Manar Mall, Al Hamra’s flagship mall, and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) have together launched RAK Airventure, the emirate’s first-ever hot air balloon ride. The hot air balloon accommodates two adults at a time and rises to a height of 30 metres, providing 360-degree views of Ras Al Khaimah’s break-taking landscape of beaches, deserts, mangroves, and mountains. Competitively priced at AED 75 for a ten-minute ride, many families, friends, and individuals can experience the unique, fun ride. Strategically located at Manar Mall, RAK Airventure will attract local, regional, and international visitors, boosting efforts to position Ras Al Khaimah as a leading tourist destination. It will support the emirate’s economic growth with the increasing number of visitors attracting new and popular high street shopping, leisure, and lifestyle brands to the mall. Visitors can also enjoy the many offerings of Manar Mall Promenade which will host major events and activations. From a wide range of restaurants and food trucks to spectacular views of the mangroves, the 100,000 square metre promenade is set to become the premier recreation and entertainment destination offering a complete family experience. Lee Anthony Northmore, Vice President of Manar Mall & Retail Leasing, said: “Our partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has brought a new exciting hot air balloon ride to the emirate. As the first-ever hot air balloon ride in Ras Al Khaimah, it will undoubtedly attract many visitors to Manar Mall where they can also enjoy great food, retail, and entertainment experiences thereby boosting the emirate’s economic growth and position as a key tourist destination in the northern emirates.” RAK Airventure is open now and operates daily from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Tickets can …

Stella Stays announces expansion into Turkiye, launching two towers in prime locations in Istanbul, Turkiye. Stella Stays Istanbul Etiler Tower and Stella Stays Istanbul Galata Tower will welcome guests from June and July 2022 respectively, offering tech-enabled, designer apartments with spacious living space, full kitchens and dedicated workspaces to both travellers and long-term residents. The launches in Istanbul mark the company’s first move into European markets, as part of an aggressive global expansion plan, after launching in Saudi Arabia in early June 2022. Stella Stays is actively exploring further opportunities in Turkey, as well as top destinations in Europe and globally. Mohannad Zikra, Co-founder and CEO of Stella Stays, said: “We are very excited about our expansion into Istanbul as it is one of the most visited cities in the world with north of 13 million annual visitors. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkiye projected about 45 million tourists and $35 billion in revenue for 2022 – a sharp recovery from the pandemic impact, with the majority of visitors coming from Europe. Istanbul is renowned for its rich culture, history, impressive architecture, a modern skyline and delightful shopping experience, which contribute to its popularity. Istanbul is also the gateway between Europe and Asia with a buzzing residential and hospitality real estate sector. These are the attributes that make Istanbul a perfect destination for Stella Stay’s global expansion. We plan to continue developing Stella Stays’s portfolio in Turkiye’s top cities and the surrounding regions.” Stella Stays enters global markets through master leases or profit-sharing agreements with real estate developers and property owners. The company uses proprietary algorithms that identify, evaluate, and select the most desirable properties around the world, …

Oman Air has amended its summer schedule to reflect increased frequency and flight resumptions. Based on the table below, the airline is boosting frequency to 8 Indian destinations: Bangalore, Mumbai, Kozhikode, Kochi, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, and Chennai as demand increases. Between Muscat and its operational India destinations, the airline introduced wide-body service, including the B787 Dreamliner and Airbus A330 in addition to the Boeing 737. Guests should check omanair.com for the most up-to-date flight schedules and times, as they are subject to change. Oman Air welcomes all guests to the Sultanate of Oman on board its award-winning flights. As of May 22, 2022, all COVID-19 preventive safety precautions and procedures previously in place at airports across Oman have been lifted. Guests departing Oman should ensure that they are aware of all pre-departure requirements and requirements during their flights, which are provided at omanair.com.

Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) confirmed that all preparations are finalized with the Kingdoms tourism facilities to receive the inflow of visitors in the coming period while taking the necessary precautionary measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and resume economic and tourism activity. BTEA stated that it has prepared several initiatives and projects aimed at promoting family tourism, as Bahrain is an ideal tourist destination for the GCC families to spend holidays, due to the presence of many tourists and entertainment attractions. The authority affirmed that it expects an increase in the inflow of visitors soon from the various entry points to Bahrain, especially through King Fahd Causeway after raising the level of government health coordination between the various GCC countries to adopt vaccination and recovery certificates to ensure the entry of visitors smoothly. BTEA pointed out that it launched a campaign through social media platforms targeting visitors from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The campaign focuses on digital marketing through the BTEA account on Instagram and Twitter (tourismbh)  to showcase all tourism activities in addition to the new tourism facilities in Bahrain that were finalized  during 2020. BTEA stated that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the flow of tourists from GCC countries especially from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The authority prepared symbolic welcome events by illuminating the control tower on the King Fahd Causeway in addition to some major buildings in several streets of the Kingdom in red and green colors, with the campaign slogan displayed on billboards inside some commercial complexes and promotional activities around the Kingdom which includes the Bahrain Bay area from 17 to 23 May. Bahrain Tourism Authority affirmed that it has coordinated …

Qatar Airways passengers who are Visa cardholders in Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, UAE and Pakistan are being rewarded with the chance to win special savings and prizes, including a fantastic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ package thanks to Visa and Qatar Airways. The package includes match tickets along with 3-4 nights of hotel accommodation in Qatar. Some of the packages offered as prizes include airline tickets to / from Qatar. In time for making travel plans for this summer, the promotion also gives Visa card holders up to 12% discount for flight tickets booked from Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, UAE and Pakistan. The offer will be valid for online bookings completed through www.qatarairways.com using the promotional code VISA22, payment made with Visa cards and travel starting within the campaign period. The promotion will be offered for all Qatar Airways-operated destinations subject to certain exclusions. Qatar Airways VP Sales – Middle East, Levant, Caucasus and Pakistan, Mr. Dersenish Aresandiran, said: “The FIFA World Cup coming to Qatar this year is a major draw for passengers from all over the World. As the World’s Best Airline, we are delighted to be able to work with Visa to offer passengers the opportunity to join us here in Qatar for this extraordinary event.” Madhur Mehra, Visa’s Head of Merchant Sales and Acquiring for MENA, said: “As travel continues to reopen post-pandemic, this promotion is a great way to reward Qatar Airways passengers when they use their Visa card to book their travel. We are delighted to partner with Qatar’s national carrier to enrich Visa cardholders’ payment experiences with chances to win once in a lifetime and unique prizes.” Qatar Airways is providing incredible travel …

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) and South Al Sharqiyah Governor’s Office signed a pact to develop several tourism projects in the governorate. The signing aligns with OMRAN Group’s endeavors to work in harmony with various stakeholders in order to stimulate the growth of the Sultanate’s tourism sector. The pact was signed by H.E. Yahya bin Badr Al Mawali, Governor of South Al Sharqiyah and Eng. Mohammed bin Salim Al Busaidi, Chairman of OMRAN Group, in presence of several officials from both parties. Under the pact, OMRAN Group will undertake technical support as well as supervise the execution operations of the multi-phased projects being developed in several Governorate’s destinations, where phase one will see a park development in Al Suwaih with a total area exceeds 65,000 square meters, as well as the development of another park in Al-Ashkharah extending over a total area of roughly 14,000 square meters. The two parks will provide a variety of tourism and entertainment facilities, including dining areas, retail outlets, kids’ playgrounds, and Campgrounds. On this occasion, H.E Dr. Yahya bin Badr Al Mawali, Governor of South Sharqiyah said, “The governorate draws plenty of local and inbound tourists owing to its rich and diverse destinations, which we seek to exploit, jointly with various stakeholders, to further stimulate the governorate’s tourism”. “Our collaboration with OMRAN Group aims at upgrading tourism services and products within those destinations, which in turn will open prospects and promising opportunities for local businesses and SMEs in the governorate”. Al Mawali added. Meanwhile, Eng. Mohammed bin Salim Al Busaidi, Chairman of OMRAN Group said, “This signing comes within the framework of the existing collaboration between OMRAN Group and South Sharqiyah Governor’s Office …

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture visited Korea for two days from June 8th to June 9th to strengthen the bilateral cultural relationship between the Kingdom and Korea. His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture; His Excellency Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, Vice Minister of Culture and CEOs from the Film, Music Commissions visited Korea. Over the two-day visit, the delegation met with key government officials from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) and Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, and business leaders in cultural powerhouses including CJ ENM and SM Entertainment to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries. During the meeting with the MCST minister Park Bo-gyoon, His Highness lauded ‘Hallyu (K-wave)’ that is sweeping across the globe, and sought opportunities for cooperation in various cultural fields. The visit also included a meeting with the Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation, an affiliated organization under the Korea Cultural Heritage Administration, where insightful conversations on the protection, preservation, transmission of cultural heritages, and introduction various cultural heritages of the Kingdom took place. One of the most important milestones during this visit was the collaboration framework agreement signed between Saudi Ministry of Culture, and CJ ENM According to the agreement, the two parties agreed to boost cooperation and cultural exchange in the areas of music, cultural events, film and other cultural sectors. Over the next ten years, the two parties will jointly implement cultural events, make bilateral investments, develop exchange programs, nurture talent in both nations, and collaborate on Saudi-Korean content. Also, a meeting with SM Entertainment was held at SM Entertainment’s headquarters in Seong-su, where in-depth conversations were held on ways for collaborating in the field of …

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has signed a long term management agreement with Attestor Limited to rebrand and manage the historic Hotel Cristallo in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The property will undergo a substantial renovation after closing in the second quarter of 2023, re-opening as a Mandarin Oriental resort in the summer of 2025, ahead of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina will be the Group’s first alpine resort and expands Mandarin Oriental’s presence further in Italy. The property sits above the most recognized mountain village in the Dolomites, a short walk away from Cortina d’Ampezzo, known as the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, which features many award-winning restaurants, luxury brand boutiques and local arts and crafts. Venice Marco Polo Airport is reachable in one and a half hours by car. Hotel Cristallo was built in 1901 in Art Nouveau style by the Menardi family and was a popular ski destination in the 1930s for the European cultured elite. After the Olympic Games of 1956, the Hotel entered its “golden era” as a renowned ski destination, hosting royals and celebrities, including Peter Sellers, Frank Sinatra, Saul Bellow and Vladimir Nabokov. It has featured as a backdrop for a number of award-winning films, maintaining its historical charm as an early 20th century grand hotel.  In 2021, the property was acquired by funds managed by Attestor Limited, who also own Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como. Hotel Cristallo will undergo a thorough renovation including a new extension, created by award-winning architects Herzog and deMeuron. On re-opening, the hotel will feature 83 guestrooms, many with balconies, including 30 spacious suites with beautiful views of the Dolomites. The resort will also feature a range of restaurants …

TIER has officially launched its e-scooter and e-bike service in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in partnership with Sela Sport Company in Saudi Arabia. The partnership was initiated by SoftBank Investment Advisers in Riyadh following SoftBank’s investment in Tier in November 2020. TIER e-scooters and e-bikes are available to visitors during Jeddah Season, a citywide art, culture and entertainment festival which promises 2,800+ events over the course of two months, as well as across various areas in Riyadh, following a successful 2021 Riyadh Season. With a unified mission to strengthen the region’s lifestyle and offering, the Jeddah Season festival is part of the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision, a set of social and economic reforms that will enhance the quality of life for citizens and residents. The launch is in line with TIER’s strategic plan to supply micro-mobility solutions in all major cities and hubs across the Middle East. Amir Melad, General Manager, Middle East of TIER, comments, “This is yet another significant milestone for TIER. To enter another country in the Middle East and provide residents and visitors of the Jeddah Season and Riyadh with an accessible, reliable transport method, is directly in line with our continued mission to change mobility for good. This launch has been made possible thanks to our strategic partnership with Sela Sport Company, allowing us to provide TIER e-scooters and e-bikes at the Jeddah Season and in Riyadh, following a successful Riyadh Season 2021. Our launch in Saudi Arabia has come at the right time as TIER’s e-scooters and e-bikes allow residents to travel longer distances using a sustainable transport method. This is just the beginning for Saudi Arabia, as we are aiming to launch e-scooters …

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) published a new report on practical guidelines and case studies to support destinations in becoming more resilient and sustainable at its Sustainability and Investment Forum taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The report, ‘Enhancing Resilience to Create Sustainability in Destinations’, jointly created with ICF, WTTC’s industry partner and a renowned global consultancy and digital services provider, provides practical, structured insights, for destinations as they consider their resilience and sustainability. Following the last two years of chaos brought on by the almost complete halt to international travel, no tourism destination has been untouched by the impact of COVID-19. And, many destinations have also been affected by major shocks, such as extreme weather. To support and guide destinations, this innovative analysis builds on real life case studies and presents a range of resilience actions for destinations before, during or aftershock events. The report provides five elements destinations should focus on to build both resilience and long-term sustainability: environment, infrastructure, energy, economic, and societal resilience. It offers four phases to analyse the shock and its aftermath: ‘understand the risk’, ‘prepare for shocks’, ‘respond to shock’, and ‘longer term strategies’. The report presents case studies illustrating how destinations which rely heavily on tourism, whether they are cities or islands, deserts or tropics, apply resilience awareness. Puerto Rico is one of the destinations featured as a case study, highlighting the string of environmental crises and economic challenges that have made resilience a cornerstone of their tourism strategy. Key learnings underline the importance of small businesses, identifying risks and implementing initiatives to handle any potential crisis. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “COVID has had a devastating …