Global Village, the region’s leading family destination for culture, shopping, and entertainment, opened its doors yesterday, marking the official start of its 27th season. This year, Global Village brings together 27 pavilions, over 3,500 shopping outlets and more than 250 restaurants, cafes, and street food options. Featuring 40,000 shows, guests can experience a new lineup of some of the world’s best performers, famous characters, world-class concerts, street entertainment and the region’s only water-based stunt show. More than 175 rides, games and attractions are also available for guests to enjoy, including the new Global Village Big Balloon, a one-of-its-kind Helium Balloon Ride providing spectacular 360-degree views across Global Village and its wider surroundings. Mohamed Sharaf, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Holding Entertainment, said, “Global Village has been a regional and international phenomenon for close to three decades, helping cement Dubai as a global hub for entertainment and tourism. Since the end of Season 26, our teams have been using guest feedback and data to find new and unique ways to take the guest experience to the next level. This would not be possible without our extraordinary teams and partners, who work tirelessly to bring the beautiful cultures of the world to Dubai’s Global Village. We are delighted to welcome our guests from across the globe to the 27th Season of Global Village with another unmissable line-up of attractions, shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences.” Celebrating the opening of Season 27, Global Village is bringing a unique fleet of some of the world’s most recognisable and iconic cars to the streets of Dubai. The Global Village “wonder rides” feature taxis from New York, Cuba, Japan, Thailand, Mexico, and Lebanon. Global Village will also …

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing both organisations to closer collaborative working, focusing on improving the environmental and social impact of the global hospitality industry. Through the MoU, WTTC and the Alliance have pledged to promote a united voice for a more sustainable future for the hospitality industry, cooperating on new research projects to foster understanding of the latest in sustainability innovation. The two organisations will also work together to raise awareness of new initiatives and suc-cess stories, launch new commissions and advisory bodies, further advance understanding of innovation and key sustainability indicators and partner on critical issues such as youth em-ployability, human trafficking, and climate action. Hotels and other tourist accommodation such as short-term rentals (STR) are at the heart of the hospitality industry, unlocking entire local economies through nearby restaurants, events, culture, and music venues. By working together, the industry can become a driving force toward a more sustainable future for the industry. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance has been a valuable supporter of our Hotel Sustainability Basics which are the first step in the ladder to advance sustainability in the industry. Although the hospitality industry has transformed dramatically in recent years, we recognise that there is still more that we can do together. Our collective efforts will enable the hospitality industry to continue moving towards a greater positive impact through this new partnership.” Glenn Mandziuk, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance CEO, said: “We are proud to be partnering with WTTC on promoting sustainable growth. This partnership combines the Alliance’s sector-specific expertise with WTTC’s scale and reach to …

Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia will take place in Riyadh in 2023, bringing together the region’s industry leaders for discussions, deals and insight on the continued growth of the Kingdom’s hospitality and tourism sectors. This will be the sixth industry conference organised by The Bench for the Saudi market. Host sponsors are Al Faisaliah Hotel and Al Khozama Investment. The 2023 edition of FHS Saudi Arabia will take place at the luxurious Prince Sultan Grand Hall, located in one of Riyadh’s most sought-after venues. Al Faisaliah Hotel is currently undergoing a guestroom and public area refurbishment, which is scheduled for completion by year-end 2023. The event will once again unite the investment communities of the Saudi Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC) and the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) and will bring together government leaders, hotel and F&B investors, developers and operators, to address the Kingdom’s latest developments and the industry’s hottest topics. “Following the resounding success of FHS in Riyadh and Dubai this year, we are excited to announce the dates and host partners for next year,” said Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench. This year’s events have further cemented the Future Hospitality Summit as the flagship hospitality investment platform in the region and we can’t wait to start working on the programmes for 2023. We are delighted to welcome Al Faisaliah Hotel and Al Khozama Investment as our host sponsors for the third edition of FHS Saudi Arabia and look forward to welcoming everyone to the iconic Al Faisaliah Hotel, managed by Mandarin Oriental.” FHS Saudi Arabia 2023 will focus on various conference tracks including hospitality investment, industry start-ups, sustainable development and human capital ecosystems. The FHS Advisory …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, have announced that the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi has reached 25% completion, with the UAE-based construction group ALEC having been appointed as the main contractor earlier this year. Located in Saadiyat Cultural District, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi is anticipated to be the largest of its kind in the region, allowing visitors to travel on a 14-billion-year journey through time and space – from the earliest origins of our universe to a thought-provoking perspective into our Earth’s future. Due to be completed at the end of 2025, it will be a scientific research and teaching institution and an educational resource for learning about the evolving story of our planet, aiming to ignite a life-long passion for the natural world in visitors of all ages. H.E. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will bring a new dimension of educational discovery to the Abu Dhabi community, as an entirely unique cultural attraction that offers visitors and residents endless inspiration. With work now underway on this pioneering institution, the realisation of our vision for the Saadiyat Cultural District moves one step closer. When completed, Saadiyat will offer the highest concentration of cultural experience in the world, cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as an innovative global destination of choice.” Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, said: “Through our partnership with DCT Abu Dhabi, we have been able to make strong progress on the development of this iconic cultural landmark. The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi will provide visitors with …

VOX Cinemas is excited to announce that Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ World Tour special from Buenos Aires, with a special guest appearance from BTS member Jin, will be broadcasted live across its cinemas in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt and Lebanon on Saturday, 29 October. With this worldwide broadcast of the band’s sold-out concert from Argentina, Coldplay fans across 70+ countries can unite and experience their favourite band’s record-breaking world tour on the big screen. The one-night only event promises a stadium-like spectacle bursting with classic Coldplay hits, lights, lasers, fireworks and stunning cinematography directed by acclaimed BAFTA-winning and Grammy-nominated director Paul Dugdale. The event is also set to feature the first-ever live performance of BTS member Jin’s new track “The Astronaut”, co-written by Coldplay. The ‘Music of the Spheres’ World Tour kicked off earlier this year, marking the British rock band’s return to live performing after the COVID-19 pandemic. From March to September, Coldplay members Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Phil Harvey and Will Champion are travelling across Latin America, North America and Europe and are set to end their six-month world tour with a special live broadcast from Buenos Aires – the first-ever live worldwide cinema broadcast of a concert from Latin America. VOX Cinemas previously screened ‘Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams’, the band’s hugely successful seventh concert tour in 2018. Last March, it also broadcasted ‘BTS Permission to Dance on Stage – Seoul: Live Viewing’ in the MENA region, which sold out tickets after just 30 minutes in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. VOX Cinemas regularly screens alternative content such as concerts, football matches and documentaries to cater to the different tastes …

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) unveils its first round  of confirmed speakers for its upcoming Global Summit to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, which includes leaders from some of the world’s largest Travel & Tourism businesses, Saudi officials, and tourism ministers from around the world. Taking place at the magnificent King Abdul Aziz International Conference Centre in Riyadh from 28 November to 1 December, the global tourism body’s highly anticipated 22nd Global Summit is set to be the most influential Travel & Tourism of the year. Under the theme “Travel for a Better Future” the event will focus on the value of the sector, not just to the global economy, but to the planet and communities around the world. During the Global Summit, industry leaders and international government officials will gather in Riyadh to align efforts to support the sector’s recovery and address future challenges, ensuring a safer, more resilient, and more sustainable sector. His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Saudi Minister of Tourism said “WTTC will arrive in Riyadh as tourism enters a new era of recovery. Bringing together global leaders from both the public and private sector, the Summit will be fundamental in building the better, brighter future the sector deserves. There is no doubt our ambitious investment, sustainability and travel experience goals can be realized through global collaboration and WTTC’s Global Summit in Riyadh will provide a platform for these important conversations, while ensuring visitors enjoy the hospitality and opportunities of one of the world’s fastest growing tourism destinations.” Business leaders set to take to the stage include Arnold Donald, Vice Chair of the Board of Carnival Corporation and Chairman at WTTC; Anthony Capuano, CEO, Marriott …

NYC & Company, New York City’s official destination marketing organization and convention and visitors bureau, released a new Arabic-language version of the organization’s acclaimed Halal Travel Guide. NYC & Company, the first US tourism organization to create a dedicated resource for Muslim travelers, launched the translated guide during a Middle East Sales Mission engaging travel agents and tour operators across the region. Led by NYC & Company’s Makiko Matsuda Healy, Managing Director, Tourism Market Development and five New York City tourism partners, the sales mission will take place from October 23-28 in Doha, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This comes as New York City’s tourism rebound continues with an expected 56.7 million visitors in 2022, roughly 85 percent of record 2019 visitation of 66.6 million. This year, international visitation is expected to triple to 8.3 million, including approximately 140,000 visitors from the Middle East. “As tourism recovery accelerates and we continue to welcome global travelers to New York City, our goal is to provide trip planning resources which authentically reflect our diverse communities across all five boroughs–as well as those of our visitors,” said Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company. “A major commitment to Muslim travelers was the launch of our Halal Travel Guide earlier this year–a first for any US destination. We’re pleased to now launch the new Arabic-language edition of our guide to halal travel in New York City, and we greatly look forward to welcoming visitors for their next vacation or business trip.” First launched in English earlier this year, the evergreen Halal Travel Guide spotlights and encourages visitation to the rich abundance of halal restaurants, Muslim history, and tourism sites across New York …

The most coveted awards in the region, Arabian Travel Awards will once again host the industry winners at the Le Meridien Hotel and conference center in Garhoud on 16th November 2022. This year’s edition is special as the focus is on sustainability. Arabian Travel Awards is a platform for the Middle East market to appreciate the efforts of the travel specialists who have contributed to the booming travel and hospitality industry. The aim is to encourage them to continue promoting tourism in the region. The Arabian Travel Awards are fair and unbiased, following a systematic method of internet-based voting. These awards are supported by Tourismbreakingnews.ae, TravelTVmiddleeast.news and TravTalk Middle East who are premier media partners for the coverage of the event. The awards will be divided into four categories: Personal Awards, Business Awards, Trending Awards and Partner Awards. They will include awards for Best Business Hotel, Best Family Friendly Hotel, Best City Hotel, Best Green Hotel, Best Leisure Hotel, Best Destination Management Company, Best Hotel Apartments, Best B2B Travel Portal, and Best Luxury Hotel to name a few. San Jeet Director Arabian Travel Awards shares, “Our awards this year is very special as it recognizes the untiring efforts of the industry experts. This year as the borders open, the travel, tourism and hospitality experts were able to restore to levels enjoyed pre-pandemic time. Most had to redefine the way forward in the post covid era, as we can confidently call it. Applications are still open to vote for those in the industry and who has been in the forefront promoting and working to go over and beyond the general norms of the industry. Middle East has always been the most …

VOX Cinemas, the dedicated cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, is proud to launch VOX Culture, which provides audiences with greater access to the wealth of local creativity and culture within Lebanon. As part of the new initiative, VOX Cinemas’ auditoriums will provide a platform for a diverse range of multidisciplinary curated events including stand-up comedy, live theatre, concerts, and screenings to appeal to all ages. To celebrate the launch, VOX Cinemas in Beirut hosted a Fireside Chat with Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas before local comedians Jessica Maghamess, Yorgo Kmeid, Jalal Achkar and Tera Irani took to the stage to entertain the crowd. VOX Culture builds on VOX Cinemas’ commitment to innovate and diversify its offering with alternate content, give back to the communities in which it operates and champion local creative talent. “VOX Cinemas believes that the cinema is more than just a place to watch a movie and plays a key role in bringing communities together and enhancing cultural life. Throughout the pandemic and economic crisis, we witnessed the vital social value of cinema, which provided an inclusive space for the people of Lebanon to enjoy shared experiences together. VOX Culture was established from our desire to champion the arts, be part of the cultural scene in Lebanon and make a positive impact in the local community. We look forward to building on the momentum and establishing VOX Culture as a signature programme that we can roll out across other markets in the future”, said Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim, Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas. Since 2013, VOX Cinemas has been bringing the magic of movie to Beirut. …

Saint Petersburg Committee for Tourism Development and City Tourist Information Bureau will hold events in the framework of the roadshow: presentation of tourist programs and hospitality industry services of Saint Petersburg in the cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 1-2 November 2022: On 1st November, it will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah and 2nd November at Fairmont Riyadh, Riyadh. Being the city of white nights and drawbridges, St. Petersburg is quite unique in Russian history. It has remained the magnificent capital of the Russian Empire for more than two centuries and now retains its status as the cultural centre. The historical part of St. Petersburg with its world-known museums, theatres, art galleries, architectural monuments is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List – the State Hermitage Museum, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, the National Library of Russia and the State Russian Museum are some of them. According to statistics, the number of tourists in St. Petersburg has reached 10 million in the pre-pandemic period. And even more than 10 million! The event is aimed at developing partnership between enterprises of tourist industry of St. Petersburg and travel industry’s representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Presentation will feature new sightseeing programs, classical and new tourist attractions, museums, historical and cultural monuments, events. Participants from St. Petersburg include St. Petersburg tour operators, DMC, representatives of St. Petersburg hotels and representatives of cultural institutions and other tourist infrastructure of St. Petersburg. The program will consists of B2B workshop followed by a presentation of St. Petersburg’s tourism potential, ending the evening by hosting a dinner with cultural program and raffle of prizes from St. Petersburg participants. To attend the “Visit Saint Petersburg!” …