Conrad Dubai was recognised as the ‘Best Luxury and MICE Hotel – UAE’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. Conrad Dubai is located in the financial and shopping district, minutes from Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the airport. This luxurious hotel offers accommodations with panoramic views, five dining venues, an outdoor pool, a premier spa, a fitness centre and a yoga pavilion.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has awarded 153 hotels with the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Stamp in the initiative’s second cycle. This marks a 118% increase from the 70 hotels recognised in last year’s inaugural edition, reflecting the commitment of the hospitality sector in Dubai to prioritising sustainability, and reinforcing the city’s growing reputation as a sustainable destination. The DST Stamp, which was launched in July 2023, recognises hotels that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainable practices, aligning with Dubai’s ambitious environmental goals and vision for a green future. Hotels are evaluated against a comprehensive set of ‘19 Sustainability Requirements’, covering areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and staff engagement. The awards, which feature a three-tier recognition system in gold, silver and bronze categories, were officially announced at an exclusive ceremony held on 26 February at Atlantis The Royal. Contributing to broader clean energy targets and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) 2030, the DST Stamp initiative is also in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. As part of the wider DST programme, the recognition is designed to elevate the environmental performance of the hospitality sector. Rated for their performance in 2024, 18 hotels achieved the gold tier – including Atlantis, The Palm; Atlantis The Royal; Jumeirah Al Qasr; Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf; Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa; and Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai – while 64 earned silver and 71 received bronze. These hotels underwent rigorous assessments by third-party independent assessors as part of the Dubai Government Excellence programme, ensuring …

In partnership with AIMS Holding, IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to bring its ultra-luxury brand, Regent, to the holy city of Makkah, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s evolving hospitality landscape. IHG and AIMS have signed an agreement to brand and operate a property that is strategically located just steps from Al Haram Al Sharif. With construction already underway, the hotel is moving ahead of initial timelines, reinforcing IHG’s commitment to expanding its luxury portfolio in the region. Regent Makkah will offer breathtaking, unobstructed views of the Holy Mosque, Masjid al-Haram and Al Kaaba, offering an exceptional retreat with world-class comfort for travellers visiting Islam’s holiest city. The hotel will redefine opulence in Makkah, ensuring an exclusive, serene, and refined experience in one of the world’s most spiritual destinations. The hotel will house 330 meticulously designed rooms and suites, each featuring state-of-the-art technology, thoughtfully curated wellness experiences that cater to both relaxation and spiritual well-being, ensuring a truly elevated stay. Adding to its grandeur, the property will feature an expansive presidential suite on a high floor, offering sweeping panoramic views of the Haram and Al Kaaba, setting a new benchmark for luxury accommodations in the city. The Regent Makkah will offer a supreme culinary journey with specialty restaurants led by acclaimed chefs. Additionally, a world-class spa and wellness centre will enrich the experience with rejuvenation and relaxation offerings in a setting of unparalleled comfort. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are excited to launch Regent Makkah, a brand that embodies the pinnacle of luxury and hospitality. This property will not only elevate the guest experience in Makkah, but also …

teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi will officially open its doors to the public in Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi on 18 April 2025, announced by the Department of Culture and Tourism—Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, and art collective teamLab. The 17,000 sqm multi-sensory art experience is operated by Miral Experiences, a subsidiary of Miral, and will include massive transformative exhibits that take guests on a sensory-rich journey that transcends the ordinary. The exhibits engage sight, sound, and touch, encouraging guests to expand the way they feel, connect and interact with the world around them. Sitting at the intersection of art, science, and technology, the artworks do not exist independently—the environment creates various phenomena that become the artwork, offering a dynamic, ever-evolving guest experience, and ensuring that no two visits will be the same. HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “Saadiyat Cultural District is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s commitment to preserving heritage while embracing a forward-looking vision. The District will convey a message of cultural diversity that will become more powerful over time, creating global connections, inspiring cultural exchange, and fostering new ways of thinking to support the region, the global South and the world. We believe in the diversity of artistic expression and teamLab is the perfect partner to provide immersive art experiences that push the boundaries of art and technology. Together, we are redefining what is possible expanding our horizons and forging deeper connections in ways never seen before.” HE added: “Once opened, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi will offer an immersive journey that sparks infinite curiosity and imagination in all who visit. At …

HBX Group (HBX.SM) and PerfectStay announced the strategic partnership with Turkish Airlines that has resulted in the launch of Turkish Airlines Holidays, a new travel offering designed to enhance the passenger experience. This partnership enables Turkish Airlines passengers to have access to HBX Group’s extensive global inventory of hotels, experiences, and transfers, powered by PerfectStay’s dynamic packaging technology, which allows travelers to conveniently book customized travel packages tailored to their preferences. Passengers will have the best price guaranteed and bundled package benefits for holiday packages in over 60 countries and 200 destinations, including tailor-made holiday and tour programs. With Turkish Airlines being one of the largest and most influential airlines in the world, covering the largest global network of international flights, this collaboration is a major milestone in HBX Group’s strategic focus on airlines and loyalty programs, a key segment that accounted for 13% of Total Transaction Value (TTV) of HBX Group´s Accommodation segment in 2024. Turkish Airlines Holidays, also, will announce its entry into the US market in the coming months. Nicolas Huss said “Today’s travelers expect a seamless and connected booking experience. With this in mind, we are proud to embark on this strategic partnership with Turkish Airlines to launch Turkish Airlines Holidays. Through this collaboration, passengers can now enhance their journeys by combining flights with our extensive global inventory of accommodations, transfers and experiences, powered by PerfectStay’s advanced packaging technology, to create the ideal getaway. As a company dedicated to connecting global travel, we are thrilled about this opportunity and eager to shape the future of travel together.” “We are excited to partner with HBX Group and Turkish Airlines on this groundbreaking venture”. Raphael Zier, Co-founder and …

The Tower Plaza Hotel Dubai was recognised as the ‘Best City Hotel’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “It gives us immense pleasure for winning the “Best City Hotel” award at the Arabian Travel Awards. It is an incredibly important and significant achievement for the whole team. It not only validates the hard work and dedication but also reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional service and creating memorable experiences for our guests.”-Haitham Galal, General Manager, The Tower Plaza Hotel Dubai

Emirates and Garuda Indonesia unlocked a world of new opportunities for frequent flyer members with the launch of a joint loyalty programme offering. Emirates Skywards and GarudaMiles members can now earn and redeem Miles while travelling across a combined network of more than 200 destinations. The two carriers launched a codeshare agreement in 2022 and have since expanded their partnership to offer loyalty programme members more destinations, more Miles, and more rewards. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of Aviation Festival Asia 2025 by Dr. Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, and Rahmaniar, Miles & Ancillary Group Head Garuda Indonesia. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer: “At Emirates Skywards, we’re always exploring new ways to offer more choice, value, and opportunities for our members. Our exciting new partnership with Garuda Indonesia will bring significant benefits to both Skywards and GarudaMiles members. This strategic collaboration aligns with Skywards’ vision of creating a truly global loyalty experience for our members worldwide. It will open new doors for frequent flyers to earn and redeem miles across our combined networks, while also expanding our renowned loyalty offering in Southeast Asia. We look forward to growing this partnership and delivering even greater value to our members.” Wamildan Tsani Panjaitan, President & CEO Garuda Indonesia, explained: “We are thrilled to present this enhanced value partnership for both Garuda Indonesia and Emirates loyal passengers. With this new joint loyalty programme, Garuda Indonesia represents its commitment to always deliver exciting offers to our GarudaMiles members while adding more benefits for Skywards members. Giving more opportunities to earn and redeem miles seamlessly across both networks globally, this initiative will unlock more destinations for …

Visit Qatar and Microsoft strengthened their collaboration to drive digital innovation in the tourism sector by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Qatar Web Summit. The MoU was signed by Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, and Lana Khalaf, General Manager of Microsoft Qatar, marking the beginning of a new phase of partnership between the two sides. Building on the success of Visit Qatar’s Smart Travel Assistant powered by Microsoft Azure, OpenAI 4o and 4o mini technologies, the two entities will explore the latest technologies to enhance visitor experiences and improve workflows. Visit Qatar’s Smart Travel Assistant is a pioneering innovation that seamlessly integrates text, voice, content, a conversational virtual assistant, maps and an interactive layout interface, setting new standards in digital excellence in tourism. Visit Qatar and Microsoft are developing a comprehensive technology roadmap to drive digital transformation in the tourism sector and enhance visitor experiences through integrated smart and digital solutions.

VFS Global launched a new Generative AI-powered chatbot to enhance customer support for travellers to the UK in 141 countries including the GCC. The AI-Powered Chatbot not only utilises advanced Generative AI technology to offer human-like, conversational support, but does so through both voice and text commands, providing instant, accurate, and accessible information for customers travelling to the UK. Developed by VFS Global’s AI team, headquartered in Dubai, the AI-Powered Chatbot addresses the increasing demand for efficient customer support, allowing users to easily access the information needed to navigate the application process. Jen Vidler, Deputy Director, Cross Cutting Service Operations, Visa, Status and Information Services, Customer Services Group, UK Visas and Immigration, said, “The rollout of VFS Global’s AI-powered chatbot demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient and meet the needs of all customers. Providing instant access to accurate information about the visa application process will ensure we continue to offer the best service to our customers.” Zubin Karkaria, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global, added, “Technology and innovation have always been the cornerstones of our operations at VFS Global, and we are pleased to launch this AI-powered information solution which will significantly enhance the visa application experience for our customers travelling to the UK from across the globe. We are developing a range of AI and digital technology driven products to drive the next transformation in visa and consular services for our Client Governments and customers. We remain deeply committed to the responsible development of AI in accordance with the policies and requirements of our client governments.” The AI-Powered chatbot was developed using advanced Generative AI technologies, each trained exclusively on publicly available data …

Golden Tulip Media Hotel won the title of ‘Best 4 Star Executive Hotel’ at the seventh edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2024. “I am happy to be among the successful leaders here, so thank you to the organisers. I hope to see you here next year as well. Our strategy is to grow as a hotel to improve and strengthen guest experiences in Dubai, and we want to be at the same pace as the city.” -Hamed Al Kalbani, General Manager, Golden Tulip Media Hotel