Travelport and Iberia announced the launch of Iberia’s NDC content and servicing capabilities on the Travelport+ platform. Agents using Travelport+ will be able to view and compare NDC fares and ancillaries from Iberia all in one place, making it easier to identify and book the best options for their travelers.  “The addition of Travelport to our NDC program is a milestone in the travel industry’s transformation. With this alliance, we provide a wider range of options for travel agencies using Travelport+ and at the same time, customers will benefit from a greater number of options and an improved experience. Travelport is a trusted technology provider for the travel industry as it evolves into the next generation of travel retailing. It is important for Iberia to partner with technology providers that have proven expertise and can meet our demands for customer-centric innovation,” explained Celia Muñoz Espín, Commercial Strategy and Distribution Director at Iberia. Travelport is also providing its agency customers the capabilities needed to service travelers directly, enabling agents to modify, exchange or cancel Iberia NDC bookings when needed. Travelport’s agency customers in Portugal, the first country where this content is available, can access the complete Iberia NDC solution in Travelport+, with all other markets expected to gain access in the coming weeks. “Available from today, we’re delivering Iberia NDC content and servicing through Travelport+ so that our agency users can shop and manage their clients’ flights seamlessly with access to all of Iberia’s dynamic product offerings and ancillaries in one place,” said Jason Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer, Travel Partners at Travelport. “We’re accelerating the delivery of complete NDC solutions for our air partners, like Iberia, so that the source of content is …

The Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South continues to achieve outstanding private jet movements, with a record 16,657 movements in 2023, a growth of 8% over 2022, marking the highest-ever movements achieved in Dubai. The growth of movements is attributed to several factors, including the hosting of the Dubai Airshow, COP28, and the soft opening of the new ExecuJet FBO and hangar. The impressive milestone reaffirms Al Maktoum International Airport’s position as the busiest airport for international business aviation movements in the Middle East. 2023 was also a successful year at MBRAH, witnessing several agreements with new partners seeking to set up their facilities across different zones to provide different MRO services, including manufacturing aircraft parts and structures, sealing and painting, AOG and aircraft parts supply, sourcing engine assets, and refurbishing private jet interiors. Additionally, the MRO trade from MBRAH’s Aerospace Supply Chain, which includes import, export and re-export, has increased and is expected to reach over AED 8 billion over the next few years, emphasising the growth of MRO activities. In his comments, Tahnoon Saif, CEO of MBRAH, said: “Last year marked an extraordinary milestone for us at MBRAH; not only did we record the highest-ever business aviation movements, but we also enriched our portfolio with new companies and announced the expansion of facilities. These achievements underscore the trust and immense value we offer through our cutting-edge infrastructure and world-class facilities, all within Dubai’s strategic embrace of the sector’s global growth. At MBRAH, our commitment persists, in perfect harmony with our visionary leadership’s strategy, to cement Dubai’s position as an aviation capital.” MBRAH offers global aerospace players high-level connectivity and is a free-zone destination for the …

Emirates announced a fifth frequency on its Dubai – Rio de Janeiro route, starting 7 December 2024. The additional weekly flight on Saturdays will provide increased capacity on its service to the Brazilian city and will support the growing demand for travel on the route. Additionally, the linked service allows travellers to conveniently travel onwards to the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires. Emirates’ increase of capacity on its Dubai/Rio de Janeiro/Buenos Aires route will help the airline to meet market demand and offer customers greater flexibility, choice, and connectivity. With the fifth scheduled service, customers will now have more choice when selecting flights to suit their travel plans. The additional weekly frequency between Dubai, Brazil and Argentina will operate as EK247 and EK248 in a 2-class configuration. Tickets can be booked immediately on emirates.com, the Emirates App, and travel agencies. EK247 and EK248 is scheduled to operate with timings as follows (all times are local): Flight Departure  Arrival EK247 (DXB/GIG) 08:05 15:55 EK247 (GIG/EZE) 17:30 20:55 EK248 (EZE/GIG) 22:30 01:15 (next day) EK248 (GIG/DXB) 02:55 00:30 (next day) The added flights to be deployed in December will offer 302 seats on each flight in Economy Class and Business Class. Customers can enjoy the spaciousness and privacy of the aircraft’s configuration in Business Class, in the coveted 2-2-2 layout. The airline’s boosted services to Brazil and Argentina are expected to facilitate additional connectivity for passengers travelling between these countries and other popular destinations in Emirates’ network including the UAE, Japan, Thailand, Maldives, Egypt, mainland China and Hong Kong, Turkey, South Korea, India, Australia and Indonesia. With Brazil and Argentina being home to the two largest Lebanese communities in Latin America, Emirates regularly serves …

Minister of Tourism Kingdom of Saudi Arabia HE Ahmed Al-Khateeb shared that Saudi Arabia aspires to attract 150 million visitors by 2030 and that tourism sector will contribute SR750 billion to the national economy. The minister made the remarks while addressing the Real Estate Future Forum in Riyadh on Monday. “We have the vision and plans to provide infrastructure and services and everything that tourists are looking for. Saudi Arabia will become one of the most important countries in the world in the tourism and travel sector after the completion of infrastructure projects,” he said while noting that Saudi Arabia is keen on ensuring involvement of the Saudi human element in the tourism sector, and there is a huge demand by the sons and daughters of the country to work in this sector. According to the Saudi Gazette, Al-Khateeb congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for the recovery achieved by Saudi Arabia in the number of tourist arrivals during the year 2023 by 156 percent, compared to the year 2019, exceeding the global rate of recovery from the effects of the pandemic by 88 percent. The minister noted that the successes achieved in the tourism sector confirm that the strategies and plans that were developed are now proceeding correctly. Last year the sector’s contribution increased to 4.5 percent of GDP, and seven percent of non-oil GDP. “We created many jobs in the tourism sector, indicating that the state’s expansion in establishing major projects was with the aim of developing the tourism sector and attracting investments to it, and competing for the 1.7 billion tourists in the world looking …

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) unveiled a multi-year partnership, Electric 360, with Formula E, Extreme E and E1 to support the growth of electric motorsports and their role in advancing the future of electric mobility. The new partnership will draw together initiatives that underscore the power of electric motor sports to drive technological innovation, and revolutionize sustainable transport and future mobility – while leading the way in carbon reduction. PIF also announced the launch of its new brand revamp, which captures PIF’s heritage and essence and embodies its commitment to progress and growth in driving transformation at a historical scale. The new identity will be used at all PIF partnership events, including E360 events, throughout 2024 and beyond. PIF is ranked by Global SWF as one of the top sovereign wealth funds in the world and number 1 in the Middle East for Sustainability among the top 100 sovereign wealth funds globally. The E360 collaboration is in line with PIF’s broader sponsorship platform, bringing to life the brand’s ambition with a focus on four pillars: inclusivity, sustainability, youth, and technology. The partnership announced today will also promote educational opportunities tied to the cutting-edge engineering of electric motor sports, as well as community, social programs and environmental stewardship. With PIF as the sole principal partner to span all three series, this initiative will directly facilitate and accelerate the delivery of: • PIF Electric 360 thought leadership events, bringing together leading industry experts with the brightest minds to drive sustainable mobility change; • STEM initiatives globally to coincide with each championship series; and • Community apprenticeship programs with industry partners in each championship. The partnership will support the mission-driven objectives of all …

Almosafer revealed in its data insights collated from across the company’s consumer platforms during 2023, that over 40% of the total booking share comes from the domestic sector, with 83% of local travellers showing a preference for luxury accommodation options. The new domestic travel trends report was released by Almosafer during the 2024 Saudi Tourism Forum held in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s leading travel company (part of Seera Group), further revealed that Saudi travellers are showing a strong appetite for the diverse range of tourism offerings within the country, leading to impressive gains for the domestic tourism sector in 2023. With the average length of stay being two nights, the overall number of room nights for hotels have seen a 22% year on year growth in 2023 compared to 2022. A key player in the travel and tourism industry in the Kingdom, Almosafer is accelerating efforts to boost domestic tourism and promote Saudi Arabia as one of the top travel destinations in the region by facilitating unforgettable journeys and creating seamless travel experiences for consumers across its business and consumer portals. This is in line with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 that aims to attract 150 million tourists annually by the start of the next decade, with half of its tourism demand to come from domestic travel. The new trends report has further highlighted that among the top growing destinations in the Kingdom, AlUla is the preferred luxury option, Jazan and Tabuk are winter favourites and Abha is a popular destination for families to spend the summer break. Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Makkah & Madinah remain the most popular destinations in terms of room nights sold. The booking behaviour of Saudi …

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a franchise agreement for a new-build boutique hotel, Hotel Indigo Abha, slated to open by December 2025 in partnership with Firdous Abha Hotel Holding Company and under the management of Aleph Hospitality. The strategic signing underscores IHG’s commitment to expanding its Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio of hotels and elevating hospitality offering for the growing tourism sector in the Kingdom. Hotel Indigo is the world’s neighbourhood hotel that celebrates how guests can discover, or rediscover, some of the most inspiring and culturally rich neighbourhoods across the world. When staying at a Hotel Indigo, it is not just to visit a place, it is about being fully immersed into the neighbourhood and wanting to take a little bit of it home. With 278 open or pipeline hotels globally, each hotel draws on the local neighbourhood, culture and popular trends in food, drink and design to create a warm and vibrant atmosphere. Scheduled to open its doors in December 2025, Hotel Indigo Abha will feature 110 rooms, providing guests with a unique and distinctive experience in the heart of the Arabian Highland. Along with taking inspiration from its neighborhood across the guest journey, the hotel will feature a range of amenities, including a restaurant, coffee lounge, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facilities, and a fitness room, providing a blend of comfort and authenticity in a culturally rich and naturally stunning destination. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director – India, Middle East and Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “Abha is home to Saudi Arabia’s most scenic landscapes and highest peaks, where adventure and relaxation both co-exist. With its current portfolio of unbranded and local hotels, we recognized …

Address Jabal Omar Makkah  announced the opening of its Sky Mussallah, world’s highest prayer room that encapsulates sheer opulence. Designed to excel on every metric, the new Sky Mussallah is a perfect embodiment of the hotel’s unparalleled architectural excellence. The mussallah stands as a sensational vantage point for guests to immerse themselves in complete spirituality while gazing out at the magnificent landmarks of Makkah. It has been specially designed to offer a heartfelt connection to its sacred surroundings, providing a bird’s-eye view of Masjid al-Haram with a full sight of the Holy Kaaba, where the whole city comes alive every year during the “Hajj & Umrah” season. The interiors of Sky Mussallah are just as extraordinary, featuring a seamless fusion of ancient Arabian charm and contemporary opulence. The stunning Arabic calligraphy on adds a layer of profound grace to the ambience. Each stroke of the calligraphy tells a different story about the “Names of God in Islam”, such as Al-Muqaddim (The Advancer), and Al-Mani (The Shielder and Protector), infusing the space with a sense of reverence and connection to the rich Islamic heritage. Located in the interconnecting bridge that links the property’s two towers, soaring majestically at 483 meters high above sea level, and standing proud at 179 meters from the hotel’s internal road level, the Sky Mussallah has recently been inducted into the Guinness World Records for “Highest Prayer Room Within a Skybridge”. This remarkable achievement was a result of both architectural brilliance and boundless creativity, employing cutting-edge technologies and using special equipment to design this incredible space. With an impressive weight of 650 tonnes, its steel bridge was first assembled at 312 meters above sea level before being …

His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik laid the foundation stone for RO 147.8 million Oman Cultural Complex to promote cultural, literary, theatrical and research activities through the enhancement of relevant programmes aimed to expand the scope of engagement in highlighting Oman’s cultural heritage and exploring the country’s accomplishments. The building will be about 80,200 square metres (sqm) that will be constructed on land plot of 400,000 sqm. His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik also presided over a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the building of the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA) at the Airport Heights in Muscat Governorate. When His Majesty the Sultan arrived at the project’s site, he was received by HH Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Chairman of the Founding Committee of Oman Cultural Complex Project, and Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Dhoyani, NRAA Chairman. Then, His Majesty the Sultan viewed Oman Cultural Complex building’s designs, presented in showcases that highlighted the components of the project. The project is considered an embodiment of the Royal vision of His Majesty to establish a state-of-the-art cultural designation, a civilizational accomplishment and a scholarly and institutional edifice of Oman’s blessed renaissance. Then, His Majesty the Sultan watched a visual presentation about the project and listened to a briefing about the building’s innovative model. The project houses many institutions and facilities, including the National Library, the National Theatre, Children’s Public Library, the House of Arts, the House of Cinema, the Literary Forum and the National Records and Archives Authority. It also comprises restaurants, cafeterias and a public park. His Majesty the Sultan then laid the cornerstone marking the start of construction of …

In a joint effort to promote sustainability in the Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Biosphere have inked a partnership to promote sustainability criteria in the hotel industry under the Hotel Sustainability Basics initiative. In the current landscape of globalisation and information saturation, where sustainability holds paramount importance, the proliferation of new standards and eco-labels poses a significant challenge for the sector. Identifying clear and consistent sustainability criteria has become increasingly difficult. Biosphere and WTTC have joined forces and solidified their commitment to fostering a more sustainable hotel industry to establish fundamental steps for global sustainability practices. This marks a significant milestone for global hotel sustainability, benefiting over 2,500 hotels. As partners of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA), both organisations are optimistic that standardising their sustainability concepts will undoubtedly catalyse widespread adoption by hotels worldwide. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Hotel Basics is a crucial and inclusive industry initiative, ensuring hotels continue to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of both travellers and the planet. The collaboration between Biosphere and WTTC is a fundamental step towards international standardisation in sustainability, creating a clear and homogeneous pathway for the industry.” The recent signed agreement between WTTC and Biosphere will lay the groundwork for a network of international criteria homogenisation. This initiative aims to facilitate the industry’s transition from basic criteria to more advanced global standards, aligning with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 goals of the United Nations. This connection is made possible through the Guide for Sustainable Tourism of UN-SDSN Spain and Biosphere. Dr. Tomás de Azcárate Bang, President of the Responsible Tourism Institute, said: “Sustainability must be viable, …