Four Points by Sheraton, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, announces the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Production City. Designed to appeal to both business and leisure travelers, the hotel offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, approachable relaxed design, and stylish comfort in the city. Four Points by Sheraton Production City is situated in Dubai Production City, a fast growing business hub in the city. The hotel is conveniently located just 30 minutes away from Al Maktoum Airport and Dubai International Airport, with excellent connections to every part of Dubai. The hotel was converted from an existing property and operates under a franchise agreement managed by Seeb Investments Limited, the owners and developers of the property. Shahzad Butt, General Manager, Four Points by Sheraton Production City noted, “We are delighted to collaborate with Marriott International on Four Points by Sheraton Production City, Dubai. Our team of passionate individuals are ready to deliver the highest standards of services and experiences for business and leisure travelers. At this time of immense change, we are certain that Four Points by Sheraton Production City will resonate in the market and will be a fantastic addition to Dubai’s hospitality industry.” Signature global brand programing coupled with a warm and welcoming atmosphere makes Four Points by Sheraton Production City an ideal gathering place for guests and the local community to kick back and relax. Designed for the independent traveler with an emphasis on delivering what matters the most, all 239 guestrooms and suites offer a 55-inch smart TV, ergonomic workspaces, and complimentary high-speed internet. The property features multiple dining venues offering a wide selection of global cuisine. The Specialty restaurant, Wagah …

Sabre Corporation announced the extension of two agreements with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The national carrier of Pakistan has renewed its multi-year content distribution agreement with Sabre and the two companies have also agreed to continue their strategic joint venture partnership in the Pakistani market. The carrier and Sabre have had a successful GDS joint venture in Pakistan since 2004. The extension of the content distribution agreement means that PIA will continue to have full access to Sabre’s extensive global seller network. PIA will also continue to work with Sabre in a joint venture which allows the airline to better market and sell its content using Sabre’s advanced technological solutions, including the intuitive ‘Sabre Red 360’ point of sale, to Travel Agents across Pakistan. “We are delighted to have reaffirmed and strengthened our relationship with Sabre with these two renewals so that, together, we can move forward with our plans to not only grow PIA’s footprint and revenue, but also to facilitate growth in the wider Pakistan travel ecosystem,” said Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Amir Hayat, Chief Executive Officer, Pakistan International Airlines. PIA services a vast network of locations across Pakistan and throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, and has ambitious plans to expand its network further. “We greatly value our partnership with PIA, and we’re pleased and proud to have cemented this important relationship with these multi-year renewals. As the travel industry recovery continues apace, it’s vital that the travel agency community in Pakistan can access Sabre’s advanced global suite of solutions and services,” said Brett Thorstad, Vice President, Sabre Travel Solutions, Agency Sales, Asia Pacific. “We are excited about the growth trajectory of the Pakistan market and …

Travellers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are planning to spend more on holidays in 2023, with most in both markets (93%) planning to go away, and more than two thirds in each market (66% in Saudi Arabia and 69% in the UAE planning more breaks than in 2022. Luxury will also be a key theme, with around a quarter planning on staying in luxury accommodation whilst away. The increase in trips and spending is, in part, thanks to more confidence that 2023 holiday plans won’t be impacted by Covid, and the fact that travel remains a priority for Middle Eastern consumers. Sustainability also plays an important role in 2023 travel plans, whilst ‘having a break from it all’ is key for holidaymakers. These are the findings of Marriott Bonvoy’s 2023 Travel Trends research, which analysed the 2023 travel plans of 14,000 travellers across Europe and the Middle East. Wellbeing-led holidays that allow people to get away from it all will be the predominant type of break those in the Middle East go on. More than six in ten from the UAE (61%) plan to, whilst the figure is even higher for Saudi Arabia (73%). Authentic travel is also key, with many wanting to immerse themselves in a complete change of culture, with over half in both markets (55% in the UAE and 56% in Saudi Arabia) wanting to explore new destinations and cultures. To truly soak up local culture, 30% of those from the UAE and 27% of those from Saudi Arabia plan on taking an ‘extended holiday’ of three weeks or more in one destination. Of those going on an extended holiday, 39% from Saudi …

One of the year’s most anticipated hotel openings, Address Grand Creek Harbour, has arrived offering a luxury guest experience unrivalled in one of Dubai’s most picturesque locations. Sitting on the beautiful shores of the Dubai Creek, the magnificently appointed 223-room hotel offers a range of rooms and suites to make any stay an experience to remember. The first five-star luxury hotel in Dubai Creek Harbour is a sophisticated waterfront destination, where guests can look forward to relaxed decadence, unrivalled amenities, fabulous flavours, and a stay which soothes and invigorates the soul. Mark Kirby, Head of Hospitality at Emaar Hospitality Group said: “This is another momentous occasion for Address Hotels + Resorts in Dubai. The new Address Grand Creek Harbour is a masterpiece of a property, bringing five-star luxury to the stunning surroundings of Dubai Creek Harbour. “Dubai Creek Harbour is expanding at an incredible pace and will be a cornerstone of the city’s skyline for years to come – we are delighted to be part of a new community full of excitement and charm. This hotel, with its design, ambiance, luxury, and amenities is a stunning addition to the city – right in the heart of a character-filled and visually spectacular location like Dubai Creek Harbour.” Rooms are beautifully appointed with the very best in design and comfort complimenting your stay. Showpiece suites include Executive, Skyline and Panoramic Suite options with balconies, as well as the three-bedroom Presidential Suite, all of which offer magnificent views of the city and creek, along with a spacious comfort ideal for family and friends. The hotel is the ultimate destination for couples and families alike with the intimacy of a boutique offering, combined with …

The latest development project in the emirate of Fujairah is to develop the “Qidfa ” area aiming to attract 100,000 tourists annually by developing the tourism potential and introducing the distinctive capabilities that the region enjoys through the media to enhance its location as a tourist destination. The plan also works to launch 50 development projects for the region’s youth, in addition to training 200 youth and young women in various fields and sectors, in cooperation with a large group of strategic partners from the public and private sectors. In the government of Fujairah website, it further states that according to Emirates news the development paths of the “Qidfa” development plan attach great importance to youth by providing them with all means of support and enabling them to unleash their energies and raise their participation in various development paths. This path includes the establishment of commercial spaces and a local market for farmers and the development of innovative ways to market agricultural products to the people of the region in all emirates of the country. and its cities. The path of developing development projects is based on the construction of new pedestrian roads and bicycle paths between farms and linking them with the waterfront, in addition to developing the streets leading to the waterfront, and constructing car parks. In the course of village coordination, a tourist entrance will be built and guiding boards will be placed in all areas, in addition to renovating and unifying the side walls to create an attractive appearance and a tourist identity that reflects the unique natural capabilities of the region and highlights it as a tourist center. The path includes the development of the …

Dubai has welcomed over 107,082 passengers on the New Year’s Eve, with 95,445 travelers arriving through Dubai Airports, 6,527 arriving via Hatta Border Crossing, and 5,010 arriving via marine ports. This marks an 89% increase in passenger traffic in 2022 compared to the previous year, with a total of 23,672,468 incoming passengers arriving through all ports. Of these, 21,817,022 arrived through airports, 1,612,746 crossed Hatta Border Crossing, and 242,700 passengers used sea ports. In 2021, the emirate received 12,025,468 passengers through airports, 399,083 through Hatta Border Crossing, and 83,700 through marine ports. According to a new report by the UK-based market research firm Euromonitor, Dubai Airports have established themselves as one of the busiest airports in the world, ranking second globally in the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2022 for speed of service and procedure completion for passengers. Dubai Airports were also ranked first regionally and internationally in the Airports Council International (ACI) report 2022 and maintained their leading position in the global competition indices, ranking first by the Legatum Prosperity Index in tolerance towards foreigners. The UAE passport was ranked the strongest in the world according to the Global Passport Power Rank. Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA Dubai, stated that the use of technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things has allowed Dubai Airports to deliver exceptional digital services and a superior travel experience to all visitors, solidifying Dubai’s reputation as a top destination for tourism, business, and lifestyle.

‎In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, British Airways Executive Club and IndusInd Bank,  announced their partnership, to introduce the unique multi-branded credit card, with two leading international airlines powered by Visa. The multi-branded credit card is slated to be launched and made available to consumers in the first quarter of the financial year 2023 – 2024. Through this proposition, members will soon be able to collect Avios, the rewards currency for British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club, by signing up and choosing their preferred loyalty programme. This credit card will be available in the Infinite variant of Visa, and will offer best-in-class rewards and benefits to elevate the travel experience of customers. Stacked with multiple attractive benefits suiting the requirements of frequent travellers, at the time of application, this credit card will give customers the flexibility to choose their preferred airline loyalty programme and select their preferred travel destination to collect maximum Avios and enjoy a host of other benefits. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Today Qatar Airways Privilege Club takes another step forward in providing our members with the best offerings in the industry, introducing a first-of-its-kind Visa multi-branded credit card, in India with IndusInd Bank. “When adopting Avios as our rewards currency, we promised members that new and exciting opportunities would come, this collaboration with oneworld® partner British Airways is another manifestation of this. We look forward to seeing our members in India availing the extensive benefits of this new partnership, which is designed to enhance their future travels.” Oliver Currell, Head of Financial Partnerships, IAG Loyalty, said: “We are delighted to launch the new British Airways and Qatar Airways …

Riyadh Airports Company, which manages and operates King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has launched an updated version of the interactive chat service via “WhatsApp” and Twitter. The new version is cutting-edge technology, empowered with artificial intelligence technology. The latest version includes new features to provide a unique and innovative experience, such as replacing long text messages and lists with a set of options and drop-down menus, which allow the user to click on the menu and choose the service to get the service rapidly and effortlessly. Another big milestone is providing flight notifications in sign language for the deaf and dumb, as well as information on the airport’s services, making KKIA the first airport in the world to provide such a feature. In this context, Eng. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Maghlouth, CEO of Riyadh Airports, said: “By launching the updated version of the interactive service, we aim to enhance passengers’ experiences through King Khalid International Airport. As we apply artificial intelligence to create an engaging experience through social channels, as well as providing an unparalleled travel experience for people with disabilities.” Travelers and airport visitors will be able to easily inquire about flights, service rates, and other information using the new feature, which is available for “IOS” and “Android” users. This service will also contribute to the diversification of communication channels and the achievement of new levels of passenger satisfaction. It’s worth mentioning that Riyadh Airports unveiled several initiatives recently as part of its strategic digital transformation plan, including the newly introduced advanced digital platform “OFOQ” to manage operations at KKIA.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) launched a Travel Behaviour Survey – Screening Questionnaire of individuals and families residing or working in Dubai, as well as companies based in the Emirate. This step is part of RTA’s efforts to revamp its strategic roads and transport plans, enhance roads and public transport networks and services to provide a smooth and safe transportation experience for the public and keep up with the urbanisation of the Emirate in line with the Dubai Urban Plan 2040. The survey, which runs from January to June 2023, covers more than 7,000 samples of the population of Dubai and the neighbouring emirates. It covers 5,000 families (citizens and residents), 1,500 individuals visiting or working in Dubai, and 500 cargo transport companies operating in Dubai. “Over the next few days, RTA would launch a survey to measure the mobility trends and behaviours of residents and visitors of Dubai. Communication channels with the public would include home questionnaires, field visits, personal interviews, and online interviews including smart apps. The process involves the use of artificial intelligence technologies to reach the largest possible number of individuals,” said Muna Al Osaimi, Director of Transportation Strategic Planning, Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, RTA. “The results of the survey will be collected, analysed, and studied in a professional and transparent manner to conclude the best findings. Such deliverables will assist RTA in updating its strategic and operational plans for the road network and mass transport systems, including the Dubai Metro and Tram, public buses, marine transit means as well as individual and soft mobility means. “The public is a major partner in our efforts to improve transport services in the Emirate. Therefore, we …

Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort will mark Hilton’s debut in Tunisia by summer this year, offering breath-taking views of the Mediterranean and a pristine white-sand beach surrounded by private lounging areas. Guests can indulge in ultimate resort-relaxation with five spectacular outdoor and indoor swimming pools to choose from alongside a thalassotherapy spa & wellness centre. With 346 stylish rooms and suites, the hotel is perfect for foodies, family travellers and fitness enthusiasts alike, complete with seven restaurants, a variety of fitness facilities and a kid’s club. The resort is also a perfect destination for retreats and business meetings, with a meeting space including a spacious ballroom and three meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.