Etihad Airways welcomed the return of its iconic A380 aircraft to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, enhancing the travel experience between the two capitals. The world’s largest passenger aircraft, measuring 73 metres in length and 24 metres in height, the Airbus A380 marks its return to the Paris route with Etihad’s most celebrated inflight features, including The Residence – the world’s only three-room suite in the sky. The upper deck features The Lobby, an exclusive lounge area for First and Business class guests. Designed and manufactured in Europe, with final assembly in Toulouse, the A380 represents a proud achievement of French aerospace engineering and innovation. The aircraft’s return to Paris celebrates this French aviation legacy. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “As a city celebrated for its style and ambiance, Paris continues to be a key destination in our global network. The return of our A380 strengthens the travel offering between Abu Dhabi and Paris, reflecting our commitment to this important route.” “The return of the A380 to Paris and our broader network expansion plans, including increasing to year-round, double-daily frequencies to Milan, Rome, Manchester, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Barcelona, and Madrid, demonstrate our strong growth momentum in Europe. This enhanced capacity reflects the rising demand we’re seeing in France, with more exciting announcements to come before the end of 2024.” The UAE and France share strong bilateral ties across culture, education, and business sectors. A unique cultural bridge connects the two capitals as the only cities in the world to house a Louvre Museum. The route caters to growing demand from leisure travellers and the strong business ties between the two countries, particularly in the …

The 9th UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism will take place in Manama, Bahrain, on 18-19 November, under the theme “Gastronomy Tourism: A Driver of Economic Diversification and Inclusion.” This marks the first time the Forum will be held in the Middle East. Bringing together global leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and renowned chefs, the event will emphasize the transformative power of gastronomy tourism in advancing economic resilience, inclusivity, sustainability, and building a strong image for destinations. Co-organized with the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) and hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain, discussions will feature Ministers of Tourism from around the world and from the Middle East. Joining them will be award-winning chefs, such as Chef Alejandra Espinoza of Somos Restaurant (Ecuador), and Chef Rudolf Stefan of Konoba Pelegrini (Croatia). Key participation will include Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director of 50 Best, empowering chefs worldwide, and fostering a global dialogue that elevates gastronomy as a fundamental cultural, economic, and creative force. The forum will highlight key initiatives that emphasize product quality and origins, such as Jordan’s “From Farm to Fork” initiative, an example of sustainable culinary tourism, and the Collège Culinaire de France, recognized for promoting quality dining and supporting artisans committed to preserving traditional savoir-faire. The event will also showcase Grupo Sagardi from Spain, a leading hospitality group that builds on gastronomic roots to offer authentic, high-quality culinary experiences. In line with discussions on leveraging intangible cultural heritage, the forum will explore key themes such as the use of intellectual property and branding to enhance destination branding, the preservation of culinary heritage and biodiversity, and the promotion of authentic, immersive cultural experiences that engage the entire gastronomy tourism value chain. Experts …

Resorts World Cruises arrived in Dubai with the Resorts World One commencing her first sailing from 1 November 2024 onwards. The 1800-passenger cruise ship departs from the Port Rashid Cruise Terminal 2 in Dubai three times a week to the Gulf destinations. A special celebratory event was held on the ship with close to 600 invitees to commemorate this milestone event. Resorts World Cruises’ President, Mr. Michael Goh and its senior management welcomed onboard regional dignitaries, authorities, members of the press and key influencers. The port-stay event included a series of special memento presentations with invitees having the chance to experience the onboard LIVE performances, the wide array of cuisines and a guided ship tour of the ship’s accommodations, facilities and offerings. As part of the inaugural sailing celebration, guests can look forward to special added-value promotions. This includes receiving complimentary Food & Beverage Onboard Credits valued at AED 700 or US$190 per cabin for sailings in November for both the 3-Night Oman Cruise and the 2-Night Qatar Cruise. During the deployment, the Resorts World One will provide exciting new vacation options from Dubai for the weekend with the 2-Night Sir Bani Yas Weekend Cruise departing Fridays. Guests can also look forward to the 2-Night Doha (Qatar) Cruise departing Wednesdays and the 3-Night Muscat-Khasab (Oman) Cruise departing Sundays. For longer cruises, guests may combine the itineraries to become a 4-, 5- and 7-Night cruise. “We have been counting down the days and we are delighted that the Resorts World One has arrived in Dubai and is ready to sail. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the local and regional governments, authorities, travel business partners, media and our guests for …

Emirates has relaunched its daily service between Adelaide and Dubai, flying a Boeing 777-200LR between both cities. The reinstated service offers passengers over 4,200 weekly seats between Dubai and the South Australian capital. The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft offers 302 seats across two cabins, with 38 Business Class seats set in a 2-2-2 configuration, alongside 264 seats in Economy Class. This reinstatement will allow more than 220,400 passengers to travel between Dubai and Adelaide per year, reflecting the airline’s commitment to South Australia and facilitating growing travel demand to and from the region. Emirates’ return will have a significant impact on South Australia’s economy and tourism industry. The tourism expenditure of daily direct non-stop Emirates flights is estimated by the South Australian Tourism Commission to generate more than $62 million per year and create more than 315 full-time equivalent tourism-related jobs for South Australians. Emirates SkyCargo will further strengthen trade links between South Australia and the wider world including key markets across the Middle East, Europe and USA. Each daily flight will offer 14 tonnes of cargo space, totalling 196 tonnes weekly between Dubai and Adelaide. Key anticipated exports range from seafood (fish, mussels), meat products, and fruits and vegetables, to general cargo consisting of pharmaceuticals, machinery parts, retail garments and electronics. The value of freight exports is estimated to be $98 million per year, bringing the total estimated expenditure generated by Emirates’ flights to Adelaide to $160 million. South Australia Premier, Peter Malinauskas, said, “The return of Emirates’ daily service to Adelaide is significant for South Australia. We’re not just welcoming back a world-class airline; we’re re-opening South Australia’s doors to the world, showcasing our beautiful state to over 220,000 potential visitors …

Set to make its international debut, Signia by Hilton Amman will mark the luxury brand’s first property outside the U.S. located in a prime area in Amman, Jordan the hotel will open with 272 guest rooms and suites offering guests an exceptional stay in one of the world’s oldest cities. Seven exquisite dining venues will showcase a curated selection of international cuisines, bringing flavours from different corners of the world to the capital of Jordan. Guests will also enjoy a world-class spa and fitness centre, an exclusive Club Signia experience reserved solely for club rooms and suites and an upscale bowling and entertainment centre. The upcoming opening will also be perfectly suited for business travellers and hosting large events with over 5,000 square meters of flexible meeting space including a state-of-the-art convention centre with a capacity of 3,400 guests and 20 meeting rooms.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has officially launched its comprehensive Event Licensing Manual, a guide that streamlines and standardises the event licensing process across the emirate. Available online, the Event Licensing Manual offers an extensive overview of the Abu Dhabi Events Licensing System (ELS) and provides detailed guidance on the procedures and requirements needed to obtain and manage event licenses across various types of events, including business, leisure and entertainment, cultural, sporting and religious events. The manual outlines the entire event licensing process, covering requirements for securing and managing event licenses, defining various licenses and permits – including those for mega events with multiple performers – while also providing detailed information on regulatory requirements, application procedures, and best practices to ensure efficient and successful event planning and execution in Abu Dhabi. Additionally, the manual includes sections on health and safety, sustainability, promotion standards, and cultural sensitivity to align events with Abu Dhabi’s objectives and values. HE Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The Event Licensing Manual sets a strong, supportive foundation for our stakeholders as it provides clear and comprehensive guidelines that will help our partners to deliver events that meet the highest standards of regulatory compliance and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s growth as a premier destination for events.” The Abu Dhabi events industry is a cornerstone of the emirate’s economic and cultural growth, drawing travellers, business professionals, investors, and partners to a diverse array of events that attract local, regional, and international attention. The introduction of the Event Licensing Manual is a strategic move by DCT Abu Dhabi to streamline event planning and execution, ensure regulatory …

DEX Squared Hospitality has achieved a monumental milestone, winning a prestigious contract to develop the World Heart Hotel Brand and Operate Baghdad’s first 5-star luxury hotel. This landmark 320-room property, comprising 285 hotel rooms, 35 upscale suites and 54 luxury apartments, is set to redefine Iraq’s hospitality landscape. Dex Squared Hospitality’s involvement underscores the company’s expanding regional footprint. “We are excited to bring our innovative approach to hotel operations and brand development to Iraq,” said Kevork Deldelian, CEO & Founder at Dex Squared Hospitality. “As a project, the World Heart Hotel aligns perfectly with our vision to revolutionize the industry as we continue to challenge the status quo and make excellence a standard. Our goal is to create an unparalleled hospitality experience that will set new benchmarks in luxury and service standards within the Iraqi market.” Dex Squared Hospitality’s selection for this landmark project highlights the company’s renowned excellence and its extensive portfolio of services, including the full management of hotels and restaurants, brand development, asset optimization, bespoke F&B concept creation, SPA management, and an extensive list of hospitality related consultancy services. With a strong presence in major cities across the MENA region—spanning Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Cairo, Rabat, and the Red Sea—Dex Squared is uniquely positioned to understand and address the diverse market demands of Middle Eastern clients. Mr. Abdullah Saleh Al-Jubouri, Owner of the Heart of the World Heart Hotel, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership and said, “Setting the foundations of the World Heart Hotel marks a new era in the fields of investment and economic development for Iraq. As such, collaborating with Dex Squared Hospitality marks a new chapter for luxury hospitality in Iraq. Their approach and regional …

Oman Air has made its most significant new route announcement in the last five years with the launch of flights to Rome. Starting 20 December 2024, the airline will offer four weekly flights from Muscat, offering travellers in Oman their first-ever direct connection to the “Eternal City”. With one-way fares starting from just OMR 75, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore one of the world’s most historic and captivating cities. “Our new direct flights to Rome represent an exciting step in our transformation. Marking our second destination in Italy, this key route not only enhances our European offerings, but also marks the start of our strategy to maximise the utilisation of our narrow-body fleet,” said Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air. “As one of the most visited cities in the world, Rome is a perfect addition to our network. We are thrilled to offer our guests seamless and convenient access to the destinations they want to go to, while continuing to set new standards for service and hospitality.” Guests can fly with Oman Air from Muscat to Rome on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The outbound flight departs from Muscat at 1500 and arrives in Rome at 1930, while the return flight departs from Rome at 2030 and arrives in Muscat at 0545.

Etihad Airways announced the launch of flights to Al Alamein (DBB), the gateway to Egypt’s stunning northern coast with the Mediterranean, and within reach of the historic city of Alexandria. The route debuts in July 2025, providing guests with nonstop access to the Al Sahel region, home to some of Egypt’s most vibrant, burgeoning coastal retreats. Al Sahel is recognised for its stunning beaches, clear waters, and rich historical significance, and is fast becoming a favourite resort for leisure travellers. Etihad’s new flights will connect holidaymakers from the UAE, Gulf region and beyond to this emerging tourism hotspot. “We are excited to be adding Al Alamein to our ever-growing list of destinations,” said Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways. “Al Alamein is the entry point to Egypt’s hidden gem, offering a mix of natural beauty and cultural history, and we are sure it will become a popular choice for guests seeking relaxation and adventure. This new route further underlines our commitment to providing exceptional travel experiences and expanding access to exciting new markets.” The new flights will attract both tourists eager to explore Egypt’s Mediterranean coastline and history fans keen to visit Al Alamein’s renowned historical sites and museums. The flights are on sale now and will operate twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays using one of the airline’s modern A320 family aircraft, with eight seats in Business and 150 in Economy, and all guests enjoying Etihad’s award-winning service onboard. The announcement is just the latest new route unveiled by Etihad, with the promise of several more to come before the end of 2024.

Hilton announced the graduation of its first cohort of students from a hospitality training programme in partnership with Bunyan for Training, an affiliate of the reputed hospitality management school in Switzerland, Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL). Since signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2022, 18 students have successfully completed the programme and joined Hilton’s growing team across its 21 trading hotels in Saudi Arabia. The graduation ceremony was held at Jeddah Hilton, attended by officials from the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Human Resources, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Human Resources Fund together with senior Bunyan for Training, EHL and Hilton representatives. Fawaz Moumina, country manager and senior director of operations, KSA, Hilton, said: “As we continue with our plans to more than quadruple our portfolio and open more than 70 hotels in the coming years, we are committed to creating 15,000 jobs, with more than half for Saudi nationals. We are proud to see the first group of graduates join our team and the second well underway, and we look forward to their future successes, which will inspire the next generation of Saudi hospitality professionals.” Accredited by the Saudi Technical and Vocational Training Corporation and certified by EHL, the programme offers both theoretical and practical training, along with opportunities to explore various areas of hospitality such as front office, housekeeping, and more. Looking ahead, the next cohort of 40 students, half of whom are young women, has already begun training across Hilton hotels in Saudi Arabia.