Discover Europe travel summit this year was organised by tourism boards of  Austria, Germany, Ireland and Switzerland. Over 95 partners were present from all 4 destinations and key travel agents from the GCC attended the summit over the last two days. It was the first time after the pandemic that all GCC countries got the opportunity to be present physically to meet and network with partners from Europe. The two day event kicked off with new campaign presentations by each tourism board director, followed by B2B meetings between the trade partners. Travel trade partners from Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attended the event with of course the host country participants from across the UAE as well. Robert Groeblacher Director Austria tourism shared that it was very refreshing to meet everyone in person this year as last year most GCC countries were still closed hence participation was limited but this year saw a rise in the number of entrants. He further reiterated that the past year Austria had a good number of visitors from the GCC as they opened fairly early in the region for travellers to visit the destination. Yamina Sofo Director Marketing German National Tourist Office for GCC countries in her presentation provided a sneak preview of one of the main campaigns to be launched this year which is based on nature. Embrace nature as the campaign started showed places and experiences that must be tried and should include in the bucket list. Sofo also shared that Germany had also achieved a high number of visitors from the region, hence they have more campaigns for the market this year. Aisling McDermott Manager tourism Ireland for Middle …

With Dubai fully regaining its vibrancy after safely navigating and accelerating out of the unprecedented global challenge, the city’s newly formed Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) will showcase the diversity of Dubai’s destination offering, along with innovative initiatives designed to further strengthen the city’s tourism industry, during the 29th edition of Arabian Travel Market. With this year’s ATM set to shine a light on the growth trajectory of the global travel and tourism industry, as well as the challenges ahead under the theme ‘The future of international travel and tourism’, DET looks forward to sharing and facilitating the exchange of information and ideas and leverage opportunities for sustainable growth. Located in Hall 3 at Dubai World Trade Centre, a bigger and all-new design Dubai stand (ME-3110) will see more than 100 partners and representatives from government entities, hotels, destination management companies and tour operators join DET to safely welcome visitors, as well as over 290 international hosted buyers to the event. The Dubai stand will also highlight key activities of government bodies and industry stakeholders including Dubai Police, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA -Dubai), Dubai Health Authority, SMCCU, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Culture, Accor and Marriott International.   Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, commented: “ATM is an important platform for global and regional tourism and this year the forum is happening at a time when the world is increasingly looking to take a leaf out of Dubai’s successful tourism recovery strategy. As the host destination and one of the longstanding partners of this annual event, Dubai’s participation together with a cross-section of  government and industry partners is fundamental to providing …

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), the executive arm of the Sultanate of Oman for tourism development, announce plans for the upcoming Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Muscat, Oman. The luxury development will comprise of an urban style resort, perfect for business travellers or leisure guests looking to visit the historic sights of Oman’s capital city – a rare opportunity to relish in the relaxing mountain and seaside setting. For those looking to make Four Seasons part of their everyday lifestyle, the project will also include a collection of Private Residences with sweeping views of the Sea of Oman. “The Middle East continues to be an integral part of Four Seasons growth strategy, as we look for opportunities to offer unmatched Four Seasons experiences in exciting and dynamic destinations such as Muscat,” says Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development and Portfolio Management, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “We are excited to be a part of OMRAN Group’s long-term vision for the future development of Oman’s tourism landscape, further accelerating the strategic growth of its capital city and continuing to attract luxury guests and residents from around the world with a brand new Four Seasons offering.” Oman is located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, along the Sea of Oman. Muscat is an ancient city with a long history as an important port destination with a vibrant culture. The idyllic landscape is marked by the backdrop of the Al Hajar Mountains with unending views across the Arabian Sea. In addition to the tranquil setting, leisure travellers can enjoy local attractions such as myriad museums, mosques and heritage sites. “Muscat is a destination …

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi announced the commencement of its seasonal flights to Trabzon in Turkey from Abu Dhabi, starting June 15, 2022. Schedule to Trabzon, effective June 15, 2022 (all times local): Flight Departure Time Arrival Time Aircraft Frequency  G9 371 Abu Dhabi 14:50 Trabzon 17:35 Airbus A320 Wednesday G9 372 Trabzon 18:15 Abu Dhabi 22:50 Airbus A320 Wednesday   Located on the Black Sea coast of northeast Turkey, Trabzon is a picturesque city known for its natural landscapes, forests, and crystal springs. The city has been a melting-pot of religions, languages, and cultures for centuries. Customers can now book their direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Trabzon by visiting Air Arabia’s website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies.  

Tourism professionals from around the world will return to Dubai today when Arabian Travel Market, the leading event for the travel industry in the Middle East, returns to the Dubai World Trade Centre today in a few hours. The event will welcome more than 20,000 visitors and over 1,500 exhibiting companies during the four-day tourism showcase, which concludes on Thursday, 12 May. 112 countries will be featured on the show floor ranging from Japan to Jamaica and South Africa to Italy. Industry professionals will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the latest trends from a cross-section of travel, including technology, transport, sustainability, events and business. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME – Arabian Travel Market, said: “Arabian Travel Market 2022 will reiterate the importance of the travel industry as we continue to address the challenges of COVID-19 while also outlining how we drive the industry forward. “The tourism industry has rebounded incredibly well. As a result, we have seen a clear uptick in participation, with floor space increasing by over 85% compared to the previous year and Middle East exhibitor space eclipsing 2019 levels. We now have the perfect opportunity to hear from industry professionals on the latest trends helping the industry recover and flourish in many instances.” In line with this year’s theme of ‘The future of international travel and tourism’, ATM 2022 will unveil new technology that will eliminate the need for business cards and allow exhibitors and visitors to share details, brochures and marketing material via innovative scanners and badges. Further underscoring the technology focus is the revamped and rebranded ATM Travel Tech event, previously called Travel Forward. A host of exciting sessions will take place, including …

Now, the Emirates boarding pass is more than a travel document or travel keepsake, it is also the key to the coolest deals in Dubai this summer! For five months starting May 01 to September 30, Emirates is unlocking even more offers for all its customers arriving in or stopping over in Dubai with its My Emirates Summer Pass. Emirates’ customers can simply show their boarding pass and a valid form of identification to hundreds of retail, leisure and dining outlets to enjoy fantastic discounts throughout Dubai. In addition, during May, those landing in Dubai can enjoy a complimentary Dubai Marina Cruise, which gives unrivalled panoramic views of one of the city’s most iconic skylines from the Arabian Gulf. Pre-booking is not required for the single-entry complimentary ticket to Tour Dubai’s one hour Marina Sightseeing Cruise. The Emirates customer just has to show a valid boarding pass, either digital or paper, at the ticketing counter on the day of use as well as proof of identity. The cruise is only valid from May 01 – 31 between 10am and 4pm. UAE residents and nationals returning home to Dubai on Emirates during the promotional period can also benefit from the fantastic offers under My Emirates Summer Pass. Visiting friends and family can also avail of offers at top designer brand outlets like Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger or splash out at Bath & Body Works. Families can save and beat the summer heat at Atlantis Aquaventure or break a sweat on some of the adrenaline-pumping attractions at IMG world of Adventure. Couples who would appreciate a quiet afternoon at a spa can indulge themselves at the Sofitel Spa with  L’Occitane or …

The world-renowned hospitality event, The Hotel Show, returns to Dubai in May for three days celebrating the industry’s greatest names, brands and talent. Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on the 24-26 May, the event has become a key date in the industry calendar, taking place in one of the world’s greatest destinations. Dubai has become a leading global destination for both leisure, tourism and hospitality and is one of the most attractive hospitality markets in the world, with a constant stream of investment. According to preliminary data from STR, Dubai’s hotel sector experienced its highest occupancy since 2007 during the final weeks before Expo 2020, with a total of 91.7% of Dubai’s rooms occupied. With the growing hospitality industry in the region, The Hotel Show Dubai has grown to become the largest and most prestigious trade event for hospitality in the Middle East and Africa, and the ultimate meeting place for the industry over the last 22 years. “The hosting of The Hotel Show Dubai is testament to Dubai’s ability to organise world class international events while positioning Dubai as a global city that is open, safe and accessible for UAE residents and leisure and business travellers. Over the past year, Dubai’s hotel sector has performed remarkably well, further accelerating momentum across the city’s travel and tourism industry. As a platform where F&B and Hospitality professionals can come together and really connect, and knowledge share and learn from each other, The Hotel Show will reaffirm Dubai’s position as a must-visit global destination,” said Hoor Al Khaja, Associate VP of International Operations at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. With supporting partners including Dubai’s Department of Economy and …

In a first for Dubai and the UAE – UFI the Global Events Industry Association has elected Geoff Dickinson, CEO of dmg events, as their president for 2024, recognising Dubai and Abu Dhabi as world leading event destinations. Under the leadership of Dickinson since 2010, Dubai-headquartered dmg events is one of the top twenty, international exhibition and conference organisers, with ten offices around the world and organises nearly 100 events annually. Commenting on his appointment, Dickinson said: “I am truly honoured to serve an industry that I am so passionate about. This is the first time any event professional from the UAE has been appointed to this prestigious role and I am sure that the UAE’s status as a leading international events hub, especially having hosted the ‘world’s greatest show’ Expo 2020, was at the very least, a contributing factor.” UFI is the global association of the world’s leading tradeshow organisers and its main goal is to represent, promote and support the business interests of its members and the exhibition industry in general. The UFI president is elected by the UFI’s board of directors for a one-year mandate, becoming its legal and official representative, chairing the executive committee, the board of directors and the general assemblies. UFI directly represents around 50,000 exhibition industry professionals globally, and also works closely with its 63 national and regional association members and includes 795 member organisations in 83 countries and regions around the world. “I will always champion the events industry, focusing on diversity, innovation, technology and sustainability,” added Dickinson. The events industry is vital to the UAE economy. According to an impact report released by the Dubai World Trade Centre, business tourism generated …

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) has announced its participation during the 2022 edition of Arabian Travel Market in a bid to develop and deepen trade relationships within the Middle East’s travel industry. During the event, visitors to the JTB stand will discover Jamaica’s world-class hotels, rejuvenating spa and wellness offerings, soft adventure activities, as well as gain familiarity with industry updates following Jamaica’s positive participation during Expo 2020. During the travel trade show, travel trade professionals will be able to explore leisure travel opportunities and learn more about the destination’s hotels, cruises and restaurants, as well as business incentives in the MICE space, in addition to investment opportunities. Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board commented: “We are excited to engage with travel and tourism professionals from the region as we look forward to welcoming travellers from the MENA region to explore “The Heartbeat of the World”. Tourism is such a key part of Jamaica’s DNA and we are excited to share how the island’s hospitality is evolving and how deeply connected we are to the Middle East.” Following their successful participation during Expo 2020 whereby the destination welcomed more than 250,000 visitors to the Jamaica Pavilion, the Jamaica Tourist Board will highlight ongoing positive discussions with Emirates Airlines to enhance connectivity with the Middle East, as well as meet new and existing trade partners as the island moves to capitalise on its popularity as an emerging holiday destination for travellers from the region. Arabian Travel Market is set to take place from 9th-12th May at the Dubai World Trade Centre, welcoming a host of key travel trade experts from across the region and beyond. The Jamaica Tourist Board …

The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) will return to Saudi Arabia in a new format on 24-25 May 2022 in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Under the theme Reimagined Horizons, co-organisors The Bench and MEED, along with Saudi-based organiser SEMARK, have designed the programme around the key themes of the future of hotel development, destination impact, aviation, sustainability, restaurant investment and human capital. “We’re thrilled to bring three investment communities under one roof at FHS Saudi Arabia this year; Saudi Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC), Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) and AVIADEV, which are all represented in our action-packed programme in Riyadh later this month,” said Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench. “Our focus will be on the future of our industry and delegates will have over 40 opportunities to deliberate, learn and network over two exciting days. With a range of different formats from main stage presentations, workshops and panel discussions to interviews, break-out sessions and networking opportunities, we look forward to facilitating ground-breaking conversations on what’s next for the hospitality industry,” he added. Hosted by Dur Hospitality, FHS Saudi Arabia will kick off with a Moroccan-themed opening reception showcasing the group’s unique hospitality concepts. Ahead of the event, Dur’s CEO Mr. Sultan bin Badr Al Otaibi stated: “It’s a great pleasure to host such a grand event debuting the new era of hospitality and redefining the future of this vibrant industry while creating numerous opportunities to drive collaboration and joint leadership action from across the global hospitality sector.” The GRIF community will be the first to take the stage at FHS with a series of sessions dedicated to the Kingdom’s F&B investment scene, including a focus on dining trends, new brands and …