Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment is thrilled to announce its first-ever season of Summer Camps taking place at Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi. Until 31 August, Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi are inviting kids aged 4-10 to join the coolest summer camp in the UAE. Beat the summer heat and boredom with fun learning workshops, physical activities, treasure hunts, magic shows, unlimited snow park rides and attractions, trips to VOX Cinemas, and snow much more! Summer Camps start from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily (except Saturdays and Sundays) and are available in daily, weekly, and monthly packages starting from AED 350 inclusive of all activities, two snacks and lunch. Ski and Snowboard Camps at Ski Dubai For children looking to improve their ski or snowboard skills this summer, Ski Dubai is once again hosting their much-loved weekly Ski and Snowboard Summer Camps until 24 August, from Mondays to Fridays. Children aged 3-13 will learn to shred the slopes and improve their skills through the Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced camps with 60- or 90-minute sessions. Weekly packages start from AED 895 for skiers aged 3-6 and AED 1,040 for skiers and snowboarders aged 7-13. Keep kids active this summer with some winter magic in the fun-filled Ski Dubai & Snow Abu Dhabi Summer Camps or help them level up their skills with Ski & Snowboard Summer Camps. Book your child’s slot now at Ski Dubai – https://www.skidxb.com/en-ae/ski-dubai/passes-packages/summer-camp or at Snow Abu Dhabi – https://www.skidxb.com/en-ae/snow-abu-dhabi/passes-packages/summer-camp

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will open its third London hotel in the British capital in 2028 to cater to the discerning guests from the Middle East. Situated on London’s South Bank with dramatic views over St Paul’s Cathedral, Mandarin Oriental Bankside, London is positioned ideally to access both the City of London and the West End theatre and shopping districts, offering a perfect base for leisure and business travellers. The hotel will be part of the larger Bankside Yards development, which serves to reconnect the space between the Tate Modern and Blackfriars Station and is centred around the historic railway arches that run through the heart of the site. The overall property is being developed by an international real estate consortium including Hotel Properties Limited, Native Land Limited and Amcorp Properties Berhad. The development will comprise a contemporary standalone building, expected to have 171 guestrooms and 70 branded Residences at Mandarin Oriental. The hotel will offer wellness and fitness facilities tailored for those leading active lifestyles. Within a dedicated space, guests will find a comprehensive Spa at Mandarin Oriental, providing signature wellness therapies and beauty treatments, a 25m lap pool, a spacious fitness centre and invigorating heat and water experiences. Four distinct culinary outlets, located on the first floor and the 19th floor of the building, with views across the city, will make the hotel a destination for locals and visitors alike. Dedicated events spaces include adaptable function and meeting rooms, with pre-function space, an outdoor terrace and an activity space, will ensure it becomes a sought-after destination for events and social occasions. In line with the brand’s continuous commitment to sustainability, the property will benefit from the wider Bankside …

Holiday Inn Dubai Business Bay will be the first in the UAE to bring to life the brand defining Open Lobby concept, which transforms the traditional hotel lobby into a flexible space, where the guests can connect, relax, socialise or work their way. IHG Hotels & Resorts will launch, by quarter four 2023, a new stylish dual-branded property in Dubai’s Business Bay. Located a short distance from key tourist and business spots, this cluster of hotels will offer modern and comfortable accommodations for travellers enjoying a short or longer stay in Dubai.The hotel will feature 275 rooms, modern meeting and recreational facilities including a fitness centre and an outdoor pool.  The naturally lit meeting and event spaces will offer state of the art technology with a capacity for up to 100 guests. The new Holiday Inn hotel will bring to Business Bay two new dining venues, a Mexican eatery, La Plancha – Terraza Mexicana, and a chic modern European restaurant and bar, Brasserie on One. It will embody all of its hallmarks, which our guests know and love us for including the brand’s signature “Kids Stay and Eat Free” program. The thoughtfully designed guest rooms will offer best in class features including a 55-Inch smart TV, contemporary furnishings, and high-quality bedding. Staybridge Suites is IHG’s upscale extended stay hotel brand that offers an elevated, residential-style hotel. The new hotel, Staybridge Suites Dubai Business Bay will offer 120 suites with options of studio, one, and two-bedroom suites to cater to varying guest needs. The all-suite hotel is perfectly designed to meet the needs of extended-stay travellers who seek a sense of community and home like warmth when traveling for days, weeks, …

Wego and Azerbaijan tourism board invites travelers to discover Azerbaijan in all seasons.  The two companies will join forces for a new campaign aiming to showcase Azerbaijan’s incredible attractions to MENA travelers. Building on the successful previous partnership, this collaboration will leverage Wego’s extensive reach and innovative marketing strategies to showcase Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality. In Azerbaijan, both summer and winter offer a wide range of exciting activities for each type of traveler. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, MENA and India, Wego, said: “As we renew our partnership with Azerbaijan Tourism Board, we aim to inspire and guide travelers to explore the wonders of Azerbaijan and create a seamless and inspiring travel experience. We recorded over 830,000 searches globally to Azerbaijan this year and we are expecting to see an increase in the searches towards the summer.” During the summer months, the country’s beautiful coastal areas become a haven for beach lovers. Travelers can indulge in water sports such as jet skiing and parasailing. Additionally, the picturesque mountainous regions of Azerbaijan, such as the Greater Caucasus range, provide fantastic opportunities for hiking, trekking, and exploring scenic trails that lead to breathtaking vistas and hidden waterfalls. Florian Sengstschmid, CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board, said: “In winter, Azerbaijan transforms into a winter wonderland, providing excellent opportunities for winter sports enthusiasts. The country has premier ski resorts and offer world-class skiing and snowboarding facilities with a range of slopes suitable for beginners to advanced skiers. Additionally, the picturesque village of Gabala, located in the Tufandag Mountains, offers a charming winter retreat with opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and even enjoying horse-drawn sleigh rides through snowy landscapes.”

Dubai’s stature as a global meetings incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) destination continues to soar with the city registering a strong year-on-year growth of 44% in business event bid wins in the first half of 2023. The outstanding growth in the number of global events being hosted by the city contributes further to its economic growth in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau and part of the Department of Economy and Tourism, worked with partners and stakeholders to win 143 conferences, congresses, meetings and incentives in the first six months of 2023. These events – which will take place over the coming years – are expected to bring over 94,000 additional visitors to the city, including global experts and leaders in their respective fields. The surge in event wins serves as a testament to the dynamic momentum of growth witnessed not only within Dubai’s business events sector but also across its broader economy in recent years. The events captured include 24 association conferences, congresses and meetings, which are set to contribute to driving Dubai’s knowledge economy forward. Renewed growth from China alongside ongoing momentum from India contributed to 84 incentives won by the city. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: “Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, our focus on capturing business events that bring value to the city continues to deliver strong results. Dubai’s robust proposition, built not only on world-class business events infrastructure and …

Dubai Aviation City Corporation through its affiliated corporation Dubai South, the largest single-urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics and real estate, announced the signing of an agreement with Dubai Insurance Co. PSC (DIN) to initiate a comprehensive Employee Protection Insurance programme for the employees of all Dubai South licensees registered under the Dubai Aviation City Corporation. This will come into effect starting August 2023. The agreement, which took place at Dubai South HQ, was signed by HE Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, and Abdellatif Abuqurah, CEO of Dubai Insurance, in the presence of senior executives from both entities. Dubai Aviation City Corporation as the licensing and the regulatory body of Dubai South Free Zone aims to create a protected environment for employees working within Dubai South. As such, this programme is designed to provide a safety net for employees in instances where Dubai South licensees may not meet their obligations, covering aspects such as unpaid salaries and end-of-service gratuities, repatriation costs of return for its employees or their mortal remains, and unreimbursed expenses. The programme will also be mandatory on all new employment visas and work permits, whereby employers must adopt this scheme to protect their employees. In contrast, for existing visas, this scheme will be mandatory during the renewal of residence visas. HE Khalifa Al Zaffin said: “This partnership aligns with the UAE’s strategic vision for employee rights and corporate governance. The implementation of the Employee Protection Insurance programme will significantly boost the confidence of our licensees, showcasing our unwavering dedication to fostering an exceptional working environment and reaffirming our commitment to upholding Dubai’s competitive position on the global stage.” …

Dubai Chambers has announced the launch of the Service Excellence Programme, a new initiative aimed at promoting an exceptional customer service culture, encouraging best practices within the private sector, and elevating customer service performance across the emirate. The programme is designed to evaluate the quality of customer experience delivered by private sector companies through mystery shopper reports. The initiative marks another significant milestone that advances the chambers’ role in supporting Dubai’s drive to achieve excellence in customer service and ensure the implementation of global best practices within the emirate’s business community. The Service Excellence Programme recognises the outstanding contributions of companies that embody Dubai’s vision for the future by delivering value-added services for their customers. The evaluation process includes a brand performance service category and a branch performance service category. Companies registered in the programme will receive surprise visits from mystery shoppers, with the results shared as part of a comprehensive report on a quarterly basis. His Excellency Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, commented: “The Service Excellence Programme represents a quantum leap in our efforts to foster excellence in customer service within the private sector and develop standards that align with Dubai’s vision for the future of business. The mystery shopper visits aim to drive a culture of continuous improvement and empower companies to excel in serving their customers, ultimately enhancing their brand reputations and ability to retain customers. In today’s business landscape, world-class customer service is a key pillar of success and a prerequisite for companies looking to boost their competitiveness in the market.” His Excellency added: “Our programme is a unique initiative that combines personal mystery shopper visits to the branches and headquarters of …

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) entered a landmark partnership with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. This exclusive agreement marks the first time a cruise line has partnered with GHA, bringing together two leading luxury brands in the travel sector. GHA DISCOVERY members, who have access to 800 hotels, resorts and palaces operated by 40 hotel brands in 100 countries, are rewarded with the program’s innovative rewards currency, DISCOVERY Dollars (D$1 equal to US$1). Through this exclusive partnership, the program’s 24 million members will now enjoy the additional benefit of earning D$ by reserving a voyage with Regent and will be able to redeem those benefits in any GHA hotel, resort and palace. GHA DISCOVERY members who reserve a Regent cruise will also be fast-tracked to GHA DISCOVERY Titanium status, which provides a number of benefits at GHA hotels and resorts worldwide. In addition, GHA members will receive a special welcome gift of champagne and chocolates to be enjoyed once on board their reserved voyage. “We are the perfect match, with Regent Seven Seas Cruises being the world’s leading luxury cruise line, offering itineraries that connect key cities across the globe, and GHA DISCOVERY uniting the world’s largest collection of luxury hotel brands, with some of the best hotels in the world in those same destinations,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley. “This strategic partnership will expand our reach, provide more choice and rich new benefits to our customers; and for GHA, it will drive significant enrolments notably from key markets such as the U.S., generating incremental revenue to our hotel brands.” “We are delighted to partner with GHA to bring Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ unrivaled luxury experiences to even more discerning guests around …

“Dubai further consolidated its status as the world’s leading tourist destination in the first half of 2023. We welcomed more than 8.5 million international visitors in the first six months of the year while Dubai Financial Market (DFM)-listed companies recorded a total market value of AED652 billion. Dubai also strengthened its status as one of the world’s top three hubs for wealth owners, and one of the fastest-recovering cities since the COVID-19 pandemic. We are very proud of what we have achieved so far this year, and the confidence that we have inspired in the global community,” His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, said Dubai continues to reinforce its position as a major global economic hub, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Emirates is celebrating 30 years of operations to Muscat, Oman. Since the inaugural flight in 1993, Emirates has carried 4.8 million passengers to and from the Sultanate on more than 37,200 flights, connecting travelers to and from 140 global destinations. Emirates first began operations to Oman with a Boeing 777-200 aircraft with a four weekly services.  In 2019, Emirates launched the world’s shortest scheduled A380 flight, flying a distance of 340 kilometers each way from Dubai to Muscat, offering travelers the chance to experience Emirates’ iconic products and services, defined by comfort, luxury and flexibility. Over the years, Emirates SkyCargo has served as a facilitator for global trade, transporting over 155,000 tonnes of cargo to international markets. Emirates SkyCargo is supporting Omani businesses by exporting key local goods such as threads for garments to Amman, Nairobi and Pakistan as well as fresh produce such as fish, beans and vegetables to various destinations across Europe and US, in addition to the seasonal fresh beans to Japan. Creating further career opportunities within Oman, the Emirates Group employs over 40 Omanis, in multiple roles including cabin crew, pilots and other parts of the business such as Emirates Engineering, Emirates Airport Services and Airport Operations. Half of these employees have been with the Emirates Group for over 10 years, demonstrating the airline’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing a wide range of development prospects enabling employees to gain world-class expertise. Fahad Al Hassawi, Country Manager Oman at Emirates said: “Oman has been an important market for Emirates since the beginning of operations, providing flexible connections through Dubai to the wider world, for both passengers and air freight. Over the last three decades, we are …