Emirates has unveiled an exciting new way for travellers to explore Southeast Asia with the launch of the Emirates Asia Pass. Designed for travellers seeking cultural discovery and flexible itineraries, the pass simplifies multi-city travel across the region, offering convenience, value, and flexibility on one single booking. With the Emirates Asia Pass, customers can book and customise itineraries across Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore and Laos, all under one ticket. Whether travellers are looking to experience tranquil island retreats, rich cultural landmarks or vibrant cities, the Emirates Asia Pass allows them to seamlessly connect between destinations and explore the region their way. The Emirates Asia Pass offers travellers the freedom to create bespoke journeys, combining their desired destinations, and even revisiting the same city more than once. Travellers can select from one to ten flights within Southeast Asia, making it easy to tailor itineraries to match their travel style and schedule. For the complete list of destinations included in the pass, please visit emirates.com. The pass is available to travellers booking an international Emirates flight arriving in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam or Laos, either directly through Emirates or via their preferred travel agent. The new travel solution eliminates the need for multiple tickets on different airlines and allows customers to manage all flights conveniently on a single platform. From the tranquil beaches of Koh Samui to the vibrant streets of Bangkok, the Emirates Asia Pass invites travellers to plan and extend their trip easily. Popular gateways such as Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur serve as ideal starting points for exploration, with seamless onward connections operated in partnership with Bangkok Airways and Batik Air Malaysia. In addition, Emirates-operated …

Novotel Al Barsha walked away with the ‘Best City Hotel’ accolade at the 8th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2025. The spectacular Novotel Dubai Al Barsha towers over Sheikh Zayed Road, close to the city’s major business hubs and tourist attractions. Hotel that makes every moment matter. The Novotel Dubai Al Barsha is a 4-star hotel located in Dubai’s city centre with convenient access to the city’s major business hubs and leisure attractions. Their state-of-the-art meeting rooms are the perfect place for conferences, trainings and various types of meetings.

400+ delegates, 83 speakers, 55 different discussions across 9 formats, 39 ROCKSTAR award submissions and a 15 percent increase in attendance compared to last year as the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Middle East and Africa (MEA) has successfully wrapped up its 8th annual Commercial Strategy Conference in Dubai. The event brought together the region’s hospitality sales, marketing, revenue management and distribution community for two action-packed days of industry insights, networking, and awards. 83 speakers took the stage across 55 different sessions featuring nine different formats from keynotes and panel discussions to masterclasses and fireside chats. This year saw a 15 percent increase in attendance from the region’s experts in hospitality sales, marketing, revenue management and distribution, with 21 percent of attendees coming from outside the UAE. The event kicked off with an inspiring keynote by globally recognised keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and bestselling author, Nick Santonastasso, who transforms adversity into a framework for leadership, innovation, and growth. Celebrating the bold disruptors and pioneers, the annual ROCKSTAR Awards featured on-stage pitches from the nine shortlisted nominees who have pushed boundaries and set new standards of excellence in the hospitality industry. The audience voted for the top three winners which were Kuda Mukonoweshuro, Director of Sales, Radisson Hotel Dubai Damac Hills, Nawfal Mbamba, Director of Marketing and Communications, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, and Hassan Khan, Revenue Analyst, Radisson Hotel & Apartments Dammam Industrial City. The three winners received prizes sponsored by Wego, HSMAI, Les Roches and Glion Hospitality & Business Education. All shortlisted nominees received a copy of the book by bestselling author and Founder & CEO of Digital and Savvy, Maha Abouelenein, titled ‘Rules of Self-reliance,’ which …

Qatar Tourism, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Permanent Committee for Managing Visitor Entry, has announced updates to the “Hayya” platform for GCC Residents Visa (A2). The new features are designed to make travel to Qatar smoother and more convenient during a season rich in international sporting, cultural, and entertainment events. The updates, which will take effect on 30 November 2025, allows visitors from GCC countries to stay in Qatar for up to two months and offers multiple-entry access. These enhancements are designed to make it easier for visitors to attend a variety of events throughout the season and enjoy a seamless entry experience across all points of arrival. These updates come at a key moment as Qatar prepares to welcome regional visitors for the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup alongside a packed events calendar. The new visa features allow GCC residents to move in and out of the country with ease, enabling fans to attend matches and enjoy Qatar’s broader cultural and entertainment offerings. Through the Hayya Platform, Qatar continues to ensure a smooth arrival experience and strong operational readiness for the tournament and other major events during peak periods. Commenting on the new updates, Saeed Al Kuwari, Director of Hayya, said: “These measures go beyond simple procedural changes. They reflect Qatar Tourism’s broader vision to strengthen the country’s openness to the region, facilitate visitor movement during major sports and cultural events, increase arrivals, and enhance tourism’s contribution to the national economy. They also reinforce Qatar’s position as a leading regional destination for tourism and international events.” Hayya offers five distinct visa categories: the Tourist Visa (A1), GCC Resident Visa (A2), Visa with ETA (A3), Companion of …

Rafal Real Estate Development Company and Rove Hotels announced a strategic partnership to develop multiple Rove Hotels properties in the Saudi capital. Rove Hotels is a dynamic, award-winning lifestyle brand that has rapidly emerged as one of the fastest-growing hospitality brands in the Middle East. Born in Dubai as a joint venture between Emaar Properties and Dubai Holding, Rove already boasts over 8,000 keys open or under development. The brand is defined by its smart, vibrant design, seamless and fuss-free service culture, and a robust commitment to sustainability, appealing to the modern traveller seeking both style and substance. The signing ceremony, which took place in Riyadh, officially marks the Rove brand’s expansion into the Saudi Arabian market, with plans for future cities to follow. Under the agreement, the partners will bring Rove’s well-loved lifestyle concept to key, high-growth locations across Riyadh, with the first opening location set to be on Olaya Street. Locations are thoughtfully positioned to serve both business and leisure travellers, catering to the city’s dynamic growth. “This expansion represents a significant milestone and an important step forward. We are proud to be part of Rove and Rafal in shaping a new chapter for lifestyle-driven hospitality in Saudi Arabia,” said Saad Hussain of Alaia Developments. “We are delighted to introduce one of the region’s smartest hotel concepts to Riyadh,” said Elias Abou Samra, CEO of Rafal Real Estate Development Company. “Our confidence stems from the depth and track record of Rove Hotels in tailoring hospitality for regional guests, and from the strong connectivity between Riyadh and Dubai that underpins sustained demand from both leisure and business travellers. This partnership is a cornerstone of our strategy to bring innovative …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is showcasing the emirate’s expanding luxury credentials at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Cannes. At the flagship event for the global luxury travel industry taking place this week, DCT Abu Dhabi is connecting with key industry partners to create new growth opportunities, highlighting the destination’s unique blend of high-end hospitality, fine dining, and landmark cultural attractions. Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen and expand its luxury portfolio, with the world’s highest concentration of five-star hotels and 21 new hotel projects currently under development, including upcoming properties from Nobu Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts. The emirate’s culinary scene has also gained international recognition, now home to three Michelin-starred restaurants – Hakkasan, Talea, and Erth – and eight Bib Gourmand recipients. The delegation’s presence at ILTM Cannes coincides with the launch of two major cultural institutions in the emirate. The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi opened in November, followed by the inauguration of Zayed National Museum, the national museum of the UAE, today. These landmark institutions will further enrich Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District, which features the world’s highest concentration of cultural experiences. To further empower its luxury travel trade partners, DCT Abu Dhabi continues to enhance its support tools. The ‘Experience Abu Dhabi Experts’ e-learning platform is available in 13 languages and provides partners with in-depth destination knowledge to become certified specialists, while the recently launched reseller portal for the Abu Dhabi Pass offers wholesale rates and a seamless interface for agents to expand their product offerings. DCT Abu Dhabi invites ILTM Cannes attendees to visit its delegation at the Experience Abu Dhabi stand, H161, …

RezLive.com announced that it has once again been recognized at the prestigious Arabian Travel Awards 2025, held in Dubai, securing the coveted title of Best Travel Booking Platform. This honor underscores RezLive.com’s unwavering commitment to innovation, reliability, and excellence in the B2B travel space. It is a testament to the trust and support of our valued travel partners worldwide, who continue to inspire us to push boundaries and redefine industry standards. “This achievement belongs to our partners and team who believe in our vision and drive us forward. Together, we are shaping the future of B2B travel.” – Jaal Shah, Founder – RezLive.com and Group Managing Director – Travel Designer Group RezLive.com extends heartfelt gratitude to every partner and stakeholder for being an integral part of this journey. With this milestone, we reaffirm our mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions and seamless experiences that empower travel businesses across the globe. Here’s to many more milestones ahead – together, we continue to redefine B2B travel.

Cheval Maison Expo City Dubai wins ‘Best debut Hotel Apartments Cheval Maison’ at the 8th edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2025. The Arabian Travel Awards wrapped up with energy and pride as the region’s finest in travel, tourism and hospitality came together to celebrate a year of standout achievements. Often called the Oscars of the industry, the ceremony brought together leaders, innovators and changemakers for an evening that highlighted excellence and the region’s rapidly evolving tourism landscape.

Emirates will deploy its Airbus A350 across all seven weekly flights to Baghdad starting 1 January 2026. The A350 will replace the current Boeing 777 operating flights EK 943/944 four times weekly, offering customers it’s latest cabins for a more consistent travel experience on every flight. The introduction of the A350 across the full weekly schedule to/from Baghdad is part of Emirates’ commitment to delivering on its ‘Fly Better’ promise. Configured in three classes, the Emirates A350 offers 32 Business Class lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 21 Premium Economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration, and 259 spacious Economy Class seats in a 3-3-3 layout. Passengers can enjoy an elevated cinematic experience with the airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment system – ice, wider aisles, quieter cabins, and advanced lighting designed to reduce jet lag. The exclusive deployment of the A350 to Baghdad underscores Emirates’ long-standing commitment to Iraq and the wider region. The Airbus A350 was first deployed to Baghdad in August this year on flights EK941/942.

Bin Ham Travel Group has renewed its long-standing partnership with Amadeus, a global leader in travel technology, to further enhance travel booking experiences and drive sustainable growth across the region. Through this continued collaboration, Bin Ham Travel Group will leverage Amadeus’ state-of-the-art solutions to deliver seamless, real-time booking services. This partnership will continue to provide access to rich travel content, enabling more personalized offers, greater choice, and a seamless booking experience across flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel services. In addition, Bin Ham Travel Group will benefit from Amadeus’ innovative portfolio of digital solutions, including Amadeus Online Suite Mobile App, which will enhance the mobile booking journey for customers. The Amadeus Value Hotels (AVH) will offer access to competitive hotel content worldwide while the NDC-X program will give access to next-generation airline retailing and personalized offers. H.E. Ahmed Musallam Bin Ham, CEO of Bin Ham Travel Group, commented: “Our renewed partnership with Amadeus reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative travel solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. Together, we aim to elevate the travel experience by offering a wider range of choices, seamless booking, and greater convenience.” Echoing this sentiment, Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, Managing Director, Amadeus Gulf, said: “Bin Ham Travel Group has been a valued partner for many years. By renewing our collaboration, we are jointly advancing the travel ecosystem in the UAE with cutting-edge solutions that enhance efficiency and deliver exceptional value to travelers and partners alike.” This renewed alliance underlines the shared vision of both companies to set new benchmarks in travel technology, strengthen the UAE’s position as a global travel hub, and deliver enriched experiences to both individual travelers and corporate clients.