Travellers searching for barrier-free travel can enjoy a plethora of options in Germany, with the European country prioritising, and widely investing in, accessible leisure and tourism facilities. “Germany has made accessibility a firm priority over the past few years,” said Yamina Sofo, director of sales and marketing at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), the regional office of GNTB. “We recognised the gaps in accessibility within our cultural and touristic experiences which led us to work with policymakers, accommodation providers and site managements to develop our offerings. This led to changes such as the introduction of building ramps to historical sites, ensuring braille and audio descriptive text was available, widening corridors, created disabled parking and toilets and more. Our revisions have opened up a vast range of activities to visitors with restricted mobility, visual and hearing impairments, and learning difficulties.” Germany has a wide range of adventurous offerings for travellers seeking increased levels accessibility and its ‘Tourism For All’ initiative makes it even more straight forward to find them. Split into seven types of visitors: reduced mobility; wheelchair users; impaired hearing; deafness, visually impaired; blindness; and learning difficulties, the site also includes further information for guests with allergies and can be searched by type of activity they’re keen to enjoy or area they are visiting. Just one of the options travellers can enjoy includes the Bavarian Forest National Park which is Germany’s oldest national park. In July the commitment was taken to the next level with a group of students interning dedicating their time to clearing and setting up paths that aid accessibility further. Visitors can enjoy the wilderness camp, the youth forest home and well-equipped national park centres. Castle …

Gulf Travel Show returns under the theme of sustainable tourism on 28th and 29th September with Tourism Malaysia as Platinum partner,  German National Tourist Office as Silver partner for the fifth consecutive time over the past two years. Gulf Travel Show (GTS) is the only event which was built in with a purpose. When it first started out just after the pandemic whilst most borders were still closed, it gave the travel, tourism and hospitality fraternity an opportunity to ensure that confidence is restored in the minds of the people passionate about the industry. It was also a tool which connected online GCC buyers with exhibitors from across the globe. The fifth edition or GTS 5.0 demonstrates its commitment to uphold its social responsibility to ensure less carbon emissions yet bring all players to the table and learn and study the stakes, the many opportunities to make things right after a bout of almost two and a half years of pandemic era. Sustainability has many layers to be addressed, it is no longer a word to be utilized and passed on as a mere CSR activity, hence it is a commitment to ensure that everyone has a part to play on mother earth. Starting off with airlines and their biofuel capabilities, hotels and their sustainable strategies, tourism boards which provide and maintain sustainable goals to ensure that the country or destination promoted will not be perturbed, undisturbed, instead leave in its natural state.

Emirates has kick-started its plans to upgrade the entire interior cabins of 120 Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft – two of the largest commercial aircraft types in service. This ambitious project, representing a multi-billion dollar investment to ensure Emirates’ customers “fly better” for the coming years, officially commences in November and is managed entirely by Emirates’ Engineering team. The target is to completely retrofit four Emirates aircraft from start to finish every month, continuously for over 2 years. Once the 67 earmarked A380s are refreshed and back in service, 53 777s will undergo their facelift. This will see nearly 4,000 brand new Premium Economy seats installed, 728 First Class suites refurbished and over 5,000 Business Class seats upgraded to a new style and design when the project is complete in April 2025. In addition, carpets and stairs will be upgraded, and cabin interior panels refreshed with new tones and design motifs including the iconic ghaf trees which are native to the UAE. No other airline has handled a retrofit of this magnitude in-house, and there’s no blueprint for such an undertaking. Therefore Emirates Engineering teams have been planning and testing extensively, to establish and streamline processes, and identify and address any possible snags. Trials began on an A380 in July, where experienced engineers literally took each cabin apart piece-by-piece and logged every step. From removing seats and panelling to bolts and screws, every action was tested, timed and mapped out. Potential impediments to completing the installation of Emirates’ new Premium Economy Class or the retrofit of the remaining three cabins in just 16 days were flagged and documented for expert teams to review and address. As part of the …

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts continues to strengthen its presence across the Middle East with the opening of the 278-key Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach in Doha, Qatar. The managed hotel opens in collaboration with leading regional hospitality development entity, Hala Real Estate Development Company and underscores Wyndham’s commitment to bolstering its offering in the region, which includes a development pipeline of 27 hotels. Conveniently located just 500m from the City Centre Doha Mall and 600m from the DECC metro station, Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach is the closest beachfront hotel in the prestigious West Bay area. The hotel is also within walking distance of various corporate, government and leisure establishments in the West Bay area. Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach offers modern premium rooms and boasts state-of-the-art leisure facilities for guests including a variety of on-site restaurants, a spa that includes a jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and outdoor pool as well as a fitness centre. Business travellers can utilise the property’s six spacious corporate meeting rooms, which have the combined capacity to host close to 350 people. Wyndham Grand is an ensemble of distinguished hotels that are approachable by design, representing one-of-a-kind experiences with refined accommodation, attentive service and relaxed surroundings. The opening of Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach adds to other top destinations around the world where the brand can be found, including Manama, Istanbul, Athens, Chicago, Shanghai and many others. Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach is the latest addition to Wyndham’s portfolio of three operational hotels in Qatar, and two further properties under development. 2022 is an important year for Qatar with the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022™ event in November, the first …

Accor is expanding its luxury portfolio with the opening of its fourth Rixos property in the UAE in Q3 2022. Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi will inspire Abu Dhabi Marina’s iconic architectural landmark offering the finest fusion of Arabian and Turkish dining and hospitality. This multifaceted resort will elevate guest experience through incredible design, ambiance, gastronomy, entertainment and unique leisure services. Inspired in the UAE’s cultural heritage of fishing and pearl diving, the resort combines regal splendour with 21st-century aesthetics, creating a mesmerizing oceanic setting with opulent views. Since joining forces in 2017, it has been a priority for Accor and Rixos to work together to take on new opportunities to strengthen the brand’s footprint across the Middle East and wider region. Rixos is a pioneer hospitality brand which expertise rests on an ultra-all-inclusive concept, with a vibrant, luxury ambience and family friendly adventures. “We are clearly seeing an increasing demand for all-inclusive resorts throughout our destinations, as the leading hospitality group in the region, we are always doing our best to meet our guest’s expectations” says Mark Willis, CEO of Accor India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey. “We couldn’t think of a better brand than Rixos to bring a new All Exclusive luxurious resort to the Marina of Abu Dhabi” The group is partnering with National Investment Corporation (NIC), established in 1999, with the primary purpose to develop the breakwater area in order to optimize the use of this prime location for economic and social enrichment HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirms “We are delighted to have partnered with the Accor and Rixos Hotels to operate one of the luxurious hotels in the Capital “Rixos …

DRIFT Beach Dubai located within the grounds of the luxurious One&Only Royal Mirage, has announced it will be re-opening its doors on Saturday 20th August. Guests are welcomed back to soak up some sunshine at Dubai’s most iconic beach and pool destination, relish in sundowners at the pool bar or indulge in the freshest Provençal cuisine at DRIFT’s restaurant. The chilled infinity pool is perfect for relaxing laps as well as sipping on a crisp glass of grape, whilst the glimmering waters of the Arabian Gulf and 1KM of prime beachfront are just a few sandy footsteps away. The chic design and plush greenery of the private grounds are complimented with flawless service, adding to the Riviera-style ambience. After an afternoon of swimming guests can enjoy drinks at DRIFT’s breath-taking pool bar. The unforgettable experience offers light bites and hand-crafted drinks, accompanied by the most idyllic un-spoilt view of the setting sun. Under the skillful eye of Chef de Cuisine Sylvain Noël, DRIFT Restaurant boasts an artfully crafted menu in tribute to Provençe, ideal for long lazy lunches with loved ones. Each dish is made from the freshest organic ingredients, including the DRIFT Seafood Tower, Tuna Tartare or Lentil Salad for starters and Pil-Pil Spaghetti or Grilled Seabass for mains, which can be paired with a rich wine list from the South of France’s finest vineyards. Moreover, the heavenly destination invites guests to enjoy Chic Wednesdays, *a mid-week experience offering Pool & Beach access for those having breakfast. Breakfast is served from 9am daily at DRIFT’s chic restaurant and offers a delicious range of dishes to start the day, including freshly baked bread, delicate pastries, a unique twist on avocado …

Watch the Asia Cup 2022 on the big screen, snacking away in an exciting atmosphere surrounded by friends and diehard cricket fans like you! Enjoy special food combos and beverages curated to suit the ambiance. The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2022 is just around the corner. The ODI match series is being played in the thrilling T20 format in the UAE, with Sri Lanka unable to host the matches this year. The UAE has been a great host of the sport, supporting the Indian Premier League and a previous season of the Asia Cup, which has strengthened its prowess in hosting cricket. Indulge yourself in our new cricket meal combos; Sixer, Powerplay, Bouncer, and more. All meal combos include a main and a soft drink or mocktail. In addition to the meal combos, the Food Souk will be offering a match-night-only exclusive 50% off on all food items ordered from the Ala Carte menu. The schedule for the Asia 2022 Cup has been released, with Sri Lanka taking on Afghanistan in the first match, followed by a fan favourite, India Vs. Pakistan the next day. From August 27 to September 11th, enjoy a continuous streak of exciting cricket, live on the big screen at the Food Souk. Reserve your spot now! Call or WhatsApp: +971 50 381 6567. Inquire directly about offers and promotions available for larger groups. The Food Souk is an all-day dining restaurant serving a variety of International, Middle-Eastern, and Asian cuisines. With a seating capacity of over 120, it is the ideal venue for parties, social gatherings, and all special occasions. A favourite among those who travel to Dubai, Park Regis Business Bay Hotel strives continuously to …

As part of the continuous endeavours to expand its network of destinations for its valued customers, Kuwait Airways announced the operation of its scheduled commercial flights to Medina, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with three flights per week on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Two flights will be launched as of 17th August 2022, followed by three flights from 13th September 2022. In a statement to the press, the Company said that the operation of Kuwait Airways’ flights to Medina is part of the Company’s continuous commitment to launch new and diverse destinations that meets the requirements of its passengers, noting that Medina is one of the destinations of great importance to Muslims due to its religious and cultural landmarks, as well as its historic holy places. Kuwait Airways added that it is relentlessly striving to provide its passengers with diverse options for meeting their travel requirements with better services, as well as offering them with all means of comfort during their travel on board, starting from providing reservations for customers through all available channels and providing them with appropriate services, from the check-in at Terminal 4, completing their travel procedures with ease and enjoying the Company’s services on board its diverse fleet of aircraft. It is worth noting that Kuwait Airways is dedicated to the comfort and convenience of its passengers as those traveling on Royal and First Class are allowed to carry three pieces of baggage weighing 32 kilograms per piece. Business Class passengers can carry two pieces of baggage weighing 32 kilograms per piece and passengers on Economy Class carry two pieces of baggage of 23 kilograms each. Moreover, passengers travelling on board Kuwait Airways, in all …

Etihad Airways is set to strengthen air connectivity between the UAE and the Philippines this winter with an additional daily service to Manila. A second daily flight will be established on 30 October, providing guests with a total 14 flights per week between Abu Dhabi and the Filipino capital. Both daily frequencies will be operated on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, one of the most modern and fuel-efficient aircraft in the skies. “As one of our biggest markets for point-to-point travel, Etihad is proud to offer our guests a greater choice of options and easier access between the UAE and Manila,” said Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales and Cargo. Our double-daily service will provide the large Filipino population in the UAE with convenient access to visit family and loved ones back home and support the recovery in tourism as more holidaymakers flock to discover the stunning islands of the Philippines.” The combined double-daily flights will see Etihad offer 450,000 seats annually between Abu Dhabi and Manila, representing a year-on-year capacity increase of 75%. The additional frequency will also increase the total annual cargo capacity to almost 30,000 tonnes, opening more business opportunities and supporting the growth of bilateral trade. In Southeast Asia, Etihad will offer up to 56 weekly flights this winter between Abu Dhabi and Manila (14 weekly flights), Bangkok (14), Phuket (7), Singapore (7), Kuala Lumpur (7) and Jakarta (7.)  

Speaking with Travel TV at the 77th year of Independence celebrations of Indonesia in the consulate in Dubai, Hon. Candra Negara, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Dubai stated that this year is a special year as the borders have opened and they are focused on the “10 New Balis” project, to promote tourism from the UAE to Indonesia. The “10 New Balis” includes Borobudur Temple (Central Java), Belitung (Sumatra), Mount Bromo (East Java), Labuan Bajo (East Nusa Tenggara), Lake Toba (North Sumatra), Thousand Islands (Jakarta), Mandalika (West Nusa Tenggara), Wakatobi (Southeast Sulawesi), Tanjung Lesung (Banten), and Morotai (North Maluku). Hon. Candra Negara, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Dubai reiterated, “As we speak, we have an interesting promotion in JBR where we promote the Jakarta area, the diversified business city with lots of tourism offerings for both business and leisure travellers. The city of Jakarta with its rich cultural, heritage and especially the diving spots, because in Jakarta area there are over 40 small islands called thousand islands because there are so many clustered they are promoting it to the Emiratis and and expats in the JBR area. In Indonesia itself, we are trying to promote the tourism destination in 10 priority areas. We are now creating “10 new Balis” they spread from the Western part of Indonesia Sumatra, close to Malaysia and Singapore to the Eastern part of Indonesia in Papua. This eastern part is very important as it offers the best diving spots in the world called The Raja Ampat Islands, four hour flight from Jakarta, worth a visit to explore it’s beautiful virgin diving spot and nature. We are also looking at …