Emirates will launch a daily flight between Helsinki and Dubai from 1 October 2026, expanding its footprint in the Nordics. The new service introduces the only year-round, direct link between Finland and the UAE, and unlocking expanded opportunities for both international leisure and corporate travellers. The service will operate with Emirates’ newest aircraft type, the A350, bringing its latest products and highly acclaimed Premium Economy cabin to Finland, from the inaugural flight. Emirates flight EK167 will depart Dubai at 08:45hrs*, arriving in Helsinki at 14:55hrs*; the return flight, EK168 will depart Helsinki at 16:45*, landing in Dubai at 00:20* the following day. The flight schedule has been optimised to ensure smooth onwards connections, offering convenient access to and from key destinations across East and Southeast Asia such as Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, and Taipei; comprehensive connectivity across West Asia and popular Indian Ocean points; African destinations including Cairo, Cape Town and Johannesburg; major hubs across the Middle East and GCC including Damman, Riyadh, Muscat and Kuwait City; and all five Australian cities on Emirates’ network, as well as connections from Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer said, “The Dubai-Helsinki route is an exciting expansion on our global network. There is already strong demand between Helsinki and Dubai, with travellers connecting through our other Nordic gateways, so introducing direct, year-round connectivity is a natural next step, making the flight seamless and non-stop, while introducing more premium travel options to market. In addition to better serving current demand, we see potential to attract travellers who may have previously opted for alternative …

At a special webinar conducted by YouGov shared that hotel accommodation remains the top choice for UAE travellers embarking on leisure trips lasting more than five days, with 38% expressing a preference for hotels, according to recent insights. The trend highlights continued confidence in hotels for extended stays, driven by factors such as service quality, amenities, and convenience. As travellers increasingly seek comfort and consistency during longer holidays, hotels are benefiting from their ability to offer integrated experiences, including dining, wellness, and leisure facilities. The preference also reflects evolving travel habits in the UAE, where travellers are prioritising hassle-free stays and professionally managed accommodation when planning longer leisure breaks.

Odyssey DMC Qatar clenched the title of ‘Emerging DMC – Qatar’ at the 8th edition Arabian Travel Awards 2025. “It feels great to receive this award, and it is not the first time for us. We have been in the business for 43 years and are proud to be the first DMC established in the UAE. With over 90 products and a strong focus on cultural, historical, and interactive experiences, we continue to innovate. Going forward, we are expanding globally, with seven DMCs already established and many more developments ahead.” Mahareef Mohamed – Manager – Business Development & Signature Experiences – Odyssey DMC Qatar

Rosewood Doha welcomed guests to Lusail for an evening celebrating performance, culture, and contemporary design. Spanning across the property’s key venues and outdoor spaces, the evening marked the arrival of a new destination within Qatar’s evolving cultural landscape. The property is home to 155 rooms and suites, alongside 162 apartments and 276 Rosewood Residences, bringing together living, dining, wellbeing, and social experiences within Lusail Marina District. Its eight dining destinations span a diverse culinary landscape, including Chinese fine dining at Koo Madame, Mediterranean-inspired Mila, Butterfly Room & Patisserie, and the Golden-Age-inspired Stoke & Stoker, alongside Sikar, QDeli, and Asaya Kitchen. Wellbeing is anchored by Asaya, Rosewood’s integrative wellbeing concept, reinforcing Rosewood Doha’s role as a place shaped by culture, creativity, and everyday living. “Rosewood Doha represents a thoughtful evolution of our brand in a city defined by ambition and creativity. This celebration reflected our commitment to building places that resonate culturally and foster meaningful connections within the communities they become part of. As Qatar continues to shape its cultural and creative narrative on a global stage, we are proud for Rosewood Doha to contribute to that journey and long-term vision.” Sonia Cheng, Chief Executive Officer, Rosewood Hotel Group. A carefully curated program of live performances anchored the evening, bringing together international and regional talents. British pianist and producer Tokio Myers, known for his fusion of classical and contemporary sound, delivered a dynamic live performance, while Saudi music duo AlTurk Twins presented a modern interpretation of Arab music, creating a powerful dialogue between global artistry and regional identity. The celebration also offered guests a closer look at Rosewood Doha as a destination in its own right. Rising along the Lusail Marina …

flyadeal has introduced a raft of customer experience enhancements focused on convenience and flexibility with highlights including 7kg free carry-on baggage on its most basic fare bundle, ‘fly’. The value-added hand baggage incentive recognises the need for passengers who purchase the low-cost carrier’s most popular low fare packages, to take more essentials onboard when planning their travels. The new benefit applies to all flyadeal domestic flights across Saudia Arabia and international services operated by the Kingdom’s fast-growing airline from bases in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah. In addition, flyadeal is relaunching other ancillary products to enhance customer awareness of its three tier fare bundle products – ‘fly, fly+ and flyMax. These include free date changes for ‘fly’ and fly+ bookings within two hours of making a reservation, and a small service fee for travel plan amendments up to 90 minutes before departure. And for those passengers purchasing flyadeal’s highest tier flyMax fares, benefits include unlimted complimentary flight changes up to 90 minutes before departure, and full refund on cancellations up to three days before a flight. Abdullah Adel Alahmadi, flyadeal Senior Ancillary and Loyalty Manager said: “These changes and awareness notifications are being implemented based on continuous consumer surveys and feedback on ways to improve the customer experience. “By offering 7kg free carry-on on our most basic bundle, passengers can travel with confidence of being able to avail the lowest fares knowing they can carry more essentials onboard. We also realise passengers sometimes need greater understanding of our benefits being more flexible, helping them make decision-making much easier, and taking the stress out of travel planning.” flyadeal operates scheduled flights to more than 30 domestic and international seasonal and year-round destinations in the Middle East, Europe, …

As the first Salmani style architectural tower in Saudi Arabia, Radisson Collection Residence, Riyadh will feature 170 high end serviced apartments, including eight penthouses and four villas for both short and long term stays. Each apartment reflects Radisson Collection’s signature contemporary elegance, the building amenities such as a rooftop pool overlooking the skyline, sets a new refined urban living. Positioned on King Fahad Road in the Al Mutamarat District, the residence offers effortless access to Riyadh’s business, government, and leisure hubs, and is just 40 minutes from King Khalid International Airport.

Discover Dubai’s newest Saturday Brunch à La Française at Michelin-rated Brasserie Boulud, located in Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. Savor refined flavours, culinary theatre, and live jazz melodies and ring for fresh oysters all afternoon during this sophisticated weekend dining experience. The brunch begins with French classics like Steak Tartare, Escargot de Bourgogne, tarte flambée, and other Brasserie signature starters to share. The afternoon unfolds continues with freshly shucked oysters, served directly from the show kitchen to the table, showcasing the oceans’ finest. Guests can ring for fresh oysters throughout the afternoon, and enjoy delectable main course options, from Filet de Boeuf Rossini, a pan-seared Black Angus tenderloin crowned with foie gras and spinach purée, to the Roulade de Sole au Caviar, delicately paired with sunchoke and a rich caviar beurre blanc. As live singer and saxophonist melodies fill the brasserie, the Saturday Brunch concludes with classic French desserts. Guests can enjoy Crêpes Suzette, flambéed tableside, or Tarte Tatin featuring caramelised apples and buttery pastry. Families with little ones receive complimentary access to AstroKids Club for children aged 4 to 12. Join us for Saturday Brunch à La Française, Dubai’s newest weekend ritual where flavour, elegance, and melody meet. Venue: Brasserie Boulud, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk – 2nd Floor Timing: Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm Brunch Packages: Mocktail Package – AED 345, House Beverage Package – AED 495, Champagne Package – AED 695, Kids (6–11 years) – AED 175 For Reservations: Book Online or contact +971 4 281 4111 | dine.dubaitheobelisk@sofitel.com

Tourism Malaysia is scaling up its promotional activities in the GCC region following the vibrant launch of the I LITE U urban lighting and cultural campaign in Kuala Lumpur’s iconic Bukit Bintang district. As a signature event under the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) initiative, the launch showcased Malaysia’s rich cultural tapestry, modern creative energy, and commitment to sustainable tourism—setting a powerful tone for the country’s tourism year ahead. The I LITE U campaign is designed to highlight Malaysia’s dynamic cultural scene, heritage traditions, and world class entertainment offerings. Bukit Bintang, renowned for its luxury hotels, lifestyle malls, and bustling food streets, proved to be the perfect setting for this high-impact reveal, drawing large crowds of residents and international visitors. The district came alive with interactive light installations that symbolized Malaysia’s bright tourism future, combining modern innovation with cultural depth. These installations illuminated key facets of Malaysian identity and reinforced the nation’s vision of blending tradition, creativity, and sustainability to elevate visitor experiences. The launch featured an impressive program of cultural and contemporary performances—from traditional Malay dance and Chinese lion dances to modern street-art showcases—each celebrating Malaysia’s multicultural identity. Local artisans and craftspeople also demonstrated their work, reinforcing Malaysia’s rising profile as a hub for creative tourism. The event’s main attraction, a dazzling light show projected onto Bukit Bintang’s landmark buildings, captivated audiences and created a fully immersive and interactive experience that reflected the spirit of VM2026. Malaysia’s tourism sector continues to rebound strongly, supported by diversification strategies that appeal to a wide spectrum of travelers. The VM2026 campaign aims to strengthen Malaysia’s global tourism position by showcasing not only its popular beaches and major cities, but also its cultural heritage, culinary …

Ardee has officially broken ground on the AED 2 billion Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island & Fairmont Al Marjan Island Hotel. The on-site groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of construction on one of Ras Al Khaimah’s most significant and anticipated waterfront developments signalling the beginning of a flagship project set to redefine contemporary waterfront living on Al Marjan Island. Following the successful completion of enabling works, piling has now commenced, marking the project’s first major construction milestone. With full site mobilisation underway, works span nearly 1.2 million sq. ft. of gross floor area (GFA), encompassing both the hotel and residences. Piling is scheduled for completion by April 2026, paving the way for a seamless transition into main construction. As the first development within Ardee’s 5.6 million GFA masterplan, Fairmont Residences Al Marjan Island & Fairmont Al Marjan Island Hotel establishes the benchmark for the destination’s design, quality and lifestyle vision. With 519 branded residences and townhouses, four signature sea villas and an integrated 250-key hotel, the project represents one of the most significant branded coastal developments in the emirate, slated for completion in 2028. Residents will enjoy the perfect blend of Fairmont’s renowned luxury and resort-style convenience, featuring private beach access, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, pools for families and adults, curated social and dining spaces, wellness and entertainment amenities, and direct connectivity to the adjacent Fairmont Al Marjan Island Hotel, creating a lifestyle where relaxation, recreation, and community come together seamlessly. Romeo Abdo, Founder of Ardee says, “Today marks an important milestone for Ardee. The groundbreaking signals the start of a flagship beachfront development that reflects our commitment to design excellence, long-term quality, and modern coastal living. This project is the …

Musafir Business walked away with the title of ‘Best Corporate Travel Company’ at the 8th Edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2025. “We are proud to announce that Musafir Business has been awarded Best Corporate Travel Company at the Arabian Travel Awards 2025. This achievement is dedicated to our customers who trust us with their journeys and to our incredible team whose hard work makes every trip seamless and stress free. Together, we continue to raise the bar in corporate travel. Onwards and upwards.” Raheesh Babu, COO – Musafir Business