The much awaited Gulf Travel Show (GTS), the perfect platform to meet and greet industry partners in virtual space will take place on March 31 and April 1 2021. Last November the first edition received a tremendous positive impact from the industry partners as they were provided the opportunity to network with partners from across the globe which targets the Middle East as one of their source markets. You can save your space today, Contact: crisna@ddppl.com +971 55 470 4200; sonia.butalia@ddppl.com +91 96503 11774; nikhil.jeet@ddppl.co It concluded with 40 plus exhibitors, 6000 one-to-one meetings, and 2,500 visitors from 59 countries which included travel agents, tour operators, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel management companies and international agencies. Local and international industry leaders attracted viewers with their insightful and engaging panel discussions. The hosted buyer programme along with the leader board motivated buyers to have meetings till the late hour. GTS with its proprietary exhibition software will help you recover, rebuild and reimagine relationships and products. Our first edition which concluded with great success was an affirmation of the need of the hour for the travel fraternity to ensure they maintain their connections and proactively search for new connections and/or partners that will help them grow their business help grow their brand and build long-term profitable business connections. At the onset of the first virtual event, we provided the platform which depicted that of a real live event, with our state of the art technology. As you enter the event, you were transported to the venue with a very easy to manage menu that enabled you to really enjoy the event without any hassle. The hosted buyers had the opportunity to earn …

Philippine government has lifted the ban on travellers from over 30 countries including UAE, allowing Filipino citizens and foreign nationals to enter, subject to conditions. In compliance with the latest resolution released by the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF), passengers flying to the Philippines will be required to undergo RT-PCR testing on their 6th day of quarantine from date of arrival Apart from this, non-OFWs and foreign nationals will also need to show proof of a pre-booked accommodation for at least seven (7) nights in an accredited quarantine hotel/facility. CEB will continue to operate its domestic and international flights as scheduled. Before going to the airport, passengers are advised to check the real-time status of flights on our website. Passengers are advised to update their contact details to receive email notifications on flight reminders and updates. We continue to work closely with the various government authorities and will provide updates as necessary. For other questions or concerns, passengers may send a message via Charlie the chatbot on the Cebu Pacific website, or through CEB’s official Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Ras Al Khaimah’s ‘Live RAK Play’ program is making the sunny destination backdrop used over virtual calls obsolete. Working professionals now have the chance to call the Emirate home from one to 12 months, where they can embrace the destination’s welcoming weather, inviting landscapes, and vast opportunities for relaxation and adventure. Available now until 30 December 2021, ‘Live RAK Play’ features a range of long-stay offers across numerous hotels with seamless connectivity and discounts on dining, laundry and car rental. In addition, guests will receive two complimentary tickets to either Jais Adventure Peak, home to the longest zipline in the world, or Suwaidi Pearl Farm as well as the newly launched Bear Grylls Explorer Camp for a half day-mountain excursion. Named the Gulf Tourism Capital for the second consecutive year, Ras Al Khaimah was one of the first destinations to put in place a comprehensive safety and security framework, earning it the title of world’s first Safe City from both Bureau Veritas, the global leader in testing, inspection and certification, and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Shifting work location offers new activities, routines, and opportunities for interaction and engagement. More so than ever, this past year has led to a rise in remote-working, as industries across the world have adopted more flexible working policies during these challenging times. With a more widely accepted remote working culture, individuals and families are increasingly seeking to explore new and safe destinations while staying connected digitally.

Wego has signed deal with Singapore Tourism Board (STB) Middle East to reimagine travel in Singapore and invite travellers from the GCC to visit the country once the borders are fully open. As countries are reopening their borders and aim to vaccinate the population in the fight against coronavirus, people are gearing up to travel again. Singapore has also started their vaccination drive by rolling out the vaccines amongst healthcare workers, followed by elderly and now to all residents. Singapore has enough vaccines for its 5.7 million population. Wego and Singapore Tourism Board Middle East are working closely to raise awareness about reimaging the future of travel in Singapore through fresh and innovative experiences that will ignite travelers’ passions. The new initiative ‘SingapoReimagine’, prompts audience in the Middle East to reimagine how travel will be like through Singapore’s reimagined offerings, which will be available across Wego’s diverse targeted marketing channels. The country provides its visitors a safe and seamless travel experience through its initiative SG Clean Quality mark, which requires tourism establishments to adhere to stringent levels of hygiene and sanitization as well as Safe Management Measures (SMMs). The city has been reporting low cases over the past few months. A recent Brand Health Study, conducted by STB’s appointed market research company Ipsos, revealed that confidence in travelling overseas for leisure and business has been steadily increasing, with 76% of leisure travelers and 90% of BTMICE travelers indicating they are likely to travel in the next 12 months, if possible. Singapore is a city known for its great food, authentic culture, all around family friendly atmosphere and world-class attractions which have always been attributes that attract GCC tourists to the …

  In a few hours, the second edition of Singapore Tourism Board GCC Virtual Roadshow will kick off with 15 partners from 10am to 4pm UAE time. Beverly Au Yong, Area Director, Middle East, Singapore Tourism Board, shared “Through the virtual trade roadshow, Singapore Tourism Board in Middle East is offering an opportunity to Singapore stakeholders to share reimagined initiatives and offers with the regional trade partners. Singapore Tourism Board will continue engage its travel trade partners to provide support through these challenging times. The virtual roadshow provides an exclusive opportunity for the regional travel trade partners to virtually connect with multiple service providers in Singapore. This platform allows our trade partners to deepen their ties, discuss business opportunity and get updates about the various services, offers and products available in Singapore following the pandemic. The theme of the second edition of the STB Virtual trade roadshow is ‘Charting Our Pathways to Tourism Recovery’. The virtual tradeshow is part of STB’s regional B2B engagement efforts with the objective to provide GCC travel trade partners to engage with Singapore service providers for business opportunities. In addition to destination updates, Singapore Tourism Board, ME will also share ‘SingapoReimagine’ the new global initiative to reimagine travel for Singapore and the rest of the world, by sparking conversations, stories and ideas to collectively shape the future of the travel sector. Our travel partners from Middle East can also expect some immersive virtual tour experiences from Singapore partners and service providers.”

Shaza Riyadh Hotel Residences is gearing up for the return of businessmen with several offers and bespoke spaces catering to the businesses as the economy recovers. The Saudi capital is witnessing an economic recovery that is mainly led by the ease of restrictions by the authorities. This is mainly due to the drop in COVID numbers nationwide, as well as the trust and confidence the business sector has in the Kingdom for the way they handled the pandemic. There is nothing that makes a businessman’s heart chirp like striking a good business deal, and Shaza Riyadh offers exactly the place to do so while giving the best deals for each stay as well. Business travellers can take advantage of the ongoing “It’s Time To Travel” campaign using the promo code – TIME, including 25% off on rooms (with an additional 10% discount for Discovery members), 20% off on dining and spa, and children below 12 years eat free. The property, inspired by the rich silk heritage, derives inspiration from the Andalusian charm. Each detail of its interiors and architecture boasts a story about the bygone days of  enchanting Andalusia. Great deals need great places and the hotel’s exceptional scent-inspired meeting rooms are the best fit for conferences, banquets, and more. From Saffron to Areej, each of the six meeting rooms boasts its own story and fragrance. Additionally, each one is equipped with the state of the art audio-visual systems and can be set up for respectful privacy. Andre Saade, General Manager at Shaza Riyadh Hotel Residences, commented, “At our hotel, it is our business to plan, execute and help you make your business successful. In Bayt Al Hikma, we have …

Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas announced the opening of its highly-anticipated new hotel accommodation which features spacious, modern guest rooms and joins the resort’s wide range of offerings, including its 84 beach villas and Qatar’s largest theme park, Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park. Every guest is entitled to daily access to the waterpark, the hotel promises a relaxing yet fun filled experience for all the family. In addition, the resort has opened a range of new dining venues including Dante Cucina Italiana which offers an immersive culinary journey to Italy. Another option is Levantine, where diners can explore the flavors and aromas of Levant cuisine. In the heart of the hotel lobby, Nesma Lounge offers curated menus of traditionally prepared beverages and afternoon tea, with a surprising Middle Eastern twist.  In addition, visitors to Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park can dine at Telal Café and enjoy comfort food, perfect for a day of fun-filled activities. “We are delighted to have opened this incredible property and look forward to welcoming guests to our new hotel accommodation and dining venues,” said Etienne Gailliez, Country General Manager, Hilton, Qatar. “With elegant beach villas and guest rooms, enticing dining and a range of leisure facilities, the hotel is set to be an exciting addition to Hilton’s portfolio, and to Qatar’s tourism offering.” Marrying bright blue and white exteriors with regionally inspired design, the hotel features 246 spacious rooms and suites, boasting a contemporary interpretation of Arabian décor – as well as84 beach villas and the signature Arabian village with 31 villas. The elegant rooms all have private balconies and terraces that overlook lush scenic gardens and offer incredible views of the …

flydubai has announced that twice-weekly flights from Dubai International (DXB) to Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) in Georgia are available to be booked. Flights to Tbilisi resume as the authorities in Georgia ease travel restrictions for international travel. Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said, “We have steadily grown our network to more than 65 destinations and are pleased to restart our operations to Tbilisi.  We will continue to launch flights to more destinations as restrictions ease in countries within our geographic reach.  Flights are available to book on flydubai.com.” In line with the recent announcement, nationals and residents of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates can now travel to Tbilisi if they have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before the departure time of the flight.  Visitors will have to take a further COVID-19 PCR test, at their own expense, on the third day after entering Georgia.  Alternatively, passengers who hold a COVID-19 vaccination certificate will also be able to travel. flydubai’s passenger experience has been redesigned to enable travel in a safe environment that minimises crew and passenger contact and offers passengers confidence to travel at every step of their journey. The airline has recently introduced an extended multi-risk travel insurance that includes COVID-19 cover to offer passengers greater peace of mind when travelling. In the UAE, flydubai has also partnered with Aster DM Healthcare and NMC Healthcare to offer passengers PCR testing at special rates. To take advantage of these special rates, passengers must be able to present a valid flydubai booking confirmation along with their Emirates ID or passport copy.

Emirates Airline announced that flights to South Africa will remain suspended until February 12, in line with recent government directives that restrict the entry of travellers originating from South Africa, into the UAE. It stated that customers holding tickets with final destinations in South Africa will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin and that Emirates’ regrets any inconvenience caused. Affected customers should contact their travel agent or Emirates contact centre for rebooking options. To receive update notifications, customers are requested to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting Manage Your Booking. Emirates remains committed to serving their customers in South Africa, and said they look forward to resuming passenger services when conditions allow. They will further continue to work closely with all relevant authorities in this regard, and will endeavour to provide their customers with as much support and notice as possible.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will host its second virtual roadshow for the Middle East on Wednesday February 3, 2021 from 10am to 4pm UAE time. ‘STB GCC Virtual Roadshow’ will be a really good opportunity to connect with some of the key partners from Singapore in one platform. It is time to register and make your pre-bookings with the partners and get the help from your personalized project manager who will assist you all the way. Extending their partnership for the event Regina Koh – Sales and Marketing Manager – Fareast Hospitality Management shared, “We will be showcasing our Hotels in the Southern Island of Singapore, Sentosa. Village Hotel Sentosa, The Outpost Hotel & The Barracks Hotel. It is important to us as we would like to boost our hotels to the Middle East Market. In terms of MICE/Leisure. Our objective is to at least have more exposure for the hotels in the Middle East market.”