Satguru Travel and Tourism was awarded as the ‘Best Corporate Travel Management Company’ at the 7th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “Winning the Best Corporate Travel Management Company 2024 at the Arabian Travel Awards is a milestone that reinforces our leadership in corporate travel. It validates our commitment to excellence, strengthens trust among stakeholders, and motivates us to set higher benchmarks. This award is both an achievement and a responsibility to continue redefining industry standards. This award has enhanced our credibility, increased visibility, and inspired our team to push service excellence further. It highlights the importance of innovation in corporate travel and raises industry standards, benefiting clients through improved services. It also serves as a benchmark for excellence, shaping the future of corporate travel management.” Dinkar Dasaur – General Manager, Satguru Travel and Tourism LLC

145 players from 27 countries will participate in ‘Sharjah Week of the Stars’  organized by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. Commenting on the launch of “Sharjah Week of the Stars,” H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, emphasized the emirate’s readiness to host this major international event. He highlighted the synergy between sports and tourism in driving development and attracting visitors, while showcasing Sharjah’s unique offerings. This unique event aims to enhance Sharjah’s sports tourism profile and showcase the emirate’s attractions and landmarks. The week features an exciting lineup of activities, including a football match between retired international legends titled “Night of the Stars,” the “Sharjah International Footgolf Tournament,” the “Legends Padel Tour,” and for the first time, an E-Sports Tournament open to the public, with special participation from football legends. The events will take place from January 10 to 13, 2025. Taking place at Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, this tournament will see over 145 players from 27 countries competing from January 11 to 12. The final day will feature football legends joining footgolf champions, vying for the $30,000 prize. With participation from top global players and eight UAE-based players, this championship is one of the most prestigious events in the sport. On January 11, Aljada mini-football stadium, accommodating up to 2,000 spectators, will host a friendly football match featuring 22 international football legends. Participants include Francesco Totti, Fabio Cannavaro, Rivaldo, Michael Owen, Papu Gómez, David Trezeguet, Essam El Hadary, and a legendary Italian football star whose name will be revealed soon. On January 12, 16 international football legends will compete in the “Legends Padel Tour ” at Aljada Padel Courts. This event …

Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Abu Dhabi Resorts unveiled the highly anticipated upgrades of its luxury property, Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort. Featuring 30 beautifully appointed villas, each with a private pool measuring 3 by 4 metres, guests can enjoy a secluded oasis just steps from the uninterrupted beachfront, where the ocean stretches endlessly before them. The Deluxe Beach Pool Villas offer picturesque glimpses of the Arabian landscape, while the Anantara Two Bedroom Beach Pool Villa features expansive terraces and en-suite bathrooms, ensuring complete privacy and tranquility. An uninterrupted beachfront retreat located on the serene eastern shores of the island, the resort is now ready to once again welcome guests. Its revitalised beachfront villas, with direct views of the Arabian Gulf offer an elevated experience that is ideal for travellers seeking romantic getaways and celebrating special occasions. Meanwhile, sister resort Anantara Al Sahel Villa Resort will unveil its refreshed safari-inspired villas in early 2025, each reflecting a distinct facet of Sir Bani Yas Island’s natural charm. Situated just 250 km southwest of Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island is the UAE’s largest natural island, renowned for its commitment to sustainability and conservation. It features three distinctive Anantara properties, each catering to a variety of travellers. Offering a tranquil escape on the eastern shores of Sir Bani Yas Island, Anantara Al Yamm Villa Resort prioritises privacy and serenity. Inspired by a traditional fishing village, it artfully blends rustic elegance with contemporary sophistication, reflecting its natural surroundings and rich Emirati heritage. Recent upgrades have further enhanced the resort’s intimate atmosphere, with new barasti fencing, and extended outdoor decks that seamlessly integrate with the natural landscape. Each villa is paired with a dedicated villa host, …

Turkish Airlines, driven by its mission to offer guests a peerless travel experience, is now carrying Türkiye’s unparalleled cultural treasures to the skies. The new amenity kit collection, called the “UNESCO Türkiye Series,” is inspired by six outstanding UNESCO World Heritage sites in Türkiye which are Nemrut, Göbeklitepe, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Ani, and Troy along with four different ebru (Turkish Marbling) designs and three traditional carpet-rug motifs. These new kits are now being offered in Business Class on flights ranging from five to eight hours, while different versions will be introduced in mid-January for Economy Class on flights lasting more than eight hours. Developed in collaboration with the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO, this special collection highlights Turkish Airlines’ vision to not only provide comfort above the clouds but also showcase Türkiye’s historic and cultural values on the global stage. Each set is presented as a memorable travel keepsake that combines thousands of years of Anatolian history and artistic heritage with contemporary design elements. A modern interpretation of traditional Turkish art, each kit includes hand and body lotion and lip balm formulated by the luxury fragrance brand Ex Nihilo. Additionally, around 80% of the materials used in items such as socks, eye masks, and toothbrushes are made from recycled materials and sustainable options like biodegradable cornstarch. Commenting on the new collection, Turkish Airlines Chief Operations Officer M. Akif Konar stated: “With the UNESCO Türkiye Series, not only we are providing our guests with a memorable flight experience but we are also showcasing Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage to the world. As Turkish Airlines, we continue to maintain our lead in the global aviation sector with our sustainability-focused approach and our vision of …

Qashio has announced its strategic partnership with Visa to launch Visa Commercial Choice Travel program for the first time in the region. With this innovative B2B Travel payments solution launch, Visa and Qashio will support the travel industry in the UAE, MENA, Europe & the UK, with global issuance capabilities by allocating over AED 100 million in the program in the coming years. The travel solution will allow travel companies to obtain Qashio cards and transact in different currencies including AED, SAR, USD, EUR and GBP issued from UAE enabling payments & settlements in multiple currencies. Qashio and Visa’s specialised solution will enable travel companies to digitize and automate their payments within the travel sector, optimizing their reconciliation and enhancing liquidity. The solution is seamlessly integrated with global travel management companies and their booking tools including Global Distribution Systems (GDS), making travel booking and payments seamless and secure. Leveraging Visa’s secure payment infrastructure, this partnership ensures high standards of protection for all B2B travel-related transactions. “We are committed to continue our joint growth with Visa, a global leader in payments innovation, to management,” said Armin Moradi, CEO and Co-Founder of Qashio. “We recognise that the Travel & Tourism industry is key in the region however the travel companies are underserved with strong technical payment solutions that work in their favour, we are creating a one-stop platform that simplifies the corporate travel experience for our clients, allowing them to focus on what truly matters – growing their businesses.” Salima Gutieva, Visa’s VP and Country Manager for UAE, “Travel and tourism are key sectors driving growth and diversification of UAE and the region’s economies. Visa is delighted to partner with Qashio in bringing this …

German National Tourist Office Gulf Countries secured the award for ‘Most active in promoting sustainable and accessible travel’ at the 7th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards. “This award is incredibly meaningful as it reflects our commitment to promoting sustainable travel experiences. It’s a collective achievement for our team, partners, and the communities in Germany who are passionate about fostering greener tourism. It reminds us of the positive impact we can have, inspiring us to continue offering mindful and inclusive travel options to GCC visitors. The recognition motivates us to raise the bar for sustainability and accessibility. For GNTO, it reinforces our role as a leader in responsible tourism. It also encourages industry-wide collaboration, showing how eco-friendly practices can meet modern travellers’ expectations while protecting the environment and supporting inclusivity.” Yamina Sofo, Director of the Marketing & Sales Office – GNTO GCC

Dubai International (DXB) is on track to welcome 4.3 million guests in the first 15 days of the year, setting the stage for its busiest January yet. Daily traffic is projected to peak on 3 January, with over 311,000 guests expected. With an average of 287,000 guests passing through daily during this period—8% higher than the same period in 2024 and 6% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2018-19—DXB is operating at volumes akin to its busiest months ever, demonstrating its ability to meet global travel demand with efficiency and ease. This exceptional performance reflects a surge in international visitors flying out after the festive season, coupled with residents returning from holidays. As the world’s leading airport for international passengers, DXB remains a global benchmark for operational excellence, offering seamless connectivity and an unmatched guest experience on an extraordinary scale.

Taj Exotica Resort and Spa The Palm won the title of ‘Best destination wedding resort’ at the 7th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards. “It is a great feeling and it’s lovely to have received this coveted award from the Arabian Travel Awards, which is a very prestigious award and we, being an Indian brand, getting a lot of Indian weddings and being recognized as a destination for the destination weddings. It’s a great feeling and it’s a testimony to the fact that we have been doing this for the last two and a half plus years and we are committed to continuing this journey with even greater strength and dedication.” Nayan Seth, General Manger, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa The Palm, Dubai.  

Etihad Airways opened its new Etihad U.S. Preclearance Lounge at Zayed International Airport enhancing the travel experience for passengers flying to the United States. Located steps away from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, the new lounge provides eligible guests with a serene space to unwind after completing their U.S. entry formalities and before boarding their flight. The thoughtfully designed facility features a refined selection of beverages and light dining options, complementing Etihad’s premium travel experience. Select flights offer the convenience of direct boarding from the lounge, enhancing the seamless journey. “This new lounge marks another milestone in our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for our guests,” said John Wright, Chief Operations & Guest Officer at Etihad Airways. “By combining our premium lounge service with the convenience of U.S. Preclearance, we’re offering our guests an elevated journey through Abu Dhabi before they even board their flight. Zayed International is the only Middle East hub to offer this time-saving service.” The U.S. Preclearance Lounge welcomes eligible guests travelling in The Residence, First or Business, as well as Platinum and Emerald Etihad Guest members. Access is also available for purchase, subject to availability. For a comprehensive premium experience, eligible guests are invited to begin their journey at Etihad’s acclaimed First or Business Class Lounge in the main terminal before proceeding to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility approximately 90 minutes before their flight. Flying with Etihad Airways to the U.S. offers the unique advantage of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, one of only a few such facilities worldwide. By completing all U.S. customs and immigration formalities before boarding in Abu Dhabi, guests …

Qatar Airways resumed flights at Abha International Airport (AHB). The airline will operate two weekly flights to Abha, offering seamless connectivity on Qatar Airways’ extensive global network of over 170 destinations. With the resumption of this route, Qatar Airways brings the total number of destinations it serves within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to 11, including: Abha, AlUla, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, NEOM, Qassim, Riyadh, Tabuk, Taif, and Yanbu. Qatar Airways’ Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “We are delighted to resume flights to Abha, our 11th gateway in Saudi Arabia. With over 140 weekly flights, we connect more than 36,000 passengers weekly between Saudi Arabia and Doha. This highlights our commitment to enhancing connectivity, supporting tourism and strengthening economic and cultural ties between our two nations.” Air Connectivity Program CEO, Mr. Majid Khan, said: “The cooperation between the Air Connectivity Program and Qatar Airways is a significant step in enhancing the Kingdom’s air connectivity. This partnership not only connects our two countries but also opens doors for global visitors to explore the unique experiences that the Kingdom offers.” Cluster 2 Airports Company Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Ali Masrahi, said: “The commencement of direct flights between Doha and Abha represents a significant step forward in enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. This new route will not only facilitate travel for tourists and business visitors, but also contribute substantially to the Kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy and National Aviation Strategy. By improving accessibility to the Aseer region, known for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, these flights will boost local economies, create employment opportunities, and showcase the …