IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of Holiday Inn Riyadh Al Malaz in Saudi Arabia, a new hotel in Riyadh’s vibrant Al Malaz district. The hotel will house 115 contemporary rooms and suites spanning 11 floors, complete with marble bathrooms, high-speed internet, and satellite television for increased comfort and convenience. Its room categories include: 64 king rooms, 24 queen rooms, 16 twin rooms, and 10 downtown-facing suites, ensuring an extensive selection of stay options to anticipate diverse guest needs and preferences.The Open Lobby offers a vibrant communal space, designed with the needs of the modern traveller in mind, where guests can relax and connect with friends, family or other guests. The public space includes a contemporary media lounge to unwind with friends, a coffee bar for a chat over a quick bite, and an e-lounge for those who need to catch up on the day’s news or work, while still being part of its social vibe. Guests will be able to enjoy a ‘bright place to connect’ with stylish and contemporary accommodation near iconic landmarks such as Burj Al Faisaliyah, Kingdom Tower, King Abdullah Park, and Al Masmak fortress. Holiday Inn Riyadh Al Malaz is a 30-minute drive from King Khaled International Airport, a short walk from Riyadh Metro station and centrally located near the Riyadh’s dazzling neighborhood, financial, historical, and recreational areas. Holiday Inn Riyadh Al Malaz will feature three dining destinations: The Palms Restaurant, a cozy, all-day dining restaurant with a wide array of fresh dishes; Sky Lounge, a casual relaxed restaurant offering International and Levantine cuisine; and Lobby Aroma Costa Café, a charming coffee and sweet treat bar in the lobby. The property also includes a pool …

Emirates and Air Mauritius have renewed their longstanding partnership which includes a reciprocal codesharing agreement on select routes beyond the gateways of each partner airline, as well as cooperation on frequent flyer programmes and cargo handling services. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Mauritius, formalising a mutual collaboration agreement which was first established in 2003 following the launch of Emirates’ services to the island nation, and later renewed in 2013 with an enhanced codeshare agreement on expanded routes. Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates said: “Our strategic, long-standing partnership with Air Mauritius continues to provide customers of both airlines with travel benefits such as seamless connections on select routes, ability to conveniently using a single ticket for the entire journey, as well as opportunities to earn and redeem rewards on both frequent flyer programmes. “Now in its 23rd year, our partnership with the national carrier has allowed us to continuously provide value to the island nation, through our passenger operations, cargo handling capabilities and more, with tangible contributions that have helped build a strong and sustainable tourism economy. We would like to thank the authorities and stakeholders for their unwavering support in making our operations possible. We are proud of the achievements made so far and we look forward to giving back more to this important destination, which we have connected to more than 128 points in our in our global network.” Kremchand (Kishore) Beegoo, Chairman, Air Mauritius said: “The renewal of our longstanding partnership with Emirates marks an important milestone for Air Mauritius. Emirates is one of our key strategic partners, and this enhanced agreement further deepens the strong relationship between our two airlines. …

Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau and part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism successfully participated at IMEX Frankfurt joined by key stakeholders. At IMEX, a delegation of 30 stakeholders from across the sector has joined DBE in showcasing Dubai’s credentials as a premier global hub for business events. The delegation includes leading hotels, venues, DMCs, airlines and other service providers including Emirates, Expo City Dubai, and Dubai World Trade Centre, together highlighting Dubai’s ability to deliver dynamic world-class events at the intersection of innovation, knowledge-sharing and sustainable growth. This comes as Dubai continues to earn global recognition, this week being confirmed as #1 globally for highest attendee number per association meeting in 2024, and once again ranking #1 in the Middle East for the total number of association meetings hosted during the period, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). Cvent has this week also confirmed that Dubai maintained its #1 position among the Top 25 Meeting Destinations in the Middle East and Africa. The accolades further demonstrate the city’s ability to both host prolific events and facilitate event growth for associations, allowing them to tap into the market and increase global access to members. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “As we engage with the global industry at IMEX Frankfurt, we are reinforcing Dubai’s position as a strategic destination for impactful business events. Our consistent top rankings from ICCA and Cvent, and growing pipeline of major international events, are the result of a focused and collaborative approach with our stakeholders, as we work collectively to reinforce the emirate’s position as a premier global hub for …

The Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) highlighted the country’s growing reputation as a premier medical and wellness tourism destination in the Middle East and North Africa region reporting significant growth in international visitations for medical care and wellness therapies. The country’s medical tourism sector witnessed a remarkable increase with 224,740 medical tourists in 2024, building on consistent growth from 191,532 in 2022 and 202,592 in 2023. The first quarter of 2025 has already recorded 51,448 medical tourists, underlining another strong year for the sector. Jordan’s comprehensive healthcare ecosystem, comprising 69 private sector hospitals with approximately 5,500 beds, has positioned the country as a preferred destination for patients seeking advanced medical treatments, particularly from GCC nations and neighboring countries. “Jordan’s medical tourism sector has demonstrated remarkable growth, led by theworld-class healthcare services the country offers, the natural therapeutic sites with first class resorts, and our famed hospitality,” said Dr. Abdelrazzak Arabiyat, Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board. “Our healthcare facilities maintain international standards while providing cost-effective treatments, making Jordan an attractive destination for patients seeking high quality medical care.” Jordan’s strong position in regional medical tourism is highlighted by Iraq leading international demand at 257,396 visitations, followed by Saudi Arabia (216,256) seeking both inpatient and outpatient services. More than 31,920 visitors from Kuwait arrived in Jordan for medical tourism followed by Qatar at 15,524, Bahrain (13,856), Oman (8,828), and the UAE (6,584). GCC visitors particularly value Jordan’s cultural resonance, shared language, and understanding of their healthcare preferences. Recent studies show that Saudi and Kuwaiti patients primarily seek comprehensive diagnostic tests, weight loss surgeries, advanced dental care, and cosmetic dermatology. Omani visitors showed strong interest in vision correction and eye health treatments, while Bahraini …

Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina is proud to announce that it has been awarded 1st place in the Digital Reputation Award for the 5-star hotel category by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). This remarkable recognition reflects not only our online reputation but the deep-rooted culture of service excellence we uphold as part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts family. At Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina, every guest experience is shaped by our unwavering commitment to True Hospitality — a promise to recognize, understand, and anticipate the evolving needs of our guests. Our success in achieving this award stems from a purposeful alignment with IHG’s global service standards, coupled with a relentless drive to personalize each stay. From our front-of-house interactions to behind-the-scenes operations, our team continually challenges themselves to go beyond expectations — whether by acting on feedback in real time, anticipating unspoken needs, or curating seamless stays that reflect genuine care. “We are truly honored to receive this recognition from DET,” said Raffi Torikian, General Manager of Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina. “This award is not just a reflection of positive reviews, but of the human connections we build every day — the thoughtful gestures, proactive service, and consistency that make guests feel truly valued.” We extend heartfelt thanks to our guests for their trust and continued support. Their honest feedback and shared experiences have been instrumental in shaping the high standards we strive to maintain. At Crowne Plaza Dubai Marina, we take immense pride in the dedication and passion our team brings to every aspect of the guest experience. Their commitment to recognizing individual needs, exceeding expectations, and upholding the highest standards of hospitality reflects the true spirit …

VFS Global announced the launch of its flagship Visa Application Centre in Dubai’s Wafi City, marking the opening of the largest visa application facility in the world. The centre was inaugurated by His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism; His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai; and Mr. Zubin Karkaria, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global Group. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism said, “This milestone is more than an infrastructure achievement — it reflects the strategic direction Dubai is taking to enhance global mobility, unlock access to opportunity, and accelerate growth across our visitor and business economy. As we advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, strengthening seamless access to and from Dubai remains a priority. Visa facilitation is a key enabler of talent attraction, tourism development, and international partnerships — all essential levers of our strategy to position Dubai as the world’s most connected and future-ready city.” His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai said, “Today, we witnessed the inauguration of a new milestone in the journey of excellence pursued by the UAE in general and Dubai in particular, with the opening of the world’s largest Visa Application Centre, located in the heart of Dubai, a city that continuously redefines innovation. This achievement embodies a true reflection of the directives of our wise leadership towards strengthening the nation’s position as a global hub for smart services and establishing a unique model for delivering government services with high efficiency and quality. We believe that …

The Emirates A350 has touched down at Queen Alia International Airport, marking the start of its regular service on the second daily flight between Dubai and Amman. Originally scheduled to operate on 1 June, the deployment of the brand-new aircraft has been advanced by 2 weeks. The three-class Emirates A350 features 312 seats, including 32 next-generation Business Class lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 21 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, and 259 spacious Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 layout. Designed for comfort, the aircraft offers higher ceilings, wider aisles, and a quieter cabin environment. Passengers across all classes enjoy Emirates’ latest generation of in-flight entertainment with a cinematic viewing experience, enhanced cabin lighting, faster Wi-Fi, and improved seat ergonomics. The A350’s arrival in Amman marks a significant milestone in Emirates’ longstanding commitment to Jordan dating back to 1986. It also reflects the airline’s ongoing investment in the Jordanian market, strengthening connectivity, tourism, and trade links between Dubai, Amman and beyond. In addition to the A350, Emirates also operates the iconic A380 to Amman on EK903/904. The Emirates A350 currently serves six other short and medium haul destinations including Edinburgh, Kuwait, and Mumbai, and will soon start serving more destinations like Oslo, Istanbul, and Ho Chi Minh City, to name a few. By the end of this year, the airline will serve 17 global cities with the A350. For more information or to book tickets, visit emirates.com. Tickets can also be booked on Emirates App, Emirates Retail stores, Emirates contact centre, or via travel agents. EK 905 departed Dubai at 2210 hrs on 19 May and landed in Amman at 0015 hrs early morning on 20th May. EK 906, took …

RateHawk announced a strategic partnership with GlobalStar Travel Management . This new partnership gives GlobalStar’s partners around the world access to RateHawk’s extensive inventory. RateHawk’s all-in-one system will provide Global Star’s partners over 2.7 million accommodation options, alongside a number of supplementary supplier sources for car rentals, transfers and train tickets. To assist travel managers in efficiently navigating the wide array of options, the company’s AI-powered tools prioritise recommendations based on the most competitive rates available. “Our collaboration is designed to further empower GlobalStar partners, increasing their confidence in the daily booking routine. We source our diverse range of accommodations from not only 320+ suppliers but also 130,000+ directly contracted properties. This enables us to provide real-time availability status and facilitate faster amendments. Also, our ML-driven pre-book check procedure helps minimise the risk of possible issues, ensuring a smoother experience. Additionally, our dedicated support team is available in 32 languages to assist with any inquiries,” shares Ilya Kravtsov, Chief Commercial Officer at Emerging Travel Group, RateHawk’s parent company. “We are delighted to be partnering with a respected global booking system like RateHawk to complement our existing GDS-based hotel programme. In particular, RateHawk’s ability to provide ‘pre-pay’ and ‘credit’ facilities closes a gap for GlobalStar in supporting our Partners in regions where this feature is a ‘must-have’ to manage hotel bookings. Alongside this, the additional flexibility of API integration provides our Partners with an opportunity for deeper integration where required. Initial feedback from our Partners has been extremely positive, and I look forward to engaging closely with the Network in the coming months to share more information, ” stated Julian Russell, Executive Director, IT and Supplier Relations, at GlobalStar.

Rayna Tours announced the grand opening of its brand-new office in Ras Al Khaimah marking its third branch in the UAE and a significant expansion into the northern emirates. Following the success of its Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices, Rayna’s new Ras Al Khaimah branch is set to be a one-stop shop for all things travel—including holiday packages, cruises, visa services, UAE activities, flight bookings, and hotel reservations. Strategically located on Oman Street, near Al Sindabad Restaurant, Al Araibi – Ras Al Khaimah, the office offers convenience and top-tier service to residents and tourists alike. “Our mission is to make travel more accessible, rewarding, and personal,” said Senthil Velan, CEO of Rayna Tours. “With this new office, we’re bringing the full Rayna experience to RAK and introducing unmatched travel deals with exciting prizes,” added Deepak Hiranandani, CCO of Rayna Tours. Rayna Tours RAK will have some exciting launch week offers during this week. Location: Oman Street, Near Al Sindabad Restaurant, Al Araibi – Ras Al Khaimah Phone: 054 584 8112  

Almosafer announced a partnership with Miral Destinations to promote their leading leisure and entertainment destination Yas Island, among travellers from KSA & Kuwait. The partnership aims to enhance tourist footfall in the UAE capital through Almosafer’s consumer travel platforms. As part of the agreement, Almosafer will leverage its expertise and reach within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and across the region to promote Yas Island’s immersive experiences. This includes its award-winning theme parks – Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World, and SeaWorld Yas Island – along with world-class hotels and other attractions. These will be marketed to travellers from Saudi Arabia and beyond, in addition to Yas Island’s calendar of world-class events, sporting spectacles, family entertainment, and other leisure activities. Muzzammil Ahussain, Chief Executive Officer of Almosafer (part of Seera Group), said: “Our collaboration with Miral Destinations is reflective of our growing clout to drive tourism within the dynamic regional travel ecosystem. Saudi Arabia’s robust presence in the global tourism sector has made it a magnet for both inbound and outbound tourism today. We look forward to further enhancing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a global tourism hub by driving more tourists to Yas Island and helping create memorable moments for all who choose to embark on a summer adventure with us and we are confident our digital travel platforms and omnichannel offerings will provide a seamless booking experience.” Liam Findlay, CEO, Miral Destinations said: “We’re pleased to collaborate with Almosafer to welcome more Saudi travellers to Yas Island. Collaborations are key to our success across the global tourism stage, and we look forward to providing all our guests with a truly unforgettable experience. This partnership allows us to further …