Etihad Airways celebrated the return to service of its Airbus A380 on a special inaugural commercial flight from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow. The first of Etihad’s four Airbus A380s returns to the sky on the popular Abu Dhabi-London Heathrow route. Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, says: “We’re excited to once again welcome guests onboard Etihad’s A380s and step into a truly remarkable experience. Whether our guests are choosing to fly in Economy, Business, First or our three-room suite in the sky The Residence, this aircraft provides an elevated flying experience which we take extreme pride in. The aircraft adds much needed capacity connecting Abu Dhabi with London Heathrow and allows us to build our network and increase frequencies across the network. With a surge in demand for travel over the summer, the return of our much-loved A380 comes at the perfect time.” Guests flying with in Economy are greeted on board in a dedicated welcome area. The Economy cabin features 68 Economy Space seats offering an additional 4 inches in leg room, and 337 Economy Smart seats that come with Etihad’s signature fixed-wing headrest and large pillows for added comfort. 70 Business Studios® are available on Etihad’s A380 upper deck, granting privacy to customers and creating a serene atmosphere. On the upper deck, guests can enjoy access to The Lobby, a serviced lounge and bar area located between the First and Business cabins. In addition, guests will benefit from Etihad’s unique partnership with Armani/Casa, delivering an elevated Business experience. The dining service features ceramics, glassware, cutlery and serving ware, as well as premium textiles and a memory foam mattress for a completely luxurious inflight experience. Guests can …

Qatar Tourism and the Geneva International Motor Show (GIM) have welcomed 30 of the world’s most famous automotive brands to participate in the first edition of the Geneva International Motor Show Qatar, scheduled to take place in Doha from 5 to 14 October 2023. This is the first edition of the renowned international exhibition to be held outside his native Switzerland, hosted by Qatar in conjunction with the 2023 Formula Qatar Airways Grand Prix. This turnout from exhibitors reflects the appeal of the innovative concept and new format of the Geneva International Motor Show, which sets new standards for international motor shows and represents the natural evolution of the marketing strategies of the leading original manufacturers and suppliers of automotive equipment and components. During the show, car enthusiasts will have the opportunity to see for the first time 10 flagship new cars and models scheduled to be unveiled at the show. The exhibiting companies’ pavilions are expected to cover an area of more than 10,000 square meters within the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. The exhibition will also dedicate five locations to provide enjoyable and enriching experiences for visitors and guests of the exhibition. Organisers of the Geneva International Motor Show will now begin allocating exhibition spaces for participating brands, following the close of registration at the end of June. The identity of the participating car brands will be revealed through the show’s social media channels in the coming weeks. Bertold Trenkel, Chief Operating Officer at Qatar Tourism, said: “Qatar is the ideal destination to host the first edition of the Geneva International Motor Show outside its home country, thanks to its many attractions such as the range of magnificent …

Ishraq Hospitality announced the signing of a Hospitality Management Agreement (HMA) with Rekan Group, marking a significant milestone in their strategic expansion plans. The agreement entails the management of an exceptional Crowne Plaza Hotel in the vibrant city of Batumi, Georgia, further solidifying Ishraq Hospitality’s commitment to delivering unique experiences worldwide. The new property, located by the beach promenade in Batumi and offering great views of the waters, boasts 150 smartly appointed rooms, two restaurants, meeting facilities, a fitness club and a pool, ensuring guests experience supreme comfort, convenience, and entertainment. In addition, Ishraq Hospitality will also oversee the hotel management of Batumi View Hotel Apartments, a 240-room hotel apartment. These developments are poised to enhance the hospitality landscape in Batumi and contribute to the city’s growing reputation as a tourist destination. Rekan Group, a renowned investment company in the region, brings invaluable expertise and a deep understanding of the Batumi market to the partnership. The collaboration between Ishraq Hospitality, IHG Hotels & Resorts – owner of the Crowne Plaza brand and Rekan Group will lead to drive significant economic growth and provide new employment opportunities. A signing ceremony took place for these new properties at Crowne Plaza Jumeriah in Dubai on 20th July,2023 in the presence of chief guests and high profile delegations. Ahmed Ali Azeez Rekani, Co-Owner at Rekan Group said “We are delighted to join forces with Ishraq Hospitality and IHG Hotels & Resorts. This partnership represents a momentous step forward for our organisation as we contribute to the development of Batumi’s hospitality sector. With Ishraq’s proven track record and our shared vision for excellence, we are confident that these new properties will become the preferred choice …

Destination Management Company (DMC), Safarak Travel & Tourism, which means ‘your travel’ in Arabic, is proud to announce its global expansion with on-the-ground presence in both India and Poland. With dedicated teams of experienced MICE and travel and tourism industry experts in both countries, the DMC will actively promote the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah as one of the most sought-after destinations in the Middle East. As a proud member of RAK Hospitality Holding, a Ras Al Khaimah Government company that manages a diverse portfolio of hotels, hospitality, and leisure assets in the Emirate, Safarak has set an ambitious goal of making Ras Al Khaimah the preferred destination for MICE and holidaymakers from both countries. With an increase in the number of arrivals from Indian and Poland, Safarak looks to support the growth from both these markets, both of which sit within RAK’s top 10 destinations for inbound travel. Indian and Polish travellers will be spoilt for choice when visiting the Emirate considering that Safarak offers exclusive experiences that can elevate an ordinary trip into an extraordinary journey. From exhilarating desert safaris and thrilling mountain experiences on Jebel Jais including the World’s Longest Zipline, Jais Flight, to a wide range of luxury hotels and beach resorts, captivating city tours, cultural explorations, visits to the renowned RAK Pearl Farm, and a diverse range of delightful dining experiences to suit every palate. Commenting on the international expansion, Cathy Mead, General Manager of Safarak Travel & Tourism said: “We are thrilled to officially announce that Safarak now has offices in India and Poland – two extremely important markets for us for inbound travel. We are committed to providing our clients with best-in-class hospitality …

Red Sea Global (RSG) signed an agreement to launch the third batch of its Red Sea vocational training program, in partnership with the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) and King Abdulaziz University (KAU) under the vision of His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah. The program, launched on July 25, 2023, will consist of three tracks that will serve Red Sea Global’s destinations: Hospitality, Tourism Security and Information Technology. Admission is open to all Saudis who meet the requirements via RSG’s website. Successful graduates will be employed at either Red Sea Global or one of its partners. “Through this partnership, we will be creating a substantial pool of qualified professionals with the skills and resources needed to establish a new and successful tourism industry in the Kingdom,” said RSG Group CEO John Pagano. RSG’s vocational training programs are a demonstration of its commitment to supporting young Saudis to participate in the growth of the Kingdom’s promising tourism sector and positioning the country on the global tourism map. Last Wednesday at King Abdulaziz University, RSG and HRDF celebrated the graduation of the first batch of the Red Sea Vocational Training Program students, giving them the title of ‘Tourism Generation’. The ceremony was attended by His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi and a number of top officials, in addition to the graduates and their parents.

Rail Europe introduces its latest addition, the Eurail Greek Islands Pass, which is now part of its B2B inventory and available via its B2B website and API. “With the launch of the Eurail Greek Islands Pass, we are proud to present an unparalleled opportunity for our B2B partners’ to enhance their customers’ travel experiences. The Eurail Greek Islands Pass serves as a gateway to a myriad of experiences across Greece’s captivating islands, from the alluring glamour of Mykonos to the inspiring landscapes of Santorini, and the pristine serenity of Crete, three top destinations in Europe. We are thrilled to foster further collaboration with our partners as we jointly promote this unique pass and showcase the captivating islands it encompasses.”, says Björn Bender, CEO & President, Rail Europe. The Eurail Greek Islands Pass allows travellers to explore the Greek islands via national ferry lines – Superfast Ferries, Minoan Lines, Grimaldi Lines, Blue Star Ferries – for 4 domestic travel days, as a mobile pass. It’s also a great addition to the Eurail Greece pass, for travellers willing to visit highlights like Athens, Thessaloniki and Olympia, or the European continent as a whole. Eurail passes is the perfect choice to discover the wonders of Europe by train. Rail Europe’s trade partners from across the world have been promoting and selling these rail passes for decades. Considered as the most popular pass, Eurail Global Pass is seen by many as the easiest way to travel within Europe. It offers unlimited rail travel across 33 destinations in Europe, giving travellers a unique experience and an in-depth knowledge of the European culture.

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has announced the launch of the ‘Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp’, a new sustainability initiative that seeks to recognise hotels with the highest adherence to DET’s 19 ‘Sustainability Requirements’. The initiative, launched in line with the UAE Year of Sustainability, is part of DET’s commitment to strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading sustainable tourism destination. Developed in collaboration with Dubai’s hospitality sector, the new stamp is designed to accelerate efforts towards empowering the tourism sector to achieve its sustainability goals and support the UAE’s NetZero 2050 initiative. As Dubai continually strives to achieve the objectives outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, the initiative will contribute to further consolidating the city’s status as one of the top three global destinations. The Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp will serve as a validation of the hotel’s dedication to sustainability and showcase its sustainable practices. To obtain the stamp, hotels of all classifications must meet the highest standards of DET’s 19 Sustainability requirements, which include criteria such as energy and water efficiency, waste management programmes, and staff education and engagement initiatives. The accreditation process will be overseen by a committee of senior industry professionals to ensure integrity and independence, with the initiative designed based on global best practices. The stamp will feature a three-tier scheme with categories ranging from Gold, Silver and Bronze. Nominations for hotel establishments to obtain the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp will begin on 3 August, 2023 and end on 31 August, 2023. Yousuf Lootah, Acting CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance sector, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism stated: “As part of our efforts to transform Dubai into a leading sustainable tourism destination in …

SAUDIA shares that there was a noteworthy 52% increase in the number of international guests transported during the first half of 2023, with a total of 7.4 million guests. Additionally, the airline operated 37,600 flights, marking a significant 30% growth. SAUDIA extended its reach to four continents, accumulating an impressive 180,700 flight hours, a remarkable 40% increase compared to previous periods. The report also underscores the successful transport of 6.3 million guests on domestic routes, achieved through the operation of 47,700 flights, accumulating 80,800 flight hours. SAUDIA (Saudi Arabian Airlines) continues to contribute to the development of tourism, business, Hajj and Umrah sectors with their remarkable operational performance, as evident by the performance report for the first half of 2023. The report highlights the transportation of over 13.7 million guests on both domestic and international routes, representing a substantial 24% increase compared to the same period last year. This impressive feat was accomplished through the operation of 85,400 flights, reflecting a growth rate of 6%. Furthermore, flight hours surged by an impressive 22%, reaching a total of 261,600 hours. Notably, the overall flight punctuality rate reached an impressive 86,3%. Capt. Ibrahim Koshy, CEO of SAUDIA, highlighted the outstanding flight operations, punctuality rates, and guest transportation achieved during this period. These accomplishments align with the airline’s commitment to efficiency and operational safety, which are of paramount importance. Capt. Koshy also emphasized the crucial role played by the national flag carrier in supporting the growth of the tourism, business, Hajj and Umrah sectors through strategic partnerships. Moreover, SAUDIA has increased its seat capacity and flight frequency to cater to the growing demand for travel, firmly establishing itself as a key player in …

Emirates has taken its first steps in an innovative initiative of meal preordering, whereby customers will be able to preselect their hot main meal between 14 days and 24 hours in advance of their flight, ensuring they get their preferred meal choice every time, as well as helping to reduce food wastage. The initiative will be rolled out from 25 July onwards in Business Class, on all flights between Dubai and London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and London Stansted, adding even more benefits to the Emirates customer experience, improving time management and adding another layer of insight into meal consumption onboard. Meal preordering will be added to the existing suite of AI-enabled customer preference tracking data and cabin crew reports, which facilitate menu planning and optimal food loading to deliver the premium ‘restaurant in the sky’ inflight dining experience. Up to 14 days before a flight, passengers will be able to browse the onboard menu on Emirates.com or on the Emirates app and choose from a selection of regionally inspired dishes with locally sourced ingredients. Passengers can also pre-order special meals if required. On the aircraft, cabin crew will use a custom-built application on a device to view the meal selection and serve the passenger their choice of hot dish. Emirates plans to expand the meal preorder initiative to more routes and classes in the near future and is closely monitoring customer feedback from the initial roll out phase. The preordering meal service innovation is another addition to the convenience of digitally enabled journeys that Emirates passengers enjoy. As well as website check-in and app check-in, the option of digital boarding passes and itinerary management, passengers can also access digital menus …

NEOM partners forum will see more than 1,500 job openings for local young talent from the NEOM and Tabuk regions who have successfully completed the registration process based on an evaluation to match their skills and backgrounds with available opportunities. Aiming to attract young people with potential who can take part in building the new future and contribute to NEOM’s development, the event has been established to provide prospective employees with the opportunity to apply for positions offered by leading local and international companies involved with NEOM. The job seekers will be able to submit their applications directly at the forum, as well as engage in networking activities and meet employers through in-person interviews. The second edition of “NEOM Partners Employment Forum” gets underway at Tabuk University, with the two-day event bringing together 20 major local and international companies from NEOM’s top partners involved in its various projects and sectors Attendees at the job fair will also benefit from sessions offering tips and guidance on developing professional resumes, excelling in job interviews and seamlessly landing career opportunities at the right place and time. In line with NEOM’s environmental sustainability efforts, all applications and submissions will be processed digitally to reduce the use of paper and preserve natural resources. Consistent with NEOM CSR strategy’s ‘Enhancing Quality of Life’ track, NEOM is organizing the forum to strengthen its ties with the local community, offer them exceptional livability standards, and develop for them a sustainable and thriving business environment that fosters innovation and supports ambition. Through its social responsibility strategy and development programs, NEOM continues to empower students, graduates and job seekers, supporting them to achieve their aspirations and unlock their full potential. …