Qatar Tourism, through the Service Excellence Academy, has launched a new training program titled ‘Qatar Ambassadors: The Road to Excellence’, which is being implemented in collaboration with the Police Officers Institute of the Ministry of Interior, with the aim of improving the visitor experience at all entry and exit ports by developing the skills and knowledge of port and passport officers. The first-of-its-kind training program lasted for three days and concluded with the handing over of 20 graduates certificates of completion on October 22 at the Civil Defense Officers Club. During the program, the important role of passport officers as “ambassadors of Qatar” who make first and last impressions that often last for visitors was recalled. Interns gain the experience and skills to deliver exceptional services and seamless experiences for all passengers. The program aims to enable officers to deal with diverse situations with professionalism, empathy and care, by enhancing their effective communication skills, emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity. The program includes five modules: the role of migration in the travel experience, mastering effective communication skills, striving for excellence, emotional intelligence, and Qatar ambassadors. Commenting on the training programme, Mr. Omar Al Jaber, Acting Head of Tourism Development, said: “The Qatar Ambassadors: The Road to Excellence programme is a joint effort and collaboration between Qatar Tourism’s Academy of Service Excellence and the Police Officers Institute to provide training for frontline workers dealing face-to-face with visitors to Qatar, as the first to receive visitors upon arrival in Qatar. The role they play in representing Qatar is vital to maintaining the mental image of our country in front of visitors. At Qatar Tourism, we are committed to achieving the highest standards of …

According to the latest report UAE travelers in 2025 would be maximizing their trips with all inclusive offers. All-inclusive resorts are far more than families looking for fun in the sun by the pool. Today’s all-inclusives are attracting Gen-Zers from across the world and similarly, UAE residents, who are looking for stress-free stays and a good deal. In the UAE, over 90% of travelers are likely to stay in an all-inclusive resort in 2025. 47% say their perception of all-inclusive hotels has changed for the better, and over half agree that an all-inclusive resort would be their preferred hotel choice. The top three reasons Gen Z globally is embracing their All-Inclusive Era are minimal stress (41%), ease of booking (39%), and because staying at all-inclusive hotels feels luxurious (38%).

Wego revealed data on the most popular destinations favored by Kuwait travelers this year and they include Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, the Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom. Wego observes that Kuwaiti travelers continue to favor these same countries throughout the year for homecoming and holiday trips. Wego’s experts further forecast that this lineup will likely remain unchanged for the remainder of 2024. This steady preference is driven by several factors, including strong family ties, affordable travel options, and a familiarity with the destinations. Traveler dynamics Wego data reveals that a substantial 75% of bookings were made by solo travelers.  This trend could be driven by factors such as solo business trips, personal leisure travel, or flexible schedules that allow individuals to explore destinations on their own terms. Meanwhile, couples and families accounted for 20% of the travel bookings, highlighting varied travel dynamics within the Kuwaiti population. The remaining percentage is made up of group travel bookings. These varied travel dynamics reflect the diverse preferences within the Kuwaiti population, from independent adventurers to those seeking experiences with loved ones. Cultural familiarity boosts popularity of some destinations Further analysis by Wego indicates that cultural familiarity plays a pivotal role in destination choice. Destinations such as Georgia and Azerbaijan in Europe, along with Indonesia and Malaysia in Southeast Asia, feature prominently on the list of most-searched destinations this year. These places are noted to offer visa-free entry or easy online visa applications for Kuwaiti citizens, enhancing their appeal as hassle-free travel options. Healthy growth Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer of Wego, said: “We observe that the Kuwaiti travel market has seen a robust 14.69% year-over-year increase …

Oman Air Holidays is kicking off the winter season with exclusive offers on vacation packages to the Maldives. Starting from just OMR 301, guests can tailor their trip with a choice of three direct flights a week, stays of 3, 4 or 5 nights, and a range of quality accommodation options to suit their preferences. With Oman Air’s award-winning service and unbeatable value, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore one of the world’s most idyllic holiday destinations. Guests can fly with Oman Air from Muscat to Malé on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The outbound flight departs from Muscat at 0905 and arrives in at Malé at 1405, while the return flight departs from Malé at 1505 and arrives in Muscat at 1810. Meanwhile, Oman Air has increased a number of its flights for the upcoming winter season, including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Munich, Paris and Milan, offering guests excellent value, convenient timings, and seamless connectivity. Offer is valid for sale until 8 October 2024 and for travel between 03 December 2024 and 31 March 2025. Other terms and conditions apply.

Etihad Airways announces an enhancement to its European network. From 1 October 2025, the airline will offer daily services to both Dusseldorf, Germany, and Copenhagen, Denmark, further strengthening connections between the UAE and these European destinations. The Dusseldorf route will see a substantial increase from its current schedule to a daily service. This expansion represents an addition of four weekly flights, providing passengers with greater flexibility and connectivity. Additionally, Dusseldorf will now be served year-round, offering consistent travel options throughout all seasons. Similarly, the Copenhagen route will be enhanced from its present four-times-weekly schedule to daily operations. This change adds three more weekly flights to the Danish capital, further strengthening Etihad’s presence in Scandinavia. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, commented: “This move to daily flights for Dusseldorf and Copenhagen marks an exciting chapter in our European expansion. It reflects our commitment to providing unparalleled connectivity between Abu Dhabi and key European cities. These enhanced frequencies allow us to offer our guests greater flexibility and improved connection options across our global network. As we continue to grow, we remain dedicated to delivering our award-winning service and hospitality on these routes, ensuring every journey with Etihad is exceptional.” These enhancements reflect Etihad’s commitment to expanding its global network and providing guests with even more flexible and reliable travel options between Abu Dhabi and key European cities. Dusseldorf A perfect blend of modernity and tradition, Dusseldorf offers a unique European experience. Known for its fashion industry and art scene, the city’s Media Harbour showcases cutting-edge architecture. Visitors can enjoy luxury shopping along the famous Königsallee or explore the charming Altstadt (Old Town) for a taste of traditional German culture. Copenhagen …

TIME Hotels announced their expansion into Asia with the launch of two new brands, HALO by TIME and VIVI by TIME, at Future Hospitality Summit in Dubai. Both brands will make their debut in the Maldives and scheduled to open in Q4, 2026. This expansion showcases the continued growth of TIME Hotels – who to date have properties spanning the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Liberia – into a new region. Situated on Hankede Island, in the Addu atoll – the southernmost atoll in the Maldives – VIVI by TIME our Lifestyle brand will have 75 rooms over six stories with spectacular sea views and an array of first class facilities. HALO by TIME, our upscale brand, spans 8 storey’s with 150 keys, including bespoke sunrise and sunset over water villas. TIME has partnered with Maldives Fund Management Corporation (MFMC) for their first launch into the region. MFMC is a 100% state-owned company established in 2019 involves the fulfilment of national development goals of Maldives through increased private sector investment and addressing limitations in the local financial system. Mohamed Awadalla, CEO of TIME Hotels, comments: “This is an exciting moment for TIME hotels as we announce our continued expansion with two new sub brands and two hotels opening in the Maldives. Our first foray into this part of the world, TIME is going from strength to strength and I look forward to continuing our positive trajectory in new territories.” Ahmed Nazim, Manging Director of MFMC, adds: “We are happy to collaborate with such a prestigious GCC based company in creating these stunning hotels in the Addu atoll. The partnership is a great example of the progress we are …

As Riyadh Season 2024 kicked off last week, it is stated that an impressive two million visitors were received. This remarkable achievement was announced by the chairman of the board of directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), Advisor Turki bin Abdulmohsen AlAlshikh. The overwhelming turnout highlights the public’s enthusiasm for this annual entertainment extravaganza. This year, the season features five main areas: Boulevard World, Kingdom Arena, Boulevard City, The Venue, and Al-Suwaidi Park. Boulevard World has undergone a significant 30 percent expansion to accommodate the surge in visitors, introducing new events and attractions. The area now boasts five new sections representing Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Iran, Africa, and Courchevel, bringing the total to 22 diverse areas from around the globe, along with 300 restaurants and cafés, and more than 890 shops. In a landmark event, Kingdom Arena hosted a historic boxing match in which Artur Beterbiev was crowned the undisputed champion in the light heavyweight division after defeating Dmitry Bivol by majority decision. This intense bout showcased fierce competition in the boxing world and marked a milestone in the sport. The Venue area launched its season with the prestigious Six Kings Slam Championship, touted as the world’s most expensive tennis tournament. This event attracted six of the top-ranked tennis stars, including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune. Additionally, Al-Suwaidi Park is currently hosting a vibrant array of Indian cultural events, which will continue until Tuesday. These festivities feature popular shows, traditional cuisine, and artistic concerts, drawing large crowds from the Indian community, residents, and culture enthusiasts. Boulevard City is captivating visitors with innovative entertainment experiences, including the PUBG Mobile game and the Conan experience, alongside …

Smart Travel option at the Zayed International Airport was displayed recently at GITEX Global Dubai. In keeping with its seamless journey experience the UAE has taken a step further ensuring that the passengers no longer have to wait long hours in the queue instead they can receive a quick entrance through the special gates at the terminal. The passenger’s biometric fingerprints are captured and available across all the crossing points. The boarding pass has all the information about the traveller which is captured, hence they can travel with ease. H.E. Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili added: “The Smart Travel Project is one of the most important pioneering projects in the field of travel, as it contributes to the development of the passenger’s journey at Zayed International Airport by capturing the passenger’s biometric fingerprints at all crossing points used electronically by passengers during the travel trip, by installing biometric capture devices that identify the traveler by scanning the face print without the need to present the passport or boarding pass at any of the seven crossing points that The traveler passes through it. His Excellency stated that the project achieves many advantages and added value for passengers, airports, airlines, as well as ports and passport departments, pointing out that the project provides travelers with an enjoyable, comfortable and effort-free personal travel experience by crossing travelers from crossing points in an easy, smart and smooth way.  

Qatar is looking at promoting its premier specialised medical procedures center to attract medical tourists. Conveniently situated at the crossroads of East and West, Qatar with its world-class healthcare system, renowned for its advanced technology, state-of-the-art facilities, warm hospitality, and unparalleled accessibility. With specialised hospitals for paediatric and women’s health, as well as world-renowned orthopaedic experts, Qatar’s medical excellence is consistently ranked among the top five globally for quality of care, with highly trained professionals and advanced facilities equipped to handle even the most complex medical cases. Being away from home during a medical procedure can be daunting, but Qatar’s proximity to major cities allows families to visit with ease. With most major cities just a convenient six to eight-hour flight away, Qatar’s strategic location seamlessly connects over 177 destinations across the USA, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. This ease of access is further enhanced by Qatar’s welcoming visa policies, with visa-on-arrival options available to citizens from 102 countries. Whether it’s a quick flight from Europe or a short trip from neighbouring Gulf countries, patients, along with their families and friends, can easily access Qatar. Qatar’s commitment to medical excellence is evident in its state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, consistently ranked among the top globally. Institutions such as Sidra Hospital, specialising in paediatric and women’s health, made headlines with the discovery and diagnosis of a new gastroenterological disease, which saved the lives of two young brothers through a precision medicine treatment programme. This breakthrough is set to influence how the disease is diagnosed and treated worldwide. Aspetar, the Gulf’s first specialised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital, has become the facility of choice for global professional athletes seeking medical care, including notable …

The National Aquarium, located at Al Qana, is thrilled to announce a spectacular Diwali celebration, presented by ‘Mermaids of Arabia.’ For the first time in the UAE, the event will feature ‘Hydroman’, the Guinness World Record-holding underwater dancer. From October 31st to November 3rd, visitors will have the unique opportunity to witness a mesmerizing underwater dance and acrobatic performance. Designed to enchant audiences of all ages, this Diwali celebration features a breathtaking underwater spectacle that combines artistry and acrobatics. It’s a one-of-a-kind event where families and friends can come together to share in the festive spirit, creating joyful memories in a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere. The National Aquarium offers visitors a blend of entertainment, education, and adventure. Home to a diverse array of marine life and engaging exhibits, the Aquarium invites families and the local community to explore the wonders of the underwater world through unique experiences that create lasting memories. With immersive displays and interactive activities, it stands out as a top choice for those seeking memorable outings, making it a must-visit destination.