SalamAir announced non-stop flights between Bahrain and Salalah. The new service will commenced last week, supporting the Khareef season. The non-stop flight will operate once a week from Bahrain to Salalah every Wednesday and from Salalah to Bahrain every Saturday, In addition to the daily flight via Muscat International Airport. The non-stop flights will offer many opportunities to plan the season’s adventures. SalamAir’s commitment to serving the Salalah Airport is further highlighted by its non-stop flights from Salalah to Muscat, Suhar, Medina, and Calicut. With the addition of the Bahrain route, SalamAir now offers more choices and convenience to travellers. Commenting on the expansion, Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir, said, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new non-stop service between Bahrain and Salalah. This new route will strengthen the commercial and tourism ties between Oman and Bahrain, and we are proud to be a part of this effort.” Salalah, known for its lush greenery and moderate climate during the Khareef season and its wide variety of hotels and accommodations that can meet different tourists budgets and expectations , is popular among travelers from Bahrain seeking regional adventures. With this new non-stop route, SalamAir aims to provide travelers with a hassle-free and seamless experience, improving connectivity and ease of access for both countries. Now, the SalamAir network consists of 39 destinations; SalamAir flies to domestic destinations, including Muscat, Salalah, Suhar, Duqm, and Masirah, and international destinations Dubai, Fujairah, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Shiraz, Tehran, Mashhad, Istanbul, Rize, Trabzon, Alexandria, Beirut, Almaty, Baku, Kuala Lumpur, Prague, Sarajevo, Bangkok, Phuket, Colombo, Chattogram, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Karachi, Multan, Sialkot, Lucknow, Jaipur and Trivandrum. SalamAir flies directly from Suhar …

The Tower Plaza Hotel Sheikh Zayed Road recently signed the partnership as one of the hospitality partners for the VIP guests arriving at the most crucial event of the year COP28 UAE, scheduled to take place from 30th November to 12th December 2023 at Expo City Dubai which will be a milestone moment when the world will take stock of its progress on the Paris Agreement. This will bring in high level participation from across the globe placing Dubai yet again as one of the most important event hubs in the world. Speaking with TravelTV Middle East Haitham Galal, General Manager of The Tower Plaza Hotel shared,  “COP 28 UAE will be one of the unique conferences happening related to sustainability, environment and climate, this will bring in a lot of visitors across the globe to Dubai.” The first Global Stocktake (GST), will provide a comprehensive assessment of progress since adopting the Paris Agreement. This will help align efforts on climate action, including measures that need to be put in place to bridge the gaps in progress. The COP28 UAE Presidency will work to ensure that the world responds to the GST with a clear plan of action.

The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) is delighted to promote its captivating campaign 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Historic.Modern.Germany aimed at enticing GCC travellers to explore the wonders of Germany during the vibrant summer season. Germany boasts 51 World Heritage sites and more than 6,000 museums, offering a wealth of interesting places of cultural and historical significance. Showcasing a fusion of both its rich history and contemporary allure, Germany offers an extraordinary tapestry of experiences where ancient castles, picturesque landscapes, and bustling cities coexist seamlessly. With its latest campaign, the GNTB seeks to present the country as the ideal summer destination for Gulf travellers, enticing them with a diverse array of attractions, cultural encounters, and unforgettable adventures. Whether it is in the city or countryside, Germany’s culture is honoured and preserved, providing inspiration for the future. Under 51 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Historic.Modern.Germany, the country is unswervingly promoting its palaces and castles, nature and gardens, architecture and design, churches and abbeys, cultural heritage, and historical town centres. Some of the noteworthy places that explorers can discover under this campaign are the castles of Augustusburg and Falkenlust in Bruhl, the Margavial Opera House in Bayreuth, Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Worlitz, Bauhaus sites in Weimar Dessau and Bernau, Cologne Cathedral and the historic centres of Stralsund and Wismar, among others. This allows travellers to embrace Germany’s ‘Stay a Little Bit Longer’ initiative and explore many of the country’s regions and make the most of the abundance of diverse experiences each has to offer. Travellers can also make the most of GNTB’s interactive map (https://www.germany.travel/en/campaign/world-heritage/home.html), which allows them to immerse in the full splendour of Germany. The tool enables visitors to seamlessly …

Following a dip in 2020, tourism globally is again on the rise and is expected to reach $17 trillion in size by 2027, compared to $11 trillion prior to Covid-19. Bain & Company’s new research study, ‘Sustainable Tourism: An Untapped Opportunity for Green Growth’, reveals that there is an increasing appetite for more sustainable tourism among leisure travelers across the globe, who will choose destinations and providers (airlines, hotels, restaurants, and tour companies) based on their sustainability records and are starting to pay a premium for it. On the other hand, research shows that some travelers feel that the travel and tourism sector is making little or no effort to be more sustainable, indicating that there is still much room for the sector to respond and make a difference. “The uptake in sustainable tourism is driven by an appetite to travel sustainably and make more responsible choices. Bain has developed a framework defining the components of a sustainable tourism experience around three pillars: environmental impact (e.g., eco-friendly transportation and accommodation options), social responsibility (e.g., DEI standards), and community engagement (e.g., contract with locals)” says Karim Henain, Partner at Bain & Company Middle East. There is a significant opportunity among the “sustainability enthusiasts” segment of travelers interested in visiting the MENA (Middle East and Northern Africa) region. The study’s aim is to better understand the behaviors and preferences of relevant travelers interested in MENA as a destination. The research covered consumers from six markets: Germany, Italy, France, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and China.   Overall, more than two-thirds of consumers surveyed in the selected markets consider sustainability aspects to be important or extremely important when traveling for leisure, and 73% expect …

Qatar Tourism in collaboration with the renowned Spacetoon channel is preparing to host the Qatar Games Festival, which will be the first of its kind in Qatar and the largest in the region, from July 13 to August 5 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center under the theme “Adventures… Tales.. and games.”  More than 25 of the world’s leading gaming brands including Barbie, Blebby, Bloway, Cocomilon, Disney, Happy Cappy, Marvel, Fortnite and Transformers are participating in the festival. The event is part of Qatar Tourism’s ‘Summer in Qatar’ campaign, which includes diverse and lively events and activities. Over the course of its 25 days, children and families who are festival-goers will have the opportunity to meet a range of their favorite characters, participate in interactive areas such as Barbie’s Dream House and the life-size Monopoly gamepad, as well as the possibility of purchasing the latest toys offered by participating brands. Sheikha Hessa Al Thani, Head of Marketing and Planning at Qatar Tourism, said: “We are delighted to partner with one of the region’s most popular satellite channels to bring a world of fun to families this summer. When designing Qatar’s Summer Campaign programme, we made sure that it included unprecedented events and allowed families and children to enjoy a wonderful summer atmosphere in Qatar. Since the launch of our global campaign ‘Qatar More than a Feeling’ late last year, our seasonal campaigns have been very successful in developing a diverse and enjoyable calendar all year round and on all occasions.” The Qatar Games Festival offers four distinctive zones known as ‘Islands’ that satisfy the tastes of many visitors from all ages. These islands are: Fancy Land – with Disney …

Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority’s Khatm Melaha Customs Centre has received an official delegation from the General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs and the Federal Customs Authority to exchange experiences and review practices applicable in this land port, which is one of the best and most prominent across the country. His Excellency Mohammed Ibrahim Al Raisi, Director of Ports and Border Points Affairs and Chairman of the Organizational Committee of Ports and Border Points in the Emirate of Sharjah, received the visiting high-level team. The delegation included His Excellency Mubarak Matar Al Mansouri, Executive Director of the Customs Operations Sector at Abu Dhabi Customs; Abdullah Mohammed Al Khumairi, Director of the Policy and Governance Department; and Salem Issa Al Hammadi, Director of Operations Sector Projects, along with a number of officials from both sides. The visiting officials were briefed how the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority has been managing the border crossings in the Emirate, the work mechanism of the Organizational Committee of border crossings and points, leveraging modern technologies in customs operations and customs inspection, in addition to the methodology for qualifying young national resources and preparing leaders. During a visit meeting, Khatm Melaha border crossing’s unit managers and heads of departments gave a presentation for the updates and studies on the development of the port, the work mechanism and the most prominent initiatives, achievements and implemented activities. Afterwards, the delegation had a field trip for examining the separately-built entry and exit paths of vehicles and trucks, in addition to the technical support building equipped with the latest inspection equipment and systems, the operations room of the customs port, and the customer happiness center in …

Al Tayer Holidays (a division of Al Tayer Travel) will represent Crystal in the Middle East. This partnership was announced to a selected group of travel agents who cater to the niche luxury cruise market in the UAE at an event where Matthew Boutwell, Senior Director Charter & Incentives of Crystal shared details on the two new ships that will sail in the GCC by October this year. The route will include Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha etc. Speaking with Tourismbreakingnews, Boutwell shared the exceptional offerings especially for the GCC and Middle East region, in terms of  accommodation which will include connecting rooms, larger spaces, more suites, a host of food options from halal and kosher, not just packed food but with a whole kitchen. This partnership will enhance and enrich Al Tayer’s niche cruise offering and a completely new cruising experience to their valued guests. Crystal Cruises has been synonymous with the word exceptional, it is known for its award winning voyages for over three decades and offers some of the most amazing itineraries and destinations around the world. Last year Abercrombie and Kent (A&K) Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand and its two most beloved vessels; Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony ushering in a brand new era. Boutwell reiterated that both their ships have been renovated by A&K Travel Group to bring in exceptional design, comfort and a whole set of modern features. One of the most unique features notable would be that the ships have 14 different dining options Crystal Symphony offers nearly one staff member per guest and accommodates 606 guests whereas Crystal Serenity accommodates 740 guests.  

According to Skyscanner’s latest research, in association with OnePoll, a huge 98% of UAE travellers are open to travelling to more alternative or lesser-known destinations with more than three quarters (77%) saying they would be likely to swap their holiday favourites for an alternative option if it meant they were likely to save money.  Ayoub El Mamoun, Skyscanner Travel Expert, says,  “The desire for new and alternative destinations appears to be increasing this year, as in 2022, only 41% of global travellers surveyed said that they wanted to explore new places versus returning to an old favourite. We’re seeing a big uplift in the number of searches for underrated destinations from the UAE, including Hanoi (+373%) and Osaka (+332%) to name a few.  With almost half (48%) of UAE travellers yet to book their summer holiday this year, according to our latest research, and 41% of those admitting that they’re still deciding on where to go, Skyscanner is on hand to help find them find a lesser known and cheaper alternative to their usual holiday hot spot.” Over three quarters (76%) of UAE travellers already prefer alternative holiday destinations versus the more tried and true classic hotspots (20%), citing cost savings (24%) and the ability to escape the crowds (27%) as their top reasons why. Skyscanner data reveals it pays to swap. For example, UAE travellers when looking for a European city break could swap popular Paris (with return flights from Abu Dhabi AED 308 this August) for the lesser-known city of Bucharest (with return flights from AED 171 this August) and save 44% on the cost of their flights alone. Head to the old town in Bucharest to discover …

Emirates celebrated the launch of its Premium Economy offering in Singapore, with a tour of one of its enhanced four-class A380 aircraft. On a four-class Emirates A380, the Premium Economy cabin is located at the front of the main deck with 56 seats laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration. In the cabin, every inch of space anticipates customer needs with a generous seat pitch and width for working and relaxing, and customised features that offer function and convenience like in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table. The experience is rounded off with expertly curated in-flight amenities, an inventive menu, and extensive beverage options. Emirates Premium Economy is deployed on flights EK 354 and EK 355 between Singapore and Dubai. The event kicked off at the Emirates Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 1, after which guests were given a guided tour of the brand new product, as well as the enhanced interior across all cabin classes on board the Emirates A380. Guests took in the highlights of the exclusive premium economy experience that awaits travellers. Tickets can be purchased on emirates.com, the Emirates App, at Emirates sales offices, and via both online and offline travel agents. Travellers are also encouraged to check the Emirates website for the latest travel requirements.

Rail Europe announced the addition of the Berner Oberland Regional Pass to its comprehensive range of products on Rail Europe’s B2B website and API, allowing travel professionals to easily access and book this pass. Rail Europe’s commitment to extending its product offerings remains unwavering as it introduces the Berner Oberland Regional Pass. This pass showcases the unique and captivating Berner Oberland region, renowned for its stunning landscapes, charming towns, and unparalleled alpine experiences. With the pass, travellers will gain the freedom and flexibility to explore this enchanting region at their own pace. “As Rail Europe continues to expand its product range, we are delighted to offer the opportunity to introduce our B2B partners’ customers to the Berner Oberland Regional Pass, one of the most visited areas in Europe. This pass provides an unlimited access to the captivating Berner Oberland region, allowing travellers to make the most of its breathtaking landscapes and iconic activities. We are fully committed to supporting our partners in delivering exceptional experiences to their customers and are very excited to further collaborate with them to promote this unique pass and region,” says Björn Bender, CEO & President, Rail Europe. One of the standout features of the Berner Oberland Regional Pass is its seamless integration with other train travel across Europe. Travellers can easily combine this pass with their European itinerary, making it an ideal choice for those seeking to discover multiple destinations in one trip. As Switzerland remains a top destination for travellers from all over the world, the Berner Oberland Regional Pass is also an ideal addition to the Swiss Travel System tickets and passes offered by Rail Europe. Beyond convenience, the Berner Oberland Regional Pass …