The Supreme Committee to Oversee the Development of Hatta held a workshop in the presence of a group of Hatta residents, in order to present the development initiatives being implemented in Hatta, and to take the opinions and suggestions of the people of the region, during which the executive team for the development of the Hatta region and the representatives of the sub-teams presented a list of projects and a road map for the region. The meeting also included a discussion session during which the team members listened to the suggestions and observations of the people of Hatta about the existing initiatives and projects aimed at developing the area. The supreme committee is keen to engage the residents of Hatta in the development process, which would create promising work prospects. Undertaking such projects responds to the directives of leaders aimed to bring happiness to citizens and support the youth to harness their energetic and innovative ideas in the prosperity of the area. The overall aim is to boost the social and economic capabilities of Hatta and make it a favourite destination for tourists, especially for recreational, health and eco-tourism. “We were delighted to meet a diverse group of Hatta residents of different age groups to have their views and feedback and discuss the demands that support the efforts of the Supreme Committee to Oversee the Development of Hatta. The gathering aimed to ensure the development of the area while serving the interests of residents in line with the directives of our leaders,” said Nasser Bu Shehab, Head of the Executive Team of Hatta Development, Member of the Supreme Committee. “The review of the development initiatives witnessed clear interaction from Hatta …

As the holiday season gets under way, Qatar Airways is making it easier for customers to enjoy the Greek Isles with the launch of its new service to Santorini (JTR), and the resumption of flights to Mykonos (JMK). The first flight from Doha to Santorini on Tuesday 07 June, was operated by an A320 aircraft featuring 12 seats in Business Class and 132 seats in Economy Class and was welcomed by Senior Executives from Fraport Greece as the aircraft landed at Santorini International Airport for the first time. The airline marked the occasion by creating a bespoke in-flight food menu, designed to embrace traditional Greek cuisine, with specially decorated cutlery bands for all passengers, and an illustrated menu card for Business Class customers. Passengers were also gifted celebratory cupcakes to mark the occasion. The inaugural flight from Doha was operated by Qatari Captain Abdulaziz Al Kaabi and Greek Captain Andrew Evlambides, in honour of the first flight to Santorini. The island destination joins Athens and Mykonos to become the third Greek gateway to be served by the national carrier of the State of Qatar. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “The Greek Isles are a leading tourist destination and an important market for Qatar Airways. There is high interest from across our network for flights to Santorini, specifically in the leisure segment. We are committed to offering our passengers as many seamless one-stop connection choices as possible. I am sure visitors from the Middle East, Asia, Australia and the Americas will be pleased to have Santorini served by our airline.” Mr. Alexander Zinell, CEO Fraport Greece said: “We feel honored that Qatar Airways’ has …

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 flights to Izmir, in the Republic of Turkey, with two flights a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. This coincided with the launch of the first scheduled commercial flight to the city of Mykonos, in the Republic of Greece, with two flights per week on Mondays and Wednesdays, both commencing from 6th June 2022. The Director of Corporate Communication and Public Relations at Kuwait Airways, Mr. Khalid Al-Bustan, expressed his happiness on this important launch, which is in response to the significant and growing requirements of customers in Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf region. He pointed out that Kuwait Airways had recently launched operations to Casablanca, Manchester, Sohag, Alexandria, Sharm El-Sheikh, Trabzon and Bodrum, which will be followed shortly by operations to destinations such as Nice in France, Madrid and Malaga in Spain, Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman, Sarajevo in Bosnia, and Vienna in Austria. This is also in addition to commencing operations to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Kathmandu, Nepal in the coming months. Al-Bustan added that the Airbus A320neo, which was recently included to Kuwait Airways’ fleet of aircraft, was selected to facilitate the travel of passengers to the cities of Izmir and Mykonos, due to its unique technological features and characteristics, and in accordance with its latest features present in the air transport sector. Al-Bustan 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, …

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) unveils its speakers for the upcoming Sustainability and Investment Summit in Puerto Rico, including environmental activist and filmmaker, Alexandra Cousteau, and 41st Treasurer of the U.S., Rosario Marin. Taking place on June 14 in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, the event will bring together world leaders in the field to analyse the challenges facing the sector. Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau, is a sustainability and environmental activist with the unique ability to inspire audiences on the weighty issues of policy, politics and call to action advocating for the importance of restoration and sustainable management of water sources. As Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency, Marin was tasked with greening California through defining standards, improving waste management and supporting hospitality sustainability. At this one-day event, WTTC, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector, will endorse the sector’s commitment to preserve the planet, its biodiversity and reduce climate change. It will focus on building resilience in Travel & Tourism through investment, sustainable growth and the development of communities. Also taking to the stage at the Sustainability and Investment Summit will be Tourism Ministers from around the Caribbean and other destinations, including Argentina, Barbados, U.S. and Bahamas, amongst others. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “We are delighted to have such influential speakers at our summit in Puerto Rico. It is an honour to have Alexandra Cousteau and Rosario Marin addressing delegates, where they will be able to share how sustainability has shaped their work and share lessons learnt on how to bring about sustainable change. Puerto Rico is a strategic destination for the Caribbean region. …

Qatar Executive is set to introduce a new Air Ionisation System on its state-of-the-art G650ER aircraft. The active system is capable of eliminating potentially harmful pathogens and allergens, including bacteria, viruses, and mould spores. The eco-friendly technology has a minimum impact on the environment and adds an additional layer of hygiene onboard by eradicating volatile organic compounds (VOCs), visible smoke and undesirable odours. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Executive is always at the forefront when it comes to introducing the latest safety and hygiene innovations. Enhancing the comfort and well-being of our passengers throughout their journey is paramount, therefore, we are pleased to be retrofitting our G650ER fleet with this cutting-edge Air Ionisation System. Qatar Executive will continue to adopt and introduce meticulous on-board safety measures which offer an unparalleled private jet experience each time.” Qatar Executive has already retrofitted two of its G650ER jets with the pioneering Air Ionisation System, and will continue installing the new device across the fleet within the next three months. Qatar Executive is the world’s largest owner-operator of the Gulfstream G650ER, one of the most sought-after jets due to its exceptional range capabilities, industry-leading cabin technology, fuel efficiency, and unrivalled passenger comfort. The G650ER is the industry’s fastest ultra-long range business jet. The jet is known for its incredible 7,500 nautical mile range, cutting-edge cabin technology, and unrivalled passenger comfort. Last month, Qatar Executive’s flagship G650ER jet operated to and from Geneva, Switzerland using a high blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF); reflecting Qatar Airways Groups’ commitment to working on its environmental sustainability goals. The ultra-modern aircraft was on display for spectators to tour and experience …

As part of the continuous efforts to expand its network of destinations, Kuwait Airways announced the launch of its first scheduled commercial flight to the city of Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman, with two flights per week on Saturdays and Tuesdays, commencing from 7th June 2022. The Director of Corporate Communication and Public Relations at Kuwait Airways, Khalid Al-Bustan stated, “Kuwait Airways is pleased to launch its first direct flight to Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman, one of the new destinations launched by the Blue Bird, as part of its plans to expand its network around the world, in line with KAC’s objectives which are directed towards achieving the best levels of excellence in the quality of services provided to customers, and offering them comfortable and convenient facilities that meet their requirements.” Al-Bustan added that Kuwait Airways’ selection of Salalah as a destination came after comprehensive research of the feasibility of this destination in general and the extent of its demand, which is very high especially during the summer season, due to various attributes of Salalah, such as its moderate climate, touristic attractions, historical and cultural landmarks, as well as its greenery and picturesque nature.” Al-Bustan explained that Kuwait Airways had recently launched numerous destinations, which are in line with its objectives to launch short and medium haul routes such as Casablanca, Manchester, Alexandria, Sharm El Sheikh, Sohag, Trabzon, Bodrum and most recently Mykonos and Izmir, which will be followed shortly by operations to destinations such as Nice in France, Madrid and Malaga in Spain, Sarajevo in Bosnia, and Vienna in Austria. This is also in addition to commencing operations to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Kathmandu, Nepal in …

The Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has signed a strategic partnership with the Society of Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) to enable employees and key stakeholders to receive a specialised professional certification and benefit from SITE’s educational programme of global incentive travel industry best practices. Providing networking and destination awareness opportunities to key DCT Abu Dhabi stakeholders, the strategic partnership will provide year-round access to SITE’s dedicated incentive travel events and conferences. As the only international association that focusses on incentive travel, SITE allows leading incentive travel professionals from across the globe to connect and learn new practices, as well as discover how to draw upon new strategies to boost the sector further. The partnership was agreed to demonstrate how Abu Dhabi is the ideal destination to host incentive travel schemes and events for corporate groups. As a destination that offers the world in one place, Abu Dhabi provides an incentive trip with a difference – from its culture and entertainment to its amazing landmarks and natural landscapes- all within close proximity to one another. Mubarak Al Shamsi, Director of Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence, which will help us to establish ourselves as a prime incentive travel destination and play a key role in crafting, co-curating, and delivering purposeful contributions to the SITE association, as well as to Abu Dhabi’s incentive travel market. We look forward to working closely with SITE over the coming year to deliver bigger and more impactful incentive travel events and schemes …

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has successfully hosted the Hegra Conference of Nobel Laureates & Friends, a three-day gathering of 35 Nobel Laureates and their eminent peers in AlUla to discuss the key issues facing humanity under the theme New Openings: Decisive Moments for a Decisive Decade. The first HEGRA Conference of Nobel Laureates & Friends was held in early 2020 as a gathering of Nobel Laureates. Following the success of the inaugural edition, the latest edition welcomed esteemed laureates from a range of prestigious awards. The conference brought together a diverse mix of intellectuals including: Guatemalan activist Rigoberta Menchu-Tum (Nobel Peace Prize, 1992), former Polish President Lech Walesa (Nobel Peace Prize, 1983), journalists Michael Moss (Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting, 2010) and Jeff Gottlieb (Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, 2011); Prof. Omar M. Yaghi, The James and Neeltje Tretter Chair at the University of California Berkeley (King Faisal Prize); and Dominique Langevin, the research director at Europe’s largest fundamental science agency – Centre national de la recherche scientifique, CNRS (UNESCO for Women in Science). HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Saud, Chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, led a strong Saudi contingent at the conference that also included HH Princess Noura bint Turki Al Saud, founding partner of Aeon Strategy, and HE Eng. Ibrahim Muhammad Al Sultan, a member of the RCU board of directors. Also in attendance was a contingent of about 20 Saudi high-school and university students, many of whom had benefited from the Kingdom’s Mawhiba programme for gifted youths. The students contributed to several discussions at the conference, in particular a final-day forum on young people as the builders of …

With the aim of expanding their presence in Iraqi Kurdistan’s thriving hospitality sector, Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with over 100  properties across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey, announced today the soft opening of Slemani Rotana in the heart of Sulaymaniyah. The new 5-star property marks the company’s fourth hotel in the country after Erbil Rotana, Erbil Arjaan by Rotana and Babylon Rotana, Baghdad. Slemani Rotana features 240 spacious rooms and suites with a convenient location on Salim Street in the bustling heart of the city, just steps away from the area’s main attractions, making it the ideal destination for luxury stays inside the city. The hotel boasts stunning views of the cityscape and surrounding mountains as well as a wide range of services, amenities, wellness, and business facilities including one-bedroom spacious suites, a presidential suite, a state-of-the-art gym, spa, and a piano bar to ensure an enjoyable stay. Commenting on the soft opening, Hussein Hachem, General Manager of Slemani Rotana said: “We could not be prouder of this new project, Slemani Rotana represents a new level of hospitality and luxury in the city of Sulaymaniyah and as our third property in Kurdistan, we look forward to extending our reputation for quality and service in the region.” Hachem continued: “The hotel is set to incorporate a number of elegant, modern features, showcasing the latest developments in technology coupled with a dedicated and hardworking staff to offer guests an unmatched and memorable experience.” Tawfeeq Taeyb Hasan, President of the owning company, Qaiwan Group, said: “The Rotana brand is world-renowned and we have been privileged to work with the company to manage our …

Emirates and Airlink have officially activated their codeshare partnership. The Emirates and Airlink partnership makes it easier for customers to create their ideal itinerary and benefit from seamless connections and a single booking reference across eight domestic South African cities via the airline’s gateways Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Travel itineraries can now be booked on emirates.com, with travel agents as well as online travel agents (OTAs). Tickets booked from June 2022 are available for travel immediately. Emirates customers can now book a wide range of additional flights, including eight destinations from Johannesburg, five destinations from Cape Town and one point from Durban. Examples of some new route options include Bloemfontein, Hoedspruit, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, George, and East London, amongst others. Emirates currently offers double daily flights to Dubai from Johannesburg, daily flights to Dubai from Cape Town and five weekly flights to and from Durban. The airline is also driving more connectivity options that provide value through a better experience for its customers. With the revival of its South African Airways partnership, as well as its codeshare agreement with Airlink, and interlines with Cemair and FlySafair, the airline has expanded its reach to 79 regional points in southern Africa.