Palladium Hotel Group is set to charter new territories following its agreement with Hard Rock International to operate hotels under Hard Rock Hotels and Reverb Hotels in Saudi Arabia. Palladium Hotel Group will be infusing the region’s hospitality market with over 50 years of expertise, following a record-breaking 2023 with an annual revenue of 1.069 billion euros. The group is actively seeking investors and real estate partners with properties that align with the Hard Rock International brand’s bold, lifestyle-focused appeal. Palladium Hotel Group’s impressive portfolio spans over 40 hotels and 13,000 rooms across seven countries, managed under ten distinctive brands, including TRS Hotels, Ushuaïa Unexpected Hotels, and BLESS Collection Hotels. Renowned for delivering exceptional guest experiences and prioritising team wellbeing, the group consistently upholds the highest standards in every venture. This global expertise positions the group as a key player in introducing innovative hospitality solutions to Saudi Arabia’s evolving market. The collaboration builds on a decade-long relationship, with Palladium Hotel Group already managing three standout Hard Rock Hotels in Spain, – Ibiza, Tenerife, and Marbella. The expansion into Saudi Arabia aims to merge Hard Rock International’s signature world-class entertainment and cutting-edge designs with Palladium Hotel Group’s hospitality managing expertise. Together, they aspire to redefine travel experiences for modern guests seeking something fresh and exciting. Jesús Sobrino, CEO of Palladium Hotel Group said, “At Palladium Hotel Group, our vision revolves around creating exceptional guest experiences while fostering sustainable growth and meaningful local partnerships. Aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, we see great potential in bringing our expertise in hospitality management to this dynamic market, adding value through innovation and authenticity.” Carlos Ortega, Corporate Global Development Sr. Director of Palladium Hotel Group added, …

Royal Commission of AlUla has partnered with Ferrandi Paris, French School of Culinary and Hospitality to open tourism, arts and hospitality campus. A pioneering new educational and vocational training college will provide members of the AlUla community and students from further afield with the skills, knowledge, and know-how they need to forge exciting new careers in AlUla and across the Kingdom’s rapidly developing jobs ecosystem. Announced during the 8th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, the upcoming FERRANDI Paris Campus AlUla is the result of an expansive, multi-year partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the historic French School of Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management , FERRANDI Paris. The college will provide extensive training in exciting fields to serve AlUla and Saudi Arabia’s growth as a global destination for tourism, investment, and discovery. The college is set to welcome its first intake of 100 students in 2025. The FERRANDI Paris Campus AlUla will offer diploma degree in culinary arts, hospitality, and tourism – specialist subjects that will cater to RCU’s comprehensive regeneration goals and equip residents with key skills. Programs include a preparatory year, followed by two years focused on specialization. This initiative reflects RCU’s broader commitment to investing in education at all levels, upskilling Saudi men and women in sectors including tourism, film, archaeology, and hospitality. Culinary arts students can expect to learn the traditions, processes, and techniques of preparing and serving classic French cuisine and pastry. Hospitality and Tourism classes will cover the full range of roles and services required to meet the needs of growing numbers of visitors to AlUla and destinations around Saudi Arabia. FERRANDI Paris Campus AlUla is aligned with …

Marriott International, Inc. announced it has signed an agreement with Al Ali Property Investments (API) to bring Moxy Hotel to Dubai’s Al Barsha neighbourhood. A conversion of an existing property, the hotel will undergo a brand positioning process and refurbishment before opening as Moxy Hotel in the summer of 2025. Moxy Al Barsha Dubai is anticipated to mark the debut of Moxy in the UAE and will feature the brand’s industrial design, buzzing social spaces and bold programming. “The Moxy Al Barsha Dubai will serve as a playful lifestyle hotel bringing a spirited experience to the Dubai’s vibrant hospitality landscape”, said Chadi Hauch, Regional Vice President, Lodging Development, Middle East, Marriott International. “Dubai remains an important growth market for the company and we continue to see a strong demand for hospitality experiences in the market that are as stylish as they are affordable. This milestone signing also highlights the increased opportunities for conversions across the region, and we are excited to strengthen our relationship with the API with this project.” Moxy Hotels has been boldly breaking the rules of a conventional hotel stay since its inception a decade ago. Today the brand has established itself as a leader in the upper midscale lifestyle segment across the globe with over 135 properties in operation across more than 25 countries. The Moxy Al Barsha Dubai is expected to offer stylish and smart guestrooms that have been designed for today’s young-at-heart travellers. The hotel is anticipated to feature buzzing public spaces, bold programming with local flavor, and communal tables offering plenty of opportunities to plug and play. “Moxy Hotels is an ideal fit for one of Dubai’s most dynamic areas with its energetic and …

Cruise Saudi welcomed AROYA Cruises’ inaugural ship, AROYA, to Jeddah after a comprehensive transformation, AROYA is now ready to call Jeddah its homeport. Following months of dry-docking and design innovation in Bremerhaven and Rotterdam, AROYA now offers an exceptional cruising experience featuring a fully reimagined interior, with 95% of the ship’s spaces completely redesigned to reflect Arabian heritage and preferences. The ship is equipped with an array of world-class facilities, such as a souq-inspired shopping district – the largest retail area ever built on a cruise ship – luxury spa facilities, a wellness centre, 29 restaurants, lounges and cafes, 20 entertainment venues, and one of the largest children’s play areas at sea. The occasion was celebrated with a traditional plaque and key ceremony, attended by AROYA’s captain, Jan Gelinder, and Cruise Saudi’s CEO, Lars Clasen, and the President of AROYA Cruises, Dr Jorg Rudolph, and the Chief Destination Experiences Offices, Barbara Buczek. Jeddah Islamic Port offers all services to handle international and local guests, as well as logistics services to cruise vessels. The port has long had great historical significance, with Jeddah being the principal gateway to the Two Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah. Cruise terminal facilities have been upgraded to accommodate the largest cruise ships, and new bollards and fenders have been installed to serve cruise ships Clasen commented: “The arrival of AROYA marks the beginning of a new chapter for Cruise Saudi, and tourism in Saudi overall, in line with Saudi’s Vision 2030. Cruise Saudi was only launched in 2021 and witnessing the arrival of our first owned ship just three years later is a huge milestone. We are so grateful to the whole Cruise Saudi team for their …

Emirates will be introducing a third non-stop service between Dubai and Melbourne, starting from 30 March 2025. The third service will be operated with a newly retrofitted four-class Emirates Boeing 777-300ER, equipped with the airline’s award-winning Premium Economy product and latest generation Business class seats. The airline currently operates two non-stop daily flights between Dubai and Melbourne using four-class Airbus A380s, and a daily flight that connects Dubai to Melbourne via Singapore with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Emirates’ operations between Singapore and Melbourne will cease on 30 March 2025, and the airline plans to operate the third direct Dubai-Melbourne flight and fourth Dubai-Singapore service with new flight numbers.* Starting from 30 March 2025, the four-class Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft will be deployed on flights EK404/405 between Dubai and Melbourne. Emirates’ flight EK404 will depart from Dubai at 21:15hrs, arriving in Melbourne at 17:40hrs the following day**. The return flight EK405 will depart Melbourne at 23:55hrs and arrives in Dubai at 07:00hrs the next day**. The third daily non-stop flight also means customers have more convenient schedules and choice, with unrivalled connectivity and travel options via Dubai to 27 European cities served with multiple daily flights including London, Paris, and Frankfurt. Emirates’ latest refurbished Boeing 777 includes 8 First Class Suites, 40 Business Class seats, 24 seats in Premium Economy, and 256 Economy Class seats. The latest introduction means Emirates’ Victoria operations will be supported with the airline’s next generation products. Emirates’ Premium Economy cabins were named ‘Best in Class’s class at the 2024 Business Traveller, Asia-Pacific awards. The cream leather seats with 6-way adjustable headrests boast a 38-inch pitch and are 19.5-inches wide, reclining 8 inches for more space, stretching and relaxing. …

The 36th World Tourism Film Awards gathered leaders from the tourism and creative industries to celebrate the year’s most inspiring and innovative tourism campaigns. Held in Valencia, Spain, the event showcased the power of storytelling, honoring productions that set new standards in tourism promotion and elevated the global industry. This year’s awards recognized 27 outstanding productions from 16 countries as the World’s Best Tourism Films in the five competitive categories of City, Region, and Country Promotion, Tourism Products, and Tourism Services. These winners emerged at the top of the CIFFT Rankings, which gather the world’s most awarded tourism videos and campaigns and highlight industry trends. Switzerland Tourism led the accolades with “The Ride of a Lifetime”, featuring the charismatic duo Roger Federer and Trevor Noah. This standout campaign achieved dual recognition, winning World’s Best Tourism Film as first place in the Tourism Products category and the newest CIFFT Tourism Press Award, a special accolade defined by an international panel of travel journalists. Switzerland Tourism also claimed the first and fifth places in the Country Promotion category with two other promotional videos. Other notable winners included Visit Sweden’s viral campaign, “Sweden (not Switzerland),” which claimed second place in the Country Promotion category, and Tourism Business Council of South Africa’s “Tourism in South Africa with Trevor Noah,” which took third place. These campaigns exemplify how the use of humor can drive tourism interest and engagement on a global scale. Representing Canada, Travel Alberta took first place in Region Promotion and secured second in Tourism Products, showcasing the diversity and beauty of Alberta’s landscapes. Portugal emerged as the most awarded country for the second year in a row, with eight productions among the World’s …

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has opened an expanded office in Abu Dhabi featuring a new training center. This demonstrates IATA’s commitment to supporting the Middle East’s growing aviation sector and fostering the next generation of industry professionals. Taking advantage of the UAE’s strategic location and excellent connectivity, IATA’s Abu Dhabi office will provide services to airlines, trainees, strategic partners and governments in the Middle East and beyond. His Excellency (H.E.) Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) General Civil Aviation Authority, officially opened the facility, joined by the first cohort of trainees and IATA representatives. “The expansion of IATA’s presence in the UAE with a new training center reinforces the country’s position as a global aviation hub. Having a key international organization like IATA expand its footprint here also demonstrates the attractiveness of Abu Dhabi and its value proposition as a preferred destination for global organizations,” said H.E. Al Suwaidi. “We are proud to expand our presence in the UAE, with our office in Abu Dhabi. Over the past 18 Months our team in Abu Dhabi has grown by 140%. By expanding our physical presence in this global aviation hub, we will be able to support our airline members, trainees from across the aviation value chain and the industry’s many stakeholders more efficiently. Our aim is to facilitate the further successful growth of the region’s aviation sector, which is a strategic contributor to the region’s social and economic development,” said Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East. As the global aviation sector expands, there is a growing need for highly skilled aviation professionals. IATA’s new training center in Abu …

Etihad Airways has welcomed the bilateral codeshare with Air Astana which came into operation from 05 December, 2024. The agreement enhances connectivity for customers of both airlines across a range of destinations and gives Etihad’s customers convenient access to 10 destinations through Air Astana’s gateways in Almaty and in Astana, all of which are new to Etihad’s extended network. Kazakhstan’s largest city, Almaty, is a cultural hub with stunning mountain views, vibrant nightlife, and rich history, while the futuristic capital, Astana, is known for its striking modern architecture and dynamic urban landscape. The codeshare arrangement simplifies the travel experience for guests, allowing them to make a single booking and undergo a seamless check-in process, along with the added convenience of having their baggage effortlessly transferred to their final destination. Air Astana’s network becomes easily accessible to Etihad’s customers, who can connect to it via recently launched nonstop flights to Abu Dhabi by the Kazakhstan carrier. As part of this agreement, Air Astana passengers will have access to Etihad Airways’ flights unlocking new travel experiences to India, Bahrain, and Oman. Air Astana passengers will enjoy seamless connections in Abu Dhabi, utilizing Air Astana’s direct flights from Astana and Almaty. Jurriaan Stelder, VP Alliances and Industry Affairs at Etihad, said: “This partnership expands our codeshare network, offering our guests convenient access to 10 of Air Astana’s leisure and business destinations across Kazakhstan, as well as Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s vibrant capital, and Tashkent, the historic capital of Uzbekistan. Etihad guests can now enjoy the ease of booking connecting flights and checking in once for their entire journey. “We also look forward to warmly welcoming Air Astana’s customers travelling to Abu Dhabi to explore the inviting hospitality and rich culture …

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council, the Sharjah World Championship Week begins tomorrow (Friday) in the emirate’s picturesque Khalid Lagoon. The finals of the world’s premier single-seater powerboat racing event will see 19 drivers competing for top spots to claim the “UIM F1H2O” World Championship title at the coveted Sharjah Grand Prix. In a press conference held today (Thursday), the event’s host, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) unveiled the exciting details of the Sharjah leg of the international championship, which is being organised by the authority. The press conference was held in the presence of HE Khaled Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA; Humaid Khalfan Al Kindi, a Board Member of Sharjah International Marine Sports Club; Nicolo Di San Germano, UIM F1 H2O promoter; racers; and media representatives. The final rounds of the Sharjah Grand Prix, set to take place Saturday and Sunday (December 7 – 8), will witness an exhilarating contest between elite world-class drivers. The UIM F1H2O World Championship includes a series of international races for single-seater powerboats. From the United Arab Emirates, several teams are competing for the championship title this year, including the Sharjah Team from the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, which features Canadian Rusty Wyatt, ranked second, and Finnish driver Filip Roms. The Abu Dhabi Team is also participating with racers Rashed Al Qemzi and Thani Al Qamzi from the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club. Additionally, the Victory Team from the Dubai International Marine Club is competing with racers Ahmad Al Fahim and Erik Stark.   H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of …

According to the latest World Tourism Barometer by UN Tourism, the Middle East (+29% compared to 2019) continued to enjoy record growth this nine-month period, while Europe (+1%) and Africa (+6%) also exceeded 2019 levels. A total of 60 out of 111 destinations surpassed 2019 arrival numbers in the first eight to nine months of 2024. Some of the strongest performers in arrivals during this period were Qatar (+141% versus 2019) where arrivals more than doubled, Albania (+77%), Saudi Arabia (+61%), Curaçao (+48%), Tanzania (+43%), Colombia and Andorra (both +36%). UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The strong growth seen in tourism receipts is excellent news for economies around the world. The fact that visitor spending is growing even stronger than arrivals has a direct impact on millions of jobs and small businesses and contributes decisively to the balance of payments and tax revenues of many economies.” Global tourism set for full recovery by end of the year with spending growing faster than arrivals. Around 1.1 billion tourists travelled internationally in the first nine months of 2024, as the global tourism sector recovered 98% of pre-pandemic levels. According to the report, a full recovery from the biggest crisis in the sector’s history is expected by the end of the year, despite economic, geopolitical and climate challenges. The Americas recovered 97% of its pre-pandemic arrivals (-3% over 2019). Asia and the Pacific reached 85% of 2019 levels as compared to a 66% recovery in 2023. Asia and the Pacific has experienced a gradual though uneven rebound in arrivals since the region reopened to international travel in 2023. The summer season in the Northern Hemisphere was generally strong, with arrivals worldwide reaching 99% of pre-pandemic values …