Accor announced the opening of its first Mercure in the capital, Muscat, Oman. The hotel boasts a prime location, just 15 minutes from Muscat International Airport, offering easy access to business hubs and government offices, catering to both business and leisure travelers alike. With 186 rooms and suites, the hotel combines elegance and simplicity to offer an authentic ambiance, featuring panoramic views of the city, mountains, and sea. The walls of all guest rooms are adorned with Arabic calligraphy, while modern urban art beautifies the building’s façade. The soft opening of the “Mercure Muscat” hotel took place under the patronage of His Excellency Azzan bin Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary for Tourism at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism. The hotel embodies the essence of local exploration and authentic Omani hospitality. As the only Mercure hotel in the world to feature Arabic calligraphy in all guest rooms and graffiti art on its exterior, these creative artistic elements reflect the traditions of authentic Omani art, making Mercure Muscat an exceptional destination for travelers seeking rich cultural experiences combined with modern comforts, placing the hotel among the standout Mercure hotels globally. Guests can enjoy a range of luxurious facilities, including the outdoor pool and jacuzzi on the seventh floor. The hotel also features a state-of-the-art health club and a serene spa offering customized treatments. For business events and special occasions, Mercure Muscat is equipped with versatile meeting and event spaces that can accommodate over 450 guests. The ballroom, one of the largest in Muscat, is pillarless and offers private access, making it an ideal venue for weddings and other grand events. In addition, there are three meeting rooms and spaces tailored for small gatherings and business …

RateHawk has introduced a rail travel booking service on its platform for its partners – travel agents, operators, and other industry professionals worldwide – can now book rail tickets across various European destinations. The platform has reached an agreement with Rail Europe, the global reference brand for European train booking. The new service complements the existing travel options already available on RateHawk, which include accommodation, flights, car rentals, and transfers. The launch of the rail service allows RateHawk’s partners to book all travel components within a single system. Rail tickets are available across 13 European countries including France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Belgium, Luxembourg, the UK, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, and Austria. Fredrik Bonnalt, Head of Non-Accommodation Supply at Emerging Travel Group, RateHawk’s parent company, commented: “Rail travel offers great opportunities for our partners’ businesses, enabling them to meet customer needs and attract new clients. Travel agents and professionals can now offer hotel stays with rail tickets, providing a sustainable travel option. Plus, the journey itself can be a memorable experience, with exciting routes available on RateHawk, including the stunning Bernina Express and Glacier Express trips.” “The launch of our rail product coincides with the start of the autumn business season, and we expect strong demand from Travel Management Companies (TMCs) booking business trips for their clients. Rail transportation is widely recognized as the most environmentally friendly option, and with many companies prioritizing carbon footprint reduction and incorporating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives into their corporate travel programs, our TMC partners can greatly benefit from this new booking service,” added Fredrik Bonnalt. An advantage of the new launch is its intuitive and convenient interface, which allows travel …

Etihad Airways is boosting its weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Jaipur to ten a week from 15 December, 2024. The announcement, coming less than four months after the airline began serving the Rajasthan city, underlines the popularity of the route. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad, said: “We’ve seen sensational demand for this service, and in response, we are giving even more love to India by increasing our weekly flights, providing the frequency and convenient timings our guests desire. This expansion gives Indian travellers easy access to both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, while offering smooth connections to our global network, all with the promise of an exceptional flying experience.” Guests flying from Jaipur to the United States can take advantage of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Abu Dhabi, streamlining the immigration process and ensuring a hassle-free journey. The increase in the Jaipur frequency further highlights Etihad’s deepening commitment to the Indian market where the airline has increased its capacity by more than a third over the past 12 months, and recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its first service to the subcontinent. The flights will be operated with aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, offering Etihad’s award-winning service to guests in both Business and Economy cabins, convenient flight timings to the UAE’s capital city and seamless connections to destinations across the airline’s growing global network. Etihad’s complimentary stopover programme further enhances connectivity by allowing travellers to extend their layovers into memorable stays with up to two free nights at premium hotels in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the city’s growing appeal as a must-visit destination. Flights to and from Jaipur can be booked on …

Qatar Executive and Qatar Airways Privilege Club announced a new partnership that will bring exclusive benefits to loyalty members. Propelling innovation in the loyalty and private charter industry, Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club members and Qatar Executive clients will have an opportunity to collect and spend Avios when flying on Qatar Executive chartered flights, including the G700, G650ER, Global 5000 and Airbus A319CJ. By simply booking directly with Qatar Executive, loyalty members can collect four Avios for every one USD spent. Members will also be able to redeem their Avios in full or through Cash + Avios for Qatar Executive flights. The partnership brings exclusive benefits for first time bookings. Privilege Club members flying Qatar Executive will be entitled to receive four complementary tier upgrades, which includes one Platinum and three Gold tiers which can be offered to individuals of their choice. Qatar Airways Senior Vice President Loyalty, Mr. Thomas Vadakedath said: “As Privilege Club continues to augment the loyalty programme with exclusive experiences for our members, we are proud to collaborate with Qatar Executive. Members who prefer flying in the comfort of private charters can now collect Avios when making their bookings with Qatar Executive. Furthermore, members can now also choose to experience the luxury of Qatar Executive by paying for their flight, either in full or part with Avios. We look forward to seeing our members benefit from this fruitful collaboration.” Qatar Executive Vice President Commercial, Mr. Trevor Esling, said: “As we continue to set the standard for business aviation, our partnership with Qatar Airways Privilege Club further enhances the exclusive benefits we offer to our clientele. The programme aims to reward our loyal passengers, while creating further synergies within the …

Riyadh Air has entered into a strategic agreement with Sabre Corporation where the airline will adopt comprehensive SabreMosaic Offer Optimization technology that provides the intelligence to enable the airline’s ambition to be the first carrier to operate on offer- and order-based technology across the entire retail spectrum from its first day of operations in 2025. With a bold vision to create personalized offers across a broad range of customer touchpoints, Sabre and Riyadh Air are co-innovating in the realm of offer optimization to create industry-first technologies to fuel the future of airline retailing. Powered by Sabre Travel AITM and utilizing Google’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) toolkit, this innovative approach enhances offer construction with smart customer segmentation and intelligent bundling – enabling Riyadh Air to unlock value and benefits from effective offer optimization capabilities. As it begins operations in a highly competitive regional environment, Riyadh Air will deploy SabreMosaic Air Price IQ, Ancillary IQ, Bundle IQ, and Upgrade IQ to generate and manage dynamic offers. Riyadh Air will also deploy SabreMosaic Continuous Revenue Optimizer for true continuous pricing, making it the first airline in the world to operate without traditional fare filing and booking classes in the direct channel. This revolutionary technology enables Riyadh Air to offer diverse and customized travel options, delivering tailored experiences to customers while optimizing revenue. “We are excited to partner with Riyadh Air as they become the first airline to operate entirely on offer- and order-based technology,” said Darren Rickey, Senior Vice President, Global Airline Sales and Account Management, Sabre Travel Solutions. “Riyadh Air’s forward-thinking approach and vision to be a digital-first airline align seamlessly with Sabre’s commitment to leading the transformation of airline …

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi announces its unwavering commitment to sustainability by becoming a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. This significant step aligns Sun Siyam Iru Fushi with global efforts to reduce  carbon emissions and foster sustainable tourism practices, reinforcing the resort’s dedication to responsible and eco-friendly operations. This dedication is a testament to our values and commitment to sustainable practices. The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism unites the travel and tourism sector behind a standard set of pathways to accelerate climate action. By joining this initiative, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi commits to reduce its carbon emissions by at least 50% over the next decade and achieve Net Zero emissions as soon as possible, and certainly before 2050. This commitment is part of the resort’s broader sustainability strategy under the resort-wide Sun Siyam Cares program. This program prioritizes environmental stewardship, community support, and the preservation of the Maldives’ natural beauty and will guide our efforts to meet our climate action targets. As a signatory of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi commits to aligning its actions with the latest scientific recommendations to ensure a global temperature rise of no more than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100. This includes delivering or updating climate action plans within 12 months, aligning plans with the Declaration’s five pathways, reporting publicly annually, and working collaboratively to share good practices and solutions   Key Commitments by Sun Siyam Iru Fushi:   Support Global Climate Goals: Cut emissions in half by 2030 and achieve Net Zero before 2050, in line with global climate targets.   Develop Climate Action Plans: Deliver or update climate action …

According to a new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) it was revealed that business travel is set to surpass pre-pandemic levels this year, faster than previously predicted, to reach a record US$1.5TN. The rise of remote working during the pandemic had a disproportionate effect on corporate travel, compared to leisure travel, with virtual platforms replacing face-to-face meetings. Last year, leisure travel was just 2.9% behind the 2019 peak, whilst business travel continued to struggle, remaining 5.4% behind. But as business leaders re-emphasised the importance of face-to-face interaction, business travel is now back and is set to exceed 2019 levels by an impressive 6.2% to reach the new US$1.5TN record. According to WTTC’s “2024 Economic Impact Trends Report”, business travel spending in the U.S., which accounted for 30% of the global total in 2019, is expected to reach US$472BN this year – 13.4% above the country’s 2019 record. In China, the world’s second largest market for business travel, spending is forecast to grow 13.1% above 2019 to reach almost US$211BN. Business travel spend in Germany, the third largest, is set to reach US$87.5BN, just under 1% above the 2019 peak, while business travel in the UK and France is expected to inject a record-breaking US$84.1BN and US$42.1BN into their respective economies. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said: “After a challenging few years, business travel is not only back on track, but it is recovering much faster than expected, highlighting the importance of international travel for businesses around the world. “Many business powerhouses such as the U.S., China and Germany are expected to reach record numbers this year. While virtual meetings played a crucial role during the …

Al Khoory Hotels announced the official launch of its new loyalty programme, Hayakum Al Khoory Rewards as the company continues to witness increased guest numbers and year-on-year RevPAR (revenue per available room) growth. The Arabic name Hayakum, meaning welcome, is inspired by Al Khoory Hotel’s emirate heritage of ensuring a warm and rich welcome at all its properties in Dubai and its long-term relationships with guests since launching in 2008. The loyalty programme, which is free to join, will provide members with a range of exclusive and unique benefits, including discounts, priority check-in and late check-out, priority reservations at restaurants and spas within the Al Khoory Hotels portfolio, discounted rates for local heritage tours, a dedicated concierge, and flexible cancellation policies. Speaking about the launch of the loyalty programme, Mr. Abdulla Mohammed Tayeb Khoory, Vice Chairman of Al Khoory Group, said: “This represents a new chapter in our journey of excellence in hospitality, and underscores our commitment to providing our guests with unmatched service and exclusive rewards. Hayakum reflects our appreciation for their continued support and trust in the brand by providing benefits that go beyond mere points and discounts. “By joining this programme, guests will enhance their stays and contribute to a hospitality community that values exceptional service, sustainability, and innovation.” Unlike traditional loyalty programmes that often focus on point accumulation, Hayakum is centred on delivering meaningful experiences and catering to the needs and preferences of today’s travellers. “We are setting a new benchmark for loyalty programmes in the region, aligning with broader industry trends towards personalisation, sustainability, and value-driven service in order to build lasting customer relationships,” added Khoory. The launch marks a significant milestone for Al Khoory Hotels, coinciding with …

Cruise Saudi has awarded a contract with PC Marine Services to develop a Red Sea private island for cruise tourism. The development will turn the island into a new destination to explore in Saudi, exclusive to cruise passengers. Facilities will include a welcome centre, dining area, and beach club with private villas and sunbeds to accommodate initially up to 2,000 guests. PC Marine Services are leaders in the marine construction industry, having overseen projects including the Obhur Waterfront Jeddah development and cruise berth improvements in Jeddah, Dammam and Yanbu.  Authentically Saudi in both design and experiences, the private island will be a first of its kind offering in the Red Sea. Cruise lines will stop at the island for a day trip, where visitors can make the most of the facilities or book one of the many land and sea excursions. The development of the private island marks a strategic and innovative next step in Cruise Saudi’s vision to create a thriving cruise sector. In line with Vision 2030’s goals to diversify Saudi’s economy, the island will be an attractive proposition for international visitors, both frequent cruisers and those new to cruise. Barbara Buczek, Cruise Saudi’s Chief Destination Experiences Officer, commented: “The creation of this new cruise destination in the Red Sea marks an exciting step in the development of Saudi’s cruise industry. We look forward to welcoming cruise lines and their passengers to experience authentic Saudi hospitality, culture and activities in the heart of the Red Sea.” Adnan Alshareef, PC Marine services’ Chief Executive Officer & President, said: “We are proud to be selected as the main contractor for the Private Island project. At PC Marine, we recognise the …

Park Hyatt and Andaz brands are set to debut in Jaumur, a cosmopolitan luxury marina community located in Magna on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The brand-new Park Hyatt Jaumur and Andaz Jaumur Marina, set to open in 2027, will offer a combination of 350 luxurious rooms and suites, offering exceptional experiences for guests. Andaz Jaumur Marina, with 225 modern rooms and suites, will be a celebration of art and creativity, capturing the very soul of Jaumur. Redefining coastal luxury for a new generation, Park Hyatt Jaumur and Andaz Jaumur Marina will offer personalized experiences for visitors seeking indulgence and adventure against a backdrop of awe-inspiring natural beauty. Jaumur offers a visionary blend of land and sea experiences, setting a new standard for coastal luxury living for residents and guests. This exclusive destination features a state-of-the-art 300-berth marina with a gravity-defying cantilever rising above the largest of super yachts, a sculptural landmark that serves as the perfect base for marina attractions. The marina promenade will be a place alive with entertainment, leisure, and cultural experiences alongside the deep-sea diving research centre, dedicated to deep-sea exploration. Park Hyatt Jaumur will sit at the community’s vibrant epicenter, overlooking the bustling marina. Designed as an oasis of relaxation with 125 rooms, Park Hyatt Jaumur will serve as a home-away-from-home that seamlessly blends the very best entertainment, leisure, and cultural experiences, enabling guests to immerse themselves in unmatched offerings. The hotel will inspire innovation while offering an eclectic allure, making it a luxury lifestyle destination for those seeking an escape from the ordinary. With a focus on personalized experiences, Andaz Jaumur Marina will envelop guests in its unique charm, with …