VFS Global has successfully completed the highest level of the KPMG People Maturity Model (PMM) assessment at Level 5 (Innovative), becoming the first visa services company to reach this milestone. The certification was awarded following a rigorous assessment conducted by KPMG. The PMM certification represents the organisation’s commitment to continuously improving people process maturity and practices in consonance with the organisational business objectives. KPMG’s PMM takes various elements that cover the latest trends in HR system process maturity and practices, focusing on enterprise-level improvements. VFS Global had already achieved the  People Capbility Maturity Model (PCMM)  Level 5 appraisal in 2019. In 2018, VFS Global achieved the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Service Excellence maturity level 3, reflecting the organisation’s importance on the quality of work produced. The PMM Level-5 certification is a testament to the well-established set of human capital management practices at VFS Global, ensuring we attract, develop, motivate, organise and retain the required talent, guiding and assisting them in establishing a culture of excellence. The newly achieved PMM certification further reinforces the organisation’s commitment to sustainability, backed by a strong workforce and expansive network. VFS Global employs over 8,000 people at its Visa Application Centres and offices in more than 140 countries worldwide. Globally, 116 nationalities work with VFS Global, bringing the benefit of a wide variety of world views. At VFS Global, we have also maintained our gender balance with an overall female: male ratio of 58:42 at the end of 2021. The company remains dedicated to engaging, upskilling and improving its workforce policies, practices and capabilities in alignment with its business performance and objectives. Nirbhik Goel, Chief Human Resources Officer, VFS Global, said, “Our people are …

As part of the continuous efforts to expand its network of destinations and develop its services to the highest levels of quality, Kuwait Airways announced the launch of its first scheduled commercial flight to Vienna, the capital of Austria, commencing from 12th June 2022, with two flights a week on Sundays and Thursdays. On this occasion, the Director of Corporate Communication and Public Relations at Kuwait Airways, Khalid Al-Bustan stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to launch its first flight to Vienna, which is among the most important destinations, due to its distinction as one of the largest cities in Europe for tourism and is well-known for its historical and cultural attractions such as palaces and museums, along with its musical legacy and renowned restaurants. The selection of this destination came after systematic research and also considering the preferences of customers to travel to this destination, especially during the summer season, mainly due to its moderate climate.” Al-Bustan indicated that Kuwait Airways was successful in implementing its plans to expand its network as it recently launched several destinations, primarily Casablanca, Manchester, Alexandria, Sharm El-Sheikh, Sohag, Trabzon, Bodrum, Izmir, Mykonos, Salalah, Sarajevo and most recently to Madrid and Malaga, which will be followed shortly by operations to Nice in France. This is also in addition to commencing operations to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Kathmandu, Nepal in the coming months. He explained that Kuwait Airways was steadily progressing towards digital transformation, and to attain the best levels of excellence. Moreover, he pointed out that customers could make their reservations through different channels, starting with the Kuwait Airways website and KAC application. In addition, customers can receive assistance or make enquiries through KAC’s WhatsApp, …

In the presence of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Minister of Energy, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the Oil Sustainability Program (OSP), and H.E. Ahmed AlKhateeb, Minister of Tourism, Secretary General of the Board of Directors of Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), the Oil Sustainability Program (OSP) signed an MoU with Diriyah Gate Development Authority to promote collaboration in using sustainable polymer materials in the latter’s projects, provide the required technical and logistic support, and collaborate with relevant entities in this field. The MoU was signed by Eng. Mohammad Hitham AlTayyar, Program Director of OSP, and Mr. Jerry Inzerillo, Chief Executive Officer of Diriyah Gate Development Authority. This MoU reflects the interdependence and integration of the Saudi Vision 2030 programs, given that OSP and DGDA are outcomes of this vision. The OSP aims to sustain and grow demand on hydrocarbons, whether as a competitive energy source or raw materials used to produce various important products, while maintaining the highest levels of economic and environmental efficiency. Meanwhile, the DGDA is carrying out projects that rely on sustainability principles and environment protection. It is noteworthy that this MoU aims at building a strategic cooperation between the OSP and DGDA on hydrocarbon-based materials. This includes identifying opportunities that would improve the construction and operation processes in DGDA’s projects and developing plans to assess and implement these opportunities, as well as to develop awareness strategies to highlight common goals. The cooperation also includes providing the required technical information and support for materials evaluation, coordinating between manufacturers, suppliers and relevant entities, and providing the required support when implementing these opportunities. The Oil Sustainability Program (OSP) was launched in 2020 with …

The idyllic island getaway InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa has announced the opening of Spa InterContinental. A sanctuary for the senses amongst the mountains, desert, and sea of Ras Al Khaimah, the holistic wellness retreat combines eastern and western treatments and techniques to promote a healthy mind, body, and spirit, all using the finest products from Aromatherapy Associates, Proverb and Maison D’Asa. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and surrounded by lush green landscapes, Spa InterContinental features ten treatment rooms, two of which are for couples, separate relaxation areas for men and women, and an expansive Turkish Hammam. Inspired by its surroundings, each of the treatment rooms has been designed in the shape of a pearl, an homage to the Emirate’s rich pearl diving history, whilst immersive experiences include treatments that are unique to the destination. Escape the everyday with the Spa’s signature ‘Ras Al Khaimah Escape’, a uniquely curated 2-hour 30-minute treatment that rejuvenates, refreshes and resets the body from head to toe. The ritual includes a body scrub, a luxurious essential rose oil body wrap, a cooling mint foot ritual, an organic argan oil hair cleanse, followed by a 60-minute full-body massage with warm stones, and closed by a Maison D’Asa mini-facial. Tension relieving aromatherapy is offered in the form of the UAE Massage (Ultimate Aromatherapy Experience) with the finest in essential oils carefully paired by the Spa therapists to match mood and stress levels. Lavender, peppermint, geranium, vanilla, wild chamomile, and frankincense are expertly combined to respond to individual guests’ needs and stimulate their nervous system accordingly. Guests can also treat themselves to instant glow-up facials, such as the  Argan Ageless Facial which purifies, …

Following a successful debut last summer, the German National Tourism Board’s ‘German.Local.Culture’ campaign returns highlighting more of the many ways to experience the country’s national traditions. As a result of the encouraging news that visitors to Germany no longer require a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or negative PCR test, the country’s tourism board is looking forward to a rise in arrivals from the GCC and the opportunity to offer them a variety of cultural experiences and insights into the country’s customs. “Our German.Local.Culture campaign encourages visitors to focus on unique elements of Germany’s culture; experiences you simply cannot get in other countries,” said Yamina Sofo, director of sales and marketing at the German National Tourist Office (GNTO), the regional office of GNTB. “Germany has a rich tapestry of traditions ready for tourists from the GCC to enjoy – from industrial architecture and traditional craftmanship to local festivals.” Below are just a small selection of some of the sights and experiences on offer, with a specific insight for each of the German.Local.Culture campaign’s four pillars: Green: Hiking with a View in Baden-Baden Shining a light on Germany’s sustainable travel options, Baden-Baden is filled with stunning valleys and incredible views. The Panorama Trail is an ideal way to see as much of the city as possible. Venturing through beautiful gardens filled with plentiful flowers, across the Geroldsau waterfall, and through the Rhine Valley, the 45km trail is known for being one of the most breath-taking in all of Germany. Craft: Glass Art in Harz Mountains Glass art in Germany is steeped in history, dating back as far as the 17th Century. Visitors to the country can enjoy one of the few places still …

As part of its continued support of hotels in the Middle East, Atomize partners with ExploreTECH to help drive growth and digital transformation in the region. Hotels in the Middle East are leading the global recovery from the pandemic and are boosting their revenues and growing their market share with the help of price automation. Atomize’s solution matches the region’s high demand for lean and easy-to-use revenue management tools that do not require hours of training to use. This is reflected in the company’s recent customer signings. In the last couple of months alone, Atomize has expanded its Middle East footprint with the addition of hotel groups such as JA Resorts & Hotels with its 10 luxury properties representing 1,500 rooms in Dubai, Maldives and Seychelles, Gulf Court Hotel, with the ambition to do a full roll-out across the group’s portfolio and Dubai-based SUHA Hospitality with its four luxury hotel apartment properties in Dubai. As part of Atomize’s increased presence in the region, they have recently partnered with ExploreTECH, the rapidly expanding marketplace platform that presents the knowledge, resources and technology required to fully optimize business performance in the hospitality and travel sector across the Middle East. “The partnership with ExploreTECH is a natural and important step in our continued support of hotels in the region. Not only are Middle East hotels leading the global recovery but they are also embracing price automation to leverage as much as possible from market demand and reach superior results.”, says Alexander Edström, CEO at Atomize. “It is a great pleasure to welcome Atomize to the ExploreTECH family. By providing an innovative revenue management solution for the hospitality industry, Atomize will provide considerable value …

In its continuous efforts to expand its network of destinations and develop its services to the highest levels of quality, Kuwait Airways announced the launch of first scheduled commercial flights to the cities of Madrid and Malaga in Spain, with three flights per week on Saturdays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, commencing from 11th June 2022. Kuwait Airways CEO, Eng. Maen Razouqi stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to launch its flights to Madrid and Malaga in Spain, which are among the most important destinations for our customers, and the commencement of operations is in response to the significant and growing requirements of customers in Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf region.” Razouqi added, “Kuwait Airways is steadily progressing in its strategic plans to expand its network, as it has recently launched a number of destinations, foremost of which are Casablanca, Manchester, Alexandria, Sharm El-Sheikh, Sohag, Trabzon, Bodrum, Izmir, Mykonos, Salalah, and most recently to Sarajevo, which will be followed shortly by operations to destinations such as Nice in France, and Vienna in Austria. This is also in addition to commencing operations to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Kathmandu, Nepal in the coming months.” Razouqi explained that the Airbus A330neo, which was recently included to Kuwait Airways’ fleet of aircraft was designated to facilitate the travel of passengers to Madrid and Malaga, due to its unique technological features and characteristics, spacious seating arrangements, which are in accordance with its latest features present in the air transport sector. The inaugural ceremony for the commencement of operations to Madrid and Malaga was attended by Kuwait Airways CEO, Eng. Maen Razouqi, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the State of Kuwait, H.E Miguel Jose Aguilar and …

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) confirmed at the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh, that three new hotel management agreements have been signed with international hotel brands to operate resorts in the first phase of development at The Red Sea Project.  These include Ritz Carlton Reserve and Miraval hotels – the first to operate in the Middle East – and Rosewood, a global luxury hospitality company. This announcement demonstrates industry confidence in The Red Sea Project, with a total of 12 hospitality brands now confirmed, and signifies a growing appetite from global leaders to participate in the expansion of the Saudi Tourism market. With two brands now entering the region for the first time, I believe the future of tourism in the Kingdom is bright, said John Pagano, CEO of TRSDC. “Together with our collection of globally recognized and respected partners, we are excited to play our part in opening up this unique and undiscovered part of the world, setting new benchmarks for sustainable development along the way.” Ritz Carlton Reserve is situated at the destination’s idyllic Ummahat Islands, whilst Miraval and Rosewood are located on Shura Island, the main hub for the resort. The new collection of hospitality brands collectively feature nearly 500 hotel keys of the total 3,000 planned for Phase One. The luxury hotel companies join a stellar line-up of globally renowned brands that have already confirmed they will operate at The Red Sea Project, including: EDITION Hotels and St Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International; Fairmont Hotel & Resorts, Raffles Hotels & Resorts and SLS Hotels & Residences, part of global hospitality group Accor; Grand Hyatt, part of Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Intercontinental Hotels & …

As Saudi Arabia eases restrictions they continue to ensure that entry to the destination or visas to become more easily accessible thanks to the implementation of online visas. Foreign nationals who live in one of the Gulf Cooperation Countries and hold an eligible passport can obtain their online visa and enjoy stays of up to 3 months in Saudi Arabia. Most foreign citizens must get a visa for Saudi Arabia if they wish to enter the Kingdom. The only exception is represented by nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC). Although GCC citizens can visit Saudi Arabia visa-free, third-country nationals who live in one of the GCC nations and hold a residence permit must get a visa unless they have a Saudi passport. Fortunately, many GCC residents can get the Saudi eVisa online. Eligible GCC residents can apply for a Saudi eVisa in minutes. All they need is a reliable internet connection. GCC residents can follow the below steps to obtain a Saudi Arabia eVisa: Fill out the online application form in all of its parts, Upload copies of the relevant documents (such as their valid passport), Pay the application fee and wait for the visa to be sent via email. The application can be completed from anywhere in the world — GCC residents do not have to physically be on GCC territory nor their home country when they apply. They can use a device of their choice to connect to the online application system, including their mobile phone. This allows for great flexibility as they can send their eVisa request on the go. The Saudi eVisa form was designed to be straightforward and easy to complete. Most applicants can …

Canal Central Hotel Business Bay highlighted new partnerships with the region’s key hospitality and tourism key decision makers at the recently concluded Arabian Travel Market. The team closed successful deals and welcomed visitors, tour operators, and key stakeholders to the stand during the four-day travel fair. They also showcased the Group’s properties and shared insights about the latest travel trends, updates, and innovations to tap fresh markets. “We are looking forward to exploring business ventures with our existing and potential partners in the industry. In line with this year’s focus on the future of international travel and tourism, we have been seeking ways to adapt to the current demands of modern travelers. We have plotted our projects to elevate the experience of our guests by upgrading our facilities, both rooms, and dining outlets, as well as customize our stay and F&B offerings”, said Mr. Hussein Gamaleldin, Group Director of Sales and Marketing. Canal Central Hotel Business Bay is eyeing to attract more guests from top source markets, including the UK, Russia, Germany, France, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On its 29th edition, Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the Middle East’s largest travel and tourism exhibition, resumed its physical conference after running virtual and hybrid shows for the last two years that attracted 1500 exhibitors from 158 destinations worldwide with more than 23,000 attendees, an increase 85% from last year. The event focused on seeking out breakthroughs for the hospitality and tourism industry and investment and financial strategies. Canal Central Hotel Business Bay participated along with its sister properties, C Central Resort The Palm, Royal Central Hotel The Palm, and other brands under Canal Hotels & Resorts. Canal Central in Business …