Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has announced details of its comprehensive 2021 Retail Calendar, with citywide events, activations and experiences set to fully support the emirate’s economic and tourist development goals.Created to attract both residents and visitors to the city’s impressive line-up of destinations, attractions and world-class malls, the calendar is packed with 15 festival campaigns spread throughout 2021. With this year’s Dubai Fitness Challenge and Diwali currently underway, plus the UAE National Day celebrations poised to begin, the announcement of DFRE’s annual programme for 2021 reinforces the city’s status as the premier destination for holidays as well as memorable lifestyle and retail experiences. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) said, “The announcement of a new, full, busy and exciting calendar of retail events in Dubai for 2021 is a positive indication of progress from this year. We have learned many lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic; with the events of 2020 helping to shape a new focus on what is required to host major events in the months and years ahead. The new 2021 calendar offers a strategic platform of retail events, promotions and entertainment that will help to ensure Dubai stays safe and at the forefront of the world’s important retail destinations. Dubai’s retail sector is an area of major economic importance, and by working closely with our strategic partners, we will continue to provide opportunities for sustainable growth and development and achieve the emirate’s retail and tourism objectives.”

The much awaited Gulf Travel Show just closed 40 exhibitors for its maiden virtual event on November 23-24, 2020. If you still haven’t registered as a buyer or as media, this is the last chance to register and walk away with amazing Amazon vouchers. Over the past many months we were able to sit back, re-think our plans going forward. The world has been brought closer together virtually connecting people from across the globe. At the Gulf Travel Show we continue to connect with people to ensure that they get even closer to new clients with access to technology. At physical events you are limited with time to meet your potential buyers but at a virtual event you can tailor make your plans and meet the important clients that you would select as each exhibitor and buyer are given their own personal contact that would walk you through every step of the way. Sharjah Commerce and Tourism development authority (SCTDA), Ras al khaimah tourism development authority (RAKTDA), German National Tourist Office (GNTO), Korea National Tourist Office, Tourism Malaysia Dubai are some of the key tourism boards that can share their insights on their outlook and proactive measures that has worked out really well for the industry and continue to do so as they understand the potential for travel. For the first time in many years, travellers are able to access a lot of information in the comfort of their own home.

Etihad Airways is encouraging residents to get away and try something new with the launch of its 49-Hour National Day Sale. And for the first time, you can book your break with a AED 49 deposit and pay nothing until 21 days before your trip. Travellers can jet off any time before 30 September 2021 for less, and lay back and relax at a luxury resort, explore ancient architecture or spend the weekend discovering a new city.Fares from Abu Dhabi to Beirut start from just AED 1,249, Athens from AED 2,449 and Maldives from AED 3,049. The sale extends across all of Etihad’s cabins, with return Business fares starting from AED 5,349 out of Abu Dhabi to Cairo.With Etihad Holidays, travellers can enjoy three-night package deals including Etihad Airways’ flights and accommodation in a four or five-star hotel in Cairo, Athens and Maldives. Those wanting to stay closer to home can choose from an enticing range of staycation deals across the UAE. One night offers are available from as little as AED 149, including breakfast, at a wide range of hotels across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.To give travellers peace of mind when booking, complimentary date or destination changes are permitted. The sale starts at 9am on Wednesday, 11 November 2020 and ends at 10am on Friday, 13 November 2020 at etihad.com. Deposits cannot be refunded. Holiday packages terms and conditions apply.

Emirates’ airline iconic flagship A380 landed at Queen Alia International (AMM) as the airline resumed the operations of its popular aircraft to Amman. Customers can fly the Emirates A380 between Dubai and Amman three times a week on Wednesdays, Thursday and Fridays as part of the airline’s newly introduced expanded schedule of 10 weekly flights. The expanded schedule also includes flights EK 905 and EK 906. Emirates flight EK 905 departs Dubai at 22:15 and arrives in Amman at 23:40 local time. The return flight, EK 906 departs Amman at 01:45 and arrives in Dubai at 06:40 local time. Timings have been scheduled to facilitate more effective onward connections to destinations in the United States such as well as vital connections to European points popular with Jordanian travellers.

As the countdown has begun, new partners have joined the Gulf Travel Show to exhibit their destinations on November 23-24, 2020. One of the most important aspects in travel and tourism is to keep the consumer informed of all the measures and important regulations of each destination as many await to travel once the borders open up. One of the most proactive destinations Singapore tourism board partnered with the Gulf Travel Show as they want to keep the trade informed of the many measures undertaken to ensure safety, high hygiene standards and security for the travellers. Beverly Au Yong, Area Director, Singapore Tourism Board, Middle East share the importance of being part of the most important virtual travel show in the destination. “The Gulf Travel Show gives us an opportunity to strengthen our existing partnerships and look out for new opportunities that will come our way at this networking event. This show also allows to us to maintain our presence in the region by giving as a chance to showcase latest developments in Singapore. We aim to share the key initiatives that Singapore has taken to make travelling safe once the borders are open for international visitors. Additionally, buyers and other visitors will be able to download e- brochures and destination update documents from Singapore Tourism Board.”

It is time to save the date once again to virtually discover one of the most lusciously green luxurious destinations; Ireland. Siobhan Naughton, Marketing and Trade Executive, Middle East and Asia for Tourism Ireland and partners from the destination will share some interesting facts about the destination on Wednesday November 18, 2020 at 11am UAE time. Naughton stated, “This webinar will focus on luxury travel to the Island of Ireland and the safety measures that have been put in place to ensure a seamless customer experience when the time is right to travel to our beautiful island again. The different areas we will be focusing on will be Island of Ireland luxury product offering including key attraction and accommodation providers, screen tourism and coastal touring routes.Tourism Ireland along with our Island of Ireland industry partners will give travel trade from the GCC a luxury Island of Ireland product update and also showcase how GCC and expat travellers to the island of Ireland will continue to have a safe, memorable and seamless visit to our shores when the time is right.” There will be two webinars and the first will be held on November 18 catering to the travel trade from the GCC and the second on December 7 which will cater to both GCC and India travel trade. You can join in from anywhere either in the comfort of your own home or even in the office. At the end of the virtual event there will be a special certificate of attendance provided to all the agents that will attend the webinar. The main target will be GCC nationals and the luxury expat travellers.

Berlin lifestyle and Healthcare webinar concluded with a very good number of participants from the region. There were three speakers at the session; starting things off with Yamina Sofo, Director, Sales & Marketing German National Tourist Office, Gulf countries, Ralf Ostendorf, Director Market Management Market & Media Relations Asia, Australia, Middle East, Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH and Stefan Boeckle – Director Vivantes International Medicine – Vivantes Hospital Group. The host Sofo, started off the session with the current situation in Germany and requested to be on guard with the regulations that change every day due to the pandemic situation. She further reiterated that the 16 federal states in Germany has different or unique rules to each state, hence should be carefully checked before sending the travellers on medical tourism. She requested to log into the site and find out details at this point of time. Taking over from her was Ralf Ostendorf Director Market Management Market & Media Relations Asia, Australia, Middle East, Berlin Tourismus&KongressGmbH . He shared about the destination of Berlin and the many diverse offerings it has to entice the GCC visitors. From the famous Berlin wall memorials, to uniquely Berlin products and brands that will not be available anywhere else in the world. He further iterated the importance of the Christmas markets which is very unique to the destination and much looked forward to by many visitors. Berlin apart from its diverse culture, lifestyle also features the best healthcare facilities in Europe. He mentioned about the partners in Berlin which specialise in various medical conditions and how the network connects with patients to give them a seamless experience to the patient as well as the …

Join in at 11am UAE time today and explore Berlin, the most popular destination for a diverse lifestyle and state of the art healthcare facilities virtually. This special webinar will be hosted by the tourism board with Yamina Sofo, Director, Sales & Marketing German National Tourist Office, Gulf countries and Ralf Ostendorf Director Market Management Market & Media Relations Asia, Australia, Middle East, Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH share more details of the event. This will further highlight the importance of the destination of Germany to the Gulf region and will focus with “Berlin Lifestyle & Healthcare webinar” on the city of Berlin that accommodates all the requirements of the GCC travellers, from diverse leisure facilities to excellent health and wellness services.

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s curator of experiences, appoints Hilton, to bring two of its new and unique hospitality offerings to Yas Island, while it invests AED 627 Million in their development. The WB Abu Dhabi, the world’s first Warner Bros. branded hotel, will be operated and managed by Hilton under its upper-upscale Curio Collection by Hilton brand, while the serviced residences to be managed by DoubleTree by Hilton. B.R. Kiran, Chief Portfolio Officer at Miral said, “Hilton is a globally recognized partner and we are honored to be partnering with them to bring the Curio Collection by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton brands to Abu Dhabi for the first time. This supports our strategy and vision of creating unforgettable experiences for every guest on Yas Island, while increasing the diversity of hospitality options available to them. We are confident that residents and visitors alike will welcome the diverse and flexible range of new accommodation options, whilst enjoying the unmatched experiences and unique attractions available to them on Yas Island.” Carlos Khneisser, VP of Development, MEA at Hilton said, “We are proud to be partnering with Miral on these two new hotels which will see us introduce two new brands to Abu Dhabi. The WB Abu Dhabi, which will be part of Hilton’s Curio Collection is a magnificent example of the sort of unique guest experiences we look for with our Curio Collection, while DoubleTree by Hilton Yas Island Residences continues the successful growth of this brand in the UAE. Miral has a clear vision to develop Yas Island into a global destination and we look forward to being a part of this transformation.”

ORZU Hospitality Group announced its launch in the UAE, as it outlines its strategic roll-out plan for the months ahead. With three venues scheduled to open by Q1 2021, all located at The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, and seven further launches scheduled throughout 2021 within the UAE, the team, headed by respected industry leader Mirzo Hafizov, previously part of the renowned Jumeirah Group and the Bulldozer Group amongst other reputed brands, has a bold vision for the UAE. ORZU Hospitality Group, (Orzu meaning ‘dream’ in English), is founded on the principles of bringing high quality, unique and authentic culinary experiences to the UAE, drawing on the combined experience and pedigree of the management team and their ability to develop and operate commercially successful concepts. This includes and is not limited to combining gastro eclectic authentic cuisines from Asia together with techniques and local ingredients from the UAE. Digital business solutions are also a priority for the group, introducing completely new approaches to hospitality in the UAE, placing Orzu ahead of the competition. Mirzo Hafizov comments, “I have a long-held, deep-rooted passion for the art of hospitality and a specific love of the culinary industry in the UAE, with its exciting, diverse range of cultural influences. It is also home to many talented chefs and hospitality experts. As such, I’m pleased to announce the launch of ORZU Hospitality Group and the imminent opening of three new venues, which I hope will be welcomed as a positive addition to the existing scene.”