Chapman Freeborn has appointed Gabrielius Morkunas as Chief Financial Officer, strengthening the company’s executive leadership with extensive international finance expertise and a strong focus on strategic business partnering and sustainable growth. Gabrielius brings a strong background in international finance and leadership, having begun his career at global organizations such as KPMG and Western Union. Over the past eight years, he has served in CFO roles across multiple industries, including retail, e-commerce, and financial services, leading leading strategic finance initiatives and major business transformation projects. As Chief Financial Officer, Gabrielius will focus on building efficient finance structures and processes across the business, supporting both strategic priorities and day-to-day operational needs as the company continues to scale globally. Joining from complex, fast-paced and highly regulated environments, Gabrielius’ experience aligns closely with Chapman Freeborn’s global operations and long-term growth ambitions. He is also currently completing his Executive MBA. “I’m excited to join the Chapman Freeborn team and strongly believe finance should be a strategic partner to the business, helping translate ambition into sustainable performance,” said Gabrielius Morkunas, Chief Financial Officer at Chapman Freeborn. “I look forward to working closely with teams across the group and contributing to the company’s continued growth and success.” “Gabrielius brings a valuable combination of international finance expertise and strategic leadership,” said Saska Gerasimova, Chapman Freeborn Group CEO. “His experience across diverse sectors and complex operating environments will play an important role as we continue to strengthen our global platform, support transformation initiatives and drive sustainable growth.”

Theory 11 Entertainment (T11), the Abu Dhabi-based live music and experiential events organiser, has announced the appointment of Rob Hallett as its new President of Global Music and Festivals, reinforcing the company’s ambition to deliver world-class entertainment experiences across the GCC. A British music executive with more than 40 years’ experience at the highest level of the global live entertainment industry, Hallett is one of the most respected figures in international touring. He founded AEG Live’s UK and international operations in 2005 and went on to deliver landmark projects including Prince’s historic 21-night sold-out residency at London’s O2 Arena and the launch of BST Hyde Park, now one of the UK’s premier annual concert series. Over the course of his career, Hallett has worked with artists spanning generations, genres, and global markets — from Michael Jackson, Prince, and The Rolling Stones to Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Drake, Burna Boy, and Jay-Z — overseeing arena, stadium, and festival tours across Europe, North America, Asia, and beyond. In his new role, Hallett will lead T11’s global music and festival strategy, focusing on artist partnerships, international routing, and the development of large-scale, destination-led music events that support the region’s rapidly growing live entertainment ecosystem. Founded in 2023, T11 has already established a strong presence in the regional music scene, most notably with the inaugural Offlimits Music Festival, headlined by Ed Sheeran and featuring acts including OneRepublic, Kaiser Chiefs, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, and Faithless. The second edition of Offlimits is scheduled for 4 April 2026, with global superstar Shakira headlining a line-up that also includes Jonas Brothers, Biffy Clyro, NE-YO, and more. “Great music shows don’t happen by accident — they are built on deep …

Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok has appointed Thaddaeus Weiss as General Manager, overseeing both the hotel and The Residences at Sindhorn Kempinski. A familiar and respected figure within the property, Thaddaeus previously served as Hotel Manager at Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok from 2021 to 2024. Having joined the pre-opening team in February 2020, he played an integral role in shaping the hotel’s early success. During his tenure, he guided the team through the critical pre- and post-opening phases, driving strong STR performance and leading guest satisfaction rankings. His return marks a natural leadership progression and a continuation of the vision that shaped the hotel from its earliest days. A German national, Thaddaeus brings more than 17 years of experience with Kempinski Hotels, having joined the group in 2008. His international career spans Europe, Africa, China, and Southeast Asia, reflecting broad cultural insight and operational expertise across diverse markets. With a professional foundation in Food & Beverage and Sales, he has developed a leadership approach grounded in operational precision, commercial acumen, and deep brand understanding. Earlier in his career, he was appointed Senior Regional Operations Manager for Kempinski and NUO Hotels Asia, where he upheld brand standards, supported regional operational excellence, and contributed to key pre-opening and technical service projects across the region. Most recently, he served as Hotel Manager at The Apurva Kempinski Bali, a role he assumed in April 2024. There, he oversaw multiple divisions and delivered measurable improvements in service quality, revenue performance, and engineering operations, further reinforcing the brand’s commitment to excellence. Reflecting on his appointment, Thaddaeus commented, “Returning to Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is both a privilege and a meaningful continuation of a journey I began with …

Celebrating its fourth anniversary, it was shared that the Museum of the Future received five million visitors since its opening in 2022. One of the most iconic attractions with unique experiences for both domestic and international travellers. His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Museum of the Future, affirmed that Dubai and the United Arab Emirates have made designing the future a shared global goal, uniting the world to create a better tomorrow by leveraging present and future opportunities, serving communities and ensuring the best for future generations. His remarks came on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the Museum of the Future’s opening, as it approaches the milestone of five million visitors since its opening on the 22 February, 2022. The figure reflects the Museum’s expanding global presence and growing demand for its programmes and unique experiences. It also reinforces its status as a leading destination attracting visitors from diverse cultures and nationalities as well as a platform where great minds exchange expertise and transform forward-looking ideas into reality. “The Museum of the Future, which embodies the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, by bringing together leading minds from around the world to ask the right questions and develop practical solutions for the challenges of tomorrow. Since its launch four years ago, the Museum has evolved into a thriving knowledge-based ecosystem that turns ideas into programmes, dialogues and experiences that inspire, equip and serve as a laboratory for practical solutions to tomorrow’s challenges,” said Al Gergawi. “The Museum of the Future bridges thought and experience, dialogue and application. It has …

Rixos Obhur Jeddah Resorts and Hotels was recognised as the ‘Best Beach Resort’ at the inaugural edition of the Arabian Travel Awards Saudi Arabia 2025. “Winning the Arabian Travel Awards for Best Beach Resort 2025 is a proud achievement for Rixos Hotels and a testament to our flagship beachfront experience in Jeddah. It reflects our commitment to luxury, innovation, and exceptional service, inspiring us to continue shaping world-class hospitality and elevating Jeddah’s position as a premier leisure destination”- Karima Saddik, Digital Marketing Manager, Rixos Obhur Jeddah Resorts and Hotels.

Akbar Travels wins ‘Best B2B Travel Portal- KSA’ at the inaugural Arabian Travel Awards Saudi Arabia 2025. “Winning the Arabian Travel Awards Saudi Arabia – Best B2B Portal, KSA, is a proud validation of our team’s dedication to innovation, reliability, and partner success. This recognition reinforces our commitment to investing in technology, expanding content, and empowering travel partners across Saudi Arabia with smarter, faster, and more scalable solutions.” Amr Kateb, Director of Marketing, Karima Saddik, Digital Marketing Manager, Akbar Travels.

Qiddiya Investment Company has announced plans for a landmark new horse racing venue in Qiddiya City, celebrating Saudi Arabia’s deep-rooted equestrian heritage while shaping the future of horse racing in the Kingdom. The new venue is designed as a national destination for sport, culture, and entertainment, reflecting the Kingdom’s long-standing relationship with horses and its continued investment in world-class sporting infrastructure. Qiddiya City’s Horse Racing Venue will become the new permanent home of the prestigious Group 1 USD 20 million Saudi Cup, the world’s richest horse race, which is currently being staged for the seventh time on Saturday 14 February at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, ahead of its relocation to Qiddiya City. Commenting on the announcement, Abdullah Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company, said “This venue reflects Qiddiya Investment Company’s ambition to set new global benchmarks. Every element, from racing performance and equine welfare to hospitality and fan engagement, has been designed to meet the expectations of the world’s leading racing jurisdictions. In line with our wider vision for Qiddiya City, this state-of-the-art venue is designed to be fully accessible, pioneering a new chapter in spectator engagement and experiences”. At its core, the Horse Racing Venue will feature a distinctive and flexible racing configuration, designed to support a broad range of international race formats while delivering high-performance conditions for equine athletes and enhanced visibility for spectators. The venue will include the region’s first straight-mile turf course, alongside a 2,200-metre main turf track and a 2,400-metre inner dirt track, bringing elite racing together within a single integrated environment. A 21,000-seat grandstand will anchor the venue, with the ability to expand capacity to up to 70,000 guests through event overlays during major …

Chapman Freeborn’s UAE office exceeded its monthly targets across passenger, cargo and ACMI charter operations in January 2026, marking a strong start to the year for the company’s IMEA (India, Middle East and Africa) region. According to the company, all three operational divisions reported performance above plan, supported by steady regional charter demand, cross-team collaboration, and disciplined execution across operational units. While January results represent only the first month of the year, they indicate stable operational activity across the UAE hub. The passenger charter division achieved the highest performance, reaching 140% of its January target under the leadership of Claudia Krajhanzl. The cargo division, led by Gerhard Coetzee, reached 170% of its monthly target, driven by a mix of regional logistics demand and intercontinental charter shipments. The ACMI division, headed by Daniel Huggins, recorded 107% of target, reflecting ongoing airline demand for short-term capacity and operational support. “The strong start to the year reflects both market demand and the experience of our regional teams,” said Linas Dovydenas, President – IMEA at Chapman Freeborn. “Although it is still early in the year, these results give us confidence that our UAE operations are well positioned to support customers as charter aviation needs continue to evolve across the region.” Chapman Freeborn expects charter demand across the IMEA region to remain dynamic through 2026, supporting the company’s broader operational objectives for the year ahead. Airlines, logistics operators, and corporate customers are expected to continue relying on flexible charter capacity to respond to changing operational requirements.

In the presence of Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, and within the framework of cooperation and strategic investment agreements between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as in coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Investment and the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, flynas has signed an agreement with the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation to establish a new commercial airline under the name “flynas Syria.” “flynas Syria” will conduct commercial air transport operations in accordance with approved regulations and standards, ensuring full compliance with the highest aviation safety and security requirements. All necessary licensing and operational procedures are currently being finalized in coordination with the relevant authorities. The new carrier will be a joint venture, with 51% ownership held by the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport and 49% by flynas. Operational activities are scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026. The new airline will operate flights to several destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. This expansion aims to bolster air traffic to and from Syria, enhance regional and international connectivity, and meet the growing demand for air travel. On this occasion, H.E. Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Saudi Minister of Investment, stated: “This step is part of our commitment to supporting high-quality cross-border investments. The aviation sector is a key enabler of economic development, and the establishment of ‘flynas Syria’ serves as a model for constructive investment cooperation. This partnership enhances economic integration and market connectivity, and supports development goals by advancing air transport infrastructure, ultimately serving the mutual interests of both nations and promoting regional economic stability”. In this context, His Excellency Omar …

Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, has announced the successful conclusion of the HattaWinter initiative activities, which drew 2 million visitors from across the UAE and the wider region. Held under the directives and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the initiative invited residents and visitors to explore the unique experiences offered by the mountainous region during the cooler months of the year. Hatta Winter, organised under the supervision of the Supreme Committee to Oversee the Development of Hatta, ran as part of the #DubaiDestinations campaign, and featured six festivals: the Hatta Winter Festival organised by Brand Dubai; Hatta Cultural Nights presented by Dubai Culture; the Hatta Honey Festival and Hatta Farming Festival organised by Dubai Municipality; Hatta Wadi Hub Festival led by DET; and the Hatta Unites Us Festival organised by the Community Development Authority. Over the course of more than a month, the event attracted over 2 million visitors and featured a series of festivals delivered in collaboration with key partners, offering a wide range of cultural, entertainment and community activities. Hatta Winter further enhanced Hatta’s reputation as a must-visit destination, celebrated for its natural beauty and rich heritage. Hatta Winter was a collaborative effort involving key government partners, including the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Municipality, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), Dubai Sports Council, and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Various semi-government and private entities also contributed to the initiative. On the occasion, Shaima Al Suwaidi, Director of Brand Dubai, said that the success of #HattaWinter in achieving …