Al Balad Development Company (BDC) announced the launching of Al Balad Hospitality — a visionary division dedicated to providing exceptional and authentic hospitality experiences. According to a BDC press release, the strategic initiative is in line with the overarching objective of transforming Historic Jeddah ‘Al Balad’ into a global, historical, and cultural destination on the tourism map. The launch of Al Balad Hospitality underscores a commitment to offering guests unparalleled luxury in the heart of Al Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The hospitality sector in the region seamlessly combines authenticity, history, and contemporary amenities, offering visitors an immersive and enriching experience. Emphasizing the cultural richness of the area, Al Balad Hospitality goes a step further by providing local luxury products, promoting exploration, and upholding authentic hospitality etiquette to preserve the region’s heritage. As the parent brand of Al Balad’s hotel chains, Al Balad Hospitality introduces an array of hospitality options across three distinct categories. Al Balad Hospitality offers a diverse range of choices, from the splendor of luxurious heritage hotels extending from Jeddah to the world, to authentic heritage elegance redefined stays, and the flexibility of infinite choices that cater to all segments. These offerings aim to seamlessly connect visitors to the essence of the past, providing an exceptional and modern experience that fosters a genuine connection with the destination. (source SPA)

Etihad Airways and Air Serbia have entered into a strategic bilateral codeshare, aimed at enhancing connectivity for customers of both airlines across a range of destinations. Under this partnership, Etihad’s customers gain convenient access to 12 Southeast European destinations through Air Serbia’s Belgrade hub, with nine destinations being new to Etihad’s extended network. 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 Serbia’s network becomes easily accessible to Etihad’s customers, who can connect to it from Etihad’s gateways in Athens, Milan, Rome, and Vienna. Jurriaan Stelder, VP Alliances and Industry Affairs at Etihad, said: “This partnership further expands our codeshare network and provides our guests with convenient access to 12 of Air Serbia’s leisure and business destinations, including Belgrade, Bucharest, Budapest, Thessaloniki, Tirana, Skopje and Sofia. “We also look forward to warmly welcoming Air Serbia customers travelling from Europe to Abu Dhabi, where they will have the opportunity to explore the inviting hospitality and rich culture of our home, including the stunning beaches, world-class cultural landmarks and theme parks, and the serene desert landscapes.” Boško Rupić, Air Serbia General Manager of Commercial and Strategy, said: “By joining forces with Etihad we expand the reach of our services, offering our passengers a wider array of destinations and connectivity options. “This translates into more choices, flexibility, and convenience for those who choose Air Serbia for their journeys. Passengers will now enjoy the ease of booking connecting flights and checking in once for their entire journey.” Etihad Guest is the loyalty programme for both …

Emirates has exclusively partnered with VFS Global to introduce a pre-approved visa on arrival facility for Indian passport holders who have booked their travel with the airline. Fulfilled by Dubai Visa Processing Centre* (DVPC) and issued as a 14-day single entry visa, the new initiative will enable Emirates customers to skip queues when arriving in Dubai, simplifying their arrival formalities by breezing through customs before heading out to visit the city. Emirates customers can book their flights through emirates.com or through their preferred travel agent.  After retrieving their booking through ‘Manage an existing booking’ on emirates.com, customers should click on the ‘apply for a UAE visa’ link. They will be redirected to the online UAE Visa application site powered by VFS Global Services, which sets out the requirements, terms and conditions to facilitate the visa application process. For additional information visit https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visa-information/ The service is exclusively available to Indian passport holders who have a valid six-month visa for the US, US Green Card, EU Residency, or UK Residency. The issuance of visas remains at the absolute discretion of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs. Dubai remains a first-choice destination Indian travellers, with an array of attractions and accommodation options that meet every taste, age and budget.  It’s also home to a vibrant Indian community that frequently welcomes family and friends from India and around the world. According to Dubai Tourism statistics, Dubai welcomed 2 million overnight visitors from India between January to October 2023. Emirates currently serves nine destinations in India with 167 weekly flights, connecting travellers to Dubai and onwards to a global network of more than 140 destinations. The airline’s network in India includes Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, …

The official tourism authority of the Caribbean island country is reporting an impressive 32% increase in travellers from the GCC in 2023, compared to the previous year. dnata has partnered with Visit Barbados as it aims to attract more travellers from the GCC region.  Latest passenger arrivals demonstrate notable growth in travel to Barbados from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Popular locations across the island with GCC travellers include its capital, Bridgetown, and the world-renowned beaches lining the island’s West Coast and South Coast, where many of its luxury villa and all-inclusive resort accommodation, high-end dining, and entertainment options reside. Visit Barbados has appointed Dubai-based dnata Representation Services as its exclusive sales, marketing, and PR representative in the GCC, to bring the latest news, exclusive rates, bespoke itineraries and more from the destination to travellers in the region. The partnership will focus on showcasing trending experiences for 2024, including travel packages for the highly anticipated ICC T20 World Cup games set to be played in Barbados this year, with the key objective of growing passenger numbers into the country. Rakhi Purohit, Head of Representation Services at dnata, commented: “We are proud to partner with Visit Barbados and look forward to promoting the island as a high-value, sophisticated and multi-faceted destination. In-focus will include the island’s impressive luxury accommodation product, fabulous gastronomic scene, and wide range of unique activities and attractions, from Barbados Sailing Week to eco-adventure experiences, and beyond.” Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Hon. Ian Gooding-Edghill, added: “Barbados presents an alluring long-haul holiday destination from the GCC. With excellent one-stop connectivity, our partners at dnata can support local travellers with the latest in travel, accommodation, and …

Emirates has announced expanding its world-class Chauffer-drive service in Hong Kong, to now include the airline’s Business Class passengers arriving to and departing from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) starting from 1 February 2024. Through this complimentary service for Emirates’ First and now Business Class customers, the airline further elevates its offering for its premium travellers in Hong Kong with a convenient, door-to-door journey on the road that compliments the airline’s exceptional inflight experience and unique products. Emirates’ premium travellers can choose from a range of vehicles for their journey to and from Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), guaranteeing both a luxurious and comfortable transport experience including Mercedes Benz S-Class or BMW Full Electric i7 models. The complimentary CDS service also entails unlimited radius coverage with the exception of restricted areas such as Lantau Island, Ma Wan, Discovery Bay, Park Island, Huang Guang Control Point, and Shenzhen Bay Port are not included in the CDS coverage. Upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), passengers will be guided by CDS Staff stationed at Arrival Hall to their designated vehicles. Departing passengers must meet the minimum pick-up time requirement of 3 hours prior to their flight departure. Emirates’ CDS can be booked at least 12 hours prior to departure through the “Manage My Booking” option on www.emirates.com, Emirates’ call centres or through travel agents. Emirates is the number one provider for complimentary Chauffeur Drive service, as the airline operates in more than 70 cities worldwide, which is more than any other airline. With the expansion of the service, Emirates will further expand its exclusive offerings for Hong Kong premium travellers with a personalised CDS experience that provides a sense of comfort and …

Emirates will be reopening its refreshed Emirates Lounge at Brisbane Airport on 03 February, extending a warm welcome to First and Business Class travellers, as well as eligible Emirates Skywards members. Revealing a newer, modern design and furnishings with Middle Eastern influences, the newly renovated Emirates Lounge will offer passengers a visually stunning and comfortable space. In a 1108-square-meter area, the refreshed lounge will cater for up to 183 travellers at a time, offering a variety of seating choices, such as cosy chairs and sofas, to ensure passengers have a comfortable space to relax before their flights. With exclusive access to newly enhanced first-class facilities and amenities, travellers will be able to relax and enjoy a refreshed dining area, shower facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a prayer room. Emirates passengers will also be able to board directly from the lounge for a seamless journey. There is a wide array of food and beverage options in the lounge, including a buffet of local, Middle Eastern, Oriental and European dishes such as Salmon Blinis, Vegetable Jalfrezi and Chicken Stroganoff, alongside classic desserts including Vanilla Bean Pannacotta and Lemon Meringue Tart. The renovations to the Emirates Lounge have also included structural updates with the installation of critical systems and come as part of Emirates’ continuous global investment in all aspects of the customer experience. The Emirates Lounge in Brisbane is one of four lounges in Australia, with Emirates operating 30 lounges across its global network. Barry Brown, Divisional Vice President Australasia, Emirates, says: “We’re looking forward to welcoming customers to our newly renovated Emirates Lounge at Brisbane Airport. Since we began operations in Brisbane over 20 years ago, we have been dedicated to serving Queenslanders and supporting …

Sharjah Light Village opens to visitors from 1st February 1st 2024 ahead of the Sharjah Light Festival which begins from 7th to 18th February 2024. Last year Sharjah Light Village attracted over 180,000 visitors from across the globe. Speaking at the event, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority shared, “this year there are so many new immersive experiences and new small and medium enterprises joining us, almost 55 companies here located in the University City Hall in the Light Village and there are 12 locations in the Sharjah Light Festival in total across the emirate of Sharjah, the main city, Al Hamriyah and Khorfakkan and Kalba. Each location will give a different experience and different memory for our visitors from here and abroad and inshallah it will be forever. 15 international artistes participating in making these amazing installations and amazing artwork and video mapping in our iconic buildings in Sharjah and hope that our guests from everywhere from UAE and abroad enjoy their time during this month. ”  Personifying the rich heritage and culture of Sharjah to visitors and residents, Sharjah light festival will kick off in 12 iconic locations across the emirate. Year on year this event has become a key highlight which attracts tourists from across the globe. Various artists from different parts of the world participate and display their skills and they contribute immensely in terms of bringing out the rich heritage of the cultural emirate of Sharjah. Sharjah Light Festival continues on its journey of excellence and innovation, continuously updating its visions and ideas, developing the technologies it relies on, and adapting to new developments, in order to ensure sustainable, …

The BAPS Hindu Temple Abu Dhabi is the second largest in the world and it is expected to attract over 3million visitors over the first year.  Slated to officially open on 14th February 2024 by His Excellency Narendra Modi Prime Minister of India would be an invitation only event and the international visitors are able to visit from the 18th of February 2024 whilst a special announcement was made requesting residents of the UAE to visit after 1st March. Vishal Patel – Volunteer – BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi shared, “We anticipate a few million people shall visit the BAPS Hindu Mandir in the first year, owing to the substantial Indian population in the UAE and the strategic positioning of the Mandir between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We cannot give an exact figure; however, please note that the Mandir is well positioned to capture a significant number of visitors into the future.” The entrance to the temple has the three Holy Rivers from India flowing towards the Mandir – Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvathi at the foot of the premises. The 360 degree immersive experience is also around the foot of the temple. Made out of sustainable materials, without the use of steel, the temple is made to an ancient method of architecture depicting stories from various civilizations. The seven spires depict the seven emirates and the use of Oryx and camels further enhance the culture between the two destinations the UAE and India, Jayaram Vaidyanathan – Managing Director and CEO – Sharaf Travel and Tourism Group, “This is a huge step towards further strengthening the people to people relationships and will certainly attract visitors from across all diverse cultures from …

Abeer Al Akel has been appointed acting CEO of the Royal Commission for AlUla, local media reported. She has been assigned the duties of CEO, replacing Eng. Amr Al-Madani following his arrest over corruption charges. Abeer Al Akel joined the Royal Commission for AlUla in 2017, and served as head of the Private Initiatives and Partnerships Sector. She also held several leadership positions, most notably director of the Strategic Delivery Department at the Commission; director of the Information System Department; director of the Productivity Department at SABB, and senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PWC). Al Akel is holder of a bachelor’s degree in computer science from King Saud University and completed the leadership development program from Harvard University. It is noteworthy that the Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) announced on Sunday the arrest of Amr Al-Madani for his alleged involvement in crimes of abuse of power and money laundering to the tune of SR206 million. The partners of Al-Madani in a company were also arrested after the Nazaha discovered that they managed, along with Al-Madani, to obtain contracts for the National Talents Company, owned by them, from King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy in an illegal manner.

Emirates has become the first international airline to join The Solent Cluster, a UK initiative focused on low carbon investments established to reduce CO2 emissions from industry, transport and households in the South Coast of England. The Solent Cluster is a cross-sector collaboration of international organisations, including manufacturers and engineering companies, regional businesses and industries, leading logistics and infrastructure operators and academic institutions. Emirates joins over 100 members as part of the Cluster, alongside founding members the Solent Partners (previously the Solent LEP), global energy provider ExxonMobil and University of Southampton. The founding members have each shared details of their vision for the Solent and how it could secure existing jobs and produce low-carbon fuels for a variety of sectors, including aviation. Sustainable aviation fuel potential The Solent Cluster has the potential to create a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plant with an estimated fuel production capacity of 200,000 tonnes (200 kt) per year. If approved, the plant could start operating in 2032. Jet fuel produced by the SAF plant could avoid emissions of 563 kilotons of CO2 per year by producing fuel with 70% less emissions than fossil kerosene. Existing pipeline networks can supply the SAF from the plant to major airports served by Emirates such as Heathrow and Gatwick. Emirates’ long-term aspiration to secure UK-produced SAF with The Solent Cluster is in addition to several SAF initiatives the airline has announced over the last year. It follows Emirates’ A380 and Boeing 777 demonstration flights using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel in 2023. Emirates has expanded its partnership with Neste for the supply of SAF in 2024 and 2025 for its operations in Amsterdam and Singapore. The airline also uplifted SAF for the …