quwain. Located on the idyllic beachfront, Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain offers endless attractions to tourists and residents of Umm Al Quwain at the stunning design-led resort. From sophisticated rooms and suites, captivating views of the sea and endless water sports facilities, to wholesome eateries, a vibey rooftop bar, sandy white beach access, and an expansive pool, Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain is the ultimate destination to unwind and come alive with friends, family, and pets in the picturesque location of Umm Al Quwain. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore the nearby hidden gem that is the emirate of Umm Al Quwain offering culture, heritage, water activities, and much more. Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain is just a stone’s throw away from Umm Al Quwain’s most popular tourist attractions such as the UAQ Corniche and the UAQ National Museum which offers an invaluable collection of artifacts that were excavated from nearby sites. Explore the Umm Al Quwain Coastal Mangrove just nine minutes from the resort and paddle the serene waters of the Mangrove inhabited by flamingos and cormorants. Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain includes 135 rooms and suites which showcases breathtaking views of the sea and offers mesmerizing sounds of the waves providing the ultimate tranquil experience for guests who stay at the resort. The rooms at Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain offer sleek and stylish furnishings and include in-room technology, complimentary Wi-Fi, with 24-hour concierge service on hand to ensure maximum comfort. For an escape with uninterrupted views of the …

Qatar Airways to become the first global airline to offer passengers 100 percent Zero-Touch technology for its award-winning Oryx One in-flight entertainment system across the A350 fleet as part of the airline’s latest COVID-19 safety measures. The Zero-Touch technology, introduced in partnership with the Thales AVANT IFE system, will enable A350 passengers to pair their personal electronic devices (PEDs) with their seat-back IFE screen by connecting to ‘Oryxcomms’ Wi-Fi and simply scanning a QR code displayed on the screen. They can then use their PEDs to navigate and enjoy more than 4,000 options on offer through the airline’s award-winning Oryx One in-flight entertainment system, limiting the frequency of on board surface contact and providing greater peace of mind throughout the duration of their journey. Qatar Airways is also set to become the first airline in Europe and the Middle East and North Africa region to offer passengers in Business and Economy the option to pair their personal Bluetooth headphones with the onboard seatback IFE system in all cabins on the Boeing 787-9 fleet. His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive, Qatar Airways, said, “As an industry leader in the fight against COVID-19 and the first global airline to recently achieving a 5-Star rating in the coveted Skytrax Airline Safety Rating, Qatar Airways is committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and hygiene onboard its aircraft at all times. “The introduction of the state-of-the-art Zero-Touch technology, and enabling passengers to use their personal Bluetooth headset on board is an important step in taking our already rigorous and stringent COVID-19 precautions to another level, limiting passenger surface contact and preventing any possible spread of infection on board. We hope it …

The countdown has begun for the Tourism Ireland virtual roadshow which promises to bring in a host of networking opportunities to the travel fraternity. Their maiden roadshow for the Middle East on March 8 & 9, 2021. Vicky Green -Associate Director Business Development – Andras Hotels shared, “Buyers should and can expect the same high-quality welcome, service, and product for their guests. Hygiene has always been a priority but now it is complemented with additional safeguard measures following strict brand guidelines, all delivered safely and sensitively without impacting the guest experience. Buyers can also expect flexibility on terms & conditions as we work to support each other.” She stressed the importance of the Middle East market. “We have been welcoming visitors from the Middle East for a long time across a variety of our properties and for a variety of reasons. I attended the 2020 Tourism Ireland sales mission and travelled out to the market to meet with agents & operators in person. Even though we can’t do that this year being part of this type of event helps demonstrate our commitment to the market.  The diversity of our portfolio, operating multiple brands to suit a range of clients. One point of contact for all properties saving valuable time and energy when searching for options.”  

Tourism Ireland is geared up to kick off their maiden Virtual roadshow for the Middle East on 8th and 9th March 2021. Adams and Butler known as the Hallmark of Luxury Travel pledged their support and partnership at the event. Siobhan Byrne Learat, CEO & Private Travel Designer stated that they will be ensuring that all clients will be kept well informed of all developments such as entry requirements especially at this point of time of uncertainty. She reiterated, “We are also getting requests for more off-the-beaten track places and for longer stays.  All the hotels, drivers and guides we work with, are fully Covid compliant and sensitive. We have also changed our cancellation terms.  Since May 2020 we give 100% credit for any postponements and offer commission to the travel agent at time of booking as soon as the deposit hits our account. Travel agents are so important to Adams & Butler. We appreciate and value their business so much, and we know that it is imperative that they get their commission as soon as possible so that all of us in the travel industry survive.” Learat further stated that the Middle East market is a very important one, “The Middle Eastern market is huge for us, especially as we offer a lot of interesting options for families and honeymoons. We get a lot of family bookings whereby the clients want to rent apartments, villas, country houses and estates or castles to stay in.  We have access to about 200 properties that you can rent for a family or couple on an exclusive-use basis, dotted all over Ireland.  We can also supply whatever other services you may require, such …

Backed by SITA’s state-of-the-art technology, Bahrain International Airport’s (BIA) newly opened Passenger Terminal is better prepared to respond to the changing demands of travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ultra-modern facility positions BIA as the most advanced boutique airport in the Gulf, increasing its capacity to 14 million passengers per year. A key focus for Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the airport’s operator and managing body, was to optimize the passenger experience and operations to quickly recover from the pandemic through 2021 and beyond. Using SITA’s Operations at Airports portfolio, the airport benefits from real-time insights, improved stakeholder collaboration, and increased agility to optimize operations. The solution includes SITA’s Flight Info Displays Systems (FIDS), providing a dynamic platform for communicating important information and managing the passenger flow. Roger Nakouzi, Vice President Sales, SITA, said, “Thanks to new SITA technology, Bahrain International Airport can leap forward and make operations resilient, agile, and safer for all passengers. The implementation allows for deeper integration of Smart Path throughout the airport and further installation of automated systems, future-proofing the airport for decades to come.” Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, Chief Executive Officer, BAC  said, “In addition to the new Passenger Terminal, the AMP includes several infrastructure development projects that will contribute to the realization of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, laying the foundation for a more sustainable and diversified economy. With SITA’s support, we have enhanced operational efficiency and are in a stronger position to meet the new standards and measures required during COVID-19.”

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is gearing up for the commencement of its flights to Egypt with an exclusive one-time offer of 2,500 tickets to Alexandria for an incredibly low fare of only AED 49. The 2,500 tickets include all seats on the airline’s inaugural flight to Alexandria on 22 February, with the remaining special offer fares of AED 49 for a one-way ticket available on a first-come-first-serve basis across select flights to or from Alexandria. Open to everyone, these exclusive tickets are on sale from Wednesday 17th to Thursday 18th February at wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, now also available in Arabic. Kees Van Schaick, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi said, “We are delighted to offer travellers keen to visit loved ones or interested in exploring the amazing destinations of Alexandria and Abu Dhabi, the opportunity to do so affordably. We can’t wait to welcome you on board, these tickets aren’t going to last long!” Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the result of a joint venture partnership between ADQ and Wizz Air Holdings plc, is steadily expanding its route network to popular destinations including Athens, Thessaloniki, Alexandria, Tel Aviv, Kutaisi, Larnaca, Odesa and Yerevan. With a fleet composed of four brand new Airbus A321neo aircraft, the airline has the region’s youngest aircraft, delivering the lowest fuel burn, emissions, and noise footprint. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has also embraced the new era of sanitized travel, with enhanced hygiene measures to ensure the health and safety of all passengers and crew. Click here to view Wizz Air’s new health and safety video.

YasWaterworld is gearing up to welcome back guests starting Monday, February 22, 2021. The waterpark will exclusively welcome back Annual Passholders with valid online bookings on Saturday February 20, 2021. In honor of its 8th anniversary, UAE residents are in for a treat with the early bird offer which includes either a 30% discount on single day tickets priced at just AED 175 per person, or a whopping 48% discount on single day tickets with the waterpark’s signature Pearl Diving experience priced at AED 195 per person. The early bird offers are available to purchase on YasWaterworld’s website until February 21, 2021. There’s no shortage of aquatic adventures awaiting all at the World’s Leading Waterpark! From rip curl waves and mazes with twists and turns to serpentine spins and more, guests can join Dana on her quest for the legendary lost pearl, dive into immersive and one-of-a-kind experiences, and hop on exhilarating and adrenaline-pumping rides. Guests in search of a unique thrill need not miss out on the YasWaterworld Pearl Diving Experience. This one-of-a-kind attraction showcases traditional Emirati pearl diving, allowing guests the chance to plunge to the depths of an underwater tank in a quest to collect oysters, which contain precious pearls. In the past eight years, YasWaterworld garnered more than 40 industry awards and accolades from leading bodies within the industry, including the recent ‘Middle East’s Leading Waterpark’ title from World Travel Awards in 2020. Truly Water’s Greatest Playground, YasWaterworld is home to over 45 rides, slides and attractions; six of which can’t be found anywhere else in the world, including Dawwama, Bandit Bomber, Cinesplash, Bubble’s Barrel, Falcon’s Falaj and Slithers Slides. Committed to continuously expanding its line-up …

Bringing together Travel Trade Partners together for the first time, an exclusively curated webinar to explore and Discover Saudi’s exciting new tourism offerings was conducted online. The global travel industry is undergoing its most profound transformation. As the landscapes evolves, it is more important than ever to continue to inspire, engage and educate travel trade for when the world safely re-opens and travel resumes. Saudi Arabia is a relatively new destination on the global stage. As the authentic home of Arabia, Saudi offers unique, diverse and unparalleled experiences, a land of natural assets, rich culture and heritage and adventure. To bring to light the Saudi offering, the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has launched ‘Journeys in Arabia’, an exclusive online event curated especially for Travel Trade Partners around the globe. The virtual engagement series, taking place across six markets around the world, is a first-of-its-kind initiative for STA, a source of inspiration and excitement, designed to inform partners about the diverse products and experiences that Arabia offers. The session provided insights into the current state of travel and the opportunities and challenges in addressing the growing demand and interest in Saudi as a new destination. Panelists discussed the huge shift in domestic travel and potential of the regional audience as an untapped segment, highlighting infrastructure, connectivity and capacity as the three fundamentals in further developing Saudi’s tourism ecosystem. Giga projects including NEOM were referenced as key in driving tourism to Saudi in the future, while investment into activities and experiences was also identified as critical components in elevating Saudi’s appeal amongst key stakeholders and potential partners.

Akbar Travels Online B2B intelligence system will optimise to curtail work of its users, thus saving time, energy and money. New feature will facilitate more than 6000 agents across Middle East to action reissue/refunds accurately within minutes. The main reason is to ensure that from now on reissue or refunds of LCC tickets will happen in a flash! This will further enable travel partners to provide exceptional services and focus on other revenue making opportunities especially at this point of time. At the same time they are on the brink of rolling out AUTO reissuance of GDS tickets. This will be a game changer for travel partners associated with us, simplifying the reissue ,at their convenience instantly. Agents who had the opportunity to try out the new system are appraising  the new system with gratitude. Akbar Travels is now the largest B2B travel provider in the GCC with local presence in all 6 countries.  

Reed Exhibitions, organiser of the annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) showcase in Dubai, has announced the return of Arabian Travel Week (ATW) between 16-26 May 2021. “This week-long festival of events is dedicated to travel professionals from all over world, to collaborate and shape the recovery of the Middle East travel industry, through exhibitions, conferences, breakfast briefings, awards, product launches and networking events,” Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. “Essentially, Arabian Travel Week will provide a pivotal platform for the region’s travel and tourism industry, whether participating in-person at the events or virtually, over the course of 10 days – it will put a spotlight on Dubai, the UAE, GCC and of course the wider MENA   region’s tourism sector,” she added. “There will be a whole host of in-person seminars on ATM’s show floor specifically designed to support, inspire and innovate all travel and tourism professionals, looking at the latest trends in technology, sustainability and profiling the next generation of global travellers,” said Curtis. Ibrahim Ayoub, Group CEO, ITIC & Invest Tourism Ltd said, “We are delighted to host in partnership with ATM, our ITIC Middle East Tourism Investment Summits, in-person on Wednesday, 19th May and followed by our virtual summit, a week later on Thursday, 27th May. We will bring together hospitality, tourism and financial services leaders to discuss how the Middle East’s travel and tourism industry can position their businesses to be ready for the post COVID-19 recovery, through instituting and making strategic investments to rebuild the sector.” “This year’s theme of ‘A New Dawn for Travel and Tourism’ has never been more relevant nor important – this message of recovery will be integrated into all …