Domes Resorts, one of the Mediterranean’s fastest-growing luxury hotel brands, is thrilled to announce the opening Domes Lake Algarve on 9th April 2022. Located near Vilamoura in southern Portugal, this launch marks Domes Resorts’ international expansion outside of Greece for the first time, as well as the group’s first year-round hotel. Comprising 192 rooms and suites, the hotel’s interiors are inspired by the surrounding eco-protected landscape, which fresh colours reflecting the property’s gardens, pools and lake, which many of the rooms overlook. The hotel also features Domes Resort’s hyper-luxury Haute Living Selection, providing a ‘hotel-within-a-hotel’ experience for the most discerning travellers looking for space, privacy, and a deeper connection with calming nature and local activities. With its private saltwater lake and private access to Praia de Falesia beach, four sparkling swimming pools, a 1.2km deck stretching the gardens towards restaurants and observation pergolas, Domes Lake Algarve is a soothing setting for unwinding in the tranquil environment, as well as trying activities to make the most of its location such as clam and oyster picking, birdwatching, sailing, and wine tasting.   For those also looking to soak up the local culture of Vilamoura, the hotel is a short distance on foot to the famous marina, the wetlands, Ria Formosa Natural Park, restaurants, beach clubs, golf courses, and more. For adults seeking some downtime, the award-winning Soma Spa combines ancient Greek methods and contemporary healing techniques, with results-orientated products from ELEMIS, as well as GODAGE Paris which utilises active natural ingredients for more tailored treatments. Children are equally entertained, with KiEPOS, which aims to nurture eco-conscious minds and invites children to plant their greens, herbs and flowers for an interactive and educational …

The growth of audiovisual productions in Spain has brought people from all over the world closer to the culture, heritage and wealth of this country. Assuming that great stories are a great way to travel, the Spanish Tourism Institute (TURESPAÑA) and Netflix have presented the “Spain Travel Guide” (a mosaic of stories that make up the essence of the country) in the Mugaritz space and the audiovisual competition «How would you say it is Spain without saying it?». Both initiatives emphasize how Spanish fiction promotes the Spain Brand at an international level. The guide, produced in collaboration with ETHIC and the General Directorate of the Food Industry covers the 17 Autonomous Communities and the two Autonomous Cities through the stories and protagonists of each corner. «Spain Travel Guide» proposes an itinerary that includes the Spanish cultural, environmental and leisure wealth, in addition to its historical heritage. In a map format, it allows you to discover how the traditions (such as crafts, music or agriculture), the lifestyle and the capacity of Spanish society to offer unique experiences are reflected in many of the series and films produced for Netflix in Spain. The central axis of this guide are the testimonies of the inhabitants themselves, thanks to whose stories a diverse tourism is discovered. Throughout its sections, a territory full of contrasts between its cities and its rural environments is reflected, in which culture, gastronomy, historical heritage, fashion, nature or sports are presented as surprising alternatives for those who want to explore the country in a different way. The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of the Government of Spain, Reyes Maroto, has highlighted “that the collaboration of Turespaña with Netflix through …

Outrigger Hospitality Group announced 31 March that it has acquired the newly renovated five-star Maafushivaru Resort in the Maldives – adding another premier beach property to its expanding global portfolio. The luxury resort has been renamed Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort and is located on a private island in the pristine South Ari Atoll region, a 25-minute seaplane flight from Malé – offering convenient access and breathtaking views for arriving guests. The resort is comprised of a collection of 81 luxury villa styles including beach, pool and duplex accommodations, as well as coveted overwater bungalows and more. “There are few destinations that evoke higher levels of relaxation, elegance and seclusion than the Maldives. This resort is the perfect addition to our array of global beachfront properties,” said Jeff Wagoner, President and CEO of Outrigger Hospitality Group. “With travel on the rise, we look forward to welcoming our global guests to the Maldives and curating unforgettable Outrigger Signature Experiences that allow visitors to appreciate Maldivian culture in an iconic beachfront setting.” Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is classified by many world travellers as the ultimate luxury beach destination. Known for its uninterrupted views of white sandy beaches and a seemingly endless turquoise lagoon, the Maafushivaru Resort has recently undergone an extensive modernisation and is poised to be among the Maldives’ most sought-after vacation destinations. Outrigger will leverage the knowledge of General Manager, John Allanson, who has served the brand previously and has three decades of hospitality leadership experience. In his new role, Allanson will spearhead the transition of this property utilising The Outrigger Way philosophy. This ethos has allowed the brand to expand across the globe without compromising its values …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has become one of the first UAE government entities to create its own Non-Fungible Token (NFT). During a series of innovative workshops, more than 220 employees collaborated to create the unique NFT digital art, which aimed to reflect DCT Abu Dhabi’s corporate values of being welcoming, pioneering, agile, and collaborative. Jasim Al Hebsi, Acting Director of the People and Performance Department at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “In creating our NFT collage, we have proven that the spirit of innovation is thriving within our organisation. At DCT Abu Dhabi, our vision is to cultivate knowledge and understanding for our cultural heritage, while also initiating creativity to embrace the future of technology. So, as well as highlighting our corporate values and encouraging teamwork, this project has enabled us to gain a firm understanding of how art and culture are evolving in the digital age.” NFTs are digital assets that represent real-world objects, such as artwork, music, video game, or film clip. The created arts can be purchased or sold online using cryptocurrencies only, and are often encoded and stored on the same cryptocurrency blockchain software. The two-day workshop event consisted of eight sessions where 20 teams worked on creating their designs using a photo library containing more than 1,000 images. The unique designs were fused to create a collage which was later transferred into DCT Abu Dhabi’s exclusive NFT. Since DCT Abu Dhabi’s NFT workshop, other UAE government entities have shown interest in recreating the sessions to make their own unique digital assets. NFTs were first invented in 2014, but they have recently gained recognition as an increasingly popular means …

Travelport released the below trend data highlighting that the United Arab Emirates has recovered to 110% of its 2019 levels, based on point of destination travel. This makes the U.A.E. currently the most recovered country in the world. Contributing to the U.A.E.’s strong recovery is Dubai, which has currently recovered to 114% of its 2019 levels. This makes it the second most recovered city in the Middle East and the fifth most recovered city in the world. Dubai is also currently ranked as the top global destination for corporate travelers, who currently make up nearly one-third (29%) of all 2022 bookings to the city. Global Recovery Update To date, the global travel industry has recovered more than two-thirds (67%) of its gross activity, a 14% growth in the first three months of 2022 alone. At 110% recovered, the U.A.E. is currently the most recovered country in the world. Dubai (114%) is the second most recovered city in the Middle East, following Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (115%). Dubai is also the fifth most recovered city in the world: 1. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (136%) 2. Montego Bay, Jamaica (132%) 3. Cancun, Mexico (124%). 4. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (115%) 5. Dubai, U.A.E. (114%)   United Arab Emirates Travel Trends The top nine countries traveling to the U.A.E. are: 1. The United Kingdom 2. Bangladesh 3. India 4. Pakistan 5. Germany 6. Saudi Arabia 7. France 8. United States 9. Italy The top nine international destinations for travelers from the UAE are: 1. India 2. Pakistan 3. The Philippines 4. Saudi Arabia 5. Bangladesh 6. China 7. Egypt 8. Turkey 9. United Kingdom Corporate travelers are returning in high volumes to Dubai, making up …

Musafir.com announced they are seeing a rise in inquiries from UAE residents (by 50% percent) ahead of Eid and summer (as schools will close). The agency sees pent-up demand for travel, as regulations ease and travellers prefer taking short trips to other destinations besides their home country. These summer and Eid packages include – airport transfers, flights, insurance, breakfast, free visa, and entrance to certain local spots. Raheesh Babu, COO, Musafir.com said, “There has been a pent-up demand for travel and UAE residents have been eager to travel to other destinations besides their home countries. There is a strong desire among travellers to take big bucket list trips this year, particularly to safer and closer international destinations. We have worked with our partners to offer these 8 destinations like Georgia, Baku, Serbia, Armenia, Turkey, Kenya, Phuket and Bishkek.” Musafir.com offers a hassle-free booking experience to book flights, visas, insurance, hotel stays etc. to over 50 destinations worldwide. In addition, it provides a flexible rescheduling policy – allowing customers to modify their travel package free of charge up to 6 business days from the travel date with a 24/7 customer care team to get assistance.  

Radisson Hotel Group announced the launch of the Group’s newest brand, Radisson Individuals, in Egypt with the opening of Marina Resort Port Ghalib, a member of Radisson Individuals. This brings the Group’s portfolio in Egypt to eight hotels in operation and under development and the first Radisson Individuals in Africa. Marina Resort Port Ghalib, a member of Radisson Individuals is set in an ideal location along the desert coastline of the Red Sea, next to Port Ghalib’s palm tree-lined promenade and popular yacht-docking harbor, with direct beach access and its own water park. Port Ghalib is located in Marsa Alam on the Southern Red Sea Coral Coast of Egypt, 67 km south of Quseir City. The resort is conveniently situated close to a range of attractions including the popular nearby dive site Marsa Mubarak where visitors can get up close to fish, sea turtles, and local marine mammals. Each of the 159 spacious and stylish hotel rooms and suites has a balcony overlooking the pool or the marina. The hotel’s two-bedroom duplex suite is a perfect home away from home that stretches across 160 square meters and features a kitchen, living room, dining room, and reception area as well as two master bedrooms, each with their own en-suite bathroom. The hotel’s food & beverages venues are set in stylish indoor and alfresco surroundings along the coastline. La Brasserie, the hotel’s restaurant, is located just above the lobby area and offers a buffet with live cooking stations. The hotel’s Lobby Bar is the perfect place to satisfy coffee cravings or grab a light bite at any time of the day, while the Marina Beach Bar, Splash Bar, and The Nest Bar …

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) has marked the 50th anniversary of the airline’s first passenger flight to Dubai, which arrived on 5th April 1972. The anniversary flight was greeted on arrival at Dubai International Airport by airport representatives and KLM staff, who joined a ceremony to mark the milestone. KLM started services to Dubai on 5th April 1972 with a once-a-week connection via Athens and Dhahran, operating an extended Douglas DC-8 jet aircraft. The flight returned from Dubai on April 6th. At that time, Dubai International airport handled around 500,000 passengers per year (1970 figures) and Schiphol Airport more than 5 million. In 2021, Schiphol welcomed 25.5 million passengers (in 2019 pre-Covid the total was almost 72 million); Dubai International welcomed 29.1 million people in 2021, and 86.4 million in 2019 (pre-Covid). Speaking about the 50th anniversary of KLM’s first flight to Dubai, Simon Scholte, General Manager Middle East, Air France KLM said: “This is a very special occasion marking the amazing milestone of KLM’s first passenger service to Dubai. We have the additional honour of celebrating this anniversary during the UAE’s ‘Year of the 50th’ and at the conclusion of this extraordinary global event, Expo 2020 Dubai. It’s a time to pause briefly and reflect on Dubai’s remarkable progress over the last 50 years and to express our gratitude to Dubai government and the airport authorities for their tremendous support. It’s also a time to look ahead at the strong and growing relationship between Dubai and KLM, and our shared commitment to innovation and sustainability.” Air France KLM offers flights from various cities in the Middle East to the airline’s two hubs at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam-Schiphol, connecting …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) concluded its first-ever Visit Abu Dhabi Roadshow event in Tel Aviv, Israel, with the successful two-day event hosted in partnership with Etihad Airways and Experience Hub. The roadshow saw key stakeholders join DCT Abu Dhabi representatives to showcase the UAE capital as the leading tourism destination for families and couples in the Middle East region. Paving the way for long-term partnerships in the sector, members of DCT Abu Dhabi met with tour operators and key stakeholders to promote and discuss the unique and diverse experiences the destination offers Israeli travellers. Nabeel Al Zarouni, Travel Trade & Market Development Regional Section Head – Domestic & Middle East Region at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Over the last 50 years of the UAE’s growth, Abu Dhabi has played an integral role in shaping the tourism offering of the region and we’re delighted to have been able to showcase this, and upcoming announcements, to our valued travel trade partners in Israel. Abu Dhabi is a destination that offers the world in one place – culture, entertainment, relaxation and amazing natural landscapes from deserts to beaches. There is something for everyone to enjoy at your own pace, whether it’s the tranquillity of Al Ain to the thrills of Yas Island. We look forward to welcoming more Israeli travellers this year, particularly with the exciting calendar of events we have in 2022 and beyond.” The official visit started on 23 March when the roadshow welcomed industry leaders, Israeli senior management, diplomats, and Abu Dhabi tourism stakeholders at an exclusive networking dinner held at the Hilton Tel Aviv hotel. This was followed by a DCT …

As Indian flight queries for the UAE and Egypt witness a significant uptick, and the country retains its position as Dubai’s biggest source market, India’s tourism sector will be a key focus for delegates, exhibitors and attendees at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2022, which will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from Monday 9 to Thursday 12 May. With India’s travel industry projected to account for 29 million outbound trips per year by 2025, according to analysis from GlobalData, and ResearchandMarkets.com predicting its outbound tourism market will surpass $42 billion by the end of 2024, ATM 2022 will offer a timely opportunity to explore the vast potential offered by the country’s travel, tourism and hospitality sector. Data from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) shows that the country ranked top of the emirate’s source market list for 2021, accounting for 910,000 inbound visitors, and short-haul flight queries for destinations including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Egypt have witnessed a 30 percent uptick among Indian tourists, according to Thomas Cook (India). Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME – Arabian Travel Market, said: “The global pandemic had a major impact on India’s travel sector but, as our industry’s global post-pandemic recovery continues to gather pace, Indian tourists appear eager to return to their favourite Middle Eastern destinations. We are excited to explore the vast potential of this vital source market as part of our dedicated buyer forum at ATM 2022.” The number of inbound tourists travelling from India to the UAE has witnessed a 50 percent increase of late, with VFS Global processing 40,000 travel visas since Dubai reopened its borders following the pandemic. With a buyer forum dedicated exclusively to …