Musafir.com revealed in its bi-annual travel trend report that sporting events will augment the tourism and hospitality economy up to 30 % in the region. The Middle East is becoming the world’s fastest-growing sports tourism destination valued at an estimated $600bn, according to the World Trade Organisation. Major events such as FIFA World Cup Qatar, Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, etc. will give Gulf tourism a boost in the last quarter of the year. Amongst the GCC countries, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar will see the majority arrival of travellers mainly from Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the UK. The UAE topped the list as the preferred destination by travellers due to its proximity to major sporting events as well as family-oriented activities, personal safety and societal security, room availability, varied retail experiences, adventure sports and leisure, and seamless connectivity. Due to seamless connectivity, the UAE can expect inbound flights to soar up to 20% as compared to same time last year. Apart from attending sporting events, fans will want to explore ‘thrill-seeking’ activities as an add-on for a comprehensive travel experience encapsulating all that the country has to offer. Camping and outdoor activities will also see an increase in Q4 of 2022 due to the pleasant weather. Sachin Gadoya, CEO and Co-founder, Musafir.com and Musafir Business said, “Sports events act as a catalyst and can have a tremendous impact on the economy – as we will see millions of fans gather to not only watch their favourite sport but also to have an unforgettable experience during their stay in the region. We are anticipating an exponential growth in the tourism sector, due to the increasing number …

Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the leading travel and tourism event for inbound and outbound tourism professionals throughout the Middle East, has announced that ‘Working Towards Net Zero’ will be its official theme for ATM 2023, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 1-4 May. RX (Reed Exhibitions), the organiser of ATM, will celebrate its 30th annual event by unveiling a dedicated sustainability pledge, not only to make the ATM 2023 event more sustainable but to announce 30 long-term goals as ATM works towards net zero in line with the RX Global pledge. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market, said: “If the UAE and the wider Middle East are to achieve their net zero ambitions, the travel and tourism industry will play a vital role, given its share of regional economic activity and of course its growth potential. With COP27 being held in Sharm El Sheikh this year and COP28 in Dubai in 2023, it is essential that hotels, airlines, leisure resorts and all associated companies start to put their sustainability strategies in place. While unveiling our strategic path to net zero, ATM 2023 will also provide an ideal platform for industry players to engage with sustainability experts and their peers to address the challenges of achieving net zero.” According to a World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report, travel and tourism account for between 8-11% of the world’s emissions. It also revealed that 42% of the travel and tourism businesses analysed currently have publicly announced climate targets, 61% of travellers say they want to travel more sustainably in the future and over 80% of travellers plan to prioritise sustainability in their travels in the coming year. …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) recently concluded its Visit Abu Dhabi Roadshow in India, alongside 28 stakeholders from the UAE capital that included key airlines, cruises, hotels, attractions and DMCs. More than 800 travel trade delegates attended the roadshow across six events in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore to learn about the unique and diverse experiences Abu Dhabi offers Indian travellers, whilst at the same time paving the way for long-term partnerships in the sector. The successful events showcased the emirate as a leading tourism destination for leisure, business and incentive travel via a programme of briefings, presentations and a demonstration of the cultural experience of perfume making. This was followed by exclusive networking dinners attended by key industry professionals and buyers, held at The Oberoi (New Delhi), ITC Gardenia, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Bangalore) and Four Seasons (Mumbai). Over the week-long schedule of events, DCT Abu Dhabi showcased key destination highlights to help familiarise industry professionals with the many exciting experiences on offer at the destination including Abu Dhabi’s leading leisure and entertainment destination, Yas Island, which is home to award-winning theme parks such as Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. DCT Abu Dhabi stakeholders also spoke to key partners about the timeline for new developments, and the exhilarating events set to take place across the UAE capital, which include the debut of Broadway musical The Lion King, the UAE’s first-ever NBA games, UFC 281, and a performance by Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman, as part of Diwali celebrations. The event, which was hosted by DCT Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau (ADCEB) in partnership with the Experience Hub, will …

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the capital’s first low-cost carrier, has announced the launch of its new route from Abu Dhabi to Moscow in Russia. The new direct flights will connect Abu Dhabi International Airport to Moscow Domodedovo Airport with a frequency of five flights weekly, starting from November 18, 2022. Schedule to Moscow, effective November 18, 2022 (all times local):   Flight     Departure           Time      Arrival   Time      Aircraft Frequency 3L 750  Abu Dhabi           09:00     Moscow               13:35     Airbus A320        Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun 3L 751   Moscow               14:25     Abu Dhabi           20:35     Airbus A320        Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun   As part of its expansion plan, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi continues to add more connectivity to and from the capital city. Its fleet has also witnessed expansion, from just 2 Airbus A320 aircrafts at inception to 8 new aircrafts today. The new route to Moscow marks the 27th destination that Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flies to after Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, India, Bangladesh, Turkey, Nepal, Sudan, Pakistan, Oman, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia, served directly from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is continuously working on serving its passengers with exceptional quality, starting from its aircraft which is configured with 174 seats, providing passengers with added comfort with one of the most generous seat-pitches of any economy cabin. The aircraft is also equipped with “SkyTime”, a free in-flight streaming service that will allows passengers to stream a wide selection of entertainment directly to their devices. Before flights, eligible travellers can also benefit from the Abu Dhabi City Check-in service where they can drop off their bags and collect their boarding passes at the Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Sales Shop on Hamdan Street. Customers can now book their direct …

Yango, an international ride-hailing app, has launched in Dubai, marking the company’s first foray into the GCC market.  The service received all necessary permissions and was approved by local authorities to operate in the emirate. The service already operates in more than 20 countries across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa. “We are delighted to officially announce the launch of our service in Dubai, one of the most influential economic centres in the region, attracting investments and people from all over the world. We believe there is high demand for a premium, high-tech, ride-hailing service, and the highest standards of service, attention to detail and smart technologies that Yango brings to customers can really make a big change. We are excited to present users in Dubai with an advanced ride-hailing service like no other,” said Islam Abdul Karim, general manager for Yango GCC. To hail a car, all users have to do is download the app, launch it, and select their destination. Using the customer’s geolocation, the service will alert the nearest drivers. Users have a choice of two tiers to choose from for their rides: Comfort, granting them pick-ups in premium cars, such as Lexus ES, and Premier tariff, ensuring users luxury cars, including GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes S-class, BMW 7 Series cars as well as promising a supreme level of customer service for a slightly higher price. Vehicles from both tiers will provide phone-charging cables and bottles of water, while the Premier tier also offers passengers dates. Unlike other players, Yango provides quick car dispatches thanks to its exclusively developed technologies that help reduce the time a driver spends seeking a customer or driving to …

Under the patronage of His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa Al Hammadi, Chairman of Etihad Aviation Group and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Etihad Airways will host the Arab Air Carriers’ Organization (AACO) 55th Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held in Abu Dhabi from 24 to 26 October. The opening ceremony will be held at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, welcoming senior aviation leaders and decision-makers with the participation of 34 airlines from across the region, as well as international and regional organisations in the aviation sector. His Excellency Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Etihad Aviation Group, stated: “We are proud Etihad Airways is hosting the upcoming AACO Annual General Meeting for the second time since 2011. This highlights the vital role airlines have in supporting the economic development of the region, which became more evident with the challenges the pandemic imposed on the aviation industry. “The AGM is an opportunity to highlight the achievements we have accomplished together as an industry over the past years, as well as a chance to strengthen the existing cooperation on issues of common interest.” Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Hosting the upcoming AACO AGM rounds off a great year, when we reported the most successful financial results for H1 our business has achieved in its history and were named the Environmental Airline of the Year for our relentless efforts in the drive for sustainability. “Thanks to the aviation infrastructure we have in Abu Dhabi, and to our continuous business transformation plan, we come out of the crisis with more flexibility and readiness to operate our business and connect our communities. The AGM will be an …

Dubai Municipality  announced that the Dubai Safari Park opened its doors for its 2022-2023 season. One of the emirate’s most popular recreational and tourism destinations, the Park’s new season will see a wide range of new unique interactive entertainment and educational experiences and the addition of a number of new animals. Dubai Safari Park, which saw over half a million visits in the last season, is expected to ride on the rapidly growing international tourism interest in the emirate to be a big draw not only among residents but also global travellers. Aligned with Dubai Municipality’s plan to create world-class recreational destinations, the Dubai Safari Park has contributed to enriching Dubai’s value proposition as a major international tourism destination. The Park offers unique experiences with its diverse community of animals from across the world that live in a climate-controlled environment close to their natural habitat. Each season, the Park revitalises its attractions to further enhance its offerings for visitors. Ahmed Alzarooni, Director of the Public Parks and Recreational Facilities Department at the Dubai Municipality, said: “With attractions designed to appeal to visitors from across the world, the Park is fully geared to offer another unique entertainment and educational experience for visitors. In the 2022-23 season, the Park is strongly focused on raising awareness about preventing extinction of endangered species through animal breeding programmes. Dubai Safari Park has implemented a wide range of conservation strategies to provide a better life for the animals. The Park’s dedicated veterinary and animal care units, together with other teams, work to maintain the highest global animal welfare benchmarks.” In November, a number of new animals will be added on the Safari Trip, which will contribute …

The fifth edition of the Gulf Travel Show (GTS) 2022 with Tourism Malaysia as platinum partner and German National Tourists Office GCC as silver partner successfully concluded yesterday after two very productive days of networking with an overwhelming response spearheading the recovery of tourism in the region. The theme in focus was sustainability hence buyers from across the Middle East were able to connect with exhibitors and conduct over 2000 one-on-one meetings attended by travel agents, tour operators, tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel management companies, international agencies and media. Yamina Sofo, Director of Sales and Marketing at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), the regional office of GNTB, “It’s been a pleasure being back at this year’s Gulf Travel Show, and connecting with both our legacy partners, and brand new potential who we’re looking forward to fostering relationships with. As part of the show, we have been presenting information on our #FeelGood campaign, which focuses on sustainable tourism and highlights ways to explore Germany’s diverse culture, while reducing carbon footprint. We are also driving awareness of accessible tourism, through Tourism For All, which promotes the barrier-free options in Germany and offers a wide range of adventurous offerings for all. In addition, we’re hosting a webinar on #FeelGood in the GTA auditorium, which we’re excited for visitors to the show to come and witness. The GCC is one of our most important source markets, so it’s great to be hear and further develop our understanding of the market, as well as present what we have on offer.” VIP buyer Zayeem Mohtisham, General Manager, Tour Planner reiterated, “We had a great experience at the Gulf Travel Show 5.0. Not only were the …

The Government of Japan announced a policy of resuming entry by individual travelers for tourism purposes beginning on October 11. JNTO looks forward to welcoming individual inbound travelers back to Japan with the long-awaited lifting of entry restrictions. The resumption of individual travel to Japan and visa waivers, and the elimination of the daily arrival cap will allow international visitors to enjoy Japan in more ways than in the past two-and-a-half years. These measures are long-awaited news for tourists around the world who have been looking forward to visiting Japan. Executive Director of JNTO Dubai office, KOBAYASHI Daisuke shared, “The Middle East is positioned as one of the 22 strategic international markets targeted by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Since the opening of the JNTO Dubai Office in November 2021, we have been eagerly awaiting, and busy preparing for, the day when international visitors can return to Japan with relaxed entry restrictions. 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and the United Arab Emirates. JNTO Dubai Office will engage in various promotional activities including commemorative events organized by the Japanese diplomatic missions as well as joint campaigns with stakeholders in the region. I am looking forward to seeing as many people as possible from the Middle East visit Japan in the coming months and year.” JNTO President SEINO Satoshi shared, “”The Japanese government has at last announced the resumption of individual travel for tourism purposes, visa waivers, and the elimination of the daily arrival cap. I am incredibly pleased to finally welcome back individual travelers after coping with the pandemic during a wait of    two-and-a-half years. In response to the announcement, JNTO will be doing everything …

ALL-Accor Live Limitless and Qatar Airways Privilege Club are pleased to announce the enhancement of their strategic partnership to provide new ways for members to accelerate point collection and fast track their tier status upgrades, solidifying the first venture of its kind in the Middle East and Africa region. Previously members could only earn points or miles with one program per booking, which could then be transferred between programs as per their preference. As part of the enhanced partnership, eligible customers who are members of Qatar Airways Privilege Club and ALL – Accor Live Limitless, will have the opportunity to earn simultaneously Avios from Privilege Club and ALL Reward points on eligible hotel bookings and Qatar Airways operated flights by linking their membership profiles. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “At Privilege Club we are constantly striving to achieve excellence by providing our members with a loyalty programme that sets the highest standards for our members. To achieve this, we have taken the strategic decision to enhance our partnership with Accor, expanding benefits for both Privilege Club and ALL – Accor Live Limitless members and granting opportunities for tier fast-track. We look forward for our members to enjoy the benefits of this partnership enhancement in some of the world’s leading hotels, as well as introducing members of ALL to our award-winning services.” Mehdi Hemici, Chief Loyalty and Partnerships Officer for Accor commented “We are thrilled to elevate our existing partnership with Qatar Airways by offering additional benefits to our joint members. Through a seamless web or app customer journey, members of ALL and Qatar Airways Privilege Club can easily enroll and get rewarded for each flight and hotel …