Cairo House Egypt for Real Estate has announced it has signed an agreement with Tourism Investment SAE and Marriott International to convert the historic Mogamma Al Tahrir into an Autograph Collection Hotel. The signing of the deal is a major milestone in the Consortium’s plan to repurpose the building into a prime hotel for the city and world class destination. Bringing an Autograph Collection Hotel to the heart of the city is in line with The Sovereign Group of Egypt’s (TSFE) greater plan for revitalization of downtown Cairo, for which the Mogamma Al Tahrir will serve as an anchor and catalyst for future investments. The development of the property will be led by the international consortium of developers and investors including Global Ventures Group, Oxford Capital Group, Al Otaiba Investments and Zoser Capital Partners. Randall Langer, Chairman of Global Ventures Group, commented, “We are honored to work with Marriott International to bring an Autograph Collection hotel to the Mogamma Al Tahrir building. We value the Marriott alliance, the strong support of The Sovereign Fund of Egypt and the substantial efforts by the numerous team members that are bringing this project to life.” The Autograph Collection Hotel is expected to comprise 500 guestrooms and serviced apartments, along with multiple dining and entertainment options. The hotel is also anticipated to feature a rooftop swimming pool overlooking Tahrir Square with views of The Nile and the distant Giza Pyramids. Other plans for the property include expansive meeting and event space, including a ballroom and unique outdoor pavilion, as well as a fitness center and spa. The hotel will be situated within one of the most popular districts in the city center. The area is …

McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, a global leader in luxury outlet shopping, hosted the second edition of its McArthurGlen Tourism Awards on the 28th January 2025 at Park Hyatt Dubai – Creek Resort hotel. Key travel and trade partners with its representatives and industry leaders graced the event. This evening of celebration, recognition and fine dining highlighted McArthurGlen’s commitment to fostering strong partnerships that have driven exceptional success and record-breaking achievements over the past year.  Distinguished trade partners were honored with Certificates of Appreciation and McArthurGlen Tourism Award trophies, recognizing their remarkable efforts in promoting the brand across the region. Trade partners from across GCC countries, including Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, travelled to Dubai to receive their awards, further underscoring the brand’s growing influence and partnerships across the Middle East. “We are delighted to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our invaluable trade partners whose dedication and innovative spirit have significantly bolstered McArthurGlen’s presence in the Middle East. Their unwavering support has been a cornerstone of our success,” remarked Matthias Sinner, Head of Tourism, McArthurGlen Group. Adding a touch of excitement, guests participated in a lively “Guess the Price” game, showcasing the incredible savings available at McArthurGlen Designer Outlets. Luxury items from brands like Piquadro, Prada, and Gucci were awarded to lucky winners. McArthurGlen Designer Outlets continues to redefine luxury outlet shopping worldwide, and these awards underscore the brand’s deep appreciation for the collaborative efforts that have been key to its success in the Middle East.

Four Seasons together with RAK Properties announced plans for a new beach Resort and Private Residences as part of the flagship 400 hectare (1,000-acre) master-planned waterfront destination – Mina. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Ras Al Khaimah at Mina will establish a new benchmark for the region’s luxury hospitality and lifestyle offerings. Designed as a sanctuary of beachfront sophistication and natural beauty with a wide array of amenities, the approximately 150 rooms, suites and signature villas, alongside approximately 130 Private Residences will elevate Mina into a premier destination to live and stay. “Four Seasons entry into Ras Al Khaimah represents a significant milestone in our strategic expansion within the UAE,” says Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development, Portfolio Management and Residential, Four Seasons. “We are proud to partner with RAK Properties to bring our shared commitment to service excellence, exceptional quality and unparalleled living to a new destination for guests and residents to explore with a brand they know and trust.” Mina has been designed as a two-island escape amid the surrounding beauty of Ras Al Khaimah, the serene waters of the Arabian Gulf, 18 kilometres (11 miles) of waterfront and private beaches, and impressive views of the Hajar mountain range. Guests and residents will enjoy panoramic sea views, marina access, and a range of world-class amenities comprised of spas, waterfront restaurants and cafes, and much more. “We are delighted to partner with Four Seasons to bring their unrivalled luxury hospitality and service to Mina,” says Sameh Muhtadi, Chief Executive Officer, RAK Properties. “This collaboration will create a truly iconic destination, blending the natural beauty of Ras Al Khaimah with the global acclaim of the Four Seasons brand. Mina is …

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of The Venue, Vignette Collection Jeddah Corniche. This collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s dynamic Al Harithy Group marks a significant milestone in Jeddah’s hospitality sector, catering to the growing demand for authentic, curated hospitality experiences in the bustling city. Slated to be rebranded by late 2025, the 193-key property is situated on the vibrant Jeddah Corniche with views overlooking the Red Sea Coast. This strategic addition reinforces IHG’s commitment to aligning its growth with the tourism ambitions under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The property will undergo renovation and open as The Venue, Vignette Collection Jeddah Corniche next year, blending contemporary elegance with the property’s rich history, dating back to its establishment in 1997, ensuring a luxury upper-upscale experience. The hotel will feature a diverse range of amenities, including Jeddah’s first pillar-less wedding hall, ‘Duniaty,’ along with indoor and outdoor pools, three dining venues, a state-of-the-art business center, 13 meeting rooms, SPA fitness center, and beauty salon. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “The signing of The Venue, Vignette Collection Jeddah Corniche aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 led by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Jeddah, as a gateway to the holy cities and a thriving commercial hub, plays a pivotal role in Saudi Arabia’s tourism ecosystem. This partnership with Al Harithy Group demonstrates our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences tailored to this dynamic destination, while celebrating its history and culture.” The Vignette Collection is a family of one-of-a-kind, exclusive hotels curated for guests seeking rich and varied stay experiences. The brand allows owners of world-class independent hotels to retain their distinctive identity while …

After another record event in 2024, Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World, will return to Dubai from 27-29 October 2025 for what will be a milestone event for organisers The Bench, marking 20 years in the UAE for the region’s leading hospitality and tourism investment event, previously known as AHIC. FHS World 2024 saw a record 1,596 attendees representing 735 companies from 60 countries, of which over 550 were women faciliated by the organiser’s #FHSWomenPower initiative. The FHS World Advisory Board convened in Dubai last week to discuss and shape the vision and agenda for this year’s event. The Advisory Board comprises some of the hospitality industry’s most prominent leaders, including Anthony Costa, Head of Hospitality & Lifestyle, Candy Capital; Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer, Modon Hospitality; Amit Arora, Chief Executive Officer, Arada; Dinky Puri, Founding Partner, Eagle Wing; Othmane Jabri, Principal, Real Estate and Hospitality (Investment), Investment Corporation of Dubai; Nicolas Mayer, Partner, Global Industry Leader Tourism, PwC; Philipp J. Klohr, Senior Vice President, Mubadala Investment Company; Jeff Tisdall, Chief Business Officer Accor One Living, Global Head of Mixed-Use, Ahmed Nazim, Managing Director, Maldives Fund Management Corporation; Aboudi Asali, Executive Vice President, Hotels & Hospitality MENA, JLL, and Saahil Lalit, Vice President | Lodging Development EMEA, Marriott International. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, said: “This will be a very exciting year for us as we celebrate our 20th anniversary in the UAE, and at Madinat Jumeirah where it all began in 2005, and we’re thrilled to have Jumeirah as our Host Sponsor again to mark this milestone moment.” Thomas B. Meier, CEO of Jumeirah, said: “It’s a pleasure to once again sponsor and host FHS World at Madinat …

Air Arabia launched new non-stop flights to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. The new service will connect Sharjah International Airport with Addis Ababa Bole International Airport with a frequency of three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: ” We are delighted to add Addis Ababa to our growing network of destinations. This new route reflects Air Arabia’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and fostering economic and cultural ties between the UAE and Ethiopia. By expanding our destinations from Sharjah, we aim to boost trade and tourism while continuing to offer affordable and convenient travel options to our customers.” This latest addition to Air Arabia’s growing network underscores the airline’s commitment to expanding connectivity between the UAE and Africa, facilitating increased opportunities for tourism, trade, and investment. Air Arabia operates a modern fleet of 81 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, the most modern and best-selling single aisle aircraft in the world. Offering passengers, a value-added onboard experience, the aircraft is equipped with ‘SkyTime’, a free in-flight streaming, and ‘SkyCafe’ an onboard catering service at affordable prices. In addition, Air Arabia offers ‘Air Rewards’ an innovative and generous loyalty program through which passengers can earn, transfer, and spend points. Customers can now book their direct flights between Sharjah and Addis Ababa by visiting Air Arabia’s website, or by calling the call centre, or through travel agencies. Schedule to Addis Ababa (all times local): Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency G9 738 Sharjah 21:25 Addis Ababa 00:40 Airbus A320 Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday G9 739 Addis Ababa 01:30 Sharjah 06:40 Airbus A320 Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday  

Khimji’s house of travel bagged ‘best group travel promotion for Malaysia in Oman’ at the seventh edition of Arabian Travel Awards 2024. Khimji’s House of Travel is a part of the diversified Khimji Ramdas (KR) Group in the Sultanate of Oman, with lineage dating back to well over a century. We offer Destination Management Services for inbound travel to Oman and UAE with in-house facilities backed by a team of multilingual professionals, who have extensive knowledge of the Country and the expertise to handle different segments of Destination Management like Leisure and MICE groups, Niche FIT clients, Special Interest Holidays and Destination Weddings.

Dubai announced the opening of world’s tallest wellbeing resort ‘Therme Dubai’ to be opened by 2028. This landmark AED2 billion development will feature an interactive park and the world’s largest indoor botanical garden, designed to host 1.7 million visitors annually. To be located at Zabeel Park and set to open in 2028, Therme Dubai will be an iconic addition to Dubai’s skyline. This innovative project reflects our commitment to enhancing urban biodiversity and environmental sustainability, and creating enriching experiences for Dubai’s residents and visitors. In May 2024, Dubai marked a new chapter in its pursuit of enhancing the well-being of its community under His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s visionary leadership with the launch of the Quality of Life Strategy 2033. This ambitious roadmap aims to establish our city as the world’s best place to live.  

flyadeal targets 75,000 overseas Hajj pilgrims in 2025 as they unveil plans to operate more dedicated charters during the holy season. The figure represents yet another significant milestone for flyadeal which has been scaling up the number of overseas Hajj flights since 2023. From 35,000 pilgrims flown by flyadeal into the Kingdom last year – up 35 per cent on 2023 – the number is expected to more than double to 75,000 in 2025, with the airline operating additional widebody charters into Jeddah and Madinah, gateway to the Holy City of Makkah. flyadeal is also stepping up its year-round Umrah services, which will continue to operate from Turkey, Iraq and Uzbekistan, with the UK, Thailand, India and countries in Africa and Central Asia set to be included for 2025. The growth plans were announced during the 4th edition of the annual Hajj Conference and Exhibition that took place at the Superdome in Jeddah last week under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and organised by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. flyadeal joined sister companies Saudia and SGS (Saudi Ground Services) under the umbrella of parent Saudi Group – this year’s strategic sponsor – with a joint exhibition stand promoting products and services to visiting Hajj committees, ministries and tour operators from around the world. His Excellency Dr.Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom, together with HE Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej, President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia, and HE Engr. Ibrahim bin Abdulrahaman Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, were among the many visiting dignitaries. Steven Greenway, flyadeal Chief Executive …

While the Los Angeles wildfires have presented challenges, the indomitable spirit of Los Angeles, as well as its iconic attractions and experiences, remain intact. In fact, the best way to support Los Angeles is to visit and patronize the hotels, restaurants and other businesses that depend on tourism. Over 98% of Los Angeles County remains untouched by the fires, and the city’s iconic landmarks—from the Hollywood Sign to Universal Studios Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, the Santa Monica Pier, and more—are open and ready for visitors, as depicted in the recovery map provided by VisitCalifornia. Visit California President & CEO Caroline Beteta today issued the following statement on how tourism will support Los Angeles’ recovery: “Our message to travelers is simple: Now is the time to visit Los Angeles. “As households across the country – and world – are planning their 2025 vacations, we want everyone to know that Los Angeles remains open and ready to welcome you. “Ninety-eight percent of Los Angeles, including its iconic landmarks and attractions, remains untouched and fully prepared to welcome visitors. “The economic impacts of these wildfires are already becoming increasingly evident. One out of five California tourism-related jobs are in Los Angeles County, highlighting just how vital the tourism industry is to the region’s economy and recovery efforts. “LA’s local businesses and residents depend on tourism, and there’s no better way to help the region recover than to plan a trip now.” Postponing or cancelling trips will only make the economic impact of this disaster worse for everyone. Instead, visit Los Angeles and encourage your clients, friends and family to experience its vibrant culture. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that we unite and …