Makkah Clock Royal Tower (a Fairmont hotel) clenched the title of ‘Best luxury hotel, KSA’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. The hotel is an iconic landmark in the heart of Makkah. Adjacent to Al Masjid Al Haram, it is the closest luxury hotel to Al Kaaba, making it the ideal choice for Umrah and Hajj. With 76 floors, 1,650 elegant rooms and suites, and breathtaking views of Al Kaaba, Al Haram, and Makkah’s skyline, the hotel offers unparalleled comfort. Enjoy family-friendly stays, Fairmont Gold exclusivity, or the refined luxury of the Royal Floor.

Hyatt announced a management agreement with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) for the first Hyatt-branded hotel in AlUla, Hyatt Place AlUla. Expected to open by end of 2025, the hotel will add a total of 215 keys to the Hyatt room portfolio in Saudi Arabia and provide a new destination of choice for World of Hyatt members and guests visiting the region. The planned introduction of Hyatt Place AlUla is part of broader efforts by Hyatt to showcase rich heritage and unique landscapes to international visitors. “We look forward to adding Hyatt Place AlUla to our growing portfolio of properties in the region,” said Ludwig Bouldoukian, Regional Vice President, Development, Middle East and Africa, Hyatt. “This significant project underscores our commitment to expanding our brand presence in key leisure and business markets. We are thrilled that this upcoming hotel will provide more choice to our World of Hyatt members looking to explore the culture and beauty of AlUla.” Hyatt Place AlUla will include 215 modern styled guestrooms, two food and beverage outlets, meeting space, a pool, and a fitness center, ensuring comfortable stays regardless of the travel occasion. Whether traveling for work or to explore AlUla, a rising cultural destination, the new hotel will seamlessly blend functionality with its renowned charm, providing a local home-base for guests and members. Once operational, the property will participate in World of Hyatt, the industry’s fastest growing loyalty program, that offers approximately 51 million members a variety of valuable benefits around the globe, such as member-only offers, room upgrades, free nights, late checkout, and more. Abeer AlAkel, CEO of Royal Commission of AlUla (RCU), said, “The agreement with Hyatt advances RCU’s regeneration of AlUla …

As the new year begins, there’s no better time to prioritize wellness and rejuvenation, and Jamaica stands ready to welcome guests with its unparalleled blend of natural beauty, luxury, and holistic experiences. Known for its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and vibrant culture, Jamaica is more than a destination—it’s a sanctuary for the soul. For travelers seeking privacy, serenity, and world-class indulgence, Jamaica’s wellness offerings are unmatched. Its exclusive beachfront villas and boutique resorts offer tailored wellness experiences in intimate settings, combining luxury with a deep connection to nature. Imagine waking up to the soothing sound of ocean waves, starting your day with yoga on a sun-drenched beach, and indulging in spa treatments inspired by Jamaica’s rich traditions. From bespoke retreats to signature spa experiences, Jamaica offers privacy, tranquility, and the perfect escape from the demands of daily life. Luxurious spa retreats such as The Spa at Round Hill promise tailored treatments that harmonize mind, body, and spirit amidst stunning ocean views. Nestled in the hills of Montego Bay, this award-winning spa incorporates locally sourced botanicals and age-old Jamaican traditions to create a truly restorative experience. At The Caves in Negril, tranquility reaches new heights. Perched atop limestone cliffs, this intimate retreat offers guests a unique spa experience, blending holistic treatments with breathtaking surroundings, including private grottoes and sea-facing treatment rooms. Meanwhile, Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall’s Zen Spa redefines luxury wellness. With an extensive menu of therapies inspired by global traditions and a focus on mindfulness, this beachfront haven is perfect for relaxation and renewal. Jamaica’s wellness journey extends beyond its exceptional spas. Sunrise yoga on a secluded beach, meditative forest walks in the Blue Mountains, and invigorating dips in mineral-rich waters …

Wego partnered with Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) to spotlight the Kingdom of Bahrain as a premier travel destination. This collaboration aims to promote Bahrain’s unique cultural heritage, top attractions, and cutting-edge tourism innovations to global travelers. Bahrain, known as the “Pearl of the Gulf,” is an archipelago offering a rich blend of history, luxury, and modernity. Through this partnership, Wego will leverage its platform to highlight Bahrain’s iconic destinations, including the UNESCO-listed Qal’at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort), the vibrant Bab Al Bahrain Souq, the stunning Al Dar Islands, and the world-famous Bahrain International Circuit, home of Formula 1 racing. Commenting on the partnership, Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego said: “We are thrilled to collaborate with and Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority to showcase the Kingdom’s unique offerings to our global audience. Bahrain is a treasure trove of cultural, natural, and modern attractions, and through this partnership, we aim to inspire travelers to explore this dynamic destination.” Travelers will also be introduced to Bahrain’s innovative tourism initiatives. The Kingdom is embracing cutting-edge technology, offering seamless digital travel experiences and sustainable tourism practices. From immersive virtual tours to smart city solutions enhancing visitor convenience, Bahrain is setting a benchmark in modern travel. Additionally, Bahrain’s commitment to eco-tourism is evident in its focus on preserving natural habitats like the unique Hawar Islands and offering experiences such as pearl diving and marine conservation tours. Maryam Toorani Director, Marketing and Promotion at Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority added: “This partnership with Wego allows us to reach thousands of travelers and highlight Bahrain as a must-visit destination. From its historical landmarks to its forward-thinking tourism innovations, Bahrain has something to …

Emirates will restart services to Beirut, Lebanon from 1 February 2025 with a daily flight. The airline will also reinstate daily services to Baghdad in Iraq on the same day. From February, Emirates’ daily flights to Rafic Al Hariri International Airport will be served by a Boeing 777-300ER in three classes, offering more than 5,000 seats both ways each week, and adding more choice, increased comfort and enhanced connectivity from Beirut to Dubai and onwards to the airline’s network of more than 140 destinations. From 1 April 2025, the airline will scale up its operations and layer on a second daily service to Beirut with the addition of the EK957/958 morning service, which is also set to be operated with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in three classes. The airline will operate to Beirut and Baghdad with the following schedule (all times are local): Beirut: From 1 February, Emirates will operate daily on EK953 and EK954. EK953 departs Dubai at 1130hrs, arriving in Beirut at 1400hrs. The return flight, EK954 leaves Beirut at 1530hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2120hrs. From 1 April, Emirates’ second daily service EK 957 takes off at 0730hrs, arriving in Beirut at 1030hrs. EK958 departs Beirut at 1205hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1655hrs. Baghdad: Emirates’ daily flights to Baghdad will be served by a Boeing 777 aircraft. On Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, EK 941 will depart Dubai at 0805hrs, arriving in Baghdad at 0950hrs. EK 942 will then take-off at 1125hrs, landing in Dubai at 1435hrs. On Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, EK 943 will depart Dubai at 1300hrs, arriving in Baghdad at 1425hrs. EK944 leaves Baghdad at 1555hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1910hrs. For more information or …

Marriott International announced the signing of Sheraton Al Khobar Al Hamra with Ashaad Company – marking the debut of the Sheraton brand in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Anticipated to open in 2028, Sheraton Al Khobar Al Hamra will reflect the brand’s new vision with its design and activations, use of technology and welcoming communal spaces. “Sheraton has had a long-standing presence in the Kingdom, and we are excited to work with Ashaad Company to further expand the brand’s portfolio in the country with its entry into Al Khobar,” said Chadi Hauch, Regional Vice President, Lodging Development, Middle East, Marriott International. “This hotel will embody Sheraton’s new identity, offering guests a unique experience through enhanced services and designs while staying true to its legacy. This deal also further supports the demand we are seeing for business and leisure travel into the Eastern Province of the country.” Ali bin Mohammed Al Ali, Chairman of Ashaad, commented: “In light of the great momentum in the Kingdom, driven by transformational developments and its growing reputation as a regional and international hub for global events, we at Ashaad are proud to be part of this remarkable transformation. Our strategic agreement with Marriott International and Aleph Hospitality to introduce the prestigious Sheraton brand to the city of Al Khobar represents an important step in our commitment to delivering world-class hotel projects. This collaboration reflects our dedication to enhancing the hospitality sector by providing unparalleled experiences to guests from around the world. The new Sheraton Al Khobar Al Hamra will embody creativity and sophistication, in line with the brand’s new identity while meeting the aspirations of visitors and residents of the Kingdom. We are honoured to contribute to …

Golden Sands Hotel Apartments won the ‘most comfortable hotel apartments’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. ‘Golden Sands’ is the pioneering hotel apartments brand in the region. With a comprehensive range of room types to cater to individuals and families visiting Dubai for leisure or business, Golden Sands Hotel Apartments offer the perfect home away from home.

With the global travel technology market currently valued at $10.7 billion, this year’s traveltech exhibitors at the Arabian Travel Awards will witness an increase of 25% year-on-year with leaders and innovators from around the world are preparing to steer the future of the tourism industry at the 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 28 April to 1 May 2025. ATM 2025’s extensive conference programme and exhibition reflect this year’s theme, ‘Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity’. With Travel Tech exhibitors experiencing year-on-year growth of 25% and the segment’s exhibition space expanding by 22%, this year’s event will explore how technology is transforming the tourism sector, presenting new growth opportunities for enterprising start-ups and established multinationals alike. The Future Stage at ATM 2025 will host a range of expert speakers, who will explore how advances in fields such as analytics and machine learning, workplace collaboration, blockchain, next-gen mobility and augmented reality are driving our sector forward. This year’s event represents an unparalleled opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their innovations in front of an international audience of senior decision-makers and purchase influencers. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “ATM Travel Tech draws together the best and brightest from across our industry, creating an unrivalled forum for discovery, debate and deal-making. Now more than ever, opportunities related to connectivity and integration are at the forefront of our minds, and they will take centre stage at ATM 2025.” According to IMARC Group, the global market for travel technology is on course to hit $18.6 billion in the next eight years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) …

Almosafer announced a strategic partnership with Jisr to integrate the Almosafer Business travel management portal on its platform to enable clients and partners to book their business travel, with flights, hotels, and other services available through Almosafer’s proprietary channel. The strategic integration underscores Almosafer’s commitment to supporting local startups and expanding their digital offerings across a wider platform. By joining forces with Jisr as a leading HR software platform in the Kingdom, Almosafer reinforces its position as a trusted partner for Saudi companies seeking seamless digital-first travel and booking services. Khalid Alyahia, VP of Almosafer, said: “At Almosafer, collaborations and partnerships are key to driving our strategic agenda to reinforce our leadership in the digital travel sphere. By aligning Almosafer Business with Jisr, a company focussed on leading the digital transformation of HR across Saudi Arabia, we are reaffirming our commitment to be at the forefront of driving Saudi Arabia’s digital-first agenda, while providing state-of-the-art travel management services to Jisr’s wide portfolio of clients in the Kingdom.” Mohammed Akkar, CEO of Jisr, said: “In our ongoing commitment to delivering a 360-degree comprehensive platform that empowers HR benefits and finance departments to manage all their needs in one place, we have elevated our enablement efforts and expanded our services from just handling travel requests for business trips and expats home visits to enabling HR teams and employees to directly book their preferred tickets on the same platform, through our partnership with Almosafer, the leading travel partner in the region. Our collaboration with Almosafer marks a significant step toward satisfying a critical business need across all sectors in Saudi Arabia, and offers a user-friendly solution, marking this service’s first time in the …

Organised by Visit Qatar for the first time, the Sealine Season has been an exceptional success to date, attracting more than 48,000 visitors since its launch on 3rd January 2025. The Samaritan Night, held on Friday 24 January, was one of the highlights of the season, attracting a large audience who experienced the rich cultural heritage of the Arabian Peninsula. The Samaritan Band, which has more than 400 members, dazzled more than 23,000 visitors with its traditional musical and poetic performance. The site was fully prepared in just 72 hours, reflecting outstanding planning and execution. During the final weekend of Celine Season, visitors also witnessed drone displays, a spectacular fireworks display, and the thrill of the Celine Season digital draw. Celine Season continues to offer visitors a variety of experiences until 27 January, including desert safari adventures, family fun activities such as football and volleyball, children’s activities and creative workshops. The high turnout underscores Celine’s position as a seasonal destination that celebrates Qatari culture and adventure experiences.