The luxury cruise ship Crystal Symphony arrived in Doha over the weekend, marking the opening of the Qatar Tourism Cruise Season 2023/2024. The new cruise season runs until April 2024 when 81 cruise ship visits and around 350,000 passengers, making it Qatar’s largest cruise season ever. Doha is set to be a departure and return point for many international cruise ships such as the Norwegian ship Dawn, which has a capacity of 2,340 passengers, and the Luganville, which has a capacity of 264 passengers during this season. In addition, several other vessels will continue to offer partial transformation voyages from Doha, including the Min Schiff 2, MSC Vertiosa and the Italian cruise ship Costa Tuscany. H.E. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism, said: “Cruise tourism is a vital pillar through which Qatar seeks to achieve its national tourism strategy to become one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. Qatar’s cruise sector has witnessed remarkable growth in less than a decade, thanks to Qatar Tourism’s participation in international travel and tourism exhibitions, partnerships and agreements, the weight of staff skills, and close collaboration with key partners in Qatar’s public and private sectors. We look forward to the return of the cruise season and welcoming visitors from all over the world who will have the opportunity to experience the authentic hospitality and diverse tourism offerings that Qatar has to offer.” H.E. Captain Abdulla Mohammed Al Khanji, Chief Executive Officer of Mwani Qatar, said: “With the start of the new season, our focus continues to be on providing the best possible passenger experience by improving cruise ship reception facilities and enhancing world-class services in the State of Qatar in line …

Sharjah Airport received Air Cairo airline’s first flight, which started operating its scheduled flights to and from Sharjah Airport. This strategic move comes to reinforce the network of destinations in line with the surging demand for passenger and cargo flights and address passengers’ requirements efficiently and with high quality. The Egyptian carrier will operate six flights weekly with Airbus A320 aircraft, which includes four flights to and from Cairo International Airport on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. It will also have one weekly flight to and from Sohag International Airport on Saturdays and one weekly flight to and from Assiut International Airport on Tuesdays. The new destinations are a valuable addition to the existing network, which reflects the relentless efforts of the Sharjah Airport Authority to improve the airport’s position as a preferred hub for air transport and widen its network of international destinations. The move will contribute significantly to raising the status of Sharjah as an economic and tourist hub on the global level.  

Hamad International Airport (DOH) maintains its performance through Q3 of 2023, reporting a substantial 26.84% increase in passenger traffic compared to the same period last year. This achievement builds upon a display of consistent growth, with a 44.5% increase in Q1 and a 24% increase in Q2. During Q3, Hamad International Airport welcomed a total of 12,706,475 passengers –with 4,305,391 passengers in July, 4,398,427 passengers in August and 4,002,657 passengers in September. The airport’s skies also bustled with activity as it reported 67,285 aircraft movements within this period, which is a 24.48% increase compared to the previous year. It had 22,598 aircraft movements in the month of July, 22,909 in August and 21,778 in September. Cargo operations at Hamad International Airport also saw significant growth in the third quarter, with 3.38% increase – amounting to a total of 590,725 tons of cargo. These numbers underscore the airport’s significance in the global logistics chain. It handled 194,268 tons of cargo in July, 195,773 tons in August and 200,683 tons in September. Some of the busiest destinations contributing to Hamad International Airport’s success in this quarter included well-established hubs such as Heathrow, Bangkok, Colombo, Cairo and Manila. The airport also experienced substantial growth in destinations including Guangzhou and Hangzhou in China, Al Qassem in Saudi Arabia, Gatwick in the United Kingdom and Denpasar Bali in Indonesia. The Qatar’s airport’s commitment to expansion is apparent in the introduction of new and resumed destinations. Lyon and Toulouse in France are the latest additions to the facility’s extensive list of connections. Additionally, flights to Birmingham, Chengdu and Chongqing have been resumed. The airport has also maintained successful airline partnerships in Q3 with a total of …

Saudi Arabia has taken the lead in their commitment to achieve net zero emissions to accelerate and track this change to promote sustainability across the sector, protect nature and support communities. According to the latest research unveiled by WTTC and STGC, travel and tourism sector’s GDP growth averaged 4.3% annually and emissions only grew by 2.5% annually between 2010 -2019. In a defining moment for the global Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Sustainable Tourism Global Center (STGC) initiated by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia released the latest industry-shaping Environmental Impact Research data. H.E. Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, said: “we welcome this joint report initiated by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, and WTTC, as an invaluable resource for decision makers around the world. It provides vital insights and unique impactful environmental research into how Travel & Tourism has both an influence on climate change and how it is affected by it. Our research highlights the consistent decline of emissions intensity of Travel & Tourism over the last decade. Whilst the sector’s GDP growth averaged 4.3% annually, emissions only grew by 2.5% annually between 2010-2019 Still, the continued commitment to achieve net zero emissions for the Travel and Tourism sector has never been more important. We firmly believe Travel & Tourism is part of the solution and that is why Saudi Arabia has taken a leading role to accelerate and track this change to promote sustainability across the sector, protect nature and support communities.” Last year, during the WTTC Global Summit in Riyadh, the two organizations launched the collaboration and unveiled the inaugural results including …

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced the successful completion of an investment deal with Kingdom Holding Company (KHC). The SAR 2bn Joint Venture (JV) brings together RSG and KHC in a 50/50 partnership to develop and own the Four Seasons Resort Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, expected to open in early 2025. The highly anticipated luxury resort is situated on Shura Island, the main hub island at The Red Sea destination. It will offer 149 rooms and suites, plus 31 residential properties, as well as six restaurants and lounge outlets, meeting and events spaces, a marine discovery center, and a Kids For All Seasons space. “This partnership strengthens our unwavering commitment to transforming the tourism landscape in Saudi Arabia. We share a common vision of creating extraordinary destinations that not only drive economic growth and job creation, but also preserve precious ecosystems, aligning perfectly with the aspirations outlined in Vision 2030,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG. Eng. Talal Ibrahim Almaiman, CEO at Kingdom Holding Company, said: ” We are proud to partner with RSG in the execution of one of the Kingdom’s most exciting projects and look forward to creating value for our respective shareholders. This investment will form part of our broader strategy on further investments in the Saudi Arabian high growth market.” Shura Island will be home to 11 resorts in total, and will include residential properties, an 18-hole championship golf course, a 118-berth marina, and an exceptional retail, dining, and entertainment experience. The collaboration between RSG and KHC comes at a time when tourism in the Kingdom is experiencing remarkable growth. Tourism’s share of GDP has already shot from a modest 3% to an impressive 7% since …

ITB Asia came to a successful close with over 160 speakers delivered more than 4,000 minutes of speeches in over 100 sessions spanning 3 days in 3 conference theatres: the Knowledge Theatre, MICE Show Asia, and Travel Tech Asia. TravTalkME was the media partner once again this year. Thousands of industry experts came together to celebrate travel and forge new connections at ITB Asia, co-located with MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia, and enriched by a multi-track conference. “The 2023 edition of ITB Asia sent a clear signal – the global travel industry is back on track. We were happy to see so many new players, so many fresh faces – that’s the guarantee of a sustainable future for the entire industry. I hope a lot of them will join the ranks of recurring ITB Asia guests, as we are starting preparations for the next year already”, says Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of MICE Show Asia, Travel Tech Asia and ITB Asia. Business Networking at Travel Tech Asia 2023 ITB Asia Conference – thousands of insightful minutes The rich conference agenda augmented the experience that attendees could get in the busy exhibition halls. Adopting the motto “Accelerating Growth: Paving the Way for New Opportunities in Travel & Tourism”, the ITB Asia Conference gathered global thought leaders from the entire industry, sparking lively discussions on topics critical to the future of MICE, corporate travel, leisure travel and travel technology. Over 160 speakers delivered more than 4,000 minutes of speeches in over 100 sessions spanning 3 days in 3 conference theatres: the Knowledge Theatre, MICE Show Asia, and Travel Tech Asia. ITB Asia will return …

Cruise Saudi has renewed its ongoing collaboration with Discover Saudi. Following a highly successful third season for Cruise Saudi, which included Discover Saudi providing unique and memorable shore excursions to over 5,200 cruise passengers in the Two Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah, this collaboration will continue to provide a seamless and unforgettable journey with the highest standards for regional and international visitors. With the shared vision to promote domestic tourism in Saudi and enrich the nation’s growth as an international cruising destination, Discover Saudi’s shore excursion packages will offer Cruise Saudi’s passengers an authentic Saudi experience, enabling visitors to explore The Two Holy Cities’ rich history, culture, heritage and nature. Lars Clasen, Chief Executive Officer at Cruise Saudi said: “As we approach season four, we are delighted to renew our partnership with Discover Saudi, so that we can continue to ensure our guests experience the very best of what Saudi has to offer. These extraordinary experiences, created in collaboration with partners such as Discover Saudi, are a crucial part of Cruise Saudi’s attractive offering to both cruise lines and travellers alike, it is also in line with our mandate to develop a comprehensive cruising ecosystem in Saudi and promote Saudi as a distinct global cruise destination.” Fahad Alobailan, Chief Tourism Officer at Almosafer, said: “We are excited to continue to build on our relationship with Cruise Saudi. Saudi has a plethora of incredible cultural, natural, historical and religious attractions that are drawing an increasing number of international tourists. As a leading integrated Destination Management Company, our local knowledge and passion for travel and tourism will provide an immersive and authentic experience for visitors and further fuel this upward growth …

dnata is partnering with Virgin Atlantic to support the airline’s highly anticipated return to Dubai this winter. dnata Representation Services has been selected to provide a comprehensive range of services to the airline as its general sales agent (GSA) in the UAE. The partnership establishes UAE-based infrastructure for local sales, marketing and distribution support, providing a full range of travel services for Virgin customers flying to and from Dubai. dnata’s services will support the airline as it gears up to resume flights between London Heathrow (LHR) and Dubai International (DXB) this month. Flights are now available for customers to book, and will operate from 30 October 2023 through to March 2024 with a four-times weekly seasonal service. Simon Woodford, Vice President Global Air Services at dnata Travel Group, said: “dnata Representation Services previously served as Virgin Atlantic’s GSA in the UAE, and we are delighted to be working with this dynamic airline as it makes its exciting return to Dubai. Our experienced team will work hard to support Virgin Atlantic in achieving its business objectives and growth plans, as the UAE continues to prove a top destination of choice for UK travellers.” Liezl Gericke, Head of International at Virgin Atlantic, commented: “We’ve long wanted to return to Dubai when the time was right, and we know our customers will be over the moon with the reintroduction of this popular route. Nothing sets our hearts soaring like a new destination or reintroducing an old favourite. We look forward to welcoming our customers back on board, whether travelling for business or leisure or heading back to the United Kingdom to reconnect with friends and family.” The new service is set to offer …

ENVI Lodges has partnered with Oman’s Ministry of Defence Pension Fund to develop a sustainable mountain lodge in the heart of Al Jabel Al Akhdar. Marking ENVI’s foray in the Sultanate, the ecolodge will provide a unique mountain stay experience while promoting environmental conservation, a brand proposition aligned to the Oman National Tourism Strategy 2040 target of 11.7 million visitors and 80,000 hospitality keys focused on nature, adventure and sustainable initiatives. The Ministry of Defence Pension Fund’s representative said: “Partnering with ENVI Lodges to open the first ecolodge of its kind in Oman, is a strategic move that contributes to the responsible development of the Sultanate’s tourism industry. The lodge will appeal to the growing number of travellers seeking eco-friendly accommodation and authentic destination experiences, reinforcing Oman’s reputation as hotspot for nature and adventure.” When it opens in 2025, ENVI Al Jabel Al Akhdar will feature 40 luxury expedition tents designed by Tenthouse Structure, a renowned South African architect of tented wilderness developments. Each unit will overlook the Hajar mountain range and offer guests an elevated adventure experience while minimising environmental impact. These precision-engineered, hand-crafted tents will be insulated and include a heating system for the winter season, ideal for Al Jabel Al Akhdar, which sits at 2,000 metres above sea level. Facilities will include a farm-to-table restaurant, some private pools, fitness and wellness centre, library, guest arrival area, an Insta-worthy swimming pool, a kids club, and kitchen garden, while an adjacent events space will host community activities such as markets and food trucks. The lodge will offer guests the chance to explore nearby villages, interact with local farmers and hike to discover the hidden treasures the famous Omani mountain …

Travelport and Air India announced that they have extended and expanded their multi-year distribution agreement to include New Distribution Capability (NDC) content and servicing. The agreement further expands the collaboration between Travelport and Air India, confirming the future delivery of a complete NDC solution which will provide Travelport’s global network of travel agencies the ability to easily search, shop and service Air India’s product offerings. “Our valued partnership with Travelport is an important part of our growth and technology strategy as we prepare to deliver a complete solution that makes it easy for agents to access and service Air India’s content and offers,” said Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer at Air India. “Travelport+ will elevate our technology investment and the future roll out of NDC-sourced content, so that together, we can ensure agents and travellers have a seamless, modern retailing experience.” Travelport and Air India remain committed to providing travel agencies worldwide with more choices and a fast, easy way to search and book the best options that meet travellers’ needs. This renewed agreement between Travelport and Air India ensures that Travelport subscribers continue to have simplified access to Air India’s extensive network of destinations, which will continue to expand and evolve. “Our expanded agreement with Air India positions Travelport and our operator partner ITQ to continue driving modern travel retailing as the leading travel technology partner of choice for travel agencies in India,” said Damian Hickey, Global Head of Airline Partners at Travelport. “As part of Air India’s future technology strategy, our collaboration on NDC will be complemented by the superior retailing and merchandizing solutions available in Travelport+, which ultimately make it easier for agents to operate …