The industry-defining Dubai Association Centre Conference is set to return for its fourth edition, 27-28 February 2024, with the theme ‘Value Amplified: Associations Empowering Change’ and hosted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council. Reflecting Dubai’s continued growth as a global association hub, the conference will once again provide a powerful platform for sector leaders and experts from around the world to come together and consolidate the pivotal role associations play in not only serving the needs and aspirations of their members, but also as agents of positive change within their communities and wider societies. Organised by the Dubai Association Centre and taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre, the 2024 edition will explore innovative strategies, best practices, and collaborative approaches to create tangible and lasting value for communities and societies. Targeted at association executives and stakeholders who play a crucial role in leadership and management, including government officials and strategic partners, the conference aims to contribute to the immediate civic, economic and social development of the region. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, said: “Through the Dubai Association Centre Conference, the city has consistently demonstrated a commitment to not only developing a vibrant association community here, but also offering a platform to navigate change and forge new paths for the sector globally. As Dubai’s own economy continues to evolve to meet the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda – D33 – the city will provide an ideal setting to explore the theme around empowering change, and we look forward …

Emirates joins UAE based research consortium for renewable and advanced aviation fuels. In the UAE Year of Sustainability, and at the 3rd ICAO Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) was held in Dubai, eight founding entities announced the launch of the “Air-CRAFT” initiative – a UAE based research consortium focused on developing, producing, and scaling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technologies. Air-CRAFT, or the UAE Centre for Renewable and Advanced Fuel Technologies for Aviation, is a first-of-its-kind initiative that will bring together entities across the value chain – industrial policy makers, aviation regulators, fuel producers, academia and researchers, aircraft and powerplant manufacturers, and airline operators. While based in the UAE, the consortium will also engage with, and welcome the participation of relevant international entities as it progresses. The new initiative was announced on the sidelines of CAAF/3 today and ahead of COP28. Air-CRAFT is supported by the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. “The aviation sector holds great importance as a key contributor to the GDP and as a target sector for our robust decarbonization drive,” said His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. “The UAE has committed to reaching net zero by 2050, and this goal can only be achieved by slashing the emissions across the board. Air-CRAFT will go a long way in supporting the decarbonization of the aviation sector, helping to make it resilient and sustainable well into the future.”   His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy of the UAE and Chairman of the GCAA said: Introducing ‘Air-CRAFT’ at CAAF3 in Dubai emphasizes the UAE’s commitment to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, uniting government, private sector, and academia …

Emirates has become the world’s first airline to operate an A380 demonstration flight using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Today’s flight, proudly commanded by Captain Khalid Binsultan and Captain Philippe Lombet, took off from Dubai International Airport (DXB) with one of four engines powered on 100% SAF, helping demonstrate its potential as a drop-in replacement that matches jet fuel’s technical and chemical requirements, while being a more sustainable alternative. SAF can reduce carbon emissions by up to 85%* over the fuel’s life cycle when compared to conventional jet fuel. Demonstration flights like the one conducted today pave the way for future standardisation, qualification and adoption for 100% SAF flying, as governments adopt broader strategies to support the production and scale up of SAF. The A380 demonstration flight underlines the performance and compatibility of SAF, making it a safe and reliable fuel source, and contributes to the growing body of research carried out by the industry to evaluate the beneficial effects of 100% SAF on aircraft performance. SAF is currently capped at a 50% blend limit in engines for commercial flights. The Emirates A380 demonstration flight comes as the aviation industry, international organisations, regulatory bodies and high-level officials driving policy-related decisions converge in Dubai for the Third International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Conference on Aviation and Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3). Dedicated collaborators from Airbus, Engine Alliance, Pratt & Whitney, Neste, Virent and ENOC have been working on the testing, technical assessments and data analysis for today’s flight. The 100% drop-in SAF used on today’s flight includes renewable aromatics and closely mimics the characteristics of conventional jet fuel. This is the first time that drop-in SAF has been used on an A380 aircraft, …

On the sidelines of Qatar Travel Mart, Cozmo Travel signed an MoU with SAUDIA in order to boost tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Cozmo Travel has been instrumental in carrying out various marketing campaigns to promote the kingdom across the GCC. This partnership will be enhancing the efforts put forward by Cozmo Travel.

Air Arabia announced the commencement of its first non-stop flight from Ras Al Khaimah, UAE to Kozhikode in Kerala, India. Prior to the inaugural flight, which departed today, an inaugural ceremony took place at RAK International Airport in attendance of key dignitaries, including H.E. Engr. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah; Mr. Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India to Dubai and the Northern Emirates; Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive of Air Arabia; trade partners and other esteemed guests. H.E. Engr. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al-Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, board member of General Civil Aviation Authority & RAK Executive Council, said: “The introduction of this new route underscores Ras Al Khaimah’s commitment to advancing its aviation sector and enhancing connectivity. Air Arabia’s new service aligns with our vision of developing Ras Al Khaimah’s regional and international air travel which contributes significantly to the growth of our tourism sector. By providing convenient and affordable travel options for both a flourishing Indian resident community in Ras Al Khaimah as well as a thriving tourist market, we aim to attract more visitors to experience the unique offerings of Ras Al Khaimah”. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said: “We are glad to begin our new service between Ras Al Khaimah and Kozhikode, further expanding our reach and providing affordable travel options to our valued passengers. This new route not only strengthens our commitment to offering convenient and value-driven travel options between both cities but also reflects the strong tourism and trade ties between both nations”. The new direct flight …

HE Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), unveiled the latest triumphs in the tourism, development, hospitality, and investment projects undertaken by the authority in Kalba. Al Qaseer provided a comprehensive overview of the 3 noteworthy projects, each a testament to Shurooq’s dedication to realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, in elevating the eastern region into a premier investment and tourism destination. These projects include Kalba Beach, Kingfisher Retreat, and Nomad. In discussions surrounding Kalba beach, the CEO of Shurooq underscored the project’s commitment to preserving the natural ecosystem of Kalba at every stage of development. The project’s construction processes will exclusively involve environmentally friendly materials, with work set to commence in the First quarter of 2024 and handed over in the third quarter of 2025. Spanning an impressive 9.5 km, the beach is situated in the eastern region of the Emirate of Sharjah. HE further highlighted the project’s aspiration to become a premier tourist destination in the eastern region, boasting an array of restaurants, cafes, kiosks, and a diverse range of service and entertainment facilities for beachgoers. Notably, a dedicated play area for children will also be featured. Kalba Beach is steadfast in adhering to the rigorous standards of the Blue Flag global programme, ensuring services meet stringent safety criteria. Moreover, Al Qaseer highlighted that the expansion works of the “Kingfisher Retreat” project will be concluded in the upcoming month, December 2023. The retreat serves as an entrance to environmental reserves and is situated approximately 30 metres from the beach in Kalba City. Twenty luxury tents have been added to the project, …

Participating for the first time Air Astana won the title of ‘Best Airline Central Asia’ at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards. Sudhip Valiyara – Marketing and Sales Manager, UAE – Air Astana shared, “The Arabian Travel Awards celebrated excellence in the travel and hospitality industry with high attendance, fostering networking in a vibrant, fun and energetic atmosphere. Winning the award for Best Airline – Central Asia was an exhilarating honor, validating dedication and commitment in the industry. The recognition bestowed a profound sense of achievement, affirming the hard work and passion invested. The accolade from the Arabian Travel Awards serves as a catalyst, inspiring greater dedication and innovation in 2024, driving me to surpass previous accomplishments and set new benchmarks.”

Sabre Corporation announced a multi-year renewal agreement with lastminute.com N.V. Under the long-term technology agreement, lastminute.com expects to drive a better customer experience with Sabre’s advanced shopping and virtual payments solutions. Using Sabre’s rich GDS content and Bargain Finder Max shopping API, lastminute.com will be able to build and display compelling itineraries for travelers in seconds. This will help enable the OTA to customize booking experiences by tailoring search results for the most relevant fares, based on itinerary preferences. “Sabre is foundational to lastminute.com’s technology strategy, and the support of our shopping and payment capabilities are areas that are keys in our partnership,” said Luca Concone, CEO, lastminute.com. “We are in a strategic partnership that drives technology innovation to help travel companies increase customer loyalty and drive revenue, and in turn are creating a turn-key travel planning and booking experience for the end user.” As a B2B payments provider to lastminute.com, Sabre Virtual Payments technology offers increased flexibility and control, enhanced fraud protection and security, accurate reconciliation, and better payment automation and efficiency.   “Lastminute.com has the ability to provide a seamless customer experience from shopping, booking and payment and that translates into the ability to gain more share of wallet for the online travel agency,” said Roshan Mendis, Chief Commercial Officer for Sabre Travel Solutions.  “We help drive conversion with customer-centric technology and cloud-native microservices enabling more agility and shopping products to turbocharge the retailing experience.”   Through the Sabre GDS, lastminute.com will have access to more than 400 airlines, 1.6 million lodging options, and hundreds of tour operators, rail, and car rental providers to sell customized travel packages from suppliers around the world.

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of its first Vignette Collection hotel in Doha in partnership with Hospitality for Success H4S Hotels & Residences set to open by the end of Quarter 1, 2024. Velero Hotel Vignette Collection Doha Lusail is IHG’s fifth Vignette Collection hotel signing in the MEA region, following those in Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait. IHG continues to bring brands from its luxury & lifestyle portfolio to the region, offering its guests exceptional design, bespoke service and meaningful experiences. The Vignette Collection brand gives owners of world-class independent hotels the opportunity to retain their distinctive identity, while benefitting from IHG’s global scale and luxury and lifestyle expertise. Located at the heart of Lusail, Qatar’s second largest city, Velero Hotel Vignette Collection Doha Lusail will be part of a mixed-use development featuring an adjacent retail mall, welcoming guests seeking rich and varied experiences. True to the Vignette Collection brand, the hotel will blend exclusivity and grandeur with community and locality — evident in its architectural design and ornamented interiors. With 244 beautifully designed rooms, the hotel boasts a modern façade and structure. Alongside its adorned rooms, guests can enjoy three food-and-beverage outlets spanning various cuisines, and premium wellness facilities including a spa, gym, and swimming pool. Corporate travellers can also take advantage of the hotel’s sizeable meetings and events space catering to a range of professional needs.   Haitham Mattar, Managing Director – India, Middle East and Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Al Baladi Group to bring the first Vignette Collection hotel to Doha. The demands of travelers in the Middle East are ever evolving. There is a …

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority will kick off its 10th edition of Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum under the theme “Sustainable Tourism: The Way to Improvement”will kick off today at Expo Center Sharjah. The forum serves as a nod to Sharjah’s efforts in developing environmentally and socially responsible travel practices, its thriving eco and adventure tourism sector, as well as the emirate’s growing reputation as a global example of sustainable solutions.  A highlight of SITTF’s dynamic agenda will be a series of engaging discussions, presentations and interactive workshops, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities within the travel and tourism sector. In the panel discussion ‘Sustainability Practices – Innovate for Impact, Collaborate for Change’, notable participants include HE Dr. Nawal Al Hosany, Permanent Representative of UAE IRENA, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Green Development and Climate Change at the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; and HE Ahmed Al Qaseer, CEO of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). These experts will share their insights on sustainable tourism trends, government policies, economic benefits, the role of technology, and the significance of collaboration in achieving sustainable tourism goals. The panel on ‘Strategies for Sustainable Travel and Tourism’ will bring together industry leaders, including Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of HMH Hotel Group; Koko Tang, GSTC Board Member, Founder of Colorful Earth Co-Founder of Vinetree Tourism; Paul Bridger, COO of Rove Hotel and moderated by Doug Lansky, Destination Advisor and Tourism Expert. The panel will explore eco-tourism, waste reduction, and the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable tourism, providing valuable perspectives on shaping the industry’s future. SITTF 2023 will feature several expert-led presentations by Koko Tang, GSTC Board Member, Founder of …