In an exclusive interview with Daniel Rosado Bayón, Director – Spain Tourism Office, Tourism Counsellor GCC stated that they received almost 80% of visitors as per pre-covid time. “In the first six months of the year Spain received over 30 million international visitors which is about 80% of 2019. In respect to expenditure it was about 89% as 2019. When you take UAE, we saw a spike of around 30% from UAE as pre-covid level.” One of the key factors that matter when visiting Europe is obtaining the visa, however according to Rosado Director Spain tourism office, there is now good news to be heard very soon from the European Union. “During this summer we saw a surge in Visa requests. This goes in line with the huge come back of tourism. After two years of restrictions, this summer has become very similar to a pre-covid summer. With the spike in travelling, that some call revenge tourism, we have witnessed how different sectors, from aviation to hospitality or infrastructures, faced difficulties to cope with this sudden surge. Not long ago there was not too many people travelling, and now we have more than before, as people have realized that we only live once and that we need to do the things we like better now than before. Visa issuance is no different, the amount of request is so high that they cannot be processed all in time. Resources are limited and given the importance of controlling the borders of the countries the visa process cannot be speed up. Having said this, Visa offices have experienced a high demand but are doing a very good job on processing as much as …

Abu Dhabi Maritime announced it has licensed more than 1,000 jet skis via its Musaffah-based Licensing and Inspection Centre for Jet Skis since its transition from Abu Dhabi Police to Abu Dhabi Maritime in December 2021. Promoting easy access to licensing services, the Abu Dhabi Maritime Administration website and dedicated portal, with the support of AD Ports Group’s Maqta Gateway, offers a streamlined process for the licensing of new jet skis, licence renewals, and technical inspection bookings. The service is both free of charge and time efficient, with the full process taking only half an hour. Established by an agreement between AD Ports Group and the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Abu Dhabi Maritime has a mandate to implement effective maritime services and state-of-the-art infrastructure. Capt. Saif Al Mheiri, Managing Director, Abu Dhabi Maritime, said, “Abu Dhabi supports a thriving maritime community and is today one of the region’s prime destinations for aquatic tourism and sports. By leveraging Abu Dhabi Maritime’s fully integrated digital licensing services, water sports enthusiasts can navigate the emirate’s waters in confidence knowing that their equipment meets the highest safety and security standards. “In line with our mission to further position Abu Dhabi as a leading maritime activity centre, our team of Emirati technical experts are always on hand to help applicants finalise all procedures within half an hour from the moment they apply online, which includes booking inspection appointments at the location of their choice.” Required documents for jet ski licencing include a jet ski ownership certificate, valid insurance policy and a UAE ID. To finalise the licence issuance, applicants should book an inspection appointment at the location of their choice to ensure vehicles …

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA) experienced strong passenger growth in 2022, with 11.6 million passengers carried during the first half of 2022, which represents a 80% increase over the same period in 2021. The number of scheduled and chartered flights increased by 33% to reach 80,500, while total flight hours were measured at 212,000, a rise of 71%. During the first half of 2022, nearly 4.8 million international guests flew SAUDIA, an increase of 242%. SAUDIA operated 28,600 international flights during H1 2022, an increase of 156%. SAUDIA’s global network continued to expand in the first half of 2022 with direct flights to new destinations including Amsterdam, Bangkok, Entebbe, Marrakech and Malaga. This remarkable growth embody the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy, which aims to connect the Kingdom to the world. Domestically, SAUDIA transported 6.2 million guests around the Kingdom on more than 52,000 flights, an increase of 32% and 5%, respectively. “These achievements are the culmination of the efforts of every SAUDIA employee, be it in the planning, implementation, or operational stages,” said Eng. Ahmed Alwusiyah, Chief Operating Officer at the national airline. “These special accomplishments also reflect our guests’ confidence in our air and ground operations, which we are constantly working to refine and streamline for an ever-better traveling experience.” To help welcome visitors to the Kingdom, SAUDIA has been sponsoring major events and activities such as Formula E Racing, the Riyadh Season and Jeddah Season. SAUDIA will continue its efforts to promote the rich culture and tradition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to achieve the aspirations of the Saudi tourism ecosystem, which is in harmony with Saudi Vision 2030. SAUDIA currently flies to more than …

DayAway, the world’s leading online destination for guests to discover and book curated luxury daytime experiences, has announced its arrival in the United Arab Emirates. Perfect for both travellers and residents who are searching for unique, engaging and restorative daytime escapes, DayAway connects guests with a variety of accessible, enjoyable experiences spanning wellness, dining, adventure and more.  With seven luxury launch partners currently on board, DayAway’s offerings in the UAE includes a Precious Pearl Experience at the palatial Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, a Bedouin Desert Adventure at Telal Resort Al Ain and the Ultimate Island Daycation at InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah that includes a 90-minute Spa treatment. Founded by lifestyle and technology leader Martha Waslen, DayAway launched in Singapore in 2021 with prestigious hotel partners such as Raffles Hotel Singapore; the group expanded to Hong Kong and Thailand in late 2021 before launching in Australia in May 2022. “We are delighted to have expanded into the UAE, a dynamic destination that has a reputation for providing a diverse range of luxury experiences. Our mission at DayAway is to elevate the everyday, and we’re defining a new era of luxury experiences that we hope will provide our community with opportunities to experience their favourite hotels in exciting and meaningful ways,” says Martha Waslen, Founder and CEO of DayAway. “Luxury hotels have a unique opportunity to connect with the growing experience economy by repurposing their underutilised assets as curated daytime escapes for both local guests and international travellers. The DayAway platform provides hotel partners with the technology and marketing tools to diversify revenue, while simultaneously engaging a new community of guests searching for experiences to relax, recharge and reconnect,” adds Waslen.

Qatar Airways resumed services to its fifth destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qassim, with three weekly flights from 22 August. The airline will increase to four weekly flights from 2 September 2022. The award-winning airline will also introduce additional four weekly flights to Riyadh starting 18 August 2022, bringing the total to 20 weekly flights to meet the growing inbound and outbound travel demand. Qatar Airways currently operates 93 weekly flights to four key cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The addition of Qassim and the four additional flights to Riyadh will increase the number of Qatar Airways’ weekly flights to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to 101 non-stop flights. The resumption of services and enhanced capacity is part of the state-owned airline’s ongoing efforts to expand its services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to provide greater choice and seamless connectivity to its passengers. Passengers flying from and to Qassim will enjoy seamless connectivity to over 150 destinations within the airline’s extensive global network in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas via the World’s Best Airport, Hamad International Airport. Passengers can also enjoy the airline’s newly integrated rewards currency, Avios, providing them even greater opportunities to accumulate points and leverage exciting innovations in redeeming and spending their rewards. In addition, Qatar Airways loyalty programme members will retain their well-earned rewards balance and will be able to continue enjoying the redemption opportunities they currently have.

At an exclusive interview with Abdullah Al-Zahrani, Brand and Marketing Executive Director The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) with TravTalk ME it was revealed that 2023 will witness a soft opening of the destination and by early 2024 will complete its first phase with a total of 3000 keys in terms of hotels within the project. Al-Zahrani reiterated, “Next year, The Red Sea will soft launch its first phase and by early 2024 will include 3,000 rooms, an 18-hole championship golf course, luxury marina, and retail and entertainment facilities on a fully operational hub island. By then, The Red Sea International Airport (RSI) will also be operational. First hotels to open at The Red Sea in 2023 will include St. Regis Red Sea Resort with 90 keys, Nujuma, A Ritz Carlton Reserve with 82 keys, and Six Senses Southern Dunes, Red Sea with 76 keys. Upon completion in 2030, The Red Sea is expected to host up to one million visitors each year with 8,000 rooms across 50 hotels, and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The RSI will also be fully operational, providing a luxury seamless experience where sustainability is embedded in every aspect.”

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts continues to strengthen its presence across the UAE with the opening of the 102-key Wyndham Residences The Palm. The opening marks Wyndham’s first collaboration with IFA Hotels & Resorts, a leading real estate developer specialised in mixed-use hotel and residential resort projects. Located in the Palm Jumeirah, one of the most popular landmarks in the emirate, Wyndham Residences The Palm boasts a mix of deluxe apartments ranging from modern studios to three-bedroom suites, a private white sand beach and other high-end amenities. With a number of connecting lobbies conveniently located throughout, it can also accommodate groups requiring five-bedroom apartments. The new property is part of Balqis Residences, one of IFA Hotels and Resorts’ mixed-use developments and offers luxurious accommodation to both residents and travellers who can enjoy scenic views of the Arabian Gulf and the dazzling Marina. Wyndham Residences The Palm is located within short distance to upscale restaurants and stylish nightclubs, and within easy reach of Aquaventure Waterpark, Palm Jumeirah Boardwalk, The Pointe and Nakheel Mall. Popular attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and the Dubai Frame are also a short drive away. It has also convenient access to both Dubai and Al Maktoum international airports. The property is the latest addition to Wyndham Hotels & Resorts portfolio in the UAE, reaching 22 hotels, of which 14 are in Dubai alone. Michel Augier, Regional Director Middle East and Africa, Wyndham Hotel & Resorts, said: “Wyndham Residences The Palm offers premium accommodation to both regional and international travellers who wish to explore the impressive Palm Jumeirah location. The opening of this hotel marks an important step in expanding our range of accommodation options …

According to Greek tourism pages, cooperation in tourism topped the agenda at the recent visit between the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis  and Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha. Indicative of the positive climate between the two countries, earlier this year the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) and Qatar Airways announced a joint campaign to promote Greece as a tourism destination in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Last week, the GNTO announced that it had partnered with online travel marketplace Wego to attract more travelers to Greece from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Meanwhile, Qatar Airways operates three weekly flights from Doha to Santorini, the third destination served in Greece by Qatar Airways together with Athens and Mykonos. The two leaders agreed to further tighten bilateral ties and deepen cooperation in other areas as well, including science, culture and sports. Mitsotakis went on to add that thanks to Greece’s strategic position in the area, it can become a bridge between Qatar and Europe and serve as a point of entry for energy for the European market, both through its station in Revythousa and Alexandroupolis. Lastly, he reiterated that Greece was a reliable partner and a pillar of stability in the region, particularly after the country’s exit from enhanced surveillance status this month, which opens a new chapter for Greece and paves the way for more investment opportunities.

TBO Holidays announced the grand prize winner of BMW x2 car following the final raffle draw of its ‘Book n Win Bonanza’ mega promotional campaign for travel agents in the region. Launched in April earlier this year, the ‘Book n Win Bonanza’ campaign gave away over 1229 prizes across 387 bookers during the first 60 days of the promotion, with a total of over 1,500 winners and 6,000 rewards distributed during the 120 days of the campaign period, with lucky agent Sarah Raouf from Family Tours, Egypt walking away with the BMW x2 grand prize. The campaign saw 1,200 travel agents win TBO+ Reward Points, allowing them to buy any products of their choice on TBO.com platform. Two lucky agents won cruise packages from MSC Cruises, bookers also had the opportunity to Spin the Wheel on TBO Holidays’ online platform winning some of the outstanding prizes including iPhones, iPads, iMacs, large screen television sets, shopping vouchers, cruise packages, and 5-star hotel and resort vouchers from exotic locations in Thailand, Malaysia & UAE. Neeraj Gera, President for International Business of TBO Tek Limited said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the lucky winners of our mega campaign for travel agents across MEA, which saw significant success. The Book n Win Bonanza was GCC’s biggest promotion designed exclusively for travel agents and partners and is our way of thanking them for all the support they showed us during the tough pandemic years. TBO Holidays will continue on its mission to deliver the best of products while simplifying travel ecosystem for all travel agents.” “Dubai continues to deliver to its residents, tourists and visitors the best of local and global …

As Tourism Malaysia pledges as platinum partner at the fifth edition of the Gulf Travel Show to be held on 28th and 29th September 2022, Rebak Island Resort and Marina from Langkawi joins the tourism board at the show. Tracy Lee – Sales Manager – Rebak Island Resort & Marina, Langkawi shared, “Welcome to your very own private island, surrounded by secluded beaches and vibrant jungles. Accommodation is spread out in chalet blocks with large sea view rooms for couples and spacious suites for families. Honeymooners may enjoy our signature moondeck, private beach front and marina boardwalk thematic dining. Groups or individuals could indulge in our ancient million year old nature trail or take an adventurous hike to our IG ready red rock beach.This property is located 15 minutes by ground transfer from Langkawi Airport to Cenang Terminal followed by a 07 minutes complimentary shared boat ride to Rebak Island. The Middle East market supports 30% of our business, which it is important to us maintain networking with our existing partners and making new ones too.”