The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has partnered with IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) to launch an innovative new conservation assessment tool that will boost the ability of nature reserve managers to benchmark their efforts against global standards and enhance the long-term accountability and success of environmental protection and conservation programs. The new IBEX V1.0 tool is a comprehensive yet easy to use system for the evaluation and review of protected areas, with ongoing conservation work checked and measured for its alignment with critical standards laid out by the IUCN’s Green List certification. Recognised as the global best practice for the comprehensive, fair, and effective protection of threatened flora and fauna, IUCN’s Green List standard provides expert guidance to help environmental and conservation programs achieve sustained, and sustainable, results in diverse protected areas. By following the measures required by IUCN’s Green List, protected ecosystems are given the best chance of being able to thrive and contribute value to surrounding landscapes and communities. Any biodiversity conservation site can join IUCN’s Green List and work its way towards achieving verified success by maintaining the high standards needed, which includes demonstrating: Respect: for the local community through fair and meaningful engagement of rights-holders and stakeholders Design: planning that identifies the need to secure the important values of the area Effective management: monitoring of the status of these important values Successful conservation results: for nature and for people Clear contribution: to climate change responsibilities, health and wellbeing and other challenges The new tool allows managers to submit detailed information for self-assessment, with criteria applied across the 50 core areas that need to be met in accordance with best IUCN’s practices, including  governance, …

SAUDIA unveiled a range of cutting-edge seat models for its upcoming fleet, and to retrofit its current fleet, as part of an array of innovative initiatives aimed at revolutionizing the travel experience. The three-day event took place at the SAUDIA club and exhibited a range of seating models for its Business and Economy class seats. These proposed models are intended to be installed in SAUDIA’s forthcoming fleet of Boeing B787 Dreamliner aircraft, set to join the airline’s fleet starting in 2025. The total number of aircraft to be received is 39. Alongside this, the airline is also undertaking continuous developmental projects for its current fleet of Airbus A330 and Boeing B777, which involve implementing guest feedback to retrofit the existing blue seats and an upgrade of the in-flight entertainment systems with a new system called BEYOND. The new system is set to provide guests with a rich interactive experience tailored to meet the needs of various age groups and passenger types. This initiative is a part of SAUDIA’s broader aim to radically transform the travel experience in alignment with its expansion plans to increase the number of destinations, thereby connecting the Kingdom with the world. The event saw attendance and sought feedback from members of the Al-Fursan loyalty program and was graced by the presence of His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al Omar, Director General of SAUDIA Group. The display included a new suite for the Business class, featuring a fully flat 180-degree seat with automatic sliding doors. Some showcased suites also boasted a 32-inch screen with 4K resolution. Economy class seat models were also presented, equipped with the latest comfort features, including storage areas and 13.3-inch seatback entertainment screens. These …

With the khareef season in full swing, Oman Air has increased its flights between Muscat and Salalah, reaching as many as 26 per day during the recent long weekend. The airline announced the additions to its schedule in June in anticipation of surging demand for travel over the three-month-long season. With a variety of natural and cultural attractions and visitor numbers growing each year, Dhofar continues to cement itself as a top destination among regional and international tourists. Oman Air is currently the only airline offering wide-body service between Muscat and Salalah, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A330, in addition to the Boeing 737. Guests can also choose to book First Class on selected flights and enjoy personalised service and Dine on Demand meals. Meanwhile, as part of its commitment to boosting Oman’s tourism sector, the airline’s global offices have been busy showcasing the highlights of khareef with a variety of awareness campaigns and special offers on fares. With flight timings from early in the morning to late at night, Oman Air ensures convenient and seamless connections from a wide range of international destinations. Khareef operations will run until 15 September 2023. Book now at omanair.com.  

Air Canada and Emirates announced a customer service milestone in the two airlines’ strategic partnership with the move of Air Canada’s operations to Dubai International’s (DXB) flagship Terminal 3. The co-location of operations in one of the world’s premier terminals will significantly improve the connecting experience for customers and underscores the benefits of the partnership between the two airlines launched in November 2022. Customers transiting in Dubai between the Americas on Air Canada and the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Africa on Emirates will enjoy a seamless and expedited experience with the convenience of remaining in the same terminal. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome Air Canada to Emirates Terminal 3 in Dubai, which marks another step forward in our strategic partnership to deliver even more value to travellers. Co-locating at T3 means Air Canada customers can enjoy a smooth connection experience when transiting in Dubai onto Emirates’ global network, and those eligible can enjoy access to Emirates’ signature Business Class Lounges and other hub facilities in Dubai prior to their flight. Working closely with Air Canada, we hope to further enhance travel experiences and offer even more convenient connectivity for travellers.” “Air Canada’s new home at Dubai International Terminal 3 is an important milestone which underscores the significance of our strategic partnership with Emirates and the importance of our flights between the UAE and Canada. We extend our sincere appreciation to both Emirates and Dubai Airports for their partnership in facilitating this move, which will greatly benefit our mutual customers,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President Network & Revenue Planning at Air Canada. “In addition to Air Canada’s customers benefiting from …

Kerten Hospitality will enter its House Residence brand in Oxagon, home to advanced and clean industries in NEOM. This move will further Kerten Hospitality’s ambitious expansion across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The upscale 200-unit serviced apartments, at the heart of Oxagon’s first residential community, is set to open its doors in 2025. Reimagining the traditional industrial city, Oxagon is creating a new paradigm for urban living. Offices, world-class recreational and sports facilities, next-generation mobility solutions, and unique hospitality and retail concepts are all seamlessly integrated within communities, in harmony with nature. Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality, said, “We are envisioning a transformation in the concept of living. The House Residence in NEOM’s Oxagon is more than just a project – it’s a statement of intent to catalyze the evolution of our habitats, foster thriving communities, and redefine the human experience. Our alliance with NEOM at Oxagon marks a crucial step as we contribute to the extraordinary transformation of Saudi Arabia. As the nation unfolds its tourism potential, we stand on the brink of a new era of global exposure. NEOM is set to be the beacon guiding this transformative tide, and our aim is to anchor the vibrant communities being built in Oxagon.” Vishal Wanchoo, CEO of Oxagon added, “One of the many reasons we’re excited about working with Kerten Hospitality is the way they interact and work with local talent and entrepreneurs to curate experiences and innovations tailored to our future residents. We feel that The House Residence concept embodies the neighbourhood atmosphere and lifestyle from the integration of F&B to advanced technologies, that’s core to the mixed-use residential communities we’re building here at Oxagon.” Chris Newman, …

Wego inked a global partnership with IHG Hotel & Resorts to provide its users with a wider array of hotel offerings across the globe. Through this collaboration, Wego users will be able to search and book 15 of IHG’s 18 brands – worldwide – Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, voco hotels, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. Travellers will get access to over 4,000 open hotels across global destinations and ultimately find the perfect hotel stay that matches their requirements anywhere in the world. IHG’s latest offering will be promoted across all Wego’s channels, providing travellers with information on the latest properties and trendy destinations. Commenting on this strategic partnership, Craig Hewett, Chief Hotels Officer and Co-Founder, Wego, said: “Partnering with one of the world’s leading hotel companies, IHG Hotels & Resorts, reflects our commitment to provide our users with global hotel offerings and deals. Through this partnership, we will promote IHG Hotels & Resorts to our large user base in the MENA region and aim to convert more bookings to IHG’s global network of hotels.” James Britchford, Vice President Commercial, India, Middle East and Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to partner with Wego, the number one travel app in MENA for flight search and booking. Through this partnership, travellers will enjoy more convenience and access to 15 of our brands across our luxury & lifestyle, premium, essentials and suites portfolio in global destinations when booking their trip on Wego.” Wego compares …

Red Sea Global (RSG) successfully opened its first mangrove nursery. The project will support the delivery of RSG’s aim to plant 50 million mangrove trees by 2030. The initiative closely aligns with the national objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and RSG’s commitment to conserving and revitalizing the Kingdom’s Red Sea coast, underpinned by an overarching ambition to deliver a 30 percent net conservation benefit by 2040. “We hold the utmost respect for the environment in which we operate and recognize it as our most valuable asset. It is our shared obligation to not only safeguard it, but also proactively enhance it wherever possible. The successful opening of our Mangrove Nursery is a testament to that unyielding dedication to the preservation and rejuvenation of the Red Sea coastline,” said John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global. “While we will continue to explore novel approaches, embrace cutting-edge methodologies, and utilize innovate technology, often nature already provides the greatest solutions. The power of mangrove forests to store carbon, to manage flooding and stabilize coastlines, and to provide shelter for fish and other organisms, makes them one of nature’s super ecosystems. Our Mangrove Nursery will increase numbers of mangroves and boost biodiversity, ensuring we reach the environmental ambitions we have set ourselves.” The seedlings will be cared for in the nursery for approximately eight months until they grow to 80cm, at which point they will be carefully transplanted in designated mangrove parks within the destination. RSG’s experts chose to cultivate native mangrove species to increase the chances of survival, such as the Rhizophora Mucronate (red mangrove) and the Avicenna Marina (gray mangrove). Raed Albasseet, Group Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer at RSG, …

Deep Dive Dubai celebrated International Chess Day underwater. The world’s deepest pool collaborated with the UAE Chess Federation to honor the day that is dedicated to the chequerboard strategy game. Deep Dive Dubai provided the magical, unique setting, and the UAE Chess Federation nominated four of its players to battle it out for the top prize. Emiratis Mohammed Saeed, Khalifa Alhafti, Mana Saeed, and Omran Alhosani, who have proudly represented the UAE at local, regional, and international tournaments, were set a new challenge around their beloved game. The quartet was trained by Deep Dive Dubai’s expert instructors before being kitted with wetsuits and shallow dive gear. Deep Dive Dubai’s experienced staff and safety teams were on hand during each round to ensure the player’s comfort and safety. Jarrod Jablonski, Director Deep Dive Dubai, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with the UAE Chess Federation and bring together these two passions in an innovative manner. Deep Dive Dubai is deeply invested in sharing a deep passion for the underwater realm, and hosting this underwater chess tournament perfectly aligns with our vision.” Deep Dive Dubai welcomes divers of all skill levels to embark on a unique underwater chess adventure. The specialized set is a regular feature at Deep Dive Dubai. The 32 chess pieces are made of stone, allowing them to remain sturdy while submerged. The facility offers novices and experts an unforgettable experience tailored to each person’s ability. Come and explore the wonders of the world’s most exceptional deep-water facility, where everyone can discover the joy of diving.  

Royal Jordanian (RJ) announced the launch of its new Voice of the Customer programme, powered by technology from Medallia, the global leader in customer and employee experience, and delivered by Kantar. The new initiative has been designed to further enhance the end-to-end journey of passengers across RJ’s flight network covering 141 destinations. Royal Jordanian’s Vice Chairman and CEO Samer Majali commented: “Improving the customer experience is at the heart of RJ’s mission, as we strive to better our business performance and deliver class-leading quality product at all journey touchpoints. Our new Voice of the Customer programme has been engaging different customer segments, and we have already received 17,000 pieces of valuable feedback, which we will use to drive the RJ brand towards greater customer satisfaction and loyalty.” RJ’s new Voice of the Customer programme will capture feedback from its flyers from the moment of booking right the way through to their final destination, gathering insight at eight key touchpoints across the end-to-end journey. Using the Medallia Experience Cloud and its AI-powered text analytics capability, RJ will be able to easily identify key trends in passenger feedback and use these insights to drive meaningful change to enhance customer journeys for its growing base of flyers. “Gathering feedback and acting on that insight is the cornerstone of every successful CX strategy. Royal Jordanian has recognised the value of a comprehensive CX programme, and we are delighted to be working alongside Kantar to help RJ realise their vision of customer centricity,” said Eduardo Crespo, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the UK, Ireland, and the Middle East at Medallia. “Kantar is very excited to partner with Medallia to deliver a best-in-class NPS …

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced a partnership with Equinox to create Equinox Resort Amaala in one of the world’s most well-preserved natural environments, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea. Equinox Resort Amaala is the latest hotel brand to be announced for Red Sea Global’s Amaala, an integrated wellness haven featuring some of the world’s most renowned luxury brands. The hotel, with a focus on sports, fitness and lifestyle, will comprise of 128 keys, including two luxury penthouses as well as a suite of amenities such as several world-class culinary concepts, a magnesium salt rooftop pool, spa, Beach Club, and a signature Equinox Fitness Club. “Amaala brings the best in health and wellness together in an area of extraordinary natural beauty to offer exceptional and transformative experiences for guests. Equinox’s unique brand of luxury and fitness is a fantastic fit, allowing visitors to choose seekin self-improvement during their stay, getting back to nature on land or at sea, or simply enjoying quiet moments with loved ones in comfort and privacy,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. Equinox Resort Amaala is a key part of the Amaala Marina Village, designed by renowned architects, Foster + Partners, which will feature a collection of luxury hotels, villas and condominiums all set in a lively retail precinct with stunning marina views. The Village, part of the wider Triple Bay development, has been designed to adopt the best elements of local architecture featuring narrow winding streets perfect for exploration and discovery. The irregular street facades have been orientated to capture and channel breezes, offer shade and protection and filter light, delivering natural climate control to enhance the comfort of guests. The very best in international …