Hyatt Place Dubai Wasl District wins Best 4 Star Business Hotel at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Kishor Sonawane – Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing – Hyatt Place Dubai Hotels and Residences shared, “The Arabian Travel Awards was a splendid celebration of excellence in the hospitality industry, fostering connections and recognizing outstanding contributions. It was an honour to be part of it.  Winning an Arabian Travel Award is thrilling! It highlights our dedication to outstanding service, motivating us to achieve new levels of excellence in the hospitality industry. This award pushes us to step up our game in 2024. We’re motivated to keep improving, provide guests with great experiences, and set higher standards of guest service.”    

The first phase of Jewel of the Creek was unveiled with two international brands for the first time, signing together in one compound. Marriott International with its brand Marriott Marquis with 400 plus hotel rooms and 150 plus apartments were signed at a ceremony graced by His Highness Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan bin Rashed Al Maktoum. The first phase of Jewel of the Creek was unveiled with two international brands for the first time, signing together in one compound. Marriott International with its brand Marriott Marquis with 400 plus hotel rooms and 150 plus apartments were signed at a ceremony graced by His Highness Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan bin Rashed Al Maktoum. His Excellency Eissa Al Maidour Director General Dubai Developments in his opening remarks shared, “My dear distinguished guests, I would like to welcome you all to this wonderful occasion where we are closing the chapter of the construction of Jewel of the Creek phase 1 and we are establishing the foundation for new legacy, new journey towards excellence in the hospitality skyline in Dubai. We are connected by nature with the creek of Dubai as it is a source of the Old Dubai Legacy. It is our great pleasure to witness this partnership with International brands and to take this forward and from time to time I think that additional Jewels will shine at the skyline of the Jewel of the Creek.” Sandeep Walia, Chief Operations Officer – Middle East, Marriott International thanked the leadership of the UAE for all their efforts in bringing together great partnerships. This complex is an important venture in the hospitality industry as two international brands have come together to bring the best …

Qatar Airways announces its 2024 network expansion with exciting new destinations as well as resumptions, bookable ahead of the New Year. In terms of network increases, there will be seven weekly flights from Doha to Venice and Hamburg. Venice effective 12 June 2024 and Hamburg effective 01 July 2024. Travellers can start planning their 2024 summer travels with the resumption of Venice, Italy in June, followed by the exciting new destination of Hamburg, Germany in July. These gateways will act as a vehicle for increased economic and tourism activity as they connect to Qatar Airways’ award-winning network of over 170 destinations. Venice is expected to see high demand from destinations such as Japan, China and Australia while Hamburg will serve as a gateway to South Africa, Thailand and the Philippines. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer commented: “As this year comes to an end, we are delighted to present our passengers with new and exciting travel opportunities for the year 2024. Starting with our resumption to Venice and an inaugural flight to Hamburg, Qatar Airways and its hub, Hamad International Airport, continues to position itself on the global map as a leading gateway for international travel and connectivity. We look forward to seeing our passengers uncover new experiences and resume flying to their favourite destinations.” Travellers looking to spend the 2024 summer in Europe have more choice than ever and can now spend sunny days by the river in Hamburg and enjoy gelato while cruising the canals of Venice. The announcements come on the back of recent expansion to the Qatar Airways winter schedule which includes increased flight frequencies to key leisure destinations, including Amsterdam, Bangkok, …

Ezytrip, Qatar wins ‘Fastest growing B2B online travel portal’ at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2023.  Rehan Ali Syed – CEO – Tawfeeq Travel shared, “The event was very well planned and organised. The overall setup was very lively and gave a good opportunity to network and connect with industry leaders across the region. These awards encourage business to continuously improvise and innovate. Travel awards can help acknowledge and promote businesses and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the travel and tourism sector. This recognition can lead to increased visibility and credibility within the industry and among travellers. Winning an Arabian Travel Award is a thrilling achievement, signifying recognition for excellence in the travel industry and a sense of pride and accomplishment. This award works as a powerful motivator to excel in 2024 and maintain or surpass the award categories. This will help us to drive and provide better travel experiences to our travellers.”    

The Norwegian Dawn cruise ship arrived at Doha Port with a ceremony by Qatar Tourism, as part of the 2023/24 cruise season that opened in late-October in Qatar. The welcome ceremony featured a traditional Ardah performance, henna, dhow souvenirs, Arabic calligraphy art, sadu weaving, and net making for disembarking passengers. The cruise ship can accommodate up to 2,340 passengers, and has an operating crew of 1, 032 members. It will be anchored for two nights, allowing passengers to explore nearby sites in Doha which include the Mina District, Souq Waqif, National Museum of Qatar, and more. Speaking on the arrival of the cruise ship, His Excellency, Mr. Saad Bin Ali Al Kharji, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, stated, “The pioneering arrival of the Norwegian Dawn and its regional debut is a significant milestone for Qatar’s growing cruise tourism sector and marks Qatar’s international appeal as a cruise destination. Qatar Tourism is keen to create new partnerships and agreements with leading cruise lines and extend the opportunity to international passengers to explore Qatar’s abundant events calendar as well as its world-class museums, attractions, and cultural hotspots.” Captain Abdulla Mohamed Al-Khanji, CEO of Mwani Qatar, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Norwegian Cruise Line maiden voyage to the shores of Qatar and the Gulf region. This important event reflects the growing interest of cruise operators to dock at Doha’s Old Port and depart from it to other cruise terminals in the region. Qatar has rapidly evolved within the cruise tourism industry, emerging as a prominent global destination in this expanding sector. Its captivating attractions and ideal geographical location have been strongly recognised and have made Qatar a highly sought-after destination by both …

Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort, Vignette Collection, the hidden haven for rest and personalized reconnection, invites guests to an unforgettable staycation experience including a sensational celebration of exquisite cuisine and non-stop entertainment with Brunchopolis- the most exciting and family-oriented brunch experience in town. Relish a tranquil night’s stay in a luxurious deluxe room for two and savour a delectable brunch every Saturday from 1 PM to 4 PM including soft beverages starting from AED 999++ or house beverages starting from AED 1199+ at Th8 Palm Dubai which represents a unique gateway to Dubai residents on Palm Jumeirah’s Western Crescent offering uninterrupted views of the ocean, Dubai’s skyline and beyond. Guests coming from other Emirates in UAE and international travellers can equally benefit with a true beachfront living and dining experience through this exclusive package. Brunchopolis, hosted at the ENVY restaurant, features a diverse array of dishes to satisfy the most discerning taste buds with a live band, family fun and exciting activities at the kids club including a bouncy castle for the kids where laughter knows no bounds, and a family pool available to soak up the sun and enjoy the azure waters.     Named after the eighth phase on the moon dial, Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort, Vignette Collection hotel by IHG, invites guests to the ultimate luxury beach experience with exclusive beach access, immersive infinity pools, spacious terrace, private cabanas, and personalized services marrying contemporary design with Middle Eastern elegance and drawing inspiration from the Art Deco and fashion of Miami Beach.

In order to boost tourism Turkey grants visa free entry to six countries including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain in the GCC and Canada and United States published in the official gazette of Turkey. According to the decree holders of ordinary passports of these six nations is granted privilege of visa free entry for tourist visits up to 90 days within any 180 day period.

Begin 2024 with a tropical escape and welcome the year with a commitment to craft unforgettable memories. Envision a trip through stunning landscapes, with thrilling adventures, full of savory cuisine, culture, and captivating encounters. Begin your year with the promise of enriching experiences in the Philippines. As the cool, dry season graces the islands in the initial three months of the year, this period provides an ideal window to explore a country that is filled with warmth, beauty, and the genuine hospitality that the country is renowned for. Here are our top recommendations for planning a trip to the archipelago in 2024. Palawan Start your journey in a sanctuary for nature lovers seeking either tranquility, adventure, or a perfect blend of both. Explore the Underground River in Puerto Princesa – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and navigate through the mesmerizing limestone caves, adorned with stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations. Unwind in the pristine beaches of El Nido surrounded by naturally carved out limestone cliffs and visit the awe-inspiring Big Lagoon or explore the Secret Lagoon. For diving enthusiasts, the crystal-clear waters of Coron houses a vibrant marine life that will leave you captivated. Spend time away from the bustle of tourists in Port Barton, a coastal village embraced by palm-fringed beaches and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, explore nearby waterfalls, and snorkel in the pristine waters teeming with marine life. You can also uncover the rich history of Taytay, home to the 17th-century Fort Santa Isabel. Climb to the fortress’s vantage points for panoramic views and learn about its historical significance. For those seeking the road less traveled, venture to Balabac. Balabac offers a glimpse into the raw and untouched …

The vibrant team from the Tower Plaza Hotel ushered in Christmas to the city of Dubai with a joyous group of choristers. General Manager Haitham Galal and his team had created a winter wonderland in the lobby with a massive gingerbread house. The lobby was tastefully decorated and the most significant was the ginger bread house made of real ginger bread accompanied by the skyline of Dubai displayed using gingerbread.  Once you see the amazing work of art and go close to it, you suddenly immerse into the world of gingerbread. It was a very interesting line up of events as the carols were sung by the staff at the Tower Plaza and the guests gathered around and enjoyed the festivities.  Christmas treats were served to all the guests both in- house and the invited guests. The kids around got the opportunity to have a word with the man of the season – Santa Clause on what they want for Christmas. It was a very interesting and exciting time for all the guests who had travelled from across different parts of the world to see the way festivities are done in Dubai.

flynas announced the launch of four direct weekly flights between Dammam and Hail, starting January 4, 2024. The launch announcement of the new flights comes days after flynas’ announcement of launching many domestic and international new routes and destinations during the last two weeks. It included the launch of direct flights from Jeddah to Brussels, the capital of Belgium, and the European Union in cooperation with the Air Connectivity Program (ACP), and direct flights to Bahrain from Riyadh and Jeddah, in addition to the launch of flynas operations base at Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, with the launch of six destinations from Madinah, as part of flynas’ strategy for expansion and growth within its plan that it launched under the slogan “We connect the world to the Kingdom.” The operational capacity of flynas has doubled in the current period due to the upscaling of its fleet size by more than 100% in less than two years, as the company signed an agreement with Airbus last June to purchase 30 new A320neo aircraft as part of a purchase order for 120 Airbus aircraft and the approval to increase orders for new aircraft to 250. flynas connects more than 70 domestic and international destinations with more than 1500 weekly flights and has flown more than 60 million passengers since its launch in 2007, aiming to reach 165 domestic and international destinations, in line with the objectives of the Saudi Vision 2030. Passengers traveling with flynas can book their flights through all flynas booking channels: www.flynas.com, the flynas app, the call centre (920001234), or travel agents.