As the Tourism and hospitality industry recovers, Namibia is looking to showcase the country’s unique attractions and heritage with a high-level government and tourism delegation visiting the UAE to communicate and engage with partners, media and agents about the travel opportunities offered by Namibia as well as strengthen crucial relationships. Led by Hon. Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and Mr. Digu Naobeb, CEO of Namibia Tourism Board, the delegation reinforces the country’s alluring attractions as a must-see tourist destination nestled along the southwestern coast of the African continent with a large land surface, known for clear blue skies and sunshine, unpolluted air, memorable wildlife encounters and the best destination for star gazing. A land of remarkable contrasts, with breathtaking views, desert landscapes, woodlands and waterways, the delegation will highlight the best places to visit and the destination’s positive, social, economic and environmental approach for the tourism industry that meets the needs of travellers from different backgrounds. Hon. Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said, “We are delighted to share our new developments for tourism and efforts to help rebuild trust in travel and showcase our country’s appeal to potential visitors around the globe. We are in the UAE to highlight our country’s strengths and offer a short glimpse into our culture and our common interests, as we have a lot to offer in terms of exceptional service and experiences” Digu Naobeb, CEO of Namibia Tourism Board, said, “The pandemic put a reset on where people go and what they do, focusing on wellbeing, seeking space and opportunities to reconnect with nature. We offer the perfect fit for the kind of traveller seeking these experiences and …

Taking place on the Travel Tech Stage at Arabian Travel Market 2022, the inaugural competition will give up to 15 start-ups from travel and transportation, hospitality tech, and experiences and attractions the opportunity to pitch to industry judges and investors Up to fifteen start-ups from across the tourism and hospitality sector will be given the opportunity to pitch for up to half a million dollar of funding, thanks to a brand-new competition that will take place at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME – Arabian Travel Market, which will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 9-12 May 2022, said: “The ATM Draper-Aladdin Start-up Competition offers an incredible opportunity for entrepreneurs from across the industry to pitch their business plans in front of our expert judges, not to mention a global audience of industry professionals and investors. “In addition to pitching for up to $500,000 of investment at ATM 2022, the winning start-up will be given the chance to compete for a further $500,000 of funding on Tim Draper’s hugely popular television show, Meet the Drapers.” The inaugural ATM Draper-Aladdin Start-up Competition, which will take place on the ATM Travel Tech Stage on Tuesday 10 May 2022, will see 15 start-ups go head-to-head. Spanning the segments of travel and transportation, hospitality tech, and experiences and attractions, each pitch will last for five minutes and will be followed by a five-minute Q&A session with ATM’s panel of industry judges. The overall winner will receive a minimum of $30,000 up to a maximum of $500,000 investment, a DASC Certificate and the chance to appear on Tim Draper’s TV show, Meet the Drapers, where they compete for …

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has launched an exciting new route from Abu Dhabi to Mattala, Sri Lanka. The new destination provides affordable, hassle-free travel for tourists and residents in both the UAE and Sri Lanka with unique travel opportunities and a convenient WIZZ flight schedule on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Tickets are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app with fares starting as low as AED 179 *. The airline introduces a new segment of travel by adding its first destination to South Asia which will allow customers from across the broader Wizz Air network to travel via Abu Dhabi to the exotic destination of Sri Lanka. Mattala, nestled in pristine natural beauty, enjoys a tropical climate with easy access to neighbouring wildlife. Ideally located with easy access to Sri Lanka’s most famous tourist attractions, including stunning coastlines and abundant nature, adventurous travellers can sample the best of the famed attractions. CNN voted Sri Lanka one of the best destinations to visit in 2020 and Mattala is the gateway to the island’s ancient, beautifully complex civilization with over 2,000 years of history. Michael Berlouis, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, said: “Sri Lanka is an exciting destination that has everything; beautiful beaches, a diverse cultural heritage, historical sites dating back 1000s of years and even a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is truly a must-see travel destination.  We are proud to be providing our customers ever more convenient, affordable opportunities for relaxation and adventure and look forward to seeing you on board our aircraft to the island paradise soon.” Hon. D. V. Chanaka, State Minister of Aviation and Export Zones Development, said: “It is indeed …

After signing a CFM56-7B support contract by the hour in 2016 with AFI KLM E&M, Oman Air is expanding its relationship with the MRO to perform shop visits on 9 additional engines. In order to be able to take care of these visits scheduled over the whole year 2022, AFI KLM E&M has adapted its production schedule to free up slots and take these engines into account. As a result of their established cooperation, Oman Air has developed a fruitful relationship with AFI KLM E&M and is familiar with the level of service delivered by the MRO Group, as well as its ability to deliver on its performance and TAT commitments. Beyond the trusting relationship between the two groups, AFI KLM E&M has developed a commercially and technically competitive solution to outperform its competitors at the finish line. AFI KLM E&M has also worked to ensure that the workscope meets Oman Air’s operational requirements, including deadlines, by adapting its production schedule to accommodate the engines on time. According to Captain Nasser Al Salmi, Oman Air’s Chief Operating Officer, “the quality and reliability of the services offered by AFI KLM E&M, as well as the professionalism and availability of their teams, have given our company complete satisfaction. All this know-how is once again expressed in their response to our request to take charge of these nine new engines, and AFI KLM E&M is the natural choice for us.” Pierre Teboul, SVP Commercial at AFI KLM E&M, commented: “It is always a source of pride and satisfaction to have a long-standing customer like Oman Air renew its trust in us. It illustrates the ability of our teams to develop mutually beneficial relationships …

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a Management Agreement with Al Rabea Hotels and Trading Co. for Holiday Inn Najran – a conversion property in Najran city in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The hotel is returning to the IHG family having operated as a Holiday Inn hotel from 1995 to 2015. With this signing, IHG is continues to diversify its portfolio in the country to cater to a new segment of travellers, while aligning with the government’s growth plan for secondary cities across the Kingdom. The new hotel is expected to be fully rebranded by end of 2023, with completion across two phases. Located in the heart of Najran city, Holiday Inn Najran boasts of a stunning setting, surrounded by a lush landscape of trees and overlooking the mountains. Located 20 kms from the city centre and 18 kms from the airport, the hotel will be easily accessible by the visitors. Following the renovation and rebranding, the hotel with 87-keys will offer 82 well-appointed rooms and five villas for business and leisure travelers, complemented by recreational facilities including an outdoor pool, a gym, a sauna and a steam and jacuzzi. In addition, the hotel will offer various dining options including an all-day dining, a coffee shop, a lobby lounge and a poolside lounge. Business guests will also have access to four spacious meeting rooms equipped for casual meetings to formal presentations. Speaking on the announcement, Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “It is our great pleasure to welcome back Al Rabea Hotels and Trading Co to the IHG family, and once again establish our presence in the city of Najran. As IHG …

During 2021, the Sharjah Airport Authority intensified efforts to strengthen its ambitious goals at various levels — launching numerous services and operations, attracting new airlines, initiating major programs, and strengthening partnerships, as part of Sharjah Airport’s ambitions to cement its position on the global travel map and achieve greater success. Last year, the Sharjah Airport served over 7 million passengers with more than 57 thousand aircraft movements, with an approximate number of 1.2 million passengers recorded in December, which is consistent with the pre-pandemic levels. The numbers are indicative of recovery efforts and a promising travel season ahead amidst the highest precautionary measures and increased passenger confidence in the market. The volume of cargo handled during 2021 reached over 140,717 tons, while the volume of sea-air cargo reached 18,696 tons, representing a 22.27% increase from 2019. HE Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, said: “Despite various challenges, Sharjah Airport achieved numerous achievements in 2021, reinforcing its position in the global aviation industry. These achievements can be attributed to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairman of the Executive Council, that have shaped it to become one of the best regional airports.” “The airport has a high degree of flexibility with regard to applying new travel requirements to enhance safety of passengers and staff, while continuing to expand and develop a proactive strategy based on innovative solutions, sophisticated infrastructure, and young talents,” His Excellency added. For his part, His Excellency Sheikh Faisal …

VisitOman.om, the Sultanate of Oman’s online travel booking gateway for trade partners, has officially launched its booking engine commercially. As the global travel and tourism sector prepares to return to full strength in 2022, VisitOman.om aims to connect the world with Oman’s beauty by offering a full Omani travel experience through sustainable partnerships. VisitOman.om is the country’s first authorized integrated digital platform designed specifically to serve the international travel industry. The advanced digital platform   offers Business to Business (B2B) partners an innovative solution for inbound travel trade, making it easier to plan, book, and build packages to showcase the full potential of Oman to the world. Shabib Al Maamari, Visit Oman Managing Director, said, “Our goal is to set uniform standards for regulated routes, trip package inclusions, pricing, clear terms and conditions, and well-defined customer service agreements. The platform offers stimulating business opportunities for our network of partners, while delivering on our aim to drive tourism to Oman and support Oman’s position among global travel and tourism markets in line with the National Tourism Strategy 2040.” A win-win proposition for travel trade partners Featuring advanced digital technology, the platform brings all tourism suppliers together for trade partners in key markets around the world to guarantee instant confirmations for all bookings and create a seamless travel experience, building a complete itinerary from the moment guests board the plane to Oman to the moment they leave. Creating a bespoke trip of a lifetime The VisitOman.om team visits operators and suppliers across the country to be able to recommend unique experiences to clients. Whether it is a traditional cooking lesson on a remote mountain, a custom tour or an exclusive experience, the platform …

The highly anticipated JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh will make its debut in Riyadh’s new commercial and business district early Q2 of 2022, giving guests a new paradigm of five-star experiences to enjoy. Occupying the most coveted address in the capital, and a stone’s throw away from King Abdullah Financial District, the new property will stand tall amongst the skyscrapers of the city. Spanning 66 floors, with 349 rooms and suites, unrivaled world-class dining outlets- both for the meat lovers, the environmentally conscious and the night owls- as well as exceptional facilities, including business, and wellness, the flagship hotel will exude the brand philosophy of warmth, presence, and unity through every corner and detail, from design to service. Opening just in time for the summer, JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh is totted to be home to a lap of luxury, style, and comfort where guests can look forward to a transformative and elevated stay.

From complimentary watersports to an art gallery housing maritime-themed and purpose-made sculptures for yachts, from a high-end supercar showcase to a luxury hospitality pop-up hangout, the 28th Dubai International Boat Show – now open at Dubai Harbour – features a wide range of immersive, engaging community activities to ensure the Middle East’s largest and most-popular leisure marine event provides something for everyone. Running until 13th March, this year’s multi-faceted show is built to attract visitors from across a broad spectrum of interests. Adding to an incredible display of cutting-edge products from more than 800 nautical brands such as Al Ghanim Marine, Iguana Yachts, and Seakeeper Inc, the five-day spectacular also features various leisure-focused activities and a range of exclusive launches, including Proudly UAE – a show-wide campaign spotlighting the best homegrown marine lifestyle talent. Watersports Paradise by watersports experts SS Marine is offering complimentary kayaking, paddle boarding and other sessions. With tonnes of child-friendly activations to encourage increased learning about the leisure marine industry, the Kids Area provides entertainment and fun for younger maritime minds. Luxury resort and spa Nikki Beach is providing a space to relax and unwind throughout the show, with a mouth-watering menu of food and beverages, stunning views of Ain Dubai, and exclusive pop-up F&B options to ensure visitors can enjoy a sundowner or a few bites while basking in the blissful surroundings. Visitors keen to dive into casual dining options can also enjoy various other food and snack options. The ever-popular Black Tap offers a fresh twist on the classic NYC burger joint, while House of Pop’s 100% natural ice and Moshi’s fusion of momo and sushi is also available on site. Recognising the UAE-wide …

This winter, the eyes of the world will fall on Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first ever to be held in an Arab country. This international football tournament is scheduled to run from 21 November to 18 December, 2022. Despite being over half a year away, we are already seeing a surge in travel intent to Qatar over that period. Here is the initial look at Sojern’s data for World Cup travel. Searches to Qatar for the World Cup in November is Growing We looked at the top travel dates for the next 12 months from our flight search event data in the last 14 days, for Qatar. Even in February, we see a higher interest to travel this November compared to last year, the period that covers the tournament. We expect this trend to continue and grow as the schedule of matches unfolds and we get closer to the World Cup.   Flight searches to Qatar in the last 14 days, by future travel date     Latin American Countries Some of the Top Origins Looking for Travel to Qatar When we look at the top origin markets interested in travel to Qatar, it is dominated by the Latin American (LATAM) region. LATAM is a region that is widely considered to be full of football fanatics. For the most part, this region never features in Qatar’s top origins. When we compare flight search trends from early January 2021 with what we saw for January 2022, you’ll see top origins are dominated by LATAM countries overtaking other regions starting at the end of 2021 into early 2022.   Travel intent to Qatar by region When we zoom …