Accor signed Mövenpick Living Çamlıvadi and Mövenpick Living Saklıvadi in partnership with Artaş Group and the developer of Vadistanbul in Turkey. The announcement of the two new projects was made at a signing ceremony which took place at the Mövenpick Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel, between Mark Willis, CEO India Middle East, Africa & Turkey for Accor; Yiğit Sezgin, Chief Commercial Officer India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey for Accor; and Süleyman Çetinsaya, Chairman, Artaş Group. The Mövenpick Living Çamlıvadi is set to open by October 2022 while the Mövenpick Living Saklıvadi in November 2023. “As the world’s leading augmented hospitality group with more than 5,300 properties in over 110 countries, we are excited to announce the involvement of premium brand Mövenpick with the Çamlıvadi and Saklıvadi projects under an agreement with Artaş Group, Turkey’s real estate and construction leader. We are confident that both projects will add great value to the tourism industry in such a popular location of Istanbul,” said Yiğit Sezgin, Chief Commercial Operator India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey for Accor. Residences with hotel grade comfort There are 164 residences in Mövenpick Living Saklıvadi, and 65 residences in Mövenpick Living Çamlıvadi. All one bedroom, two bedroom and penthouse apartments are elegantly decorated with meticulously designed details. Each apartment enjoys complimentary internet connection, same-day laundry service, a restaurant with buffet service for breakfast, and a winter garden. Guests will not have to skip their fitness routine as they can take advantage of a full-fledged gym equipped with exercise gear, an indoor swimming pool, sauna and resting room. Moreover, an exclusive indoor and outdoor manège are offered to the service of the hotel guests who are interested in horse riding. …

Deutsche Hospitality announced the successful signing of the Management Agreement for the Steigenberger Residences Doha, Qatar. Complementing the recently opened flagship Steigenberger Hotel Doha, the Residences will include 278 uniquely furnished apartments offering the warm comforts of a home and a space that allows guests to revel and relax in. The Steigenberger Residences Doha is planned to open in Q3 2022 – just in time for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, starting November 21st, 2022. “The Steigenberger Residences are the perfect supplement to our existing luxury Steigenberger Hotel Doha,” comments Siegfried Nierhaus, Vice President Middle East, “Both products will offer tourists and business travellers the highest quality comfort and service of the Steigenberger brand to perfectly suit the different travel occasion to guests from all over the world. The Residences will attract long staying guests and families alike.” Sheikh Abdellah Sheikh Abdulla bin Abdulrahman bin Seoud Althani, the owner of the Steigenberger Hotel and Residences Doha, Qatar: “Following the successful opening of the iconic Steigenberger Hotel Doha. The premium guest experience will extend further with the launch of Steigenberger Residences Doha. The unique German hospitality, Steigenberger Hotel and Steigenberger Residences will compete with the world-class luxury hotels across the globe. Doha will soon welcome guests for the major football sports event, I am proud that we will be supporting the nation and providing the best service and experience Doha has to offer.” Ranging from one, two, and three bedroom units, the Residences feature modern design elements and aesthetic touches such as gleaming marble floors that create an opulent contemporary atmosphere. Guest facilities include a rooftop swimming pool, gym, yoga room, the GOCO Spa and the culinary offer of five …

Under the directives and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the Council today announced the launch of ‘One Media Dubai’, a one-stop-shop for Emirati, Arab and foreign media professionals and organisations to obtain a range of exclusive services in the emirate. Launched in partnership with various government and semi-government entities in Dubai, the unique initiative streamlines the provision of services to media companies and professionals. His Highness directed the Dubai Press Club to lead the implementation of the initiative by facilitating access to services offered by the initiative’s partners. HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “The launch of ‘One Media Dubai’ will add significant new value to the media community in Dubai and support efforts to realise the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to reinforce the emirate’s status as a leading global media hub. The initiative will also further enhance the rich, supportive, growth-friendly environment that Dubai offers creatives, innovators and other professionals in the media industry. By providing a range of enabling services to media professionals, the initiative also contributes to Dubai’s vision to transform itself into the world’s best city to live and work.” His Highness praised Dubai Press Club for its vital role in catalysing the growth of the UAE’s media industry over the last 20 years, through key initiatives including the Arab Media Forum and the Arab Journalism Award, which was renamed the Arab Media Award. DPC’s initiatives also played an instrumental part in the city being recognised as the Capital …

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the opening of Expo City Dubai, this coming October 2022. The new city is an ideal smart and futuristic destination for business and innovation, driven by sustainability, innovation, education and entertainment. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid said, “Brothers and Sisters, after the historical success of Expo 2020 Dubai, which was visited by more than 24 million visitors, and which left an indelible mark in the 170-year history of World Expositions, today we announce the transformation of the exhibition site into Expo City Dubai, a city that represents the most beautiful ambitions of Dubai. “Expo City Dubai will be an environmentally-friendly city, one friendly to families, to the economy, and to future generations. A city connected to a port and two airports, and also to beautiful memories in the hearts and minds of millions of people. A city in which the magic of Expo will live on: Al Wasl will continue to shine, the waterfall will continue to delight, and the UAE, Alif and Terra pavilions will continue to fascinate visitors of all ages.” “This new city will be home to an extraordinary new museum, a world-class exhibition centre, and the headquarters of cutting edge and fast-growing companies. It will continue to host the pavilions of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, and others. It will be a city that embodies the dreams of every city, and one which continues to bring joy to our children, our families, and all those we love.” Expo City Dubai – the legacy plan of Expo 2020 Dubai and part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master …

As travel rebounds from the impact of the pandemic, Emirates is busy preparing for its busiest period yet, with over 550,000 customers expected to fly out from the UAE between June and July on over 2,400 weekly network-wide departures. The airline continues to add flights and frequencies where possible as it ramps up its summer schedule, and will be operating close to 80% of its pre-pandemic capacity, or over 1 million weekly seats this summer to serve demand. Daily booking volumes are accelerating as summer holidays draw closer, and Emirates is urging customers who haven’t planned their holidays or made travel arrangements to get ahead and book now to ensure they are able to travel on their preferred dates and flights. This year, travellers from the UAE will be heading to Emirates’ six UK destinations, Cairo, Amman, Emirates’ nine Indian points, Manila and Beirut to visit family and friends. Leisure travel traffic from the UAE will also be at an all-time high, with scores of travellers, mainly families and couples, making their way to Bangkok, Istanbul, Vienna, Zurich, Nice, Phuket, Singapore, Oslo, Kuala Lumpur, Brisbane and the west coast of the US for extended summer holidays as more countries continue open up for tourism and drop their entry restrictions. As many customers have been waiting for almost two years to travel, Emirates is working hard to ensure it provides an incredible onboard experience, and a seamless journey on the ground. On the ground, customers can look forward to a speedy process when they utilise the airline’s biometric path in Terminal 3 for a contactless journey from select check-in desks, Emirates lounges and boarding gates. The airline has also introduced other …

Oman Air has increased weekly flight frequencies on its Muscat-Salalah-Muscat sector to a total of 112 weekly flights, running between 23 June and 11 September 2022. The airline offers wide-body service between Muscat and Salalah, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A330 in addition to the Boeing 737, with eight flights per day in each direction, providing flexible travel and connecting flight options. The first flight from Muscat departs at 02:05, and the last flight departs at 20:20. Salalah’s first flight leaves at 04:50, while the last flight leaves at 22:45. Flight schedules and times are subject to change, and guests are invited to consult omanair.com for the most up-to-date information. “Salalah is teeming with tourists from all across the Gulf region at this time of year,” stated Ahmed Ali Al Mahrouqi, Regional Vice President – Oman & GCC.  “Verdant mountains, cool drizzle and breathtaking natural settings serve as a magnet to tourists who wish to get away from hotter climes. Year after year, the number of people who are fascinated by the wonderful Khareef phenomenon that surrounds the beautiful city of Salalah grows dramatically.” Salalah packages were also created by Oman Air Holidays, allowing travelers to see some of the most popular tourist attractions in and around Salalah. Each package is designed to give tourists a taste of some of the city’s most popular attractions. Throughout its network, the airline has initiated numerous promotional activities aimed at travel agencies, tour operators, and the general public to unveil its new packages which are created with care for anyone in search of a bespoke, unforgettable holiday experience. “To satisfy this burgeoning demand, Oman Air has boosted its Salalah frequency, now …

A ceremony for the inaugural flight was held recently at Queen Alia International Airport. Present were Her Excellency The Canadian Ambassador Donica Pottie, RJ Vice Chairman/CEO Samer Majali and Airport International Group CEO Nicolas Claude. RJ Vice Chairman/CEO Samer Majali expressed his pleasure at the addition of Toronto to RJ’s route network, a move that comes in implementation of the airline’s five-year strategy, which includes, among others, growing the fleet and the route network in order to position Amman as the leading gateway for the Levant. Majali said that the new route is bound to attract more tourists to Jordan, facilitate travel for individuals, families, expatriates, Arab communities, students and businessmen, and boost trade between the Jordanian and the Canadian markets. “Furthermore, we are now focusing on bringing in more tourists to Jordan and help boost tourism through providing outstanding quality of service accompanied by our Jordanian hospitality when flying RJ from/to Toronto,” Majali commented. Airport International Group CEO, Nicolas Claude, said: “We are pleased to be inaugurating this new route connecting Amman and Toronto, which aligns with our strategy to expand Queen Alia International Airport routes network, while providing passengers greater travel options and serving new markets. I would like to thank our national carrier, Royal Jordanian, for supporting our commitment to opening new routes, and strengthening our standing as an award-winning gateway to the Levant and the world.”

Continuing to enhance Oman’s position on the global tourism map, Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) recently successfully inked two strategic agreements with renowned international hotel operators – Nikki Beach to operate a 5-star resort in Yiti, and Four Seasons to develop and operate another resort in Muscat. OMRAN Group, an active participant in global events, displaying its progress and the critical role it plays in developing Oman’s tourism sector by developing and managing tourism sites in accordance with Oman Vision 2040 and the National Tourism Strategy. The Group also shed light on major investment prospects and partnership horizons with investors and partners, resulting in the development of Oman’s tourism sector. Dr. Hashil Bin Obaid Al Mahrouqi, CEO of OMRAN Group, shared “the OMRAN Group was successful in showcasing the Sultanate’s numerous investment projects and opportunities, in addition to sharing details about the Sultanate’s efforts and initiatives to boost tourism. The Group’s objective is to develop unique and long-term tourism destinations that will assist the country in achieving economic growth and strengthening its position as a leading tourist destination. In fact, as a result of the agreements inked with “Niki Beach” and “Four Seasons,” the Sultanate will be able to attract these worldwide hospitality operators for the first time to Oman.” According to the stated agreement, OMRAN Group will partner with Nikki Beach Hotels and Resorts to run a 5-star resort within Yiti Integrated Tourism Development, which will have 140 hotel rooms and 30 villas, as well as meeting and event venues and a variety of recreational amenities. The resort also earned the award for ‘Best New Hotel Construction and Design Arabia’ in its regional category. As per the agreement …

Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the #DubaiDestinations initiative is continuing its campaign with a focus on highlighting the city’s exceptional experiences, and exciting events and activities during the summer. The campaign encourages Dubai’s diverse community to discover the city’s unique destinations in the summer and enjoy its distinctive offerings ranging from beach activities, dining and family-friendly activities at hotels, to waterparks, water sports adventures and indoor entertainment that capture the essence of Dubai’s summer experience. The initiative aims to create and disseminate to local, regional and global audiences engaging content that highlights Dubai’s unique character and identity as well as its emergence as the world’s best place to live and visit. The current season of the #DubaiDestinations campaign, running until the end of August, brings together a wide range of public and private sector stakeholders to showcase the emirate’s various exciting experiences. Key partners in the campaign include: the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai; Dubai Municipality; the Roads and Transport Authority; the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; Dubai Sports Council; Dubai Ladies Club; Emaar; Dubai Holding; Nakheel Properties; Majid Al Futtaim Group; and Merex Investment Office. Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council and Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), said: “Since its launch, the #DubaiDestinations campaign has focused on highlighting the quintessential Dubai experience and its uniqueness as a destination that offers a range of experiences that meet the tastes and interests of people across ages and nationalities. With the focus now on Dubai’s various summer destinations, the campaign will …

dnata has signed a partnership agreement with Deutsche Hospitality to serve as its exclusive representation partner across the GCC countries. The announcement comes as the German hotel group expands its GCC footprint with its recent opening of the Steigenberger Hotel Doha in Qatar, the opening of the IntercityHotel Dubai Jaddaf Waterfront and the takeover of the management of the Al Hamra Residences and Al Hamra Village Hotel in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. The pipeline includes a further IntercityHotel in Muscat and a Jaz in the City Hotel in Dubai. Through extensive regional sales and marketing support dnata Representation Services will strengthen Deutsche Hospitality’s brand presence in the GCC market and drive business to its growing number of hotels. The hotel group currently runs more than 160 hotels in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe, with more than 40 in the planning and construction phases in locations of importance for business and leisure travel from the region. John Bevan, Divisional Senior Vice President at dnata Travel Group commented: “We look forward to bringing in dnata Representation Services’ regional expertise to support in Deutsche Hospitality’s expansion. A hotel group synonymous with high standards, Deutsche Hospitality is set to cater for the growing need for a range of hotel options across the region from economy to midscale to luxury. We are delighted to become an integral part of its journey.” Johanna Lamke, Vice President Sales at Deutsche Hospitality commented: “The Gulf region is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing markets for us. With dnata, one of the leading suppliers in the region represents us. We look forward to working together to expand the brand presence and commercial activities.” …