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Address Hotels & Resorts unveils ‘Nuha’: UAE’s first ChatGPT-powered virtual hospitality concierge

In a move that redefines luxury hospitality, Address Hotels and Resorts has launched ‘Nuha’, a pioneering virtual hospitality concierge. This cutting-edge AI system, conceptualized and developed in-house, made its grand debut at the iconic Address Downtown Hotel in Dubai, the week commencing 4th September 2023. This visionary step makes Address Hotels and Resorts the UAE’s first luxury Hospitality Group to leverage AI specifically crafted for the hospitality domain. ‘Nuha’, or “نُهى” in Arabic, translates to guidance and self-restraint, capturing its essence of offering knowledgeable assistance to guests while upholding unparalleled service excellence. Where many virtual assistants lack the nuance of human interaction, Nuha, powered by ChatGPT technology, offers guests a conversation that’s natural, intuitive, and deeply personal. This ensures guests are not just assisted, but genuinely understood and valued. Mark Kirby, Head of Hospitality, Emaar Hospitality Group, commented, “At Address Hotels, we merge technology with the heart. ChatGPT’s conversational capability combined with human warmth makes our guests feel truly seen and heard. This meld of technology and personal touch places Address Downtown Hotel at the forefront of hospitality innovation.” Nuha’s comprehensive services include: Hotel Inside-Out: Beyond a mere directory, Nuha offers an in-depth tour of Address Downtown Hotel, highlighting everything from luxurious rooms to gourmet dining and tranquil spa sanctuaries. Emaar’s Expanse: Nuha isn’t limited to a single location. It’s the passport to Emaar’s vast and opulent collection, giving a panoramic view of their splendid offerings. Dubai Unveiled: Whether it’s iconic marvels or Dubai’s best-kept secrets, Nuha is the aficionado, guiding guests on an unmatched journey through the city. Stay Current, Stay Connected: With Nuha, guests have their fingers on the pulse of Dubai, from vibrant events to cultural celebrations …

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Salalah Airport sees rapid rise in number of passengers and flights

According to Oman News Agency, Salalah Airport succeeded in restoring its pre-Covid-19 pandemic activity, as it saw rapid growth in air traffic during this year’s Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season. The airport achieved 29% rise in number of flights and 34.4% growth in number of passengers, compared to the corresponding period in 2022. In July and August 2023, air traffic at Salalah Airport exceeded the figures of 2019 and 2022. In July 2023, the airport received a total of 1,424 flights, compared to 1,125 flights in July 2022. In August 2023, the airport registered a total of 1,744 flights, compared to 1,330 flights in August 2022. Air traffic before the pandemic stood at 1,362 flights in July 2019 and 1,620 flights in August 2019.

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Kuwait Airways inaugurates a new sales office

As part of its continuous endeavour to provide the best services to its valued customers and to facilitate communication with them, Kuwait Airways has inaugurated its new Sales Office located at the Assima Mall. The office timings for client services are from Sunday to Thursday from 12:30 PM to 7:30 PM, and from 1:30 PM to 8:30 PM during Fridays and Saturdays, where the office is expected to provide services to more than 100 customers a day. The opening of this office will be followed by opening of the company’s Sales Offices in the Al Kout Mall.  The company will also be aiming to open a branch in the Jahra region soon. On the sidelines of the inauguration of the new office, Kuwait Airways organized the Customer Day initiative, which includes an initiative devised to closely identify the requirements of its customers, with the participation of the Executive Management and headed by Kuwait Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Maen Razouqi. This initiative, which was recently organized by the company at the opening of the Sabah Al-Salem branch, mainly aims to provide a tangible and unique experience for decision-makers from the Executive Management, to work side by side with the employees of the company’s various departments, and will include receiving customers at the Assima branch, coinciding with the opening of the Sales Office. This will provide them with valuable experience to closely identify the needs of the largest customer base in Kuwait, follow up on their requests to evaluate their experience and strive towards reaching the best levels of service in accordance with the highest international standards. Kuwait Airways’ Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Maen Razouqi stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to …

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Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai to be replaced by Banyan Tree

Ennismore and Banyan Tree Group and part of the Accor Group, have inked a landmark deal with Dubai Holding, to open Banyan Tree Dubai in November 2023. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Accor, signed the agreement with Amit Kaushal, Group Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding. Banyan Tree Dubai will replace the existing Caesars Palace Dubai and following a phased stage of brand related upscaling improvements, the repositioned resort will feature 179 rooms, including 30 suites and a brand-new four-bedroom villa with its own private entrance, pool and beach. A key focal point of the resort will be its wellness offering with the signature Banyan Tree Spa featuring its own reception, relaxation area, gym, indoor and outdoor yoga spaces, dedicated F&B space, private mini rainforests, hydrotherapy pools and treatment rooms. The resort will have five restaurants and bars, each carefully curated through a collaboration between Ennismore’s in-house F&B concept studio, Carte Blanched, and Banyan Tree Group, to offer guests a diverse culinary experience. Banyan Tree Dubai will also include 96 private residences comprising one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units with a dedicated lobby, outdoor swimming pool and access to the hotel’s facilities. As part of a long-term strategic partnership agreement between Accor and Banyan Tree Group signed in 2016, Banyan Tree Dubai will be co-operated by Banyan Tree Group and Ennismore, following a similar operational model applied in Banyan Tree La Cigale Doha, Qatar and Banyan Tree AlUla, Saudi Arabia. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Accor, said: “We are thrilled to be at the beginning of a promising development partnership between Accor and Dubai Holding, and the announcement of the opening of a stunning Banyan Tree …

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45th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee convenes in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chair of the 45th UNESCO World Heritage Committee is hosting the extended 45th Session Held from 10th to 25th September in Riyadh. This will be the first in-person session of the World Heritage Committee in four years. Composed of representatives from 21 States Parties elected by the General Assembly, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, the use of the World Heritage Fund, the decision on sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, and the state of conservation of World Heritage Sites. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was unanimously elected by representatives of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to be the chair of the 45th UNESCO World Heritage Committee and to hold the extended 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The decision acknowledges the Kingdom’s prominent role in supporting global efforts in heritage preservation and protection, in line with the goals of UNESCO. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee commenced with an opening ceremony, which was held at the historic Al Murabba Palace. A dazzling display themed “Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow” was put on for guests, and served to highlight the importance of protecting and celebrating culture and heritage as the world modernises and transforms for a better future. His Highness Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Saudi National Commission For Education, Culture and Science said, “Saudi Arabia is pleased to host the extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee. Heritage is core to Saudi Arabia’s identity, and a unifier of the nation and the world. The Kingdom’s …

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Emirates joins hands with Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Association of South African Travel Agents to launch online training for travel industry professionals

Emirates, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA) have launched online training courses for new travel professionals to help them develop and build stronger skillsets, as well as enhance understanding around the industry’s key principles to support the wider travel and tourism sector. Using the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism’s already established Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) online platform, travel professionals in South Africa have free access to various online courses and training resources to help them develop the essential skills required to enter the industry or expand their abilities, improve their knowledge around industry systems and processes, ultimately helping them to maximise their career potential and employability. Courses start with the fundamentals: understanding the role of a travel agent, gaining familiarity with key industry terminology, understanding different procedures in relation to travel bookings, from the initial quotation stage through to the time of travel. Participants will explore the types of enquiries and proposals common within the industry, alongside developing the skills and knowledge required to prepare quotations, book supplier products and services and process travel related documentation. The rich, interactive content delivered in the courses contextually use Dubai as the primary market example when explaining the skills and terms associated with the travel industry value chain. Emirates’ products and services are also utilised to simulate and explain the airline retailing journey and the fundamentals of distribution systems for travel agents. In addition to acquiring valuable industry knowledge, professionals gain extensive insight into Dubai as a destination, already a popular city for South Africans, as well as Emirates products and services. Upon completion of the courses, participating travel professionals will …

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SITA AND Aruba demonstrate how physical passports can be held as digital identity on your mobile device

SITA and the Government of Aruba showcased the successful implementation of verifiable digital credential technology, eliminating the need for passengers to show their physical passport when arriving on the island. Speaking together in a keynote discussion at the ICAO TRIP conference taking place in Montreal this week, Jeremy Springall, SVP of SITA AT BORDERS, and Andrew Hoo, Director of Immigration for the Government of Aruba, highlighted that the development of Digital Travel Credentials enables passengers to securely create a digital version of their physical passport on their mobile device in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Following a series of trials using a digital identity or Digital Travel Credentials (DTC) developed by SITA and partner Indicio, the Government of Aruba hopes to permanently roll out digital identity to verify visitors arriving on the island, making it one of the first countries globally to do so. In March, the parties showed that passengers arriving at Queen Beatrix International Airport could apply for their travel authorization using a simplified process that eliminates the need to manually enter information from paper travel documents. Using a Digital Travel Credential, passengers can consent to share any of their relevant data directly from their digital wallet on their mobile device to multiple entities across journeys, from the government at the port of entry to other touchpoints such as hotels or car rental. Hoo highlighted that the Government of Aruba is committed to realizing its vision for a seamless traveler experience by supporting the next stage of development with further expansion and adoption in the upcoming months. Hoo said: “As an island where tourism is fundamental to our economy, we want to make the …

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1386 roomed Wirgan Makkah Al Noor opens in KSA

Wirgan for Hotels Services has announced the opening of Wirgan Makkah Al Noor which represents a distinctive luxurious getaway close to all Makkah historical places. This distinguished 4-star hotel redefines comfort with 1386 furnished rooms and suites offering stylish and comfortable accommodation to Umrah and Hajj guests, as well as business travellers. Following the recent opening of Wirgan Makkah Al Azizieh, Wirgan Makkah Al Noor is the second property of Wirgan for Hotels Services, raising the Wirgan inventory to around 2,000 rooms. Strategically located in Al Hajj road, Wirgan Makkah Al Noor caters to the needs of both business travellers and pilgrims with modern amenities and amazing views of Jabal Al Noor and the surrounding mountains. Murad Alsabah, Cluster General Manager of Wirgan Makkah Al Azizieh and Wirgan Makkah Al Noor, said, “We are delighted to introduce Wirgan Makkah Al Noor that provides unparalleled hospitality experience to guests. We look forward to provide an exceptional gateway with utmost comfort and attention to detail to create unforgettable memories for all our esteemed guests.” “With an unwavering commitment to excellence, serenity, and modesty, Wirgan for Hotels Services is committed to delivering an authentic and elegant hospitality experience fusing grace and spirituality in an exceptional journey across all aspects of the hotel”, he added. Wirgan Makkah Al Noor features a wide range of rooms and suites with superior rooms that are designed with relaxing areas, comfortable workspaces and exquisitely designed bathrooms. The junior suites overlook Jabal Al Noor (Mount of Light) and include a relaxing sitting area, comfortable workspace, and a private bathroom. The family suites are generously designed with style and comfort including spacious king bedrooms, sitting areas, workspaces, dining areas, equipped …

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AlUla Development Company signs agreement with Marriott International to bring Autograph Collection Hotels to AlUla in Saudi Arabia

AlUla Development Company (UDC), fully owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) signed an agreement with Marriott International to open an Autograph Collection property in Saudi Arabia. Expected to open in 2025, the hotel will be located in the heart of downtown AlUla. Spanning across 22,635 square meters, the Autograph Collection hotel will be situated in central AlUla, adjacent to the AlUla Museum and opposite the Farmer’s Market. Plans for the hotel include 250 rooms and suites, and extensive recreational and entertainment offerings including four dining venues, a spa, a swimming pool, a fitness center, a business center, meeting facilities and retail space. The agreement was signed by Naif AlHamdan, Managing Director of UDC, and Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International in the Saudi capital city of Riyadh. Naif AlHamdan, Managing Director of AlUla Development Company, commented on the agreement. “we are thrilled to partner with Marriott International to open an Autograph Collection hotel in AlUla. This collaboration aligns with our objective of enhancing the hospitality, tourism and real estate sectors in AlUla and ensuring an unforgettable experience for our visitors. AlUla Development Company is committed to building on AlUla’s extraordinary heritage, history and natural beauty through sustainable development and will contribute to the economic diversification and tourism goals of the Kingdom, in line with PIF’s strategy and Vision 2030 – and this is just another step in that direction.” “We are delighted to work with AlUla Development Company to bring Autograph Collection Hotels to an exciting destination for global travelers to discover in Saudi Arabia,” said Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International. “We look forward to building this relationship with UDC and continuing to …

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SEVEN announces its SAR 1.1 billion entertainment destination in Yanbu

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) is to build SAR 1.1 billion new entertainment destination in Yanbu. SEVEN’s entertainment destination in Yanbu is located along the seafront promenade on Al Nawras Island and has been designed to  play a pivotal role in the city’s local entertainment sector. The entertainment destination will offer guests a wide variety of experiences designed to engage all age groups from within the local community of Yanbu and the surrounding areas. Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has awarded the contract to the joint venture (JV) between AL BAWANI CO. LTD and UCC Saudi to build the new entertainment destination in Yanbu and construction is already underway. SEVEN Yanbu is designed by Gensler, a global architecture, design, and planning firm. The architectural form of SEVEN’s entertainment destination is inspired by the city’s heritage as a historic port located on the Kingdom’s western Red Sea coast. The design is a celebration of water, with elements of the beach and the sea threaded throughout. Abdullah AlDawood, Chairman, SEVEN, said: “Our entertainment destination in Yanbu will provide residents and visitors with a wealth of new and exciting experiences while supporting the city’s rapidly developing entertainment sector. SEVEN’s entertainment destination is inspired by Yanbu’s beautiful natural seascape, embodying the city’s the rich history as one of the oldest ports in the Kingdom. SEVEN Yanbu will offer something for everyone.” Fakher Al Shawaf, Chairman and Group CEO, AL BAWANI CO. LTD., said: “We are excited to partner with SEVEN to deliver this project. The design has taken into consideration Yanbu’s coastal location and its history as one of the oldest ports in Saudi. SEVEN’s investment will …

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