The First Group Hospitality announced the rebranding of Hotel Avalon to Holiday Inn Dubai Village Circle, marking a major milestone in its expanding partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts. Following the landmark signing of Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection, the latest collaboration further strengthens the Group’s alliance with one of the world’s most iconic hotel brands. This rebranding reflects The First Group Hospitality’s vision to elevate Dubai’s hospitality scene by offering a modern blend of style, comfort, and community. IHG’s Holiday Inn brand has consistently evolved over the years, placing guests at the centre of its innovations and earning the status as one of the world’s most loved, trusted and recognized hotel brands, creating memorable stays and consistently delivering a warm, welcoming service. Renowned globally with over 1200 open hotels —and many more in the pipeline—the Holiday Inn brand continues to grow. Holiday Inn Dubai Village Circle now joins this global portfolio defined by comfort, familiarity, and guest-focused innovation. “This transformation reflects our commitment to creating stays that resonate with today’s travellers—authentic, inspiring, and memorable,” said Rob Burns, CEO of The First Group. “We’re proud to unveil Holiday Inn Dubai Village Circle, a modern destination that captures the spirit of Dubai’s dynamic lifestyle.” Holiday Inn Dubai Village Circle offers 349 contemporary rooms designed for the modern traveller, combining comfort, style, and smart amenities in the heart of Jumeirah Village Circle. Guests can enjoy global and locally inspired dishes at Urban Eatery, along with handcrafted pastries and signature brews at Risen Café & Artisanal Bakery. Leisure facilities include an outdoor pool, Rayya Wellness Spa, and a modern fitness center. To bring an added dimension to every stay, guests have the opportunity to …

According to RateHawk the number of bookings for ground transportation services has doubled, and the gross booking value has increased by 130% compared to last year. While road trips and car rental services remain especially popular in Europe and North America, demand for transfers is surging amid the growing popularity of Asian destinations. RateHawk registered the 100% growth of transfer services in the first ten months of the year compared to the previous year. Every third agent who booked a hotel via RateHawk for clients also booked a transfer service. The top five destinations where transfers are the most popular include Italy, Spain, the USA, France, and the UK. Moreover, following the global trend toward travel in Asia, there has been significant growth in demand for transfers in Asian destinations such as Japan, Vietnam, China, and Singapore. Other rapidly growing markets include Egypt and Qatar. “Overall, our partners can book transfers from 19 trusted suppliers in 165 countries. In many locations, transfers are a more convenient and cost-effective alternative to taxis. Offering transfers to their clients, travel agents ensure a more pleasant experience from the very beginning of their trip: the price is set in advance, the driver arrives at the required time, even at night, and travellers don’t need to download new apps or look for a driver after a long flight. At RateHawk, we provide travel agents with a carefully curated selection of accommodation and transport options, enabling them to book an entire trip for their clients in one place, rather than switching between multiple platforms,” says Fredrik Bonnalt, Head of Non-Accommodation Supply at Emerging Travel Group, RateHawk’s parent company. Car rentals also have shown steady growth throughout …

Satguru Travel & Tourism was honoured as ‘Best Corporate Travel Management Company’ at the 8th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards in Dubai. Satguru Travel & Tourism is one of the world’s largest travel management company established in 1989 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE. We have successfully celebrated over 35+ years in the travel industry and have established more than 140+ branches in 80+ countries with 4000+ satisfied employees and a large number of pleased customers. Satguru Travel specializes in corporate travel management; Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE); International & Domestic Holiday Packages; Worldwide Visa Assistance, Activities & Excursions, Worldwide Hotel Bookings Airline Representation, Cruise Packages, Travel Insurance and Airport Transfers & Transportations. It has been consistently recognized for its premium solutions and service excellence, winning many regional & global industry awards.

Etihad Airways and Condor announced a strategic partnership alongside the launch of new daily flights connecting Frankfurt and Berlin to Abu Dhabi starting Summer 2026 and an extensive codeshare agreement. From 1 May 2026, Condor will operate daily services between Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi using its Airbus A330 aircraft, followed by the launch of daily Berlin-Abu Dhabi flights from 15 June 2026 operated by Airbus A320 aircraft. The new services will significantly broaden direct access to Abu Dhabi for German travellers, with seamless onward connections to Etihad’s extensive network across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Australia. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “We are delighted to announce this strategic partnership with Condor and welcome their new services to Abu Dhabi. Germany is a vital market for Etihad, and adding Berlin alongside new Frankfurt options meets clear passenger demand – including a direct capital-to-capital link that further strengthens UAE-Germany ties. “Above all, this partnership puts the traveller first: Condor guests will discover Abu Dhabi’s award-winning hub and seamless onward journeys across our extensive network, while our customers will benefit from enhanced connectivity to destinations across Germany and beyond.” “This codeshare agreement with Etihad Airways is the great foundation on which we are building our new services to Abu Dhabi to better connect Germany’s capital Berlin and Europe’s financial hub Frankfurt to the GCC and beyond,” said Jens Boyd, Commercial Director and Member of the Executive Committee of Condor. “As we build and expand connectivity within Europe from our home hub in Frankfurt, this first codeshare in Asia is one more step towards Condor becoming a true global player and partnering with the leading airlines across …

Qatar Airways Group  announced the appointment of Hamad Ali Al‑Khater as Group Chief Executive Officer, effective Sunday, 7 December 2025. Al‑Khater succeeds Engr. Badr Mohammed Al‑Meer. Al-Khater joins Qatar Airways Group from Hamad International Airport, where he has served as Chief Operating Officer. In that role, he was responsible for ensuring the safety and reliability of airport operations, while leading its strategic direction, operational excellence, infrastructure expansion, and the continuous enhancement of passenger experience. Prior to his tenure at Hamad International Airport, Al-Khater held senior roles across QatarEnergy, driving business development, deal execution, and leading large-scale strategic and operational initiatives. Qatar Airways Group Board of Directors Chairman, His Excellency Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, said: “Qatar Airways Group extends its appreciation to Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer for his service. As we welcome Hamad Ali Al-Khater, we look forward to building on the strong foundations and expansive global network of Qatar Airways, anchored by our exceptional team in Qatar and around the world. With this leadership transition, Qatar Airways Group reaffirms its commitment to delivering world-class experiences, reliability, and innovation to travellers around the globe.”

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates affirmed the importance of the decision adopted by the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to establish the GCC Civil Aviation Authority and designate the UAE as its headquarters. The authority noted that this step reflects a clear strategic direction to strengthen Gulf integration in the air transport ecosystem and advance it toward greater coordination and harmonisation, creating unprecedented growth opportunities for this vital sector not only across the Gulf but also at the regional and international levels. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, said that the establishment of the GCC Civil Aviation Authority represents a pivotal milestone in the journey of joint Gulf cooperation, reflecting the unified vision of GCC States to build an integrated aviation system supporting trade, tourism, and economic development. He added, “Hosting the headquarters of the GCC Civil Aviation Authority strengthens the UAE’s strategic position and reinforces its leadership in international aviation, while highlighting its pivotal role in developing the sector across the region. This decision also reflects the GCC States’ commitment to enhancing integration in strategic sectors, particularly civil aviation, supporting the region’s position as a global hub for air transport and logistics, and boosting its competitiveness at both regional and international levels.” Meanwhile, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, said that this decision marks a new phase of Gulf coordination, based on aligning visions and enhancing institutional cooperation among civil aviation authorities in the GCC, supporting the sector’s readiness to respond to the rapidly evolving global aviation landscape. He emphasised that the UAE’s selection as the …

Emirates has officially activated an interline partnership with Bahamasair to provide connectivity to customers travelling to The Bahamas. The unilateral partnership between both carriers enables Emirates to expand its reach in the Caribbean, allowing its customers to connect on The Bahamas’ national flag carrier from two gateways in Florida to two destinations within The Bahamas – Nassau/Paradise Island and Freeport on Grand Bahama Island. The interline partnership came into effect following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both airlines in June. Emirates’ customers can book an entire journey from across its network to Orlando or Miami and connect to Nassau or Freeport – all with the simplicity of a single ticket and with additional benefits including a single baggage policy for both airlines. Florida gateways, Miami and Orlando, are amongst the 12 U.S. destinations that the world’s largest international airline currently flies to. Emirates serves Miami with daily flights utilising its retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft featuring four cabin classes, along with five-weekly services to Orlando aboard its Boeing 777 aircraft in a three-class configuration. From the two Florida gateways, customers can connect to the services of Bahamasair, operated by a Boeing 737 aircraft, to two major points in the country. Earlier this year, Emirates also signed an MoU with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas to jointly promote tourism to the Caribbean nation.

Etihad Airways launched its inaugural flight to Kazan, establishing a direct link between one of Russia’s fastest-growing cities and Abu Dhabi, the gateway to exceptional travel experiences across the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. The new route, operating three times weekly, brings these two dynamic destinations within easy reach, with a flight time of just over five hours. For travellers from Kazan and across Russia, Abu Dhabi offers year-round sunshine, world-class attractions, and seamless connections to Etihad’s extensive global network. Flight EY839 touched down at Kazan International Airport this afternoon, greeted with a ceremonial welcome, marking the start of a new travel corridor for business and leisure travellers. Operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, the service is perfectly timed for weekend escapes or extended holidays. “We’re delighted to welcome guests from Kazan to discover Abu Dhabi, a city that beautifully blends Emirati heritage with contemporary innovation,” said Natalia Goryunova, Country Manager Russia at Etihad Airways. “Through our Abu Dhabi hub, passengers can enjoy seamless connections to Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the GCC region, and Australia, opening up exceptional travel opportunities across Etihad’s global network. Whether exploring Abu Dhabi’s cultural landmarks, pristine beaches, and thriving dining scene, or connecting onwards to destinations throughout our network, this flight opens up a world of possibilities for travellers in both directions.” Abu Dhabi welcomes visitors with its stunning cultural attractions including the iconic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Louvre Abu Dhabi, alongside world-class entertainment at Yas Island’s theme parks and the year-round sunshine that makes the UAE capital an ideal winter escape. The city’s blend of traditional Emirati hospitality and modern luxury creates an unforgettable experience for international guests. For Abu Dhabi residents …

FITUR Woman, the space that promotes the visibility and leadership of women in the tourism industry, will be holding a new edition during the International Tourism Trade Fair from 21 to 25 January 2026 at IFEMA MADRID.  Organised by FITUR in collaboration with Women Leading Tourism (WLT) and with the support of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, the section will focus on investment and economic empowerment as key factors for inclusive and sustainable growth in the industry, as well as the role of tourism as a driver of social and economic transformation.  The event, which is taking place on Wednesday 21 January in Hall 10, will bring together institutional, business and academic representatives to discuss the conditions for moving towards a more equitable tourism. Within this framework, the axis “Empowerment as a priority in global development: the role of investment and economic empowerment in tourism”will be addressed, which will develop how education, training or access to resources are necessary to strengthen women’s leadership and the development of the industry. The Puerto Rico Tourism Company and its country brand ‘Descubre Puerto Rico’  (Discover Puerto Rico) is participating in this edition of FITUR Woman as an example of a destination that promotes female leadership in the evolution of the tourism industry. “With our presence in the section we want to reflect the commitment at public policy level to achieve tourism that creates real opportunities for women and contributes to a more inclusive development. From a social, economic and professional sustainability perspective, we believe in a tourism industry capable of promoting female talent and generating a positive impact on our environment”. Preview of the FITUR Woman 2026 programme and awards The FITUR Woman …

Jamaica Tourist Board was recognised as the ‘Most Promising Destination’ at the 8th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards in Dubai. Buzz Travel Marketing Middle East is the Trade Representative office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. This partnership marks an exciting milestone in Jamaica’s efforts to expand its presence and strengthen relationships within the GCC travel market. Buzz Travel Marketing Middle East’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the GCC travel landscape, make them an ideal partner to achieve Jamaica’s overarching tourism goals and communicate its diverse tourism offerings. Jamaica remains steadfast in preserving its rich culture and heritage, offering visitors immersive experiences through community tourism initiatives, further enriching its diverse offerings. From delving into the Rastafarian way of life to engaging in traditional cooking classes, visitors can actively contribute to preserving, respecting and celebrating the islands native culture.